Israel are now progressing into their future and starting to occupy the promises God gave them. Along the way, there was a group of people who acted with deception in order to preserve themselves. They pretended they were from a far away land in order to get a peace treaty with Israel.
"So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord." (Joshua 9:14 NLT)
This is such an alarming verse because it takes longer to examine their belongings than it does to consult The Lord about this situation.
We will always run into trouble if we rely only on our own understanding. We cannot possibly know all we need to know for this life's journey. There will always be a bigger perspective that we just can't quite see.
But God is able to lead us and direct us in all our affairs. What's more, He wants to be involved in all our decisions and travels.
Check with God!
Monday, 15 April 2013
Thursday, 11 April 2013
The Cost of The Cross!
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 NLT)
The cross was the final task of Jesus before He gave His life for the whole world. Giving up our lives also must be our complete resolve.
The cross represented an obedience to God, which should mark our journey also.
Our lives reflect His leading in our daily steps and lifelong path. It shows that we have received His calling, heeded His direction and followed His instruction.
It's a life that is filled with grace, emptied in service, and revived in His presence.
It's The Cost of The Cross!
The cross was the final task of Jesus before He gave His life for the whole world. Giving up our lives also must be our complete resolve.
The cross represented an obedience to God, which should mark our journey also.
Our lives reflect His leading in our daily steps and lifelong path. It shows that we have received His calling, heeded His direction and followed His instruction.
It's a life that is filled with grace, emptied in service, and revived in His presence.
It's The Cost of The Cross!
Sunday, 7 April 2013
The Key To Life!
Many people are in hot pursuit of the secret to living a successful life. Bookshops have shelves filled with keys to life. Self-help seminars promise to deliver the keys to life.
When so many people have tried so many options and still come up empty, is there really any one particular key to life?
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 NLT)
In verse 20 God says, "this is the key to your life."
God made us and knows how we can experience this full life. In fact, God gave us the choice between life and death, and then pleads with us to choose life!
Here it is: You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him.
Loving God is The Key To Life!
When so many people have tried so many options and still come up empty, is there really any one particular key to life?
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 NLT)
In verse 20 God says, "this is the key to your life."
God made us and knows how we can experience this full life. In fact, God gave us the choice between life and death, and then pleads with us to choose life!
Here it is: You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him.
Loving God is The Key To Life!
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
#OnMission
"As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51 NLT)
Most of us flee from suffering, we run from pressure and try to avoid pain at all costs.
When a cause is noble, it should be pursued from every angle.
There are many situations for the Christian that will include suffering and persecution, and these should not deter us from fulfilling the mission of God in our lives.
Jesus knew that the cross was waiting for Him at Jerusalem yet He resolutely set out for it.
Jesus was #OnMission
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
#OnMission
As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51 NLT)
Most of us flee from suffering, we run from pressure and try to avoid pain at all costs.
When a cause is noble, it should be pursued from every angle.
There are many situations for the Christian that will include suffering and persecution, and these should not deter us from fulfilling the mission of God in our lives.
Jesus knew that the cross was waiting for Him at Jerusalem yet He resolutely set out for it.
Jesus was #OnMission
Most of us flee from suffering, we run from pressure and try to avoid pain at all costs.
When a cause is noble, it should be pursued from every angle.
There are many situations for the Christian that will include suffering and persecution, and these should not deter us from fulfilling the mission of God in our lives.
Jesus knew that the cross was waiting for Him at Jerusalem yet He resolutely set out for it.
Jesus was #OnMission
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Redeem The Day!
"One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out." (Luke 8:22)
Jesus planned a road trip (by boat) but it turned into a day trip. In fact, He didn't make it further than the shore they landed on. The people were so afraid, that they made Him get back into the boat and go back to where He came from.
"And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake." (Luke 8:37 NLT)
We are not sure what Jesus had in mind but we know from other Scriptures that He wanted to go to more towns and preach the good news of the kingdom of God.
This town was locked up with strong demonic powers. They were greeted by a demoniac who asked, "why are you interfering with us?" This could be why there was such a ferocious storm on the way across the lake.
Jesus had more trouble from the locals who were not demon possessed than with the man who was!
After being asked to leave, Jesus strategically leaves the healed man behind to tell his story and the town (the Decapolis) later experiences revival.
No matter how the day starts, lets be open to the possibilities before us, knowing that God can Redeem The Day!
Jesus planned a road trip (by boat) but it turned into a day trip. In fact, He didn't make it further than the shore they landed on. The people were so afraid, that they made Him get back into the boat and go back to where He came from.
"And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake." (Luke 8:37 NLT)
We are not sure what Jesus had in mind but we know from other Scriptures that He wanted to go to more towns and preach the good news of the kingdom of God.
This town was locked up with strong demonic powers. They were greeted by a demoniac who asked, "why are you interfering with us?" This could be why there was such a ferocious storm on the way across the lake.
Jesus had more trouble from the locals who were not demon possessed than with the man who was!
After being asked to leave, Jesus strategically leaves the healed man behind to tell his story and the town (the Decapolis) later experiences revival.
No matter how the day starts, lets be open to the possibilities before us, knowing that God can Redeem The Day!
Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Failure To Demonstrate!
It is too easy to create my own little doctrine through the assumptions and feedback from others. I am grateful for the many amazing minds around me that allow for robust conversations in our search for truth.
It's not that God is 'trying' to reveal Himself but that we are 'trying' to understand what God has 'clearly' stated!
Here is a great example..
"..for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) (Numbers 27:14 NLT)
I recently heard that some scholars think their rebellion was striking the rock (for the second time) because the rock was only meant to be struck once, referring to Jesus being struck only once and not twice!
At first I loved this thought because it included Jesus and sounded so poetic, but maybe God meant exactly what He said in that they failed to demonstrate His holiness?
God is holy and to be revered.
We are not to hide Him, His name or any part of His being. To make a name for ourselves above His or give greater honour to any other name above His, is to fail to demonstrate His holiness!
If God says go and we stay, we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
If God then says stay but we try to go, again we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
If God says consume and we conserve, we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
We have ample examples from the Israelites of every time God got angry it was a failure to demonstrate His holiness.
God reveals Himself, we must ensure there's no Failure To Demonstrate!
It's not that God is 'trying' to reveal Himself but that we are 'trying' to understand what God has 'clearly' stated!
Here is a great example..
"..for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters.” (These are the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) (Numbers 27:14 NLT)
I recently heard that some scholars think their rebellion was striking the rock (for the second time) because the rock was only meant to be struck once, referring to Jesus being struck only once and not twice!
At first I loved this thought because it included Jesus and sounded so poetic, but maybe God meant exactly what He said in that they failed to demonstrate His holiness?
God is holy and to be revered.
We are not to hide Him, His name or any part of His being. To make a name for ourselves above His or give greater honour to any other name above His, is to fail to demonstrate His holiness!
If God says go and we stay, we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
If God then says stay but we try to go, again we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
If God says consume and we conserve, we fail to demonstrate His holiness.
We have ample examples from the Israelites of every time God got angry it was a failure to demonstrate His holiness.
God reveals Himself, we must ensure there's no Failure To Demonstrate!
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