Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
How can something so valuable to mankind be so worthless? What is wealth to you? The answer to this question will differ for everyone. This passage prompted me to ponder on the tragic fires that have been going on around the United States and most recently in Hawaii where many people lost their lives and possessions. Imagine where you are in life! What or who in your life do you consider valuable? Wealth does not always equal money or possessions. It could be something or someone that influences your life or things that you have an abundance of, such as money. The families in Maui woke up and found their lives suddenly changed. Although every one of those victims are grieving the loss of lives and things, their recovery through this traumatic experience will be different. Those whose assurance relies on their possessions, whether dead or alive during this tragedy, have lost it all. However, the people who had made Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior, although their journey in this world might be over, their righteousness will reward them deliverance from the final death. Those walking with the Lord who are alive, know that they may have lost their earthly possessions, but their confidence is in God as their provider, and He promised he will never forsake the righteous. There are several examples in the Bible that demonstrate the response from those who understand the value of God's grace in comparison to what this world offers. Jesus understood the value of righteousness and demonstrated how we, as his students must fight against the Devil’s schemes that lead us toward worthless wealth. When the father of deceiver, Satan (Mathew 4:1-11) attempted to offer Jesus what already belonged to God, Jesus confidently stood against the scheme because he knew who the maker and creator of all things is. Another example is Stephen; he was being stoned for his efforts to persuade the Jewish leaders to choose God over their position of wealth and power. The scripture says, “Stephen prayed Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” and he asked the “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” (Acts 7:59-60). Zacheus in Luke 19:1-10 and James/John in Mathew 4:18-20 also grasp the significance of what it means to store up wealth that is valuable to withstand the wrath that life brings. There are many other examples of men and women who gave it all to choose God as their anchor during the storms of life. In contrast, read Mathew 19:16-23 and learn from a man who chose the wealth of this world over surrendering his will to God. Wraths will come. When they do come, who or what do you rely on to deliver you? Wealth of this world or Righteousness?
Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
Do you believe that you serve a faithful God? Do you believe in all his promises and live in expectation that they shall manifest as he says? As we read these questions, we can quickly respond, yes, I do? Take a moment to process these simple questions that I believe is one of the cornerstones of our Christian journey. Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Do you believe no matter where you are in your life that God is working everything out for your good (Romans 8:28)? The book of Joshua taught us that the nation of Israel was made of different tribes which we might call today different countries that are part of one continent or states that are part of one country. The Israelites went through many trials; most of them if not all their trials were invoked by their disobedience against God’s commands. Yet, despite their disobedience and consequences of their actions, God still fulfilled all the promises that he made to their ancestors many years prior. Is your soul steadfast in all circumstances that are happening in your life or the world around you? Let us live our lives knowing and believing our God will finish the good work that he has started (Philippians 1:6). Hebrews 12:1-3, reminds us "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
I have read this passage throughout my journey with the Lord, but it has never rung so true as when it was being read to me by a young teenage girl on a Sunday afternoon. These scriptures are the opposite of how ministry is built today. In the religious community, the more titles, education, and visible attributes you have behind your names, the more likely you will be chosen to be a leader. This mindset is so opposite of Jesus' ministry. He was born in a humble way and chose lowly people to build his ministry. This passage was read and shared with me by a young girl who is starting her journey with God. You may wonder why the passage spoke to my inner soul that day. During that same week, I was pleading with God about a vision I had after fasting and praying. My plea was God not me! I can't be and do what you are showing me. I went further to list all the weaknesses that I have and all the obstacles that might get in my way. God is a simple God who chooses the least amongst us to display his power. I always pray for God to use me as a vessel for his will. When the Lord does whatever he pleases with my life, I will boast in his mighty name, YAWEH! Knowing it is not by my might and human intelligence but through the power and will of God this has come to life. Our God takes pride in using the people who are considered insignificant to humble the proud, arrogant and the intelligent people of this world. If you are a son or daughter of the Living God, thinking why me, you should ask yourself why not you? Your God, YAWEH, is bigger than any obstacles or imperfections you may have.
"That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."
If you are a monthly newsletter recipient of our ministry, you will notice Joshua is a huge theme for the month of August. This was not my plan; I simply obeyed where the Spirit of YAWEH sent me. As I read the entire book of Joshua, I can’t escape the thought that we should never mess with God! He sees all and knows all. Just as the Hebrews writer wrote Hebrews 4:13, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” When we are not able to face the many trials in our lives and we feel defeated in every corner, could it be the result of our disobedience or the disobedience of people we associate with? The passage above is God’s response to Joshua for crying out because he felt let down by God. What Joshua did not realize, although he had obeyed God and was faithful, some of his soldiers were not faithful. God might be pleased with us but we might become victims of the consequences of other people's sins around us. Becoming a victim of someone’s offense does not mean you are guilty of any wrongdoing. One might say God's commands to destroy the family from the tribes of Judah who disobeyed him was harsh, however, there is always more to everything you read in one passage. There are many morals to this story but the few that stood out to me are: You can deceive others, but God sees everything; God does not tolerate wickedness. Have you ever thought that other people around you can hinder God's promises and blessings for your life? What in your life do you need to destroy or let go for God to manifest in your life? Read the entire book of Joshua and learn what God did in his life and the people of Israel after the mold that infested their camp was found and destroyed. Ask God to reveal the things and people in your life that you need to remove from your camp and surrender to God through Jesus Christ. This challenge is for everyone who is reading this devotional. Whether you know the Lord or don't know the Lord, we all have things or people that can hinder us from saying yes to Jesus’ call or grow in God's kingdom.
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
Which side are you on? We live in a society where the norm is to choose a side when it comes to almost everything. The interaction between Joshua and the commander of the Lord’s army challenged my inner core as a person who identifies myself as a soldier in the army of God. There is an incredible lesson that every follower of Jesus Christ could learn through Joshua’s interaction with this man in the scriptures for this week. We were not saved by God to take sides in this world. Jesus, during his earthly ministry, demonstrated for us what the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua as he reminds us that God’s will was his purpose (John 4:34). Our sole purpose is God’s mission! We live in a world that thrives on division. Can you imagine what it would be like if all Christians took a stand that they are not for either side in a society that is always divided? You may say this is impossible to do because there is too much going on. It's not impossible because Jesus overcame the world when he was in the flesh and left us an example for those who desire to follow him. For example, politics were around during Jesus’ time. When Jesus was asked a question about tax, read what he says in Luke 20:25. You don't think Jesus knew how the government at the time was abusing the poor and cheating people? Yes, Jesus did, but he did not let the earthly distractions interfere with his purpose which is to seek and save those who were lost. His purpose was not to fight the earthly battles but the heavenly war that is raging for the soul of humanity. I'll give you another example. According to God, marriage is between a man and a woman. The world says if you believe this truth, you are not being loving toward the other group of people because God loves everyone. Another group says if you do not embrace the people who believe in same-sex marriage, you are not a Christian. Do you see how the enemy uses division to throw us off focus? As a soldier in God's army, we believe that God’s son died for the entire world (John 3:16). In the same chapter of John, God says those who recognize the light and live by truth will benefit from the sacrifice he made. Both groups have some truth but not the whole truth. That is why it's important we stay in the Word of God instead of choosing sides. The world will hate you for the truth but that is one of the costs of being in God's army. In God's truth there is no grey area or agree to disagree line, it is simply truth according to God's commands. Whose army are you fighting in?
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
How does one cross over from death to life? According to Jesus, whoever hears the word of God and believe in God who sent Jesus has eternal life. This passage is part of a bigger puzzle in understanding the process from death to eternal life. Many people read this passage and believe it's the entire picture of Salvation. Jesus later during his ministry explained what hearing and believing his words looks like in John chapter 14 and 15.
