The Consequences of not Completing the Conquest

Have you ever started a project and didn't finish it? Sure you have. We all have. In fact, this is an area I have to pay close attention to, as I can start numerous projects well, but unless I'm truly focused, I don't finish any of them. For me, I've learned to NOT start so many. After all, if you put too many irons in the fire, you'll put the fire out. So now, I think through a project before starting it that way I'm more focused to finish it.

That being said, I'm burdened today with the reality that some start loving the world and wind up forsaking the Lord. I've watched preachers compromise this Apostolic truth. I've witnessed saints of God turn and walk away. I even have loved ones who have left. All of these cause me to ask the question, "WHY? What happened to lead them to that decision?"

Consider something with me for a moment and open your Bible to Judges, chapters one and two. You will notice that in Judges 2:10 that a generation rises up that does NOT know God or His works. Verses 11-13 go from bad to worse as this generation abandons the Lord and serves false gods.

As I read through these and pondered the question, I felt impressed to read Judges 1...

Things start off with the death of Joshua and his generation of leaders, but the congregation of Israel prays to the Lord and receives direction and take to completing the conquest of possessing their promised land.

However, by verse 21, a shift takes place as we see that tribe after tribe does not completely drive out the inhabitants of the land. Read on from verse 21 through verse 34 and you will see what I'm talking about.

Judges 2 starts off with God being enraged by their decision to break the covenant with Him. They plainly disobeyed God. This second generation after Joshua started the conquest off right by praying, but didn't complete the conquest correctly.

Judges 2:10-13 are the consequences of not completing the conquest. But look to whom the consequences fell - the third generation!

When I realized this, I became increasingly aware of the reality of those coming up behind me. I cannot afford to be incomplete in my task and duty to rid the land of all the inhabitants. I cannot make any covenant or truce with the enemy! Doing so will set up the generation after me for failure.

In the 2008 Olympics, both the USA men's and women's teams failed because the baton was dropped. Imagine the frustration after all that work, all that proper diet and exercise, and after being chosen to represent the USA on the world stage, only to drop the baton.

God help us who are running this race with patience NOT to drop the baton when it comes time to pass it off to the next generation! Let us lay aside EVERY weight and the SIN that does so easily weigh us down!

Live holy!

Be separate!

Bear the fruit of the Spirit!

Be FULL of the Spirit!

Conquer the flesh and complete the conquest!

A generation follows us that is depending on us not to drop the baton! As I near the end of my tenure as youth president and a career in youth ministry spanning back to 1991, I am keenly aware of preserving this Apostolic Truth and ensuring that it's in good hands.

Last night (6-26-09), my wife and I took a van load of our precious young people to Camp Meeting and a couple of different times on the way home, my heart beat a little faster as I realized that these teens are those to whom I will pass the baton some day.

Our children deserve the BEST from us! I may not be able to pass along financial security to them, and the heirlooms I do have are of little to no cash value; however, it is my prayer and my life's mission to ensure that I plant a love for this Apostolic Truth deep in their hearts and minds!

I choose to complete the conquest! Do you? Will you join me today and make sure that we have rid the land (our hearts and minds) of all the inhabitants of this world? Let us make for sure that we have broken all ties with the world and it's system of thinking. Let us be separated from the world and separated unto God. A generation rising up in our ranks depends on us! By the grace of God, I will not fail them. You will not fail them. Together, we can and will complete the conquest!