God is For Us

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
Job 1:8 and 2:3

The word consider in the Hebrew is of a general or commander standing on top of a hill with binoculars, looking over the enemy and strategizing how he is going to take his enemy.

That is how you do it. As Christians, you have to have strategy. And what are the weapons we use to strategize against our enemies? The Word speaks of three basic things we need: prayer, the Word of God and being filled with the Holy Spirit. And there is one more necessity, one thing God speaks about throughout His Word — we must have faith. Faith is everything.

My faith is in the knowledge, Christ is my Lord. Once you know Christ is with you, who will you be afraid of? Look at what Paul says in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?

Think about it. You do not have to be afraid. Whatever happens, let it happen. If God is for me, who can be against me? That is what God is trying to teach His people, you and me.

A man with God on his side is always
in the majority.
-John Knox-

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

“So the LORD our God also delivered into our hands Og king of Bashan, with all his people, and we attacked him until he had no survivors remaining.”
Deuteronomy 3:3

Notice what he is saying: Do not forget the former battles — past battles. They were reminded of the many battles they had in the wilderness and how God had delivered them. They had victory when they followed the Lord.

Just like the children of Israel, we forget the past battles and the victories. We forget how God has gone before us, delivering us from our enemies.

While we need to remember our past battles and victories, we cannot depend on them, like Joshua did, for our present battles. We constantly need to be seeking God, asking which battles we take on and which battles we turn from.

Remember, when God was with them, they defeated their enemies; but when they did not seek the Lord and went to battle without Him, they were defeated. The Lord gave them deliverance. It was not them. They were responding to God’s instruction.

When you seek God, daily, you can be sure He has gone before you already. The battle belongs to the Lord, not to us.

God wants us to be victors, not victims; to grow,
not grovel; to soar, not sink; to overcome,
not to be overwhelmed.
-William A. Ward-

Victory in Christ

“And we took all his cities at that time; there was not a city which we did not take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. All these cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides
a great many rural towns.”
Deuteronomy 3:4-5

Can you imagine taking 60 cities and all the spoil? That is amazing. Only God could defeat the enemy so tremendously.

Think of how the Americans felt when they landed on Iwo Jima, and the enemy had set up all the mines. The Japanese were hiding and picking them off, one by one, so easily, until the Marines strategized. Then they were able to conquer.

Satan is a great strategist. He is always studying you. He studies every move you make — when you are bummed out, when you are depressed, when you are scheming, whatever. He studies you and says, “Okay, now we know what he likes to do, and we know where to hurt him.”

He keeps a file on each one of us and compares notes. He will use even past attacks to see how he can really get to you, because his ultimate goal is to defeat you, fully and completely — to take you down.

So, how do we defeat Satan? We trust in the Lord and do what He tells us to do. Christ has already defeated Satan — do not give him a victory.

There can be no victory where there is no combat.
-Richard Sibbes-

A Little Leaven

“And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children of every city. But all the livestock and the spoil of the cities we took as booty for ourselves.”
Deuteronomy 3:6-7

Now wait a minute. People always question verses like this. Why did God have them kill all the women and the children? How could a loving God kill women and children? God was removing the leaven, or sin, in the land. He was removing anyone who would cause the children of Israel to sin.

God was protecting Israel. These mothers and fathers had taught their children about Israel, and if they remained in the land, they would have come against Israel, so God removed them. He did not leave any leaven in the land. God did not want them to allow any enemies to remain.

What leaven do you have in your life? Has God told you to get rid of the leaven — utterly destroy it from your life — but you are holding on to a little bit? Do you think that little sin in your life is no big deal? It cannot hurt you, right?

You are so wrong. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:9, says, A little leaven leavens the whole lump. If you allow a little sin in your life, eventually, it will take over your whole life and destroy you.

One leak will sink a ship; and one sin will destroy a sinner.
-John Bunyan-

God’s Perfect Will

“And at that time we took the land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon
to Mount Hermon.”
Deuteronomy 3:8

Can you imagine? God gave them the land, all the way from the Golan Heights to the Jordan River — all of Israel. God gave it all to them. He delivered the enemy into their hands, time after time.

Yet, what blows my mind when I read Joshua and Judges, is they did not take all the land God commanded them to take. As the land was divided between the tribes, some of the tribes did not drive out the inhabitants. They did not take the land God had given them. They settled in cities and got comfortable.

The same thing happens to many people today. God blesses them and gives them an incredible work, but they really do not want to work too hard. They do not want to tackle the big jobs, so they settle into a lesser position, instead of doing what God has set for them.

I want to be like David, following the will of God, a man after God’s own heart. Do not settle for less than God’s perfect will for your life.

All heaven is waiting to help those who will
discover the will of God and do it.
-J. Robert Ashcroft-

God has a Plan

“Then I commanded you at that time, saying: ‘The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All you men of valor shall cross over armed before your brethren, the children of Israel. But your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall stay in your cities
which I have given you.’ “
Deuteronomy 3:18-19

In Deuteronomy 3:12-17, God was dispersing the land. He wanted the people to go in and possess the land, taking it from their enemies.

Can you believe it? They came out of Egypt with nothing, and look how rich they were already. It is amazing. Who would have ever thought they would come out of Egypt, and God would bless them.

Remember, on their way out, the Egyptians gave them gifts, but the gifts were used to make God’s tabernacle. God had a plan.

Again, we see it was The Lord your God who did the work. He gave them the land; He provided the livestock and He multiplied the people.

In every situation, in every trial, in every tribulation, I have great comfort knowing God is in control. He has a plan, and He will bless me, just as He blessed the children of Israel.

In spite of all appearances to the contrary, God has a
plan for this bankrupt world.
-Helmut Thielicke-

Team Player

” ‘until the LORD has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’ “
Deuteronomy 3:20

God told them they could not go home until the job was done, until their brothers and sisters were safe. Then they could go back home. What was God’s message? You never leave people stranded.

Let me bring up something real important. In order for a church, a corporation, a small business and even a family to work and be effective, there has to be unity.

When corporations or churches begin to modify hours and make special changes for individuals, what happens? You get disunity and confusion, because everyone is no longer on the same page. In order to have harmony and unity, everybody has to be the same — no special privileges.

No one can have their own agenda. We all have to be on God’s agenda. It is real important. Wherever we work, we need to be team players, seeking what is best for the team, not special privileges.

Where self is the end of our actions, there Satan is
the rewarder of them.
-William Secker-

Division

So every man of Israel deserted David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem,
remained loyal to their king.
2 Samuel 20:2

We know, under the leadership of Israel, everybody was fighting together, working together, and the Lord was blessing them. Later, they began dividing themselves, and then problems came. That was when God had to shut down everything.

God had a plan. David was to be king over all Israel, but they had their own plan. The plan of men eventually caused the two kingdoms, Judah and Israel, to be taken into captivity by heathen nations.

We need to learn from these stories God has given us in the Bible. We cannot work like that. A ministry or business cannot do the work of the Lord and succeed when there is division — when everyone has their own agenda.

We all have to be on the same page, not stirring up contentions and divisions, building our own kingdoms. The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. You better read your Bible. He is the God of order, not disorder. When you cause division, you bring disorder to the ministry or to the company.

Discontent follows ambition like a shadow.
-Henry H. Haskins-

Follow in His Footsteps

“And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so will the LORD do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. You must not fear them, for the LORD
your God Himself fights for you.’ “
Deuteronomy 3:21-22

This is beautiful. Those people who were under Moses, like Joshua, the next leader, God was training them. What did Joshua do? He did the same thing as Moses. Joshua followed in his footsteps. He learned from his successes, and he learned from his errors.

That is my vision with Pastor Chuck Smith. I have walked in the footsteps of Pastor Chuck for 37 years. I have watched him and learned from his example. I have sought wisdom from him in different situations. I learned to teach the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.

It will never change. I will go to my grave with the same philosophy. I will never change for people. You can call me an old wineskin, but I do not care, because I have followed God’s Word. Man changes, but the Word of God does not.

If you are a leader, make sure you are pouring yourself into the next generation. If you are a young person, be sure you find godly leaders and learn from them.

You must be careful how you walk, and where you go, for there are those following you who will set
their feet where yours are set.
-Robert E. Lee-

Do Not Be Disqualified

“But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the LORD said to me: ‘Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift your eyes toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall
not cross over this Jordan.’ “
Deuteronomy 3:26-27

Remember, Moses was not obedient to God, so He told Moses he could not go across to the Promised Land. He would die on the other side, and God would bury Him because he misrepresented God. There was no negotiating with God.

Do not think you have it made, and you will enter heaven because you have been in the Lord for a long time. You may end up like Moses. You really have to be careful with the way you walk. You do not want to disqualify yourself.

You need to be careful with your cell phones, computers and email. By anything you put out there, dirty talk or dirty gestures, you may disqualify yourself. There may not be a second chance.

Technology is great, but it is dangerous, too. It could destroy your life. It could mark you forever. What you do on your computer is between you and God, but I would not take a chance. Today, Satan is using the computer in so many ways — destroying people.

The only basis for real fellowship with God and man
is to live out in the open with both.
-Roy Hession-

Acceptance of God’s Will

” ‘But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit
the land which you will see.’ ”

Deuteronomy 3:28

Moses did not have time to feel sorry for himself. He knew God was not allowing him to cross over into the Promised Land, and he had to accept God’s will for his life. Moses was still responsible for the children of Israel. He had to command, encourage and strengthen Joshua to lead the people.

Sometimes, God’s plan for our lives does not line up with what we think His plan should be for us. Many times, we try to give God direction, “No, no, God, do it this way or send me here instead.” Isn’t it funny how we think we know better than God?

We see in Moses, a man willing to accept God’s plan for his life and not get bitter. He raised up Joshua and trained him to be a godly leader over the people. He cared more about the needs of the people than his own wants and desires. What an incredible example Moses is for each one of us.

God is such a blessing. It is so awesome to serve the Lord and to know His perfect will — to be able to be lined up with His perfect plan — so that we are able to accomplish the will of God.

What God does, He always purposed to do.
-Augustus H. Strong-

Living by God’s Grace

So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
Luke 21:7

We are getting further and further away from the expository teaching of God’s Word. We are moving away from line upon line, precept upon precept, book by book, chapter by chapter expository teaching.

I think it is because people are looking for experience, rather than the teaching of God’s Word. I was talking to Pastor Chuck Smith yesterday, and I asked him, “Do you really believe we are living in the Last Days, or is it just a bunch of hot air?”

I am traveling around the country, seeing all these things going on, and I am studying the Gospel of Luke, going through Pastor Chuck’s in depth studies. In Chapter 21, Jesus speaks of one of the great signs of the Last Days, when He says the nation of Israel will be reborn. That event took place in 1948, May 14, but on May 10, 1967, he said the time of the Gentiles was over. Think about it. It was over, which means we have been living by the grace of God. The Lord should already have come back, since 1967.

Today, more than at any other time, we cannot fall asleep. We need to know God’s Word and live it, for we are living by grace.

Grace is love in action.
-G. Campbell Morgan-

Spiritual Realm

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12

Think for a moment, when Moses came down Mt. Sinai, and he saw the people of God worshiping the golden calf his brother had made, and having a wild party, he took the 10 commandments of God and broke them on the ground — crushed them. The people had not yet heard them; they had not read them, and what was one of the first things in the commandments? It spoke about worshiping other gods — interesting.

By nature, people are given to worship other gods. It is amazing the fascination people have for idol worship.

When I was walking through New York City, on just about every block, you could see store fronts for astrologists and palm readers. You will find them in any big city, and they charge big bucks to tell you your future. Yet, the Bible warns against astrologers or star gazers. He warns against witches: those who do magic or read tarot cards.

There are two worlds: a material world and a spiritual world. In the spiritual world, you have the angels of light and the angels of darkness. We cannot see them, but they are at war. Inviting the angels of darkness brings nothing but oppression and depression.

Satan doesn’t care what we worship, as long as
we don’t worship God.
-D. L. Moody-

Put on the Mind of Christ

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
1 Peter 4:1

Look at today, the oppression, the depression and the deception we are seeing — huge, like never before. Yet, it is exciting. Pastor Chuck Smith and I were talking, and he told me, ‘Raul, we are living in the most incredible time in the history of the church, right now at this moment. And people are not excited.”

Why should we be excited about oppression, depression and deception? Think about how our minds, our thought patterns, should really be changing. With all the things going on in the world, what should we do? Put on the mind of Christ.

Watch what goes into your mind. Control your thoughts. Read your Bible. Memorize verses. Why? The Word of God is like water; it washes and cleanses your mind.

When you stand against the oppression of Satan, what should you do? What did Jesus do in Matthew 4 and Luke 4? He used the Word of God against the enemy.

Everything comes down to the Word of God — the importance of the Bible.

The Bible redirects my will, cleanses my emotions,
enlightens my mind, and quickens my total being.
-E. Stanley Jones-

Raise Your Children with God’s Word

Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother.
Exodus: 2:7-8

Look at the mother of Moses, when she put the baby, by faith, into the water in the little basket. What did God do? He gave him back to her, as Pharaoh’s daughter brought her in to care for Moses. Why? So his real mother could teach him the Word of God, because Pharaoh’s daughter was a heathen who worshiped many gods.

As parents, think of the importance of teaching our children and grand babies the Word of God. When we are in the car, at the table for meals, anywhere, we teach them Scriptures, worship songs and memory verses.

I learned from my mistakes, raising my kids without God’s Word when I was a heathen. For many years, I was not the spiritual head of my family. I have learned with my grandchildren. I love talking to them about God and His Word.

Men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of their homes — the High Priests. Get on your knees before God. You should be in the presence of God first, before you pray with your wives and your children.

Home is the seminary of all other institutions.
-E. H. Chapin-

Desire God’s Word

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16

Recently, I was traveling with one of my sons, and I was blown away. Instead of putting his earphones on or watching a movie for 5 hours, he was in the Word. I did not tell him what to do; he is a big boy — an adult. After so many years in the world, I can now see his desire for God’s Word, not just because he is my son. I see the same desire in other people.

Think about the accountability we all have, because no one can follow us 24/7. Think of all the things you do which are vain and will never count. The only thing that counts is being with the Lord, not watching movies or watching television. It is not being with your boyfriend or girlfriend. The most important thing is what you do for Christ.

It is real important. I want to get this across. I love repetition, because if we do not realize the importance of spending time with God, before we go to work, or do anything, we are missing the boat. You are going into work or out to play in the flesh, not walking in the Spirit. How can God trust you to make decisions and help people, when you have not spent time with Him? What kind of witness will you be?

Prayer and a holy life are one. They mutually act and react. Neither can survive alone. The absence
of the one is the absence of the other.
-E. M. Bounds-

Material Things vs. Spiritual Things

Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Mark 4:18-19

We really need to focus on the time we should spend on spiritual things because time is short. Think about it. We are going to live longer in heaven than we ever live on the earth. We will spend eternity in heaven, and yet, we are so attracted to material things, instead of those things which we cannot see.

We allow the material things and cares of the world to choke out the Word of God and the things we should be doing in furthering the Kingdom of heaven. By allowing the things of the world to be more important than the spiritual things, we become useless to God — unfruitful.

I truly believe, if we saw the spiritual realm, we would be shocked — we would be blown away.

If one time you could open your eyes, spiritually speaking, and see the principalities, the powers and rulers of darkness constantly following you and surrounding you, you would not be at peace unless God was on your side. Your heart and mind would be focused on the spiritual and not the material.

The real value of a thing is the price
it will bring in eternity.
-John Wesley-

Marry in the Lord

. . . .It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Let me talk, for one minute, to the guys and the girls who are not married. Let me say to those who are infatuated with your loved one, or whoever he or she may be, it is really important you do not do a quickie marriage. You really have to make sure God has called you to marry that person.

You may think I am old fashioned, but if I was going to date someone today, I would not kiss that person until I got married. You ask me why? Read your Bible. You better read Paul’s epistles, especially
1 Corinthians 7. It is because I do not trust myself in the flesh. I do not trust my emotions.

Everyone wants to get married, and that is great; but you must understand, marriage is not the ultimate thing. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, that it is better to remain unmarried. Is that heresy? Then Paul was a heretic. Do not get so caught up with your marriage. Get caught up with the Lord. He is the Bridegroom; you are the bride.

You will never accomplish what God has called you to do if you are more infatuated by your loved one than Christ. He must be first in your life.

He values not Christ at all who does not
value Christ above all.
-Augustine-

Listen to God

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1

The way He started this chapter is amazing. It is very much the same in the New Testament. What does He say in the Book of Matthew all the way to the Book of Revelation? Seven times He says, Listen, hear what the Spirit is saying. Who is He talking to? He is charging the churches to listen. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, God is constantly telling us to listen. Why? People do not listen. They are too busy making their own plans.

Pay attention to what God is telling us, just as He is telling the children of Israel. He does not want them to just hear the statutes and judgments, but to do them. He wants Israel to live them out.

He wants you and me to live them out.

He says if you obey God’s Word, you will be able to inherit what God is giving to you. Now, remember what happened to their parents and their grandparents and their great grandparents. They did not obey God’s Words, so they did not inherit the Promised Land. They should have learned.

May we not make the same mistake — to ignore God’s warnings and not inherit the promises of God.

It is only by obedience that we understand
the teaching of God.
-Oswald Chambers-

Father’s Day

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

As a young father, I did not really know how to be a good father.
I grew up in a home of violence. My father took me to bars, and I saw him get drunk, pick up on women and hit my mom. I knew I did not want to be like him, but guess what? I became a violent husband and father, just like my dad.

When I became a Christian and started to read my Bible, I met my Heavenly Father, and I learned what it meant to be a father — to give good gifts to my kids and chastise them in love.

Isn’t it amazing how God is our example? He tells us, through His Word, how we are to teach, train, love and admonish our sons and daughters. As my relationship grew with God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, I learned how to be a godly example to my children.

If, like me, you did not have good examples when you were growing up, you do not have to imitate your parents. You have a Heavenly Father who is your example.

As fathers, we can say like Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

More depends on my walk than talk.
-D. L. Moody-

Do Not Change God’s Word

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God
which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 4:2

Underline this verse in your Bible and put a star next to it. It is not only here, it is also in the Book of Revelation, the last chapter, 22:19: and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, . . .

Be careful. Do not make up your own translation. There are real heavy responsibilities when you speak of God’s Word. You never want to give people the wrong impression of God or of His Word. You want to use the best translations, which are the King James or the New King James. They are closest to the original manuscripts.

Can you imagine the translators on the Day of Judgment? They are making a new NIV Bible, taking all the genders out. Imagine that. It is coming out soon. The Antichrist will have his own Bible, distorting the truth of God’s Word.

Moses said, “Don’t add, don’t take away.” Why? That you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

So, if you stick to the true Word of God, you are going to be obedient — obedient to God’s Word. What God says, you will do.

You are so to deal with the Scriptures that you bear
in mind that God Himself is saying this.
-Martin Luther-

Obedience Brings Life

“Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal Peor; for the LORD your God has destroyed from among you all the men who followed Baal of Peor. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you.”
Deuteronomy 4:3-4

Once again, Moses was reminding the children of Israel about obedience. He gave an illustration from their history. Remember, when Balaam tried to seduce the people of God, he talked to the king of Moab and said, “Listen, if you have some beautiful girls, bring them down, and we will get the young guys to lie with them and they will be done.”

They did it and how many people died? Twenty-four thousand — it was God’s judgment. God did not play around. There was a price to pay for disobedience.

Along with those who disobeyed, there were many more who held onto God, to the Word and to the truth of God. They were alive; they did not die.

Moses is teaching us a very important lesson: you reap to what you sow. It is not enough to just know and understand God’s Word; we must live it. There is life when we hold fast to the LORD. Jesus said in John 10:10, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Let’s live life abundantly in Christ!

Obedience is submitting to the lover of our souls.
-Ken Myers-

True Wisdom

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “
Deuteronomy 4:5-6

Moses was not saying the people were wise, themselves. He was telling them to follow the statutes and judgments of God, and then the nations around them would recognize the wisdom of God, the importance of His Word.

In the world today, this is such an important lesson for all of us. I think a college education is great. It will help you get a job, but I know many college graduates who have no wisdom. It is not because you graduated from Harvard you possess wisdom. It is because you know the Word of God. Then people will think you have wisdom and say, “Man, he knows the Scriptures. Wow — he knows the stories.”

When we know the Word of God, we understand what is evil; we understand what is good. We know to separate ourselves from the world. We know when to step out, when to step back, when to speak and when to be silent. Why? Because the Word of God teaches us. We are knowledgeable and wise because we know God’s Word.

The wisest person in the world is the person who
knows the most about God.
-A. W. Tozer-

Open Line to God

“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?”
Deuteronomy 4:7-8

Moses was saying because His people were listening to Him and obeying, the open line was there for them at any time. God was telling them, “You can call upon me at any time.” Isn’t that cool? They could call upon God at any time. He would be there to listen to them.

We, as Christians, have an open line to God, anytime.

Because of God’s great love for the children of Israel, not only could they call upon Him at any time, but He supplied all of their needs, physically, spiritually and legally.

God was asking them, “Tell me, what land, what nation, who among the Canaanites, Amalikites and every one in the land, has what I have given to you?” The answer is zero. None of the nations had what God had given Israel. Among all the nations, Israel was the only one. Can you imagine that?

God may be asking you, “What people have something better than what you have, as a Christian?” I say, “Nobody, not one.”

Our total welfare is the constant concern of
God’s loving heart.
-W. J. C. White-

Teach the Children

“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”
Deuteronomy 4:9

This verse tells you why we have such an emphasis on the Sunday School here at CCGS. It has to be the best. The High School, the Junior High, the classrooms all have to be the best. The teachers need to know God intimately. They need to know the Word of God. They need to have passion and be full of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, the kids will never connect. They will have a class and nothing more.

These are the children God has loaned us, both the parents and the teachers. We are responsible for these children. If they do not know God’s Word when they are in trouble, they will not know how to call upon the name of the Lord, because they were never taught. Guess who is will be judged for it. All of us. We are the education of the church.

I ask my grandkids because I want to know. I want to be sure they know the Word of God. They need to know how to fight against the enemy. There are great lessons in the Bible to teach them, in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Can you imagine the stories you have to teach kids?

Parents and children need to work together to make sure our children know God’s Word.

Children are our most valuable natural resource.
-Herbert Hoover-

Traditions or Truth

“So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land
which you cross over to possess.”
Deuteronomy 4:13-14

Isn’t it amazing? God gave them the Ten Commandments — ten laws — and now they have 613 laws. All from 10 laws, they created the Mishnah — the Jewish oral traditions written down. Notice, they are cultural traditions and man’s translations — the Rabbis’ views of the Scriptures, but God only gave 10 laws. They were so important, God had them put into the Ark of the Covenant.

God gave us 66 books to learn and to teach. Imagine that. Do you think God forgot to have something written in the Bible? Do you think God needs man’s traditions to make it complete? Is there anything man knows which is greater or more important than God’s knowledge?

No! God did not forget anything. Remember what Paul told the Corinthian church: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (I Corinthians 1:25). We have nothing of worth to add to God’s Word.

It is really important we understand the power of the Word of God and the responsibility we have to the Word of God and to God, fully and completely.

We can never exhaust all the treasure
and worth that is in the Word.
-Thomas Manton-

Carved Images

“Take careful heed to yourselves, for you saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire, lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of any figure: the likeness of male or female.”
Deuteronomy 4:15-16

Notice the warning. From Deuteronomy 4:15-31, Moses warned them to continually reject any other gods. He told them, “You worship them, you are done. Take heed. Be warned.”

This is a reminder and warning to us. Just as the children of Israel did not see God in the midst of the fire, we have no record of Christ’s image. There are no photographs or paintings from those who knew Christ.

Isn’t it interesting? People make their gods after themselves — in their own likenesses — and yet we are all limited and fragile, unlike God who is all-knowing, all-powerful and ever present. How can we possibly capture His greatness in a statue or pictures? We cannot. It is impossible.

Moses warned them again in Deuteronomy 4:24: “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

Remember, when you make idols for yourself or start putting things before God, and they become your idols or gods, God is a jealous God.

An image lover is a God hater.
-Thomas Watson-

The Greatness of God

“And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.”

Deuteronomy 4:19

God gave us the planets, the moon the sun and all the heavens, not to worship, but to see the greatness of God. Imagine the greatness of God. When you see pictures of all the stars, billions and billions of stars, isn’t it amazing?

Yet, what is the most amazing thing to me is how many people study the planets and the stars, and they do not believe in God. They believe all of the solar systems were a result of a great explosion. That is what amazes me the most. They do not get it. They do not see the greatness of God in all His creation.

While God created all these things so we would see Him, man perverts the ways of God and worships the creation. It is just human nature; everyone worships something. In Romans 1:25, Paul explained it so clearly: who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.

Do not fall for the lie, but rather walk in the truth of God.

The most basic sin found in the world
is that of idolatry.
-R. C. Sproul-

Warning for Today

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it,
but will be utterly destroyed.”
Deuteronomy 4:26

He warned them. In spite of all God had done for them, and continued to do for them, they were going to forsake Him, and there would be a penalty. They would pay a price.

After the Book of Deuteronomy, we come to Joshua and then Judges. That is where we see the fall:. . .another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals (Judges 2:10-11).

You may have been wondering why they were warned so often about worshipping other gods. Now you know. God knew they would turn to the false gods, despite all the miracles and wonders He performed — despite His great love and care for them.

Before you judge them too harshly, think about it. Where is America today? Have we given ourselves over to serve the Baals? We can no longer truly call ourselves a Christian nation. Just as the nation of Israel paid a price for their harlotry, we also will be held accountable.

We each, individually, have to make the decision to remain holy and serve God.

Those who will not observe the judgments of God’s
mouth shall not escape the judgments of His hand.
-Matthew Henry-

Seek God and Find Him

“But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29

Underline this verse in your Bibles. Look at what Moses said. If you seek the LORD, you will find Him. He is not hidden from us. He is always there for you and for me.

So, what happens when people feel like God has forsaken them? Where is God then? I will tell you; He is right there beside them. He is only waiting for you to turn to Him. You see, when we cannot see or feel God, it is not because He has left us, but we have left Him. We have turned our backs on Him.

Our God is a Gentleman. He will never force Himself on us. He is also a holy God, so when we turn and become filthy with worldliness, God waits for us to turn back and seek Him.

What a great promise from God: when we seek Him we will find Him. He does hide from us. He welcomes us with open arms.

Remember, if you get sidetracked, all you need to do is really repent and come back to God. He will receive you. He loves you and is waiting for you to seek Him, so He can restore fellowship.

Sorrow or Repentance

“Then you returned and wept before the LORD, but the LORD would not listen to your voice nor give ear to you. So you remained in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you spent there.”
Deuteronomy 1:45-46

Following defeat, the children of Israel returned, weeping, to the Lord, but God did not want to hear from them. He had warned them not to go, but they went anyway. God did not want weeping, He wanted obedience. He wanted to know if they had learned their lesson.

Isn’t that such a common reaction for people? We are defeated, so we weep before the Lord. But, are we truly sorry, just because we are weeping? No, not always. Sometimes we weep because we did not get our way, not because we are truly sorry.

Were they weeping because they were repentant or were they weeping because they were defeated?

How does God want us to come back to Him? He wants us broken in a real repentant way. Then God will say, “Let me help you up.” God will minister to me and He will bless me; He will use my life.

God warns before He wounds.
-Matthew Henry-

God Gives Warnings

He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take
warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who
takes warning will save his life.

Ezekiel 33:5

One of the things about going back through Deuteronomy, reading and rereading it, I can see what Moses was trying to accomplish. He put the first three chapters of Deuteronomy together as a remembrance, and in Chapter 2, he brought to remembrance Israel’s wanderings — why they wandered.

God had said every person under 20 years of age was going to survive, but everyone over 20 was going to die. It was a known fact. God would get rid of all those people who murmured and complained — all the people who did not have the vision or the passion, and did not really want to obey God. God would begin with a whole new generation to do the work of God.

This was not only a book of remembrance, but also of warning. God would only use those with the vision and passion to do the work of God and obey Him, not the complainers.

You know, many times we neglect the reminders and warnings of God, as they are given to us, before they come to pass. There is a reason He gives us warning in advance; He desires our obedience. He wants to use us.

People need to be reminded more often than
they need to be instructed.
-Samuel Johnson-

Unity in Love

“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness
of the Way of the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to
me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days.”
Deuteronomy 2:1

Why was God leading the children of Israel around Mount Seir? What was there that needed to be avoided? In the first eight verses of Deuteronomy 2, Moses explained why they were skirting Mount Seir. They were avoiding the Edomites.

Now the Edomites were the descendants of Esau, so they were actually family — part of Israel’s family. God was telling Israel to avoid them.

Although they were family, there was division. The people in the land were fearful of the children of Israel. They had heard what God had done to the Egyptians, and they did not want anything to do with Israel. They assumed Israel would be trouble.

Division is not of God; it is of the enemy. God would have us be united, especially with family, so He had them avoid any confrontation with the Edomites.

How many times do we have confrontations within our families because of misunderstandings or assumptions? We need to love our brothers and sisters, as God loves us.

All Christians are called to unity
in love and unity in truth.
-Author Unknown-

Do Not Procrastinate

“And the LORD spoke to me, saying: ‘You have
skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.’ “
Deuteronomy 2:2-3

God begins to speak with authority. This was the command of God to the people of God. God said, “You know what? You have been here long enough, already. You need to start moving forward.”

Notice, this is an exhortation to everyone of us about standing in one place for too long. Remember that. There is a real time of waiting, but there is a real time of moving, also, as God speaks.

What I see here is a story told constantly about how believers, like the children of Israel, procrastinate. We procrastinate in our lives.

Think of all the people working in the world who have to be motivated every single week in order to make sales, because they know they do not have it in them. So, they offer incentives: “You will make a percentage of what you sell.” Without the incentive, think of how many people would just procrastinate.

People who are really passionate and visionary, who look at the shortness of life, they have to get things done. They cannot stand to sit and wait. They have to go after their goals and not wait for things to come to them.

Really pray and seek the Lord. Maybe God is telling you, “You have to move now. You have to go forward.”

How soon, “not now,” becomes forever.
-Martin Luther-

Family Unity

” ‘And command the people, saying, “You are about
to pass through the territory of your brethren, the
descendants of Esau, who live in Seir;
and they will be afraid of you.
Therefore watch yourselves carefully.” ‘ “
Deuteronomy 2:4

Notice what God was saying. Of all the problems they were facing or they would face, the first people they came into contact with was family — descendants. They had been irritants to them. God told them, “Be very careful of them.” Remember, the Edomites are the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother.

Think of how many people in your lives have become irritants. Are they members of your own family? Think about it — people of your own family. They are the greatest irritants you could ever imagine; or maybe you are the irritant.

It is weird how God speaks through the Scriptures, and He speaks to our hearts because He wants us to be united. It is amazing how many times I can get along better with people outside of my family, than I do with my family. Why? Because no one wants to be united. No one really wants to be submissive. Everybody is always right; nobody is ever wrong. Many times, because we trust in the love of our families, we are not flexible, we are not loving, or we are not in unity.

We should never presume upon the love of others or the love of God.

A saint abroad and a devil at home.
-John Bunyan-

National Day of Prayer

“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

According to history, the National Day of Prayer was made official in 1952, but God called us to pray as a nation long before. Today, as a nation, we will come together and seek the face of God, His grace and His mercy. But, have we truly humbled ourselves before Him? Have we turned from our wicked ways?

It is so important to remember, God seeks our obedience and our humbleness. He wants to bless us. He created us because He wanted to have fellowship with us. I am saved because He sought me and loved me, even while I was in my sin. Can you imagine?

It is not enough to come one day a year and seek the LORD to bless our country and the works of our hands. We must be a people who seek Him every day in prayer and the reading of His Word.

I believe the leaders of the past were correct in setting up this date for the nation to come together and pray specifically for the nation, but I pray that, as Christians, we come together daily, lifting up our families, friends, countries and the world.

Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First
Continental Congress, in the first step — humble,
heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the Love of God
and His great goodness, in search of His guidance,
and the grace of repentance, . . .
-President Ronald Reagan-

Do Not Meddle

” ‘ “Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to
Esau as a possession.” ‘ “
Deuteronomy 2:5

In this verse, God continued with His command to the children of Israel. He told them, “Do not meddle, it will mess you up.” He does not want them to desire the land He had given to Esau. He had other, better plans for them. He kept them out of Esau’s land, so they would not get jealous and want something He had not intended for them.

This is what happens with people in families — some get blessed and some do not get blessed. So what happens? Jealousy. People get jealous, and biblically, so you all understand, biblically, jealously is not of the Lord. It does not please Him.

God has a plan for each one of us, individually. He has different blessings for each of us. He wants us to submit to His will and rejoice in the plans and blessings He has for us.

In order to rejoice in God’s plans and blessings for us, we cannot envy others and desire what they posses. We have to keep our eyes set upon the Lord, seeking His will and His way in our lives.

Envy is a coal that comes hissing hot from hell.
-Philip James Baily-

Be Blameless

” ‘ “You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money, that you may drink.” ‘ “
Deuteronomy 2:6

Notice what God said here, “Don’t go in and ask for things for free. This way nobody can blame you for anything.” I like that. God wanted them to be blameless before their family. He wanted the people of the land to see how He provided for the children of Israel — they did not need charity. They were able to pay for provisions.

God is telling us the same thing. He wants us to be blameless before the world. We need to trust in Him for everything, knowing He will provide for all of our needs, not necessarily our wants, but our needs.

You always want to leave your record clean. You do not want to be a moocher. You want to pay for everything. You do not want to give God a black eye, making people think He is not the Great Provider — Jehovah Jireh.

Remember what the Apostle Paul taught in Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Make your needs known to God through prayer, and He will provide, so you can be blameless before man.

Where God Guides, He provides.
-Pastor Chuck Smith-

Mother’s Day

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is
in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice, and I am
persuaded is in you also.

2 Timothy 1:5

Throughout the Bible, we see mothers, both good and bad, but in both cases, they were very influential in the lives of their children. They taught them to either follow God or to worship heathen gods.

I love to read about Timothy, one of Paul’s helpers. Timothy was the son of a believing mother and a heathen father. He was raised by his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, two godly women, who taught him to worship the One True God.

I remember as a small boy in Mexico, hearing my grandmother pray. She was my father’s mother and she was a godly woman. She was my peace in a very violent and turbulent home. I know she was the first person to ever pray for me, and God answered her prayers when I gave my life to Him years later.

As mothers, grandmothers and aunts, you may be the only godly example in the lives of the children around you. You can influence these children to seek God or to wander in darkness.

I learned more about Christianity from my mother
than from all the theologians of England.
-John Wesley-

Respecter of Persons

” ‘ “For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your
hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These
forty years the LORD your God has been with you;
you have lacked nothing.” ‘ “
Deuteronomy 2:7

Look what He said, “I have blessed you. What more do you want?”

Either God blesses you or God does not bless you. It is up to you. If He gives you a little blessing, be happy. If He gives you a big blessing, be happier, but do not strive. Do not get upset or get mad. Do not be covetous; do not be jealous of other people.

He reminded them, “Remember, you have lacked nothing.”

It is amazing, when people see others with money, what do they do? They try to be friends with them to get free things for free and it is sad. As Christians, we should never do that. Do you know why? Because you do not want to be a respecter of persons.

Being a respecter of persons is not right in leadership; it is not right in Christianity. You really have to be careful and treat everyone the same, not doing special favors for those who have money or power. We have to be blameless before God.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and giver.
-Edmund Burke-

Be Satisfied, Do Not Covet

“Then the LORD said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab,
nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you
any of their land as a possession, because I have
given Ar to the descendants
of Lot as a possession.’ “
Deuteronomy 2:9

The LORD really spoke to me in this verse. I believe He is saying, “There is a time when you need to keep your nose clean and keep your eyes on the Lord. Do not strive. Do not covet.”

Even though the people of Moab were not kind to Israel, God did not want the children of Israel to enter into conflict with them.

People can harass or persecute you, but you should not do anything. Let the LORD take care of it. God will handle things, if we allow it. We always want to defend God, but God does not need defending. We always want to defend ourselves, but God is our defense. That is why He does not want us to strive for things.

Isn’t it interesting that God has the place for you, and He knows what is not for you? He knows exactly what you need. But what do we do? We covet. We look in other places, and God says, “No, just be satisfied. I know what I am doing. I know what I am giving you.”

God is most glorified in us when we are
most satisfied in Him.
-John Piper-

Put on the Shelf

“And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea
until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was
thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men
of war was consumed from the midst of the camp,
just as the LORD had sworn to them.”
Deuteronomy 2:14

Isn’t it interesting? The place of wandering was the place to dispose of the murmurers and complainers, so God could clean the camp. It took Him 38 years to clean the camp, in order for Him to do what He wanted to do with the children of Israel. That is why an 11 day journey took 38 years, so He could clean the camp. Imagine that. Amazing!

How many times I have seen this happen in ministry. People have been disqualified from ministry, and God puts them on the shelf. God cannot use them because they have sin in their lives, and they do not want to repent; they do not want to get their lives right before the Lord.

This can happen to any one of us. The biggest mistake a person makes is when they think they cannot fall, or they will never be put upon the shelf. Let me tell you, they have already started backsliding into pride!

Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience
withdraws from grace.
~Thomas á Kempis~

Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism R

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

The day before Israel celebrates their existence as a state, they have a day of remembrance for all the fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. The two days have been connected, because the people of Israel recognize they owe their independence and existence to the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to make it a reality.

This day of remembrance begins at sundown when a siren is heard all over the country, and everything and everyone stops for one minute to stand in silence and remember those who have given their lives, saying prayers for the fallen.

As a Vietnam War veteran, I believe many remember their fallen friends. I think they remember the many times it could have been them. They think of the many families who are missing, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers.

I believe it is important to remember, because freedom is not free. We remember those who have given everything, because without their sacrifices, we would have nothing.

When death speaks, there is an instant hush
in the whole house; everything else
is stilled that we may listen.
-Arthur John Gossip-

Israel’s Independence Day

It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall
set His hand again the second time To recover the
remnant of His people who are left, . . .
He will set up a banner for the nations, And will
assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together
the dispersed of Judah From the
four corners of the earth.
Isaiah 11:11-12

This prophesy was fulfilled on May 14, 1948, as God gathered His remnant, the children of Israel, back to the Promised Land and re-established the nation of Israel. This historic moment is not only important to the Jews, but also to the Christians.

We must remember that the heartbeat of God beats in the Middle East, in Israel, not America. If you look at Last Days prophecy, the United States, England, Australia and other major countries are not mentioned.

If you want to know where we are in God’s time-line, look to the Middle East — look to Israel. God is not done with His people. Throughout history, many have tried to destroy the Jewish nation, but they have failed. The Bible tells us, God will always protect His remnant. Remember God’s promise to Israel in Genesis 12:3, I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you.”

I will always stand with those who bless Israel. Where will you stand?

Israel was not created in order to disappear — Israel
will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and
the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by
adversity nor demoralized by success.
-John F. Kennedy-

Armed Forces Day

Because you have made the LORD, who is my
refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No
evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near
your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge
over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:9-11

As a pastor and Vietnam War Marine veteran, I have had the honor and privilege to speak with the men and women serving in our military. I have met with them fresh out of boot camp, prior to their first deployments, and I have met with them after one, two, even three deployments.

Many of those who have seen combat tell me they have read
Psalm 91, the Soldier’s Psalm, over and over again while in theater. It brings great comfort to them and their families.

I can personally tell you that the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces are some of the most honorable people I have ever met. They sacrifice their families and their lives to make this the greatest country in the world.

I love running into them at restaurants or in airports, anywhere. I go up to them, shake their hands and tell them, “Thank you.” Do not ever pass up the opportunity to thank the men and women who serve our great country.

To all currently serving in the military — Semper Fi!

Men do less than they ought unless
they do all that they can.
-Thomas Carlyle-

Be Content

“For indeed the hand of the LORD was against
them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp
until they were consumed.”

Deuteronomy 2:15

Why was the hand of God turned against them? Because they were the murmurers; they were the complainers. They were the ones who always wanted something special for themselves. They were always dissatisfied, so God said, “You know what? I am done with them. I cannot use them. I am going to use others.” That is what God did; He removed them.

They not only murmured and complained, but they caused the people around them to be dissatisfied. They spoke against the Lord in their tents and infected the children of God, causing those around them to complain.

Remember, God wants a relationship with you and me. He created us to come to Him with our needs, with our supplications. He does not want us to go around Him and cause others to fall away from Him, just because we do not feel He is providing everything for us.

God always has our best interest in mind. He gives us what we need. He will not give us things which will destroy us. The best place to be is in God’s perfect will. Do not be infected by the discontented, and do not become an infection to the body of Christ.

Contentment is an embracing of
the providence [will] of God.
-George Seevers-

Know God

” ‘Rise, take your journey, and cross over the River
Arnon. Look, I have given into your hand Sihon the
Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to
possess it, and engage him in battle.’ “
Deuteronomy 2:24

You may wonder why God was recounting the events from the Book of Numbers. He was describing the people of Israel, describing all the kings and nations they encountered as they marched to the Promised Land. God was giving a witness. He was giving a testimony concerning who He was and who they were now, as they recognized He was in charge — He was in command.

First of all, He spoke of the wilderness. The wilderness is always a picture of the people’s disobedience. It is a place of trying. An 11-day journey took them 40 years of wandering.

Think about people today. They read and reread the stories of the Old Testament, plus they read the New Testament, and yet it seems many do not understand what God is saying in His Word. Especially if people are not reading systematically through the Bible, line upon line, precept upon precept, they will never really understand the perfect will of God for their lives.

You have to know the stories in the Bible from the past, to the present and into the future, in order to understand what God is saying, what He is teaching, and what God really wants to do in the life of each and every believer.

It should be the aim of every Christian to have his
will directed by the will of God
revealed in Scripture.
-Sinclair Ferguson-

Feast of Weeks

“And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.”
Exodus 34:22

The Feast of Weeks—the Shavuot in Hebrew and Pentecost in the Greek — begins seven weeks after the Passover and lasts for two days. This festival has a double purpose, agriculturally and historically, for the Jews.

First, it marks the end of the barley harvest and beginning of the wheat harvest. While the first fruits of the barley were offered to the Lord at the Passover, the first fruits of the wheat harvest are offered to the Lord on this day. These first fruits are offered to God to show their dependence on Him for their crops.

Second, the Feast of Weeks is a celebration of God giving the Torah to the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai. Remember, the Torah is the Law given to Moses by God. The Torah is comprised of the first five books of the Old Testament. While the Passover celebrates God’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt, the Feast of Weeks celebrates God’s deliverance from their bondage to idolatry.

Every festival or celebration for the Jewish people leads the people to remember what God has done for them and to honor Him. Do we recognize what God does in our lives? Do we honor Him? Let your life reflect your dependence and love for God.

Thanksgiving is good but thanks-living is better.
-Matthew Henry-

Pentecost

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house
where they were sitting.
Acts 2:1-2

On the Day of Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, the Apostles had all gathered together in the upper room, but not to celebrate the Torah or the first fruits of the wheat harvest. So, what were they doing? These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication(Acts 1:14).

On this day, while others celebrated God giving the Law to Moses, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they all began to speak in different tongues.

Think about it — the city was filled with Jews from all over, as they came to Jerusalem for the Shavout; and the people heard the disciples speaking, each in their own language, although they were all Galileans.

More importantly, on the day they were celebrating the Torah, the Law, God gave them the Holy Spirit. God’s grace was poured down upon them. While all were in bondage to the Law through God’s Spirit, they were released from the bondage of a Law they were unable to fully meet.

Can we fully understand God’s love for us?

Grace is love in action.
-G. Campbell Morgan-

Fear God Alone

” ‘This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of
you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who
shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble
and be in anguish because of you.’ ”

Deuteronomy 2:25

God was commanding the children of Israel to follow His orders. He did not want them to do anything else but obey Him, even when it did not make sense. He had a plan and He would be with them, every step of the way.

Listen to what God was telling them. He was going to put fear and dread in the hearts of the people in the land. He was telling them to fear no one but Him. He alone would guide and direct.

These words were not just for the children of Israel, in the wilderness. These words are for you and me. We do not have to fear anyone. God puts the fear in people’s lives.

When you serve Him and you love Him, He’ll use your life. You do not have to worry about anything. You do not have to fear man — fear God.

Psalm 111:10 tells us who we should fear and why: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

It is only the fear of God that can deliver us
from the fear of man.
-John Wittherspoon-

Focus on the Goal

” ‘You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat,
and give me water for money, that I may drink; only
let me pass through on foot, just as the
descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir and the
Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I
cross the Jordan to the land which
the LORD our God is giving us.’ ”

Deuteronomy 2:28-29

Throughout their journey in the wilderness, the children of Israel encountered opposition along the way. Many who opposed them were their own family, the descendants of Esau, but God did not want their focus to be on those who came against them. He wanted their eyes set upon Himself, so he reminded them of the Jordan River, the place where God would do a new work with His people.

The new generation would go across the Jordan, following, not Moses, but Caleb and Joshua, going into the Promised Land. That was their goal — entering the Promised Land.

How often we get caught up in the trials and tribulations we encounter along the path God has set for us; we lose sight of the goal. As Christians, we should be seeking to serve the Lord and walk according to the plan He has set for us.

To avoid getting sidetracked by the trials and the tribulations in the world, we must be in God’s Word daily. We must be in prayer, daily, hourly, even minute by minute. All throughout the Bible, we find the encouragement of God.

We can never exhaust all the treasure
and worth that is in the Word.
-Thomas Manton-

Boundaries Set by God

“And the LORD said to me, ‘See, I have begun to
give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to
possess it, that you may inherit his land.’ “
Deuteronomy 2:31

God is in control. God is working and we need to be patient until God fulfills His Word. I like that.

Infection from the Enemy

“Then Sihon and all his people came out against us to fight at Jahaz. And the LORD our God delivered him over to us; so we defeated him, his sons, and all his people. We took all his cities at that time, and we utterly destroyed the men, women, and little ones of every city; we left none remaining.”
Deuteronomy 2:32-34

They had defeated Sihon and his people, just as God had said. Why? They had obeyed God’s command, and God delivered Sihon over to them. It was all about obedience.

Then we see they killed all the people. Why would they kill children? God was saying to go kill the men, women and children. This is a real important question in the church today. Why would God allow, in the Old Testament, for women and children to be killed? Remember, their parents were heathens, and they had already infected their children.

They worshiped Molech. They put their babies in the arms of Molech and burned them. Later on, Israel would do the same thing. Here, they were getting rid of all the women and all the children, because God did not want His people to follow their example and worship their gods.

God does not want us to kill the heathens around us, but He calls us to not follow their ways and worship their gods. Do not allow the sins of the world to infect your life.

The method of the evil one is to obscure himself
behind some other object of worship.
-G. Campbell Morgan-

God Our Deliverer

“From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the LORD our God delivered all to us.”

Deuteronomy 2:36

How important is the message of this verse? In your Bibles, underline the last part of this verse, . . . the LORD our God delivered all to us. It was God. He is always our Deliverer.

Again, God was encouraging the people. He was reminding them, “I go before you. I provide for you. I am your Deliverer.”

We read about their journey through the wilderness and everything God did for them, and we wonder, How could they doubt God? Why did they fail to trust in Him? But, are we any different from the children of Israel?

How many times has God delivered you from a trial? How many times has He healed you or someone you love? How many times have you received exactly the right amount of money, just in time? And sadly, how often have you doubted God and His great promises for you?

You see, we are not so different. We need the encouragement of God’s Word, and we need to hear . . . the LORD our God delivered all to us.

Our total welfare is the constant concern of
God’s loving heart.
-W. J. C. White-

Obedience Brings Power

“Only you did not go near the land of the people of Ammon — anywhere along the River Jabbok, or to the cities of the mountains, or wherever the LORD our God had forbidden us.”
Deuteronomy 2:37

Notice, the people did not go into any of the land which God had told them not to enter. They followed His instructions. They went around these areas. Why is this written? Why is God pointing this out to us?

He is giving instructions for us to know what God forbids and what God allows. We need to really know our boundaries. Once we learn our boundaries, we will stay within them, and we will be obedient.

Within our boundaries, we will be successful, we will be fruitful and God will bless us. Then, we will bless other people, because they will see the anointing of God on our foreheads. They will see it is the Lord working in, and through, our lives.

Isn’t that beautiful? God is in control of my life. He is in control of your life. We are not working in our own, limited power, but in the power of the Lord, with His blessings. We do not have to worry, for God is in control.

All God’s giants have been weak men who did great
things for God because they reckoned on
His being with them.
-J. Hudson Taylor-

Carnality or Spirituality

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at
the right hand of God. Set your mind on things
above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2

What makes a person change — a person who has been born again of the Holy Spirit? Why do so many backslide? Think about it. What makes a person turn away from God? Why does Paul, in the Book of 1 Corinthians, speak more about carnality than spirituality? Because it has always been a problem.

We are tied down to this world for 60, 70, 80, maybe 100 years, and then eternity comes. I truly believe, if we really had a vision of eternity, then our attitudes would change tremendously.

Unfortunately, we are so bound and anchored to this world that we often lose sight of eternity. We think it is so far away, we will have time to repent later. We really forget what God’s kingdom is and who His kingdom is about.

God created us to be governed by our spirits, not our flesh. He created us to have communion with Him — a Holy God. In order to have fellowship with God, we must be spiritual men and women, not carnal. Every day, we must set our minds on things above, not the world or our flesh.

The man who has lost contact with God lives on
the same dead-end street as the man
who denies Him.
-Milton Marcy-

Remember

Remember therefore from where you have fallen;
repent and do the first works, or else I will come to
you quickly and remove your lampstand from
its place — unless you repent.
Revelation 2:5

In the Book of Deuteronomy, God was making the children of Israel remember their wanderings. In the Book of Revelation, God is telling the church to remember where they fell from. From the fifth book of the Bible to the last, God makes an emphasis on remembering.

He is telling us, “Do not ever forget your wanderings. Did you not learn when you were wandering away from God?”

If you forget about where you used to be and where you are today, then it can become very dangerous for your future.

We always need to remember that outside of God’s boundaries, it is dangerous — very dangerous. We have to really be careful.

Just as Egypt destroyed them and brought them into bondage, we can be brought into bondage to this world, our flesh, Satan and his demons.

Remember, God came to deliver and set us free.

People need to be reminded more often than
they need to be instructed.
-Samuel Johnson-

Do Not Fear

Be strong and of good courage;
do not fear nor be dismayed.
1 Chronicles 22:13b

As we come into Deuteronomy 3, Moses, directed by God, told the people of God, “Listen, I have given you the victory, so go forward and do what I tell you to do.”

One thing which is a problem with every one of us, even if God saves us, cleans us up and He begins to use our lives, we still get our eyes off the Lord and become fearful.

We can see it with the disciples in Matthew 14. When the disciples got into the boat, as Jesus went up into the mountain to pray, God was always in control. Even while they were alone on the water, and the storm came, God was in control. He left them alone to see what they would do. What did they do? They became fearful instead of trusting in God.

Fear is a very evil thing. Fear can keep you down, keep you from stepping out in faith and keep you from getting over the top of the hill. It will keep you from accomplishing what God really intended to do with your life. Fear. We do not have to fear.

What does it say in 1 John 4:18? . . . but perfect love casts out fear. And who is perfect love? Christ.

The chains of love are stronger than
the chains of fear.
-William Gurnall-

Power and Might of God

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word
of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by
power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”
Zechariah 4:6

God, in Deuteronomy 3, was saying, “You are my people. You did not have modern weapons, but we went out to fight, and we prevailed against the enemy.” It was not about the weapons they had or the number of men to fight.

Who leads the battle? The Lord leads us into battle, strengthens us and subdues our enemies. The reason they were going back over the battles they experienced in the wilderness was to remind them. He wanted them to understand that the Lord led the battle.

How many times do we look at a trial or a situation and think, I cannot get through this; I cannot overcome this trial, because it is too big for me? You are right. You cannot overcome anything on your own. It is always by the power and might of God. He is the One who brings the victory.

The next time you face a giant — an enemy, a trial, a challenge — do not get discouraged. You are a child of God, and as His child, you know you have the power of God on your side. Who can prevail against you?

If God be God, then no insoluble problems exist.
And if God be my God, then no problem of mine
is without its appropriate solution.
-Maurice Roberts-

Trust Me, Follow Me

“And the LORD said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’ “
Deuteronomy 3:2

Just as God told them not to fear, He is telling us the same thing, today. Do not fear the enemy. Fear will immediately, automatically bring you defeat, and the enemy has already won, without a fight. Once you get scared, it is a done deal.

In battle, in combat, the first time I got shot at, I saw the guys who had been there for a while. As the enemy was shooting at us, they were standing up, looking to see where the fire was coming from. All of us new guys, we were on the ground, because we had not learned to listen for the location of the firing, and we were scared. Within time, you know exactly where it is coming from, the east, the west, the north or the south. You know how close it is to you, and you know how far away your enemy is. You develop these senses in war.

God went on to encourage Moses and the people, as He encourages us. God told them, “I have taken care of it already. All you have to do is go forward. Do what I tell you to do.” He is telling us the same thing, “Do not fear because I have taken care of things already. Trust Me. Follow Me.”

Faith follows God implicitly, albeit with trembling
on occasion; while sight calculates, considers,
cautions and cringes.
-Author Unknown-

Memorial Day

Then the officers who were over thousands of the army,
the captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, came
near to Moses; and they said to Moses, “Your servants have
taken a count of the men of war who are under our command,
and not a man of us is missing.”
Numbers 31:48-49

In May, we honor those who are currently serving in the military on Armed Forces Day, and we remember, with honor, those who have paid the ultimate price and given their lives in service to our country on Memorial Day.

I was in Vietnam more than 40 years ago, and I wish I could say as Moses’ captains said, and not a man of us is missing. I still remember my friends, Marines, who were lost in the war. At the time, they were kids — 18, 19, 20 years old — and so was I, but war makes you grow up fast.

Today, I remember all the incredible men I fought with in Vietnam, who gave their lives. I think of all the young men and women who have died before and after Vietnam, even today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each gave all they had to defend our country and the ideals of America.

Today, I think of all the families who will be missing their loved ones — sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. I thank them for their sacrifice and pray not another man or woman will be lost.

We must never forget — freedom is never free!

The only life that counts is the life that costs.
-Frederick P. Wood-

Betrayal

Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Matthew 26:45-46

We all know who betrayed Jesus. In the Gospels, when the disciples of Jesus are listed, after Judas Iscariot’s name you see traitor, he who would betray Him (John 6:71), and who also betrayed Him (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19). It is not like a mystery novel. We know who did it long before the end of the story. More importantly, Jesus knew who would betray Him to the Pharisees and Scribes.

Judas was not the only betrayer; Peter denied Jesus three times. Even though Jesus warned him, Peter still denied Him. While many followed Jesus closely during the trial and crucifixion, Peter followed afar off. How different from the words he spoke, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35).

So, what is the difference between the betrayal of Judas and the denying of Peter? Repentance!

While Judas knew he had done wrong, he did not repent and make things right with God. However, Peter wept bitterly. At the resurrection of Christ, Judas is not found. He had committed suicide, but Peter was with the other apostles.

Follow close to Jesus and you will not be deceived.

You cannot repent too soon, because you do not
know how soon it may be too late.
-Thomas Fuller-

Crucifixion

But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And the voices of these men and of the chief priests prevailed. . . . And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:23, 46

Isn’t it funny how we call the day of our Lord’s death Good Friday? On this day, the people chose to release a murderer, Barabbas, instead of an innocent man. It was the ultimate betrayal, as those He came to save called for His death.

Maybe we call it “good” because it was not truly the death of Jesus Christ, but the death of sin. It is the day Christ was released from His earthly body in order to return to the Father in heaven and be our Advocate.

When you look at what He accomplished for us on the cross, you see it was not just a good day, but a great day, for us! Without His death, we would still be in our sins, we would still be separated from God, and we would not be able to enter heaven.

Remember, in the Old Testament, they were under the Law. If they broke one of the commandments, they were guilty of all. With the death of Christ on the cross, we are no longer under the Law; we are now saved by grace!

Calvary shows how far men will go in sin, and how
far God will go for man’s salvation.
-H. C. Trumball-

Set Free

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
Isaiah 61:1

Isn’t it amazing how Isaiah wrote this long before the birth and the death of Christ? Isaiah was telling the children of God how a Savior would come, and He would preach, heal and liberate those in captivity.

Jesus did all these things when He came. He went city by city, preaching the Word in the synagogues and the open fields. He healed the lame, the blind and the leper; He raised the dead; He healed the brokenhearted.

When He died on the cross, Christ went down into Abraham’s Bosom — the compartment next to hell which held the Old Testament saints — and He proclaimed liberty to the captives, taking all those out of Abraham’s Bosom to join Him in heaven.

Today, through His death on the cross, Christ has opened the door to salvation for all of us, the opening of the prison to those who are bound, as we are all bound in our sins before we come to Christ.

Accept the gift of salvation He has provided, and do not be a prisoner of sin any longer.

Salvation is not deliverance from hell alone,
it is deliverance from sin.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

Resurrection Day

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
Matthew 28:5-6

I have traveled to Israel more than 30 times, since coming to the Lord, and I can tell you, “Christ is not in the tomb, for He has risen!” I never grow tired of visiting the tomb. The reality of His resurrection is new and awesome every time I am there.

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have no hope; there is no atonement for our sins. Without the resurrection, Christ is not the Son of God, He is not even a prophet, He is a charlatan — a deceiver.

You see, if He did not resurrect, then all He proclaimed to be was a lie, and we are all still in bondage to sin, waiting for a Savior.

The good news, the Gospel, is this: Jesus is the Son of the living God. He came, preached repentance, was crucified an innocent man, took all our sins — past, present and future — and nailed them to the cross, providing salvation to all who recognize their need for a savior and that Jesus is the Savior.

Come this day and enjoy the freedom He has provided each one of us. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

The resurrection of Christ is the Amen
of all His promises.
-John Boys-

Judge Righteously

“Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:16

Moses was like a Supreme Court judge. He had the responsibility to judge rightly between people when a complaint was brought before him. He was representing God, and Jeremiah 11:20 tells us, But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, . . . He could not judge or take sides based upon friendships or positions.

I see this as a problem in the world and, unfortunately, in the ministry. Being in positions of management or leadership, people can become respecters of persons. Be careful of that.

As a senior pastor, I do not care who it is — if it is my own wife, my kids, or any of my friends — it does not matter. I am going to make a righteous judgment for the ministry and for the Lord. Not for my friends and not for my family, because then I will suffer the consequences of God’s judgment.

You have to understand what it says here because Moses was preparing the way, and he was putting people in place who would do the same. God puts each of us in our positions, and He expects us to judge righteously, representing Him.

Justice is truth in action.
-Joseph Joubert-

Chain of Command

” ‘You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s. The case that is too hard for you,
bring to me, and I will hear it.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:17

God is not a respecter of persons. Here, Moses was setting up precedence for the people to be impartial and to be orderly. He is setting up the chain of command. There is a chain of command in the military; there is a chain of command in the business world, and there is a chain of command in the church.

How many of us make decisions without going through the chain of command? In business, in law enforcement and in ministry, it happens. People take authority. They think because of their position, they can make decisions.

Do not make that mistake. You cannot make decisions without checking with your leaders and those over you. It can cost you. You have to remember this no matter what position you are in, whether it is a business or ministry.

Here in the ministry, I will have to give an account to God one day for everything we do and how we spend His money. Wherever we are, whether it is ministry or in a job, we cannot cheat our employers or employees. Do what is godly and God will honor it, and then God will promote you to the top.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honor the king.
-1 Peter 2:17-

Lack of Faith

“And I said to you, ‘You have come to the mountains of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:20-21

Notice, God is giving them the land. If He was giving them the land, why was God encouraging them? They lacked faith. The people were always discouraged due to a lack of faith. Do you know what they had already done? They had sent 12 men in to spy out the land. What is that, unbelief? You bet. They should have just gone in. They should have trusted God.

How many times do leaders say, “Well, let me just fly in and check out the place”? Is that faith? No. How many times have you questioned something God has told you and confirmed in His Word?

If God spoke to you and God called you, then you better go. You better do what God says, not what people tell you to do, but what God speaks to you.

Do not allow unbelief to limit your walk with God. Do not allow unbelief to cause disobedience in your life.

Unbelief is not failure in intellectual apprehension.
It is disobedience in the presence of the
clear commands of God.
-G. Campbell Morgan-

Dissension in the Camp

“Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God; and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:26-27

Can you imagine, they spied out the whole land, and they came back with such an incredible report? Then ten of them said, “No, there are giants in the land.” Only two believed and trusted in the Lord.

The ten rebelled against God, but not Joshua and Caleb. The ten who had unbelief infected the whole camp, and they came against their leaders, causing panic and chaos.

They started dissension everywhere. In their tents, they talked privately. “You know what? Moses is crazy and these guys, Caleb and Joshua, forget them. There are giants. They will kill us. Don’t listen to them.”

There are people like that in the body of Christ and in the world. You do not want to hang out with people of unbelief, because they discourage and cause you to rebel against God!

You want people who will say, “Let’s go, let’s do it,” when God calls them. We are to encourage each other in the Lord.

Only he who believes is obedient. Only he
who is obedient, believes.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

Doubt

” ‘Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ‘ “
Deuteronomy 1:28

Notice who discouraged the Israelites, their own brethren. Their brothers and sisters, their own people discouraged them saying,
The people are greater and taller than we.

The Giants are there! Remember what happened to the Egyptians? Just the miracle of the waters opening up would have convinced me to trust in God, walking on dry ground with an aquarium next to me. Can you imagine? Yet, with so many miracles, still they forgot what God had done.

Isn’t it weird how God works in our lives and we forget — we for

God Goes Before Us

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that
you went until you came to this place.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:29-31

This is very important to remember. The LORD goes before you. He is leading the way, not you. He is fighting for you. Go back and look at Egypt, when you came out of the world.

I can go back 38 years in my life with Christ and look at everything God has done in my life. Recently, I had a motorcycle accident, and as I was going under the car, I thought the end was coming. I thought, Lord, I am in Your hands, and when I hit the car, if I am going to be in heaven, I rejoice. Lord, God protect me.

All of a sudden, I hit the car full power, I got ejected off and I started checking my neck and everything, but the Lord was with me. All I got were a couple of road burns and bruises, but no broken bones.

My trust was not in my motorcycle. I really trust God with everything in my life. I always have and I always will. God is in control of all of our lives. I do not care what you have; you must remember who is on the throne.

Trust the past to God’s mercy,
the present to God’s love and the
future to God’s providence.
-Augustine of Hippo-

Holocaust Remembrance Day

“I will make you a great nation; will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families
of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3

The Holocaust is called Shoah in Hebrew, meaning catastrophe. When we say or hear “the Holocaust,” do we realize or remember what an incredible catastrophe it was — not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles? Those who died and those who participated — how sad for humanity!

Many were shocked when they heard the news of the death camps, when they saw the pictures, but God was not shocked. He knew the beginning and He knows the end. He also knows the evil that resides in the hearts of men: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

As Americans, why is it important to remember the holocaust? Why build a memorial to the victims? I think there are a couple of reasons. First, think of all who followed right along and even participated in the killing. If we do not remember, we may allow ourselves to follow another murderer, such as Hitler.

Second, think of all those who knew what was happening, but did nothing to stop the mass killing.

Remember, I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you. That is a promise from God.

In Jewish history there are no coincidences.
-Elie Wiesel-

God Commands My Life

” ‘The LORD your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. May the LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!’ “
Deuteronomy 1:10-11

Moses was reminding the children of Israel who multiplies the people, and at the same time, he is reminding us who is in control. It is the LORD, according to His promises, according to His will, not ours.

This is a verse I often share with women who have not been able get pregnant. As a pastor, it is a privilege when women or couples come to me to pray for them because they cannot have babies. I always tell them, “Do not get in bondage if you cannot have a child. God is the One in control.” You can always adopt. There are so many kids who need families.

This verse is not only for women trying to have babies. We need to think of our illnesses and everything that happens, because God really spoke to me about this. Who is in command of my life? God is in control, so do I really trust my life to Him?

I ask you, do you trust in the blessings and promises of God? Will you allow God to command your life?

The business of our lives is not to please
ourselves but to please God.
-Matthew Henry-

Belief or Unbelief

So we see that they [the children of Israel] could not
enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:19

One of the major problems I see in Deuteronomy 1 is the whole issue of unbelief. They are standing on one side, looking across, and God tells them, “That is your home. That is where you are going to live.”

They see the Dead Sea, they see the mountains on the side of Jerusalem, they see the beautiful land on the other side and they say, “Okay, well, You are going to give us this land, but do you think it might be possible if we can send in twelve spies?”

They are still not convinced — imagine that.

How many times do you question God when He makes a promise? When He has said, “I have done it,” it is a done deal. Would God give you something that is going to destroy you or hurt you? No, He never would.

I have noticed, people are okay as long as God blesses, but when trials, temptations, sicknesses and diseases come, then people’s faith changes — for the better, or for the worse — belief or unbelief.

I think this is one of the major, major problems in the world today. Either people believe in Jesus Christ, or they do not believe in Him.

Unbelief makes God a liar and, worse still,
a perjurer, for it accounts Him as not only false
to His Word, but to His oath.
-A. T. Pierson-

Spiritual Leaders

” ‘How can I [Moses] alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints? Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:12-13

Notice the qualifications for godly leaders — wise, understanding and knowledgeable people. Each tribe was to choose men from amongst themselves, within their tribes.

What is he telling us? We are not to choose people who we do not know. People have to prove themselves before we can choose them as leaders.

In the ministry, you really have to know who people are, not just while they are in church, but outside of church. That does not mean you appoint leaders who are your best friends. It has to be based on qualifications — spiritual qualifications.

The blessings of God come only when someone is tested. When the real test comes, are they able to endure, so God can really use their lives, fully and completely?

Whether in ministry or business, we must choose leaders who have proven themselves to be men and women of integrity, in any situation.

The three most important ingredients in Christian
work are integrity, integrity, integrity.
-Charles Colson-

Manage Your Time

“And you [the people] answered me [Moses] and
said, ‘The thing which you have told us to do is
good.’ So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and
knowledgeable men, and made them heads over
you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds,
leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and
officers for your tribes.”

Deuteronomy 1:14-15

One of the great problems in ministry, one of the great problems in society, in business, in the workforce, wherever you are, is always the capacity to have people under you — to be an administrator. Seriously, that is one of the great problems. When you cannot administrate, then you need someone to administrate for you, because if you do not, you will make a mess of your life.

When I was at Fuller Seminary, I was given an assignment, to take seven pieces of paper and write down what I did every half hour, each day. Try doing this. If you are really honest, you will be shocked by how much time you give to God and how much time you give to yourself — how much time has been wasted and is gone forever.

Think about it. I think about it every day. I have to manage my time and trust my leaders. If I do not, I will not be able to serve God fully and completely.

Manage your time wisely and choose good administrators, so you can be successful in life and in ministry.

Do not squander time, for it is the stuff
of which life is made.
-Benjamin Franklin-

Train up Godly Leaders

“Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:16

We see here that Moses was not only setting up the chain of command, but he was giving them instruction on how to do their jobs. Moses knew he could not judge every case, but he wanted to be sure they were judged correctly. He still felt responsible for the people, but can you imagine if Moses took every complaint from the very small to the big ones? What would he truly accomplish?

Imagine how crazy you would go, trying to take everything on yourself. Remember, you still have the responsibility of putting the right people in place to make godly decisions. When you have a chain of command, you do not have to make every decision. You only need to train your leaders and let them deal with issues.

If we do not train up a chain of command, one day we will wake up, look at our list of priorities, and say, “Man, I really did not do anything.” We will have nothing to show. We will have written down many things, but have accomplished nothing of value — nothing that will last.

Every action of our lives touches on some chord
that will vibrate in eternity.
-E. H. Chapin-

Hear God’s Voice

” ‘You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall
hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be
afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is
God’s. The case that is too hard for you,
bring to me [Moses], and I will hear it.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:17

Do not come to me unless it is a major, major thing. Why? How many of you teach? How many of you study the Bible? When you are trying to study, and someone knocks on your door or your phone rings, what happens to your concentration? It is gone. And does it come right back? Not always.

When you teach or study God’s Word, you have to really concentrate. As a pastor, my sermons have to speak to the people’s hearts, because God is speaking to my heart. When it is flowing from the Holy Spirit, and I am writing as God is ministering to me, God is molding and shaping my own personal life, through His Word. That is how I get convicted.

Moses was getting inspiration from the Holy Spirit. God was saying, “Moses,” but Moses was saying, “Wait, wait, wait. . . .”

Are you like Moses? You cannot listen because you are too busy doing things that are not really important, because the most important thing is what? We want to hear God’s voice. That is the most important thing — hearing the voice of God.

Never leave a passage of Scripture
until it has said something to you.
-Robert Cook-

God Uses the Few

” ‘Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you;
go up and possess it, as the LORD God of
your fathers has spoken to you;
do not fear or be discouraged.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:21

Check this out. God told them, Go up and posses it. He was giving them instruction; He was giving them the command, with great reassurance.

The people were standing behind, looking across, and what were they doing? They were doubting. There were the Calebs and the Joshuas, who trusted God, but then there were the others, saying, “I don’t know about that. We need proof.”

So, what happened? It delayed them going across. It delayed the work of God. And again, it is the majority, not the minority.

That is why you have to be very careful in who you choose to be leaders. You have to really keep an eye on things — who is really holding you back, and who is saying, “I want to go, let me go.” Give me those people and you will take the whole world.

When you are doing the work of God, you do not need many, just a few. That way, God gets all the glory, not man.

Faith is not a question of majorities.
-Auguste Lecerf-

Faith in Obedience

“And every one of you came near to me [Moses]
and said, ‘Let us send men before us, and let them
search out the land for us, and bring back word to us
of the way by which we should go up, and of the
cities into which we shall come.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:22

The people stepped up and said, “We want proof.” Where is their faith? They want people to go in before they go in, just to make sure.

So, Moses listened to the people, “The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your men, one man from each tribe. And they departed and went up into the mountains, and came to the Valley of Eshcol, and spied it out” (Deuteronomy 1:23-24).

Now, what do you see here? I see twelve people, each from a different tribe, and what were they going to do? They would each prove their tribe, and God would see what kind of a tribe they were. Think about it. Remember, two tribes were southern, creating Judah, and ten tribes became Israel, apostasy.

Joshua and Caleb were godly, men of faith. The other ten were men of unbelief.

Imagine what a blessing it would have been if they had said, “Okay, let’s go in, we are ready.”

However little we see or feel, let us believe.
-Andrew Murray-

Rebellion Against God

“Nevertheless you would not go up, but rebelled against the command of the LORD your God;”
Deuteronomy 1:26

They rebelled against God. They did not rebel against Moses or any of the leaders; their rebellion was against God. That is really heavy.

Think about it. Who was leading them through the wilderness? Who did Moses receive instruction from? It was God. They saw Him in the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They had seen Him descend on the mountain. They were not blindly following Moses without knowing it was truly the LORD.

Who are you following? Who are you rebelling against? You are not rebelling against me, or against Chuck Smith. You are rebelling against the Lord. He is the One who raises me up; He is the One who can put me down. He can do whatever He wants to do.

I take my orders from Him. I want to be pleasing to Him. I am not always pleasing to Him, so I am discouraged sometimes. But I have to go to the Lord, because I know He is not going to fail me. He is not going to let me down. He is always going to give me the right answers.

Are you following a man or are you following God?

The evidence of knowing God is obeying God.
-Eric Alexander-

False Accusers

“and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:27

In their rebellion, where did they go? They did not go out in public, but into their tents and started gossiping, talking. These people were inside talking and discouraging. They were sending an infection. They were actually dividing the camp.

Does this happen in ministry? Does this happen in business? Oh, man, all the time. When you walk by someone’s office, you can tell when they have been talking, and then they try to be nice to you. Why? Because of guilt.

Then they made a false accusation against God and said He hated them. Was that true? No, of course it was not true. I mean, after forty years, and now they were standing in front of the most beautiful land God was giving them, but they said, “God is going to kill me.”

They had just come back with the cluster of grapes and the great report, but the people still did not believe. Where was their faith? The people just did not want to believe.

You do not want those kinds of people as friends or in your business. They will destroy your camp.

Complain to God you may,
but to complain of God, you may not.
-John Flavel-

Discouragement

” ‘Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ‘ ”

Deuteronomy 1:28

Notice this: the confession now. Who discouraged them? It was not the heathens. It was their brothers. The people they hung out with, they discouraged them. Imagine how sad it is when those we trust around us do not build us up and encourage us, but tear down and discourage.

He goes on, “Then I [Moses] said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them’ “ (Deuteronomy 1:29).

What was he doing? He was constantly encouraging them and trying to build them up.

We must remember, there are people who can never be encouraged, no matter what you tell them. When you are giving people biblical instruction, some people will never listen to what God has to say in His Word. To people who really want to listen, you will not have to say too much. They accept God’s Word when you give it to them.

You can give people God”s Word, full of His promises, but you cannot make them believe.

Faith means believing in advance what will
only make sense in reverse.
-Philip Yancey-

Carried By God

” ‘The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:30-31

What were they talking about? They were complaining and they wanted to go back to Egypt. Moses was telling them, “You better remember what God did for you in Egypt. He fought your battles.”

God continued on with them in the wilderness, where He carried them.

Just like the poem “Footprints.” When the man saw only one set of footprints in the sand, he thought God had deserted him in the middle of his greatest trial. But what did God tell him? The place where he saw only one set of footprints, it was then God carried him through his trial.

I really believe the Lord has carried me many times. When I had my motorcycle accident, I felt His hands carry me. I believe the promises of God. I believe God’s Word. Honestly, I live by the promises of God in my life. Otherwise, I would have quit the ministry a long time ago. I would not read my Bible; I would not trust what He says in His Word.

There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible.
He means what He says and will do
all He has promised.
-J. Hudson Taylor-

Circumstances

“Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God, who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.”
Deuteronomy 1:32-33

God had gone before them to find a place for them to live, to do ministry and to be His people-His nation. Even though He went before them, day and night, they never really trusted in Him.

Can you believe it? Whatever happened to the testimony of the cloud by day to protect them from heat and the pillar of fire by night to guide them, so they could walk and see? How easily they forgot. They were so busy murmuring and complaining about things that were not real, not true.

How often do we forget the miracles God has done in our lives? How many times have we not given God the glory for His work in our lives? Think about it, the greatest miracle He has done in each of our lives, individually, is our salvation, and yet we still get our eyes on our circumstances and off of God.

God’s promises are true. If we open our eyes, we will see the miracles He does every day in our lives. We need to live our lives with our spiritual eyes open, trusting in God as He goes before us through the good times and through the trials.

The man who measures things by the circumstances of the hour is filled with fear; the man who sees Jehovah enthroned and governing has no panic.
-G. Campbell Morgan-

God Hears Our Words

“And the LORD heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, ‘Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:34-35

Memorize this verse; underline it in your Bible.  Anytime you are in your home, at work or in your car, remember, God hears your words.  It says in Matthew 12:36-37, we will be judged according to our words.  They are kept in a book.  God keeps a record of our complaints.

Isn’t it interesting?  God had made the promise to their great, great grandfather, to their grandfather, to their father, to their mother and now to them.  He said, “You are not going to enter the land, but your children will.” Why?  Because of their unbelief.

Remember, this was not God’s original plan.  Way back, God said, “I have a plan and a purpose for your life.”  What was His plan?  The land God set before them.  There it was.  They could touch it.  It was real.  But because of their unbelief, they would not enter in.

God had a great plan for them, just like He has a great plan for us.  Will we allow our complaining and unbelief to cause us to miss out on His promises?

What greater rebellion, impiety, or insult to God can
there be than not to believe His promises.
-Martin Luther-

Wholly Follow God

” ‘except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:36

Moses had just told the children of God they would not all enter the Promised Land, but then he added, “But Caleb will.”  Why will Caleb enter the land?  Because he wholly followed the LORD.  That is the key.  He wholly followed the Lord.  There was no compromising.

If anyone should have been fearful, it was Caleb.  He had spied out the land as one of the twelve.  He had seen the “giants” firsthand.  Why did Caleb not fear the nations of the land?  He knew the living God went before him.  He did not follow the words of man, but the promises of God.

We each have to make a choice in our lives.  We can be Calebs, and stand out as men and women who wholly follow the LORD, or be part of the crowd, and live compromised lives.

There can be no compromise in your life.  If your family is wrong, you cannot follow their counsel.  It does not matter who they are.  You cannot follow wicked counsel.  You must follow God with your whole heart.  He will lead you.

We can tell when we have been influenced by the world.  It is when we find ourselves neither hot
nor cold, just compromised.
-Malcolm Watts-

Encourage & Pray

“The LORD was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there.  Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:37-38

The people had followed Moses all through the wilderness, doing as God instructed.  At this time, God was going through the camp, deciding who would enter the Promised Land.  Only God could make this decision, because he had heard their words.  He knew all their actions.

Moses was set apart and chastened.  Instead of speaking to the rock, he had beaten the rock.  For misrepresenting God to the people, he would be left behind.

Joshua was set up to be the new leader.  He would be the one to bring the people into the land.

God was removing His leaders and raising up new leaders.  He was looking for the best man for the job.  It is important to remember, it is God who raises up our leaders, for His purposes.  What should our position be?  We need to submit to our leaders and pray for them.  Just like Moses, we should encourage them.

The faintest whisper of support and encouragement uttered by a Christian in the ears of a
fellow believer is heard in heaven.
-John J. Murray-

Missed Blessings

” ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:39

Who was God giving the land to?  Those who had not yet been infected with unbelief.  Those in Sunday school.  Those in the Junior High room.  All the kids.  Those were the ones He was going to use in the future.

What would happen to all the older people, those in leadership, those making the decisions, who had rebelled against God?  Moses told them, “ ‘But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea’ ”(Deuteronomy 1:40).  They would not enter the Promised Land.  They would die in the wilderness.

It was only then the people decided to follow the command of God.  “ ‘We have sinned against the LORD; we will go up and fight, just as the LORD our God commanded us’ ”(Deuteronomy 1:41).

It was too late.  How many people have repented on their death bed?  God forgave them, but guess what?  They missed out on a whole lifetime of service to the Lord, when God could have used them.  He could have blessed them.

Do not allow unbelief and rebellion to rob you of God’s blessings, as you serve Him.

You cannot have the gifts of Christ apart from
the government of Christ.
-A. Lindsay Glegg-

Listen For God’s Voice

“And the LORD said to me, ‘Tell them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; lest you be defeated before your enemies.” ‘ So I spoke to you; yet you would not listen, but rebelled against the command of the LORD, and presumptuously went up into the mountain.”
Deuteronomy 1:42-43

The children of Israel were men and women with rebellious hearts.  First, they would not go into the land, and then they decided to fight when God told them He was no longer with them.  He would allow them to do what they wanted, but He would not be with them.

How sad.  Again, they rebelled against the Lord.

How many times do we go out presumptuously and get defeated?  We think the Lord is with us, even though He has told us He is not.  We have the self-assurance, but not God’s assurance.

Many people in the church are doing what they want, because they think the Lord is with them when He is not with them.  He is a God of righteousness, not unrighteousness.

We must bring everything before the Lord in prayer and then wait to hear from Him.  Do not presume He is with you; wait to hear from Him.

Never make the blunder of trying to forecast the
way God is going to answer your prayer.
-Oswald Chambers-

When We are Defeated

“And the Amorites who dwelt in that mountain came out against you and chased you as bees do, and drove you back from Seir to Hormah.”
Deuteronomy 1:44

It was not until they were chased and defeated by their enemies that they returned to the Lord.  First, they had to try and do things their way, instead of God’s way.  When the Amorites saw them running, do you think the children of Israel were good representatives of God?

How do we represent God to the world?  Does the world see our rebellion, or do they think God is weak and has been defeated?  We do not want to be bad witnesses with our enemies chasing us.

Think about it.  You are the light.  They are the darkness.  Here is the darkness chasing the light.  Not only is it wrong, but it gives God a black eye.  God is not weak; God is not defeated; we are.

If we choose to rebel against God, He will allow us to be chastened.  If we choose to go places or do things which God tells us not to do, He will not go with us.  He will allow our enemies to succeed, just as He did the Amorites.

What God wants from His people is obedience, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how
unknown the outcome.
-Charles Colson-

God’s Chastening

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son
in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

We are in the Old Testament, and the children of Israel are making an 11-day journey in 40 years. Why 40 years? It is because God wants to take an inventory of their lives. He wants to take an inventory of every person’s life.

Once God takes an inventory of my life, He either keeps me or chastens me. God chastens me because He loves me and He wants to use my life. If I do not learn, He removes me.

Not only does God chasten me, but He has written the Old Testament and the New Testament as examples for me. These are the things God does in order to bring my life into alignment with His will.

We need to learn from God’s chastisement and from the examples in the Bible.

It is like the class I am teaching, when I give a test and the students do not pass it. I am not going to give them diplomas until they pass the test.

That is what God does. Every time you fail, you have to retake the test. Pass the test, so you can be used greatly by God.

We are always in the forge or on the anvil; by trials
God is shaping us for higher things.
-Henry Ward Beecher-

Silence

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalm 62:5-6

It is really important for us to listen when the Bible is speaking to our hearts. We not only need to respond, but there is a time when we need to step back and be silent, so we can hear what God has to say.

We live in such a fast-paced and noisy culture. We have the radio, television, computer, iPods and other gadgets, so we can listen to people and music constantly. We seem to be afraid of silence–afraid to hear from God.

The best times for me are when I am completely by myself, and I can give myself fully and completely to the Lord, without any interruptions. Then, I can hear from the Lord. It is a blessing for me. I get to pray for me, my wife and my family, and no one is talking to me. I get to talk to the Lord. And more importantly, He talks to me. That is the conversation I want to have.

Take time daily, not to just pray and speak to God, but be silent and wait for His response.

God still comes where He can find someone quiet
enough to listen and alone enough to heed.
-G.B. Duncan-

God Knows Everything

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:12-13

God knows everything, but Moses did not know everything. God already saw the people before He delivered them out of Egypt–even before they were born, He knew they were going to rebel.

It is the same for you and me. God knows us. He knows our moods. He knows our actions. He knows our memories. He knows everything about us, so we really need to be careful.

If we want to be leaders, remember, For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48). We cannot take it lightly. If we are irresponsible in our service to God, when His judgment comes, it will crush us. I have seen many leaders crushed by God.

If you really want to be in a position of leadership, you better walk a straight line. Although God is not surprised if we rebel against Him, He will not fail to judge us, just as He did the children of Israel.

Responsibility brings accountability.
-Ken Robins-

God Our Defense

My defense is of God, Who saves the
upright in heart.

Psalm 7:10

When someone makes an accusation against you, you do not have to defend yourself. What has Pastor Chuck Smith always taught us? “If you defend yourself, the Lord will never defend you.” But, your life has to speak in righteousness.

When people check up on you, if your records do not match what you do and what you say, you are a liar and a cheat and God will not defend you. Then, you will lose face. People will question your integrity.

Both in business and in ministry, the higher you climb up the ladder, as God raises you up, there will be those who will dissect your life. Wherever you go and whoever you speak to, they are always going to check you out.

So, we really need to be men and women of integrity. You cannot hide from God and you cannot hide from men. Let me say this to you. When you walk away, people will talk about you. But, if you have nothing to hide, you can walk with your head up in integrity, and you will have the Holy Spirit’s anointing in your life.

In the day of prosperity we have many refuges to
resort to; in the day of adversity, only one.
-Horatius Bonar-

Temptation

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
James 1:12-13

Are you a different person behind closed doors than you are in public? Keep in mind: as Christians, it is not about who we are in public, but who we are in private. If you are watching pornography in secret, God sees you.

When I travel, I have them block the cable television in my room. I learned this from Billy Graham back in 1991. More often, I travel with someone, and then there is accountability. That way I can maintain my integrity.

You can say, “Oh, I’ll never be tempted,” but you will be tempted. I do not care who you are, you are not Superman. We are all tempted at different times in our lives, but the wise person knows to keep their eyes on the Lord. Only He can deliver us out of the temptation.

If you don’t want the devil to tempt you with forbidden fruit, you had better keep out of his orchard.
-Doug Barnett-

Train the Next Generation of Leaders

And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation,
and inaugurate him in their sight.”

Numbers 27:18-19

What did Moses do as a leader? He prepared a leader to take up the reigns and lead a new generation into Canaan. Isn’t that beautiful? He did not leave the people without a godly man to lead them in their new country.

I remember when I was being trained by my “Moses,” Pastor Chuck Smith, when I was 24 years old. Now, in my 60′s, how I thank God for Pastor Chuck, Dr. Duffield, Dr. Van Cleave, Dr. Orr, Billy Graham, Dr. Alan Redpath and many others. For all the people God gave to me who, today, are in the Christian Hall of Fame–the best of the best. I was privileged to spend time with them. They were my leaders and I thank God for them.

I want to do the same thing for this generation. Before long, I will be gone, but I am training pastors and teachers, Joshua’s, to continue the work of the ministry. So, if the Lord tarries, the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue.

Difficult times are coming for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s train up the next generation of Christian leaders.

A leader has been defined as one who knows the
way, goes the way and shows the way.
-Author Unknown-

Honesty with God

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8

It is never an issue of who we are among our friends and families, but who does God see, behind closed doors. Are we honest with God? He sees everything, but He wants us to be honest with Him.

Just like Adam in the Garden of Eden. He knew he had disobeyed God, so he hid. In verse 11, God asked Adam what he had done, not because He did not know, but because He wanted Adam to be honest with Him.

It is very similar with little children. You are making cookies and you leave the room for a moment. When you return, there are cookies missing, and you say, “Who took my cookies?” The little child says, “Not me,” but there is chocolate all over his mouth.

That is how many of us are with God. I can see the chocolate in your mouth, and God can see it too. Be careful how you live. Be careful of the things you listen to, the things you watch and the things you put into your brain. What has gone into your heart?

Only he who believes is obedient;
only he who is obedient believes.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

Walk by Faith

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

God was giving the children of Israel a new generation, a second chance. It was a second opportunity to go and do what was not done the first time — enter the Promised Land and fight the giants.

Remember when Moses sent the spies out? When they returned with the great fruits of the land, ten of them were afraid to go in. They lacked faith and caused the people to have fear in their hearts, not trusting in the Lord. It was not the majority who had faith. No, it was the minority.

Think about it: even today, it is the minority who has faith in God, not the majority. Two people out of twelve believed God — Joshua and Caleb. They were the true leaders.

Not everyone is a leader. In order to be a leader for God, you must walk in faith, not by sight. It is very important that we learn this lesson.

Faith is not a question of majorities.
-Auguste Lecerf-

Finish Well

These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
Deuteronomy 1:1

Notice what it says, the words which Moses spoke. . . . Imagine, Moses stood before the people, saying, “Go to the Promised Land,” but in his mind he thought, I cannot go. He wanted to go, but God told him he could not.

I have known many leaders who have made such an impression on my life, and in the lives of others, but they did not finish well.

As a young Christian, I became good friends with a leader. I stayed in his home a couple of times and saw how he mistreated his wife and was unkind to his children. It really bothered me, so I prayed.

A few months later, he left his wife and ran off with his secretary. Today, he is on the internet. He does not even believe in God. He started out well, but is he finishing well?

He is no different than you and me, men and women who have sat under the teaching of God’s Word. We can finish well or allow the enemy to come in and destroy us.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
-The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-

Unbelief

It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as commandments to them.
Deuteronomy 1:2-3

Notice, Moses already understood the sin of unbelief. They did not see it. Their grandmothers, grandfathers, fathers and mothers were not going into the Promised Land. Only those under the age of 20 years old would enter the land. The rest died on the other side. They would never see the Promised Land.

I think of all my great grandparents: Spaniards, Germans, Mexicans, all the way back, our whole genealogy. All of us and how we came to know Christ. How God took the time to get our attention, so we could be saved — otherwise we would be lost.

How many have chosen to wander in the wilderness rather than believe in God? How many family members do we have who, because of unbelief, may never enter the Promised Land — never be saved?

Like Moses, we understand the sin of unbelief, and we need to reach out to our family, friends and coworkers.

Christ distinguished between doubt and unbelief. Doubt says, ‘I can’t believe.’ Unbelief says, ‘I won’t
believe.’ Doubt is honest. Unbelief is obstinate.
-Henry Drummond-

Go Convert the World

after he [Moses] had killed Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who dwelt at Ashtaroth in Edrei.

Deuteronomy 1:4

Remember, these kings were pagan kings and they were thorns in the sides of the children of Israel. They came against God’s people, so they were killed. What was God’s original plan? From the time He formed Adam and Eve, you follow the genealogy, into Egypt, out of Egypt, into the Promised Land. God says one thing to each generation, “Go out and convert the world.”

What did Jesus tell His disciples? “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28), the same thing.

What did God say? “Do not let them convert you to their religions, but bring them to the truth.” But what happened? They converted to the false religions and left the truth of God.

The same thing is happening today. People do not listen. They do not truly know God’s Word, so they are easily fooled into believing the lies of the enemy. Read and study God’s Word, so you will not be deceived, and God can use you to change the world for Christ.

We are called to be thermostats, not thermometers-
affecting our environment, not reflecting it.
-Charles R. Hembree-

Answering God’s Call

“The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates.’”
Deuteronomy 1:6-7

The point he is making is that sometimes we spend too much time in one place when we should be moving. Are you standing still or are you moving forward? God was telling them to take the whole land.

Is God telling me, “Stay in Diamond Bar?” No, what is the vision God gave us? To reach out to the community. Let’s reach beyond Diamond Bar. Let’s get San Dimas, Rowland Heights, Azusa and LA. Let’s go out and get the world for Jesus Christ.

God was calling them to go forward in faith and not be afraid of the inhabitants of the land, because He was with them.

We should never be threatened by another person. If God called you, then be called. Do what God called you to do, but do not be threatened by people. God is the one who raises a person, and God is the one who takes down a person.

We have to remember this: God is in charge — serve Him, not man.

We are not taking any risks when we step
out on the Word of God.
-Vance Havner-

God’s Promises

“See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers — to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — to give to them and their descendants after them.’
Deuteronomy 1:8

Who set the land before the people? God. Moses is telling the people, God is in charge, and He has set the land before them, so they must go and possess the land, not just for themselves, but for the generations to come after them. This was to fulfill the promises that were given to their fathers. It was a heritage given to their parents, so they could pass it on to their children and grandchildren.

It comes down to all of us — from generation to generation. We are all partakers of the promises of God.

God told them, I have set the land before you. What were they waiting for? God was raising them up. What was keeping them from fulfilling the promises of God?

What is keeping you from doing God’s will? Sometimes we listen to the voice of man more than we listen to the voice of God. We have to be careful of that.

God’s providence will fulfill all His promises.
-John Blanchard-

Fully Submitted

“And I [Moses] spoke to you at that time, saying: ‘I alone am not able to bear you. The LORD your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:9-10

Here, we see the stress was too much for Moses. There were 600,000 men, with a total of 3 million people. Do you think you could handle that many people by yourself? No way!

Remember from Exodus 18, when Moses was first overwhelmed, Jethro, his father-in-law, noticed Moses was doing everything. To assist him, they got 70 men and set them up as leaders over thousands, hundreds and fifties, even down to 10 people. This was done because Moses needed to pray, get into the Word and feed 3 million people.

You see, your job is not my job. Each job is important, no matter who you are or what you do. How did each person’s responsibility affect Moses? As he was praying at the battle, when his arms were too tired to hold up, Aaron and Hur held up his arms for him. As long as his arms were held up, they won the battles. When his arms came down, they were defeated.

Hands lifted up to God are what? It is a sign of submission, surrendering my life to God. That is what God desires — for us to be fully submitted to Him, so God can work in us and through our lives, fully and completely. There is no other way in which God can work. God can accomplish great things through us when we work together, submitted to Him!

Let God have your life; He can do more
with it than you can.
-D.L. Moody-

Step Out by Faith

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:18-19

God had already told Moses he would not enter into the Promised Land. God would take Joshua, his assistant, and all the people who were 20 years or younger, young men and women — a new generation. They would go into the Promised Land and all the others would die on the other side.

God was tired of all the murmuring and complaining. He was tired of the unbelief. He was giving a second chance to their children.

This whole week, I have been thinking about this. I think of how many people will never experience the fullness of God’s grace in doing the work of God because of unbelief. They are afraid to step out by faith with their wives and with their children, because they are so comfortable, depending on their bank accounts, their houses and everything they have.

When God is speaking to me to really step out by faith and leave everything behind, what am I going to do? What are you going to do? Will we step out by faith, follow God’s calling and experience the fullness of His grace, or will we live lives of unbelief? We each have to make our choice individually.

God excludes none if they do not
exclude themselves.
-William Guthrie-

The Cross

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Matthew 16:24

In the book of Deuteronomy, where was the problem, with the Hittites? No, it was with God’s people. The problem is the same, always has been and always will be, because God’s people do not see the cross of Jesus Christ and what it really stands for.

I once read this and it has stuck with me: “The lighter our cross, the weaker our witness.” -Author Unknown

Think about this for a moment. Do you really know the cross? Do you know what the cross is, what it stands for? It is the instrument of death — not self, but death. It is not about you; it is not about me; it is about Christ.

We are to deny ourselves and take up our cross. When we deny ourselves, we deny the comforts of living our lives according to our wants and our desires, and we follow Christ wherever He may lead. It may not always be safe; it may not always be comfortable, but it will be in the will of God, close to Christ.

I challenge you to live your life consecrated to the Lord!

The cross is the resting place for sin, the tomb for
self and the throne for our fears.
-Harold St. John-

St. Patrick’s Day

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Ephesians 3:8

Who is St. Patrick and why do we celebrate this day? This is not the day of his birth, but the day it is believed he died, March 17, around 460 A.D.

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, who was born in England and taken prisoner to Ireland at the age of 16. While a prisoner in Ireland, Patrick became a Christian.

When in Ireland, Patrick began to dream about converting the pagan worshipers to Christianity. He later escaped his captivity and returned to England, where God spoke to him in a dream and told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, he went to school to be a missionary and later returned to Ireland.

You see, as a believer in Christ, Patrick was a saint, just as you and I are saints. Like Paul the Apostle, Patrick was called to preach among the Gentiles.

You and I, as God’s saints, are called to tell people about the good news — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all called to be missionaries. You do not have to travel thousands of miles; you can be a missionary in your neighborhood, at your job and among your family.

Millions have never heard of Jesus.
We ought not ask, “Can I prove that
I ought to go?” but, “Can I prove that
I ought not to go?”
-C.H. Spurgeon-

Suffering for His Sake

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
Philippians 1:29-30

Here, Paul is telling us we will suffer for Christ, just as he had suffered and was currently suffering. Many times, when people come to Christ and get saved, they think, This is going to be great! Everything is going to be fine from now on! Then, they quickly encounter trials and suffering. What a surprise!

Why should we be surprised? Jesus said, regarding Paul, in Acts 9:16, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” You see, Paul was not surprised because Jesus had already warned him, and through the Scriptures, He warns us.

I can look back a long time now and see the hand of God, and even today, the lessons I am learning. I can see how God was talking to me and warning me about trials and suffering. I can see them clearly now, and I know God was, and is, on the throne.

You have not really begun to live until you suffer. Remember, it is going to come to you. I promise you. Everyone will suffer, young and old alike. It does not matter who you are. But always remember, Christ is on the throne.

It is not how loud we can shout, but how well we can suffer, that will convince the world, the integrity of our message.
-Author Unknown-

My God is My Strength

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

My assistant pastor, Dale, and I were talking this morning and I told him, “Isn’t it weird that as we grow older, we go back to infancy? God makes us weaker. Why? I think it is because we always depend on ourselves. Really, when would we cry out to God if we were always strong? We would not, because we think we can do it on our own.”

Moses was the kind of leader who thought he could do it on his own. He was doing everything. He was the leader, he was called, he was anointed, and he thought he could do it all.

You see, Moses was depending on himself, not really on the Lord. It took his father-in-law to rebuke him and get his eyes back on the Lord and make sure he listened to wisdom, appointing 70 leaders to help him in the work of God. Otherwise, Moses would have been frustrated, and the work of God would have been limited.

Did you know we limit God’s work when we trust in our own strength instead of His? God can move mountains, can you? Learn to trust and depend on God and watch what He will do.

All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they believed that God would be with them.
-Hudson Taylor-

Finishing Well

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him.
James 1:12

The problem with leaders today is they do not listen. There is too much pride, so they do not listen.

I used to love to sit with Dr. Van Cleave, Dr. Duffield and Dr. Orr. I have spent hundreds of hours over the years, with Pastor Chuck Smith, listening to his studies, talking about things—in his office, on the phone and on planes when I traveled with him. Do you know why? Because with age comes wisdom. They know what’s up.

Dr. Redpath — Greg Laurie and I got to sit with him at his house, in his living room, and talk with him for 6 hours, while he gave us wisdom in the ministry. I was only about 40 years old at the time. I have been with the best — and they were the best, because they finished well. How are you going to finish?

You can say, today, “I am going to finish well,” but what I say to you and I say to myself is to wait until time passes, and wait until you face the trials and temptations coming your way in the years to come. Let’s see if you and I really finish well.

Trials always change our relationship with God. Either they drive us to Him, or they drive us away from Him.
-Jerry Bridges-

Joy in Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:2-3

Go into the different rooms at an “assisted living” home and talk to the old people there — those who know God and those who do not know God. Take note of the difference between their attitudes and their stories.

You see, when we are young, it is cool because we are always with friends, family and coworkers — a bunch of people around us. If we are going through trials or temptations, there seems to always be someone there to pray with or encourage us.

How different when we grow old and many of our friends and family are gone, and no one comes to visit. When we are alone, with no one, that is when the trials really come. When no one is there to cheer us up or pat us on the back.

When we are isolated and trials come upon us, then we really have to trust in the Lord. During these times, we truly come to understand the real meaning of Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Our joy and our strength is in the LORD and no other.

The whole of life is a test, a trial of what is
in us, so arranged by God Himself.
-William S. Plumer-

Few are Chosen

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14

Moses knew he was not crossing; he would die on the other side. Knowing this, he prepared the people as he went through the history and talked about the importance of appointing leaders.

There may be some people who think they are going to be leaders, but they are not going to be leaders, ever. They do not have it. I am sorry; they just do not have it. They can wish all they want, but it is only through the Holy Spirit. It is all up to God. God chooses and God rejects. God appoints and God does not appoint.

Think about it! They had 3 million people, and out of the 3 million, God said there were only 70 who could run the camp — the few again among the many. Isn’t it interesting, in the Old Testament, only 70?

It is the same in the New Testament. How many did the Lord choose? After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Luke 10:1).

We should not be sad if we are not appointed to be leaders. Leadership comes with heavy responsibilities, and we should not seek it unless we have God’s anointing.

God will not thank thee for doing that
which He did not set thee about.
-William Gurnall-

Pride or Humility

“And I spoke to you at that time, saying: ‘I alone am not able to bear you.’ ”

Deuteronomy 1:9

In Chapter 1 of Deuteronomy, the pressure was getting really heavy on Moses. Six hundred males under the age of twenty were following him; they made up the army. The women, the children and the old men made up the rest of the 3 million people he was leading. Moses was one man.

Imagine, one man, leading the way.

What is incredible here was that he confessed to them, saying, “Look, I cannot do it. I need help,” but that was not until Jethro, his father-in-law, pointed out to him how he was killing himself.

How many times do people have to come to you and tell you to slow down? That you better stop or you are going to kill yourself, because you do not listen? You think you are Superman. God is not only speaking to you directly, but He is speaking through people to you, but are you listening?

Remember, Moses had his 70 leaders. Jesus had the 12 apostles and then He also sent out the 70. Jesus was, and is, a “super man.” He was fully man and fully God, yet He appointed leaders and He appoints us. Do not be too prideful to seek assistance.

If pride and madness go together,
so do humility and sanity.
-John R. W. Stott-

Dependence on God

The LORD your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. May the LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you! How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens
and your complaints?
Deuteronomy 1:10-12

Remember when they went into Egypt, how many were there? Remember Jacob’s sons in Genesis 46:27, All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy. From seventy they multiplied to 3 million people, in 430 years. Can you believe it? A nation grew in Egypt.

With the growth of this nation came problems and situations. With the people came great responsibility for the leaders. All through their journey, Moses and Aaron experienced a number of trials due to the complaints of the people.

Moses was saying, “How can I take care of you, I am not God? You come to me with all your problems, but I am not God.” He was also reminding them who multiplied them, who promised them.

What he was trying to bring about was their dependence on God and their dependence on godly people who can help with the many situations.

He is telling us to put our faith and trust in God.

Real true faith is man’s weakness leaning
on God’s strength.
-D.L. Moody-

Knowing God’s Word

” ‘Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.’ And you answered me and said, ‘The thing which you have told us to do is good.’ “
Deuteronomy 1:13-14

What do you think this means? Was Moses speaking of a novice? Did he mean someone who had been in the Lord for a long time? No, he was talking about someone who knows God’s Word and knows God.

A person can be saved for many years and yet not know the Scriptures — not know God intimately. Others get saved and cannot get enough of the Word of God. They read their Bibles every day, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

That is how I was when I got saved; I bought a Bible and poured over it. I could not get enough of it. Today, I still go through the Bible twice a year.

Knowledge of God does not come from time; it comes from meeting God daily, through His Word and through prayer. The more intimately you know His Word, the more you know Him.

From this verse we learn two things. First, do not appoint people who do not know God or God’s Word. Second, be a man or woman of God’s Word, so you can be a man or women used by God.

If you wish to know God, you must
know His Word.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

God’s Appointing

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.
Deuteronomy 1:15

As a leader, be careful when you appoint people. Look at your own calling. How has God appointed you — over ten people, over 100, over 1000? When you know your appointment by God, you do not take more than He has appointed to you. You do not overstep your boundaries, where God has not called you.

Remember this, because everyone wants the thousands — everybody. They want the thousands, but they do not know the headaches behind the thousands. They do not know the problems behind the hundreds and thousands, the accountability and the responsibility, the phone calls and the counseling — all the things that come with the thousands.

It is the same with a prosperous attorney or businessman; you think he has it made, but maybe not. You do not know what he has gone through. Seriously, people do not just rise to the top because they are successful. In the ministry, you rise to the top because God put you there.

Never strive to be in a position which God has not appointed you. It will only lead to frustration and failure.

The responsible person seeks to make his or her whole life a response to
the question and call of God.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

God is in Control

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24

As I study Deuteronomy, one thing really stands out to me. Moses is preparing the people to enter the Promised Land without him. He realizes he is done, and it is his responsibility to make sure Joshua is ready to take over and the people are ready to follow him.

Like Moses, the time will come when God will take me home, and I will prepare the people to follow a new shepherd. I never fear someone taking my position. God is in control. He can raise up whoever He wants. I am not capable. I do not think I am capable of running His church. I need God’s knowledge; I need to really spend time on my knees before Him to help me make decisions for this church and for the people, because I love the people. It is not my church; I did not pay for it. He paid for it.

We have to remember this: God calls us, God anoints us and God is using our lives. One day, God will be done with us, every one of us. We all have to prepare for that time.

What are you going to do when the time comes? Will you be like Moses, preparing the people, passing the baton? What a great example God has given us in Moses!

The primary test for life is not service but
love, both for man and for God.
-William Still-

Palm Sunday

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Zechariah 9:9

Matthew quoted this passage from Zechariah when telling the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This is one of the many prophecies Christ fulfilled when He became a man and walked among us.

Look at how the people honored Him when He entered the city. He entered the city on a donkey, which symbolizes peace in Middle Eastern cultures; and the people made a path of palm leaves, which symbolizes triumph and victory in Jewish tradition.

Matthew 21:9 tells us: Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

It seems the week began with the people honoring and worshiping Jesus, but we know it did not end with worship and honor. Are we the same way towards Christ? Do we trust and worship Him on Sunday, but by the end of the week, have we forgotten who the Messiah is?

Let us say, everyday, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Amen, Amen.

Jesus was the most disturbing person in history.
-Vance Havner-

Passover

‘These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.’
Leviticus 23:4-6

At the appointed day, the Jews begin to celebrate Passover. In obedience to God’s Word, the children of Israel look back and remember how God delivered them from Egypt, and they tell each new generation.

Today, at sundown, Passover begins and continues for the next seven days. The main days for the Passover are the two Seders, which are the first two days of Passover. The main items for the Seders are:

• Eating matzah, or unleavened bread, as they did when they left Egypt.
• Eating bitter herbs—to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.
• Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice—a royal drink to celebrate their newfound freedom.
• The recitation of the Haggadah —a story which describes the Exodus from Egypt.

All these things are done in remembrance of how God delivered them from their slavery in Egypt. It is so easy to get caught up in our lives and not think about God and what He has done for us. That is the reason God established the feasts. He knows His people, and without reminders, we are easily distracted.

Keep your eyes set upon the Lord. He alone is our hope and salvation!

In all true obedience there is remembrance.
-William Jenkyn-

God’s Deliverance

Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning.”
Exodus 12:21-22

Yesterday, we saw how the Jews celebrate Passover. It is a holiday to remember God’s deliverance out of slavery, but it means so much more to us as Christians.

The Passover is a foretelling of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the verses above, we see how the Jews were to kill a lamb, bleed it and place the blood on the top of the door and on either side, signifying the cross.

As the LORD came through Egypt to kill the firstborn sons, He would pass over any house with the blood on the doorposts and lintel, delivering the children of Israel from God’s judgment.

Jesus, Himself, came to be the Lamb of God to deliver us from a life of slavery to our sin and the final judgment of God.

Biblically, Egypt is a symbol of the world. Just as the Jews were in bondage to Egypt, we are in bondage to our sins and the world. It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb, we will escape from the judgment of God.

How thankful we should be each and every day for Jesus Christ and the redemption He brings. We no longer need to sacrifice to cover our sins, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Let us rejoice and be thankful!

Christ hath crossed out the black lines of our sin
with the red lines of His own blood.
-Thomas Brooks-

Humility

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
John 13:14, 16

Think about this verse. Jesus and the disciples were gathered for the Passover, the Last Supper, and Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. He was the Master, the Teacher, doing a job that was usually done by the lowest servants of a household. Remember, they wore sandals and walked everywhere on dirt roads. Can you imagine how dirty their feet were?

Most of us would never want to wash someone’s feet. Many would feel humiliated; it would hurt their pride. But there is a great lesson to be learned. Jesus washed their feet to teach them and us about humility, not humiliation. When we are humble, servants, we cannot be humiliated because nothing is beneath us.

Jesus goes on to tell us in verse 17, If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

He is not saying we will be blessed if we wash feet; that was just His example to us. He is our example of servanthood. As He came to serve, we, too, must serve others, if we are His followers.

It is so important to live a life of humility. Only then are we truly a blessing to God and blessed by Him.

Let us be humble that we may not need to be
humbled, but may be exalted by the grace of God.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

Compromise

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Psalm103:7

Even though God made His ways known to Moses and the children of Israel, the first time Moses left them under the leadership of Aaron, they fell into idolatry and sin against God. Aaron was manipulated by the people, and he compromised like so many leaders today. Many leaders listen to the people instead of listening to the voice of God, and it affects not only themselves, but the people they are leading.

Aaron compromised and allowed the people to have a feast-a sexual party. They were eating, drinking, fornicating, committing adultery and they were enjoying it. Aaron, knowing God’s Word, took the gold and made a golden calf for the people to worship.

He allowed the people to enter into idolatry. Think of all the golden calves we have in our lives, things that take us away from the real God.

When Moses came down the mountain, it was like walking into a house of prostitution. And there was Aaron, the assistant to Moses, standing back, not stopping the people, but agreeing and giving permission. Imagine that!

Moses drew a line in the sand. Those who wanted to follow God stood on the side with Moses. Those who rebelled stayed on the other side, and the earth opened up and swallowed them. God judged the wicked.

Do not allow anyone or anything to bring you into rebellion against God. Know God’s ways and follow Him, not man.

Anything that takes God’s place is out of place.
-Abe Van der Puy-

Change

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:18-19

Deuteronomy is a result of wandering for 40 years in the wilderness. It was supposed to be an 11 day journey to get to the Promised Land.

When I look at the map and I read the stories of the wandering, it reminds me how they left Egypt-with the mixed multitude. Be careful of the mixed multitude. They will take you away from God and lead you to compromise. God had to remove the generation containing the mixed multitude, so He caused them to wander for 40 years.

Throughout history, we have seen generations arise who want to change things. I am not saying change is always bad. Change can be a good thing, but when you start changing to things which lead you to worldliness instead of spirituality, it is not a good change.

There is a change arising today, which is the emerging church. They do not teach the Word, they entertain. They are trying to change the Bible. Matthew tells us they will be counted among the least in the kingdom of heaven, because they are teaching men falsely.

It is important to know God’s Word so we will not be led astray, out of the will of God.

The greatest folly in the universe is to oppose the will of God.
-David Thomas-

God’s Order

The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said.
Deuteronomy 31:3

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, there were three key people. There was Moses, Aaron his brother and then Joshua. We do not hear much about Joshua when they first depart from Egypt, but God planted him there because He knew Aaron’s heart.

God also knew Joshua’s heart, and He knew when Moses was gone who would best lead His people. God knew Joshua would lead the people and follow in the footsteps of Moses.

Joshua had the same vision and passion as Moses, but in a new way. Joshua was called to go out to battle, to remove the leaven, sin, from the land.

Moses had already written Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Now, in Deuteronomy, he had 32 chapters, but right before he concluded the book, God took Moses and allowed Joshua to finish the book.

This was a sign that He was passing things on to the next generation. It is always God’s plan to pass godly leadership on from generation to generation.

As parents, are you training your children up to be godly leaders in your family? In your work place, are you training up your Joshua to take your place when the Lord moves you on? That is the order of all things. That is God’s plan.

Order is Heaven’s first law.
-Alexander Pope-

Worship God Alone

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.
Deuteronomy 34:5-6

At the end of Deuteronomy, the Scriptures tell us God buried Moses in a place unknown to the people. Can you imagine? Moses is the only person who was buried by God? I can imagine the funeral. There were probably angels in attendance.

Isn’t it interesting how God made sure no one knew the location of where the body was buried? Even though it was done in secret, people have been looking for the grave for years. But God had a plan, as He always does.

Moses was still strong, but God said his time was up. He did not have a heart attack. God did not allow a disease to kill him. He just took him, and the people mourned for Moses for 30 days because he was a great leader. Although they mourned, the people accepted Joshua as their new leader.

God does not want us to get focused on a person. He does not want us to depend on or worship anyone other than Himself. Moses was God’s leader. He was not to take the place of God, but to lead the people to God.

We should never allow ourselves to depend on people, or think only this person or that person can lead us. Our eyes should always be set upon the Lord. He is where our help comes from.

An idol may be defined as any person or thing that has usurped in the heart the place of pre-eminence that belongs to the Lord.
-Arthur Wallis-

Wisdom of Age

Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9

The children of Israel accepted Joshua the son of Nun as their leader, not only because he was full of the spirit of wisdom, but because Moses, their godly leader, had laid his hands on him.

Moses had not laid hands on Joshua suddenly, but because Joshua had proven himself over time. He did not look out at the people and pick Joshua at random. Joshua had been a faithful servant of the Lord. Remember, he was one of the two people who gave a good report after spying out the Promised Land. Not only that, but he was a man of faith-trusting God to deliver them from the giants in the land.

The one thing about being old is I realize how much I do not know. When I was young, I thought I knew everything, but I was stupid. I remember my father-in-law. He had so much wisdom, but I was young and stupid.

Look at Solomon’s son. When he chose the guidance of the young men over the wisdom of the elders, there was chaos. The people wanted to kill him. You see, the old have the wisdom. They have been around a long time, and they have seen many things.

As leaders, we need to receive wisdom from those who have been around longer than us. We also need to be careful when raising people up. There needs to be evidence of God’s spirit of wisdom in their lives.

Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.
-Ron Wild-

Be a Nobody

But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the
LORD knew face to face.
Deuteronomy 34:10

Moses began his life as a great man-a somebody. His first forty years were spent in the palace of Pharaoh. He was educated as a prince and was in line for the throne of Egypt.

After Moses killed the Egyptian, he became a nobody for forty years in the wilderness, tending the flocks. God used this time to humble him. Although he had been great in the sight of the people, he was not ready to be used by God.

The last forty years of his life, Moses was a man greatly used by God. He was fully dependent upon the Lord, not trusting in his knowledge or wisdom, but seeking God in all matters. Moses had a great name, a great background and a great legacy, because he went to Egypt in the power of the holy God.

When I read through the Bible and the life of Moses, I realize I would rather be a nobody for God than somebody in the eyes of man. I have seen in my own life how God took me, turned my life around and has allowed me to serve Him in ways I could never have imagined. I think Moses must have been blown away by the work God did through him.

I pray we would all seek to be nobodies, used by God tremendously!

Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the
will of God there is no success.
-Bernard Edinger-

Second Law

So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:9

The name Deuteronomy means “The Second Law.” What is the first law? The Ten Commandments are the first law, given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The second law was given in the mountains of Moab, by Moses in Deuteronomy 31:1-8. It was given looking towards the Promised Land. It is the first law interpreted in light of 36 years experience in the wilderness.

There were new situations as new problems arose and, yet, the law was there to cover and speak to the people. There needed to be application to the law and situations they were facing. The second law did not change or alter the Ten Commandments; it merely made application of the law to the lives of the people. It is the conclusion or finishing touch.

This is a great example to us in applying God’s Word to our lives. It is not enough to read the Bible and memorize verses; they must be reflected in our lives and how we react in situations and trials.

We each need to be living Bibles-a reflection of Christ as He is the Word of God.

Jesus Christ left us an example for our daily conduct
and from it there can be no appeal.
-A.W. Tozer-

Teach God’s Word

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down,
and when you rise up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Deuteronomy is a commentary on the Mosaic Law. There are four Hebrew titles for Deuteronomy: Debarim, meaning “The Words” or “These be the Words,” The Kith, or the Fifth of the Law, The Book of Reproofs and The Iteration of the Law. In its content, the old generation teaches the new generation the Law of God. We see the importance of the Word and the importance of teaching each new generation the Law.

In the Jewish tradition, when a baby was born, right after the child came out of the womb, the mother would bring the baby up to her mouth and whisper in their right ear, “Yahweh is God, Yahweh is God.” This was the first thing the baby would hear.

From the womb, the children of Israel were taught about God-Yahweh. The Hebrew women were the ones to nurture their children. The husbands would take the spiritual leadership of the home and teach the children God’s Word.

Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, it is so important to begin teaching your children and grandchildren about the Lord Jesus Christ before the world gets a hold of them. Brain wash them, “Yahweh is God!”

Training a child to follow Christ is easy for parents,
all they have to do is lead the way.
-Author Unknown-

New Generation

Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 78:3-4

Now, there is this new generation coming up which has not heard the original proclamation of the Law given at Mt Sinai. So, this new generation has to be taught. Remember, they are coming out of Egypt going into a new country. Now, what is the problem with going into a new country? Customs, people, traditions and the danger of contamination.

Today, if you go to New York City, you have the Jewish section, the Italian section, the Arab section — everyone living within their own culture, with their own traditions. When they came from their countries, they stayed together and lived among their own people to keep their traditions.

Entering the Promised Land, the Jews were concerned about their kids. They knew idolatry would be found in their new home, which was forbidden by God-worshipping Baal, Ashtoreth, the worship of sex, of power, the worship of money, the worship of all these things God had warned them about. He told them their children would be seduced by the things of the world.

It is no different today. We must not live our lives according to the culture, our traditions or the world’s standards. We must stand upon the Word of God and live our lives holy and separated unto God.

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you love more than God is your idol.
-D.L. Moody-

Parents’ Responsibility

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

I talk to people everywhere I go-in the market, at the bank, in the gym-and what has truly grieved me is how I see the family unit falling apart in our country. We have become a computerized society. With all our technology, have we truly advanced? I do not think so.

We cannot rely upon the television, video games or computers to teach our children the most important thing in life-the Word of God. Father and mothers, you need to teach your children. You must check up on what your children are learning. What is being put into their minds?

The responsibility in the home is for the man to be the spiritual leader: to pray with his wife, to pray with his children, to read them the Word of God and to oversee his house, so that no one gets contaminated.

Do not let the world into your house. You need to remove as much leaven as you can from your home, so your house and your children can be safe. And then, God can bless it.

Children miss nothing in sizing up their parents. If you are only half convinced of your beliefs, they will quickly discern that fact.
-James Dobson-

Comfort in the Journey

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,
so as to go by day and night.
Exodus 13:21

As the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they would receive new duties. They had been living a nomadic life, but now they would settle down. They would no longer take down the camp and the tabernacle and put them back up.

In their journey through the wilderness, they camped when the Pillar of God stayed in one place, and they packed up and moved when God moved. Each time they settled for a time in one area, there was trouble. In their comfort and idleness, they began to murmur and complain. When they settled down, they thought it was great to rest, but they got their eyes off the Lord.

When you are on the move, it can be a great experience, but when you settle down, you get comfortable, idle. While you are on the move, you cannot get too comfortable because there are always things to do to keep you busy.

The Book of Proverbs teaches us a valuable lesson on idleness: In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty (Proverbs 14:23).

Let’s keep busy doing the Lord’s work, not in idle chatter: murmuring, complaining, gossiping, etc.

When the hands are idle, the tongue is
usually very active.
-Henry T. Mahan-

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Do we truly understand what the Apostle Paul is telling us in this verse? He is looking forward, not dwelling on the things of the past, but always looking forward to what God has in store for us. I believe President Lincoln had no doubt what Paul is referring to in this verse.

President Lincoln led our country during a very dark and troublesome time in history. We were not in a war against an outside aggressor; we were at war with ourselves. We were divided as a nation, and Lincoln had many issues to face: ending slavery, ending a war, uniting a nation and rebuilding a struggling economy.

Many men would have thrown up their hands or tried to accomplish these goals in an aggressive manner. As a man of God, he took on Christian principles to work through the problems of our nation and heal the wounds of war.

President Lincoln pressed toward the upward call of God. He showed grace and mercy towards his enemies and brought unity to our nation. He fulfilled the call God put on his life, in spite of the many obstacles, and became a great example to generations to come.

Let us each press toward the goal to fulfill our individual calling, looking forward to what God has in store for our lives.

With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to
bind up the nation’s wounds.
-Abraham Lincoln-

God’s Word

Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
Job 22:22

Today, when you go to Israel, at the wall in Jerusalem, you will see a table on the men’s side. Often, you will see a young boy surrounded by adults. The boy is probably 12 years old and he is getting ready to recite the Torah. The Orthodox Jews memorize the Torah, the first 5 books of the Old Testament, and when they are 12, they have to recite the entire Torah by memory.

Do we have the same reverence for the Word of God? Do we, as Christians, realize the importance of knowing God’s Word? We need to teach our children the Word of God and have them memorize verses.

As a child, Pastor Chuck Smith’s mother would have him read the Bible and memorize Scripture. He learned how to read by reading his Bible, not grammar books. All around his parents’ house, there was Scripture on the walls. He grew up surrounded by the Word of God. That is why Pastor Chuck is so knowledgeable on the Word of God. He knows God’s Word. He learned it, he memorized it and it became a part of his life.

Pastor Chuck’s parents recognized the importance of God’s Word and used it to teach their children how to read, so the first thing they learned was of value.

No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and no
one is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
-Samuel Chadwick-

Valentine’s Day

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:10-11

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the holiday for love. Every year, the candy stores and flower shops make millions of dollars so we can celebrate love. Is that really how we celebrate love? Is that what love is really about?

As a society, I do not believe we can truly understand love unless we know and understand God’s love. God’s love for us is true love. He sought us and pursued us. Through His great love for us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us.

Wow, can you think of any person who would do that for you? I do not think you can. God loved us before we loved Him, while we were still sinners!

Everyone is looking for love. We look for love from parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives, but only God’s love will fill the longing inside our hearts. Only God is our all in all.

Allow the love of Christ to fill your hearts, so you, in turn, can love your families, friends and enemies with His love.

A man may be a good doctor without loving his patients; a good lawyer without loving his clients; a good geologist without loving science; but he
cannot be a good Christian without love.
-D.L. Moody-

Past, Present, Future

Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as
commandments to them.

Deuteronomy 1:3

Moses was going over the commandments of God with the children of Israel because God knew what they were going to face when they entered the Promised Land.

While it was the place God had prepared for them, there were pagan people in the land. They were not going to enter in and have peace. The inhabitants of the land were not going to just turn everything over to them.

The children of Israel were going to face enemies. They were going to face trials and temptations. They would have to choose the living God over the idols of the land.

Prophetically, God was speaking to them of their past, their present and their future. He was reminding them of all God’s promises and where they had come from.

It is real important to remember-if we do not learn from the past in our present, we will not have a future.

Unless there is within us that which is above us, we
shall soon yield to that which is about us.
-P.T. Forsyth-

Faithfulness

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says
the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

The children of God were tested in their faith during their time in the wilderness. And yet, time and time again, instead of faithfulness, they showed unfaithfulness. God’s never failing faithfulness has always been there, not only for them, but for us, to give principles for guidance and hope for the future. God did not lead them into the wilderness and then leave them on their own.

In the same way, God does not leave us on our own — He is faithful to give us guidance for our lives. While He is so faithful, if we look at our own personal lives, how many times do we fail God? It is amazing how God works. Even though we are unfaithful, God remains ever faithful. That is simply His nature; He cannot be unfaithful like we are.

Think about your life and the purpose to which God has called you. Not only is God teaching you, leading you and guiding you, but think of all the trials you have faced in the past and are facing today. Only God knows what is in the future. God has seen you through the trials of the past, He is with you now, and His faithfulness will meet you in your future trials.

It is only with God we have hope for our future.

God does not give us everything we want, but He
does fulfill all His promises . . . leading us along the
best and straightest paths to Himself.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

God’s Counsel

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He
makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel
of the LORD stands forever, The plans
of His heart to all generations.

Psalm 33:10-11

When you are young, you are strong and vigorous, just learning about life, and often, you make the wrong decisions. Many times, you do not listen to good counsel, but God teaches you and you learn by your mistakes.

If you do not learn from your mistakes while you are young, then you will experience great troubles later in life. If you are making the same mistakes by the time you reach mid-life, I would say you have not truly learned anything. God has been trying to teach you, but you have not been listening. You need to learn that God has a purpose and plan for your life. In order to live according to the plans of God, He has guidelines for you.

Maybe you are still making the same mistakes over and over again. I would say you are not seeking God, but you are seeking man. The Psalm tells us God brings the counsel of nations to nothing. God wants us to seek Him for godly counsel, not our friends or co-workers. What plans does God have for your life?

We need to study the Scriptures and seek the counsel and wisdom of the Lord, then we will not have to wander for a season or a lifetime, like the children of Israel.

Men give advice; God gives guidance.
-Leonard Ravenhill-

Wandering in the Wilderness

The backslider in heart will be filled with his own
ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.
Proverbs 14:14

When we backslide, what do we do? We wander in the wilderness, just as the children of Israel. Right after the Lord delivered them from Egypt, the world, they crossed the Red Sea, and within hours of coming out, they said, “Moses, we want to go back!”

Why would they want to go back to Egypt? They told Moses, “We remember the garlic and all the good things of Egypt.” But, did they have those things? No. They did not have anything but bondage. They were being persecuted. They were being beaten down by Egypt, by the world.

Many of us are just like those who wanted to return to Egypt. We forget about the bondage of sin we were trapped in, and we want to return to the world. Sometimes, we do not fully go back to the world, but we wander in the wilderness, living our lives according to the flesh.

If you truly want to be free from the bondage of sin, learn from the children of Israel and enter into the Promised Land. Turn your back on the world and fleshly living and fall into the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Men fall in private long before they fall in public.
-J. C. Ryle-

The Old Man

For if we have been united together in the likeness
of His death, certainly we also shall be in the
likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our
old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin
might be done away with, that we should no longer
be slaves of sin. For he who has died
has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:5-7

After the wilderness, life in the flesh, you come to the Jordan River. What is amazing about the Jordan River is it is a type of “crossing over” from the old life to the new. We also know the Jordan River is a type of baptism, death to self. You go down into the water, and when you come out, you come into a newness of life.

Paul the Apostle, in Romans 6:5-7, speaks about being crucified with Christ and freed from sin. So, when you read Romans 6, you learn of “reckoning the old man to be dead.”

When you get baptized, you think, “This is great! The old man is dead and I am a new creation.” There is just one problem; you are still carrying around that old man. That fleshly nature is still there, and it has to be crucified daily in order for us to no longer be slaves of sin.

If we feed the flesh with worldly things, we will walk in the flesh. If we feed the spirit with the Word of God, we will walk in the Spirit.

Regeneration has made our hearts a battlefield.
-J. I. Packer-

Trust in God

“I the LORD have spoken this. I will surely do so to
all this evil congregation who are gathered together
against Me. In this wilderness they shall be
consumed, and there they shall die.”
Numbers 14:35

The crossing of the Red Sea had been a type of baptism, leaving the world behind. The children of Israel entered the Red Sea and arrived safely on the opposite shore, ready to begin a new life led by God. They should have taken an 11-day journey to the Promised Land, as God directed their path with a cloud to protect them by day and a pillar of light to guide them by night.

Instead, they entered the wilderness area, learning the life of the flesh. They did not trust in the Lord, but turned back to the world. That is why God took them through the wilderness. In order to do the work He wanted to do with His people, he had to remove the generation of people who did not trust the LORD–those who had gathered against Him.

Think of how many people came out of Egypt, spent 40 years, all their lives, in the wilderness and never experienced the sweetness of God. Think about it–these were believers, God’s children. How many Christians never experience the sweetness of God?

Trust and follow the LORD for He alone is faithful and true.

Doubt breeds distress,
but trust means joy in the long run.
-C. H. Spurgeon-

God’s Examples

Now all these things happened to them as
examples, and they were written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:11

Why is it important to read the Old Testament and learn the stories? Paul tells us these things are written for our example. What things? The Old Testament stories.

He tells us all of this is written for our example, so we do not make the same mistakes. Not only the Old Testament, but the New Testament. What does Paul spend most of his time talking about in every one of his epistles? Think about it-the flesh, all the way through. Read all of his letters. In every letter, he talks about the Spirit and the flesh, the Spirit and the flesh.

He is not talking to non-believers, he is talking to believers. Every one of the letters-Peter, James, John, Paul-every one of the letters in the New Testament is written to Christians, not non-Christians. Even the Book of Revelation, all to Christians. And why? Because they are our maps to life. They are the guidelines for the church, for the believers-those who are living for Christ.

The Bible gives not just moral limits but absolutes
and truth in regard to the whole spectrum of life.
-Francis Schaeffer-

George Washington’s Birthday

Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth. Selah
Psalm 67:4

George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army; he was the leader of the group who drafted the United States Constitution; he had experience in foreign relations; and he was a friend to the Jewish community in the United States. He was fully qualified to be the commander-in-chief and was elected to be the first President of the United States.

I believe what made him fully qualified to lead our nation, as it was taking its first steps after achieving independence from England, was his faith in God. He was a man governed by God.

I believe all those other qualifications were important, but without a firm foundation in the Word of God, we would have had a natural man leading our country, with no spiritual discernment.

We can go to school, get degrees and work our way up the corporate ladder, but without the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, we will make decisions based upon our fleshly desires, not the well being of ourselves or others.

Let us seek God through prayer and read His Word, so we can be men and women governed by God.

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation
without God and the Bible.
-George Washington-

Foreshadow

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God,
and there is no other; I am God, and there is none
like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And
from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure.’”

Isaiah 46:9-10

If I did not have the New Testament, I could live with the Old Testament, with all the pictures and shadows of things to come.

If we did not have Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus or Numbers, if we did not have the Book of Joshua through the Book of Malachi, if we did not have Matthew all the way through Revelation, but we just had Deuteronomy, we would have the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know how many of you have done a study of Deuteronomy; I am blown away by the book. I have been excited reading it, studying it and just going over it, in every translation, and I can see how God was preparing His people, even then, for the coming Messiah.

How important it is for every one of us to read and study our Bibles — memorizing Scripture, so we can follow the plan God has set out from the beginning, in Genesis all the way to the Book of Revelation.

Every word in the Bible points to Christ.
-Martin Luther-

Be Alive

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because
the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to
the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening
of the prison to those who are bound.”
Isaiah 61:1

We read the Bible, but are we learning from the Bible? Is God really speaking to you from His Word? I know what God has called me to do-preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have had the privilege of speaking to an infantry battalion on their way to Afghanistan, at Camp Pendleton, to the Marines at Twentynine Palms and new recruits at MCRD.

I surf three days a week, and I have seen how God is touching the lives of all the guys at the beach — without preaching to them.

I want to encourage you. I think every one of us is called to share the love of Christ. Be a child of God, be a witness, be a light, be alive, do not be dead. Be excited about God-what He is doing, what He has done, what He wants to do in your lives. You will blow your minds on what God wants to do, if you really and truly put your mind to it and allow God to direct your life.

No candle which God lights was ever meant
to burn alone.
-J. C. Ryle-

Misrepresenting God

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to
Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across
from Jericho. And the LORD showed him
all the land of Gilead as far as Dan.

Deuteronomy 31:1

Moses was one of the most incredible men you could think of, and yet, imagine how hurt he was. He was standing on top of Mount Nebo. He was looking over into the Promised Land, and he had 3 million people with him, while many had died in the wilderness.

He was giving this new generation a second chance to enter into the Promised Land with Joshua. He was sending them over and telling them to be careful when they go across — not to make the same mistake he had made.

What was Moses’ mistake? He misrepresented God: beating the rock instead of speaking to the rock. I cannot emphasize this mistake more. Remember the consequences of his error! He could look into the land, but he would not be allowed to enter in with the people.

Think of how many times-in anger or whatever your problem or issue may be in life — you misrepresent God. Then you ask, “Why is God not Blessing me? Why is God not using my life?” Think about it. Relate your life to Moses like I have. Do you have something which is keeping you from being fully used by God?

Men are free to decide their own moral choices,
but they are also under the necessity to
account to God for those choices.
-A. W. Tozer-

Walk in the Spirit

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another,
envying one another.

Galatians 5:24-26

The children of Israel left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, where they murmured and complained, longing for Egypt — the world. What did Egypt have for them? Nothing but bitterness and death. And yet, they constantly talked about Egypt.

The wilderness experience spoke of their carnal life and they arrived at the Jordan River, which they had not yet entered. The Jordan River is a reckoning of the old man to be dead. Then, Canaan, or the Promised Land, was what — heaven? Many people believe this, but it is not true. In heaven, there are no giants, no trials and no temptations.

We need to remind ourselves, even though we walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are still carrying around the old man, our flesh. Even though I walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, I get angry, I am confronted by people, and I get in the flesh.

I am not in heaven yet. If I was in heaven, I would not have my flesh warring with my spirit. It is not until you die and go to heaven, then you are truly in the presence of God. So, we need to remind ourselves to walk in the Spirit, hourly.

Nothing is more contrary to a heavenly hope
than an earthly heart.
-William Gurnall-

Deliverance from Annihilation

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14

The Book of Esther tells the story of how the Jewish people were delivered from certain annihilation by the intervention of a young woman who was placed in the palace of the king, for such a time as this.

Today, at sundown, the Jewish people observe the Festival of Purim, which celebrates their deliverance from oppression and destruction.

Sometime between the destruction of the First Temple and the building of the Second Temple, the Jewish people came very close to being wiped out because of the evil scheming of Haman, a high ranking official within King Ahasuerus’ palace.

However, God had someone He had placed in the palace to save the people. Esther, a young Jewish girl, had won favor with the king and was made queen. After three days of fasting and praying, the young girl went to the king and revealed the evil scheme of Haman.

Esther stepped out by faith and allowed God to use her to save her people. She did not allow her fears to keep her from walking in God’s will. We should all be willing to be used by God.

If the service of God is worth anything,
it is worth everything.
-C.H. Spurgeon-

Purim Festival

But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
Esther 9:18

Today, the Jewish celebration of Purim continues until sundown. This celebration is called Purim because the wicked Haman had cast Pur, or a lot, to determine the day they would rise up against the Jewish people.

It is important to know that God not only protected His people from complete destruction, but He also allowed them to destroy their enemy.

The king could not reverse the decree sent out by Haman because he had signed it. By law, any decree signed by the king could not be stopped. In order to save the Jews, a new decree was sent out. It gave permission to the Jewish people to defend themselves and destroy their enemy. In so doing, many of the Persian people feared the Jews and turned to faith in God.

So, the Jewish people fought on the thirteenth and fourteenth days of the twelfth month, and on the fifteenth day, they rested and celebrated their victory over their enemies and the schemes of Haman.

Keep in mind: the people of God were victorious because God protected them. They did not fear, with God as their protection. God is always our defense before our enemies.

We need not look upon those enemies with fear
whom God looks upon with contempt.
-Matthew Henry-

A Lifelong Resolution

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:42

New Year’s Day-the day when people all around the world will make, and probably break, resolutions. Many will resolve to lose weight, work more, work less, spend more time with their families, and the list goes on. None of these resolutions are bad; in fact, many of them would probably be a good thing. The problem lies in the commitment — or lack of commitment.

I do not make New Year’s resolutions. Every day, I commit to read God’s Word, serve God and spend time in prayer. This has been a lifelong resolution I made when I became a Christian, back in 1972. It is not based on the first day of the year. It is based on my walk, day by day, with the Lord-growing closer to Him as I read and pray.

Surely, in these last days, I do not want to waste my time when Jesus Christ could return for His church at any time. I want to be busy doing His work, building His kingdom and leading others to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Join me in a lifelong resolution to walk more closely with Christ by reading the Word of God every day and spending time with Him in prayer. The benefits are eternal.

I feel that, if I could live a thousand lives, I would like to live them all for Christ, and even then, I would feel that they were all too little a return for His great love to me.
-C.H. Spurgeon-

Why Study Prophecy?

Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel,
and his Maker: “Ask Me of things to come
concerning My sons; And concerning the work
of My hands,You command Me.
Isaiah 45:11

Many people ask me, “Why should we study Bible Prophecy?” Well, I believe we are closer to the next event in world history than we have ever been, the Rapture of the church. That is why we must study prophecy. We must recognize the signs of the times.

In Isaiah, God-Yahweh-tells us to ask Him about the things to come. God wants us to know what His plans are for the future. He tells us throughout the Bible, through His prophets, what will happen in the Last Days.

That is no coincidence. God is preparing us. He does not give us the day or the hour, so we cannot “play church,” but He reveals His plan for us through His Word.

We are living in what, I believe, are the most exciting times in the history of the world. All the things I heard Pastor Chuck Smith teach about back in the 70′s are coming to pass right before my eyes.

Let’s take the next few days to look at prophecy and where we are on the world stage, so we can take a self-examination to see where we are spiritually, with Christ.

Much of the Bible is devoted to prediction.
Nothing God has done for us can compare with
all that is written in the sure word of prophecy.
-A.W. Tozer-

Share the Good News

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

In this passage, the people of Thessalonica were new believers, and they were worried that they had missed the coming of the Lord for His church. With this in mind, Paul is explaining to them about the Last Days and what must come to pass.

It is really important for me, as a believer, that I take the time to share with my loved ones, with my friends and my neighbors, to pass on from generation to generation about the Coming of the Lord.

If we did not study prophecy, if we did not study the Coming of the Lord, guess what would happen to us? We would become complacent; we would forget the Lord is coming, and we would just live as the rest of the world.

The reason I have been serving the Lord for more than 35 years is I believe in the Coming of the Lord. That is what keeps me on the edge-reading, re-reading, studying and re-studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Have you told your friends, families and coworkers about Jesus Christ? Have you explained the Rapture to them? Be like Paul and bring comfort and reassurance to those around you.

Every Christian is a postmaster for God. His duty is
to pass out the good news from above.
-Vance Havner-

False Prophets

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1-6

John is warning the people to beware of false prophets, people who twist the Word of God and claim to be Christians, but have their own agenda.

Do you think John’s warning was just for the people of his time? No, certainly not. We see the same thing today. There are churches that claim to be Christian, but do not believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.

That is the reason why we post our Statement of Faith on our bulletins and online. We want the body of Christ to know what we believe and what we teach.

Be sure you know what your pastor believes and teaches. Surely, you do not want to follow the teaching of man, but the teaching of God.

We all have a responsibility to know God’s Word, in order to test the spirit of the teaching we receive. If it is not from God, then it is of no value. It must be of God.

Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets in the Last Days, so we will not be led away from the One True God.

Let us receive nothing, believe nothing, follow nothing which is not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible.
-J.C. Ryle-

Israel, Key to the Future

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem . . . all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
Zechariah 12:2-3

We are coming to a time when we will have to make a decision-to follow Christ or to follow the world. Many people think they know what is going on in the world, but they are spiritually blind. They do not recognize the signs of the times.

We have to realize that Israel is the center of the world, not New York, London, Hong Kong or Los Angeles. God made Israel His nation, and if we want to know, prophetically speaking, where we are in God’s timeline, we must keep our eyes on Israel. Israel is the key to the future.

According to prophecy, Israel will be hated by all the nations of the world. Do we see that today? Yes, we do. Every day, we hear of more nuclear testing in Iran. We also hear how the President of Iran wants to push Israel into the sea.

You may be wondering why this is important, why I am writing to you about Israel and the problems in the Middle East; it is so far away.

As I said earlier, Israel is the key to the future-our future. I want you to know God’s timeline, so you can be ready for Him to return for you and for me. We should live every day, ready to meet Jesus at any moment.

There is a living God; He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all He has promised.
-Hudson Taylor-

Israel, a Nation of God

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
Matthew 24:33-35

What generation is He speaking of? If you go back and put the prophecies of the Old Testament together with the New Testament prophecies, you realize God is speaking of the Nation of Israel. They had been scattered throughout the world for almost 2000 years.

If you read in Zechariah, he tells us there will be a day when God will gather together Israel from the four corners of the earth, and they will become a nation again-a nation of God. On May 14, 1948, Israel was declaring their independence, and Jews from around the world were returning to Israel.

When the Nation of Israel became a nation, many prophecies were set in motion. At the time, we could not see how powerful the Muslim countries would become or how they would be a threat to the world, but it is very clear today. We have seen it in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and all the other Muslim countries.

This is why we must keep our eyes on Israel and the surrounding nations. As they move closer and closer to a major conflict, we move closer and closer to the war prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Much of the Bible is devoted to prediction. Nothing God has yet done for us can compare with all that is written in the sure word of prophecy.
-A.W. Tozer-

Are You Ready?

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will
by no means pass away. But of that day and hour
no one knows, not even the angels of
heaven, but My Father only.”
Matthew 24:35-36

Many of you may say, “You have been talking about the Rapture of the church since my grandmother came to this church. They said the Lord was going to come back to take the believers many years ago.” You think that it is not going to happen, or you have gone to sleep spiritually and become complacent because it has not yet happened

However, the signs are now here. We see them every day on the news, in the newspaper and on the internet. I remember sitting at the chapel in Costa Mesa in 1974, listening to Pastor Chuck Smith teach concerning prophecy.

Now, 36 years since I heard Pastor Chuck teach on Last Days, I have read my Bible and studied prophecy, and I can see all the things I have learned coming to pass. I think to myself, I have heard all these things taught, and now, here I am living in a generation that is seeing prophecy coming to life.

Can you imagine how you will feel if you are not ready for Christ to come and take the church to Himself?

Matthew tells us, we do not know the day or the hour, but God did give us clear warnings throughout the Bible. Be a student of God’s Word, and you will not be caught unaware.

Only he who believes is obedient.
Only he who is obedient, believes.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

The Young Lions

“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all
their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to
take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take
booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away
livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’. . .”And
it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog
comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord
GOD, “that My fury will show in My face.”
Ezekiel 38:13, 18

When you look at the prophecy in Ezekiel 38 and 39, the United States is not mentioned. Many theologians believe the young lions is in reference to the United States, England, Australia and New Zealand. These nations stand back and do not play a part in the Last Days’ prophecy. They have become ineffective; they have no power.

While these nations stand back, the nations now controlled by radical Muslims join forces with Russia to come against Israel.

Although Israel is a small country, God made a promise in Genesis 16-17, that the land would belong to Isaac, the Hebrew nations, and not to Ishmael, the Arab nations.

In Ezekiel 38 and 39, God keeps His promise. In spite of the great number of this army, we see God intervene when the nations come against Israel and wipe out 5/6 of the Muslim world. God will defend Israel. They will be persecuted, but God will not allow His people to be destroyed.

Individually, stand with God—stand with Israel against her enemies.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
Psalm 122:6-7

Future World Center

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:28

There are so many prophesies happening right now that I am blown away. I am studying prophecy, and I can see how God is going to move the world center to Iraq.

In Genesis 10-11, we see how everything started in Iraq. That is the original seed. The Antichrist will rule from Iraq—not from Bagdad, but 60 miles from Bagdad, the original location in the Bible. Saddam Hussein had already started rebuilding this city. It is there already, today.

According to Jeremiah, Isaiah and Revelation 17-18, it is going to become one of the most prosperous places in the whole world, where the Antichrist, with Satan, will rule the world for the last 7 years of world history. This is where we are heading, and what is amazing about this, is that Iraq is now settling down and it will be rebuilt.

Here in America when the Rapture occurs, we will see a large number of the population taken up to meet Jesus in the air. The Rapture will change our country, as the church is taken out of the nation. The only ones who will be left behind will be those who do not know Jesus as Lord and those who knew, but did not accept Him as Lord and Savior.

No Bible subject holds more practical implications
than the matter of prophecy.
–Vance Havner–

Direction

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33

Many times we do not really know the direction the Lord is taking us. We may get a job, and we do whatever is available instead of seeking the Lord. It not only happens in our jobs, but in our lives. Often, we get saved, and we don’t know what God’s will is for our lives.

When I got saved, I didn’t know what the Lord wanted me to do. Professionally, I was in the Martial Arts, and my vision was to open Kung Fu San Soo studios all over the world and teach the art, but I was afraid the Lord would take away my gift. I was afraid to give up the Martial Arts.

I told Sharon, “I never want to be a pastor. I never want to be a Bible teacher.” I only wanted to teach Kung Fu and use the gift of evangelism God had given to me.

As I began to study, read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and sit under Pastor Chuck Smith, God began to speak to me. He told me that if I would only give up what I was holding on to so tightly, He would give it back to me. As soon as I was willing to give Him everything I had, then He would put my life in order.

We definitely have to know what our call is. If you don’t know your calling, you will be wandering for years and years and years with no clear direction, and you will never accomplish what God intended for your life.

The responsible person seeks to make his or her whole life a response to the question and call of God.
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer–

Gifts

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
1 Timothy 4:14-15

God called me to be a Pastor/Teacher and Evangelist. Those are my gifts. Those are the gifts I know God has given me. I’m not afraid to lose them or intimidated by people who have the same gifts. I know who I am, and I know what God called me to be. Many times, people feel threatened in their jobs because other people come along who have the same gifts.

I am not the greatest speaker around; I think I am a poor speaker. It is God, through the Holy Spirit, who empowers and enables me to teach the Word.

God is working in each of our lives, individually, and we do not have to give up what we are. We are in ministry wherever God places us. It is not only in the church, but in every workplace.

Remember, God will empower you to use the gifts which He has given you, when you spend time in His presence.

God doesn’t call people who are qualified. He calls
people who are willing, and then He qualifies them.
–Richard Parker–

Passion

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who
is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-6

As time goes by, I see the next generation coming up. I feel old, but I connect with this younger generation because I have a passion; I have a vision for the kids. It is the vision God gave me when I got saved in the 70’s, and it is still my desire—to reach the youth.

That is how it is—whatever God calls you to do whether it is computers, accounting, maintenance, children’s ministry, whatever—the one thing you need to have is passion. If people cannot see your passion, you will never move anywhere—the passion has to be seen.

Vision is what God gives to you, but passion is what you put into it. If I was a worship leader, then I would be seeking God for the passion to write songs that have never been written, to make an impact on this world.

I want to get connected with the Holy Spirit and the way He is moving today. That will bring, not only passion and vision, but, it will bring revival. That is what we need today. We don’t need a job description; we need a calling description in all of our lives.

If a man is called to be a street-sweeper, he should sweep the streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street-sweeper who did his job well.
–Martin Luther King Jr.–

The Carnal Church

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not
want you to be ignorant: You know that you were
Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however
you were led.”
1 Corinthians 12:1-2

Here, Paul is having the same discussion that I am having with you today. The people of Corinth were asking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Paul is speaking to the church because they had a real problem. They were not a spiritual church, they were carnal, led by their fleshly lust. That is the church today.

There are too many carnal people in the church today, and God cannot move through carnality. He only moves through spirituality. You have to understand this. God will not work through carnal people. He will move through spiritual people who are aligning themselves with God and are open to the Holy Spirit, willing to do, not what we want, but, what He wants, because He gets the glory. He only uses us as vessels—we are His vessels.

Like a glass of water. Before God can use our lives, we have to be emptied and then refilled. We have to be empty of self and then ask God to fill us with Himself.

I don’t want to be filled only to the brim, but I want to be overflowing with His Spirit. That is what the Scriptures say in Acts 1:8—we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

If you want to be of use, get rightly related to Jesus
Christ, and He will make you of use unconsciously
every moment you live.
–Oswald Chambers–

Unity

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3

Throughout history, God has desired unity in the body of Christ. There will not be an empowering of the Holy Spirit when there is disunity. God cannot work when there is division among the body of Christ; He will not work— no matter what we do. He only works through people who are united, not divided.

God is not the author of confusion or division (1 Corinthians 14:33), which is the work of Satan. We do not want to be vessels of Satan, but vessels of God. It is really important that we check our hearts every single day and ask Him to fill us to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, because God wants to use our lives; He wants to work in our lives.

I believe that in these last days, God really wants to do a tremendous work through His church, but that can only happen when we come together and seek to build His kingdom, using the gifts and talents He has given each one of us, individually.

As we draw nearer to Christ, we shall be drawn nearer to His people; and in our search for unity with the members we shall be drawn closer to the head.
–G.T. Manley–

True Love

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37-39

I believe with all my heart, one key thing that will fracture the church and fracture people’s lives, will be the realization that they do not love people—not true love, especially for the lost, because that is the basis of our faith.

These two verses are the key—the bottom line. If you do not like people, you cannot call yourself a Christian, and you should not be in ministry. You will never do well in ministry. You have to be open to the Holy Spirit and transparent, so God can use your life. When God speaks to your heart and my heart, then we can connect and do the work of the Lord.

We had an apologetics conference, and there was a professor speaking who I had never met. I really wanted to talk to him, but we were both so busy we did not meet. But, I connected with him in my spirit. He is a former Muslim and I come from a Catholic background, and even though we had never met, we had a connection. We both have the same vision and passion—to see souls saved for Christ.

You will find all that is lacking in your heart
is the heart of Jesus, dying on the cross.
Then you will be enabled to love
those whom you would naturally, in your pride,
hate and crush.
–F. Fénelon–

Individual Gifts

. . . . to another the working of miracles, to another
prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another
different kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues. But one and the same
Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one
individually as He wills.
1 Corinthians 12:10-11

The same Spirit gives great faith to one, and to someone else, the Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives another the power to perform miracles and another ability to prophesy; so imagine, there are different gifts, but no one person has all the gifts. That would be like walking out of order.

Everyone has gifts, and we all work together under the Head, who is Jesus Christ, so the body can operate in obedience to the Head.

That is the problem in the church today. The Head wants to move the body, but the body does not want to move, because its members are confused or in rebellion.

Notice what Paul is telling us. It is the Spirit of God who determines what gift we have, not you and not me. We should never covet someone else’s gift or ability. Remember, you cannot be anyone other than yourself. You cannot be Chuck Smith or Billy Graham. You have to be what God called you to be. And, when you get to that point, you will be successful in Christ.

Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved: it is
something to be recognized.
–A.W. Tozer–

The Body of Christ

For as the body is one and has many members,
but all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body, so also is Christ
For in fact the body is not one member
but many.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Paul tells us that the body of Christ is like a body working together as one. Let me exhort you, “If God called you to be a hand, be a hand. Don’t be a foot. If God called you to be a toe, then be a toe. Don’t try to be a hand and a foot and an eye and an ear. Many people do that and they don’t go anywhere.”

We have to know who we are in Christ Jesus. We need to know our position, our gifts and talents and stay within the boundaries—not going in places where God has not anointed us to go.

When I know that I am a hand, I know what I can do as a hand. I think of all of the functions I can do as the hand — how I can serve the Lord.

God is the One who determines what part of the body we will be, so we cannot tell God, “No, no, no — I want to be this or that.”

Think of the way God made the body—the way He made us. How everything works well and we feel great when our body is functioning in one accord. The body of Christ fulfills its function when we, the members of the body, function in one accord.

If the service of God is worth anything,
it is worth everything.
–C. H. Spurgeon–

The Pentateuch

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for
us wisdom from God—and righteousness and
sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written,
“He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Why did God give us the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch?

These books of the Bible, written by Moses, are very important to our Christian walk. Many times people think the Old Testament is boring. I often hear people say, “When I read the Old Testament, I don’t understand it, and I do not know why I need to read it. I can get everything I need from the New Testament.”

This statement could not be further from the truth. It is very important to understand—before you can ever fully know who Christ is, you have to understand the Old Testament. There are types and pictures of Christ throughout the Old Testament writings. These first five books speak of sacrifice, atonement and redemption. All of these speak directly of Christ and the reason He became a man, died and rose from the grave.

Not only will we see Christ, but God has many lessons He wants us to learn from the children of Israel. These things are written for our examples.

The Bible is the portrait of Jesus Christ.
-John Stott-

Beginnings

In the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

As we open our Bibles, we start in the Book of Genesis. From the very first verse, we see it is the book of beginnings. Is it the beginning of God? No, not the beginning of God. He has always existed.

It is the beginning of man: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).

It is the beginning of woman: Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman (Genesis 2:22).

The beginning of marriage: And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23).

Along with the good beginnings come the bad. First, sin entered into the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God: And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11).

Then came the first murder: Now Cain talked with Abel his brother and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him (Genesis 4:8).

Everything has a beginning in the Book of Genesis. From this beginning, we can see God’s perfect plan for man and how man’s disobedience altered that perfection. We have a choice; walk in God’s perfect will as He intended, or in His permissive will and be like Adam and Eve. Where do you want to be?

We must read our Bibles like men digging for
hidden treasure.
-J.C. Ryle-

Warning Signs

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:26-27

When we come to Chapter 5 in the Book of Genesis, it speaks about death. As you go through verses 1-20, everyone dies, but when you come to verses 21-24, it breaks the cycle of death and says, And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Enoch became a warning from God that He was getting ready to bring judgment upon the world.

God gave Enoch a son whom he named Methuselah, which means, “when he shall die, it shall come.” What shall come? The flood. God always gives a sign, and God always gives a space of time to repent before He judges. Remember that. No one can ever say, “God never gave me an opportunity.” He gives everyone an opportunity.

Pastor Chuck Smith was sharing how many times we blame God for everything, and yet if we willfully sin against God, we cannot blame Him. Unlike a person in the jungles of Brazil who worships the sun and the moon; they are doing it out of ignorance. We know God and we know the truth of God. It is not out of ignorance we sin; it is a transgression; it is willful.

When the judgment of God comes, we have more responsibility than the person who never heard of Him. Think about it — the more light, the more judgment.

Responsibility walks hand in hand with
capacity and power.
-John Holland-

Bondage &amp Redemption

Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.
Exodus 6:6

After coming out of Genesis, the book of beginnings, and learning the principles of God’s beginnings, you get to the Book of Exodus, and you find the people of God in Egypt. In Exodus, there are a couple of things we need to understand. First, Egypt is a type of the world.

God allowed them to be in bondage in the world because the people made the choice to go to Egypt. He allowed them to go to Egypt, but He did not intend for them to become like the Egyptians or grow comfortable.

They were to be set apart, to be salt and light, to the people of Egypt. If we are in the world, we are to bring the world to God. But, what did they do? They became part of the world. And in becoming part of the world, they were put in bondage to the world. Four hundred and thirty years they would be in bondage—four generations.

What is incredible here in the Book of Exodus is we also find God’s redemption. When the people cried out to God, He heard their cries and delivered them from their oppressors.

We find redemption today through Christ. When we cry out to God while in bondage to the world, God will hear our cries and deliver us from our oppressors.

Life is not worth living apart from redemption.
-Augustine-

Mixed Multitude

Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.
Exodus 12:37-38

When you get to Chapters 13 and 14 of Exodus, the Bible tells us the people of God brought the Egyptians with them when they left. Remember, Egypt is a type of the world. They brought the world with them. God was delivering them from the world, but they brought it with them.

Think of how many Christians have brought the world with them. God has delivered them from the things of this world, but they cannot let go, and they bring it with them.

What did the mixed multitude do? They became a pain to the camp of God. They became a poison that infected the people of God. When they gave in to their cravings and began to murmur and complain, the children of God did the same thing. They did not trust in Jehovah God, but acted like the mixed multitude—pagans who worshipped other gods. They did not worship Jehovah God.

When God delivers us from the world, we have to leave the things of the world behind. If we do not, we will end up living with one foot in the world and one foot out—not fully committed to God and unusable in His work.

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Look Up

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today.”
Exodus 13:14

After the Lord delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians, they found themselves at the Red Sea, with the Egyptian army behind them, the mountains on both sides, and the people beginning to panic and complain.

Moses did not panic, but looked to the Lord who told him to touch the sea with his staff; and the water parted, standing up on the left and on the right. It must have been amazing to see the Red Sea open up.

God directed them to walk through and, as they did, the Egyptian army followed them into the sea. When the last person stepped onto the opposite shore, God brought down the walls of water, wiping out the army.

Isn’t it interesting how God is always in control? He is always directing. He always has a plan. The problem comes because people fail to trust in God.

Many times, when we go through trials, we look to the left, we look to the right, but we forget to look up—where true help comes from.

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Murmurers and Complainers

And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
Exodus 15:24

When we look at the walk through the wilderness, we must remember, it was an 11 day journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. God never intended for the people to have this long, hard journey.

You may be wondering why it took 40 years when it was supposed to be 11 days. It was not an accident; God had a plan. He wanted the people to trust Him and walk by faith. It was not blind faith. God had performed miracle after miracle before and after they left Egypt.

However, the first thing they did when God rescued them was to murmur and complain—they wanted water. God had just parted the Red Sea. Was the provision of water too hard for Him? So, what did God do? He “cleaned house.” He took them on a journey through the wilderness for 40 years, as He removed the generation of complainers and prepared His people for a new work.

That is how God begins a new work. First, He removes the old wineskins who do not want to follow His ways. Then, He prepares those who want to be a part of building His kingdom. That is what He did with children of Israel and what He does with us today.

Keep your hearts open to the will of God, and He will use your life tremendously. Pray for God to show you how to be a vessel He wants to use.

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Worship in the Tabernacle

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.
Exodus 25:8-9

Moving through the Book of Exodus, God gives the children of Israel the Law in the Ten Commandments. He also provides specific blueprints for the design of the Tabernacle, or Temple, the place of worship.

While they were wandering in the wilderness, the Tabernacle of God was made of wood, animal skins and tapestries that could be taken down and moved from place to place. The glory of the LORD would fill the Tabernacle as a cloud when God appeared to the people.

In the New Testament, the Temple, or Tabernacle, is not a tent or building. You and I are declared by God to be the Temple of the Living God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). And remember who lived in the Tabernacle—God.

In the Old Testament, the people could not enter the Tabernacle while the glory of the LORD was present; but today, God dwells within us through the Holy Spirit. We no longer go to a building to worship God. We are the living temple of God, able to enter into the presence of God at all times—to praise and worship Him.

We see pictures and types of Christ and the church throughout the Old Testament.

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Atonement

And he brought the bull for the sin offering. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering, and Moses killed it.
. . . And he poured the blood at the base of the altar, and consecrated it, to make atonement for it.
Leviticus 8:14-15

After the Book of Exodus, we come to the third book of the Pentateuch, the Book of Leviticus. The message of this book points directly to Jesus Christ and what He purchased on the cross through His sacrifice. In Leviticus, God teaches the children of Israel about blood atonement.

Remember, God made man in the Garden of Eden without sin. Once man disobeyed God, sin entered in and the fellowship between God and man was broken because God is holy. In order for man to have communion or fellowship with God, there had to be atonement, a covering for the sin.

The original blood sacrifice was only a temporary covering. The blood of animals could not remove their sin, only cover it; so God gave the people the sacrificial offerings in order to restore fellowship. The people were under the burden of these offerings because their sins were not removed, but simply covered.

Today, we have fellowship restored through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, which is not a temporary covering, but permanent—once and for all. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Redemption

From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:50-51

In the Book of Numbers, we learn about the God of order and redemption. God saves His people. This is very important. Many times, we say, “Let’s just let things flow and do whatever we feel God may be leading.” No, that is not God’s way. God always has a plan and does things in an orderly way.

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, there was order; and in the order, we see God’s plan for man’s redemption.

When they set up camp, the Tabernacle was always set up in the middle, with God ruling over the camp. Then, each tribe was set in a particular spot in front, behind or on either side of the Tabernacle. Every time God moved the camp, it was set up exactly the same way in the next location. Every member of each tribe camped together in their assigned area around the Tabernacle.

If we had been able to fly over the camp, we would have seen the cross—the cross of Jesus Christ. How amazing—2000 years before Christ was born, God already had a plan to saves us from our sins. How He loves us!

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

Sowing &amp Reaping

Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
Numbers 20:12

Before we come to the last book of the Pentateuch, a situation arises between Moses and the children of Israel that will have serious consequences for Moses.

They were preparing to cross over from Moab into the Promised Land, and the people began to complain—again. They came because they were thirsty—again. Remember, God provided water for them all through the desert journey, but they forgot and started to murmur and complain.

What did Moses do? Well, God told him to speak to the rock, but he was angry, and he hit the rock instead. Moses was angry with the people when God was not angry with them. He misrepresented God to the people, and there was a price to pay. He was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Moses died in Moab and Joshua led the people in.

Christians who disobey and misrepresent God will not enter the Promised Land. God still could have used Moses in a greater way, but he was cut short.

We must remember, as Christians, who we represent—not ourselves, but Jesus Christ.

Supernatural living through supernatural empowering is at the very heart of
New Testament Christianity.
-J.I. Packer-

Obedience

“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.”
Deuteronomy 7:12

The Book of Deuteronomy is the last book written by Moses—the last book of the Pentateuch. It was written in 30 days, but Moses did not get to conclude the book. He wrote the first 32 chapters, but the last 2 chapters were written by Joshua, because Moses died before they entered the Promised Land.

The Book of Deuteronomy is an amazing book. It is going to teach us leadership, as individuals, and how to be obedient to God. One of the things we want to learn from the last book of the Pentateuch is how to be obedient to God. It will teach us many other leadership qualities, but the most important is obedience. God does not put up with disobedience.

In the Old Testament, we are talking about the Law, which Paul tells us is the school master to bring us to Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, we are speaking of God’s grace.

Remember, in the Old Testament, God was building for Himself a nation—a people He could lead, a people who would come to Him and learn of Him, who would worship Him and obey Him.

Today, God wants His church to be a people who would come to Him and learn of Him—who would worship and obey Him. Let’s be God’s people!

Obedience is the hallmark of faith.
-C.H. Spurgeon-

Experience &amp Obedience

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1

The Book of Deuteronomy is a book of experience and obedience. Both of these qualities are necessary for a successful walk with the Lord. One we need to earn, and one we need to learn. The reason I say this is because most of us are undisciplined people.

One of the things I thank God for is my experience in the military. They taught me discipline: with my time, with my money and with everything I have to do. That discipline has followed me throughout my life. It has enhanced and helped me in the study of God’s Word and enabled me to be a pastor, to be an evangelist and to do all the things in my life. Otherwise, I would be in total chaos.

There are many people who have no discipline in their lives, and as a result, they have no direction. Their walk with the Lord is inconsistent because they do not meet with God on a regular basis, through prayer and reading His Word.

Through experience and obedience, we come to know what God desires for our lives, what God desires us to be, and what He expects us to be.

God expects us to be obedient—obedient to His Word.

The alternative to discipline is disaster.
-Vance Havner-

LORD of Lords

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. . . . Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14, 16

Moses was the only person in the whole Bible who talked face to face with God. The children of Israel saw the acts of God, but they did not know Him, personally.

It is like many people today. They read the Bible, they attend church, but, in reality, they do not know God. They call Him God, they call Him Jesus, they call Him Savior, but they do not call Him Lord of lords—Lord of my Life. There is a difference.

It is not enough to go through the motions and play church. If we really and truly want to have Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior, Lord of our lives, we must meet Him face to face.

The curtain in the Tabernacle has been torn in two. We can come into the holiest of holies and meet with God. All we have to do is open our Bibles or come before Him in prayer with open hearts.

When He is Lord of my life, it means everything belongs to Him. I follow His plan; I do not give Him mine. I obey Him.

Some read the Bible to learn and some read the Bible to hear from heaven.
-Andrew Murray-