Crossing Jordan

Come to the Table - II

2009-06-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

This week, I'd like to take a break from the book of Joshua and delve into the wonderful and mysterious topic of the Trinity. Since this is a study on the Spirit-filled life, it would be wise to acquaint ourselves better with the person of the Holy Spirit. How can God manifest Himself in three persons and yet be completely One? It is a difficult concept for our finite minds to grasp. But there is something so powerful about being in relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Most of us know these names, but do we relate to Him in all three aspects of His Personality? Does it matter? Yes! I believe it can add tremendous depth and dimension to our relationship with the God of the Universe.

I recently joined a women's Bible study which is covering the topic of the Holy Spirit. Last week we looked at Genesis 1:26 where God says, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." This passage highlights several important characteristics of God. First, that Father, Son and Spirit were all involved in Creation. Second, that God exists in relationship with Himself. And third, He created man in His image, according to His likeness. God exists in relationship and created us to be in relationship with Him and other people. Think about it....God is dialoging with Himself about the creation of man! For some reason, that blows my mind. There is constant conversation going on in Heaven. Doesn't it make you wonder what else He talks about? :)

One of my favorite teachers, Graham Cooke, offers a helpful picture. In our western mindset, we tend to visualize the Trinity as a triangle with the Father at the top and Jesus and the Spirit opposite each other at the bottom. But this implies a hierarchy which does not accurately represent God's nature. A better picture is that of a round table with three figures sitting around it, equal in relation to each other. This sparks the idea of the Communion table or the place where we dine with the Lord through the Word and prayer. If the Father, Son and Spirit are already there, talking with each other, we are just joining in the fellowship. When we come to His table, we enter into the conversation. God made us in His image to be able to commune with Him, in all aspects of His Personality. Isn't that cool? I can't wrap my mind around it, but my heart is amazed.

Thought Questions: What is your picture of the Trinity? Do you see the Holy Spirit as a Person with knowledge, feeling and will? Or do you treat Him as an impersonal power or force? As my new Bible study leader said last week..."A correct understanding of the Holy Spirit will change your life". (Thanks Jenny!)

Come to the Table

2009-05-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." Psalm 23:5a

After the Israelites were circumcised at Gilgal, they celebrated Passover for the first time in 40 years (Joshua 5:10). They never celebrated it in the wilderness. But now in the Land of Promise, after the flesh was "rolled away", they finally observe the feast. The Spirit-filled believer will be drawn to the New Testament Passover - the Lord's Table of Communion. When we're in the wilderness we often don't give priority to Communion. Sometimes we need to do a heart-check. Jon Courson says, "When is the last time you sought the Lord, saying "I need to eat and drink of you"? If you make your way to the Lord's Table, even though you, like the children of Israel, might be surrounded by enemies, trials, and problems, you'll find yourself participating in the Spirit-filled life once again."

I also take a broader view on the Lord's Table. When we live in the Promised Land, we are to be in constant communion with God through His Spirit. It's a new way of being with Him. In the presence of our enemies, God prepares a feast for us. What an amazing picture! We would wait for a peaceful moment to have a meal. But God wants us to sit with Him and eat in the midst of the battle. God's not anxious - He's relaxed and confident. He knows the outcome. He knows exactly what we need to meet the challenges ahead. But it's not a drive-through. We have to eat and drink deeply of Him. This is true Communion.

One of my favorite scriptures, Isaiah 55:1-3a says, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live..."

Joshua 5:11-12 says, "Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year." It's interesting that now in the Land of Promise, the manna ceases. Courson notes that when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt and wandered in the wilderness they saw more signs and wonders than any other people group in history. Yet it was unbelief that kept them from entering the Land. As we see many times in the New Testament, seeing miracles doesn't produce faith. It comes from hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). In the Land of Promise we are sustained by the "formidable fruit" rather than the "miraculous manna".

In the Spirit-filled life, we are invited to continually dine with the Lord and feast on His Word. Our faith is steadfast regardless of visible miracles. The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is truly miraculous.

Thought Question: Is there a situation in your life where you feel surrounded "in the presence of your enemies"? Ask God to lead you to His table and show you the amazing "food" He has for you. Try to relax and sense His confidence and control in the situation.

Getting Things Rolling

2009-04-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh..." Philippians 3:3

In Joshua chapter 5, the Israelites are finally on the west side of the Jordan and preparing to possess the Promised Land. The Amorite kings had heard about the miraculous parting of the Jordan river and their "hearts melted" with fear. Seemed like a great time to launch an attack, but God had a different plan. Joshua 5:2 says, "At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourselves, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time." Verses 4-6 explain that the second generation of men who were born in the wilderness had never been circumcised. Ok...but now?! On the verge of battle, all their warriors were to undergo this painful procedure? It didn't make sense...why couldn't they have done this on the other side? But Joshua obeyed and they had to stay where they were until the men were healed. The Lord said, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." And the name of the place was called "Gilgal", which means "rolling".

Jon Courson says, "Gilgal, or literally, "the place of rolling," was the place where the reproach of Egypt was cut away as the Israelites reinstituted the practice of circumcision that had been abandoned in their wilderness wanderings. The Israelites had been "baptized" in the Jordan River. And Gilgal is a picture, an illustration, of what happens next in the Spirit-filled life. You see, after we put our foot in the Jordan River and say, "Lord, fill me, flood me, and use me," how do we get things "rolling"? I believe the key is circumcision."

What does circumcision represent in New Testament life? The physical act of circumcision was introduced by God in Genesis 17 as a sign of His covenantal relationship with Abraham. But the verb "to circumcise" or to "cut off" is also used in Scripture to describe the "heart" attitude (see Deut 10:16 & Jer 4:4). Physical circumcision is a picture of what God wants to do in our hearts. Cutting away the "fleshly" part purifies, sensitizes and identifies us with Him. It is a private mark, reminding us of our covenant with the Lord.

But practically, what does this mean? I return to Philippians 3:3, "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Circumcision of the heart has to do with worshipping in the Spirit, rejoicing in Jesus and not relying on ourselves. It is a cutting away of anything "fleshly" that causes us to rely on human power rather than God's. We may think we're ready to march into battle, but God wants us to first learn to worship in Spirit and place all our confidence in Him.

Jon Courson offers some interesting commentary. He says, "Who is the true circumcision? Those who worship God in the Spirit. I take this to, at least partially, allude to worshipping God in the Spirit rather than solely with one's understanding. He quotes 1 Cor 14:18-19, "I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding..." Paul is encouraging the private devotional usage of tongues and discouraging the public outbursts. I pray often in tongues. It's an important part of my prayer life because I need to be built up, because I get discouraged, because I don't know how to pray, because I'm limited in my expression. As I pray in the Spirit, I am free to pray from my innermost being."

I too, value the gift of tongues in my devotional prayer life. Often, when I feel the Spirit begin to move strongly in me, this gift wells up from within. It is so freeing to express my heart to God at times without the limitations of my mind. 1 Cor 4:4 says, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself..." So tongues is the least of the gifts because it doesn't edify others, but important nonetheless. One thing is certain - when speaking in tongues, my flesh is rendered useless. It is a completely spiritual interaction, which can be very healthy for me.

So perhaps the gift of tongues is one way to "get things rolling" in the Spirit. I am not asserting that you have to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit, although this does seem normative in Scripture. Certainly you don't need to experience this gift to be saved. But we shouldn't be critical of a gift because of misuses and abuses in the church. Paul affirms the use of tongues, but states guidelines for corporate use. I believe all the gifts described in Scripture are for today. (I'm trying to figure out how to link a paper on this subject).

In any case, when we move into the the Spirit-filled life, there is a "cutting away" of our flesh that needs to occur. We don't want anything to dull our spiritual senses. We must be purified and sensitized to the voice of God so we can walk with Him in this new realm. I encourage you to take this before the Lord and ask Him what it looks like in your own life.

Signs of Spirit-Life

2009-03-17T16:12:00.001-07:00

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

The Israelites have crossed the Jordan - an illustration of entering the Spirit-filled life. But how do we know that we are filled with the Spirit? Is the manifestation of spiritual gifts the sign? Joshua chapter 4 gives us a beautiful picture of the true signs of Spirit-filled life.

Spiritual gifts are just that...wonderful, supernatural GIFTS from God. They are never more important than the Giver. Our focus should be on Jesus. The Holy Spirit will distribute gifts in the body as He sees fit. The purpose is to glorify God, not us. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11 says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines." God must be the focus of my worship, but I do love to talk about spiritual gifts and see how He has uniquely gifted believers. We are instructed to "follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts..." (1 Corinthians 14:a).

Joshua 4:4-7 says, "So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites , one from each tribe, and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

Joshua instructed the men to make a memorial that would serve as a reminder of God's greatness for generations to come. The Israelite fathers (and mothers) would be able to point to those stones and tell their children how God miraculously parted the waters. So too, we need to mark God's work in our lives and teach our children about His ways. It's particularly effective when fathers take the lead. In verses 8-10, Joshua also set up twelve stones in the midst of the Jordan where the priests had stood. Jon Courson points out, "There were two monuments. One was visible. One was out of sight. And that's the way it is with any work of the Spirit. The outward manifestations are only as valid as the inward, hidden work in one's heart."

The visible monument consisted of twelve stones stacked together, representing the twelve tribes fit together in unity. This was the sign that the Israelites had crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land. 1 Peter 2:5 says, "...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Jon Courson offers this insight, "Peter says that, as believers we are living stones fit together in unity. When you come to church not out of obligation but because you want to be linked together with fellow blockheads and stones, your love for them is a sure sign of your being touched deeply by the Spirit. "All men shall know you are My disciples," said Jesus. "By your speaking in tongues? No. By your gift of healing? No. They'll know you are My disciples by your love (John 13:35). Courson also points out that in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14, Paul discusses spiritual gifts and their manifestations. But sandwiched between them is chapter 13 which deals entirely with love because "love is the defining characteristic of one who has had an encounter with the Spirit."

The key to knowing we are filled with the Spirit cannot be limited to the expression of gifts. The fruit of the Spirit is love which shows itself in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Spirit-filled people have a supernatural love for God and people. The monument, or proof of life in the Spirit, is the unity of the body. All gifts are secondary to love.

Love is not something we can do by trying harder. It is a supernatural work of the Spirit. We often keep trying to love, but fail to ask God. Luke 11:13 says God will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! The cry of Jesus' heart in John 17 was that His disciples would be one. In verse 24 He says "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

This is a good reality check for me. So often our focus can turn to the gifts or certain manifestations of the Spirit. But 1 Corinthians 13 says that without love, I am useless. It is harder to love, with true agape, sacrificial love, than it is to seek spiritual gifts. But love is the greatest sign of the Spirit in our lives.

Thought Question: Is there a situation in your life where you're finding it difficult to show agape love? Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and allow His love to flow through you.

Crossing Jordan

2009-02-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7

This is it! In Joshua 3:6, the Israelites are finally ready to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. They have learned the lessons of the wilderness. They are prepared and purified. Not satisfied to wander any longer, they are ready to follow God into new territory. Are you ready to let God take you where you've never been before? Are you ready to trust and follow Him fully? For He is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

It is worth noting that Jesus Himself was baptized in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:16 says, "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." When Jesus entered public ministry, He first submitted to the act of water baptism. At that same time, God demonstrated His anointing by sending the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. The name "Jordan" means "descending one". In the Jordan, the Spirit descended on Jesus and empowered Him for ministry. This is the same Spirit that lives in us! God told Joshua in 3:7 that "this day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel so that they may know that as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." Joshua is a picture of Jesus, anointed by God to lead the people into the Promised Land.

Joshua then spoke to the priests and told them to carry the ark of the covenant and go before the people. When they came to the edge of the Jordan, they were to "stand still" in it. In those days the Jordan river was typically 100 feet wide, but fall floods could cause it to be one mile wide and overflowing its banks. Crossing this river in the fall would be no easy task! But Joshua told the people that the crossing of the ark signified that God was with them and would drive out the "ites"of the land (Joshua 3:10). He wanted them to be courageous and have FAITH in their awesome God.

The priests and representatives of the tribes were instructed to put their feet in the river and then the water would divide (Joshua 3:12-13). Jon Courson points out that "forty years previously when the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, the water parted before they stepped in. But not this time. When it comes to issues of the Spirit, we're to step in by faith. But what if hands are laid upon me and I seek the Lord's power aggressively, yet nothing happens? I'll feel like a big drip, " we say. So we stay on the bank where it's safe and dry - real dry, dusty dry, wilderness dry. Why doesn't God part the water first? I'm convinced it's because the language of eternity is faith. God uses every opportunity to teach us to see and hear with the eyes and ears of faith. "Step out. Step in. Step up in faith," He says. "And watch and see what I'll do."

So the priests stepped in and "...the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho." Joshua 3:15b-16. For the waters to part at the exact time and point where the Israelites were crossing, God stopped the flow 19 miles upstream! Joshua and the people obviously couldn't see that far. God was working beyond their sight. In fact, He had already been working before their feet touched the water, they just couldn't see it until they stepped in. This is what it means to "walk by faith" - listening to God and stepping out in confidence that He is already at work. When the priests stepped in they "stood firm" until all three million people had crossed over. They stood until the work was completed, on behalf of themselves and the rest of the people.

Jon Courson shares the story of D.L. Moody...
"Evangelist D.L. Moody locked himself in a hotel room in New York City for three and a half days, saying, "I'm not coming out until I know the power of the Spirit has come upon me." On the fourth day, God overwhelmed and overpowered Him to such a degree that he knew without a doubt that he was empowered to do the work God had called him to do."

As he reads the book of Joshua, Courson says, "Lord, I don't want to miss out on anything You have ordained for me." Has there been a moment, a time when you stepped in and stood firm until you knew the Holy Spirit had come upon you? If you're not sure, don't miss chapter 4."

Final Preparations

2009-02-19T10:00:00.000-08:00

In Joshua chapter 3, we find the Israelites poised on the edge of the Jordan, ready to cross. How exciting it must have been to finally reach that point after years of wandering in the wilderness and three days of preparation on the banks of the river. That day, Joshua had two final commands for them.

First, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it." Joshua 3:3b

The ark signified the presence of God. When they saw the ark begin to move, they were to go after it. Likewise, when our God is on the move, we need to be quick to follow. Question: are we ready to "set out from our place" - our comfort zone - to follow Him? Or do we find it easier to just stay put? Can we sense when He's on the move or are we too caught up in our own lives to pay attention? God won't force or coerce us to make the right choices (something I'm learning about as a parent). He will communicate His desire and set off in that direction hoping we will follow. It's up to us to listen and obey. I don't know about you, but I don't want to get too far behind the presence of God.

After the Israelites were commanded to follow, Joshua issues a strange instruction. "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before." Joshua 3:4

The Israelites were to follow the ark at a distance of approximately 1/2 mile. Jon Courson notes, "It's as if God was saying, "Follow Me, but don't push Me." In past studies, we've been looking at the biblical foundation for being filled with the Spirit. It's not about seeking an experience or getting caught up in emotion. It's about receiving His power for witnessing and living the true Christian life. There are many examples of Spirit-filled believers in Scripture and in our lives today. While it is good to learn from example, it doesn't mean God is going to do exactly the same thing in our lives. He is far more creative than that. Courson puts it well, "People say, "I'm going to have the same experience that he or she or they had." God however, wants to take us where we've never been before. Therefore, it's the wise man or woman who says, "Lord, I want Your anointing. And I'm going to give You space to work it out any way You choose."

The second command Joshua gives the people is to "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:5

The word "sanctify" in Hebrew means to "set-apart" or "to prepare" for holy use. The people were to purify themselves so they would be prepared to enter the new land. Courson says, "The same thing is true spiritually. A lot of people are trying to be filled with the Spirit when in reality they need to be emptied of sin. They need to say, "Search my heart, Lord. Show me the things that are restricting the flow of Your Spirit." How true this is. We need to keep short accounts with God and ask these questions on a daily basis. The "restrictions" may not even be sinful things, but anything that takes priority over God is an idol. When we pray like this, He is faithful to show us what is getting in the way and restore the flow of intimacy with Him.

Let's not forget that the people were to sanctify themselves in expectation of the "wonders" the Lord would do among them. Purification doesn't have to be a drag. It is exciting to realize what God can do in us and through us when the Spirit is flowing freely. It's worth the effort to let God deal with our "selves". He has amazing things in store.

Questions: Ask the Lord if you are ready to move into fullness of life in His Spirit or if there is anything that still needs to be worked out in your heart. If there is sin, confess it and receive his forgiveness. Ask Him how HE sees you and receive His power to follow while giving Him space to lead.

You Shall Be Witnesses

2009-02-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

In Joshua Chapter 2, before leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua sent two men to spy out the land. They thought their job was to spy, but really it was to witness. Upon entering Jericho, they hid in the house of a harlot named Rahab - an unlikely sanctuary. But Rahab's heart was ready for God. She told them that the inhabitants of the land were "fainthearted" after hearing about the victories of the Israelites thus far. She confessed her belief and begged for her household to be saved. So they agreed to spare her family if she would let down a scarlet cord from her window as a sign. Since harlots usually painted their windowsills red, the cord would have formed a cross. What a beautiful picture of witnessing and salvation. Rahab is honored in James 2 and Hebrews 11 as an example of faith. Not only that - she is in the lineage of Jesus. God works in such unexpected ways.

The first act of Israelites in the Promised Land was not one of war, but of witnessing. Yes, they would have to fight and conquer sin in the land, but God was revealing His heart for the people there. He knew who was open and ready to receive His truth. It wasn't by chance that the spies came to Rahab's house. It was God's design. So too, we have to understand that the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit's power in our lives is for witnessing. We will be blessed with greater joy and intimacy with God, but there is a bigger picture.

Jon Courson says it well..."The power of the Holy Spirit is like electricity. It won't enter something from which it can't exit. We want the power of the Holy Spirit. The question is, will there be a place for it to go? When we witness, the power of the Spirit surges through us. There is unbelievable joy in sharing the gospel. A lot of believers go from meeting to meeting looking for some "Holy Ghost high" because they're not witnessing. They go to this convention and that seminar - and the high lasts for a week or two. But after that, they're back in the wilderness because the Holy Ghost was given for the sole purpose of empowering us to share with the Rahabs around us the Good News of the gospel. When we say, "Lord, I'm tired of wandering in the wilderness," He baptizes us in the Jordan and empowers us to be His witnesses. When we say, "I want to share the plan of salvation with my secretary. Empower me," or "I want to talk to my buddy about You, Lord. Make me bold," we'll be empowered in ways we could never have imagined. How long has it been since you've shared the gospel, the plan of salvation, the scarlet cord with someone who's not a believer? By faith, receive the power to be a witness. Awaiting you is a land of milk and honey, fruit and abundance. And you get there by going in as a witness. It's time to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land of the Spirit-filled life. Come join us on our journey."

Personally, I am very challenged by this lesson. Witnessing has never been my strong suit. But it's not about my strength; that's why I need the power of God's Spirit upon me. God's heart is not to condemn us for our failures, but to convict, empower and release us for His name's sake. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed trying to figure out how to witness to people. But if I'm waiting on the Lord and walking with Him throughout the day, it won't be something I have to figure out. I just need to be prayerful and responsive to the opportunities He provides.

I'm reminded of a song lyric which says something to the effect of "I could live for God's kingdom if I weren't wrapped up in mine." That seems to fit here. When I'm wrapped up in "my kingdom" - my desires, agendas, problems, etc., I'm not receiving God's power and aware of what He's doing around me. Lord, purify my heart and give me a single-minded focus on Your kingdom.

Waiting and Wrestling

2009-01-29T10:27:00.000-08:00

"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:17-19 (emphasis mine)

Joshua 1:10-15 describes Joshua's command to the people to prepare themselves for three days before crossing the Jordan. In the Promised Land/Spirit-Filled Life illustration, crossing the Jordan symbolizes a second baptism (after the Red Sea). Jon Courson says he wrestled for three years with the question of whether baptism in the Holy Spirit was theologically correct and whether all the gifts of the Spirit are for today. But that time of questioning prepared him to encounter God in a fresh way that transformed his life and ministry.

I believe that God welcomes our "wrestling" if we are seeking His truth. He is not bothered or threatened by our questions. It means we are pursuing Him; not content to settle for other people's opinions or surface-level answers. I have spent a fair amount of time wrestling with the topic of Spirit-baptism and will share some of my present conclusions as they pertain to this study. I don't expect everyone to agree - it is a complex subject. But I hope we can all agree that as Christians, God's Spirit lives in us and wants to take us to deeper levels of intimacy and victory in Him. The question is...how deep do we want to go?

I take a broader view of the term "baptism of the Spirit" than some. Let me explain. Acts 1:4-5 says, "And being assembled with them, He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which you have heard from Me; for John (the Baptist) truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." When the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, Peter confirmed that it was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; the sign of the eschatological (end times) age ushered in by the Messiah. In other words, Jesus's mission on earth was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit began to indwell believers. It was a turning point in history, opening up new vistas of relationship with our Holy God. "Baptism of the Spirit" applies more in a corporate sense to the filling and empowering of the new body of Christ.

Now I know some of the questions that will arise around individual salvation and baptism of the Spirit. Three things are clear to me from Scripture. One is that believers can have subsequent fillings of the Spirit (see Acts 4:23-31). Second, that Acts covers a transitional time in the life of the church and shows different examples of how people encountered the Spirit, whether at the time of conversion or afterwards. Third, as New Testament Christians we are called to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18b) and "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16a). In a pneumatology class, I learned that the phrase "be filled" in Ephesians 5:18 indicates a continual filling we are to seek which is not limited to a single experience. Thus, I prefer to use the word "filled" when talking about our life in the Spirit.

On one side of the Jordan, we have the wilderness - a place of wandering and self-reliance. On the other side we have the Promised Land - a place of purpose, empowerment and abundant, Spirit-filled LIFE. Every day, we choose which side to live on. Sometimes we may get stuck in the wilderness and need a fresh and powerful anointing, baptism, filling, dunking...whatever you want to call it...to get moving again. Some "fillings" or encounters with the Spirit may be so powerful that they become turning points in our lives. This would be analogous to crossing the Jordan. It doesn't mean we've arrived, but we are crossing over into a new way of life.

It's interesting that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manassah chose to stay on the east side of the Jordan because it seemed good for their families and livestock (Numbers 32 and Joshua 1:12-14). The Lord wouldn't force them to cross the Jordan, but they weren't allowed to hold back the rest of the congregation. Later, they were the ones who were paganized. That side looked safe, but it wasn't. The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary states that "to this day there remains a distinct spiritual separation between the peoples on the east vs. west of the Jordan." This is a word of caution for us, to be sure. Taking the safe or easy road often leaves us vulnerable to attack.

In Joshua 1:16-18, the people answer Joshua, saying they will follow his lead as God is with him. And they reaffirm that he is to "be strong and of good courage". Our "Joshua" - Jesus - is more than able to lead us into the Promised Land of life in His Spirit. We can follow Him fully.

Questions: Are you wrestling with the idea of being filled with the Spirit? What does that look like to you? Do you have any pre-conceptions that aren't consistent with Scripture? Bring your thoughts and questions before the Lord and ask Him to show you His truth.

In Spirit and Truth - II

2009-01-22T10:06:00.000-08:00

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7a

Let's review God's exhortations to Joshua before the Israelites cross the Jordan into the Promised Land: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you wil have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9

I would like to explore the command to "meditate" a bit more. Last week, we looked at the first definition of meditate - "to mutter". The second Hebrew word for meditation literally means "to chew the cud". That means that we take what we hear and "chew on it" in our minds and hearts until we extract every ounce of nutrition from it. Speaking it verbally helps in this process. Jon Courson states, "For example, Joshua 1:7 says, "Be strong and very courageous." Therefore, if I want to have good success, if I want to prosper, I am to go through my day muttering, "Lord, you want me to be strong. You want me to have courage. Thank you for the strength and courage You give." Biblical meditation is simply taking a phrase, a verse, or a small portion of Scripture and muttering it over and over. Meditation is different from reading the Bible. Reading produces information. Meditation produces transformation."

What a difference it would make in my attitude and actions if I meditated on this one verse throughout the day. In Joshua's case, he needed to grasp the reality of God's presence with him as he led three million people into a new and challenging land. God commands Joshua to meditate because that is the key to moving in the Spirit and staying in the Spirit. Courson says, "If we don't understand this, though we might have an experience in Holy Spirit, it will soon dissipate."

David says it this way in Psalm 1:1a, 2-3...
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Anyone can make an occasional splash, but those who are "planted" by the river will continually draw strength and nourishment and bear fruit. We will not wither when hard times come. Meditation is key to abiding in the Spirit. It causes our roots to go deep in God so we will not be shaken by the challenges of life. We will experience the truth of Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerers through Him who loved us."

Exercise: Choose one verse or passage to meditate on this week. Practice "chewing on it" and "muttering it" to yourself and others. At the end of the week, write down how God worked and what He showed you in the process.

In Spirit and Truth - I

2009-01-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24

Last week, we looked at God's exhortation to Joshua to "be strong and very courageous" as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land. But Joshua is given another command on the banks of the Jordan: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8

This is a key to the Spirit-Filled life that we cannot miss. Please don't tune out thinking that this will be just another "read your Bible" lecture. There is more here than meets the eye. There is no better way to abide in the Spirit (listening and obeying every moment) than by being immersed in Scripture. I don't mean that we have to read constantly, but that our minds and hearts are filled with God's Word, so the Holy Spirit can readily speak to us and through us.

Jon Courson offers this insight, "God didn't tell Joshua that His Word was not to depart out of his hand or out of his back pocket, but that it was not to depart out of his mouth. The word "meditate" simply means "to mutter". Thus, biblical meditation consists of speaking the Scripture over and over. It is not a matter of thinking about the Scriptures because merely thinking about them allows our minds to wander. Meditation means to speak verbally, quoting Scriptures audibly, talking to others about them constantly."

Courson goes on to say, "Prosperity, success, and the abundant life are hallmarks of the Spirit-filled life. And the Spirit is inextricably linked to the Word..." Colossians 3:16-22 and Ephesians 5:18-22 & 6:1-6 describe very similar effects of letting the "word of Christ dwell in you richly" and being "filled with the Spirit". They are things such as "speaking to ourselves and each other with psalms and hymns, being submitted to each other, being the husband, wife or child we ought to be and the kind of worker that honors God. In other words, being filled with the Spirit and being filled with the Word are linked together." As we study, meditate and speak the Word, we will be "continually filled with the Spirit in fresh ways." Spirit-filled people are those who worship in Spirit and in truth.

I've noticed another effect of being filled with God's Word - it decreases my appetite for wordly things. It fills the space inside us that often seeks pleasure or entertainment to satisfy. It gives our minds and hearts something substantial to chew on and reduces our "junk food" cravings. I know we have all kinds of excuses not to read and meditate on the Word: "I don't have time...I don't understand it...etc.", but it really boils down to a lack of desire. We will make time for the things we value and enjoy. So ASK the Holy Spirit to increase your desire for the Word. ASK Him to increase your understanding. ASK Him to provide resources to help along the way (teaching, commentaries, websites, friends, etc.). He longs to interact with you through His Word.

A final quote from Jon Courson, "At the very beginning of his ministry, Joshua is told to meditate in the Word day and night because that is the key to appropriating the power of the Spirit he would need to accomplish that which God had called him to do." We'd all like to be "prosperous" and "have good success" as promised in Joshua 1:8, but are we willing to do it God's way? We must take hold of this key to the Spirit-filled life if we are to enter the Promised Land.

Exercise: Imagine what your marriage, family, friendships, etc. would look like if you were constantly speaking the Word to yourself and others. What steps can you take today to create that kind of dynamic? Are you making excuses for your lack of "fullness"? Be honest with yourself and ask the Lord to increase your appetite for His Word.

Take Courage

2009-01-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 4:6b

As God commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan and possess the Promised Land, He offers reassurance and exhortation. God knows the journey is not going to get any easier, but it is worth it!

First, the reassurance in Joshua 1:4-5...
"From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great River, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." (emphasis mine)

When stepping out into new spiritual territory, all we really need to know is that GOD IS WITH US. How is He with us? In the person of Jesus (Emmanuel = God with us) and the presence of His Holy Spirit. We don't need to know exactly where we're going because we have the most amazing Guide with us - leading us every step of the way. We just need to listen and keep pace with Him. The lessons we learned in the wilderness about God's character will come into play. If we let Him "be with us" as He desires, there's nothing that can stop us. Practically, I think this comes down to trusting, listening and obeying on a moment by moment basis. We don't place any hope in our "might" or "power", but recognize that our lives are powered by His Spirit. This is tough for most of us who relish our self-sufficiency. But after a humbling time in the wilderness, perhaps we are ready to cross over into a new way of being with God in the land of Promise.

Next, a double exhortation in Joshua 1:7...
"Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law with Moses my servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go." (emphasis mine)

One of the definitions of "to be strong" in Vine's Bible Dictionary is to "take hold of". Joshua was to take hold of the promises, take hold of God's character and take hold of himself as he entered the new land. It is a new sense of purpose. We aren't going to be weak and wandering anymore. We're going to be strong and follow the Lord forward into whatever He has for us.

Two dictionary definitions of "courage" are "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear" and "able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching." I like that. Wouldn't it be great to be so filled with faith that we don't even flinch at the sight of danger? Most of us don't live in fear of physical harm, but we do tend to be very protective of our time, feelings, relationships and material goods. Moving into new territory might unsettle these precious things a bit. But rather than respond with fear, we can be courageous because God is with us. We can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He wants the best for us. If we experience any loss in the journey, He will provide something far more fulfilling.

One final thought...God was speaking to Joshua in a very personal way, but it wasn't just for him. He was the leader of the people. His attitude affected everyone in the congregation. So too, when God is leading us, it's not just about our progress. It's about our families, friends, neighbors or anyone else in our lives. Are we exhibiting strength and courage in our Lord for them to follow?

Listening Exercise: Ask the Lord what particular reassurances and/or exhortations He has for you right now. Write them down and pray them back to Him. His words may be the key to unlock new things He has in store for you this year.

Please Stay Tuned...

2008-12-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

Holidays are wonderful, but they can also be busy and distracting times of the year. Add a little snow and ice to the mix and things get downright chaotic at our house. All that to say, I'm finding it difficult to post new entries this month. To any faithful readers out there, please check back after the New Year. I promise to get back on track when our schedule is normal again.

Hope you have a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. :)

Jennifer

Moving Forward

2008-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

"However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

We've seen how God works in our hearts during wilderness seasons. He cultivates humility, purity and faith in us as well as a deep hunger for His presence and power. Now we are ready to approach the banks of the Jordan river and consider the Promised Land ahead. For this, we will begin studying the book of Joshua which recounts the Israelites' journey across the river and into Canaan. We will not go through every verse, but try to draw out the most important concepts from each chapter. It is an exciting journey ahead!

Joshua Chapter 1 begins with the death of Moses, who we have already described as a picture of the "Law". Joshua's name was orginally Hoshea (Numbers 13:8) which means "salvation". But Moses changed it to Joshua, which means "Jehovah is Salvation". As "Jehovah's salvation", Joshua is also a picture of Jesus - the only one who can take us into the Promised Land.

God speaks to Joshua in Ch. 1 vs. 2-4 saying, "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all the people, to the land which I am giving to them - the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory." (emphasis mine)

First, note that God did not say, "I will give you the land". He said "I have given it to you." Jon Courson says, "The same is true today. Concerning the things of God, whenever you choose to step out and engage your "sole", that land is already yours. It's a matter of possessing your possession. It's a matter of appropriation. Where do you want to put your soul? Where do you want to plant your foot and say "I believe you for this, Lord. I'm stepping out in this. I'm going after this"?" To me, this is a decison point where we stop wandering and start taking ground in our spiritual lives. It's a recognition of who God is and what He has for us if we will step out and engage our souls with purpose.

Next, God describes the scope of the promised territory in verse 4. For those like me who aren't good at geography, the Promised Land covers about 30,000 square miles! So how far did the Israelites get? Courson states that in Solomon's reign, at the height of their power, the Israelites claimed 3,000 square miles. They only took one-tenth of what God had already given to them! Then he says, "Isn't that like us? We strive for peanuts when the Lord has grapes for us the size of bowling balls. The Lord says, "I've already given you the land. It's already a done deal. It's just a matter of how much of it you want. I won't take you any farther than you choose. But I'll take you as far as you want to go."

Courson continues, "Concerning the Spirit-filled life and the appropriation of the power of the Holy Ghost, many people say, "If the Lord wants to empower me and baptize me, I'm open." But in Genesis 8, we see Noah on the ark, with the dove - a symbol of the Holy Spirit - circling overhead. Noah stretched out his hand and brought the dove in unto him. I believe the Spirit of God is looking for a person, a people, a congregation to land upon. But this will not happen through passivity. Rather, like Noah, He responds to those who see the opportunity and extend their hand to pull Him in unto them. Here in Joshua 1:3, the Lord says, "The land is already yours. It's up to you how far you want to go, how deep you want to be."

This journey is all about allowing God to reign in our hearts and His Spirit to flow freely through us. It is about His power and strength, not ours. But we cannot be passive in the process. God is looking for hearts that are prepared and seeking; hearts that are tired of wandering and hungry for more of Him; hearts that desire to possess all He has already given us.

Thought Question: Think of an area in your life where you are desiring spiritual progress or breakthrough (could be an attitude, relationship, career pursuit, etc.). Are you working in your own strength or the power of God's Spirit? Thank God that He has already given you the land if you will pursue it in Him. Does it change your perspective to know that He wants more for you than you want for yourself?

Preparations of the Heart

2008-11-20T10:08:00.001-08:00

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

We've been taking a hard look at God's purposes in the wilderness. I think it all boils down to preparation of the heart. After 400 years of slavery, the Israelites needed to rediscover their God and learn to follow Him. They experienced His miraculous deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. But they also needed to experience Him in the wilderness before they would be ready to enter the Promised Land. God wanted them to have a right picture of Him so they would follow with whole hearts into the new land. Unfortunately, as we've seen, many of them still missed it. We don't want to make the same mistakes. So how did God reveal Himself in the wilderness?

1. He led and protected His people. Exodus 13:21 says "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night." The pillar of cloud gave the people something visible to follow and provided shade to protect them from the hot sun. The pillar of fire at night provided light to their path. He was always with them. All they needed to do was follow in the shade or light of His presence.

2. He provided for their needs. Psalm 78:15-16 says, "He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink in abundance like the depths. He also brought streams out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers." And verses 23-25, "Yet He had commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven, had rained down manna on them to eat, and given them the bread of heaven. Men ate angels' food; He sent them food to the full." This not only speaks of God's ample provision for physical needs, but spiritual as well. Jesus is the "living water" and "bread of life" that we so desperately need.

3. He purified their hearts. Psalm 78:32-35 says, "In spite of this, they still sinned, and did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore, their days He consumed in futility, and their years in fear. When He slew them, they they sought Him; and they returned and sought earnestly for God. Then they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer." God allowed them to experience the consequences of their sin and many died. But some turned from their sin, sought the Lord and remembered who He was.

In summary, God was preparing His people to enter the land of destiny by revealing His character and purifying their hearts in the desert. We, too, need to prepare our hearts so we don't miss what God has for us.

My Tuesday morning Bible study at church is going through the book of Matthew. When we reached Chapter 3, I got a new perspective on verses 11-12. John the Baptist is speaking to the the Pharisees and Sadducees - religious leaders of the day. He says, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He (Jesus) who is coming after me is mightier than I , whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." I had always thought this passage was talking about judgment, but it is really about purification. The definition of chaff is "worthless residue". God wants to clean out the residue that's clogging up our hearts and lives. While "chaff" can be sin, it can also just be worthless worldly stuff that clouds our vision and keeps us from seeing God clearly. Jesus wants to purify us and gather the "wheat" from our lives - the part that is useful and has eternal value. According to Scripture, this is connected to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jon Courson says, "Many people want the power of the Spirit, but they are not interested in the fire, the purity. The baptism of Jesus in the Spirit is a baptism of fire - which speaks of purity. It's a dying to self, a cleansing of motives. Many folks want that power, but they don't want a changed lifestyle." Whoa - how's that for a convicting statement?

In the wilderness, God proves to us that He is our Pathfinder, Protector, Provider and Purifier. We can trust Him to take us into new spiritual territory, even if we don't know exactly what that looks like. We don't need to have all the answers, but we do need to fully follow Him and not settle for the familiar side of the river. Then we will be ready to cross the Jordan.

Who Do You Follow?

2008-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

"He (Jesus) said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15

I keep planning to move on, but it seems God has more to teach me about the wilderness - perhaps because it's hard to move forward unless we understand what's holding us back. In previous posts, we have looked at sins that keep us from "wholly following" the Lord. While it's good to acknowledge and confess sin, I feel like there's more beneath the surface - kind of like treating the symptoms of a disease without addressing the cause. Maybe there's something deeper God wants us to see.

Why did Joshua and Caleb "wholly follow" the Lord when the rest of the congregation did not? My guess is that they knew WHO they followed and caught His vision for their lives. Wholly following implies complete trust. In order to have complete trust you have to know the person in whom your trust is placed. I've heard it said that our image of God is the most important thing in the world. Most of us don't have a very accurate picture of God. It's easily distorted by our own background and biases. So how can we follow a God we don't know very well into a new land? The answer is, it's hard and many of us opt to stay in the wilderness.

I just finished reading a book called The Shack, which I highly recommend. But watch out - it might just blow the walls off the box that you've placed God in, or at least push them out a bit. One principle it reaffirmed to me was rules vs. relationship; it's easier to live by a set of rules than in a dynamic relationship. At one point, the main character is having a discussion with God about this very thing. Mack says "It feels like living out of relationship - you know, trusting and talking to you - is a bit more complicated than just following rules". He goes on to describe "rules" as things like doing good, going to church, reading the Bible, etc. God affectionately chides him saying, "Mackenzie...the Bible doesn't teach you to follow rules. It is a picture of Jesus. While words may tell you what God is like and even what he may want from you, you cannot do any of it on your own. Life and living is in him and in no other." And later God says "it is true that relationships are a whole lot messier than rules, but rules will never give you answers to the deep questions of the heart and they will never love you." (excerpts from pg. 197-198). I would also add that they will never lead you to the promised land. Only Jesus can do that.

The Israelites experienced this first-hand. In Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. Jon Courson says that as "a representative, a picture, a type of the Law, Moses brought the people to the edge of the Promised Land, but it would be Joshua, whose name is the Old Testament name for Jesus, who would actually bring them into the Promised Land." Galatians 3:24 says, "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." We will never enter a life of abundance by trying to follow the "rules". That leads to self-effort and legalism. Living by the Spirit is being in constant relationship with God. It is following a living person - Jesus Christ. Granted, God is mysterious and His ways are unpredictable at times, so this can be scary for us control freaks. But He is so wonderful. Where's our sense of adventure?

Side note: Last week I said that pursuing the abundant life requires purpose and discipline. By that I did not mean that it depends on our works. A better word for discipline would have been "self-control" because we have seen how sins of self-gratification can shut out the Holy Spirit. And without a sense of purpose (an idea of where we're going and setting goals to get there) we are prone to wander. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said "Not all who wander are lost". To which I say, that may be true, but you're still not going anywhere.

God does not force Himself upon us. We have to open ourselves to His vision and leading. To trust Him we need to know Him.

Thought Questions: What is your picture of God? Take some time to write it out. As Graham Cooke would say, "Is it time for an upgrade?" Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal any misconceptions you might have. Let Him speak to you about what He's really like. This may require a new perspective on some "old" Scriptures.

Wilderness Wisdom

2008-11-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6

I promise we will get to the banks of the Jordan soon, but we can't afford to miss the lessons of the wilderness. Sometimes God allows - even designs - dry, difficult times in our lives for a purpose. Why did the Israelites have to journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land? Why not arrive instantly after deliverance from Egypt? Granted, God did not intend for them to wander in the desert for 40 years, but He did want them to experience it for a time. What was the purpose?

I believe Deuteronomy Chapter 8 answers this question. In 1999, God gave me this chapter during a difficult season in my Christian walk. In 2006, He brought me back to it during a women's retreat and spoke to me about the "promised land" in my own life. Looking out over the beautiful mountain scenery at the Applegate retreat center, I realized how different God's ways and timing can be from ours. I would not have chosen to wait seven years. A lot of the time, it felt like "wandering", but God was accomplishing a deeper purpose.

Here are a few passages from Deuteronomy 8 that will give us a picture of His heart for us in the wilderness:

"Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD." Deut 8:1-4 (emphasis mine).

The chapter goes on to describe the abundance of the promised land and warns the people not to forget who brought them there. There's a tendency when we come into a good place to think "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth." (Deut 8:17). This is very dangerous. God says "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covanent which He swore to your fathers , as it is this day." (Deut. 8:18) Of course, this is not just referring to material wealth, but any type of richness and blessing in our lives.

So what are God's purposes in the wilderness, the dry, difficult times in our lives? Based on the scriptures above, I believe it is to:

Humble us
Test us (show us what's in our hearts, whether or not we will obey)
Create a deep hunger in our hearts
Teach us that only God Himself can satisfy our hunger

As Jon Courson says, "Too often, we don't crave the Bread of the Word or the Bread of Life because we're not hungry. There's a progression seen here: My reaction in the wilderness makes me hungry for righteousness. So I go to church once again, have devotions once more, exchange Newsweek for the Word, turn off talk radio and listen to teaching tapes. But this doesn't happen until I'm hungry. And I don't know I'm hungry until I'm in the wilderness. It's all part of the program."

A life of abiding and advancing in the Spirit will not just fall into our laps. We will not get there by wandering aimlessly and refusing to take steps of faith. It requires purpose and discipline. We need to get HUNGRY for God. He designs it this way. Otherwise, we have the tendency to take the credit. When we are humbled, tested, hungry and seeking, we know that we live by the words of the Lord. Then He can bless us, empower us, and move through us. His glory is safe with us.

Thought Questions: Mentally review wilderness seasons in your own life. What did God teach you? Did it bring you to a place of greater hunger for Him? Did you allow that hunger to propel you towards the promised land or let it fade with time? Where are you on the journey now?

Wholly Following

2008-10-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

My apologies for jumping around a bit, but I want to take a deeper look at what happened when the Israelites first came to the banks of the Jordan and refused to enter the Promised Land. The Lord had instructed Moses to send spies into Canaan and report back to the people. Among the spies were Joshua, Caleb and a leader from each of the other tribes. Upon returning, they described it as a land that "truly flows with milk and honey" and displayed samples of the giant fruit. But they also reported that the people who dwelt in the land were strong and had large, fortified cities. It was the land of the "ites" (Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Canaanites) as well as the descendants of Anak, otherwise known as the "the giants".

These were the facts of the situation. Caleb and Joshua had faith that the Lord would bring them into the land and conquer their enemies. But the rest of the spies gave a bad report and their fear was contagious. They said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we" (Numbers 13:31). "The congregation wept and complained against Moses saying things like "Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt"? (Numbers 14:3). Then they actually started making plans to return to Egypt! Wow- talk about a skewed perspective! What's going on here?

Why was it so difficult for them to enter the land of promise? Perhaps after 400 years of slavery it was hard for them to operate differently. They were used to being to being controlled by others. Even though it was miserable, perhaps that was easier than following the Lord into unchartered territory. Wandering in the wilderness also seemed safer and easier than going into battle, even if there was huge fruit at stake. We can shake our heads at their mistakes, but don't we often do the same things? Let's be honest..."wandering" is easier than "taking ground".

It's easier to "walk according to the flesh" (letting those desires control us) than to "walk according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
It's easier to let our thoughts wander than to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5b).
It's easier to do whatever feels good than seek God for His purposes and allow Him to order our days.
It's easier to turn to food, entertainment or people to satisfy our needs rather than to the true Source.
It's easier to sleep than to spend time with the Lord
You get the point

But oh....what we miss by opting for what's easiest or most comfortable. Joshua and Caleb had their eyes on the fruit of the promised land, and more importantly, the Lord of the Land.

"But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them." (Numbers 14:6-9).

Joshua and Caleb knew that it was not about their strength, but God's. It was not about what they would give up, but what they would gain. They had faith to "wholly follow the Lord". That phrase has been echoing in my head all week. What does it mean? A couple ideas:

They followed Him with whole hearts - their hearts were totally His. They were completely surrendered to His desires and purposes.
They obeyed completely - no changing their minds at the banks of the Jordan when things looked difficult. They said "Bring it on! If God is on our side, we will be victorious!"

Thought Question: Are there areas of your life where you are "wandering" or even trying to "go back to Egypt" (the ways of the world)? What are you afraid of? Begin to ask the Lord what the promised land looks like in your life. Let Him speak to you about the amazing victories and fruit He has in store for you and your family, if you will wholly follow Him.

Wilderness Wanderings - II

2008-10-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

We're examining sins that the people of Israel committed while wandering in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:6 warns that "these things became our examples", and they will keep us from entering into the abundant life that God has for us.

2. Idolatry - "And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play". 1 Corinthians 10:7
The reference is to Exodus 32:1-8 when the Israelites crafted a golden calf to worship in place of the living God. Idolatry is defined as "the worship of images as divine or sacred", or "paying divine honors to any item of human fabrication" (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary). The Israelites were impatient because Moses had not returned from his mountaintop meeting with God, so they asked Aaron to made them "gods that shall go before us". God wasn't showing Himself to them in the way or timing they desired, so they created their own god that was more tangible. Any time we exalt something or someone above God in our hearts, it becomes an idol.

Thought Question: What has priority in your thought-life and schedule? Is God on the throne of your heart or are you consumed with lesser things?

3. Immorality - "Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell" 1 Corinthians 10:8
Numbers 25 begins, "Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifice of their gods and the people bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel". It's interesting that the Israelites' sexual immorality with people of the "world" also joined them to their false gods. Suffice it to say that immorality on any level is very dangerous and will lead us astray from the Lord.

4. Testing God and Complaining - "nor let us tempt Christ...nor complain" 1 Corinthians 9a & 10a
This refers to more situations where the Israelites were dissatisfied with God's provision and complained bitterly against Him.

Rather than dwell on the negative, let's flip these around and see what a heart ready to enter the Promised Land would look like:

1. Content with God's provisions
2. Worshipping God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
3. Pure in body and mind
4. Trusting God and expressing thankfulness in all circumstances

I'm guessing these were characteristics of Caleb and Joshua, who are described in Numbers 32:12 as the only ones from that generation who "wholly followed the Lord".

Thought Question: What would it look like to "wholly follow the Lord" in your own life"? Do you have any sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven in order to move forward?

Wilderness Wanderings - I

2008-10-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

"Moreover, brethren, I (Paul) do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted." 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 (emphasis mine).

In a future post, we will delve into the purpose of journeying through the wilderness for a time. But journeying is very different from wandering. The Israelites allowed fear and unbelief to keep them from entering into everything God had for them. Hebrews 3 uses phrases like "hardened hearts", "testing the Lord", "going astray in their hearts", "not knowing His ways", and concludes with "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief". I've heard it said that "unbelief = missed blessing". Indeed, an entire generation missed out on experiencing the Promised Land. I believe there is a figurative "Promised Land" in each of our lives. It is not a place where things are easy and perfect, but a place where we are living in vibrant faith and communion with the Lord. What keeps us from abiding and advancing in this "land"? Probably the same sins that beset the Israelites. 1 Corinthians 10 goes on to describe these sins.

1. Lust - "...we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted." 1 Cor 10:6b
Numbers 11 describes a time when the Israelites tired of the manna God provided for them daily and lusted after meat instead. Psalm 116:13-15 says "They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." Even though we are saved, lust can be a problem. We are often unsatisfied with what God has given us and constantly wanting something else. Even if God grants our requests, it brings a "leanness to the soul". In this case, the Israelites were complaining that manna (God's provision) wasn't good enough and longing for the food of Egypt (the world). Their lust caused them to lose sight of how bad things had been when they were in bondage. So too, our perspective can become skewed and result in an ungrateful, complaining attitude. This is a definite hindrance in the journey to the Promised Land.

Thought Question: Can you identify ways that lust has crept into your life? If so, confess it to the Lord and ask Him for a thankful heart. Maybe spend some time today thanking Him for specific provisions and blessings in your life.

History Lessons

2008-10-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

To set the stage for the Promised Land/Spirit-Filled Life illustration, I think it would be helpful to begin with a brief history of the people of Israel.

In Genesis 12, God called Abram (later renamed Abraham) out of his country and promised to make him into a great nation. He was destined to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. In Genesis 13, God promised to give the land of Canaan to Abram and his descendants forever. In Old Testament times, this referred to all the territory west of the Jordan River (Wycliffe Bible Dictionary). Throughout the generations, God maintained his covanent with Abraham and reiterated it to his grandson Jacob, renamed Israel in Genesis 35:9-15. Jacob had 12 sons and his descendants became known as the children of Israel.

Jacob's son, Joseph, was sold by his jealous brothers to be a slave in Egypt and rose to power to save the nation in a time of great famine. As a result, Jacob and his family settled in a territory of Egypt called Goshen. The children of Israel grew in number and might in the land of Egypt and a new king came to power who enslaved them out of fear. After 400 years had passed, God raised up a deliverer named Moses who led the people out of Egypt and through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.

Jon Courson highlights the symbolism of these Old Testament events. The Israelites' deliverance from Egypt is a picture of salvation. Passing through the Red Sea symbolizes water baptism. But there is more. The Israelites were supposed to travel from Egypt and enter the Promised Land - an eleven day journey. But when they got to the land, they failed to enter in. In their unbelief and disobedience, they got stuck wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, until that entire generation passed away (with the exception of Joshua and Caleb).

What did the Promised Land represent to the Israelites? It represented fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham - a land of their own where they could rest, thrive, serve God and be an example to the nations around them. And eventually bring forth God's ultimate gift - Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world. Similarly, I believe there is place that we are called to as New Testament Christians where we are living in the power and abundance of the Spirit and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Yes, we receive the Spirit at salvation, but there is still a journey to maturity in Christ and fullness of His Spirit. What happened to the Israelites? Why didn't they enter into the land when first given the chance? The crux of the journey occurs on the banks of the Jordan river. It's a decision to cross to a land that holds great promise, but unknown challenges, or stay on the safe (if a bit dry) side. We can learn much from their experiences.

Life Abundantly?

2008-10-02T14:37:00.000-07:00

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b)

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)

These are amazing promises from our Lord! But how many of us can honestly say we are experiencing this kind of fullness in our Christian lives? I often feel like something is lacking. Instead of "rivers of living water" flowing from my heart, I have a trickle (or on some days a stagnant pond). Instead of having "life abundantly", I'm just trying to survive the day. Many Christians believe in God, go to church, try to have devotions and serve in ministry, but something is missing. There's a lack of purpose, wisdom, joy, boldness and true, agape love in our lives. It becomes all too easy to please people, rather than the Lord (Hebrews 6:10). Instead of burning with passion for God, we burn out. What's wrong with this picture? This cannot be what God intends for His children. Sometimes I think it breaks His heart more than it does ours.

For years, I had a sense that there was more; that God was calling me to a new way of living in Him, but I didn't know how to get there. One day I came across some teaching by Pastor Jon Courson (Applegate Christian Fellowship) through the book of Joshua. The premise is that the Old Testament journey of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt to possession of the Promised Land is a type, or example, of New Testament Christian life. It is an illustration that gives us understanding of how to enter into the Spirit-filled life. Pastor Jon points out that the Promised Land is not a picture of heaven, as many suppose. There are still battles to be fought and wars to be won in the Land. But it holds the promise of abundant life, filled with the giant fruit of the Spirit. That's where I need to go. But first I have to cross the Jordan.

A New Idea

2008-10-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally getting on the blog bandwagon...in a manner of speaking. My wise husband, Tim, suggested that I start one as a spiritual outlet where I could post devotional thoughts. I'm one of those people who learns best when I'm teaching or writing for others. So even if no one reads it, I think it will be worthwhile for me personally.

I've had a certain topic on my heart for the past two years - abiding in the Spirit-filled life. At one point, I started writing a Bible study on the topic. But it's been a challenging season for our family with the addition of our son Cole (11 months) to join sister Sophie (age 4). During the pregnancy and subsequent sleep-deprived fog, I lost focus and studying fell by the wayside. After Tim's blog suggestion, the two ideas merged in my head. So I'm going to try to post, hopefully weekly, devotionals on this topic. Perhaps it will help me, and others, to discover the amazing abundance of the Spirit-Filled life that is available to every believer.