Know Your Enemy

When Israelis who were led by Joshua invaded land that had been settled by descendants of Canaan, they had been instructed by Yahweh not to make any deals with the inhabitants (Exodus 23:32-33). The local Hivites deceived them into believing that they had come from far away, and were looking for a place to settle. Israel made a treaty with them […]

Hebrews 11

Some people call Hebrews 11 the “Hall of Faith.” I wondered for quite a while when I was being stretched from average church member to expecter of the miraculous, why the writer was bragging on these heroes regarding their faith when their ends included being cut in two, being whipped, beaten, poor, living in caves and deserts, and not receiving […]

Your Provision, Your Preparation

Joshua 13:14 Only to the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to them. NKJV Deuteronomy 10:9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, just as the Lord your God promised him. NKJV Your […]

Waiting for Approval

I quite dangerously advise anyone who has respect for me to learn to know the voice of their Shepherd, and be gracious in response to advice that differs from His instructions, but nonetheless, to refuse it. No one would have given Jonathan good advice on the day he attacked the Philistines alone with his armor bearer and saved Israel from […]

Becoming Who You Like

You can be your most awesome self, no matter what your environment does to pressure you into another identity. I think that at least 40% of the people I know got stuck in the 10th grade. In the American public education system, the opportunities are generally comply or fail. Having new ways of thinking, being creative, responding to situations like […]

Proving God’s Will

When our bodies have been handed over to the Spirit of Jesus as living sacrifices – when we are being transformed by allowing Him to renew our minds – we can know His good, perfect and pleasant will. We need to be always ready to explain what we understand of His will. Some things He desires will remain mysterious with […]

Huffing, Puffing and Building

We know that knowledge puffs up and that love builds up (1 Corinthians 8). Still, what we prefer to offer to unbelievers and new believers is information instead of the costly commodity called agape. What makes new believers into disciples is fitting into a family through real relationships. They need accountability through relationships. They need to find opportunities to serve through […]

Seriously…

If you are going to fly, you have to overcome some things. My new puppy thinks that she can fly. She really can get airborne, but she can’t stay there. She hasn’t completely overcome gravity yet. The flying deck is stacked against you – unless you can overcome drag and gravity, both of which have laws supporting them – you […]

Being and Doing

Exodus 19:4-6 “‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to […]