- araratchurch
- May 2, 2023
- 2 min read
“If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.”
Numbers 14:8-10 ESV
Have you ever heard the saying, “Get in; get out; or get run over”? Well, let’s add one to that: “Go; stay; or get out of the way.”
You see, people who are not willing to follow the word of the Lord—or do what it takes to secure the promises of the Lord—often bad mouth and/or try to hinder those who are committed to believing God‘s word. They are not content to disagree and go their own way. The faithless, unbelieving, and/or uncommitted want to gather a crowd of sycophants who will bolster their position. Those who dare to continue serving God and believing what He has said, are slandered, maligned, even attacked!
“For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
1 Peter 4:3-5 ESV
In a prophetic word given to us several years ago the Lord instructed that a time was at hand when people who did not believe in the soon coming of Jesus Christ, would lash out with great animus on those who do believe in His soon coming.
Indeed, we have experienced reproach, ridicule, and rejection because we believe, teach, and act on Jesus’ soon coming for His Bride.
Our opening scripture provides an excellent example of people who were unwilling to believe and act on what God has said, attacking those who chose to stay faithful.
When Caleb and Joshua tried to encourage the people by reminding them that God had already given them the victory, the angry mob wanted to stone them, and would have, if God had not intervened.
Child of God, understand that you cannot base your hope in the word of the Lord on whether or not other people agree with you.
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Hebrews 11:24-26 ESV
Remember, great reward awaits those who choose to believe and follow!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- May 2, 2023
- 2 min read
“And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.”
Numbers 13:26-28 ESV
Have you ever considered the power in our “however’s”?
The word, “however”—and similar words—are conjunctive adverbs, “announcing” a contrast between what has just been said and what is about to be said. (Don’t glaze over, this is not a grammar lesson.)
The point here is that when we speak of the word of God (including His promises), then follow up with any “however,” we are generally voiding our claim to that promise. Of course, we are not speaking here of perfectly legitimate statements such as: “I am believing for a new job; however, I don’t know what the Lord‘s timing is concerning that move.”
A perfect example of the type of “however” that negates the promise, is seen in our opening scripture. As discussed yesterday the Lord had promised the children of Israel a land of plenty. However, when they went to spy on the land, with the bounty the Lord had promised, are giants and other mighty people already possessing it.
Now, if they had given it a minute, they could have reflected on the fact that the same God Who promised them this fruitful land, also knew who was currently inhabiting it. But, when you’re looking for an excuse to not believe (as we repeatedly see was their propensity), you will find it.
In a case such as has just been described, when we know for certain what God has promised, yet are presented with contrary evidence, we must remember that God already knew all of these variables when He made the promise. Our job is to be obedient to His voice, patient in our waiting, and preparing for action.
If we believe what God has said, let’s act like it. Our actions (including our confessions) should be based on the conviction that the promise is true. Then, in the time before the promise is realized, we must allow the Holy Spirit to instruct us as to how to wait or how to move forward.
Remember, words/thoughts contrary to what God has said, must be cast down rather than entertained.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming. Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- May 1, 2023
- 2 min read
“The Lord told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’””
Exodus 32:7-8 NLT
Do you believe the promises of God? Do you believe that He will do what He has said He will do? Now, of course, and rightly so, most Christians would quickly respond to that question in the affirmative. But please understand, the test of whether you really believe a promise or not, comes when circumstances are speaking another story to you, a story contradicting what the Lord has said.
The children of Israel were delivered from Egypt with many marvelous signs and wonders. God brought them out of bondage with the promise that He would take them to a land, a land of their own, flowing with milk and honey.
When they camped at Mount Sinai, Moses went up and got instructions from the Lord as to how they were to live and operate, as well as how they would worship the Lord.
The thing is, Moses took longer than they thought he should and they began to panic. They totally forgot all of the miracles they had already seen and demanded that Aaron build them a “god” that could lead them on their journey. Indeed, we see in our opening scripture that the Lord informs Moses of the rebellion that is going on in his absence.
Now, we might look at their desire to have a “god” built for them as being ridiculous; but it made sense to them because this is what they knew from Egypt. So, when things didn’t look the way they thought they should, they went back to what they knew.
Please know, old ways of being and doing don’t seem ridiculous to the one employing them.
The word of God is full of His promises for those who belong to Him. But, when we get under pressure, and things aren’t coming together as quickly as we thought, it’s easy to panic and go back to ways of being and doing that do not come from the Spirit of God but from our experience, our generational propensities, a damnable “default,” basically, from the “old” self.
Turning back to our own “Egypt” when we can’t make sense of our circumstances, causes us to despise our promise as Esau despised his birthright because of hunger.
“Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me now." So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
Genesis 25:32-34 ESV
Let’s believe the Lord when it “makes sense” and when it doesn’t. Let us not forfeit our Promised Land!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!