Month: April 2015

Giant Slayer

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Joshua 14:14
“Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.”

After successfully leading military campaigns throughout Canaan, Joshua distributes the land to each of the tribes. It became their responsibility to establish the land as their own. Time and time again, we read how the tribes failed to take possession of all of the land for one reason or another. When we come to Caleb, we find that although he was an elderly man, he occupied the possession that had been allotted to him. I notice four ingredients that led to his success.

First, we read he “. . . wholly followed the Lord . . .” That means he lived in complete submission to the will and Word of God. Way back in the wilderness, Israel was commanded to enter Canaan and take the Land. Most of the people were willing to follow the Lord when it was easy or comfortable. Caleb was willing to follow no matter what. As a result, his following led to complete surrender of his own life, as well as an attempt to influence others to follow the Lord.

Second, we read he clung to the promises of God. Forty five years earlier, Moses had promised Caleb a certain portion of the land. After forty years in the wilderness, five years of battle within the land, and all the struggles associated with those years, Caleb still trusted in the promise. We would think, perhaps those promises timed out with age, but Caleb continued to cling to what he had been promised.

Third, we read something interesting about his strength. He claimed he was as strong at eighty-five as he had been at forty. I know some folks who are in their seventies and eighties who remain in pretty good shape. That being said, they are no match for their forty year old self. In a foot race, wrestling match, or a push up contest, I am sure my twenty year old self could beat my present self. Caleb is not claiming to have found the fountain of youth, and never weakened like normal humans. Instead, he is stating the fact that at eighty-five, and at forty, his strength was not in himself but in the Lord. If we rely upon the Spirit of God, we will not weaken as time goes by.

Finally, we read of Caleb’s great faith. After describing the mountain that had been promised him, and the inhabitants being the strongest within the land, Caleb declares, “It MAY be that the Lord will be with me and I will be able to drive them out.” It may be? That is a striking statement to me. If I were to go up a mountain, which is notoriously difficult to take in battle, and attack fortified cities, inhabited by giants, I think I would want something a little more than a maybe. Caleb walked in faith. He found the promises of God to be true, as he walked daily in them. We will never know what God wants to do through us until we step out in faith to serve Him.

Pastor Jim

 

Wait There’s More 

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Joshua 13:1
” Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: ‘You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.’“

As the sun begins to set on Joshua’s life, he has yet, another encounter with the Lord. This time God refers to the age of his servant and to the work he is doing. Joshua is reminded that while he is old and has accomplished much for the kingdom, there still remains very much land to conquer and possess. The application of this truth for Joshua was that he needed to gather the tribes together and exhort them to get busy, finishing the work he had started. The application for you and me is that there is a lot God still wants to do in our lives, no matter how long we have walked with Him, or how much we have accomplished.

Each tribe had taken some land and established themselves in it. They had walled cities to live in and pasture and farmlands for their sustenance, but there remained large portions of the land they were yet to conquer, possess, and reap rewards from. If they were to continue what they had started, it would require daily obedience and faithfulness to the Lord. They would have to seek God for direction, strength, and victory, as they continued to overcome their enemies.

The same is true for us. It is very tempting, as a Christian, to settle into the comforts of the accomplishments of our past victories, while neglecting to realize, there is still so much more God wants to do in our lives. Many of the attitudes we have come to accept as part of who we are, may be an enemy encampment God wants to destroy. Instead of resting on what we have done, let’s look forward to what else God may want to do in and through us.

Pastor Jim

 

A Town Called Joppa

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Acts 10:5
“Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.”

Joppa was a port city in Israel with a wealth of history. It serves as a powerful illustration of the heart of God for the world at large. Over 700 years before Peter slept on the rooftop of the tanner’s house, another famous character passed through Joppa. His name was Jonah, and he is infamous as Israel’s most reluctant prophet. Most of us are familiar with his story of disobedience. We read, he was commissioned by God to preach a message of mercy to Nineveh, but instead, he traveled to Joppa, boarded a ship, and attempted to run from God. His story is a fascinating one, as God goes to great lengths to win the heart of this wandering servant. One of the key lessons in Jonah is, God loves the world even when His people don’t.

Over 700 years later, we find another servant of God resting quietly in this same port city. While he sleeps, his world is interrupted with a vision form heaven. The vision was simple, but the message profound. He saw a sheet filled with all kinds of animals, which he was commanded to kill and eat. Peter’s initial response was to refuse, for many of the animals were in a category marked as “unclean” by old testament standards. His rebuke was met by a further command, “What I have cleansed do not call common.” While this passage is freeing the believer to eat whatever he wants, the message is much deeper. Peter needed to learn that the Gospel was intended for all people.

As he pondered the meaning of the message, a band of men arrived, inviting him to visit Cornelius, in the city of Caesarea. Peter would soon be faced with a great dilemma, he would stand at the threshold of the house of a gentile and have to decide whether, for the sake of the Gospel, he would put aside his cultural fears and enter a gentile home.

Cornelius and his family were loved by God and needed to hear the message of salvation in Christ. Peter, like Jonah before him, would have to set aside his own personal feelings for the sake of the kingdom of God.

All mankind is loved by God, and needs to hear the message of salvation found in Christ. It is time we set aside anything that keeps us from declaring the message of the cross to a dying world.

Pastor Jim


Remember When…

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Joshua 12:1

“These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed on the other side of the Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon, and all the eastern Jordan plain:”

 

This chapter recounts the kingdoms that Joshua and the children of Israel overthrew. In a few cases, there are some minor details recorded, but in most, a simple list of victories is given. All in all, thirty-one kings were conquered by Joshua and the armies of Israel. Each one of these victories represents a great obstacle for Joshua, as well as a giant leap of faith, and his finding God to be forever faithful. 

 

I wonder what we might discover if we took time to recall the victories we have seen in our walk with God. All of us should be able to recount the amazing grace God extended to us that resulted in our salvation. Then, we should be able to walk through times of God giving us victory over certain personal struggles, like unforgiveness, lust, anger, a foul mouth or some level of prodigal living. Finally, we should be able to recall times when we took great steps of faith and began to serve the Lord by reaching out to minister to others. We should be able to list people whose lives have been impacted by the way we chose to live out loud for the kingdom of God. 

 

While there is great benefit to looking back we should do so only to propel us forward. Whatever stories you have of God’s faithfulness in your yesterday’s, be sure to add to those stories by how you live for Him today.

 

Pastor Jim 

 

 

 

 

Ganged Up On 

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Joshua 11:4-5
“So they went out, they and all their armies with them, as many people as the sand that is on the seashore in multitude, with very many horses and chariots. And when all these kings had met together, they came and camped together at the waters of Merom to fight against Israel.”

As Joshua and the armies of Israel began to have success in battle, it was not long before they are ganged up on. At least fifteen kingdoms, from throughout northern Canaan, joined forces to attack Israel. These combined forces, no doubt, greatly outnumber Israel; they are described as being like the sand on the sea shore in number (Joshua 11:4). Not only were Joshua’s forces outnumbered, but the Canaanites also had the advantage of knowing the terrain. All seemed hopeless for Israel, until they clung to the promises of God. As this chapter unfolds, we read of a series of decisive victories of the people of God.

Once we begin to make some headway in our relationship with the Lord, it is very common for us to experience a heightened level of spiritual warfare. As long as we are living relatively ineffective lives, we are not much of a target for the enemy. When we determine to live committed to Christ, and to impact others for the Kingdom, we often find, with that commitment, comes some warfare. Sometimes, this warfare can feel like we are being ganged up on. It may seem like we are being hit by wave after wave of attack. The kids get sick, the car breaks down, you get a nasty letter in the mail, and the AC goes out, all before breakfast. We can begin to wonder what is happening to us.

Joshua 11:6
“But the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow about this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel…’”

In the midst of the attack and their confusion, they were met face to face with the promises of God. He promised to provide them with victory and deliverance from their trials. Whenever we are facing spiritual warfare, it is critical that we learn to cling to the promises of God. Paul declared the Word is like a spiritual sword designed to give victory in battle (Ephesians 6:17). If you are being ganged up on, grab hold of the Word and cling to it’s promises.

Pastor Jim


Here I Am Lord 

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Acts 9:10
“Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.'”

A disciple named Ananias is a somewhat obscure character in the narrative of Acts. We do not know how he first heard about Christ, what his occupation was, or his role in the local church. All we know is, when he was called to service, he rose to the occasion, and became an influential player in the life and ministry of Paul, the Apostle.

We read that Ananias had a vision. A vision is much like a dream, but happens while a person is awake, instead of when they are sleeping. There are many cases in Scripture of God speaking to His people through visions.

We are not told what Ananias was doing when God interrupted and commissioned him. We only know he obeyed. Notice, his obedience was not without trepidation. In fact, we might even say, he was a little reluctant to obey; and it is not difficult to understand why. Saul of Tarsus was the greatest human threat the early church had ever faced. He had authority to arrest and imprison Christians; and like a wild animal, was threatening them with death.

We read in Acts 8 that he was the driving force behind the death of Stephen. God was calling Ananias right into Saul’s line of fire. It does not surprise me that he would say, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, . . .” Acts 9:13

I know it is my desire to hear from the Lord. I want my life to count for the kingdom, and to have a positive impact upon the lives of others. I also understand, that sometimes, the Lord asks us to do hard things. Sometimes, the call of God will take me outside my comfort zone and ask me to do what will make me very uncomfortable, and may even put me at some level of risk.

I think it is important to follow the example of Ananias, whose willingness to obey the Lord resulted in helping in the growth of one of Christianity’s greatest heroes. Let’s all live by the motto of, “Here I am Lord.”

Pastor Jim

 

Allies 

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Joshua 10:5

“Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.”

 

Joshua, Chapter 10, describes a great battle, where five nations join ranks to come against the Gibeonites, who had made an allegiance with the people of God. The battle that rages is driven by a group of people who are outraged against those who have chosen to ally themselves with Israel, and be a part of the furtherance of the kingdom of God. While there may be political applications from this story, I think we would benefit greatly from some of the personal ones. 

 

First off, there was great cost involved with becoming a follower of God. Sadly,we find today, like in Joshua’s day,  some people are attacked for no other reason than deciding to follow Christ. Perhaps, you have experienced it. Perhaps, you have found that people who were once your friends, no longer want anything to do with you. Not because of anything you have done, but just because you have chosen to follow Jesus. They may have even attacked your character, and thrown a barrage of accusations against you. Often, these attacks are triggered by a misunderstanding of Christianity that stems from buying into everything they hear on the news, or from others. In other cases, they are driven by a hostility owing to a bad experience that transpired sometime in their past, and they blame God. Whatever the case, Christians are often under attack, and it is important to  see our attackers, not as the enemy, but as the mission field. 

 

Second, I think it is worth noting,  Gibeon not only experienced attack, but they also experienced aid. As soon as the kings began their attack on the city, the armies of Israel were unleashed to come to their aid, and ensure their victory. What a perfect illustration of what is true of the child of God today. In response to whatever attacks we might find ourselves under, the Bible teaches that all the hosts of heaven are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). Paul spoke of the fact that God will always lead us in triumph and that we are “more than conquerors” through Christ (Romans 8:37). When you are feeling under attack because you are following Christ, remember, He wants to come to your aid and ensure your victory. Keep in mind,  the victory includes influencing others to join you as you walk with Jesus. 

 

Pastor Jim 

 

 

  

 

Treaty

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Joshua 9:14
“Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.”

The men of Gibeon pulled off quite a scam. They went to great lengths to look like something they were not, in order to fool Israel into making a treaty with them. Old clothes, worn out shoes, moldy bread, all made it appear they had traveled a great distance. In reality, they lived within the borders of Israel’s land. Joshua and the other leaders of the nation were duped by the Gideonite’s ruse because when faced with this dilemma, they used their senses, rather than the Word of God. Had they taken the time to pray, God would have revealed to them the true nature of the Gibeonites. His Word already spoke regarding the inhabitants of the Land; Israel was to drive them out.

The reason for removing the inhabitants was quite simple. God knew the weakness of His people; they were easily influenced by the lifestyles of the people around them. He knew it would not be long before Israel was tempted to take on the sinful practices of the nations around them. To protect His people, He removed the temptation.

Sin, like the Gibeonites, is quite deceptive. It looks appealing, and even promises to bring gain to our lives. In reality, sin is always destructive. Too often, we make covenants of compromise, rather than driving things out of our lives. Sometimes, we leave things at arms distance, only to find that, in a moment of weakness, we fall into it again.

Paul reminds us of what to do with sin and the old life.

Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Pastor Jim

 

A Little Help

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Joshua 8:1

“Now the Lord said to Joshua: ‘Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.'”

 

Israel’s failure at Ai was due to the sin of both Achan and Joshua. Achan’s sin was following his desires, and taking into his life that which God had forbidden. Joshua’s sin, while equally as destructive, is somewhat more subtle. Joshua failed by moving forward without consulting the Lord. He chose to look at his circumstances and his resources, and do what seemed logical at the moment. The result: he sent a battalion of men into a battle they were certain to lose. 

 

Joshua’s failure is recorded for us because it is common to all of us. We are constantly faced with decisions requiring direction from God, and we all know times in our lives where we have attempted to move ahead without His counsel. Joshua’s story was written for our example, so we would learn the value of looking to the Lord when making life decisions. 

 

Seeking direction from God is not always as mystic as it sounds. Sometimes, it is as simple as taking the situation I am facing and looking through the Bible to find stories where others faced similar circumstances, and learning from their example. If you are not sure where to find the verses in the Bible that speak to your struggle, take the time to consult with godly friends who can point you to specific passages, where you will find clear direction. Keep in mind, when facing decisions, it is not the opinion of other believers you are looking for, but their help in directing you to the counsel of the Word. 

 

Pastor Jim 

  

Unsung Heroes 

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Acts 8:5

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.”

 

Philip was one of the men selected to serve tables at the church in Jerusalem. Now we find him heading out to Samaria as a missionary and winning many souls to the Kingdom. His ministry became so effective, it drew the attention of the apostles, who came to aid him in discipling those who had been saved. As quickly as he arrived in Samaria, Philip leaves.  God calls him away from the masses, to reach an individual with the message of salvation through faith in Christ. After a muddy baptism in the desert, he headed out once again, this time making his way to Caesarea, where he settled down and raised a family of followers of Jesus. 

 

Philip’s story is a fascinating one, filled with application for our daily lives. One of the most important lessons he teaches us is, in God’s economy, all service is the same. When Philip was serving tables, raising children, or leading revivals, he was simply doing what God had called him to do. Sometimes, I think we lose sight of how God wants to use us today, by being overly consumed with what the future holds. Spending all my time thinking about how God wants to use me tomorrow, will cause me to miss the opportunities He has placed in front of me today. 

 

Keep your eyes open! Perhaps, today, God may lead you right into an opportunity to share Christ with someone like the Ethiopian, a man who God had prepared in every way for Philip’s arrival.

 

Pastor Jim