No going back

Joshua 2-4

Ch3

Look at what’s before you: the chest of the Covenant. Think of it- the Master of the entire earth is crossing the Jordan as you watch.

And there they stood, those priests carrying the chest of the covenant stood firmly planted on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground.

Ch 4

Joshua set up the 12 stones taken from the middle of the Jordan that marked the place where the priests who carried the chest of the covenant stood.

“Yes, God your God, dried up the Jordan waters for you until you had crossed, Just as God, your God, did at the Red Sea, which had dried up before us until we had crossed, This was so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong God’s rescuing hand is and so that you would hold God to solemn reverence always.

As we enter into the promises that God has for us we must remember that God is going before us.

It is interesting that both the entering and the exiting of the wilderness are marked by a parting of waters.

This tells me two things:

· There is no going back

· It takes God himself to open the way.

As I face the life in the promised land, there may be times where I look back at what I have gone through and be tempted to live there again. The truth is I can’t! My heart had been changed. I see with different eyes and although I may find myself in the same proximity of my past, I can no longer live there.

God himself had gone before me, moving heaven and earth to rescue me from captivity, and free me from the pain that captivity brought.

As I enter into this new life, I too must have reminders in my life. Something to remind me who I am, where God is taking me and the miraculous journey to get here.

A little something for myself?

Joshua 4-7

Ch 7

Then the people of Israel violated the holy curse, Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, took some of the cursed things.

Joshua leads the people of Israel into battle under the direction of God. Their first battle mind you in the promised land.

God gives then Jericho literally. All they are required to do is march quietly until the ram’s horn is blown then shout praise to God… And the walls crumble before them.

What a victory!!!

Then Achan decides to keep a little something for himself. God becomes angry and 36 men die because of Achan’s actions.

It is very easy to look at Achan and judge his actions. A quick label of “greed” and a that’s what he gets! Then I walk away proudly mounted on my beautiful high horse!

But what happens if I don’t walk away? If instead I dismount my horse put away the quick judgment and instead look at the lesson taught?

Yes, Achan was wrong in his actions. Yes, he needed to be punished, but what would cause a man who has just experienced the hand of God move in such a powerful way to make these choices? I can only guess…. Maybe it was greed, maybe it was more than that...maybe it was after being in the wilderness for so long and looking at the prospect of finally being home, he wanted to make sure that his family was provided for… that He was ok.

As I take this one step further, I wonder how many times I have in the past made these same choices in my walk with God. How many times have I kept a little something for myself in order to insure a “safe” place. My heart has many, many, many areas that I feel are better off left hidden… but it is in the hiding that others are wounded and left for dead.

As I see God move in my life and see the walls of the enemy crumble at my feet, I must remember that there is no need to keep anything for myself… It is cursed and leads to death. I must put my whole trust in God, hold nothing back, hide nothing… and let him have every last bit of me…. NOW THAT’S A VICTORY WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT!

Father, help me to give absolutely everything to you. Holding nothing back for myself, nothing hidden or buried, but all given for your use and your glory, that others see for themselves the redeeming love that drives you.

Marching orders are being drawn

Deuteronomy 1-3

Ch 1

You've stayed long enough at this mountain. On your way now. Get moving. head for the Amorite hills, wherever people are living in the Arabah, the mountains, the foothills, the Neger, the seashore- the Canaanite country and the Lebanon all the way to the big river, the Euphrates. Look, I've given you the land now go in and take it. It's the land God promised to give you...

Look, God Your God, has place this land as a gift before you. Go ahead and take it now: God, the God-of-your-fathers, promised it to you. Don't be afraid. Don't lose heart.

Ch 2

God, your God, has blessed you in everything you have done. He has guarded you in your travels through this immense wilderness for 40 years now, God, your God has been right here with you. You haven't lacked one thing.

Ch 3

You've seen with your own two eyes everything God, your God has done to these two kings. God is going to do the same thing to all the kingdoms over there across the river where you're headed. Don't be afraid of them. God your God, He's fighting for you.

Soothing Psalms:

Psalms 61:3-4

You have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. I will live in Your tent forever, and take refuge under the shelter of your wings.

The time in the desert is drawing to a close and as I stand on this mountain and survey all that is around me, I realize I can't stay here.

I look behind me from this vantage point and see all that God has done. I've seen how his continual Love and guidance has protected, mended, lead, corrected and even carried me through some of the toughest terrain I have ever gone through.

I am tempted to run back to the safety of the wilderness I have come to rely on, Yet I know if I do it is here that I will die. Never entering into the fullness of what God has for me.

I look ahead and see before me the promise... The fullness of life... the life God has called me too and my heart at first glance is in awe.

I know from past experience that in this imperfect world that even in the midst of living in the promise there are still battles to be fought, lessons to be learned, and healing to be done....

and with that brings pain, struggle and heartbreak.

I also know that it is worth it all!

God says he has given me what lies ahead. He will fight for me, and Victory is mine!

Marching orders are being drawn up... the choice is mine to either follow or not.

Will I run and hide in the safety of the past or will I live in the shelter of His Wings.

It is here that my choice is made... I will gather up my skirt and run full speedtoward the promised land!!!

From deep within the battle cry is calling

Let God ARISE!!!!

Let His enemies be scattered!

The reward to the conquerors!

Revelations 1-3

Ch 2

I’m about to call each conqueror to dinner, I’m spreading a banquet of Tree-of-Life fruit, a supper plucked from God’s orchard.

Listen… Listen to the wind words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. Christ-Conquerors are safe from Devil-death.

Listen…Listen to the wind words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’ll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I’ll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name.

Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror; everyone who keeps at it refusing to give up; you’ll rule the nations, your shepherd-king rule as firm as an iron staff, their resistance fragile as clay pots. This is the gift my father gave me: I [ass it along to you- and with it the Morning Star!

Ch 3

Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my father and his angels.

Because you kept my word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman and child put to the test.
I’m on my way. I’ll be here soon, Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.
I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the name of my God, the name of God’s city- the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven- and my new name.

Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father.
THAT’S MY GIFT TO THE CONQUERORS!

Soothing Psalms:
Psalms 57:2
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

When the dark times in my life come, and the question again arises in my heart…”Is it worth it?” This is the answer!

I know there are SO many areas in my life that I stumble and fall. Areas where I am willfully disobedient and areas that I just can’t seem to get it together.

I also know that I am, on my own, just like the churches described in these chapters.

But, I’m not on my own anymore… I have a God who lifts me each time I fall, lovingly corrects my disobedience and has a special way of putting the pieces of my life together when it seems impossible.

Still he calls me conqueror and has these gifts waiting for me.

What an awesome God I have!