Tag: faithfulness

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Joshua 12 to 15 Heroes for God

You can be a hero like Caleb

The Israelites walked and conquered the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Out of all the Israelites, only Caleb and Joshua were alive to witness the hardness of the Israelites’ hearts and their unwillingness to trust God, and only these two had remained faithful. Both have seen the power of the Lord as they walked, fought, and conquered this new land. Egypt is far behind in their memories, but not the Israelites’ failure, for it was a reminder of what could have been and now is.  Both have been faithful warriors and models for the Israelites. Both are heroes for the next generation, and they are models for all of us today.   Caleb’s words ring forth: “I remained loyal to the Lord my God.” Can we say that of ourselves? Have we remained faithful and loyal to the Lord, or have we allowed the “deadly d’s” of distraction, disappointment, dismay, and so on to take our eyes off the ultimate victory? Caleb reminded Joshua, “I brought back an honest report to him.”  

As we study this man’s life, may our lives follow his example. Joshua had told them to be strong and courageous and Caleb had followed that to the letter. Are you a hero for God? 

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Covenants and Vows

Mark 10 and Matt 19 A covenant is a binding agreement. As God made a covenant with His people, marriage partners covenant together by a vow that this union is for life or until God calls one home. What does that entail? It means what Solomon wrote: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. “[Eccl 5:4]

Yet, the religious leaders sought to test Jesus. In both of these chapters, they came to ask if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Note: they were speaking as men to men. Women had no rights. They asked him a question, and he questioned them to see by whose authority they were obeying. In doing so, they revealed that their authority was not God but Moses. True, Moses was a prophet called by God and faithful in all God’s house, but God is the builder of the house. Moses was a servant, not the author. [Heb 3:3]. Jesus reminded them that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of their heart. It was not God’s plan. Jesus reminded them that as God the Father covenanted with his people for life, they were to covenant in marriage.

Today, many seek to break their covenant marriage, forgetting that their vows have been witnessed by others with the words that honor that agreement. Today, may we remember this wise counsel.

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Perseverance “no matter what.”

Isaiah 6 Has God called you to a task? Do you stop and ask why me? Do you ask what am I to do? Isaiah heard God ask: whom will we send, and Isaiah answered send me. He didn’t stop to ask all of the 5W’s [= who, what, where, when, why, and an H = how] questions, but he did ask, “how long?”

God answered that he was to proclaim His message until the cities were in ruins, houses uninhabited, and the land is devastated; not exactly a message that men wanted to hear. Isaiah’s response would test his stamina. His response would reveal his perseverance to what God has called him to do. Perseverance is the mark of the true believer, especially when the days drag on, few listen, and fewer believe.

Isaiah’s perseverance would last through five kingships. He would be scorned and belittled, but he remained firm. How about us? If God called you to a task, would you say yes, and would you persevere?

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God’s Rule Book

God's Rule Book

Exodus 21-24 Do you like rules, or do you balk at them? Why do we need them? Can’t we decide for ourselves what will work? God knew that men needed rules to bring order out of chaos and peace to a functioning society. But, unfortunately, since time began, man has balked at rules, and today we are seeing the pervasive result as our crime statistics are rising.

Then God invites the elders and Moses to a dinner party on the mountain. They see His presence and bask in His glory. After, Moses gives an order to them to wait for him as he goes to speak with God and takes Joshua with him as his assistant. Will they pass the test as the days pass on one after another?

These chapters offer us a glimpse into our mindset and our behavior. We are given tests to assess our willingness to abide by God’s plan. We are given rules to help us organize our lives and a test of waiting to see if we will be faithful. 

Where are we failing? Where are we passing? Each day is a new day to examine ourselves in both areas.

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Be Diligent

God is faithful,

2 Peter 1-3 As Peter sat in a Roman prison, he began to pen these words to the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. He reminded them that God’s divine power had given them all that would be needed to live a righteous life in this world. However, he also was well aware, just as Paul had noted; grievous wolves would seek entrance into their lives to destroy their faith. Thus, they must be observant and discerning. Satan is crafty, so they must act with all diligence to keep their faith strong. Peter emphasized that not just once but three times! Today we see that manifested in the two blatant lies the wolves offer: you are in the wrong body, and to be free, you must kill the unborn. And like sheep led to the slaughter, he captures the hearts and lives of the unsuspecting. Thus Peter warns: make every effort or be diligent! Peter and Paul both emphasize when the truth is ignored or rejected, God will send on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. [2 Thess 2:11]

Prayer for yourself and other believers today: Be diligent or make every effort to add to your faith those character qualities that will keep you close to Him and walking the path of faith.

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Building God’s Temple

Go and Build the Temple

1Kings 5-7 The Building of the Temple

King David had gathered much material, but God told him that he would never build this massive structure because he was a man of war, and in war, blood is shed. Although David was obedient to accomplish this, the shed blood is a reminder of where life begins and ends, and it is a grief to God. And thus, God chose Solomon, whom he loved from his conception onward, to build His house. So for seven long years, Solomon conscripted workers and gathered materials for the construction. In the middle of this undertaking, God came to remind Solomon of His promise: He will always be faithful even if we are not! [2Tim. 2:13]

God has blessed you and me beyond what we can understand. We, you and I, are not to forget that privilege given to us. God has called us to accomplish the building of a temple of people that will honor Him, and we do that by discipleship. Where am I being obedient to that command: go and make disciples and teach them to observe all I have commanded.

Who is in the temple of God that we have touched? He has given us the materials. Are we using them for His glory?

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Only God…

Gen 40 dreamsaGenesis 40  Wonder what life in Pharaoh’s Palace was like? We need to look no further than this chapter before us. There is intrigue, questions about loyalty and the power of the scepter! Sounds much like the story of Esther where a despot ruled and people fell or rose according to the king’s whim. This was not nirvana but real life. There were suffering and tempers that must be soothed. While the cupbearer and the baker walked the palace halls, Joseph walked the prison floors. All three would become entwined just because of unexplainable dreams and God’s intervention.  Two officials ended up in a dungeon where they met Joseph their newly appointed attendant. Even palace prisoners have a hierarchy it seems.

Committed to this prison for a crime he did not commit, Joseph weathered this trial with dignity, honor, and integrity. What are the possibilities that three men and three dreams would bring glory to the power of the Lord God Almighty? Only by God’s sovereign will! Joseph interprets the prisoner’s dreams which come true in a mere three days. He pleads with the cupbearer to remember him when he stood before Pharaoh but like us many times, the cupbearer forgot. The calendar pages turned and Joseph’s routine did not change—until that fateful day. Two years later when Pharaoh had unexplainable dreams the negligent cupbearer hung his head in shame and God’s plan was put into place. Joseph was not only released but became second to Pharaoh!

The life of Joseph teaches us how to take one day at a time and not lose hope. Are you losing hope because there seems to be no end to this saga you are facing? Are you prepared to remain faithful as Joseph did?

 

 

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In What Do You Delight?

hosea 6 fleeting sunrise.2ajpg

Hosea 6  Hosea reminds the Israelites that God sees their unfaithfulness just like the morning mist which disappears with the sunrise. Their sacrifices lay upon the altars but are not consumed because of their broken relationship.  God is calling them, and us, to delight in Him alone!  He delights in our faithfulness to Him, not sacrifices or burnt offerings. He delights in our acknowledgment of Him.

This week we heard a young Swede say: God is archaic! God’s words do not bring hope!  You should feel fear each and every day!  Yet, we who know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob know this truth: God is the God of peace and contentment. His words bring us hope “and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts..” [Rom 5] Hebrews reminds us that because God is omniscient we should be careful not to “be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings.” Instead, cling to this truth: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” [Heb 13] because  even if “Heaven and earth passes away, His words will never pass away.” [Mark 13 author paraphrase]

Beloved, where are you not delighting in God? Where have you fallen for the mantra of the idols of wood, stone, and that which perishes?  God says “return to me, and I will return to you.” [Mal 3]

 

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Funerals and Eulogies

What words would you want to be said at your funeral? Think about it.

Joshua 24:29  We have walked from Egypt to Israel with this great man of God who now is called, like Moses, the “Lord’s servant.” If by some miraculous means you could hear what is said at your funeral what would that be?  What would you like God to call you? Joshua had served faithfully under the guidance of Moses and now the title of the Lord’s Servant is bestowed upon him. He was not only faithful but diligent to do all that the Lord had commanded.

Joshua 24a will wilson

Jesus told a parable that illustrates Joshua’s life in Matt 25. A man went on a journey but entrusted his property to his slaves. To one he gave 5 talents, to another 2 and to another 1. The men with 5 and 2 were faithful to reap where the Master had not sown. They heard the Master praise them and commend them; well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of the Lord. However, the one to whom 1 talent was given said: I knew you were a hard taskmaster so I hid the talent because I feared you and he handed it back to the Master. The Master said, thou wicked servant.  His talent was taken from him and given to the one who had reaped double.

God has blessed you richly with His talents to be used for His work. Joshua reaped his talents beyond what he could have imagined! He obeyed and received the blessing.

Beloved, May you obey so that you will hear the words bestowed upon Joshua: the Lord’s servant.

 

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Prov 5 “The Price of Unfaithfulness”

ImageDid you ever purchase a bag of apples which look beautiful on the outside but when you open one it is filled with rottenness? Or do you recall Snow White who took a bite of the apple that outwardly was beautiful but inwardly was filled with poison that caused her to fall into the sleeping death which could only be broken by the kiss of the prince?  Unfaithfulness or infidelities are the poisons that rob us when we fail to be faithful to our vows. The effects are seen and felt both within ourselves but also in those we vowed to love till death do us part. “Mainstream sociologists would tell us that taking one’s faith very seriously—in word and deed—does indeed make a marked positive difference in the health and longevity of marriage.” [Gospel Coalition] It is not because they are perfect but they take their vows seriously in sharp contrast to the first century religious leaders who came to test Jesus in Matthew 19 on the question of divorce.  But the problem of divorce did not begin there, it began where Jesus said: “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hard hearts, but from the beginning it was not this way.” Thus the real crux of marital infidelity begins in the heart.  We see it in three ways:   

  1. We fail to realize the ways of the enemy’s seducing power. We should be wary of this because we saw in the Garden of Eden how Satan seduced and then deceived Eve. The author of Proverbs begins:  be attentive, pay close attention. Open your ear gate and incline it to listen with intent.
  2. We need to put safeguards around our emotions and our hearts lest the enemy draw us away through what looks inviting but only leads to death. Eve saw the fruit as good for food, would make her wise but failed to obey God’s warning not to eat from it.  Snow White saw that the fruit was good for food but failed to see that the outer covering was deceptive. It was desirable but a beautiful outer covering shielded what lay within.
  3. We fail to recall the counsel of God or add to his words. Eve truly recalled that the tree was not to be eaten but she added not touch it. Truly Satan’s words are as seductive and smoother than olive oil but in the end bitter as wormwood which lead down to the well of spiritual death.

 Failing to be attentive, failing to place safeguards around our marriages opens our ear and eye gates to the deception of the enemy’s ways. When we taste that which is forbidden we face the consequences as the Proverbs father told his son. Thus the father’s wise advice is to protect yourself in your youth lest your body be ravaged with sin’s poisons. Listen now so that one day you will not recall and say I hated the discipline of my father’s counsel, and my heart spurned reproof both by him and my teachers. Know this principle: “For the ways of a person are in front of the Lord’s eyes and the Lord weighs all that person’s paths.”

The bottom line begins here: Pro 4:23 Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.  And Mar 12:33 “love God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” Today, whether you are married or single, divorced or in a remarriage know this: God is always willing to restore and bless the repentant. Will you purposefully choose to be faithful?

 

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