When I first came to know Christ, I had a friend who was also a new believer. We experienced much of the newness and thrill of walking with Jesus together. We both led people to Christ. We saw God provide for our material needs. We spent hours in prayer together. There was great joy in seeing God answer those prayers.
I entered the nation of Romania on January 1, 1990 during the close of the revolution taking place in the nation. I had ministered in the country for almost a decade before being arrested by the communist regime and told that I would never be allowed back in the country. I didn't know what I would face as our car approached the border. The guards came to our vehicle and said, "Get out." Before the revolution the first question asked at the border was always, "Do you have any Bibles?" If you had Bibles, then you had big problems.
God wanted Joshua to never forget the great things that He had done. But He also wanted Joshua to know that he couldn't live on yesterday's triumphs. He needed to experience a daily encounter with God. It was necessary to taste of the mercies of God every morning. God had opened the Jordan River and allowed the children of Israel to cross into the promised land. He had worked with signs, wonders, and miracles. However, Joshua and the children of Israel still had battles to fight and enemies to conquer.
Several years ago I was visiting with two young men from Nagaland, a northeastern region of India. God had moved in a mighty way in the region sending revival to the area. Almost the entire population of the region had come to faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit blew through the region with mighty power. I asked these young men about the characteristics of the churches.