Pager-Turner

Remember when the Israelites were fearful to enter the Promised Land, “But the people there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large.”  AND, there are all kinds of ‘ites’ living there. (Numbers 13-14). Just keep turning the pages folks. Joshua chapter 2, (105 pages later) it turns out the people beyond them, on the other side,  were more fear-filled, “I (Rahab) know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.” (v9). They heard about the Israelites and their God. The Israelites do crossover and one of those very large cities, well, the walls just fell down! (Kinda). May we walk courageously against who and what fears us more.   Our life is like a book, just keep turning the pages, because God says, “I will be with you!”  Be a page-turner.

Refuse It Not

WORD of the DAY: Para (Hebrew). Solomon shares, "Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not." (Prov 8:33). Refuse or ignore and neglect in the Hebrew is the same word used to describe the scene when Moses came down off the Mt and the folks were running wild (para) around the golden calf. (Ex. 32:25). CHAOS was the result. Having and responding to the revelation of God keeps us out of trouble. Hear instruction and be wise, refuse it not!   Or…

A Complex, Interwoven Plot

Our storybook Bibles and Sunday school flannelgraphs divide the bible into short easy to understand morality lessons, (which are GREAT).  However, we assume that's how we should read the bible as adults. But it's actually not meant to be a collection of simple children's stories. It's the story of God from start to finish - a sophisticated, epic saga and throw in man and there ya go - a complex, interwoven plot. Keep reading.

Changing

"He (God) CHANGES the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings..." (Daniel 2:21, emphasis mine). Daniel prayed for God’s revelation to interpret the king's dream and He answered. Daniel responds, God is sovereign and controls all. He changes, removes and raises up.

God does not merely do a quick overlay, laying the new season over the old. He divinely removes and brings in the different, the new. Like changing our clothes, we don't just add to what we are already wearing, we take off and put on. God doesn't want us in a state of mixed multi-layered. He wants fresh - new. May we allow Him to sovereignly change our seasons, break off the old to put on the new. What season are we begrudgingly holding on to?

If

Details.  "IF you make the Most High your dwelling ... THEN no harm will befall you...BECAUSE he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." Psalm 91:9-10,14 (emphasis mine). I SO appreciate the 'IFs' of the Bible. We must take notice of their presence. Then step back slightly to see the context and look for the response. There is ALWAYS more to the IF. "If you are telling the truth ... If you make an altar of stone...If you do not obey...If you turn away...If you go with me...If you are afraid...If He calls you...If you fear the Lord...If you hear His voice...If you love those who love you...If you do not forgive men...If I only touch His cloak...If You are willing...Lord, if it’s You...If you have faith." Just to name of few of the 1780+ times IF is mentioned in scripture.  Taking notice of the detailed God story.

Grasping Strong

WORD of the Day: Strong. As found in Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of good courage..." The word strong means: 'take hold of, to seize,' painting the word picture - to grasp. One who is strong is full of 'grasp'. The future warrior King, David was full of grasp. “So, David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him.” (1 Sam. 17:50a, emphasis mine). The word prevailed is our grasp. David took hold of his sling, using it, struck that giant dead!  It is OUR responsibility to reach, and grasp! Grasping with a firm and heavy grip. And hold on TIGHT “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (2nd half of Joshua 1:9).  Can you imagine the damage we could do if we grasped together!  Strong.