PRAY FOR REVIVAL

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. (Judges 17:6 NIV

If there ever was a verse that described our times - it is this verse.  America (and the whole world) are on a a slippery slope and is losing the battle.  Pressured by so special interest groups - we are conforming more and more to the ways of the world and Christians are accepting these sins as "normal."  This passage clearly states that these people were doing "as they saw fit."  They had no morals and no standards to live by.  They rejected God as their king and did not acknowledge Him as God. God eventually gave Israel what they wanted and they paid the price for their compromise for many years.  Israel had 41 different kings and all but a handful were very wicked.  Their idolatry and sin led them down a path in which they would be captured and exiled. Eventually, they would be scattered to the four corners of the earth in AD 70. and they would not return to their homeland and become a nation again until 1948. The consequences were steep. It’s like Pastor Dan said, you can choose your sin, but you don’t get to choose your consequences. This is one of the things that just breaks my heart with people. I see how these destructive behaviors wreak havoc on individuals and families. We should pray fervently for God to bring revival to our land which comes through repentance and obedience to God.  Notice the promise of God in the scriptures...  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14, 15 NIV).  Pray with me for revival to come to America and to New Life Chapel.

DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!

Not one of all the Lord ’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45 NIV)

Tucked into the scriptures in the Book Of Joshua is this little verse of scripture that is filled with so much power but is so often overlooked.  It is at the very end of a "boring" list of the lands that were give to each of the tribes of Israel and all it says is "not one of the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."  Wow, What a great reminder and encouragement to all of us.  What a great faith lifter.  It was a statement of fact about the power of God and it is an encouragement to us today that God's plan will prevail again and again in our personal lives.  We can't look at the present circumstances or obstacles but we must look to to power and promise of Almighty God.  I am reminded that God has spoken great things to me and my life and His plans are not yet fulfilled in all that He wants to do.  As I sat last night with the Church Council of New Life Chapel - it was so exciting to hear their hearts surge with what they see in their spirits of what is yet to come.  We rejoiced over how many lives are being touched and we dreamed for what yet God is going to do.  I walked out of there with a sense that God is up to something and He has great things in store for all of us.  We should not be discouraged and give in to despair.  We must remember that all of God's promises will be fulfilled and that God keeps His word in our lives.  I love what Jeremiah 29:11 says - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Don't be discouraged or dismayed - God is by your side and won't ever leave or forsake you. He has great things in store for you!

NEVER TOO OLD

“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:10-12 NIV)

I both admire and chuckle a little as I read this story.  I can just see this 85 year old man walking in the god-given faith that he possessed and standing for what he believed was promised to him.  He wasn't too old and he wasn't too weak.  According to him - he was just as strong as was when he was young.  I want to meet him someday as I have some questions to ask him - like, how did you keep your faith strong?  And, what obstacles did you face in your journey that could have stopped you but didn't.  I would like to know about what other people thought about him and the infectious spirit that he possessed.  I would like to know about his joy factor and about his relationship with God.  I would like to meet his family and hear about the type of dad and husband and grandfather he might have been like.  Mostly, I think for my self - I would like to emulate this "Caleb-like" spirit in my own life.  No, I'm not 85 yet and i have a long way to go but what can I do right now to develop these characteristics in my life?  How can I pass that spirit on to the next generation and what is it that God now requires of me?  All of these are good questions and will help to develop the "Caleb-like" spirit - no matter how old we are.  It's never too late for any of us to turn it around and make the changes we need to make.  Are you willing to join me today?

A PROMISE OF A GREAT VICTORY

The commander of the Lord ’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:15 NIV)

Upon entering the Promised Land, the people of Israel were confronted by an immediate obstacle - the city of Jericho.  To move forward into the place where God had promised them this city needed to be conquered.  Joshua proceeded to rally the troops and got them ready for battle.  But before giving the signal for attack he had one of these God-moments - a visitation from Christ Himself assuring him that God was with him.  At that time, Joshua was commanded to take off his shoes because the ground was "holy."  As I look back over my life - I have had a number of these "God moments" also.  I remember them very clearly. I wasn't asked necessarily to take off my shoes but I was asked to stop and listen and remember that particular time of life. I knew that it was a holy moment in time - a crossroad in my walk of life.  I knew that I was to not rush that experience and I was to take seriously the message that was being sent my way.  I don't know what obstacle that might be in front of you today but I would encourage you in this - look closely for your warrior (Christ) is closer than you think and is ready to go to battle for you.  Stop and listen to the voice of God pressing on your heart.  Remind yourselves of the things God has done for you in the past and will keep doing for you in the future.  The Commander of the Lord's army (Christ) is with you today.  Yes, there will be battles and there will be difficult place but your/my God has promised a great victory for you. The last phrase of this book summarizes exactly what needs to happen with both you and I right now - "And Joshua did so."  That should be the stance of each of us today.  God is with you.  Amen.

A PROMISE FROM GOD FOR PROFOUND VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

People often ask me about God's Will for their lives and how can they know that God is with them.  Even the greatest leaders in the Bible often struggled with these types of thoughts.  God says "go here" and "do this" and we all drag our feet because we're either afraid or nervous or shy to step out and be obedient.  In the previous verses God tells Joshua to "be strong and of great courage."  He wouldn't say that to Joshua if he didn't need to hear it.  I think that we all need a big dose of courage today.  We need to have courage to "say" and "do" and "be" and "go" and "stand" for whatever God is calling us to do.  Here's the simple but profound truth - "for The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  What more do you need?  What more could you ask for?  God is with you wherever you go.  I pray that God would richly bless you with these words today and that you be able to do what God is asking you do today.  Go do the right thing!

ABC'S OF FOLLOWING GOD

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord ’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 NIV)

Oftentimes, people make following God a very complicated way of life.  It's all about the rules (much like the Pharisees) than just the simple heart-felt love that God wants us to have.  Moses, in writing the Book Of Deuteronomy was trying to help the people simply their walk with God.  Notice these words: 1- Fear God 2- Walk in obedience 3- Love Him 4- Serve Him with all your heart, soul.  Doing these things will release the presence and provision of God in our lives.  Earlier in Chapter 8 it says that God took care of every one of their needs - that, their clothes and shoes didn't even wear out.  This chapter also states that God set His "affection" on them as they walked in the above principles.  May I encourage you today to just fall in love with God again - that, it's not about the rules but just about a fresh and loving relationship that God wants to have with you today.  You are loved.  You are special to Him.  He delights in your fellowship today.  He looks forward to lavishing His love on you in special ways.  He's waiting for you right now.

THE LORD HAS REALLY BLESSED YOU

The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. (Deuteronomy 2:7 NIV)

As I was meditating on The Lord this morning I was thinking about all the blessings in my life and all that God has brought me through. I thought of the miracles that came my way financially and I also thought about the many times that God has healed my body and made me well. I thought about some of the tough decisions that I've had to make over the years and about God's sustaining power to help me make the right choice for each and every situation. I was reminded of some "difficult" people and how God has turned us into great friends. Literally, this list could go on and on for there are too many blessings to count. Then, as I opened THE WORD of God this morning and this verse just jumped out of the pages to confirm the exact things that I've been meditating about. I know that it is easy to get down and negative - especially when all you see is what is before you right now but we need to turn our eyes upward today and give God thanks for ALL that He has done and is doing for us. 

Let's POST some of the miracles in your life both past and present. I want to rejoice with you today.

ANOTHER STORY OF COURAGE

Yesterday, we talked about courage in the life of Joshua. Over and over, in chapter 1 of Joshua God tells him to be strong of great courage.  Courage doesn't mean you are not afraid but it means that you are trusting God to help you in-spite of the fears you might have.  There are many other stories of courage in the Bible but there is one that I didn't have time to develop yesterday - it is the story of Rahab - the Harlot.
Her house was built on the walls of Jericho and had easy access to the men who would pay for her services. Yet, in-spite of all that - God was doing something in her heart.  She was hearing stories about the God of the Israelites and all the miracles He was doing in their camp.  Her heart was yearning for something more and deeper in her life.  I'm sure that she had been fed thousands of lies about her worth and what she could do.  She knew that was something more for her life and what she could do but didn't know exactly what it was. But one day everything changed when she was visited by some men that would give her a God-given dream about her life and what God wanted to do with her.  She helped the men hide out and let them escape down the outer wall with a promise for a better future.  They promised her that she and her household would be saved if they saw the "scarlet cord" hanging from her window.  She followed their instructions and, when the Israelites overtook the town - they took her in and she became a vital part of Jewish history by becoming one of the ancestors of Jesus Himself.  The scarlet cord represents the blood of Jesus to us today.  Your past might seem dismal and your past might look sketchy but your future is filled with the God-given promise that God can change for you today.  The scarlet cord became a symbol that Jesus gives us a hope and a future.  Yes, it took courage for Rahab to do what she did but her courage brought a whole new dimension and blessing to her life that we are still talking about all these years later.  You might not have courage today but consider the courage of this young woman - Rahab and see that the same God who came into her life is willing and waiting to come into your life today also.  Have a blessed week!