Being Courageous

Joshua was preparing to lead the nation of Israel into the promise land and in so doing, he sought direction from God. Instructions that he was to pass on to the people before they began their advance. Joshua 1:6 records a simple, yet profound statement - "be strong and of good courage". We need to remember that except for Joshua and Caleb, most of these were born while wandering in the wilderness and what they have experienced for the last 40 years has been death and defeat. Where do they find the experience to draw upon to be courageous? Where would they find their strength as another major change is about to take place in their lives? They would follow Joshua. But, wait, Joshua was just a man just like them, except he was an old man. How could they do that? One thing that became increasing clear was that Joshua was following God, so for them to follow Joshua was the same as following God. They understood that what they heard coming from the lips of Joshua was actually coming from the heart of God. It wasn't their strength that they were relying upon, it was the power of God. It would be several hundred years before the Holy Spirit would inspire Paul to write to the church in Philipi, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me". Phil 4:13 Several years ago, my wife had a small chiuahua dog. One day, as we were standing outside on the porch, a big cat came walking down the sidewalk, just minding it's own business. This ferocious dog went tearing out to the sidewalk and began running around this cat that could take her nose of with a single swipe of it's paw. Ignored completely by the cat, the dog contined to bark and occasionally look to make sure we were still standing there. While she was making another lap around the cat, we quietly slipped into the house and watched through the window as she looked our direction. She actually did a double take when she saw we weren't there and came running to the house a quickly as possible. Why? Because her source of strength, our presence, was gone. To us it was hilarious, but I am quite sure it wasn't to her. My point is this - we can find our strenth and courage in the presence of God and He will always be there. So, no matter what you are facing "Be strong of good courage".

Zacchaeus

Most of us know about Zacchaeus - you know because they wrote a song about him - remember, "the wee little man". Some people can relate to him because he was small of stature, but there is another characteristic about old Zach that really impresses me. Consider the storyline if you would for just a moment. Jesus is passing by and there is a great crowd of people trying to see him. Obviously, Zacchaeus couldn't see over them and they wouldn't let him pass through, because he wasn't very well loved in the area since he was a tax collector. But, that didn't stop him. Nothing do, but Zacchaeus climbed up in a tree so he could get a good look at Jesus. Of course, we know that when Jesus passed by, He stopped and Zacchaeus met Jesus personally and spiritually. I admire the persistence of Zacchaeus. He wasn't going to let anything stand in his way. Today, we are more prone to make excuses for not being able to come to Jesus than we are to make arrangements so that we can. Zacchaeus could have pushed on the crowd a couple of times and then say, "oh well, I tried". Let's learn something for a little friend and make big efforts to please God. His efforts literally changed his life, for all of eternity. Who knows what our efforts might do?

When I'm Gone

As sure as we live and breath, there will come a day when our life here on earth will come to a close. Isn't it amazing how much time we spend preparing to live and how little time we spend preparing to die. James tells us that we have no idea what tomorrow holds or if there will even be a tomorrow. Take a moment and read the last half of James 4. And, since the time of the future is so uncertain, it would certainly be a good idea to settle the destination of the future. We only have here and now to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior so that we can know that Heaven is our home. Now that we have that part nailed down, it is also a wise idea to get things ready to leave. God has given instruction that we should "set our house in order". One thing that I have been thinking about is what my funeral should be like. I hope I have lived the kind of life that has effected people enough that I will be missed. But, I also hope that I have lived the kind of life so that people will have occasion to rejoice. I can promise you one thing. When I get to Heaven, don't expect me to want to come back. I saw a sign some time ago and it said something like this - every person that walks through these doors brings joy, some by coming, some by leaving. One thing I know for sure and that is when I am ushered in to Glory, everyone there will be glad I'm home. Are you as excited about Heaven as I am. It could be today. Are you ready?

Divine Revelation

Rom 1:20 says "For the invisible things of Him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen...". There is so much in that verse for us to see and so many thoughts that we could consider. One is that it is finally Springtime and things are beginning to come alive again. We have been able to see God in the power of the snow storms and also His beauty and Holiness in the white coverings, but now we see Him as things begin to change. Some time ago, we had a missionary that was with us whose ministry was to the deaf. It dawned on me that for someone that is born deaf and receives the wonderful gift of salvation, the first thing they will ever hear is the voice of God as they enter His presence at death. The same goes with a person who is born blind and never gets to experience the wonder of God's creation - though tainted by sin. Yet, when their eyes close in death, they awaken to the glories of Heaven as they see for the very first time. So, how does this relate to our verse of consideration and also to those of us who have hearing and sight? It is kind of like the experience that Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus. Saul, who we know best as Paul, believed in God and was doing what he thought God wanted him to do as a devout Jew. But, then he met Jesus (in the form of a bright light) on the road that day, and everything became crystal clear. As a lost person, we know there is a God, but we can't really understand who He is. As a child of God, we see Him clearly. The birds sing a different song, the rose smells a bit sweeter, and we don't mind the Spring showers because they are all a part of God's divine plan. What a difference it makes when God opens our senses and we acknowledge His presence. Don't miss meeting with God today. Enjoy the day that God has given and thank Him for it.

Just What Is "Post Modern"?

Sometimes we use terminology that just doesn't make much sense to me. I always thought that whatever was current, at any given time, was also modern. I understand pre-modern, which I would just say was old, but how do you get post-modern when post means after? Things just seem to want to change and therefore we must give them a new name. I am sure glad that even though times change and people change and even cultures change, but our God never changes. Israel went through a lot of changes in their history. They began with a man and his wife who were willing to leave their homeland and go to a place that they did not know. Change. They would eventually settle into the land of Egypt and grow into a mass of people some 2 1/2 million strong. Big change. They would later go into their promised homeland and begin to dwell there. Another change. They weren't satisfied with having a Theocracy, with one man reporting to God on their behalf and demanded a King like all other nations. More changes. They would eventually lose their land, later to return, but never to be of national status as they were before. With all of this, as God was about to stop talking to them in prophecy for 400 years, God did speak through Malachi and said "For I am the Lord, I change not..." Mal 3:6. With all of the changes that we go through in our lives, it is comforting to know that our God does not change. His Word does not change. Salvation has not changed. Find peace in our Immutable God. Eternal God is always modern.