The book of Joshua is the account of the people of God taking possession of their promised inheritance, the promised land of Israel. Joshua, God's appointed leader after the death of Moses, led the nation in one battle after another in driving out the inhabitants of the land who had not accepted God's will in giving the land to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their offspring. This book is an encouragement and instructive to us who have also received an inheritance in Jesus Christ. Like Old Testament Israel, we too must fight one battle after another, driving out the world, the flesh, and the devil in our lives, our families, and land. One of the important themes in Joshua are the string of rocks that speak, traced all through the book. These piles of rocks are said to be witnesses for us.
There are nine piles of rocks that speak in the book of Joshua; two in chapter 4, one in chapter 6, one in chapter 7, two in chapter 8, one in chapter 10, one in chapter 22, and one in chapter 24. Each pile of rocks says something to remind, encourage, warn, and instruct Israel concerning what God had said, what God did, and promised to His people. We also have these reminders, encouragement, and warnings from God in our battles with the world , the flesh, and the devil, in taking possession of the promises of God in Jesus Christ. But first, look up each of these and answer these questions;
1. What events do the rocks remind Israel of?
2. What did God do at the place of the pile of rocks?
3. What lessons were learned from the event and the word of God at the place where the rocks are located?
4. Do I have something similar in my journey with the Lord that He said, did, or taught me?
The rocks are found in 4:4-10, 21; 6:20; 7:24-26; 8:28-29, 8:30-35; 10:16-19, 24-27; 22:10, 21-29, 34; 24:22-28. Note, Shechem was in the valley in between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim and was the first altar that Abram made when he came into the promised land (Genesis 12:6).
Give some time to identifying the "piles of rocks" that speak to you of God's faithfulness, discipline, and victory in your life and journey with Him. Then plan a pilgrimage and visit those places with the answer to the questions above for each place. These "rocks" could be houses you have lived in, towns, Scriptures, people, a ring, church buildings, or any number of things. One thing they have in common; God and His faithfulness to His Word and power in your life.
Jesus had those places in His life. In Luke 19:28-40 Jesus told the Pharisee, "...I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." The whole city of Jerusalem was one of the piles of rocks in His life. And in John 10:40-42 Jesus went on a short pilgrimage before the last week of His earthly life. As you read the gospels see if you can identify the "rocks" that spoke to Jesus.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
"Want to go with me?...Yes!
Our five-year-old grandson was staying with us for a few days. I came home from church after dark and realized I needed to go back for something. I came in the door, greeted with a big hug by Charlie, and simply asked him this question; "You want to go with me?" In a spit second he said, "Yes!" And back out the door we went, got in the car and car seat, and away we went.
I thought about his immediate response in contrast to the hesitation we sometime give God with His Word to us. We want more information, like, "Where are we going...how long will we be gone...why are we going...do I need to change clothes...do I need to take a toothbrush, bedroll, pajamas...how much will this cost..." on and on our questions go. Would that we would be as eager to just go with God in order to just be with Him and with full assurance that where ever it is that He is going it will be just where we want to be because it will be with Him.
When we got to the church, it was all locked up and dark. We went inside, holding hands, walking down a long, dark hall toward my office. Charlie never missed as step, but he did say, "This is kind of scary." I told him it was but he was not to worry, I was with him and would not let anything get him. It would have to get me first and nothing was going to get me because God was with us and it would have to get Him first, and He is bigger and stronger than anything; He created everything and He didn't create anything bigger than Himself.
Charlie was open and honest with me that night, "This is kind of scary," which is what prayer is. Talk to God about the things that are "kind of scary," with full assurance that even though it is scary, God is in control and knows what He is doing. But sometimes instead of talking to God and listening to Him, we pull back, turn loose of His hand and want to go back.
When we came into my office, Charlie made a beeline to my saddle (my old office from cowboy days), climbed up on it and was as happy as can be until I said, "Let's go." I had hardly finished the word, "go" and he was on the floor, with my hand in his, and out to the car we went. I had to smile as we left, thinking, as much fun as it is for a boy to play on a real saddle, he sure wasn't going to hang around in there if I was leaving. Why are we hesitant to go on with God, even though we may be having fun where we are, why stay when God says, "Let's go."
What kind of invitation is God giving you right now? Know this, whatever the invitation is, it is an invitation to join Him in what He wants to do, with you. And know that what He wants to do with you is to work in you His perfect plan according to the counsel of His own will. You can trust Him. Don't worry about where, how long, what else you will need or how much it will cost, or why...God will take care of you...go with God, you can trust Him. He loves you.
I thought about his immediate response in contrast to the hesitation we sometime give God with His Word to us. We want more information, like, "Where are we going...how long will we be gone...why are we going...do I need to change clothes...do I need to take a toothbrush, bedroll, pajamas...how much will this cost..." on and on our questions go. Would that we would be as eager to just go with God in order to just be with Him and with full assurance that where ever it is that He is going it will be just where we want to be because it will be with Him.
When we got to the church, it was all locked up and dark. We went inside, holding hands, walking down a long, dark hall toward my office. Charlie never missed as step, but he did say, "This is kind of scary." I told him it was but he was not to worry, I was with him and would not let anything get him. It would have to get me first and nothing was going to get me because God was with us and it would have to get Him first, and He is bigger and stronger than anything; He created everything and He didn't create anything bigger than Himself.
Charlie was open and honest with me that night, "This is kind of scary," which is what prayer is. Talk to God about the things that are "kind of scary," with full assurance that even though it is scary, God is in control and knows what He is doing. But sometimes instead of talking to God and listening to Him, we pull back, turn loose of His hand and want to go back.
When we came into my office, Charlie made a beeline to my saddle (my old office from cowboy days), climbed up on it and was as happy as can be until I said, "Let's go." I had hardly finished the word, "go" and he was on the floor, with my hand in his, and out to the car we went. I had to smile as we left, thinking, as much fun as it is for a boy to play on a real saddle, he sure wasn't going to hang around in there if I was leaving. Why are we hesitant to go on with God, even though we may be having fun where we are, why stay when God says, "Let's go."
What kind of invitation is God giving you right now? Know this, whatever the invitation is, it is an invitation to join Him in what He wants to do, with you. And know that what He wants to do with you is to work in you His perfect plan according to the counsel of His own will. You can trust Him. Don't worry about where, how long, what else you will need or how much it will cost, or why...God will take care of you...go with God, you can trust Him. He loves you.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Joy to the World...in August
Joy to the world...in August? Yes, even in August. Actually the famous Christmas carol is about the coming of Christ into men's hearts. The first line of the song refers to the earth receiving her King. The "earth" is the good soil in Jesus' parable of the seed and the soils (Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:13-20, Luke 8:11-15). The second line supports this..."Let every heart prepare Him room..."
The question is this; So why do spend so much time, effort, and money trying to get people to come to church rather than taking Jesus out to them? I guess the idea is that if they come to church they will find Jesus in the same way the shepherds and wise men came to the barn and found Him. The problem with that is that very few actually did that. I think one of the problems we have is that we have gotten into the habit of introducing people to the wife rather than the Husband; the bride rather than the Bridegroom; the church rather than the Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The first command God gave to man was in Genesis, "...Be fruitful and multiply..." And man has been very obedient to that command. The last command that the Lord gave to us is, "...And make disciples of all people groups..." The followers of Christ have not been as obedient to the last command as everyone else has to the first.
Sometimes we make the excuse of ignorance; "I don't know what to say to someone who is lost..." Or we will blame the lack of resources; "Our church can't afford the bells and whistles that attract lost people," or we blame our schedules, "I have a regular job, a family to support...I can't be running off to China or Africa...I don't have the gift of evangelism," (actually, the gift of evangelism is given to a person who then equips the saints to evangelize, Ephesians 4:11-12).
But if you have the Holy Spirit of God living in you by faith in Jesus Christ, you have everything you need to share Christ with others. Jesus said that He would give you words to say "...at that time..." (Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Luke 21:13-15). And if it is a "word" that you are to share, what does that cost? In the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus said "As you go, make disciples..." The command is not go, the command is make disciples! This means that wherever you go, as you go, make friends with people, share your joy, your hope, your faith, your Lord with them, knowing that Christ Jesus Himself is with you, for you to share Him with others.
Try this; keep a list of two or three people who need the Lord and pray for them every day. As you go about your daily routine, look for and pray for opportunities to engage someone in a conversation. This is how you make friends. Ask questions and listen (this is what Jesus did, Luke 2:46); ask about their family, friends, their food, their festivals, their future. Be upfront and unashamed from the start to let them know about yourself; your faith, your family and church family friends, your future. Before long they will have a prayer request, probably about their family or future. Blessing them with prayer and loving interest will go a long way to giving you the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation about the need they have and how Jesus Christ can meet their need by being their Savior and Lord. Before long, they will be following you to church, but they will be more interested in you and the Lord Jesus you have been sharing rather than your other friends and church.
If we would just focus on what the Lord told us to do, make disciples, rather than going to church, starting new ones (most of our church planting is actually church "service" planting, centering upon style and music), and being passive with or guilt ridden over believing the lie that we can't do this, then I believe we would be seeing and singing Joy to the world, the Lord has come... more. We don't know the condition of the soil but we do know the power of the Seed...we can't make the seed grow, but it will never grow until it gets scattered! Let's scatter more seed!
The question is this; So why do spend so much time, effort, and money trying to get people to come to church rather than taking Jesus out to them? I guess the idea is that if they come to church they will find Jesus in the same way the shepherds and wise men came to the barn and found Him. The problem with that is that very few actually did that. I think one of the problems we have is that we have gotten into the habit of introducing people to the wife rather than the Husband; the bride rather than the Bridegroom; the church rather than the Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.
The first command God gave to man was in Genesis, "...Be fruitful and multiply..." And man has been very obedient to that command. The last command that the Lord gave to us is, "...And make disciples of all people groups..." The followers of Christ have not been as obedient to the last command as everyone else has to the first.
Sometimes we make the excuse of ignorance; "I don't know what to say to someone who is lost..." Or we will blame the lack of resources; "Our church can't afford the bells and whistles that attract lost people," or we blame our schedules, "I have a regular job, a family to support...I can't be running off to China or Africa...I don't have the gift of evangelism," (actually, the gift of evangelism is given to a person who then equips the saints to evangelize, Ephesians 4:11-12).
But if you have the Holy Spirit of God living in you by faith in Jesus Christ, you have everything you need to share Christ with others. Jesus said that He would give you words to say "...at that time..." (Matthew 10:19, Mark 13:11, Luke 21:13-15). And if it is a "word" that you are to share, what does that cost? In the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus said "As you go, make disciples..." The command is not go, the command is make disciples! This means that wherever you go, as you go, make friends with people, share your joy, your hope, your faith, your Lord with them, knowing that Christ Jesus Himself is with you, for you to share Him with others.
Try this; keep a list of two or three people who need the Lord and pray for them every day. As you go about your daily routine, look for and pray for opportunities to engage someone in a conversation. This is how you make friends. Ask questions and listen (this is what Jesus did, Luke 2:46); ask about their family, friends, their food, their festivals, their future. Be upfront and unashamed from the start to let them know about yourself; your faith, your family and church family friends, your future. Before long they will have a prayer request, probably about their family or future. Blessing them with prayer and loving interest will go a long way to giving you the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation about the need they have and how Jesus Christ can meet their need by being their Savior and Lord. Before long, they will be following you to church, but they will be more interested in you and the Lord Jesus you have been sharing rather than your other friends and church.
If we would just focus on what the Lord told us to do, make disciples, rather than going to church, starting new ones (most of our church planting is actually church "service" planting, centering upon style and music), and being passive with or guilt ridden over believing the lie that we can't do this, then I believe we would be seeing and singing Joy to the world, the Lord has come... more. We don't know the condition of the soil but we do know the power of the Seed...we can't make the seed grow, but it will never grow until it gets scattered! Let's scatter more seed!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Transitioning from an Orphan to an Heir of a Great Estate
Change is not easy. Imagine changing from an orphan to an heir of a great empire. The story is told of a man who owned a vast empire with thousands of acres of land, livestock, cultivated fields, and who lived in a beautiful ranch house. But he had lost his family in a terrible accident.
He told his butler his plan to adopt an heir. He made arrangements with an orphanage and traveled with excitement to the location for his appointment. As he walked into the room full of orphan boys, almost immediately, his eye latched on to one. The director explained all of the legal paperwork and process and presented a list of candidates. The man described the boy he had seen but the director explained that this boy had just been rescued from "under the bridge....he has lived on the street most of his life...he has issues..." The man was insistent and after a long process the day arrived when he was taken to the ranch house.
The boy was all eyes with every day an new experience. After several months, the butler met with the owner with an uneasy situation. The owner could tell that his trusted butler was nervous. He told him he was to speak freely and frankly. The butler said, "Its our new guest..." The man interrupted the butler and said, "You mean my son." "Yes, its your son. He is stealing things around the house and stashing them under his bed; even food."
The man began looking for his adopted son while he pondered his strange behavior. When he found him he said to him, "Son, look around at all that you see. It is all mine and yours." The man took him in to the kitchen and said, "See all this food; it is all mine and yours." He then took him into his study and the two sat together by the man's desk. He said, "I will teach you everything about my business and one day this desk and all of the responsibility of it will be yours. You are no longer an orphan. You are my son. You no longer have to steal. You own it all, with me."
When a person receives Jesus Christ a change is made; we are no longer an orphan, but now..."...you are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ..." Galatians 3:26. This is just the beginning. We must learn a new culture; the culture of sin is unacceptable in the family of God. New manners and behavior must be learned, practiced, repeated over and over under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As His Word becomes more and more of who you are, your life reflects more and more of His goodness and grace and the family business, the Kingdom of God, is carried out on earth as it is in Heaven.
Change is not easy. But it is imperative for a child of the King. God will not make those changes without you. Join Him today in the changes He has scheduled to make with you.
He told his butler his plan to adopt an heir. He made arrangements with an orphanage and traveled with excitement to the location for his appointment. As he walked into the room full of orphan boys, almost immediately, his eye latched on to one. The director explained all of the legal paperwork and process and presented a list of candidates. The man described the boy he had seen but the director explained that this boy had just been rescued from "under the bridge....he has lived on the street most of his life...he has issues..." The man was insistent and after a long process the day arrived when he was taken to the ranch house.
The boy was all eyes with every day an new experience. After several months, the butler met with the owner with an uneasy situation. The owner could tell that his trusted butler was nervous. He told him he was to speak freely and frankly. The butler said, "Its our new guest..." The man interrupted the butler and said, "You mean my son." "Yes, its your son. He is stealing things around the house and stashing them under his bed; even food."
The man began looking for his adopted son while he pondered his strange behavior. When he found him he said to him, "Son, look around at all that you see. It is all mine and yours." The man took him in to the kitchen and said, "See all this food; it is all mine and yours." He then took him into his study and the two sat together by the man's desk. He said, "I will teach you everything about my business and one day this desk and all of the responsibility of it will be yours. You are no longer an orphan. You are my son. You no longer have to steal. You own it all, with me."
When a person receives Jesus Christ a change is made; we are no longer an orphan, but now..."...you are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ..." Galatians 3:26. This is just the beginning. We must learn a new culture; the culture of sin is unacceptable in the family of God. New manners and behavior must be learned, practiced, repeated over and over under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. As His Word becomes more and more of who you are, your life reflects more and more of His goodness and grace and the family business, the Kingdom of God, is carried out on earth as it is in Heaven.
Change is not easy. But it is imperative for a child of the King. God will not make those changes without you. Join Him today in the changes He has scheduled to make with you.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Three Sins
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 and died in 1556. As he was recovering from injuries from the Battle of Pamplona (1521) he had a conversion experience and became a theologian and founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). In his book Spiritual Exercises he wrote of the three sins; the sin of the fallen angels, the sin of Adam and Eve, and the sin of those who are in hell.
The sin of the fallen angels is best described as the sin of willful rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-14). It is a sin of the desire to exalt self, the sin of pride.
The sin of Adam and Eve is best described as the sin of deception by the lie of Satan, believing the lie rather than the truth of the Word of God (Genesis 3). It is a sin of the desire to fulfill desires apart from following the directions of God's Word. It is the sin of lust.
The sin of those who are in hell is best described as the sin of passive neglect of the things of God. This is seen in Scripture in Luke 12:13-21. Jesus told the parable about the rich fool whose land produced a large harvest. He said to himself, "...what shall I do for I have nowhere to store my crops...I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones...I have stored up for myself ample goods for many years." But Jesus said that God required his soul that night. The rich fool had lived a life of passive neglect toward God. It is the sin of rejection, passively neglecting the things of God.
These three sins can take root in the mind of the believer. One of the most serious problems among the people of God is an unredeemed mind. Our minds need to be saved. When the Holy Spirit gave us the command to put on the full amour of God in Ephesians 6, He said our minds needed the "...helmet of Salvation..." (6:17). He coupled it with the "...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."
Romans 6 and Ephesians 4:17-24 gives us clear instructions of how our minds can continually be renewed and saved. But the first step in this renewal is to become active with God in the process. God the Holy Spirit is the only one who can save your mind. He does it the same way He saved your soul, at the cross of Jesus Christ through faith in blood, His Life given for you. But He will not do it without you! You must cooperate with Him since He now lives in you.
God will not work with a passive mind; but Satan will.
As you meditate today on the three sins in your life and repent, know that God forgives, cleanses, and makes new what you place before His piercing Word to kill and to raise up with Christ.
The sin of the fallen angels is best described as the sin of willful rebellion (Isaiah 14:12-14). It is a sin of the desire to exalt self, the sin of pride.
The sin of Adam and Eve is best described as the sin of deception by the lie of Satan, believing the lie rather than the truth of the Word of God (Genesis 3). It is a sin of the desire to fulfill desires apart from following the directions of God's Word. It is the sin of lust.
The sin of those who are in hell is best described as the sin of passive neglect of the things of God. This is seen in Scripture in Luke 12:13-21. Jesus told the parable about the rich fool whose land produced a large harvest. He said to himself, "...what shall I do for I have nowhere to store my crops...I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones...I have stored up for myself ample goods for many years." But Jesus said that God required his soul that night. The rich fool had lived a life of passive neglect toward God. It is the sin of rejection, passively neglecting the things of God.
These three sins can take root in the mind of the believer. One of the most serious problems among the people of God is an unredeemed mind. Our minds need to be saved. When the Holy Spirit gave us the command to put on the full amour of God in Ephesians 6, He said our minds needed the "...helmet of Salvation..." (6:17). He coupled it with the "...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..."
Romans 6 and Ephesians 4:17-24 gives us clear instructions of how our minds can continually be renewed and saved. But the first step in this renewal is to become active with God in the process. God the Holy Spirit is the only one who can save your mind. He does it the same way He saved your soul, at the cross of Jesus Christ through faith in blood, His Life given for you. But He will not do it without you! You must cooperate with Him since He now lives in you.
God will not work with a passive mind; but Satan will.
As you meditate today on the three sins in your life and repent, know that God forgives, cleanses, and makes new what you place before His piercing Word to kill and to raise up with Christ.
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