Date:
Friday,
March 06, 2015
Chapters:
Joshua
6-8
Message
Title:
Draw
Near To God
Hello
My Friend,
The
word accursed means doomed to destruction or misery, people who live
a sinful life are accursed, doomed
to misery, and the sad part is that do not realize they are doing
more harm than good. While
we do not always understand some of the things that God allows to
happen to innocent people we can understand that something good will
come out of it if we draw near to God. “Beloved,
think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch
as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory
shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of
glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken
of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a
murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other
men's matters. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will
of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as
unto a faithful Creator.”
- 1 Peter 4:12-15,19.
After
Israel's miraculous cross through the Jordan river on dry land word
got out real quick that they were coming to take the land God
promised them. The kings of the Amorites and Caananites joined forces
and built a huge wall around Jericho to keep them out, but little did
they know, nothing can keep God out. God gave Joshua instructions on
what to do, for six days they were to simply walk around the walls of
Jericho once per day,and they did exactly as He commanded. “And
he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him
that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD. And it came to
pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests
bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD,
and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD
followed them. And the armed men went before the priests that blew
with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests
going on, and blowing with the trumpets. And Joshua had commanded the
people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your
voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the
day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. So the ark of the LORD
compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp,
and lodged in the camp.”
- Joshua 6:7-11.
This
was probably the strangest sight people have ever saw, a bunch of men
marching around a wall. What possibly could come of that? That is how
God proves that He is the Almighty and is with all who have faith in
Him. What came of it was more walking, on the seventh day, they were
commanded to walk around the walls seven times. After the seventh
march, something amazing and miraculous happened. “So
the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it
came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the
people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so
that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him,
and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in
the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and
ass, with the edge of the sword. But Joshua had said unto the two men
that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring
out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and
her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had;
and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp
of Israel.”
- Joshua 6:20-23.
Remember Rehab? Just as promised, her, her
family, and all that remained in her house were saved, everyone else
was destroyed. Interestingly enough, Rehab turned from her false
gods, left her life as a prostitute, married into the tribe of Judah,
becoming an ancestor of King David, which would be the lineage from
where Jesus would descend from. God can and does change the lives of
every person that trusts in His mercy and grace, but unless they
personally accept the invitation to be saved they will be destroyed.
“Even
the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all
and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
- Romans 3:22-24.
No sooner than God gave the command for
them not to take anything out of the city except for the cattle and
gold, one man, Achan not only caused himself to be destroyed, but
thirty-six other men as well. Trying to take on the small nation of
Ai, the men lost their lives in what should have been an easy
takeover. Just like every other person would do when destruction
comes, Joshua questioned why God allowed the destruction of innocent
people. Here is God's answer. “Israel
hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I
commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and
have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even
among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not
stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their
enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any
more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the
people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus
saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst
of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until
ye take away the accursed thing from among you.”
- Joshua 7:11-13.
After Israels deadly defeat to Ai and the
accursed things were removed from among the congregation it was time
to get back to business, God was with them this tome to help them
defeat Ai.
After
their victory, Joshua wrote a copy of the law of Moses, then gathered
all the people together, even the stranger, and read it before them.
He read it word for word, leaving nothing out. “And
he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he
wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and
their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the
ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the
ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was
born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of
them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had
commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And
afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and
cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read
not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the
little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.”
- Joshua 8:32-35.
As children of God, it is important that we
read every Word of God, it may seem repetitious sometimes or that it
has nothing to do with us, but it all has everything to do with us.
God gave us an example of
how
we are to live, things we are to avoid, the consequences of not
avoiding them, and to prove that a nation under the living God is a
powerful one through Israel. The
devil has
no problem with people believing in God and His Son, He knows they
exist, but if he can get one person to alter God's Word, or eliminate
just a little bit of it than he has done what he came here to do. Why
do you think there are so many versions of the Bible? I hate those
parallel Bibles, I saw one that had four different versions together
in one book. These are not Bibles, these are confusion and
deceitfulness and anyone who insists that you need several versions
to understand God really needs to open their heart to the Holy
Spirit. He is the only one that can help you understand. “But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:
for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.
Today's
Prayer:
God,
I will admit that there are some things that I just do not
understand, but I am trusting You to reveal them to me when You see
fit as I draw near to You. Lord, my heart feels broken, my soul feels
crushed, and my body feels out of sorts, comfort me, give me peace,
mend the wounds, and awaken my spirit. Help me to overcome the fiery
trial before me as I draw nigh to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date:
Thursday,
March 05, 2015
Chapters:
Joshua
3-5
Message
Title:
God
Reminders
Hello
My Friend,
Let's
face it, no one is perfect, we cannot please everyone nor can we
avoid offending someone from time to time because we all carry around
this flesh that is full of emotions, guilt, pride, anger or
bitterness. We are going to suffer because of this, but it's not
over, God has a plan for you, He
has a plan for all of His children. “And
he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,
because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will
of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren.”
- Romans 8:27-29.
Joshua gathered all the congregation
together to make the trip over the Jordan, first he instructed the
Levites to go ahead of everyone else while the rest stood and waited
for them to get into the water. Probably the hardest thing for them
to do was stand there and wait as they watched the one tribe that
would not even get part of the inheritance of the land cross over the
Jordan first. However, as they were waiting, God was right there
paving the way for them to enter and show Himself mighty and alive.
“And
they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the
covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing
it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there
shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by
measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye
must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said
unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do
wonders among you. And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up
the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they
took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. And the
LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the
sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so
I will be with thee.”
- Joshua 3:3-7.
Quite
often, the waiting is the hardest part, but during the wait that is
when God is preparing for His greatest miracle yet. God is not done
with you,
He has much more to prove Himself mighty and alive to you too, and He
will show
it as
long as you are willing to wait. “Cast
not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of
reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the
will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while,
and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just
shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no
pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
- Hebrews 10:35-39.
Just as Moses was able to lead the
Israelite's across the Red Sea on dry land with
God's
mighty hand, Joshua led the new generation across the Jordan River
the same way. The very first thing that God commanded them to do was
gather twelve stones out of the Jordan, one man from each tribe was
to gather a stone to represent each of the children of Israel. “And
it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan,
that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you twelve men out of
the people, out of every tribe a man, And command ye them, saying,
Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the
priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over
with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge
this night. Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared
of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said
unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the
midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his
shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of
Israel:”
- Joshua 4:1-5.
The twelve stones from the twelve tribes from
the Jordan was a reminder that the Almighty God miraculously sent
them
across
the Jordan by dividing it and allowing them to walk on dry land
through it. God will often give us reminders of what He has brought
us through. While He is a forgiving and forgetful God He does allow
us to keep in remembrance some of the things that He has miraculously
gotten
us through
over
the years. Why? To keep us obedient and to be a testimony for others
to follow. “It
is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call
to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated,
ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made
a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst
ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye have need of
patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive
the promise.”-
Hebrews 10:31-33,36.
In the forty years that the new
generation of Israel had been the wilderness none of the laws had
been carried our, including circumcision. Before the Israelite men
were to go any further they had to be circumcised, circumcision was a
command from God upon every male born. “At
that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and
circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua
made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the
hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did
circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males,
even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after
they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were
circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by
the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not
circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the
wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out
of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the
LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land,
which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land
that floweth with milk and honey.”
- Joshua 5:2-6.
Circumcision was a symbol showing that they
were one of God's people, circumcision was not just for the males, it
is for females as well, not physically, but spiritually. The only way
to be circumcised spiritually is by the cleansing of the blood of
Christ. Every sin committed was taken to the cross with Jesus when He
died for you. Calling on Jesus Christ circumcises, cleanses, you from
your sins. Your acceptance of Christ and what He has done in your
life upon doing so is a reminder that should never be forgotten and
is a wonderful testimony for all to follow. “And
ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and
power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by
the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also
ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who
hath raised him from the dead.”
- Colossians 2:10-12.
Today's
Prayer:
God,
Thank You for accepting me and making me one of Your children when I
choose Your Son as my Saviour. Today, I am a sinner saved by Your
grace, and while I know there is nothing that I need to do to keep my
salvation, I still want to live my life as the godly example You
would like for me to be. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your
power to stay faithful to You, give me the wisdom to understand Your
Word, and let me never forget all that You have done for me, and what
You have waiting for me by living by Your Word. Help me to be strong
and of a good courage in all that You bring me to and through. In
Jesus' name, Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date:
Wednesday,
March 04, 2015
Chapters:
Deuteronomy
34, Joshua 1-2
Message
Title:
Be
Strong And Of A Good Courage
Hello
My Friend,
The
Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament/Bible and
contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the book is Joshua and
it was written to Israel, the timeline for these events is
approximately 1451 BC to
1427 BC. The purpose of the book was to record the details on how the
minister
of Moses, Joshua, led the people of Israel into the promised land and
explains the division of the land among the tribes. What we are to
learn from the book is that no moral or spiritual battles are won
without God, He gives victory to all who let Him lead them. “There
shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy
life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee.”
- Joshua 1:5.
Moses went up to Mount Nebo, to the top of
Pisgah, one last time to view the promised land before he died. The
beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey could been seen, but he
could not enter it because of his disobedience. However, God never
forgot what Moses had done for Him throughout the years and even
after he was told that he could not go into the promised land he
still received his inheritance into the Kingdom of God. “And
the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham,
unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I
have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go
over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land
of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he buried him in a
valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth
of his sepulchre unto this day. And there arose not a prophet since
in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all
the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land
of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses
shewed in the sight of all Israel.”
- Deuteronomy 34:4-6,10-12.
Sometimes there are things that we
do that can forfeit our rights to receive certain blessings from God
here on earth, but when we make things right with Him He will honor
us and bless us accordingly. It is actually what we do for Him after
we are saved that counts and what will last for eternity. “Then
said Jesus unto his disciples, If
any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it:
and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what
is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son
of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and
then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
- Matthew 16:24-27.
After they mourned the death of Moses, the
time had finally come for Israel to cross over the Jordan and into
the promised land, God spoke to Joshua, and perhaps spoke the most
important words he would ever hear, “Be strong, and of a good
courage.” “There
shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy
life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto
this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I
sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very
courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law,
which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right
hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou
goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but
thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe
to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have
not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
- Joshua 1:5-9.
The word strong means, having the physical
ability to bear or endure. The word courage means that quality of
mind which enables man to encounter danger and difficulties without
fear or depression of the spirits. Joshua is to make the law of God,
which is His Word, his ruler, he is commanded to meditate upon it day
and night, that he might understand it and follow it. Whatever
challenges we face, we must not forget the one thing needed to give
us the strength and courage to face them, the Word of God. God's Word
is powerful, without it we are left to fend for ourselves and if we
choose to handle things on our own we might not like the outcome. God
is always with us, but if we truly want the
best outcome
it is important to learn of and follow all
of His
Word. “Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
- 2 Timothy 2:15.
Joshua sent two men over into Jericho to
search it out, just to see what they were up against. Word had
already gotten out that the people of Israel were about to come in
and siege the land so when people found out that Israelite's were
there they searched all over to capture them and kill them. They
met
a woman, a prostitute
named
Rahab, who hid them, she asked them of one thing for her kindness, to
save her and her family.
“And
Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly,
saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into
an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And she said unto
the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your
terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land
faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the
water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye
did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side
Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we
had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain
any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God,
he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I
pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you
kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and
give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my
mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and
deliver our lives from death.”
- Joshua 2:1,9-13.
Even though it could have cost her her
life, Rahab did what was right, and because of that she and anyone
who were within the walls of her home would be saved. God makes it
simple for us to be able to enter His Kingdom, “Believe in my Son,
and all that He has done to save You from being utterly destroyed and
I will save you.” “What
fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the
end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and
become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end
everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 6:21-23.
Today's
Prayer:
(Excerpts taken from
Psalm 31) God, In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be
ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me;
deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence
to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy
name's sake lead me, and guide me. Into thine hand I commit my
spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Oh how great is
thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which
thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
In Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date:
Tuesday,
February 03, 2015
Chapters:
Deuteronomy
31-33
Message
Title:
What
Fearing
God Means
Hello
My Friend,
The
word fear means to alarm or warn, a painful emotion, but it also
means something else, to give respect to or show love. As Christians,
it
is imperative that we learn to fear God, which sometimes does mean to
be alarmed by the consequences of sin. However, most of the time
fearing God means to give respect to Him, to love Him, and to live
our lives fearing what would happen if God was not in it. Fearing
God is the key to not only receiving God's respect, but having a
great relationship with Him here
on earth.
Fearing
God keeps us from walking into things that will cause harm to us or
others, fearing God leads others to Christ, most of all fearing God
is what keeps us going back to Him no matter how many times we mess
up. “Wherefore
we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace,
whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.”
- Hebrews 12:28,29.
Fearing God starts with believing in Him,
and wanting Him to be in our lives, but it also comes with a great
deal of serving Him. As Moses
comes to the end of his message, he encourages Joshua, who God chose
to lead the people into the promise land, and to the priests and
Levites who would take over as serving the people. “And
Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all
Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this
people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to
give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he
it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not
fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. And
Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of
Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all
the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of
every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the
feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the
LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this
law before all Israel in their hearing.”
- Deuteronomy 31:7-11.
God
loves everyone, He truly does, and if He could He would save
everyone, but that is up to the individual. Amazingly, God gave all
of us free will, a choice whether or not we want life or death. We
should fear what will happen to us when we die, but should
we choose life through Christ, God promises to never
leave nor forsake us.
He goes before us, fights for us, and
guides
us to victory in the battle of life should we follow His will. While
we
are saved by grace, everything we do after we are saved
brings
greater
eternal blessings. Fearing God means being willing to serve Him no
matter where He leads us. “For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose
and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel:”
- 2 Timothy 1:7-10.
Fearing
God also means to never forget what He has done for us and the
consequences of what happens if we walk away from Him. While we can
never lose our salvation, we can still suffer the consequences of
sin. Moses
finishes
his message
with
a song that God wanted them to sing
and never forget.
This
was
not a typical uplifting song, it was a solemn song, one that foretold
much of the
consequences they would face by walking away from God.
The objective of this song was to remind them of God's judgment and
salvation to all who fear the Rock. “My
doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,
as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the
grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye
greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all
his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and
right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the
spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations
provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God;
to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your
fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful,
and hast forgotten God that formed thee.”
- Deuteronomy 32:2-5,16-18.
Jeshurun is Israel, even today
many of the Jews reject Christ, the Rock, as their Saviour. Rejecting
Christ is the same as rejecting God, and all will face the same
judgment as everyone else who rejects Christ, death and hell. “To
them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and
honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are
contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness,
indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of
man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But
glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew
first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons
with God.”
- Romans 2:7-11.
Fearing
God also means to always remember the blessings they receive from
God. Moses
reminds Israel about the inheritance and blessings they were about to
receive from God, it was not by their righteousness or obedience that
they would received them, but simply by the promise He made. One by
one, he tells them what God would bless them with. “And
this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the
children of Israel before his death. And he said, The LORD came from
Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount
Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand
went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints
are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall
receive of thy words. Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance
of the congregation of Jacob. And he was king in Jeshurun, when the
heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by
the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy
excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and
thou shalt tread upon their high places.”
- Deuteronomy 33:1-5,29.
God has many blessings for those who
trust in and accept His Son, not
because of their obedience to Him, but because of His promise.
Perhaps
the most undeserved is eternal life, He gives it
to all who believe in and accept His Son, and He gives an
inheritance in
His Kingdom, this is something we should never forget.
You know, if we had to depend on our own self righteousness to
receive things from people we would get absolutely nothing. No one
wants to give people things when they are too arrogant and proud to
admit they have sin in their lives. That is why God does not give us
salvation or any part of His inheritance by our own righteousness,
but
that does not mean that we should live as we please and not expect to
face any consequences. Fearing God means to follow His commands, not
for our own glory, but to give God glory for all that He has done for
us. “For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we
are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
- Ephesians 2:8-10.
Today's
Prayer:
(Excerpts
Taken From Psalm 27) God, You are my light and my salvation; whom
shall I fear? You are the strength of my life; of whom shall I be
afraid? Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon
me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said
unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger:
thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my
salvation. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path,
because of mine enemies. Show me how to fear You, and let me never
forget all that You have done for me and still want to do as I
willingly live in obedience to Your commands. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date:
Monday,
March 02, 2015
Chapters:
Deuteronomy
28-30
Message
Title:
Keep
It Simple
Hello
My Friend,
God
makes it simple for
everyone,
believe in
and
accept that my Son, died for your sins, was buried, and three days
later arose from the dead to save you from death and hell, and I will
save
you from your sins and give
you
eternal
life. Now, we understand this because God so graciously gave us His
Word, whether He gave it to us or not does not change the fact that
He is God and has always been, but it does give us a guide to Him and
how we can know Him personally. To
be saved is a miracle in itself, but to be saved and know God is
priceless. “For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich
unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved. So
then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Romans 10:10-13,17.
The
Israelite's were just days from entering the promised land, Moses has
given them their final instructions, and soon they will be able to
finally walk onto the promised land. I imagine they were both excited
and scared at the same time. You know the feeling you get when you
walk into a place you have been anticipating for the first time? Most
places have a map or a guide showing you what to expect. Israel's
guide to the promised land was God Himself and He promised them that
if they listen to Him and follow His commands no matter what they
faced that they would be blessed. “And
it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments
which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on
high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall
come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice
of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed
shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body,
and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the
increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be
thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in,
and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.”
- Deuteronomy 28:1-6.When
we follow God's
commands we not only become blessed through our obedience to
Him, we
also
find
His
favor.
While
He is the Creator of all things He is not Father of all, only those
whom have received His
Son, Jesus
Christ as their Saviour
are His children. “That
is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the
children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the
seed. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he
will he hardeneth. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where
it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be
called the children of the living God. As it is written, Behold, I
lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever
believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
- Romans 9:8,18,26,33.
Moses had repeated most of the
commands which the Israelite's and those who chose to live among them
were to observe as part of the covenant God made long ago to Abraham,
Issac, and Jacob. God's blessings and the curses brought upon them if
they chose other gods were also repeated along with some incredible
prophecies. Moses urges Israel to keep the words of the covenant with
them always. “Keep
therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may
prosper in all that ye do. Ye stand this day all of you before the
LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your
officers, with all the men of Israel, Your little ones, your wives,
and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto
the drawer of thy water: That thou shouldest enter into covenant with
the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh
with thee this day: And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of
all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant
that are written in this book of the law: So that the generation to
come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger
that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues
of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it;”
- Deuteronomy 29:9-12,21,22.
As saved, born again believers of
Jesus Christ, we need to never forget the promise God made with us
and to keep the words of His covenant, which He made with us when we
accepted His Son. Those who do not even acknowledge God after they
get saved truly have no idea who God is, let alone Jesus, many barely
remember that they got saved. The flesh is weak and unless we have
God's Word in us daily the flesh will always win and take us where we
do not want to be, and bring the curses along with it. “Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- Matthew 26:41.
Besides Job, Moses penned down the very first
inspired words of God, Moses encouraged them to follow the law and
not depart from it. “If
thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his
commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the
law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and
with all thy soul. For this commandment which I command thee this
day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in
heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven,
and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it
beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea
for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the
word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that
thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and
good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the
LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and
his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply:
and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest
to possess it.”
- Deuteronomy 30:10-16.
God
gave us His Word that we may know it, say it, and do it, while we
certainly do not need God's Word penned down for it to exist (Jesus
is the Word made flesh) He thought it beneficial for us so that we
can live the best life here on earth.
Many people have distorted, taken from, and added to His Word so much
that it is no longer
His
anymore. We need to be careful what version of the Bible we read and
where we get our information about God, they are not all the same and
will leave out key verses, phrases, or even words that we need to
know. Why is it so important? We are to live by every word of God, It
Is Life, it is the Only Book that contains the words of The One And
Only Living God in it. “And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.”
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
Jew, Gentile, Catholic, Baptist,
Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Muslim, Atheist, whatever you call
yourself, unless you have accepted that salvation is of Jesus Christ
alone, you will die
and spend
an eternity in hell and
the lake of fire.
God reveals enough information for us through His Word to be saved,
to know of His work, and to live according to His Word. Religion
loves to call out and play God, but time and time again He proves
them wrong. Religion opposes everything God and will do everything it
can to discredit Him while making themselves look godly, and sadly
all over the world people are dying and going to hell because they
trusted in their religion. It doesn't have to be that way, anyone can
be saved, they just have to believe. “He
that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath
not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,
and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
- 1 John 5:12,13.
Today's
Prayer:
God,
You never cease to remind me of just how blessed I am, everything
could be falling apart around me, but I truly have Your favor. You
never stop loving me, and are always there to give me guidance and
correction when I need it. Lord, lead
me and guide me, help me to learn and follow all Your commands, not
because I have to, but because I want to honor You and give thanks to
You for Your unmerited mercy and grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date:
Sunday,
March 01, 2015
Chapters:
Deuteronomy
25-27
Message
Title:
Being
Avouched For God
Hello
My Friend,
The
word avouch means to assume responsibility for, to testify on one's
behalf. When Jesus Christ died on the cross He avouched for all of
us, He took on the responsibility for all our sins and gave His life
for everyone, regardless of whether or not they accept Him. Now, when
you call on Jesus Christ to save you, He takes that one step further,
He stands before God and avouches for you, testifies on your behalf
that you have accepted Him and are depending on Him alone for your
salvation. “But
now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have
your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages
of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.”
- Romans 6:22,23.
God's judgment, we hear of people being
stone to death for committing adultery and question how God could
allow such a harsh punishment. We must come to the understanding that
every punishment from God is just, and we should look at all sin as a
death sentence. God introduces corporal punishment. “When
men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth
near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth
him, and putteth forth her hand, and taketh him by the secrets: Then
thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not pity her. Thou shalt
not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt
not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But
thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure
shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which
the LORD thy God giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all
that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
- Deuteronomy 25:11-16.
While not all sin can kill a person
physically, all sin kills us mentally and spiritually, which is why
it destroys us, and why God wants us to fear living in sin. Those who
willingly
live in sin will
face judgment for their actions,
but those who admit their sin, repent
of, and forsake them
find
God's grace and
His blessings.
“Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the
scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.”
- Psalm 1:1-3.
As Moses concludes his speech to Israel, he
comes to the part of giving tithe, tithe being one tenth of what God
had blessed them with was to be offered willingly, brought to the
priests, and they were to rejoice in their giving. “And
thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath
given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the
stranger that is among you. When thou hast made an end of tithing all
the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of
tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the
fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be
filled; Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought
away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them
unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the
widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded
me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I
forgotten them:”
- Deuteronomy 26:11-13.
God loves a cheerful giver with a
willing heart, it gives Him joy to see us putting Him first and
giving to others as well. God will truly bless us,
and
while His grace is all that is needed to give us what
we need
daily, imagine what He will give when
we give to others.
“Grace
and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of
Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all
things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto
us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is
in the world through lust.”
- 2 Peter 1:2-4.
God's choice in His people had nothing to do
with them being better, more spiritual, or more righteous than any
one else, it had to do with the covenant or promise that He made with
Abraham, a man whom committed adultery with his own wife. He promised
that He would not only avouch for them, He would bless them if they
followed His commands. “This
day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and
judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to
be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and
his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people,
as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his
commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath
made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be
an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.”
- Deuteronomy 26:16-19.
Moses continues urging them to always
obey God's voice, reminding them that they are God's people and with
that comes a blessing and a curse. “And
Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take
heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of
the LORD thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the LORD thy
God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee
this day. Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image,
an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman,
and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and
say, Amen. Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all
the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay
an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen. Cursed be he
that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the
people shall say, Amen.”
- Deuteronomy 27:9,10,15,24-26.
The word Amen means to
confirm, to have confidence in knowing and agreeing with God's truth.
Amen is powerful, when you pray to God and finish with Amen, you are
confirming that you believe, trust, and that you have confidence that
God will give you what you are asking Him for. God avouches for all
who follow His commands, the most important, to accept His Son, Jesus
Christ as their Saviour. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your
Saviour than you are one of God's people, a peculiar, unique,
forgiven sinner, who has obtained God's mercy and favor. “But
ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in
time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had
not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
- 1 Peter 2:9,10.
Today's
Prayer:
Jesus,
It is truly amazing that no matter what I do You never leave nor
forsake me, and that You avouch for me when I come to You. I want
Your favor upon my life and to be a witness and testimony of Your
great love, even through trials and tribulation. Lord, lead me and
guide me, help me to learn and follow Your commands, give me the
power to listen for and obey Your voice, and
the strength I need to follow through with my promises to You. In
Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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