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Monday, February 8, 2010 E-Votional
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Reflection
Have you ever seen those bumper stickers behind people’s cars that say, “Let Go and Let God.” It’s a fairly “simple” statement yet an immensely “difficult” truth to live out. This statement assumes a life of faith that ultimately has two postures. The first is the letting go part, in which we surrender control and release the very thing that hinders us from God working in our lives. The second is the letting God part, in which we allow God to do his perfect and pleasing will in our lives.
The dilemma we face is that very idea of letting go because it is in complete contraction to our understanding. Furthermore, scriptures tells us that without faith it is impossible please God. I’m reminded of the story that helps illustrate this dilemma.
A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:
"Is anyone up there?"
"I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?"
"Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can't hang on much longer."
"That's alright; if you really believe you have nothing to worry about. I will save you. Just let go of the branch."
A moment of pause, then: "Is anyone else up there?"
Response
What are the tree limbs that we are holding on too? Will you in faith let go of those things even if it goes beyond your understanding? |
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Remember to Set Up Stones |
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Friday, February 5, 2010 E-Votional
Read the word:
“Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.” Joshua 4:9
Reflect on the word:
God provides.
We can’t overemphasize it.
God provides.
The miraculous crossing was another in God’s countless perfect provision for Israel.
God provided for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. He blessed Israel in Goshen and even when that turned bad God provided Moses then Joshua to lead them to “a land flowing with milk and honey”. God provided for Israel in the Promised Land for 800 years, then in exile, then for 500 years when they returned. God has provided for us through Christ, through the Apostles and the Church. God has provided for each of us according to our faith, to the extent that we choose to live in his provision.
The 12 Stones of Remembrance were a seemingly minor detail, yet are critical to this story.
They weren’t just any stones but from the middle “where the priests had stood”.
God didn’t need the priests; he used only Moses to part the Red Sea. But he was showing us a more inclusive way that God desires to use all who will answer His call to not only receive His perfect provision but to be a conduit of His provisions to others. We are all “priests” as Peter said, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
In calling you as a “royal priest” God has provided you with a unique S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, Heart Abilities, Personality and Experiences) that is His designed way to best pour His blessing through you as you serve others. Discovering, developing and using your SHAPE is the super highway to God’s abundant provision for you and all those you serve.
Remember those stones were very purposefully chosen and so are you. Someday your memorial, like those long lasting stones, will be displayed in heaven and you will hear Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” ( Matthew 25:21)
Pray the word:
Faithful Father and Perfect Provider, I seek not to only receive your blessings but more so to be a conduit of your blessings for this is your greatest purpose for me. Remind me that I am designed for eternity and eternal purposes; I commit all of myself and my resources toward this end. Bless me so I can be a blessing! Amen!
Obey the word:
Commit to discovering, developing and using your SHAPE
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Remember to Set Up Stones |
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Friday, February 5, 2010 E-Votional
Read the word:
“Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in the middle of the Jordan at the spot where the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant had stood. And they are there to this day.” Joshua 4:9
Reflect on the word:
God provides.
We can’t overemphasize it.
God provides.
The miraculous crossing was another in God’s countless perfect provision for Israel.
God provided for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. He blessed Israel in Goshen and even when that turned bad God provided Moses then Joshua to lead them to “a land flowing with milk and honey”. God provided for Israel in the Promised Land for 800 years, then in exile, then for 500 years when they returned. God has provided for us through Christ, through the Apostles and the Church. God has provided for each of us according to our faith, to the extent that we choose to live in his provision.
The 12 Stones of Remembrance were a seemingly minor detail, yet are critical to this story.
They weren’t just any stones but from the middle “where the priests had stood”.
God didn’t need the priests; he used only Moses to part the Red Sea. But he was showing us a more inclusive way that God desires to use all who will answer His call to not only receive His perfect provision but to be a conduit of His provisions to others. We are all “priests” as Peter said, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
In calling you as a “royal priest” God has provided you with a unique S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, Heart Abilities, Personality and Experiences) that is His designed way to best pour His blessing through you as you serve others. Discovering, developing and using your SHAPE is the super highway to God’s abundant provision for you and all those you serve.
Remember those stones were very purposefully chosen and so are you. Someday your memorial, like those long lasting stones, will be displayed in heaven and you will hear Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” ( Matthew 25:21)
Pray the word:
Faithful Father and Perfect Provider, I seek not to only receive your blessings but more so to be a conduit of your blessings for this is your greatest purpose for me. Remind me that I am designed for eternity and eternal purposes; I commit all of myself and my resources toward this end. Bless me so I can be a blessing! Amen!
Obey the word:
Commit to discovering, developing and using your SHAPE
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Remember to Set Up Stones |
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Thursday, February 4, 2010 E-Votional
Read the word:
“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.” Joshua 4:5b-7
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8
Reflect on the word:
Remembering God’s plans and purposes is the responsibility of each generation. We must both strive to do God’s will for our generation and train up the next generation to do God’s will.
Moses served his generation then passed the responsibility to Joshua for leading the next generation. Joshua was well mentored through Moses’ teachings and example and even more so by being included on Moses’ “team”, gaining invaluable on-the-job-training.
By telling the Israelis to remember the stones Joshua was passing the challenge onto his generation to mentor the next generation.
At Cape Christian we are future focused, challenging each generation to be fully-devoted followers of Christ. We succeed as the mature adults mentor the younger adults, and as that generation of parents mentors their children with the support of our Family Ministry. Moses and Joshua knew that faith in God is “caught, not taught” and so we too must live for Christ fully, teaching not just in words but more so in life style. Read Titus 2:1-8
Pray the word:
Father I commit myself to your will for my generation. Mature me so I can mentor those you place in my circle of influence. If I am at half-time, I commit to a more significant second half. If a parent or grandparent, I commit to seeing that my faith is “caught, not taught”.
Obey the word:
Titus 2:1 = learn and live by sound biblical teaching.
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Remember to Set Up Stones |
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010 E-Votional
Read the word:
Joshua 3:15, 17
“Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.” “ So the people crossed over ... The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
Reflect on the word:
Not all of life is a "mountain top experience". The weekend worship might have been empowering and uplifting; you felt so close to God, but now it is mid-week and you are running out of spiritual power. Your need to remember the stones, to live in the present based on who God is, how he has provided in the past and that he will always do so.
God hasn't changed since Sunday. Nor has His ability to provide for you .
The stones are still there to mark that special place but we must remember to remember them!
How? One way is to remember The Reality of our Duality; that at all times I am 2 persons in two places or realities: (1) I am the old, temporary me, the me before crossing the Jordan, prone to wandering, to looking back to the life left behind in Egypt. This is my sin nature that lives for the false reality of a life apart from God, a life that lives for this life alone, a life full of my old self and all its worry, competition, selfishness and short-sighted perspective (2) versus the new, eternal me that has already crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land (Ephesians 2:6) that looks at myself, others and all of life from God's perspective, which is always purposeful and eternal. It is purposeful as I trust in God's Providential working in my life (Romans 8:28) that in His perfect plan for me He has already included all of the events of my life, even my mistakes and He has fashioned them all to work out for the very best which is for me to be more like Jesus!
Remembering requires a constant, conscious dying to self (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2)
Remembering requires a constant, conscious choice to live in God's reality (see Romans 6:1-11).
Remember the stones.
Pray the word
Father help me to remember you not just in the excitement of community worship but especially in the mundane routines of life. You are just as present when I fold laundry, drive to work , walk the dog; in all I do you are there with me to bring me in touch with your miraculous Self.
I will remember You in all of life and so see the miraculous in all things. Thank-you Mighty God!
Obey the word
Today I will die to the old life by ____________________________
Today I will live in the new life by ___________________________
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