How to Possess My Future - Joshua 8:1-29 - Pastor Dan Plourde

·43 min·4 clips

Pastor Dan Plourde reveals how the book of Joshua, whose name means Jesus, is a blueprint for the spirit-filled life of abundance.

This episode is part of a weekend sermon series through the book of Joshua at Calvary Church. Pastor Dan Plourde opens by framing Joshua as a picture of the spirit-filled life, with Joshua's name meaning Jesus in Greek. He recaps previous chapters, noting Israel's defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, where 36 men died because one man took what belonged to God. In chapter 8, God instructs Joshua to take Ai, leading to the teaching's core: practical principles for possessing one's future. Plourde shares his charismatic church background, emphasizing spiritual gifts but acknowledging a common neglect of practical steps. He introduces seven principles derived from the text: clear God-given objectives, faith as God's leading and our following, mass commitment of resources, knowledge of the terrain, development of skills, strategic planning, and flexibility to adapt. Each principle is explained with biblical verses and applied to areas like marriage, parenting, business, and career. Plourde uses personal anecdotes, such as his 29-year marriage and goals for his children, to illustrate the principles. He contrasts the battles of Jericho and Ai to highlight God's changing methods, warning against rigid traditions in churches. The sermon includes historical context, like God giving Canaan 400 years to repent, and practical advice, such as seeking wise counsel and preparing for the unexpected. Plourde closes by emphasizing that failure is a moment, not a monument, and encourages action steps for listeners to apply these lessons.

As heard by us

Joshua turns promised-land faith into strategy, commitment, and careful attention to the ground underfoot.

Joshua is framed as a lesson in moving forward with eyes open. The message keeps returning to Ai, the scouting of the land, and the plain fact that a promised future still asks for commitment, since the people are pressed to think about what resources they will give and what…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

When you need more than hope, Joshua gives you strategy, resources, and a blessing.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Calvary Church's Podcast