Obedience, Not Good Intentions

 “And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭8:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gideon used all this plunder to make a sacred golden ephod.  He put it on display in his hometown Ophrah, and all Israel strayed from Yahweh and gave their hearts to the golden ephod.  It was a seducing snare for Gideon and his family.  The ephod was a decorated priestly vestment, a full length apron worn by the priest which discerned God’s will.  Ephods are mentioned in other parts of the Bible as objects of idolatrous worship.  Gideon’s ephod  became an idol to the people as they came to seek oracles before it at Ophrah, while the ark of glory stood at Shiloh at this time, where Yahweh had chosen for people to worship.  Gideon refused kingship because he wanted priesthood.  His ephod  turned Israel’s heart away from the true worship of Yahweh.  Gideon’s and indeed all of our good intentions are never a substitute for obedience.  Jesus is our High Priest today and anyone or anything that takes His place in our heart is an idol and a snare.  Let Christ have preeminence in our heart and let obedience to Him be our motive and not good intentions!  Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  Amen!

Nourish the Church

 “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Consider how abnormal it would be for a man to abhor and detest his own body - the opposite is true!  He would much rather pamper it and fuss over it with tender care.  It’s all you’ve got, you can’t trade it in for a new one, so take good care of it.  Watch what you feed it, how you exercise it, and gently nurse it when it is in pain.  Now get the message - you are the Body of Christ.  He does not merely tolerate you politely - you are His joy and delight! He wants to spoil you and take good care of you!  As the Body of Christ, love and care for one another with the same compassion Christ has shown you - because you love Jesus and have presented your body to Him as a living sacrifice.  He cherishes you with tender loving care and warm affection.  Believe it and receive His wonderful grace!  Let the Body of Christ be strong and well taken care of!  Amen!

Jesus our Deliverer

 “And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

His friend interpreted the dream and said, “Your dream symbolises the sword of the Israelite, Gideon son of Joash!  It can’t mean anything else!  God has given him victory over Midian and our whole army!”  It is fascinating that Gideon overheard the Midianite dream interpreter speaking his name and the name of his father.  Not only does God know your name, but so does the enemy, for you are a son or daughter of God!  Gideon used this fear tactic when he instructed his three hundred men to shout both the Name of Yahweh and the name of Gideon.  It was the Lord Who gave this plan to Gideon.  God gave a heathen man a dream, and He gave the interpretation to his friend.  God has a thousand ways to deliver us and bring us victory.  Jesus destroyed every work of the enemy and He alone is our Deliverer.  Hallelujah!

Jailed in Christ

 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul says that the fact is that he is in prison, but that does not in the least diminish his awareness of his being in-Christ!  Paul is imprisoned in Christ, his complete existence is defined and confined in Christ.  He is not asking for prayers to get him out of jail because he is jailed in Christ!  Let the detail of our day-to-day life flow from the consciousness of our true identity and worth, as it is mirrored in Christ.  Meekness and tenderness are the fabric of our make-up; this enables us to show compassion even in seemingly impossible situations, eagerly bearing with one another in an environment where love rules.  Paul, though in prison, saw himself co-seated together with Christ in heavenly places.  No distraction or contradiction can reduce his life to any other reality.  Let’s walk in this reality, whatever our circumstances, and trust God!  Thank You Father!

Remove Unbelief

 “And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭KJV

The Angel of Yahweh came to the village of Ophrah and sat under the oak tree that belonged to Joash, a man of the clan of Abiezer.  His son Gideon was secretly threshing some wheat in a winepress so that the Midianites would not see him.  Gideon means ‘warrior’.  Wheat was not threshed in a winepress but on an open, elevated place where the wind could blow the chaff away.  Gideon was a timid, cowardly man who made excuses concerning himself and his family.  God was going to do in Gideon what Gideon was doing with wheat - thresh his heart, and remove the chaff of unbelief from his true identity.  God called Gideon to be a hero who would deliver Israel.  God rescued a nation by first rescuing a man from his unbelief.  Because of Jesus’s finished work on the Cross, every believer can ask to be rescued from an evil heart of unbelief.  Thanks be to God!

The Church is the Expression of God’s Image

 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We celebrate the Triune God, the Elohim, Who supercharges us powerfully from within.  Our biggest request or most amazing dream cannot match the extravagant proportion of the thoughts of Elohim towards us.  Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in us and to achieve infinitely more than our greatest request, our most unbelievable dream, and exceed our wildest imagination!  He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energises us.  God is both the author and conclusion of the glory on display in the Ekklesia - the Church - mirrored in Christ Jesus.  The encore continues throughout every generation, not only in this age but also in the countless ages to come.  Amen!  The  Church is the expression of God’s image and likeness redeemed in human life.  Hallelujah!

When God Fights For Us

 “They fought from heaven; The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Deborah composed this victory song and sang it with Barak, utilising brilliant imagery and forceful expression, as they rejoiced over the defeat of the kings of Canaan.  Even the stars in the sky joined in the fight, moving across the sky, shining as they fought against Sisera.  Metaphorically, the stars represent the mighty host of heaven’s angels.  Deborah declared that the angelic realm wheeled into formation and joined Israel in their fight.  With the power of God they quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  Such is the power of God made available to us through the finished work of the Cross by the Holy Spirit.  When God is for us who can be against us?  Hallelujah!

God Saw Christ in Us

 “even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul gives us the mystery of grace, of how grace rescued us: while we were yet in that state of deadness and indifference in our deviations, we were co-quickened together with Christ!  We had nothing to do with it.  Grace freed us, once and for all from the lies we believed about ourselves under the performance-driven system, and now defines our authentic identity!  We had no contribution to our salvation!  God’s master-plan unfolded in the mystery of the Gospel, declaring our joint inclusion in Christ’s death and resurrection.  This is the mystery of grace God reveals in Christ!  Now we may know, even as we have always been known!  Of God’s doing are we in Christ!  God saw us in Christ, in His death and resurrection, before we saw ourselves there!  Glory to God!

Joyful Victory

 “And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Deborah was a prophetess and a fiery woman who judged Israel at that time.  She presided as Israel’s judge under the Palm of Deborah, a certain palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came to her for wise decisions.  The palm tree is a biblical symbol of joyful victory.  When Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem, the people waved palm branches.  Deborah ruled as a prophetess while sitting under the realm of victory and prophetic revelation.  The Palm of Deborah was between Ramah (meaning ‘high place’) and Bethel (meaning ‘house of God’) in Mount Ephraim (meaning ‘double fruitful’).  When we are confident of our identity in Christ, we will speak with victory and prophetic revelation to bless others.  Amen!

Encountering the Gospel

 “according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God associated us in Christ before the fall of the world!  Jesus is God’s mind made up about us!  He always knew in His love that He would present us again face-to-face before Him in blameless innocence.  That we are in Christ is not the result of a lucky draw! Neither is it the result of the free ‘choice’ to follow Jesus!  Faith happens to us when we encounter the Gospel - the Risen Christ!  But of Him are we in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.  Glory to God!

We Need You, Holy Spirit

 “And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Israelites, with shattered hearts, cried out to Yahweh for mercy, and He answered them by raising up a champion-deliverer to rescue them, Othniel.  He was Caleb’s nephew, the son of his younger brother Kenaz.  And the Spirit of Yahweh was upon him and empowered him to liberate Israel from bondage.  He became Israel’s champion and went out to war, and Yahweh delivered into his hands Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia.  Othniel overpowered him.  The Israelites cried with repentant hearts at Shiloh and Yahweh heard and raised Othniel , meaning “lion of God” and a type of Jesus in the old covenant.  When the Spirit of Yahweh came upon Othniel, he transcended from human ability to the supernatural strength of wisdom, boldness, valour and courage that manifested on him.  So much so, that with a few armed men, he overpowered the Mesopotamian king and killed him.  All believers in the finished work of the Cross need the Holy Spirit to walk in supernatural power.  Thank You Holy Spirit!

We Represent Grace

 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul tells the Galatian church, “Brothers and sisters, if it seems that someone continues to anticipate their next failure by carrying just too much load, from your position in faith restore such a person in a spirit of courtesy and grace, keeping your own attitude in check - a legalistic approach would want to suspiciously probe into problems.  Taking the weight off someone’s shoulder is fulfilling the law of Christ..”. We must remember that we represent grace not law.  The message of grace removes all law-related burdens such as guilt, suspicion, inferiority, shame and a sin-consciousness.  Grace reveals our true identity redeemed in Christ.  Let’s make sure our good deeds are love-driven rather than duty driven.  Faith works by love, duty by willpower.  Thank You Jesus for releasing grace in and through us, Your redeemed ones!  Amen!

Give Thanks in Everything

 “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Eventually, after that entire generation died and was buried, the next generation forgot Yahweh and all that He had done for Israel.  They forgot the wonders in the wilderness, the manna, the split-open Rock that gave them water.  Then later, they failed to remember the miraculous Jordan parting, the walls of Jericho falling down, the sun standing still, God helping Israel conquer their foes, and the many miracles of Yahweh under Joshua’s leadership.  How easy it is for the second generation of any movement to forget the truth and power of the first generation.  We enshrine the memories of the past but fail to apply the power present today to advance in the ways of God - having a form of godliness but denying the power.  Any person, or church or denomination which does not have a continuous and ongoing testimony of God’s power, needs to come out of lukewarmness and acknowledge the power of the living Christ to advance.  Only with being thankful for the goodness of God in our lives can we overcome this.  In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  Amen!

No Law against Love

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains that our spirit effortlessly bears the rich harvest of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, integrity, gentleness and self control; all these individually reveal the irresistible attraction of the inner-life of our design.  Legalism can neither match nor contradict this.  There is no law against love!  These are not the fading, fragile emotions produced by willpower.  This is the fruit of what we know in our  spirit to be true about ourselves.  Fruit is the effortless, spontaneous expression of the character of the Tree of Life.  We rest in the awareness and assurance of who we really are!  Love does not compete with law; love is extravagant in its exhibition of the Christ life.  It flows effortlessly from the Christ life within us!  Thank You Holy Spirit!

Acknowledge God & He Directs Your Path

 “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After Joshua died, the twelve tribal leaders consulted Yahweh for a prophetic sign and asked, “Which tribe do you choose to be the first to lead the attack against the Canaanites?”  They presented themselves at Shiloh where the tabernacle was and where Phineas was the high priest (Aaron, the first high priest’s grandson), and who wore the Urim (meaning “lights”) and the Thummim (meaning “perfections”) on his breastplate.  It is always wise to seek the Lord before we step out into a new chapter of our lives.  Through Jesus’s finished work on the Cross, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in us.  Today we seek the Word and the Holy Spirit in us to receive guidance in our lives to take the next step.  Our God answers prayers as we acknowledge Him in all our ways and He directs our path.  Hallelujah!

Grace Communicates Truth Completely

 “to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christ’s mandate was to rescue the human race from the regime of the law of performance and to announce the revelation of their true sonship in God.  It was not as if Jesus arrived on a foreign planet, He came to His own, yet His own did not recognise Him.  But to everyone who realises their association in Him, convinced that He is their original life, in them He confirms that we are His offspring.  These are they who discover that man began in God, we are not the invention of our parents!  The invisible eternal God became visible as the Word made flesh, becoming a human being.  We are His address, He resides in us.  We behold Him in His glory, full of Grace and Truth.  Only Grace can communicate Truth in such complete context!  Any effort of your own to what God has already perfected in you in Christ, is a waste of time!  We are called to live by faith.  Only believe!  Amen!

We Will Serve the LORD

 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua spoke to the children of Israel, “If it seems wrong in your eyes to serve Yahweh, then make your decision today which gods you will worship - the gods which your ancestors worshipped in Mesopotamia or the gods which the Amorites worship in the land where you are now living - but I and my family, we will give our lives to worship in the land where you are now living - but I and my family, we will give our lives to worship and serve Yahweh for He is holy!”  As long as Joshua was there, they served the Lord but after his death, they compromised.  Today the Holy Spirit is our Guide to all truth, and teaches us everything, especially on how to serve the living God by testifying and witnessing of Jesus and the finished work of the Cross.  May we become faithful witnesses to Christ in us the hope of glory!  Amen!

Promise Received by Faith

 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Scripture concludes that all men without exception are in the same predicament; they are imprisoned to sin; now faith brings the promise of immediate release within everyone’s reach!  Jesus Christ makes it possible for all to believe what God believes concerning their righteousness and restored innocence.  Jesus is the embodiment of God’s faith in mankind.  The righteousness of God is now on display in such a way that all may believe, regardless of who they are, there is no distinction.  The same mass of mankind that was once reduced to an inferior identity through their sin, is now gifted with acquittal on the basis of the ransom paid by Jesus Christ for their liberation.  Hallelujah!

Faith-Rest Life

 “And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭23:1‬ ‭KJV

Many years had passed since Yahweh had given Israel rest from all their enemies, and Joshua was very old.  This was about twenty five years later.  Joshua was one hundred and ten when he made his final speech to the nation.  As Jacob had blessed his sons and Moses the people, so Joshua gave a final speech before he died.  Through the finished work of the Cross, Jesus has destroyed our enemy and all his works, bringing us into the faith-rest life.  Now He requires us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, winning every soul into the Kingdom of God.  This is the mandate for all who are in Christ.  Amen!

Dead & Alive at the Same Time

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul gives this amazing revelation that I am dead and alive at the same time!  I’m dead to the old me I was trying to be, and alive to the real me which is Christ in me!  Co-crucified, now co-alive!  What a glorious oneness - I was in Him in His death, now I discover that He is infused in me, in my life!  I’m free to be me in my body, immersed in His faith, in our joint sonship!  He is God’s gift to me!  For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him!  Glory to God! 

One True God

 “Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD, 

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭22:17 KJV‬‬

Joshua records as the elders of Israel spoke to the two and a half tribes that wanted to settle on that side of the Jordan river, saying, haven’t we had enough trouble from the terrible sin we committed at Peor?  There a plague came upon us even though we belong to Yahweh.  To this day, our conscience is stained and we still suffer from our atrocious deeds.  The terrible sin of Peor was building an altar to some other god which released an epidemic killing twenty four thousand.  At this moment, the unity of the children of Israel was at stake and the centralisation of Yahweh’s worship at Shiloh where the tabernacle was.  But when the two and a half tribes explained that they will worship Yahweh alone and not other gods, the rest of the elders and the high priest settled the matter peaceably.  In the secular culture that we live in, let’s not conform to it.  There is only One God Who sent His Son to die for all mankind.  There is no other.  Let’s bow at the Name of Jesus for worthy is the Lamb that was slain to take away the sin of the world.  Amen!

Revealing Christ in Us

 “to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul is declaring the heart of the Gospel that he proclaims.  It began with God unveiling His Son in Paul, freeing him to announce the same sonship in the masses of non-Jewish people.  Paul felt no immediate urgency to compare notes with those who were familiar with Christ from a mere historic point of view.  It pleased the Father to reveal His Son in Paul in order that he may proclaim Him to the nations.  This is true for all mankind that Christ is revealed in us by faith, the moment we accept His Presence in us, believing in the finished work of redemption at the Cross.  Then we are to proclaim Him to all nations!  Hallelujah!

Appropriating Promises by Faith

 “And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21:44‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yahweh kept His promise and gave Israel peace in the land as they took possession of the promised land.  This is what Yahweh had promised their forefathers.  Not one of their enemies could stand against them.  For us in the new covenant that Yeshua made with us through the Cross, all the works of our enemy, the devil, have been destroyed.  Just as the children of Israel received rest in the promised land as Yahweh delivered them, so today all His promises in Scripture become ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ to us who are in Christ.  As we appropriate these promises by faith, we must be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.  Let’s enjoy the rest the Lord has given us!  Thank You Jesus!

Selfless Prayers

 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the disciple writes to his beloved friend Gaius saying that he prays that Gaius prosper in every way and that he is continually enjoying good health, just as his soul is prospering.  John says that he was filled with joy and delight when the brothers arrived and informed him of Gaius’s faithfulness to the truth and how he lived continually in the truth of Christ.  John prays that Gaius’s physical health would match his spiritual health.  God wants us to flourish physically (He has given our bodies an immune system) and in our soul (emotional and mental well-being).  God wants us to thrive in every area regardless!  Let’s pray in this selfless way for others and not for only ourselves.  Naaman the commander of the Syrian army had leprosy, and when he had brought a maid from Israel as captive, she told him of the prophet Elisha in Samaria who could pray to Yahweh for healing.  That was selfless of the young captive maid.  We have Yahweh Jesus in us today so let’s pray selfless prayers for others.  This is the way to live continually in the truth of Christ! Amen!

Our Refuge, Our Strong Tower, Our Shelter

 “These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭20:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

These were the designated cities of refuge.  Any Israelite or any foreigner living among them who had accidentally killed someone could run to one of these cities for protection.  He could live their safely until he had a fair trial, and unless he had been proven guilty, he could not be killed by the one seeking revenge.  The six cities of asylum all point to Christ and His tender mercy.  The cities of refuge were situated on hills and high places so that they could be easily seen and reached by the one fleeing there.  Similarly, Jesus has been exalted to the highest place as our Champion and Saviour, and yet He is accessible to all by faith.  The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.  We just need to call on the Name of Jesus, and we are saved.  In whichever situation, whatever we may have done and wherever we may be, at the Name of Jesus, we receive safety and refuge.  Hallelujah!

Doctrine of Christ

 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”

‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Anyone who wanders away and does not remain faithful to the teaching of Christ has no relationship with God. But those who remain in the teaching of Christ have a wonderful relationship with both the Father and the Son. So if anyone comes into your fellowship claiming to be a true believer yet doesn’t bring this teaching, you are not to consider him as a fellow believer, nor should you welcome him into your homes.  These were John the beloved disciple’s epistles of love to churches.  Although false teachers had entered various churches, John says that honouring God’s commands is the love that safeguards us against deception.  John had to warn church members not to show hospitality to false teachers.  False teachers are those who stray from the doctrine of Christ of the true Gospel of grace.  They are known by their fruit.  If Jesus is exalted and magnified in their life, we know the truth is in them.  But if it is self exaltation then we must keep away from such people and pray for them.  Let’s keep ourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  Amen!

The Extra Portion

 “When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: according to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnath-serah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭19:49-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All the people of Israel gathered in front of the tabernacle at Shiloh so that Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the tribes could divide all the land, using lots to find out how Yahweh wanted them to divide the land.  After they had finished dividing the land into its regions, the Israelites gave their warrior-chief, Joshua, son of Nun, his inheritance.  Timnath Serah was the city he had requested and as Yahweh instructed which was given to Joshua in the Ephraimite hill country.  Timnath Serah means ‘an extra portion’ and the Israelites gave Joshua the extra portion he desired.  Those who minister to God’s people and serve them are worthy of double honour.  Jesus is our heavenly Joshua Who waits for the fullness of His inheritance until His people have received theirs.  Receiving in us the fullness of His inheritance was the joy that was set before Him.  The Church, His Bride, is the city He desired.  He has built up this city and dwells there!  Hallelujah!

See Jesus in His Word

 “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Jesus broke bread with them their eyes opened and they knew exactly who He was!  Then He vanished from their view!  They erupted in an avalanche of words - “was our hearts not set ablaze - even while He was speaking the Scriptures to us!”  Jesus could have easily just tapped them on the shoulder at the beginning of their journey and told them who He was!  But He reveals Himself in their familiar language, the Scriptures, knowing that the entire context of the Incarnation is grounded in these profound, prophetic writings.  This surely beats any angelic visitation.  As Paul later recorded that it pleased the Father to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery….which is Christ IN you, the hope of glory!  This is the image of God in us being unveiled!  Glory to God!

Our Shiloh

 “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭18:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After the Israelites had conquered the land, all of them gathered at Shiloh, and the priests set up the tabernacle.  Shiloh means wholeness, secure or abundance.  After seven years of conquest, the Israelites moved the tabernacle that Moses had constructed in the wilderness, from Gilgal to Shiloh, where it remained for 369 years.  Shiloh was the ancient pre-Jerusalem capital of Israel and the origins of the prophets can be traced back here.  Shiloh is where Hannah prayed to have a son and then dedicated Samuel to God.  Samuel was the first of the prophets of Israel.  Jesus is our Shiloh as Jacob prophesied before dying and the sceptre will not depart from Him.  Jesus is the origin of all prophecy as He is the Aleph and the Tav and has finished the work of the Cross and now all things are being subdued under His feet!  Amen!

God of Hope

 “And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Jesus, now sentenced by the Roman authority to be crucified, went to the assigned place, a massive throng of people were following him; also, many mourning women who were wringing their hands and smiting their breasts in grief, bewailing him.  Public mourning was not allowed by Roman authorities for persons that were crucified as criminals.  It is remarkable that any public tokens of sorrow were expressed at all, defying Roman rule.  Jesus acknowledged their grief as He called them daughters of Zion and not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children.  These were people who had experienced the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Messiah, through deliverance, healing, provision and forgiveness.  Therefore the public sorrow!  Yet their was hope coming up when Jesus rose from the dead, as the God of hope would fill them with all joy and peace in believing, that they would abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our God is the God of hope!  Hallelujah!

God’s Heart for Women

 “But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Manasseh’s grandson Gilead had a son named Hepher who had a son named Zelophehad who had no sons.  But he did have five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, Tirzah, Tappuah.  These daughters requested Moses in their patriarchal community, for them to receive their inheritance among their male relatives.  This request was granted after Moses consulted the Lord.  So when Joshua did the division of the promised land for the tribes of the children of Israel, these sisters reminded him of Moses’ counsel.  This shows the heart of God - both man and woman are made in His image and He has used women in the old covenant as well as the new, to release His power.  Jesus was born as the Son of Man through a woman. Till today God continues to use women for the extension of His Kingdom.  May we never get caught up in the world’s culture but rather the Bible culture, allowing each woman to release Christ in this dark world and to shine more and more and do exploits for Him!  Thank You Father for Your great wisdom!