Much of the first five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy) have to do with the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. The New Testament tells us these things were recorded as examples for us. In her book Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyers make some interesting observations about these Israelites who wandered in the wilderness.
She notes that their wilderness was of their own making. She also notes that many of them died in their own wilderness. Could it be that there are believing Christians today who are spending their spiritual lives wandering in a wilderness of their own making? Is it possible that many hopeful Christians miss the best God has for them and die in their own wilderness, a wilderness made for themselves in their minds, contrary to what God says in His word?
Our minds are where battles for our souls are waged. God declares who I am, and Satan negates what God says. My mind (soul, inner man) is where we make decisions based on what we choose to believe.
What promises or lies are you believing and acting on today? Be very careful of the decisions you make and whose voice you heed.
Tags: battle, soul, wilderness
I officiated yesterday at the funeral of a man. Afterwards, a man approached me in the parking lot and began talking about faith. This man said, “My problem is, I’m neither hot nor cold. I was raised in the same church, never got converted from anything; I’m just neither hot nor cold.”
As I was reflecting on this last night at our leadership prayer time, I sensed the Lord say to me, “Isn’t that a picture of My church today? Neither hot nor cold.” It kind of shocked me at first, but I think I heard correctly. Who do you know that’s “hot” for Christ? We once were. What happened?
I think its easy to sit back and let the pastor be “hot” for us. Let someone else get passionate about God and do the work of ministry. I believe this lukewarmed-ness is a symptom of spiritual complacency within ourselves, and I am praying God wakes us up, stirs us, and makes us hot again for Him.
There are three kinds of people in the world: Those who makes things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder, “What happened??!!”
Which are you? There are movers and shakers who are always on the front end of everything God is doing. They prepare the way for new movements and inspire others. The world is a different place because they passed through.
Then there are those who watch things happen. They are the helpers, the supporters. They are always observing and cheering on the movers ans shakers.
Then there are those who sit back and scratch their heads and ask, “What just happened?” Because they had their eyes closed they did not see it coming. The end result came as a complete surprise to them. They enjoy the change; they just didn’t know it was happening until it was over.
Jesus said, “Verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also” (John 14:12). Believe with me.
Tags: motivation
I’m reading a biography on the life of James Madison that was written by a biographer in the 1870s. He used the phrase “The Law of Party Politics” and defines it as anything the other party proposes, you oppose it. Even it you agree, you join the party position and fight for it.
As an example, James Madison, primary author of the Constitution, was a strong supporter of establishing a federal government to establish trade rules for all 13 states. He was adamantly opposed to slavery.
However, being a Virginian, when the southern states formed a new political party to defend states’ rights, which included the right to own and sell slaves, Madison left the defense of the Federal Party, and joined the new Republican Party. From that point on, he sold out on his Federalist values and fought for every political view he had earlier opposed. That is the Law of Party Politics at its worst. Party politics can spill over into the church, as well.
Let’s all sort out in our minds what God has called us to do, and not let any new group of ideas move us from our scriptural mandate.
Tags: Madison, politics
The author of ‘There is a Fountain’, William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), had a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. However, he often had periods of doubt and envisioned himself hopeless and destined for hell. The final verse of this hymn may reflect that:
When this poor lisping, stamm’ring tongue Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save:
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save, I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save;
Then in a nobler, sweeter song I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.
When we become Christians and have our sins forgiven, we still have to deal with our sin nature that pulls us after the world. When we stumble in our walk of faith, we can sometimes condemn ourselves, which assumes a condemnation by God. Its in those times I need to come back to the cross and encourage myself in the hope that when Jesus shed His precious blood on that cross, all my sins were paid for…ALL.
So, be refreshed in the good news that Jesus has paid your debt. Live freely.
Tags: doubt, guilt, salvation
The melody behind ‘There is a Fountain’ comes from an unknown traditional American sound. Verse of 2 of that old hymn says:
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away:
Wash all my sins away, Wash all my sins away;
And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
Sometimes its good to remind ourselves that the story of the dying thief on the cross beside Jesus is a picture of us. As sinners, we all deserved to be on the cross beside Jesus. But when that thief as Jesus to remember him, Jesus immediately promised that he would be with Him in Paradise. Because Jesus was paying for the thief sin, it was washed away from him.
How about you, have you ever considered yourself spiritually like the dying thief? That’s why the story is there: its all about you and what Jesus did for you. What will you do with Jesus today?
Tags: salvation, sin, thief
William Cowper once wrote a powerful hymn that still moves my heart. Verse one says:
There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath the flood, Lose all their guilty stains:
Lose all their guilty stains, Lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.
When Jesus died on the cross, He literally paid the price, the debt, for our sin. How amazing is that? In our society we don’t like to talk about blood, but your salvation is dependent upon Jesus shedding His lifeblood for you. This is why we consider His blood Precious. It is more valuable to us that all the good works we could accomplish or all the money we could ever give.
The next time you connect with God in worship or Bible study, remember His precious blood that cleanses all your sin.
Tags: blood, forgiveness