God’s “To Do” List

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe TO DO according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe TO DO according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. –Joshua 1:7-8

Notice in God’s commission to Joshua, twice God said, “observe TO DO…” God has a “TO DO” list for all who would follow Him. In Christ’s commission to the church, He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:18-20).

What a commission! All the world before us… all power behind us… and the All-powerful One goes with us!

In the teaching phase of our Lord’s commission, we do NOT read, “teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Much of our teaching today is just that—the dissemination of information. It says, “teaching them TO OBSERVE…” Here are the two lost words of the Great Commission—“TO OBSERVE.” Throughout the Word of God the accent is on doing, observing, keeping the commandments of the Lord. Today we teach them, but we fail to teach people to do them. The Word is hid in the head, but not in the heart. It is the Word hidden in the heart that keeps from sin (Ps. 119:11). You can have a head full of Scripture and a heart full of sin.

What’s on your “TO DO LIST” today? Is there something God wants you TO DO?

PREACHER – Pastor Al Hughes