In the beginning of the book of Joshua, Moses has just died. Joshua is now in charge of leading His people to the Promised Land. In Chapter 1 the Lord tells Joshua: “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

This marvelous promise wasn’t just for Joshua — it can also be claimed by followers of Jesus today. This means that we, as we head into spiritual battle for souls, God promises to give us victory.

But, before we can experience this success, we need to understand the conditions for enjoying such a promise. The conditions are found in verse 8 of Joshua 1, where God says: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Even though Joshua was at least 65 years old at this point, the Lord took him right back to the basics - spending time with God and His Word. That’s the key secret to successful living through Jesus Christ.

The Bible is the essential element for success in all areas of our lives, including our witnessing. No matter how long you and I have been Christians, we must purpose to spend time each day with Jesus Christ, and His Word.

Then, as you share your faith, God really will give you ‘every place where you set your foot.’ Victory, success, God’s way, that’s it!

My parents raised me on stories about missionaries from the 1800s since I was a little boy. Even today, I get excited when I hear the accounts of these great, amazing, courageous, men and women of God. It reminds me that we’re all called to ‘go preach the Good News.’

One of my favorite missionary heroes is Hudson Taylor. This Englishman was the first missionary to the interior of China. He later founded the China Inland Mission where he saw hundreds of missionaries follow him, establishing Gospel stations all over China.

Taylor’s motto was to “move men through God, by prayer.” He was a man who did everything, so to speak, on his knees before God, and the Lord honored that. I believe that’s why he was so astonishingly successful in his mission endeavors.

Hudson Taylor died a little over a hundred years ago, but his tremendous legacy follow him in China. Even atheists - national Chinese leaders, who I have met, know about him!

Do you spend time on your knees before the Lord, asking Him to move in the hearts of people who don’t know Him? Matthew 21:22 encourages us, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

So, let’s you and I follow Hudson Taylor’s lead, and continue praying for the lost people in our world. God has chosen you to work in answer to prayer.

A New Way of Thinking
Here’s a great story. In Genesis chapter 12, God tells Abram to pack up his belongings and go to an unknown place. He says to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”

Man, I like that! Many Christians today have a distorted understanding of what makes up purposeful living. Good health, a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle and a happy family. They think, “When I’m happy, God is happy.”

Unfortunately, they’ve lost touch with God’s grand plan. And they are unaware of the biblical reason for blessings. In the passage that we just read, God told Abram that he would make him great so that he would be a blessing to others! In the process, Abram would be fulfilled (most of the time). And, when we live for Christ and give to others, we are filled with joy in the process!

Think about all God has given you. Good health? A great family? Wisdom? Physical strength? Whatever it is, ask the Lord how you can use those things to be a blessing - to help others.

I know a young guy who’s gifted with physical strength. He looks for opportunities to bless others by helping them move. What a great way to put the love of Christ into action! So if you want to be blessed then be a blessing to others.

I have a very successful friend named George, who used to be a pretty nasty character. He enjoyed making people uncomfortable. Once he was on a plane trip and a college woman was sitting next to him. Just for the fun of it, George opened up a Playboy magazine right in front of her. She noticed, and then opened up her Bible.

After a few minuets she turned to him on that airplane and said, “Sir, can I ask you a question?” He said, “Sure.” She asked him: “do you know where you’re going when you die?” He said, “I hope I’m going to heaven.” The girl replied, “Hope? Don’t you want to know for sure?” He said yes. So she shared the Good News with him.

He didn’t make a commitment then and there on the plane. But, two years later he was driving on a highway in Pennsylvania on a long road trip. He suddenly felt a conviction for his sin. He remembered what the girl shared with him on the plane. So, right then and there, he made a commitment to the Lord. He changed, I know George! That college woman will probably never know, until she gets to heaven, what an impact her words of truth had on that man.

As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians, “Our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.” Remember to keep sowing seeds. It’s our job to be obedient in sharing our faith. The Holy Spirit does the rest.