12.21.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua, Thoughts on Luke at 8:24 am by Administrator
Text: Luke 1:1-57 Theme: Luke wrote and Zechariah and Mary received words that are sure as the God who sent them. Key verses: “Therefore, since I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you…so that you may know the certainly of the things you have been taught.” (v. 3-4) “Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid…Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.’” (v. 11-13) “Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel answered, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.’” (v. 18-19) “…God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth…to a virgin…Mary…the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (v. 26-31) “‘How will this be, Mary asked the angel, ’since I am a virgin?’” (v. 34) “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary said, ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (v. 38) “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.” (v. 57) What God said to me: Dwayne, how dare you rush into this time with me without as much as praying for a moment to me. Do you just assume my blessings and presence? Do you think yourself deserving on your own merit? What about the sinful rebellion in your heart right now? What of that? How could you possibly think I would overlook your actions from earlier today? I do not. I will not. Confess and forsake your sins. Then return to this place to meet with me, rather than at me…Now, welcome to the book of Luke. You are in for an amazing journey. Stay focused. Learn all you can. And remember Luke wrote nothing - no one statement - down carelessly or without purpose. Carefully examine the details. For indeed you will discover that God is in these details. You can trust what you read. It has been thoroughly investigated and clearly tested over hundreds of years. Don’t be like Zechariah and question my ability to do what I say. What I tell you I expect you to believe and follow. Special note: Zechariah doubted Gabriel’s words and gave reasons why he didn’t think it could happen. Mary, on the other hand, simply asked how so she would have better understanding. Her words were not filled with doubt and scoffing, but rather with genuine wonder and need to know. She didn’t ask, “How can this be?”, but rather, “How will this be?” I am ok with you asking in concern and genuine interest, but not in heartless, faithless, short-sighted doubting. What I said to God: Thank You, Father, for pointing these crucial things out to me. Forgive me, please, for rushing into the Holy of Holies. I do need Your mercy to help in time of need. I am desparate for You. I often take my eyes and mind off of You, if only for brief moments. Yet, every moment spent away from You is dangerous, careless and rebellious. I appreciate knowing I can completely count on Your Word. Grow my faith to trust more what and when You speak to me. I see now more than ever that asking dumb, faithless questions in the face of clear, Biblical direction is unacceptable to You. Faith should come by hearing Your Word. Help me to discern carefully my questions before I blurt them out to You. Help me and my family take You at Your Word today and everyday. Praise You, Lord!
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12.17.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 12:41 pm by Administrator
Text: Joshua 24:16-33 Theme: The lives of Joshua and the elders inspired the Israelites of their day to follow the Lord. Key verses: “Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the Lord…He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.’” (v. 19) “But the people said to Joshua, ‘No! We will serve the Lord. Then Joshua said, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.’” (v. 21-22) “On that day, Joshua made a covenant for the people and…drew up for them decrees and laws.” (v. 25) “‘See!…This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us.” (v. 27) “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” (v. 31) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is a powerful and appropriate epilogue to the life of Joshua. He had lived his entire life to honor me and more than half his life leading my people. He was a fearless (of the people) leader. In this last chapter, when they said they too would follow me, he rebuked them, even defied them. He said they couldn’t follow me. His fierce protest and warnings caused them to be even more determined to “prove him wrong” and live up to their words. He was a creative leader as well. Only creative leaders would think to call a rock, a mere stone, a “witness” that heard everything those Israelites had committed to. Joshua was a thorough leader that laid in place what was necessary to help them maintain their consecration. He wrote decrees and laws for them and put in my book of the Law. Finally, Joshua’s legacy continued far after his death. The elders he had poured his life into also remained faithful to me throughout their lives. These men had witnessed first hand my miracles and faithfulness to Israel as they claimed the promised land. Now those same elders inspired and challenged the next generation below them to follow me whole-heartedly, which they did as long as the elders lived. What I said to God: LORD, I hear and accept Your words to me through your Word today. A life of faithfulness yields other lives of faithfulness. My life should and will inspire and challenge my family, my sons, my friends and some I don’t even know to follow my God. Wow, what a great honor. What a tremendous responsibility to stay strong and determined to finish well. Make me the creative and bold and thorough leader You want and intend for me to be. Thank You, Holy and Awesome God, that You are able to keep me from falling and to use my life to impact others for You. I am humbled and emboldened by the thought…
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12.07.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:00 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 24:1-15 Theme: God’s provisions and care for the Israelites should have motivated them to serve him completely. Key verses: “I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the River and led him throughouut Canaan and gave him many descendants…Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, and I brought you out…You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Eygptians…I brought you to the land of the Amorites…I gave them into your hands.” (v. 3-8) “Then you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho…I gave them into your hands. I sent the hornet ahead of you, which drove them out before you…You did not do it with your own sword and bow. So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” (v. 11-13) “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped…and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (v. 14-15) What God said to me: Son, servant, heir, joint-heir, my precious one in whom is my delight, I go before my children. I clear the way for them and literally hand the best over to them on a silver platter. Sure, you have to work and pray and keep forging ahead. You have to fight the enemy in fierce battle at times. But look back right now. Think back over your life. Would you have imagined all that you have gotten to experience and have because you know and serve me? Would the massive doors of ministry been ones you could have manipulated? Would you have possibly chosen a more suitable help-mate? Would you have imagined such great and loving children? Dwayne, think about it. Much of what you are now enjoying, you had very little to do with gaining. You simply walked down the road I led you. And look where it has led you! That’s my loving, caring, fatherly way. If you still find it undesirible to serve me, then go about your idiotic way and serve someone else. I despise mere lip-service. Be either hot or cold in your service to me. So far in your life, Dwayne, you have echoed Joshua’s words. I am counting on your sticking with your decision. What I said to God: Lord in heaven and on earth, I do choose to serve You with my whole heart and life. As for me and my home, we will always serve You, Lord. Your love continues to motivate me! May my wife, my boys and I ever be captivated by Your love and mercy and majesty.
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12.05.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:14 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 23:12-16 Theme: God said he would destroy us if we violate His covenant with us. Key verses: “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you…and associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you…until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.” (v. 12-13) “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. But just as every good promise of the Lord your God has come true, so the Lord will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.” (v. 14-16) What God said to me: Good morning, Dwayne. This is the third morning in a row that you have met me here in your quiet spot. I like that. I have so missed that quality, consistent time with you that we used to enjoy together. Be careful to keep this up. The enemy will throw other, seemingly pressing concerns in front of you. But resist those temptations. Prioritize your time with me. Allow me to fill you with my peace and wisdom each and every morning. Regarding today’s passage: Unfortunately, my people, the Jews, did allow the other nations to turn them away from me and my covenant and laws. They lost their land and inheritance as a result. Yes, I did in fact keep that final promise spoken by Joshua as well. It need not be so with you and your family, my son. We have had a good and growing 40 years together. But this is just the beginning of all I want to show you and help you accomplish in my name. Not one of my promises to you has ever failed, have they? Am I not the same loving and forgiving and giving God you signed on for when you were but a child? This world will offer you many alluring things. You will be faced with greater temptations in the future than you have ever faced in your past. Hold fast to me and my promises will continue to bless you. Turn away, forget me and go your own way and my promises will gradually yet quickly lead to your demise. What I said to God: Thank you, Father and Faithone One. You know I needed this stern warning this morning. I too have thoroughly enjoyed these past three days of QT with you. I long to draw nearer to You, my only Counselor and Defender and Provider. Forgive me for ever turning my thoughts and actions away from pleasing You. Fill me with Your Spirit today, right now. You are the ultimate Promise-Keeper. Your eyes see everything we do. May that hold us in account to only live for you all our days.
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12.04.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:43 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 23:1-11 Theme: God’s devoted children are powerful because He is powerful through them. Key verses: “You yourself have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.” (v. 3) “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you…But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.” (v. 6-8) “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (v. 9-11) What God said to me: Dwayne, I really don’t need to give commentary on this. What I have already said is clear and easy to understand. If you want to know what I am saying to you and to all my children today, go back and reread this entire chapter. Dwayne, you can and will rout a thousand. Nothing will stand in your way of accomplishing feats that would boggle the minds of the lost and disconnected person. Those who don’t know me are completely disconnected from your source of power - me. My people have my power working through them. You can do all things through my Son who strengthens you. If you can dream it, you can do it - but only if your dreams are my dreams and your desires are my desires; only if your power is really my power working through you. And you’ll have no godly dreams, desires or power if you do not love me with your whole heart… What I said to God: Precious Holy One, Holy and Anointed One, my Savior and my God and my Power and Strength, thank You for meeting with me this morning and for speaking through Your written Word, which is Your final and ultimate authorative Word. Forgive me when I get discouraged about our ministry and about my personal and family life. Sometimes I feel like I am helpless and powerless against the enemy that seeks to destroy me and all I hold dear. I look at this vision and dream you have given me, and I shake my head in doubt that it could ever come even close to happening. Yet, again today, you remind me that my only job is to remain faithful to you and keep claiming the land and territory that You have already given to me. Wow, what an awesome Word, and what an awesome God you are.
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12.03.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:40 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 22:21-34 Theme: Certain tribes built an altar to remind the others of their commitment and sacrifice. Key verses: “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? The Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you - you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the Lord.’ So that your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the Lord. That is why we said, ‘Let us…build an altar…to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings…” (v. 24-27) “And Phinehas…said to Reuben, Gad and Manesseh, ‘Today we know that the Lord is with us, because you have not acted unfaithfully toward the Lord in this matter.” (v. 31) “They were glad to hear the report and praised God. And they talked no more about going to war against them…” (v. 33) “And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.” (v. 34) What God said to me: Dwayne, my erring child, what structures are you building that will remain after you are gone? I am refering, of course, to spiritual markers, whether they be physical buildings or written documents or simple memories in the minds of others. What kind of legacy are you leaving that will point those after you straight to your solid and consistent love and devotion to me? Notice here also that these tribes had helped and fought beside the other tribes. They didn’t just fight for the Lord; they fought for their brethren. The altar they constructed was to remind others of their help and sacrifice. Now think about that for a moment: If you died today (and you could, you know), then what would be left to remind your family and friends of your hard work purely on their behalf for unselfish reasons? You need to inspect your time and activities. See how much is done for others merely because of what you will gain in return. Look around you, Dwayne. What are you leaving behind that will clearly communicate your love and commitment both to me and to your family? In the years to come, what will confirm to your wife and boys that you thought of them and prepared for their future? Decide to build some altars that are visible and easy to spot. Tell your family and your friends what you are trying to do and why. Let them never wonder if you loved me and them because you prove it in what you leave for them after you are gone. What I said to God: Thank you, my Lord, for this word today. I admit, I wish you had given me some examples of these altars. I am still not clear as to how to leave obvious and imposing reminders. I understand the importance of it, but I need some creative thought and determination to pull it off. I humble myself before you today and claim your filling. Thank you for speaking to me and for forgiving me and for always loving me and my family. You are awesome and majestic God!
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11.26.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:21 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 22:1-20 Theme: The Israelites were ready to go to war against perceived rebellion and sin. Key verses: “So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Giliead, their own land…When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan…(they) built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. And when the Israelites heard…the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.” (v. 9-12) “So the Israelites sent Phinehas…to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Mannaseh.” (v. 13) “When they went to Gilead…they said to them: ‘The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now? Was not the sin of Peor enough for us?” (v. 15-16) “When Achan…acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.” What God said to me: Dwayne, I love it when my people get riled over their sin. I don’t see it very often. But sin in the camp and among the church should always cause you to be angry and determined to eliminate it. Granted, this was a misunderstanding on the part of the 10 tribes. Nonetheless, they did exactly what they should have done. First, when they first heard about the altar, they assumed it meant rebellion and they got appropriately upset and ready to act against it. Second, rather than immediately attacking them, they sent godly messengers to try to reason with and win back their brothers. You see, Dwayne, they were detemined to erradicate sin among them. Why? Because they still remembered my fierce anger and judgement against them in the desert when they turned to Baal of Peor. They also still had the horrible memory of losing 36,000 men to their enemies because of Achan’s sin and then of watching Achan and his entire family stoned and burned. The Children of Israel at that time clearly understood the seriousness of sin, and they wanted no part of it. What will it take today to remind my people of my utter disgust at their sin? What must I do to wake them up and rile them up again? Mind you, that is a rhetorical question. For, in fact, I know exactly what must be done. And by my mercy and power, I will do what is needed to bring my flock back to me. Those who continue to ingore my warnings and gestures of love will be destroyed “and that without remedy.” What I said to God: Holy God, You are the Mighty One, the Maker of heaven and earth and the Master of all creation. You reign on high and forever. I humble myself before You, my Savior and Shepherd. Help me to respond with anger and determination when I see my brothers and sisters in sin. May I not judge them or be vindictive toward them. Rather, I want to be angry at their sin, yet loving for their souls. That is Your heartbeat - that none perish but that all come to repentance. And may I be especially careful not miss the pole in my own eye as I look for the speck in someone else’s. Oh, how we need You every hour! Forgive us and change us today.
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10.31.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 8:48 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 21 Theme: God’s promises were completely fulfilled and utterly good toward Israel. Key verses: “Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua…and the heads…and said to them, ‘The Lord commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock.’ So, as the Lord had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites…out of their own inheritance.” (v. 1-3) “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them: the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (v. 43-45) What God said to me: I have always kept my Word. I have never turned on a promise. Furthermore, Dwayne, take note that all of my promises were kept. I haven’t just made a few along the way. I’ve divied out numerous and amazing promises freely and graciously. My promises are good toward my children. I never wish harm on you, but rather, peace and joy and fulfillment and provision. I fight your enemies. I hand them over to you. Promises I made hundreds and thousands of years ago, I still remember and am still fulfilling in this day with my little ones. Take special note, Dwayne, that the Levites got everything promised them as well. As my called-out servant, you will fare no differently - as long as you continue to serve me and surrender your will to me. What I said to God: Thank you, my precious Provider, Counselor and Guide. I love and adore You this morning. I choose to worship You with my life today and everyday. I realize those are just empty words if I don’t get up from here and live it throughout this day. Please grant me strength through Your Spirit working in me to live boldly, confidently, humbly and consistently for and in You today. I praise You, my Promise-keeper. May I in turn be a promise-keeper to You and to my family.
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10.30.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 9:00 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 20 Theme: God provided cities of refuge for manslaughters. Key verses: “Then the Lord said to Joshua: Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them.” (v. 1-4) “Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated ciities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.” (v. 9) What God said to me: Dwayne, there is much symbolism and application for modern-day sinners here. There is still a place to run and hide when you do wrong. The world is out to condemn you for failure, even when your actions were unintentional or careless. Back then in the promised land, literal physical cities were designated to protect from physical harm. I still grant physical protection through my power and my Holy Spirit. But the place you and others who sin must run is into my arms and spiritual sanctuary. Consider these specifics around this report in this chapter: There were certain cities that were designated. Not just any place would do. The same is true today. Not just any sanctuary provides true protection, only me. The manslaughters had to chose to come and then make their way to the cities of refuge. Same today: You must choose to run into my arms and then pick up your spiritual feet and move in my direction. I am waiting but will not force you. Even aliens were welcome in the cities of refuge. Same now: You don’t to have certain creditials of citizenship and heritage to come to me. He who comes to me I will in no wise cast out - whether they be my children or lost, they are welcome to come and find refuge for their souls. I will adopt them, give them abundant life and forgive them of all their trespases - both unintentional as well as deliberate. Finally, notice that a trial still awaited for each of these people. Just because they were inside the refuge walls did not mean they would not face their actions and possible retribution. I will forgive any sin and protect your soul from the ultimate and evil avenger Satan. However, sin often brings with it physical, on this earth, consequences and scars. If you deserve punishment through your deliberate breaking of laws - be them man-made or spiritual laws - then judgement will befall you. That judgement and punishment will only be in this lifetime however and through the hands of other men. You are forgiven in my sight and will dwell forever in my greatest of all city of refuge, heaven itself. What I said to God: Thank You, Father, for helping me wake up enough this morning to concentrate and listen to hear Your still, small voice. Thank You for this powerful Word today. I praise You that my sins are gone and that You remember them no more. I accept that some sins will inevitably and rightfully carry with them physical consequences. If I offend or harm another person, I should expect retribution and punishment. Nonetheless, I know I can run into Your sanctuary for the greatest kind of refuge, for if God is for us, ultimately who can be against us?
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10.29.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 9:37 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 19:49-51 Theme: Joshua received a unique inheritance of land that was reserved just for him. Key verses: “When they had finished dividing the land into its alloted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for…And he built up the town and settled there. What God said to me: Dwayne, my child and my servant, I have appointed and anointed you to lead my people. I have placed great responsibilities on you - as I have on many other of my children who encourage, lead, and shepherd my flock. Take note in the book of Joshua that Joshua himself never spoke up and demanded that I or the Israelites give him any of the land. It is not written that Joshua expected anything in return for his service and leadership and heroic deeds. He was humble and patient and trusting. However, when given the opportunity Joshua asked for a certain little town for him and his family. It was my special provision for him. He didn’t have to scheme his way and manipulate to get this particular land. All he needed to do was ask and I gladly provided it for him. That is the reward for faithfulness, Dwayne. That is my provision for the man and woman of God who places their entire trust in me and abandons their own wants and dreams. Joshua was completely saturated in doing my will. He wasn’t concerned for himself for he knew I would always take care of him and his family. You can trust me like that too. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will always meet your every financial need. I will always give you your daily bread. And when your life is spent and you face the last days on this earth, I will still be providing for you and your loved ones far beyond anything you can think or imagine. Just stay the course and feed my sheep. What I said to God: Praise You, Lord. All majesty and grandeur and glory go to You and You alone. I thank You for speaking into my present situation this morning. You know we are struggling some financially. More truthfully, You know we would like to see into next week and next month as to how we will meet our bills and provide for our family. But You clearly want us to focus on You and serving and loving You and those You died for. Today, our only real concern is whether we are surrendered to You and willing to trust You implicitly to meet our every need. Lord, I know Your Word is true. I know You hold the Words of life. Where could I go but to the Lord? We will stay the course! I pray for my wife to have peace and assurance of the same today. I love You and adore You. Grant me an opportunity to share Your love with someone lost today.
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