But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:16

Moses was between a rock and a hard place, literally. Before him was the Red Sea, uncrossable and unyielding. Behind him was Pharoah's army and on both sides was unscalable terrain.

God told Moses to hold his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea. That's it. To be saved, Moses simply had to trust.

Before you say not so simple, remember what Moses had experienced. The burning bush, the plagues, the deliverance of God's children. He knew God was able to do mighty works, if he was willing to trust.

In verses 13 and 14, Moses shared the peace that all would be well:

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Moses knew Pharoah's army was mighty and would conquer them quickly. They were in sight and ready for battle. The Children of Israel feared the worst and cried out to Moses. Yet, through it all, Moses held fast to his peace.

One thing to remember here is that while the army was advancing, God was working in His time.

He didn't provide a quick remedy to their problem. Verse 21 reminds us that it took all night. All night the wind blew, and the cloud hid them. All night the Children saw the army nearby and know that without God, they were doomed. All night God allowed them to see that He was there for them and to remind them that He was mightier than any army.

Have you ever faced a Red Sea in your life? Sure you have. These are the times we see no way out and feel despair closing in. Satan and his minions are close at hand with our destruction in mind. We know what God has provided for us in the past, but yet we worry. When all He asks of us is to trust, we worry.

God will never ask us to do something that we cannot do. Just as He told Moses to trust Him and stretch out his hand, He will ask us the same.

Simply Trust.

-C

And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. Hosea 1:2

 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley. Hosea 3:2

Hosea was a prophet, a man of God. Yet, God gave him the task of marrying a woman that didn't fit the image of a holy man. Why?

Good question.

God used Hosea's marriage to Gomer as a picture of how the nation of Israel looked in His eyes. Israel was in a moral downslope and their behavior was reprehensible in the eyes of God. Their spiritual prostitution to the idols of Baal was similar to Gomer's chosen profession. Hosea was a representation of God, holy and with purpose. Gomer represented the spiritually ever-swaying Israelites.

However, instead of the judgement He wanted to reign down, He gave grace and mercy through restoration.

Just as Hosea purchased his wife back from her harlotry, God sought after Israel. Time after time, Gomer left Hosea for the lure of her former life. She sought the pleasures of this sinful life and enjoyed it more than her commitment to Hosea. The Israelites also left God many times for the love of other gods and ways. Their spirituality was like a yo-yo.

When she was purchased back, Hosea told her she was his and for none other. God wanted the same for His children, but it had to be their choice. The cost for Gomer was 15 pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley. This symbolizes redemption and payment for sin as well as provision and care. Hosea promised to care for her, as a wife, and to provide for her.

The cost for mankind was significantly more. God sent His Son, the perfect and spotless Lamb, to provide redemption and to become our sin payment. Through His sacrifice, our provision and care are secured. As with the Israelites, however, we must choose it.

Read the story of Hosea and Gomer and see the love of God toward His wayward children throughout it. It is a beautifully redeeming tale of a loving Savior.

C 

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? Joshua 5:13
And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. Joshua 6:12-13

Last September, we decided to take a few days away in the dune buggy. It was finally restored, and I wanted to take it to the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Well, let me tell you, anytime you hear the Birds are taking a day off, prepare for disaster. (Remember last January and the tornado??) Since the weather was so bad, we changed our plans and took the car. On Friday morning, we received a call that we needed to get home quickly. The trip home was fraught with impasse after impasse. The hurricane brought trees down on the interstate, power lines down, and flooded roads we would normally take. A typical 3-hour trip turned into 6 hours.

Now, why did I tell you all of that? Because just like the Israelites facing Jericho, we faced roadblocks.

Jericho was looming ahead of them and Joshua didn't know what to do.

Then, God came onto the scene. The Commander of the Lord's Army stood in front of Joshua assuring the Canaanites would not succeed.

The Commander gave Joshua his marching orders. Literally - he was told to march silently for six days. This gave them time to reflect and pray for victory through the only one that could provide it. Can you imagine? Men of war told to go for a stroll around the city walls for six days without speaking. Why? Because God was in control and the victory would be His.
No soldier would lay claim to the victory they would soon experience.

Following six days of silent marching, God worked a mighty miracle. Joshua was commanded to march 7 times around the city and then shout with everything they had. The shouting didn't bring the walls down, but their faith in the almighty did. God crumbled what was referred to as impregnable walls to nothing - not even one stone stood on another.

So, how can we apply this to our lives? Glad you asked.

Robert Morgan shared 5 ways to turn our obstacles into God's opportunities:

1. Encircle your obstacles in power
Just as God was with Joshua, He will be with us.
2. Encircle your obstacles in prayer
Just as the Israelites prayed as they walked, we need to pray as we trust.
3. Encircle your obstacles with promises
God gave Joshua a promise, just as He has promised to be with us always.
4. Encircle your obstacles with perseverance
Continue trusting, even when it doesn't make sense
5. Encircle your obstacles with praise
Praise God through it all

Even as I write this, Never A Time by the Lindsey's is playing. The chorus says,

Well, tell me a time He's not been faithful
Tell me a morning His mercies weren't new
Tell me a moment He wasn't able to carry you through
Tell me a day He was less than Almighty
When He could not roll back the tide
Child, when you look back, you're gonna find
There was never a time

C

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.  Joshua 3:15-17

And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. Joshua 4:20-22

Have you ever faced a giant so tall, you thought it was the end? You stand there, mouth agape and wonder, Lord, how am I going to conquer this?

Newsflash - you won't. But God can.

Joshua and the Children of Israel faced another barrier on their journey to the Promised Land - the Jordan River.

It was harvest season and the Jordan River was swollen. Yet, in this moment, God chose to lead the Israelites to its banks. On the other side of the Jordan was the land they had searched for, and they needed to get there. Swimming was not an option as the water was swift and all consuming. Walking across was also not an option. To them, there were no options.

Until God's presence. The Scripture says when the priests carrying the Ark (God's presence) touched to water, a miracle happened. 40 years after the Red Sea, God again parted the waters and slayed the giant for His children. It took faith and trust that He would once again provide.

Now, He didn't have to make it as easy for them. God could have said, I'll be with you through the water. He could have allowed the water to trouble them to secure their faith in Him all the more. He could have let them fear the water and what it could bring to them. But He didn't. He parted it for them.

Joshua did not allow this miracle to end. He commanded twelve stones to be taken from the riverbed and set as a memorial to the faithfulness of God. This monument would declare to future generations the faithfulness of God during the times when all hope seemed lost.

What monuments will we leave for our children, grandchildren, and future generations so they can see the faithfulness of God in our lives?
Robert Morgan shared three ways we can do this:
1. Document our testimony. Sure - it may not be pretty and even embarrassing how far we let ourselves get into sin, but the grace of God will be the most important aspect of it. It can also document milestones in our lives and how God was faithful through each of them.

2. Leave behind a Bible filled with testimonies, thoughts, and moments with God.

3. Leave a life filled with moments of service to Him and a wonderful example of Godliness in our simple everyday moments.

C

 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.   Joshua 3:3-5

Ladies, does your husband still have an atlas? Mine does. Before GPS, I was the navigator for our road trips. I followed the map and provided instructions on what to look for and what routes would be better. Unlike GPS, I had no forewarning of speed traps or road closures. And.....at best, it was several years out of date, so we just hoped for the best.

The Children of Israel were instructed to follow the Ark at a distance to where they could feel the comfort of knowing God was with them and where everyone could see it. The journey they were on was not one they had traveled before and was uncertain at best. While they had the final destination, the way to it was led by the Ark.

Interesting facts given by Robert Morgan - the Ark contained the rod of Aaron (God's power), the tablets of Ten Commandments (God's precepts) and manna (God's provisions).

This life is filled with unknown and uncertain moments. We know that as Christians, Heaven is waiting for us at the end, but what lies ahead of us on the road there can be interesting. So, while traveling through this life, let God lead the way with His provision, His power, and His precepts. The journey to receiving the wonders of following God will be much smoother.

Joshua told the children to consecrate themselves so God could do wonders for them.
Our faith is action based. We cannot be passive in it like we are so many other things. We must act and be willing to give something of ourselves.

If you have been praying for a lost loved one, keep praying. Sanctify yourself as you wait.

C

Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord's servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising. Joshua 1:15

And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the Lord hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Joshua 2:14

If you don't come apart, you will come apart.

Throughout the scriptures, we see where God gave rest to those who would surely need it. The Children of Israel, Joshua, Jesus, David and so many others were given rest at critical times in their life.

So, why do we rebel so much in this?

I'm speaking to myself more than anyone else. I am often overscheduled (my fault totally) and find little time to simply rest.

When we overextend ourselves, we leave little time for prayer and meditation on what God wants from us. Think about the last Sunday morning you spent reading scripture, praying for your teacher, your pastor, and for God to give you a little nugget of scripture to carry you through the next week. Nope, we usually oversleep, rush frantically to get lunch started, or scroll mindlessly on social media. We aren't resting and preparing our spirits for the morning message and then wonder why we aren't being feed spiritually.

We drop the teacup so to speak on the last yard of the play by not preparing ourselves for submission to the will of God.

So, why do we need to do this? Glad you asked.

We need to prepare ourselves spiritually in submission to Him so that we can help others find the saving grace.

Just as Rahab helped the spies, we need to help those around us who need a small act of kindness.

Rahab saved the spies and in return they saved hers and the lives of her family. The crimson cord, as Robert Morgan said it so well, "...saved the spies, and within a few days, saved her family, too". This cord represented for Rahab what the blood of the lamb was for the Children of Israel - salvation.

Take time to rest, reflect, and find God's will for your day so that you can be better equipped to help those around you find Him.

C

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Joshua 1:1-2

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

For the next 5 weeks, the men of the church will meet to learn more from the book The Jordan River Rules. This is a great book filled with valuable messages and truths that will help any Christian willing to dig and glean what it has to offer.

Also, for the next 5 weeks I will also study the strategies for moving forward given by Robert Morgan through this book and share my thoughts here.

Jordan River Rule #1 - Realize God Means for You to Move Forward
Jordan River Rule #2 - Say No to Discouragement, Yes to Strength

Moving forward begins with the first step. That step can be an easy one or it can be the toughest decision you will ever make.  God has a plan for each of us and that plan requires action. It requires us to walk by faith knowing that God is already where we are going.

So, how do we move forward? Glad you asked.

Our lives are a process of stages. They are a beautiful journey filled with memories, love, and blessings. Some stages in our lives are happy, and others are sad. Yet, through each stage, God is with us.

This week, Brian and I will celebrate 32 years of marriage. I've looked back through the many pictures taken and can see each stage of our lives. From dating (man, I had the 80's hair) to our wedding, with the kids, and now as empty nesters. God led us through each of them, however painful they were.

The stages of life cannot be stagnant if we are to be the Christians God called us to be. We must take steps through the stages to share His love and the promise of eternal life. King David understood this when he wrote Psalms 139:16, ...in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. We were created for a purpose and Robert Morgan so eloquently said it this way, "The only way of moving forward is putting your foot down - and making sure it lands on a promise." (pg. 7)

How can we do this? With faith as strong as our God.

Charles Spurgeon said, "Strong faith glorifies God because it treats Him as God." Sure, many steps are unsure, scary, and can bring moments of doubt. Yet, when our faith is in Him, we can be sure each step will be matched by His. Now, this kind of faith is not something you can have on a whim; you need to pour His scripture into your daily life.

Can you imagine the outcome for the Children of Israel if those 10 spies had the faith of Caleb and Joshua? Rather than faith, they let their fear rule their lives. Now, we can't be too hard on them, we do it to. Think about the last time fear dictated your actions in a situation when faith could have provided a better outcome.

A lack of strength brings fear, and fear brings discouragement. Sure, it's easy to become discouraged when we look around and see the chaos of this world. But, when we look up, we are looking to the God that gave miracles where man saw despair and hopelessness. We see the God that walks with us through the chaos and the pain. We receive encouragement knowing that we are loved beyond measure by the One who created life from dirt.

-C

Morgan, Robert J. The Jordan River Rules : 10 God-given Strategies for Moving Forward. Tucson, AZ, Cover to Cover LLC, 2021.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, [a]wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2

We have heard the Christmas story our whole lives and the wise men from the East are an intricate part of it. But have you really thought about their journey? Their sacrifice? Their faith?

I haven't, until recently.

Many scholars think the magi were from Babylon. The magi were high ranking officials in the court there and likely heard the stories of Daniel. They also are rumored to be descendants of Shem, Abraham's son. Yet, the stories alone didn't prompt such an arduous journey to worship a child born of lowly stature, one not of a reigning dignitary, and in a small town that was considered one of the smallest villages in the area.

The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem is not an easy one. It is over 700 miles and, on a camel, a very long and uncomfortable one. It required a lot of preparation for food, water, and other necessities that they would need. The cost; financially, physically, and emotionally, was substantial.

So why did they do it?

They went to worship.

Read that again. They made the journey because to them, the cost was not important. They chose to go and worship the King of the Jews in person to present Him with costly gifts that represented who He was to them.

Let's look at those for a moment. God represents His divine nature, His glory, His purity and sacredness. Frankincense represents worship and prayer, as well as the divinity of Jesus. It also represents the connection between mankind and God, which is what Jesus is. Myrrh is a holy anointing oil and used for the embalming process. It signifies the savior dying for the sins of mankind.

The faith it took for these men to travel this far, over rugged terrain and spend time away from friends, family, and their place in the court is strong. It provides for us a shining example of true worship and self-denial needed to be the Christian we should be.

Read their story again (it's only 12 verses) and use it to guide your heart in worship to the One who came for us!

~C

On Sunday we sang the first of many Christmas songs. One of our congregational songs was We Three Kings. The last verse reads:

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Sounds through the earth and skies

Did you read that second line? No, well read it now.

WOW. Now, I know this song is not scripture, but it does provide to us a clear visual of who He is.

King - Isaiah prophesied that he would be King and so much more.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

God - John declared Him to be God from the beginning of time. John also declared the communion that God, His Son, and the Word had. 
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Savior - Paul and John declared Him to be the savior for mankind.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

No wonder the angels sang Alleluia!

During this Christmas season, focus not on what is under the tree, but who hung on it for our sins. Take the time to reflect not only on His birth, but the need of it.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24

Recently on the news I saw a report of a church singing an old Madonna song, "Like a Prayer". Many vloggers and Facebook hounds could not believe a church could be so clueless as to the meaning of the lyrics and the identity of the singer. Those of us from that generation know all too well that she wasn't singing about church, God, or praying to Him. Well, my curiosity got the better of me, so I researched it. What I found was several other news outlets stated that this was not in fact a church, but a Christmas sing-along in Germany. (Not sure how this song could relate to Christmas any more than the church, but ok).

Either way, the truth was not being provided. While many believed the tale of the church gone astray, many others believed this was a simple community sing-along.

John is cautioning us to be mindful in what we believe. He urges the believer to try each spirit - to see if it is of God and can be trusted. He was well aware, just as we are, of those claiming to have God's word only for it to be their own for their own personal gain. We are to look deeper than the surface to examine the intent and the substance of anything we hear.

While many false prophets provide just enough truth to make their tales believable, they are still full of many untruths that can lead us down a dark path.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. it is knowing the difference between right and almost right."

Something may look great at first glance, but a deeper delve into it may prove beneficial for righteous judgement.

Don't be a blind follower. Just because something sounds biblical with words like prayer, heaven, and power, doesn't make it holy.

C

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

You would have to live under a rock right now to not know it's election time. When I was younger, it was television ads and yard signs. Now, with modern technology, we are bombarded with candidates' names and words on every front. Calls, texts, emails, and even ads on the games we play on our cellphones. Even as I am writing this, Facebook sent me a notification from McDowell County Board of Elections with a voting alert.

Proverbs 14, in my humble opinion, is a very good read for times such as this. It provides reminders to us for seeking wisdom, believing what we hear, and what fear of the Lord will provide for us. Verse 12 reads, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Verse 34 begins with the bold statement to do what is right if you want your nation to flourish. It tells us that true greatness is not in accomplishments or accolades, but in doing what is right through justice and faith. To be great, the leadership must place justice and rightness over pleasing man. There can be no one greater than another. The flip side of this is sin and the consequences and shame it brings.

Before you go to the polls, read this chapter, pray for wisdom, and vote God's way. Man's promises fail, but the word of God stands.

C

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Yesterday in Children's Church, the kids were tasked with carrying 5 little sugary pumpkin candies from one point to another on an oversized tongue depressor. I instructed the kids to focus on their own pumpkins as they walked, keep them safe on the depressor they carried, and to not make finishing first the goal. I reminded them of how dirty the floor could be with all the dirt we carry in on our shoes and how the pumpkins would not be edible if we dropped them. (Some of the kids gasped when I said they couldn't eat them if they fell on the floor!)

While giving them instructions on the goal of this task, I was reminded of Paul and the concluding thoughts of his life. Paul felt he had run the race of life faithfully and served God well since his conversion. His life mattered in service to God and his fellow man. He was diligent in his service and looked forward to the reward promised to the faithful believers given by Jesus at the end of our life.

Later, as I thought more on this, I wondered how we could apply this to our own lives. All too often, we focus on finishing first - having the best of everything, living the good life with earthly treasures and rewards. We come to church focused on everyone around us rather than our own worship and with this we lose sight of what is truly important. If we, like the kids with the depressors, focused on keeping our spiritual life steady then we would not have time to compare our lives to those around us. We would work to keep our "pumpkins" clean and like Paul, say we finished well.

The kids listened well, enjoyed the game, and then the pumpkins. They learned to focus on their own walk and keeping their pumpkins off the floor.

Sorry parents for the sugar-filled kids. (It's Trish's fault, lol)

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? John 5:6

The man had spent a long time waiting for a miracle. day after day he witnessed others receiving what he longed for. Bethesda, also known in the Aramaic tongue as house of mercy or house of grace, gave hope to those who had long ago lost all hope.

When Jesus passed by, He had a mission. He knew this man better than he knew himself. Jesus understood his infirmity and his desire to be whole again. All the man needed was a little grace and Jesus came to offer him that.

His answer to Jesus was matter of fact. When Jesus asked if he wanted to be whole, he gave his tale of woe that others were faster, and he had no one to offer assistance. Rather than discuss this, Jesus simply asked him to do what he had longed to do; rise up and walk.

Now, I can only imagine what this man thought. I know what I would have. "If I could rise and walk, do you think I'd be here?"

The next verse tells us he immediately was made whole. He rose, took his bed, and went on his way. AND THEN the critics showed up. (Where were they to help this man before?)

Our faith is one of action. It requires us to act and to accept. God won't force His will and mercy upon us - we must be willing to receive it.

Remember when you were saved? It required you to go to God and bow your heart before Him as a willing servant. It required you to take action. It was not a passive event in your lives.

Live your faith in action just as this healed invalid did. He told everyone who touched him and then found his place in the temple to worship.

He made his new found life one of action in worship and praise to Jesus.

Do we?

C

...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Yesterday we gathered together as a church family and shared the love of Christ with our community through generous donations from eastern NC churches. While some individuals were there to get all they could get, many simply asked for water. It was a heartbreaking time to see the great need of our community.

We suffered catastrophic damage in WNC as did other states that bore the brunt of Hurricane Helene. Many lost their homes, their lives, and family members. We lost places with historic meaning that gave us great memories.

As we drove toward Hickory on Saturday looking for supplies that would carry us through, we read of losses suffered by many. yesterday, I shared a post on Facebook from a sweet lady that, while driving a long route to her employment in Asheville, witnessed horrific sites that she said will scar her for a lifetime.

However, through all the suffering, God is still good.

In the good times it's easy to say this. Life is full of joy, and we are not experiencing the suffering so many have endured recently.

Yet, in these trying days; the bad times, we say it with more meaning. We feel it from our souls and cry thinking about how gracious He is even in these dark periods.

Sitting at my work desk today, I heard The Goodness of God. The second verse says:

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In the darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

And if that doesn't get you, then just wait for the chorus:

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh I will sing of the goodness of God

So today, take time to share the goodness of God with someone who is suffering. Show them the love of Christ and His faithfulness.

C

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  Genesis 3:1-6

He was lurking and watching the daily lives of Adam and Eve. He saw their daily communion with God and the life they enjoyed in paradise. He had that, once upon a time, but his greed and self-importance were the source of his downfall. Now, he would bring these into the lives of God's greatest creation, to bring mankind's downfall.

In paradise, Eve feared nothing. God created a beautiful garden for her and Adam to enjoy and care for. Their lives were perfectly splendid. Until..... they weren't.

When the serpent spoke with Eve, he included what God said. He was cunning and crafty in his speech so that there was just enough truth in the conversation to put her at ease. Didn't God say...? But then, he spoke to the heart of all mankind - you shall be a god. (Note the little "g") Whoa, wait a minute... wasn't this his desire? Wasn't this the reason he was cursed and tossed out of heaven?

He told Eve that she would not die - in a sense that God lied to her - and she could be like God. Even with the knowledge that she had from spending time with God and enjoying the beauty all around her, she believed him. Why? Because it's what she wanted to hear.

Her eyes were immediately open to the beauty of this tree. Gone were the warnings from God about it and how it would bring death to her. She took from it and then gave to Adam to eat.

Then their lives were no longer perfectly splendid.

Don't be too hard on Eve, we are guilty of this as well. We take the word of someone with ill intentions over what we know to be true and share it with others. We're sharing a prayer request we'll say to cover the reality of what it truly is.... gossip. Or, we'll see a chance for us to increase our earthly belongings and finances at the expense of our relationship with God. 

Satan will take a beautiful creation of God and turn it into a tool for our destruction. Just as he used the fruit in the perfect garden, he will use things in our lives to cause havoc and pain.

Don't be his tool

-C 

The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. Daniel 4:30-31

Nebuchadnezzar was a proud king. He was powerful, rich, well established, and honored among all. His kingdom was far reaching and many flourished under his rule. However, his pride would become his downfall.

He was warned. Daniel provided the interpretation that he would be cut down for 7 years if he did not change. But, just like us, he didn't take heed to this warning.

Verse 30 shows that his pride was great, and he took praise for what God had given him.

Wrong choice.

God's warning became reality and for the next 7 years, his kingdom was taken from him and Nebuchadnezzar ate just as the beasts of the field.

Oh, but then, divine grace came into his life. His mind came back to him and the first thing from his lips was praise unto God. He was restored to his former glory with one major difference; he praised God and magnified His name.

The Bible is full of warnings to mankind similar to this one. We are shown how lying to God can cause instant death, how taking praise that is rightfully God's can bring destruction, and how our will placed ahead of God's causes more heartache than it's worth.

So, why don't we listen??

There is a price to being prideful. Sure, God has given us wonderful blessings in our lives. He has provided for us our needs and many of our wants. They are gifts from Him and if we aren't careful, we could be eating grass for supper.

Praise Him for His graciousness.

C



 

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. Mark 2:1-5

Last week during revival, Bro Cason spoke on "Who Fixed the Roof". He talked about those that were present when Jesus healed the man lowered from the roof by his four, faithful friends and the possibility of who actually fixed the roof.

This made me think, not about who actually fixed the roof, but what lasting impact this fixed roof made.

Many scholars think this was Peter's home. Peter, the rugged, rough man who often acted or spoke before he thought but followed Jesus. (many of us can relate to him)

After this encounter with Jesus, the crowd dissipated and returned to their own homes. Each carrying a memory of the event that could fade over time. However, Peter's family was left with a mark.; the fixed roof. When something is repaired there is always a mark left showing where the repair was. A seam that is fresher and newer than the rest, a board that appears out of place, etc.

This mark provided for them a reminder of the miracle performed in their home. It was a remembrance that Jesus provided for those in need. When troubles came and there appeared to be no way out, they could look to the roof. When life was so overwhelming and difficult to bear, they could look up and remember the faith those friends had to get their friend to the One who bears our burdens. This repair brought a fresh knowledge that Jesus cared enough to heal and love.

What mark do we carry in our lives that provides us with this reminder? For some, it's a healed loved one or their salvation. Others have a saved family member that they spent many restless nights praying for. For me, it's a scar.

My scar is the fixed roof in my life, and it provides a reminder that whatever I go through, God is there with me. It reminds me of a time in my life that I couldn't take care of the problem and had to solely rely on Him.

What's your fixed roof?

C

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

David knew what it was like to be in need of a reviving spirit. He took another man's wife and then had him killed to attempt to cover his sin. He thought no one knew - but God did. He sees what we tried to hide. God sent Nathan to scold him and remind him that he was given all he had by God. God's man shared the message of the Lord with David, and the consequences would not be easy to bear.
 
Nathan's words in 2 Samuel 12:9 reads, "Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?

God called David to repentance through His prophet. He accepted and in Psalm 51, we see David begging God to cleanse him and renew his spirit for the service he was called for. He didn't blame others, he accepted that it was his actions, and his sin that brought him to this place of needing a revival.

Next week, God may point out a sin in our lives that we think is well hidden. He will use His man to preach His words, and we need to be willing to accept them. Just as David craved a clean heart, free from sin and a renewing of his spirit, we need to want this as well.

Take time this week to pray that God would show you the areas of your heart and life that need a renewing. Then, next week, show up to hear the words that God has for us to provide that renewing.

Let this verse in Psalm 51 be the theme of the week. 

Individually, we need revival.
Corporately, we need revival.

Let revival begin in you!

C

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matthew 16:26a

What is your soul worth? To God, it is worth His Only Son. To Satan, it is worth everything that can be sent your way to prevent you from accepting God's love and repenting of your sins.

But what is it worth to you?

Now, this verse sounds, at first read, that your soul can be lost much like a coin or a cellphone. However, if you read this verse in the ESV, you'll see exactly how this is possible:

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? 

Wait, what???

What does forfeit mean? It means to give up (something) as a necessary consequence of something else.

Paul stated that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not even Satan himself can pull us from God's hand. That is an act that only we can do. It is our choice whether to accept Christ or live as the world lives. When we choose to ignore God's commands and His will and live a life of sin, we are giving up what an eternity in Heaven will be. In this passage, Jesus is speaking plainly and boldly - you can keep your earthly gains and desires, or you can save your soul.

So, what in this world is worth you forfeiting your soul for?

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41

On Saturday, I was making fried green tomatoes to add to a BLT (very good!). As I attempted to remove the burning cornmeal/flour mix from the skillet between batches, a little slipped from the spoon and onto my thumb. The hot oil mixed with the burnt cornmeal made removing it a little difficult. Pain instantly set in and for the rest of the evening, I sat with an ice cube on my thumb attempting to relieve the pain. I now sport a small (too small for the pain I endured) blister as a reminder of this clumsiness.

Why am I sharing this with you? It gave me a stark reminder - hell is real. The Bible calls it a lake of fire where there is no relief. The pain I endured for a pencil eraser size burn doesn't even compare to the pain that will be endured by those who choose to make hell their eternal destination.

Matthew calls it an everlasting fire - one from which no ice cube will provide relief. Can you imagine living for all eternity in a fire that never consumes, just tortures?

In addition to the pain from the fire, those in hell will also be separated from God's presence. The protection provided to us through our lives by God will no longer be available as we will weep, wail, and suffer other tortures.

No imagery that I can provide will give even a small glimpse of this. Even standing near a bonfire, the hottest one you can imagine, can provide the truth of how hot hell will truly be.

So then, why do we go about our lives from day to day with no real care for those who are lost and bound for this all too real place? We stand idly on the sidelines of their lives seeing how they make the wrong choice about their eternity without so much as a peep of sharing God's love with them.

Well, as an old preacher once said, as long as there is breath, there is hope.

Share that hope with someone who needs it. Just one more soul will make it all worth the while

C

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

A fitness guru recently said:

With Commitment comes Discipline
With Discipline Comes Execution
With Execution Comes Results
It All Starts with Commitment - Be Committed

Now, they were speaking of being committed to fitness and exercise and the commitment it takes to live a healthier lifestyle.

However, let's talk about spiritual fitness - it doesn't require giving up chocolate....

David, in his later years, wrote this particular verse. He understood this from a life of leaning on God. He also understood this from those times he didn't and seeing the heartache it brought. When David encouraged us to commit our way unto the Lord, he is saying trust God with the path you will travel here on Earth. From experience, he is saying, "Give God everything and trust Him to guide you".

When we commit our lives, our path, and our future to God, we will learn to be disciplined and refrain from a worldly lifestyle and vocabulary.
When our discipline is established, we can execute a Christian lifestyle and be a light to others.
When our Christian lifestyle is executed correctly, we will see fruit from our witness to this lost and dying world.

But, it all starts with commitment.

Are you committed?

C

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

There's a young man at a local grocery store that never fails to say God bless you and Jesus Saves as you leave his register. While other young adults his age are talking about their activities, music, or the newest trend, he is sharing the love of Christ with those he interacts with. 

It's very humbling to say the least.

In this verse, Paul is reiterating his stand on preaching the gospel of Christ. Even in the face of disdain the Roman leaders had for the gospel, Paul is not ashamed because he has first-hand knowledge of the saving grace found there. What the Romans called foolishness Paul saw as the good news that needed to be shared and the only hope for salvation.

So, why do we struggle to share this hope? For some, it is very easy and simply rolls into our daily conversations. Others struggle with the interaction, the fear of rejection, or even the confidence to be bold in the face of sin.

I once heard it said that if we truly believed what we say we believe, the gates of hell could not stand against us in sharing this hope. We would be bold, just as Paul was, and our testimony would encompass our conversations.

This young man shares a simple faith to everyone he encounters. His impact may never be known to man, but it will be made. With just a simple parting phrase, he shares a hope that many in our community needs to hear.

Today is a good day to share this hope. Will you?

C

  

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

For photographers, focus is very important. The subject of each image should be the focal point with its surroundings playing a secondary role. If the image is executed correctly, you will remember this part of the image more than you will the blurred areas.

Life is like this, too.

I was listening to 106.9 this afternoon and it was said, "where you place your focus is what you allow to control you". Think about it, if you focus on your fear, you are giving it control over your mind, your emotions, and your life.

In the verse above, Paul is encouraging Christians to look upward so they can maintain a heavenly focus. If we are looking up and searching for God's will, then we will have no time to look around and place our focus on earthly things, like fear.

When we have a heavenly focus, we are blurring this world, its treasures, and even our will. When we blur them, we are making them secondary to what should be the focal point in our life - God. With God in control of our lives, we won't let fear or other earthly stumbling blocks shift our focus.

Where's your focus?

C

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12

I enjoy watching Facebook videos. They provide entertainment and show just how some people have no grasp on reality. I definitely feel better about some of the less intelligent choices I have made over the years by seeing others make even more less intelligent choices.

One that I have recently watched was a gentleman who wanted to remove the bags under his eyes. He was (mis)informed that a certain item would help him with this. In the video, he holds up a ha-ban-er-o (which is how I will say habanero now and forever more) and then proceeds to cut it in half. Then, he rubs the cut side under his eyes to remove the bags. Well, you can only imagine how it ended.

Another video shows a man handling the seeds of a Carolina Reaper pepper with gloved hands as he explains their severe heat and then absentmindedly rubbing his eye with the same hand. Again, it did not turn out well.

We laugh at this because we are all very aware of what pepper juice will do to our eyes. So, when you finish laughing, ask yourself why we do something even more foolhardy when we follow man rather than God.

Sure, we know what the Bible tells us about sin, allowing it to rule in our lives, and going against God's will and way. The outcome is death, according to the verse above. We know this in theory, but putting into practice is something else entirely.

Just like to guy who wore gloves knowing the Reaper was very hot, we handle sin haphazardly and think we can follow our own path of righteousness. Surely God will reward us for the effort, right?

Wrong. That way that seems right to us will be full of questionable actions, worldly language, and will lead to taking God from the throne in our lives. Without allowing God to direct our steps, we will follow our heart and go the way that pleases us. Solomon knew this all too well. His father David did, too. They both made choices that seemed right to them and in the end, they suffered the consequences of those choices.

When we follow the words and actions of man without first seeing if they align with God's word or when we choose to follow man despite what God's word says, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We deceive ourselves into thinking that God will be pleased with our own version of following Him, interpreting scripture through the lens of self, and seeing our flawed perspectives as the gospel truth.

Don't follow your own rose-colored path to destruction.

C

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Joshua 7:11

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. Joshua 7:20-21

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. Joshua 7: 24-25

The battle should have been an easy one. However, it ended badly for Joshua and the Israelites. The reason, sin. The sin of greed brought pain and death to God's people.

God was very clear in His instructions - do not take anything from the land you conquer. It is cursed and could corrupt your spirit.

It's very saddening to hear someone say, "My sin doesn't affect anyone else." We often attempt to justify our sins and lessen their impact on those around us. We think that we can minimize God's wrath with these foolish thoughts. However, this chapter in Joshua proves this is not correct. Not only did Achan die for his sin, but so did his family, his livestock, and 36 soldiers sent into battle with Ai. After they were stoned, they, along with all that he had, including the corrupted items he stole, were burned to atone for his sin. The families of the soldiers as well as friends of Achan and his family were devastated because of the choice Achan made to ignore God's command and turn his eyes toward the sinful pleasures offered by Israel's enemies. (We saw this in Lot's life as well, didn't we?)

Our sins, whether we want them to or not, affect others. We see this in our families, our churches, and even in our communities. Just as a stone tossed into a pond causes ripples to spread, our sins touch the lives of many others.

Think about how sin has affected your life whether directly or indirectly, and the pain it brought. This may give us pause next time we consider ignoring God's commands.