From Pastor Josh Laxton
“The best way to honor the past is to let go of the past that is holding you back and to press on towards the future that God has for you.”
“To experience God’s promises we must execute God’s Plan.”
“How do we need to prepare our hearts?”
“To honor the past without hindering the future we must let God continue what He started.”
Soon after Moses died, God told Joshua, “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9)
Later in the Bible, when Israel was in exile, God told the prophet Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Both of these passages were written to direct and provide comfort to the people of Israel in difficult times of stress, suffering, sadness, confusion, change and uncertainty. In each passage, God directs the hearts and minds of His people forward from their present circumstances, which could hinder them, to the future and the hope God has planned.
The times and culture we are living in today is also difficult. People around us are angry. Relationships with our family, friends and neighbors can be contentious and hurtful. Financial burdens can be overwhelming, and it seems there is always one more difficult and unsettling thing we have to deal with.
However, just as God reminds Joshua and Jeremiah, He is on our side. We are to be strong and courageous. As believers in Jesus, we have a hope that surpasses all understanding. Our trust is placed on God who promises to be with us. He won’t leave us or forsake us no matter what happens. He provides comfort and peace as we move forward looking towards an amazing future. Isaiah 41:10 states, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Because of our confidence and eternal hope as believers in Jesus, we have great news that we need to share with others who need hope and confidence for their future. God calls us to be light to our neighbors and to the nations. We have the privilege to work within our culture as we extend the goodness of God to those around us and to our communities. As we share the good news of the gospel, let us be strong and courageous together in unity as we go confidently into the future that God has planned!
To honor the past without hindering the future we must let God continue what He started.
To let God continue what He started, we must LET GO.
To let God continue what He started, we must LISTEN UP and know that to experience God’s promises we must execute God’s plan.
God provides promises.
God gives commands.
To let God continue what He started, we must LOAD UP.
Get Ready.
Load up your people.
Load up your provisions.
Load up your preparedness.
Let us offer our heart to the Lord and let him clean it, empty it, and prepare it for what He has in store for you and for Northland.
In thinking about the future, consider areas where you could get involved and contribute to God’s kingdom at Northland by using your time, talents or treasures. Take some time to read and meditate on God’s word. Pray about participating on a short term mission trip. Sign up for Northland’s weekly email to see areas where God might be calling you to get involved and serve. (See additional resources below for more information.)
Lord, we ask that you make us strong and courageous as we live our lives honoring the past without hindering the future. Let us be a people who are propelled forward on the path you have prepared. Help us trust you and be obedient to your Word. Let us consecrate our hearts so we are prepared to move forward as your faithful, obedient servants. We give you thanks for the eternal hope you have promised us as followers of King Jesus, and we ask that you continue to enable us to live lives that love and honor you and your Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Find Out About Short Term Mission Trips
–Post a Prayer or Pray for Someone Else
–Sign up for the Northland Newsletter
Something big is coming. Throughout five decades of ministry, we've seen God move in some miraculous ways. Join Pastor Josh as he unveils our biggest update yet
Something big is coming. Throughout five decades of ministry, we've seen God move in some miraculous ways. Join Pastor Josh as he unveils our biggest update yet ... a new vision for the next 50 years.
» February 4-5
NORTHLAND 2.0 | Northland's New Mission Statement Unpacked | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» February 11-12
NORTHLAND 2.0 | Northland's New Vision: The 4 C's | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» February 4-5
NORTHLAND 2.0 | Northland's New Mission Statement Unpacked | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» February 11-12
NORTHLAND 2.0 | Northland's New Vision: The 4 C's | Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
Whether you want to learn more about the Bible and grow in your faith, or you're struggling and don't know where to turn, help and hope can be found here.
Tune in each week as Pastor Josh reveals the "rest of the story" behind his sermons. We'll discuss how those who follow Christ can live out a biblical vision for the Church in the world today.
Wednesday, February 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Placed in the war zone of Dutch Haarlem in 1944, Hiding Place is a portrayal of divinely inspired forgiveness in the midst of desperate and unimaginable circumstances. The Ballet Magnificat! Omega Company taps into the struggle of two sisters, Corrie and Betsie ten Boom, as they search for possibilities to help their life-long Jewish neighbors and friends obtain security, found in a small hiding place built in the wall of their home, only to be discovered and transported to the concentration camp of Ravensbrück to face struggles far exceeding their wildest imagination. Inspired by the true story of the ten Boom family, choreographer Jiri Sebastian Voborsky unveils this heroic story with a great level of drama, passion, pain, yet joy, and ultimately hope, as he brings before the audience the challenge to believe the unbelievable -- the power of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
