When Israel left Egypt, Pharaoh's armies chased them immediately. With their backs to the wall of water and no boats, Israel was faced with a fight. But God intervened on their behalf and fought for them. Pharaoh was utterly destroyed.
Exo 14:14 MKJV
(14) Jehovah shall fight for you, and you shall be silent.
Exo 13:17 MKJV
(17) And it happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines although that was near. For God said, Lest the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.
I've wondered why God did not take the people the way of the land of the Philistines and simply destroy the Philistines from before them. The answer is that a new partnership emerged from the sea. A co-laboring, if you will. When coming out of the sea (being 'born again' from it) what God expected from His people changed, slightly. They were now free, in the physical sense, and their stake in the journey increased.
Israel was in the desert for 40 years. It was a time when God sheltered them, but He expected them to stand firm and watch His salvation. It was a time of learning faith. Some did, many did not. But finally after an entire generation passed, it was time to step into the Promised Land! Surely the cakewalk begins here!
Or not...
The very first thing that Israel was faced with was Jericho. Granted, it wasn't as easy as dealing with Pharaoh because there was some walking and horn blowing involved. However, Jericho was just the first of many battles Israel had to endure - all inside their Promised Land! In fact, the warring didn't really start until Israel stepped into their promise. This is the progression - the nature of the partnership between the Father and His sons.
As we become more and more like Him, He will also expect us to step in and fight for others 'who would turn and run back to Egypt'.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
It's Time
Most of us have heard of spiritual strongholds. As our pastor explained, a stronghold is a house built with thoughts which becomes a place we dwell in and protect because we deem it safe, whether it is or not.
Strongholds can serve a purpose when we are lost. Often they are built out of a need for self-preservation. For instance, a stronghold of anger may be built when a child is raised in an abusive home - where being berated is the status quo. If not for the stronghold of anger, a different stronghold might be built - one of self pity or even self destruction. Yes, a stronghold can lead to destruction. But then, by the grace of God, we come to know Jesus. We discover that our old house of jealousy, unforgiveness, anger, pride, selfishness, or guilt can no longer contain our new family member. He simply keeps rattling our timbers and destroying our precious artifacts.
For those that know Him, it's time to tear down the strongholds and to dwell in the bigger house - His house.
2Co 10:4-5 MKJV
(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
(5) pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ
Strongholds can serve a purpose when we are lost. Often they are built out of a need for self-preservation. For instance, a stronghold of anger may be built when a child is raised in an abusive home - where being berated is the status quo. If not for the stronghold of anger, a different stronghold might be built - one of self pity or even self destruction. Yes, a stronghold can lead to destruction. But then, by the grace of God, we come to know Jesus. We discover that our old house of jealousy, unforgiveness, anger, pride, selfishness, or guilt can no longer contain our new family member. He simply keeps rattling our timbers and destroying our precious artifacts.
For those that know Him, it's time to tear down the strongholds and to dwell in the bigger house - His house.
2Co 10:4-5 MKJV
(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,
(5) pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Emperor Worship
The basic reason for most Christian persecution during the time of Jesus was not that they worshiped Jesus. In the Roman and Greek culture, the worship of many gods was not only tolerated, but recommended. However, in the Roman culture, the emperor himself was considered god (or considered himself god), and the danger was to ascribe that there was one God - even greater than the emperor - that held all authority. This crossed the line from the religious into the political. It was a statement of dis-allegiance or political subversion. It would get you killed. The Christian statement is even stronger than that: other gods are no gods at all (Acts 19:23-26)
The Jewish mindset towards blasphemy is almost understandable when you take a look at their recent history. Antiochus Epiphanes was a Greek who ruled over Israel in the 2nd century B.C. He believed he was god and forced the Jews to honor him with a yearly sacrifice of a pig upon their altar. To the Jew, any man claiming to be God blasphemed.
All of that being said, notice how things are today. The issue isn't that Jesus is God. The issue is that He is 'the' way, and that no man goes the to Father except by Him. Are you saying that belief in Jesus is the only way to get to heaven? How many times have we heard that question? It's immensely unpopular and even fanatical to think Jesus is the only way to heaven. Things have not changed much.
The Jewish mindset towards blasphemy is almost understandable when you take a look at their recent history. Antiochus Epiphanes was a Greek who ruled over Israel in the 2nd century B.C. He believed he was god and forced the Jews to honor him with a yearly sacrifice of a pig upon their altar. To the Jew, any man claiming to be God blasphemed.
All of that being said, notice how things are today. The issue isn't that Jesus is God. The issue is that He is 'the' way, and that no man goes the to Father except by Him. Are you saying that belief in Jesus is the only way to get to heaven? How many times have we heard that question? It's immensely unpopular and even fanatical to think Jesus is the only way to heaven. Things have not changed much.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Regrets
Gen 31:32 MKJV
(32) With whomever you find your gods, let him not live. Before our brothers, choose what is yours with me, and take it to you. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
Have you ever said something that you REALLY wished you could take back? Jacob had been accused by Laban of stealing his idols (insert laughter here). I guess that would be akin to having cable taken away... In ignorance, Jacob said something brash. He said, "I hope the one who stole your idols dies!" He didn't know that the love of his life had taken his idols.
If you recall, Rachel died early - in childbirth. Do you think Jacob blamed himself? Can you see why he was wrapped up so emotionally with Joseph - Rachel's first born? What is the lesson?
We may not know the weight of our words on this side of heaven. This is one reason that Jesus taught us to speak simply yes, or no. Do not swear by the powers that be, one way or the other.
Men, lead your homes. Be the king and priest over what God has given you to steward. Ladies also are given authority in the home, and at times are the spiritual leader. It is my belief that with this spiritual authority comes the responsibility to BE in charge, spiritually. It's not a title. It's an office to hold and operate. What is said in your home should filter through the office of king and priest before it is established. Teenagers, for example, swear a lot, typically, even if under their breath. Where would we be if we were held to the oaths we made? Thank goodness for a spiritual authority in my life that said, "No. Not in my house. Not on my watch." Placing yourself under a spiritual authority gives you a 'stupid' buffer.
Let's look at it this way. If I am the spiritual leader of my home, and I swear to God Himself that I will never tell another lie, then I'd better not tell another one. If I do, I'm dealing with God, through Jesus (fortunately) who was the one who told me not to swear in the first place. Jesus is the best mediator I could ask for... and God is FULL of grace and mercy... but I would rather avoid the 'you idiot' look from my creator when the time comes. However, if I've sworn the same oath and my dad is my spiritual leader and he looks at me cross-eyed and says, "Don't even think about it", then he has spared me the idiot look from my Creator, and has buffered me from the consequences of my ignorance. No regrets.
(32) With whomever you find your gods, let him not live. Before our brothers, choose what is yours with me, and take it to you. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
Have you ever said something that you REALLY wished you could take back? Jacob had been accused by Laban of stealing his idols (insert laughter here). I guess that would be akin to having cable taken away... In ignorance, Jacob said something brash. He said, "I hope the one who stole your idols dies!" He didn't know that the love of his life had taken his idols.
If you recall, Rachel died early - in childbirth. Do you think Jacob blamed himself? Can you see why he was wrapped up so emotionally with Joseph - Rachel's first born? What is the lesson?
We may not know the weight of our words on this side of heaven. This is one reason that Jesus taught us to speak simply yes, or no. Do not swear by the powers that be, one way or the other.
Men, lead your homes. Be the king and priest over what God has given you to steward. Ladies also are given authority in the home, and at times are the spiritual leader. It is my belief that with this spiritual authority comes the responsibility to BE in charge, spiritually. It's not a title. It's an office to hold and operate. What is said in your home should filter through the office of king and priest before it is established. Teenagers, for example, swear a lot, typically, even if under their breath. Where would we be if we were held to the oaths we made? Thank goodness for a spiritual authority in my life that said, "No. Not in my house. Not on my watch." Placing yourself under a spiritual authority gives you a 'stupid' buffer.
Let's look at it this way. If I am the spiritual leader of my home, and I swear to God Himself that I will never tell another lie, then I'd better not tell another one. If I do, I'm dealing with God, through Jesus (fortunately) who was the one who told me not to swear in the first place. Jesus is the best mediator I could ask for... and God is FULL of grace and mercy... but I would rather avoid the 'you idiot' look from my creator when the time comes. However, if I've sworn the same oath and my dad is my spiritual leader and he looks at me cross-eyed and says, "Don't even think about it", then he has spared me the idiot look from my Creator, and has buffered me from the consequences of my ignorance. No regrets.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Hypocrites
Mat 16:3 MKJV
(3) And in the morning, Foul weather today; for the sky is red and gloomy. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot see the signs of the times!
The Lord will judge us not for our experience, but for what we had access to. For instance, Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they could not discern the signs of the times. Why? They had not claimed anything! Yet they accused him as men who had discernment but they never accessed this gift where He was concerned.
These men had no desire to see Jesus as Messiah, regardless of His claims. Jesus never blamed anyone for being careful. He never blamed anyone for asking questions. However, He has nothing good to say about willful ignorance. Willful ignorance is hypocrisy. It is the state of being critical of another while ignoring the same weaknesses within one's self.
(3) And in the morning, Foul weather today; for the sky is red and gloomy. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot see the signs of the times!
The Lord will judge us not for our experience, but for what we had access to. For instance, Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites because they could not discern the signs of the times. Why? They had not claimed anything! Yet they accused him as men who had discernment but they never accessed this gift where He was concerned.
These men had no desire to see Jesus as Messiah, regardless of His claims. Jesus never blamed anyone for being careful. He never blamed anyone for asking questions. However, He has nothing good to say about willful ignorance. Willful ignorance is hypocrisy. It is the state of being critical of another while ignoring the same weaknesses within one's self.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
A Land of Milk and Honey
In the Bible, a land flowing with milk and honey was the phrase used to describe the promised land - the land promised to Israel. In our culture, it's easy to miss the true meaning of the statement. "Flowing" is the term that represents wealth, and we get that. It was a rich land. But in the Hebraic sense, the meaning of the phrase is slightly complex.
A land of milk is simply a land that is NOT good farm land. If the land was good for farming - especially in the Middle East - they farmed it! But if not, it became a land for flocks and herds, hence the milk. A land of honey was, as you've guessed, the farm land - where bees could produce and be productive. There are many places in the Middle East that are one, or the other, but few that are 'both'. Israel was to inherit a land flowing with milk AND honey - truly a blessed plot of ground.
With this broader knowledge as a foundation, lets examine a couple of very simple points. It is impossible to survive in the land of milk without the blessing of God. If God does not provide at least some shade, and at least a little water, we die. We go to the land of milk to learn faith. It is here that Jesus went to be tempted. It is here that Paul went to learn to walk with God. It is here that Israel went to prepare to be a kingdom of priests to the world.
Here is the kicker: you will not influence the world in the land of milk. You will only influence the world in the land of honey, because THAT is where the road is. The big question is this: can you continue to hold on to the hand of God even when times are good? Blessings can quickly turn to curses when they shift our awareness to our own strength rather than God's strength. If this happens, we fail to impact the world around us.
The second question might be this: have we made peace with a spirit of poverty? Have we decided that it's God's will that we have no monetary influence in our society? Remember, there is no road in the desert. If we have no means, we have no influence.
A land of milk is simply a land that is NOT good farm land. If the land was good for farming - especially in the Middle East - they farmed it! But if not, it became a land for flocks and herds, hence the milk. A land of honey was, as you've guessed, the farm land - where bees could produce and be productive. There are many places in the Middle East that are one, or the other, but few that are 'both'. Israel was to inherit a land flowing with milk AND honey - truly a blessed plot of ground.
With this broader knowledge as a foundation, lets examine a couple of very simple points. It is impossible to survive in the land of milk without the blessing of God. If God does not provide at least some shade, and at least a little water, we die. We go to the land of milk to learn faith. It is here that Jesus went to be tempted. It is here that Paul went to learn to walk with God. It is here that Israel went to prepare to be a kingdom of priests to the world.
Here is the kicker: you will not influence the world in the land of milk. You will only influence the world in the land of honey, because THAT is where the road is. The big question is this: can you continue to hold on to the hand of God even when times are good? Blessings can quickly turn to curses when they shift our awareness to our own strength rather than God's strength. If this happens, we fail to impact the world around us.
The second question might be this: have we made peace with a spirit of poverty? Have we decided that it's God's will that we have no monetary influence in our society? Remember, there is no road in the desert. If we have no means, we have no influence.
Monday, January 03, 2011
Biblical Adoption
Rom 8:15 MKJV
(15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father!
The concept of adoption as it pertains to what we read in scripture is confusing because it does not mean the same thing in the Hebrew culture as it means in our culture today. In the Hebrew culture, to be adopted was the point at which all that the father had became available to the son. Just because a male child was born did not mean he immediately received the full authority of his father. That would be silly. Rather, there was a point by which the child 'came of age', and the father declared "this is my son, in whom I am well pleased." This was the adoption rite - the moment the son adopts the full authority of the father.
In our culture, adoption is the process of taking a non-biological child and adopting him into son-ship. It has been said that the beauty of adoption is that there is no accommodation for un-adoption, which makes sense in our culture. Hebraic-ally speaking, this isn't correct thinking. The good news is that the true meaning of adoption is even better for the born-again Christian!
When we are born again, we are "biologically" born into a new bloodline - by the blood of Jesus. We have the Father's DNA within us. We are HIS, as naturally as can be. God is not looking for legal children, He is looking for natural children. - Graham Cooke
If the biblical definition of 'adoption' were the same as the definition given in our western culture, there would be no need to be born again.
If getting saved is being born again (which I believe absolutely is), then at what point are we adopted? This is the point that we reach a maturity, spiritually, to be called 'huios', or Sons of God. There are different levels of spiritual maturity, all referenced within scripture, none disqualifying a person of salvation or from a relationship with the Father. But it's only when we mature to huios that we become adopted, or a Son of God. Why is this important?
Rom 8:19 MKJV
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Sons of God are those who walk in the absolute authority of the Father, being about His purpose, having His mind and seeing the world as He sees it. Is it any wonder why creation would groan for this?
(15) For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father!
The concept of adoption as it pertains to what we read in scripture is confusing because it does not mean the same thing in the Hebrew culture as it means in our culture today. In the Hebrew culture, to be adopted was the point at which all that the father had became available to the son. Just because a male child was born did not mean he immediately received the full authority of his father. That would be silly. Rather, there was a point by which the child 'came of age', and the father declared "this is my son, in whom I am well pleased." This was the adoption rite - the moment the son adopts the full authority of the father.
In our culture, adoption is the process of taking a non-biological child and adopting him into son-ship. It has been said that the beauty of adoption is that there is no accommodation for un-adoption, which makes sense in our culture. Hebraic-ally speaking, this isn't correct thinking. The good news is that the true meaning of adoption is even better for the born-again Christian!
When we are born again, we are "biologically" born into a new bloodline - by the blood of Jesus. We have the Father's DNA within us. We are HIS, as naturally as can be. God is not looking for legal children, He is looking for natural children. - Graham Cooke
If the biblical definition of 'adoption' were the same as the definition given in our western culture, there would be no need to be born again.
If getting saved is being born again (which I believe absolutely is), then at what point are we adopted? This is the point that we reach a maturity, spiritually, to be called 'huios', or Sons of God. There are different levels of spiritual maturity, all referenced within scripture, none disqualifying a person of salvation or from a relationship with the Father. But it's only when we mature to huios that we become adopted, or a Son of God. Why is this important?
Rom 8:19 MKJV
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Sons of God are those who walk in the absolute authority of the Father, being about His purpose, having His mind and seeing the world as He sees it. Is it any wonder why creation would groan for this?
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