Year: 2015

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  

  

Banned 

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Joshua 7:13
“Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the Lord God of Israel: “ There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”'”

The story of Ai is tragic. Thirty-six men lost their lives that day. Thirty six sons, brothers, fathers, husbands and friends, fell in battle. Their deaths had a devastating effect upon the people. Not only were they filled with the normal grief of losing loved ones, but this grief was compounded by the fact they had been sent by the Lord into Canaan, and now they had lost the battle and thirty-six lives. The ripples of this were so great, even Joshua, their heroic leader, wished they had never crossed the Jordan. This passage is filled with applications for us today. Not the least of which is, their failure in battle was due to failure in their private lives. That failure is twofold.

First, there was the sin of Joshua. When surveying Jericho he encountered the Lord and got his marching orders. Here he surveyed the land but neglected to seek the Lord. Had he sought God, the sin of Achan would have been exposed before the battle started, and lives would have been saved. It is clear from the text, God’s method for taking the city, was far different than the plan Joshua came up with on His own.

Second, there was the sin of Achan. Israel was commanded to dedicate all the spoil of Jericho to the Lord. This fits with the principle of the ‘firstfruit’ belonging to God. However, we find that one man, Achan by name, took some of what was under the ban, and hid it away in his tent. When confronted, Achan shares what happened. He said, “I saw, I coveted, I took and I hid” (Joshua 7:21). He ignored the warning of God, and placed himself in a position where the temptation became too great to resist. It was only a matter of time before he would fall.

We learn from this that personal sin impacts the whole congregation. No man is an island. Our personal decisions have an impact upon others, and upon the work of the Lord. Whenever a person chooses to devote himself more fully to the Lord, the Kingdom is strengthened, but whenever a person chooses to compromise, the whole congregation is effected.

The solution is simple. We cannot stand before our enemies until we remove the accursed things. If we want to have success in our walk, and service to the Lord, we must get the things out of our lives that do not belong. These things come out through confession and repentance.

Pastor Jim

 

Jesus Standing

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Acts 7:56 
“Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Stephen’s story is a common one with an uncommon ending. All who have attempted to share the love of Christ with others have experienced the crowd turn on us. The very ones we have prayed for, and stepped out in faith to share with, have accused us of wrong doing, and lashed out against us. Unfortunately for Stephen, these men lashed out not only with words, but also with stones. Stephen was taken outside the city, as if he were a false prophet, and stoned to death. A martyr could be defined as one who lives for Christ, even if it means dying for Christ. Stephen is not the only martyr the church has ever seen, but he was the first.

As Stephen is facing his execution, he looks up, and for a moment the veil separating the eternal from the temporal is removed, and he is able to see the Throne of Grace. Something fascinating happens; Jesus, who sat down at the right hand of God after his ascension, is standing. We know that the work of salvation was completed on the cross, so He is standing for another purpose. That purpose was to honor the one who was honoring Him; to welcome Stephen into glory.

From earth’s perspective, Stephen failed. He attempted to share Christ with a group of people while only making them angry, and losing his life. From Heaven’s perspective, he receives the highest honor, as Jesus stands to welcome him home. It is my personal desire, that each of us will receive that welcome when we step into glory. That we, like Stephen, will choose to live, not for acceptance in this age, but in the one to come. You never know whose life you may impact. It was after Stephen’s death that Paul is first mentioned. It seems that this young man’s bold stand for Christ was one of the influencing events in winning Paul to Christ.

Let’s seek to live for Christ today, keeping our eyes on the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Jim

 

Victory

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Joshua 5:14
“So He said, ‘No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, ‘What does my Lord say to His servant?’”

Jericho is one of the greatest military victories of all time. A group of relatively untempered wanderers, enters into a new land, defeats the most secure city in the area with loud shouts and ram’s horns. Never, in the history of warfare, have their tactics been repeated. No training camps have ever been set up, teaching soldiers how to play musical instruments, and expose themselves to their enemies day after day. That being said, there are spiritual principles that led to Israel’s success. These same principles will lead us to success in our walk with the Lord, and service for His Kingdom. Back in chapter five, three things guaranteed their victory.

First, upon entering the land, God required the men to be circumcised (Joshua 5:2). Circumcision is an operation on a very sensitive part of the body, with the purpose of removing the flesh. Circumcision was considered to be the sign of Israel’s covenant with the Lord. In the New Testament, the word ‘flesh’ is used to speak of our sinful desires. Before any real victory can be accomplished for the Lord, we must allow Him to cut away the flesh. Those things in our lives that are not pleasing to the Lord must go if we are going to live in victory.

Second, once they healed from their operation, they celebrated the Passover (Joshua 5:10). It was a reminder of God’s deliverance from Epypt, and points forward to the work of Christ on the cross. While celebrating, God stopped the manna that He had provided for the past forty years (5:12). Though I am sure the people had grown quite tired of manna, they had also grown accustomed to it. Every day they went outside their tents and their provision was there for the taking. Now, as they are about to embark on a military campaign, God stops their food source. Simply put, in order to be victorious they must learn to rely upon the Lord.

Finally, the wounds from the operation have healed, the manna ceased, Joshua begins to survey Jericho. As he stands back, observing the city, trying to determine the best approach, he encounters a Man with a sword drawn (Joshua 5:13). It is obvious from the text, this is more than a man; it is in fact, the Angel of the Lord, or Christ Himself. Joshua approaches, and asks the question all of us might have asked, “are you for us or against us.” The Lord’s answer is quite striking. He declares “No!” Jesus is making it clear, He is not there to help make Joshua a better Joshua, He is there to be Master and Commander. The secret to success in our walk with the Lord, comes down to allowing Jesus to have His rightful place as King of our lives. As long as we are fighting with Him for control or authority, we will find our Christian life frustrating and unsuccessful. It is high time we surrender all.

Pastor Jim

 

Seven Men

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Acts 6:3
“. . . seven men of good reputation . . .”

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Scripture does not follow the stories of all seven of these men, but we know that both Stephen and Philip were remarkable men. Stephen carries the honor of being the first martyr of the church. While martyrdom is not something we should aspire to, his testimony is one of a man who refused to shy away from the threats, and boldly declared the Gospel to his community. It seems very likely his life was influential in leading to Paul’s conversion. Philip was used to begin one of the great revivals of church history. It was through his life, the people of Samaria heard the Gospel and were saved. Later we read, he raised four daughters who followed and served the Lord.

Acts 6 records for us what these men were like. We are told they were men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom and faith. The text also alludes to how they became these men. We are told, the apostles gave themselves continually to the Word of God and prayer. Something happens to us when we get plugged into a healthy church, where the Bible is being taught. As the weeks pass, we begin to develop a desire for more of the Lord, and ultimately to serve the Lord. After one of the outreach events that our church was involved in, one of my kids made the observation that it was so cool to see people come to the church, get fed the Word, and over time start serving. He said it was almost as though they could not help it.

Make sure you get plugged into a healthy church! The more time you invest in your relationship with Jesus, the more you will become a person whose life impacts those around you, for the kingdom of God.

Pastor Jim

Old Testament:
Joshua 1- Secret To Success
Joshua 2- Story Of Redemption