Monthly Archives: October 2018

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COUNT THEM

Joshua 12:1a, 24b “1 Now these are the kings of the land whom the sons of Israel defeated,…24…in all, thirty-one kings.”

 EACH ONE MATTERED

 Thirty-one kings!  That’s a lot of kings.  That’s a lot of kingdoms.  But God gave them victory over each and every one.  Why do you think king number 30 or 31 didn’t just try to make peace?  Why did they all choose to fight?  Because God had determined that they all had to be defeated and removed from the land.  He wanted the children of Israel to have complete control.

Isn’t it the same with us?  God does not want us to live among those who will cause us harm.  He will not allow His children to be led astray by those who blaspheme His name. He gives us a way out.  He tells us how to insulate ourselves against such attacks.  Sadly, we choose to embrace the world’s lifestyles and rationalize it as being culturally sensitive.

TEACHING MOMENT

 There is probably no greater lesson to teach your children than to live sanctified.  Now, you can’t tell them to be sanctified and go your way.  No!  You have to model sanctified living.  You have to choose God’s way and not the worlds.  That may mean appearing “intolerant” or “old fashioned” to them.  That’s okay.

You have probably heard the saying, “If you don’t stand for anything, you will stand for nothing.”  That adage, although not biblical, does agree with Scripture.  We have to stand for truth.  We must defend the faith.  And when we do, our children see that.  They will learn to be bold in their witness.

Do you stand boldly in your community? Do you refuse to bow down to cultural pressure?  We do not have to be antagonistic, but we do have to be true to the Word. Don’t compromise your faith.  Stand for truth.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me the courage to stand. Thank you for having my back when I face the enemy.  I know You are still fighting our battles.

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GOING IN CIRCLES

Joshua 6:3-4 “‘’3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4 Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.’”

 MAKES NO SENSE

 Have you ever felt like you were just going in circles with your life?  You don’t seem to be getting anywhere.  You cry out, “Will someone please stop this merry-go-round?”  But have you ever stopped to think that you have been placed in this vicious circle you are in for a purpose?

I bet the people of Israel thought Joshua had lost his mind.  “Here we go. The new kid has no clue what he is doing.”  Walking in circles around a walled city didn’t sound like much of a battle plan. Doing that for seven days and blowing trumpets and shouting didn’t exactly give them a military advantage. But God had a plan – His plan.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Your little Johnny may not understand some of the things he will have to do in life that will fulfill God’s plan for him.  Going to school for 13 years just to get a high school diploma may not sound like a great plan.  He may feel he is just going in circles.  But there is a bigger picture.  Each step he takes is part of the journey.

That’s your job!  You have to reassure him there’s a plan.  He can’t see it yet, but he is being prepared for a greater purpose.  Who knows what God may choose to for him.  The important thing is to be obedient to do whatever the Lord tells him, trusting that He knows best.

 Are you questioning your journey?  Are you marching in circles?  Ask the Lord to show you what He has in store for you.  He might just give you a glimpse.  You can rest assured that whatever He has for you is good and perfect.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me my marching orders.  I may not always understand them, but I trust You.  May I encourage others to do the same.

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SCATTERED

Acts 8:4 “Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

 NOT SHAKEN

 After Stephen’s stoning in Jerusalem, persecution began to get intense.  This was the point at which Paul (known as Saul then) began persecuting the church. But God had a plan.  He allowed the persecution to force the believers to flee Jerusalem.  Look what happened.  They left Jerusalem, but as they did they “went about preaching the word.”

These changed lives could change their physical location but not their spiritual calling.  They could abandon their earthly dwellings but not their heavenly purpose.  They took the Gospel out of Jerusalem into a world that had not yet heard the message. God was going to use them to change the world.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our children will suffer persecution if they choose to follow Christ.  The extent of the persecution will vary depending on where the live and how radical a life for Christ they live.  It is sad to me that many believers can live in this fallen world and never face any kind of persecution.  “What? Carl, that sounds crazy.”  Well, here me out.

We should live lives so holy and different that unbelievers feel uncomfortable around us.  The light of Jesus in us should expose the darkness around us.  If your children live like that, get ready for persecution.  Welcome it. Embrace it.

You are probably thinking right now that you do NOT want that for your children.  Had you rather have them just melt into the crowd and not stand out for Jesus?  We, as parents, should desire that our children stick out at school as a sold-out believer.  Pray they will be bold and courageous in their walk.

Father God, give me the courage to stand firm for Your Son.  Help me spread the good news through my suffering.  Let others see the difference in me and ask how to change their lives.

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NO MORE MANNA

 Joshua 5:12 “The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land, so that the sons of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate some of the yield of the land of Canaan during that year.”

 REAL FOOD

 For forty years, the Lord fed the children of Israel manna from heaven.  The day, the very day, they ate produce in the Promised Land, the manna stopped.  I wonder how many of them went out the next morning looking for it.  Even though they were probably tired of “manna stew” I bet they still looked for it for days.

God sustained them for forty years with manna.  They would not soon forget that.  What would the women do with all those manna recipes?  But now it was time for real food.  Can you imagine their gratitude for their awakening taste buds?  The kids who had been born in the wilderness had only heard about this kind of food.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Try this experiment with your kids. Cook something for dinner they have NEVER had before.  When they come to the table and ask what it is, tell them it is a surprise.  After you coax them into eating it, tell them it is going to replace their favorite food.  You will never cook their favorite food again.  It’s gone forever.

After they quit crying (lol), read them this passage and explain that the kids back then may have felt the same way. Then you can tell them you were kidding about their favorite food. Making a verse personal can often make it stick in their minds.

Can you relate to this verse?  Have you gotten so accustomed to the normal that you can’t appreciate the better stuff from God?  Our “manna” may be okay, but God has so much more for us if we will just enter our “Promised Land.”  He wants to bless us.

Provider of all, thank You for giving me all I need. Thank You for giving me more than I deserve, often more than I expect.  You are too good to me.

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A VOW IS A VOW

Numbers 30:2 “‘If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.’”

 KEEP YOUR WORD

 My dad was a man of his word. When he said something, he meant it. Now, for us kids, that could be good or bad.  If he promised a spanking, well….  Ouch! And if he promised he would be at your game, he was there.  Yay!

The Lord told us way back the importance of keeping a vow you have made.  Too many people make promises to the Lord when they are in a pinch and as soon as they get out of the bind, they forget it.  Not cool!  God isn’t deaf.  He hears those cries for help.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Children need to be held accountable for promises they make.  All too often we let them slide.  Don’t!!!! The bad habit this produces could lead them poorly as adults.  Don’t say, “Well, they are just children.”  Teach them how to keep their word.

And the best way to teach that is to do it yourself.  Keep your promises to them and to God.  Make promises you know you can keep.  This teaches them.  Make promises that may stretch you at times to show them the depth of your vow to them. That teaches them.

Are you trustworthy?  Do you keep your vows?  If so, great.  If not, start today.  Vow to God right now that you will follow Him daily.  Give your family your word that you will lead them faithfully.

Lord, I vow today to live my life for You.  I give my word to You that I will be faithful.  Help me live in such a way that I always draw others to you through my faithful living.

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IT’S NOT US!

Acts 3:12 “But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, ‘Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’”

 AMAZING POWER

 Can you believe Peter’s response?  Too many today want the attention.  Too many want the accolades.  Too many would claim the power.  Not Peter!  Remember, he had just been filled with the Spirit.  This was the Spirit talking through him.  He was just the vessel being used.

Just like Peter, we have the power within us to accomplish incredible things.  Our problem is we don’t believe it.  “Not me, Carl.  I could never heal someone.”  With that thought you can’t.  Now, don’t hear me say you should just start healing people.  That is NOT what I am saying.  But we can do ANYTHING the Lord asks us to do through His power.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our children should be taught to depend on the power of God to accomplish great things.  Of course, in order for them to be able to do that, they have to have the Holy Spirit living in them.  But once they have asked Christ in their lives, they need to learn to depend on Him and not themselves.

What could your children accomplish if they did that?  God may lead them to do incredible things for Him.  Nurture your child to depend on Him, not you.  Turn them over to Him.  Let them go!  That’s hard, I know. But they weren’t yours to begin with.  They have always belonged to Him.

Are you allowing the Spirit to work through you? Are you willing to be used to do whatever He asks?  He may ask you to pray for healing over someone.  He may ask you to witness to someone and lead them to Christ.  Now that is power!

Lord, thank You for allowing me to be used.  I am nothing. I am not worthy.  But You have chosen me to be used by You to accomplish great things.

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THE RED HEIFER

Numbers 19:2 “‘This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed.”’”

 NEEDED FOR PURIFICATION

 Do you want to read some exciting news? Then go to this site.  http://news.prophecytoday.com/2018/09/a-red-heifer-has-been-born-in-israel_11.html  This is big news concerning the rebuilding of the temple since the red heifer is necessary for the purification necessary to restart the temple worship.

While this may seem huge, and it is for prophecy, it is NOT necessary for Christ’s followers to worship.  This may usher in the return of Christ sooner, but it does not affect our worship of our Lord.  We have the perfect sacrifice.  We have been purified through the blood of the lamb.

TEACHING MOMENT

 “Okay Carl, I want to see you apply this verse to my kids.”  Alrighty, here I go.  Your children are going to see people do all kinds of things in the name of “worship.” They are going to see people worship in a variety of ways.  They will be told by others that you have to do this or do that to truly worship.  It’s your job to show them that we just need to worship in spirit and in truth.

Our worship does not require any kind of animal sacrifice.  Our worship does not require any kind of external purification.  Our worship is pure and sacrificial as we bow before our Lord and God proclaiming the name of Jesus, the Messiah.  That’s how you apply this verse to your kids.

But let me ask you this.  Are you truly worshipping the way our Lord asks? Are you in the Spirit and in truth? Do you focus on Him and not yourself? Bow before Him now and seek His face. He will be glad to show Himself to you.

Thank You Lord for saving my soul.  Thank You Lord for making me whole.  Thank You Lord for giving to me, life more abundant and free.

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OUR PORTION

Numbers 18:20 “Then the Lord said to Aaron, ‘You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.’”

 OUR INHERITANCE

 The Lord told Aaron that the Levites would not receive an inheritance from the Lord in land or possessions.  Oh no, they would receive something so much better. Their portion and their inheritance would be the Lord Himself.  Wow! No other tribe was told that. Only the Levites.  And…so are we!

We are joint heirs of the kingdom.  We are a child of the King.  We have been promised all He has.  No other people on earth has been promised that.  Only those who call His Son Savior can claim that prize.  We are a blessed people.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Your children may not be old enough to understand inheritance yet.  But, if they are, explain to them that one day when you die all that belongs to you will belong to them.  That may either excite them or depress them, depending on what you own.  And then one day when they die, all that they have will be left to their children.  That’s the normal way of things.

What will you leave them?  Some deeds or money?  How about some jewelry or family heirlooms?  The most important thing you can leave them is your legacy as a man or woman of God.  Leave them the knowledge you find in God’s Word.  Leave them a heavenly inheritance by leading them to Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I want to invest my life in leaving behind things that point others to Jesus.  Earthly things will fade away.  Money may lose its value.  But God is ours for eternity.

Father God, You are all I want.  You are all I need.  Let me share that inheritance with my children and with as many others as I possibly can.

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WHEN YOU HAVE WRONGED

Numbers 5:6-7 “’Speak to the sons of Israel, “When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the Lord , and that person is guilty, then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged.”’”

 MAKE IT RIGHT

 Boy, aren’t you glad we are not still up under the law?  I would be broke making restitution to all I have wronged.  LOL.  Seriously though, did everyone who wronged someone back then actually do this?  I bet not.  I bet it took a confrontation by the one who had been wronged for it to be carried out. People just don’t like to apologize or make amends.

Don’t you like being the “right” one?  Who really wants to admit they are the wrong one? No one!  But we know, as followers of Christ, that we are go to our brothers or sisters quickly and make things right.  Just the other day I did that to someone I feared I had wronged.  It’s not easy, but it is necessary.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Talking about a life lesson!  Wow!  This one is critical.  I am sure you have “forced” your little Gertrude to apologize to her brother, right? Sometimes it takes more than just an apology.  If, for instance, your child has broken the toy of another child purposely, they should not only apologize but also make restitution.  Now, before you say, “That’s the LAW, not grace”, let me explain.  Children need to learn to respect the property of others.  This kind of life lesson will go far in teaching that.

Maybe later on they also send a note apologizing. That way the person receiving the note will know this wasn’t just done and forgotten.  It meant something.  They were sincere.  This is especially good to do to an unbeliever.  This will speak Christ’s love in a very real way.

Do you do this?  Does your pride get in the way?  “But you don’t know what they have done to me!”  That really doesn’t matter.  Jesus forgave us all.  We should do the same.  Will you make a wrong right today?

Father, I am so thankful You don’t keep my wrongs done against You over my head.  I am sorry for hurting our relationship each time I choose my way.  I long for us to remain wrong free.

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ARE YOU SAD?

Luke 20:27 “Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection),”

 THERE’S NO REASON

 You have probably heard why the Sadducees were called Sadducees.  They were (Sad, You See) because they didn’t believe in the resurrection.  Lol.  Well, that could be a reason, couldn’t it?

I would be sad if I didn’t believe in the resurrection.  But I do! I know one day I will be either resurrected from the grave or raptured alive.  I know that!  Why? Because His Word tells me so.  His promises are true.  His promise to take us home is real.  Do you believe?

TEACHING MOMENT

 Tomorrow morning when your children wake up from their night’s sleep, greet them like this, “Good resurrection day!” They will probably give you a strange look and will think you have lost it.  But then explain what you mean.  They have arisen from sleep to a new day.

In the same way, one day, we believers will awake to an eternal resurrection.  We who have passed away before that time will see our bodies erupt from the grave and resurrect.  If we are alive at the time we will “resurrect” immediately to our eternal reward.  That will be a happy, blessed day.  It’s no wonder the Sadducees were sad.

Are you ready to go?  I pray you are.  I pray you have made that decision to follow Christ, so that when He returns in the air to call His bride home, you will be one of those who goes.  He will come.  We will go.  Will you?

Lord, thank You for the promise of resurrection. Praise You for the promise of an eternal home.  Help me share the joy of this coming day before it comes and too many are left behind.

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