by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Joshua 4-6
In our church we have twelve stones piled up on the side of stage. They were a gift given to us by our church members on Pastor Appreciation Day, and they are very special to us. These stones signify that we have crossed over the Jordan and are taking the Promised Land. As a church, they represent the promises of God individually as well as the land we want to take for Jesus – our entire community.
Such symbols were common among the Jews. They became reminders that God had a plan and He was working it. The same is true today, and if we choose to be in on His plan, we can be.
After the crossing and the gathering of the stones, the Israelite males had to be circumcised.
Under the New Covenant, the circumcision is of the heart. We have to have a holiness in our lives if we are going to take the land, and that holiness is not an outward thing. The fruit of a circumcised heart can be seen by others, but the heart itself is only seen by God. He knows every crack and crevice of our inner being – every thought, every attitude, everything.
So we allow God to circumcise our hearts, and we are ready to take Jericho – that formidable, walled city which seems so impossible. In fact that fortress is impossible in the natural. But when we are obedient to His commands, we see God move in unprecedented ways. With Him, we are well able!
The hearts of the Canaanites melted when they saw the works of God. In the same way,when heart-circumcised, faith-filled children of God come on the scene, demons tremble in fear.
Again I say, with Him, we are well able!
Luke 1:1-20
I love the way each gospel account varies its emphasis. Many of the same stories are told in each one, but with a little different slant.
Luke’s gospel adds to the birth of Jesus by including the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. Zacharias and Elizabeth were a holy couple, but they were barren – and well-advanced in years. (Does that sound familiar? Abraham and Sarah?)
While Zacharias was ministering in the temple, an angel appeared to him and prophesied of a son who would come to them. But Zacharias doubted. “How shall I know for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”(v.18).
What a rebuke! The angel, Gabriel, proclaims that Zacharias will not be able to speak until the child is born – since he didn’t believe what was told him by God’s representative.
Today, in the story of Jericho and in this story, we see people who were not to speak for a time. Why would that be so?
Words matter – whether we realize it or not. God created the world through words. Our words can create or destroy. They can open and close doors. They can change the circumstances for good or evil.
So when there is doubt – or a chance for doubt – and God wants to accomplish something important, He prescribes silence. Silence for the people as they circled Jericho for seven days, and silence for the doubting Zacharias. God is determined that His plan will not be nullified by the unbelieving, idle words of man.
Put a guard over my mouth, Oh Lord!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Joshua 1-3
The rules change!
As we are reading the book of Joshua, let’s apply the principles to our Christian walk.
We crossed the Red Sea to get out of Egypt. (That’s when we got born again). We’ve been wandering in the wilderness. Now it’s time to take the promises for which Jesus paid the price.
The first chapter of Joshua should be referred to again and again. There are some powerful principles here.
Three times it says, “Be strong and courageous.” (vs. 6,7 and 9) “Do not tremble or be dismayed.” (9)
Why does the Lord keep saying that? Because there are giants in the land. The giants are still there, but this time the people have faith that they will be able to take them. He is charging them to keep that faith.
Do you have giants in your life? Is there sickness or poverty? Are your children or grandchildren rebellious? All of these items have been paid for by Jesus on the cross. But we have to take the land.
When they were in the wilderness, provision fell on them. Manna fell from heaven everyday. Their shoes and their clothes didn’t wear out for 40 years. But there was no variety – just enough to get by.
The Promised land is different. There is great variety and great provision, but it doesn’t fall on you. You have to go get it! You have to fight the giants who are trying to prevent you from attaining God’s highest plans for you.
However, some of this mission seems similar. There is another river to cross – the Jordan. And the Ark of the Covenant (the presence of God) has to be there – in the middle of the stream for the water to stand up on each side and let us walk over.
It’s important to remember that we don’t fight the giants alone. Our God is with us, but we are the ones who stand up against the giants.
So what is our weaponry? The Word of God. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (1: 8).
As we believe and speak the Word of God, the giant demons of poverty and lack in any area have to flee. They may not go immediately, but as we continue, they will have to go.
Be strong and courageous!
Mark 16
He’s truly the God of a second chance. Peter had denied Jesus three times, just as the Master had said he would. He deserted His Lord in the darkest hour. What a disappointment!
So even though he deserted and is no longer a disciple, the angel by the tomb says, “tell His disciples – and Peter – ‘He is going before you into Galilee; there He will see you, just as He said he would.'” Even though he denied Jesus, Peter is included. What mercy! God knows Peter’s heart.
Just wait! We are going to see some good things from Peter.
Right now let’s take a look at the charge given by Jesus after His resurrection. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” “And these signs shall follow those who have believed: in My name they shall cast out demons, speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not harm them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Jesus is speaking of an authority He is giving His followers to rise above the elements of the natural world. He had already demonstrated this authority as he walked the earth. He had even given it to His followers as he sent them out while he lived on the earth.
Now this is new. He is giving this authority to those “who believe,” after He leaves the earth. They are to operate with His delegated authority in His name. Mind boggling.
I remember when this first “clicked” with me. I had never been taught that we are to “speak with new tongues” or “lay hands on the sick.” But there it is. We can’t deny it.
Jesus paid the price for a higher life and a greater power than we can imagine. But these aren’t casual attributes; this life is to be pursued with passion.
Just for some clarity here. I am not saying for a moment that we are to be snake-handlers and poison-drinkers. Jesus is here speaking of the protection we have as we “go into all the world.” In Acts 28, we see this in action. Paul gets bit by a deadly viper and just “shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.”(Acts 28:5).
As we continue in our reading, much of what our Lord is saying will become clearer.
This is a tremendous life he has called us to!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Deuteronomy 32-34
There is a verse is Deuteronomy 29 which we didn’t cover yesterday, but I think it is really important in understanding the Bible. Deuteronomy 29:29 says “the secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of the law.”
We have seen how God has tried to protect His people from Satan before they were ready to understand their foe. He couldn’t reveal all that we know now about the devil, because they were not prepared to deal with him. They didn’t have Holy Spirit living on the inside of them like we do today.
So in the same way, over the years God has revealed more and more of His Word to his people. If we will keep ears to hear and eyes to see, we will understand more and more. Yet there are still some things which are secret from us until the time He wishes to reveal them.
That’s one reason that doctrinal error gets started. People reading the Bible try to understand with their minds – and not their spirits – what God has said. We need to wait for Him to reveal it.
Now back to Moses. Moses prophesies through song about the days ahead. God is showing him that eventually the nation will turn from God and worship idols, and their blessings will dry up. (I hope that our nation will wake up before it’s too late for us). As he says, “This is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life.”(32:47)
Moses is allowed to go up to the mountain and look over the Promised land, but he can’t enter. He tried to strike the rock (representing Jesus) twice, instead of speaking to it the second time. He didn’t regard God’s Word as Holy.
Remember, we need to learn from this. We have to regard the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as Holy. Once and for all time God’s only Son was sacrificed for our sins on the cross. He paid the price for us to enter the land of our promises from God.
We don’t try to strike Him again for our answers. We receive what He has done, we pray for wisdom, and confess the Word concerning our issues. Jesus paid the price for much more than we are receiving.
I pray that all of us enter into a new, greater revelation of His Word and what it means. We must contend for the Word; we must contend for the faith. Faith reaches out and receives our answers.
We have to have those faith hands.
Mark 15: 24-47
We see over and over how Satan’s plans work for God. I Corinthians 2:8 says that “none of the rulers of this age understood God’s wisdom, for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.” So Satan and his demons thought they were defeating God’s plan. Instead they were fulfilling it.
God’s Lamb – His Son who would be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – was sacrificed on Passover by the High Priest – just as he was supposed to be. Isn’t it amazing to see how God works?
Then the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. God Himself tore the veil to signify that now all men can go into His presence. No longer is this reserved for the High Priest once a year. It’s for all of us.
Now we have the ability, not only to have forgiveness, but to live our lives in communion with our heavenly Father. He has adopted us as sons and wants to spend time with us.
The ball is in our court now. He has made the way and now beckons us to Him. We are the ones who have to make the decision to receive what he has done.
Easter season is near. I pray that all of us will make a decision to walk and live in a deeper revelation of what he has done for us.
There’s always more to learn and more to receive. When we spend time with our heavenly Father and His Word, we have at our hand new realms of understanding and empowerment.
I pray that his will be the year we decide to do it!
