When to Move Forward & When to Stand Still

My wife, Mandy, and I have two kids, a 16-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. They’re very different. But, neither of them can sit still. And, they’ve almost always been that way. For instance, from the time our son was about seven months old until he turned 18 months old, we’re not sure if he ever slept a single night all the way through. Even in everyday moments, he was fidgety. Taking him to a sitting that required a child to be still was like wrestling an alligator! And, now at fourteen, he still is moving all the time. His hands, his feet, his body, or his mind – he can’t sit still!

If you’ve raised any children, you can probably relate to some degree in one way or the other. But, as well, I think all of us struggle with “stillness” in our own way. We’ve all got something child-like going on in our life spiritually when it comes to being still. In some way, I think it is probably directly connected to the enemy’s work in our life. And, here’s why.

One of the MOST FAMOUS passages in the Bible reminds us of the need for STILLNESS:

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand STILL, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today... 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13–14 (NKJV)

Notice, “Do not be afraid.” The implication is that there is something present to fear. But, when we're afraid, the last thing we want to do is stand still. But, I believe one of the things that God is communicating in this passage of Scripture is that you display that you have overcome fear by standing still when there is reason to fear. In other words, don’t run away from your enemy, just to be running. Trust God!

However, there is the potential to get confused in this text because of how the passage reads. In the context of verses 13 and 14, God is telling them to stand still, but in the very next verse, Exodus 14:15, the Lord tells them to GO FORWARD.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. Exodus 14:15 (NKJV)

Lord, I need clarity. I thought you just told me to stand still, and now you're telling me to go forward. God, which one is it that you want from me? Do you want me to stand still, or do you want me to go forward?”

If we were honest, many of us are in that same place of tension in our walk with God. We're not sure if we should stand still or keep moving. But, let’s unpackage it for a moment. If you look further into Scripture, you will find God says more than once, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 also has this exact wording.

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand STILL and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you… Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17–21 (NKJV)

Just like, in the context of the passage, we can see the promise God shared with his people in Exodus 14, he is also decreeing in 2 Chronicles 20: his people will not need to fight their battle! Instead, they will get to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. So, when we put the two passages together, we begin to see a couple of things that match the character of God’s directives: 1) There is a time to go forward. 2) There is a time to stand still.

The purpose of going forward in association with God’s command is so that you can reposition yourself into the vantage point and placement that he prefers for your life. You’re going to get to “see” something! But the main reason God requires repositioning is because he intends to fight for you.

So, how do we know when it's time to be still?

One of the ways it becomes evident it's time to stand still is when we can evaluate our life and determine the only reason we are still moving is that we fear something that is chasing us. God has not given you that spirit or attitude. And, if you are running from relationship to relationship or job to job because you fear betrayal, relapse, or the bite of bitterness, then it may be time to stand still. Ask yourself, “Am I still moving forward because it is a clear instruction from God, or am I doing it because I'm running from something?”

The Israelites needed to go forward because the Egyptian’s had released them from captivity. But, once they started to move forward, they quickly found themselves with a mountain on each side of them and the Red Sea in front of them. If you are familiar with the story, you know that they were trapped. As a result, God parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites walked across on dry ground, escaping impending doom in the process. But, this place in the story is where things get increasingly interesting. Even though the Hebrew people were now on the other side of the Red Sea, their enemy was still chasing them. In response to this tactic of the enemy, the Bible explicitly says that God caused the wheels to come off the enemy's chariots. Meaning the thing that was chasing them couldn't chase them any longer! God was saying through this action, “You can now stand still and see My salvation.” They got the opportunity just to stand still and watch God go to work!

Our God has a way of making old things pass away and making everything new again. We become born again in Christ Jesus, and the result of that monumental event is that things that used to have a hold on us – God takes the wheels off of it. That hurt, habit, or hang-up no longer has permission to chase us. We can stop running!

What’s chasing you? Have you acknowledged that the thing that was chasing you might not be chasing you anymore? Maybe it’s time to consider being still and watch God go to work?

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABgZzWZtqHs

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.
   

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WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

This Is Why They Don’t Like You

Earlier this week, we talked about five blessings to pray and seek God for in 2022. We believe that God will bless our children, finances, relationships, emotions, and influence in 2022! We are ready to be blessed by God so we can be a blessing to others! We know that these blessings will lead to a life of meaning and purpose, not only right here right now but for generations to come!

Let’s continue to look at Psalm 112, but from a new point of view, emphasizing how not only does God promise us these five blessings, but that He promises them for generations to come. These are blessings that last beyond a lifetime!

Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes

triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

-Psalm 112: 1-10 (NLT)

These blessings continue for generations to come. Because you didn’t enter into casual Christianity but decided to be a Spirit-empowered, life-giving, need-meeting, Jesus-connected, devil-stomping Christian, your legacy lives on through God’s blessings. Choosing to live a life of meaning and purpose carries on beyond your lifetime!

Have you thought about the legacy you are leaving?

Don’t just live for today; think about tomorrow. Don’t just go through the motions of mundane life. Take time to stop and pray for God to bless your children because they are our future. Pray for God to bless your finances, so you can give generously and be a blessing. Pray for God to bless your relationships so that you can step into a place of actual influence. Pray for God to bless your influence so that you can carry out the purpose He has for you. Finally, pray for God to bless your emotions so that you are stabilized in the Spirit of God, speaking and living out His Word. This is how you live a meaningful life and leave a legacy!

All of this sounds wonderful! We all want to live a life of meaning and purpose. We all want to leave a legacy. But here’s a disclaimer from God, when you have all of these blessings in your life, the wicked will see you and be infuriated!

The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. - Psalm 112:10

If you're going to invite these blessings into your life, then know that the enemy will be infuriated and will try to curse what God is blessing, and He may use the people around you to do it.

People will hate you because they ain’t you!

They won’t understand the outpouring of God’s love and favor over your children. They won’t understand how your finances continue to multiply. They’ll be jealous of your relationships and your influence, and they won’t understand how you always keep your composure despite their hate.

But be comforted by the truth; the enemy will not succeed! There will be a hedge of protection around your blessings, placed there by God Himself. It's time to start living a life of meaning and purpose, and build a legacy that impacts generations to come!

I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/FcrRhAeDqPY

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving peace in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.
   

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.
   

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin
   

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES

Here’s Why You Might Want To Be Careful About Who You Talk To

Genesis tells the story of God’s 7-day creation process. Detailing the formation of man in God’s image, it unveils man’s fall when he encounters a snake. Amazingly, the author provides the details in subtle simplicity regarding Satan’s ultimate temptation. The snake, possessed by Satan, only spoke two times.

Two times.

Read that reality again.

Two times.

Two statements were enough to knock the entire race of humanity off its pedestal of moral purity.

This reality shows us how crucial it is to be wise about engaging in conversation.

As my momma might say, “You better be careful who you talk to!”

The enemy can bring people into your life who shift the way you think -- and not in a good way. These conversationalists begin to influence you negatively just through their words.

Ephesians Chapter 6 teaches us additional truth. We don’t wrestle with flesh and blood but with powers and principalities and powers of the heir. Personalities are manifestations of spirits. Jesus taught, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” That means what comes out of a person’s mouth is what is in a person.

Have you been talking to snakes?

Don’t be deceived. There’s no doubt that there are snakes within your life. My life. Everyone’s life. It happens because the snake is crafty. Creation’s story describes him in that way.

Crafty is another word for wise. Eight times the Hebrew word for describing the snake’s craftiness is used in the book of Proverbs. It is not associated with a negative connotation. Craftiness is not a bad thing. Being wise is a good thing! However, when wisdom comes from the wrong source, it becomes counterfeit. There is a wisdom of this world, and there is a wisdom of God’s Word. You want the latter, not the former!

The enemy operates in the wisdom of this world. He is sly as a fox, and he will set a snare to trap you.

In the Garden of Eden, the enemy appeared beautiful, like an angel of light. But, what seems to be beautiful isn’t always what it appears to be. The enemy can even make his way into the flock of sheep disguised as a wolf. This exemplifies how crafty he can be!

Jesus warned that the enemy is so crafty that he will deceive even the very elect in the last days if it were possible. (Ref. Matthew 24:24).

But, here’s a probing question that you have probably not asked yourself...are you the snake in someone's life?

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. -Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

One of the ways darkness and wickedness manifest on Earth is through spiritual hosts. Without the Earthly host, the wickedness would stay in high places. However, it comes low when we give it a portal to work through.

We have to ensure that we are not hosting darkness -- the things of this world -- in ourselves.

What are you speaking into other people's lives?

Be careful to notice what you're consuming. What is your social media feed “feeding” you?

Out of the abundance of your heart, you will speak. Yes, even YOU. So speak life into other people’s lives. Avoid grumbling and complaining. Praise the name of Jesus! Do not allow the enemy to use you as a host.

I invite you to view this message from our new sermon series A Wise Christmas, “There’s Something You Don’t See,” in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/2Dm0_NyhsHE

We want to connect with you and help you take your next steps!

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus? This decision is the first step in receiving the anointing in your life. If you are ready to give your life to Jesus, we would love to celebrate with you at 3trees.com.

2. Do you need to rededicate your life to Jesus? If yes, please connect with us at 3trees.com.

3. Do you feel God prompting you to take your next steps? If yes, BEGIN is waiting for you! You can walk through our ONLINE BEGIN class at 3trees.com/begin

4. Would you like to make a difference in our community? Join our captivate team! Visit 3trees.com to find out how you can participate in community outreach opportunities.

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE| MESSAGE NOTES