Inspired by . . . God has no grandchildren

The cold, icy tendrils of air swoop down from the north leaching the color from my garden, blackening and curling leaves. Soon the wind will follow, sending the leaves hurtling through the air and leaving branches bare.  Like skeletons exposed.

It is a bit like reading about Israel's descent into disobedience.

The book of Judges can be tedious reading and often confusing at times. But there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from studying the text and none more important than what we learn in the first two chapters.

At the beginning of Judges, we find that Joshua has died leaving the tribes of Israel to complete their conquest of Canaan on their own. Yet, they were not alone. God was with them and He gives them specific instructions. He calls Judah first. However, instead of relying solely on God to deliver the enemy into their hands as He has promised, Judah immediately turns to their kinsman, the Simeonites for help. 

The arm of flesh will always fail where the hand of God beckons us forward in faith.[click to tweet]

The rest of chapter one lists the failures of the tribes to drive out their enemies from the land God wished them to conquer.

We often think we are getting away with our evil because God is so patient with us. 

We're not.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Gal 6:7)

The disobedience of Israel's founding fathers opened the door to a future of calamity. God keeps His word. Both the blessings and the curses.

At first glance, it may appear that the failure to drive out the enemy from the land was Israel's biggest mistake. It wasn't. Verse 10 in chapter 2 reveals their greatest failure.

When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10)

Despite God's warning in Deuteronomy 10, the parents failed to communicate to their children the power and work of God. Rarely does a powerful work of God move into the next generation. Each person must have their own relationship with God.

Without this personal relationship, Israel quickly descended into chaos. Each person doing what was right in their own eyes. 

We see the tragic, ping-pong effect, Israel's sin results in enslavement and they cry out to God for help.

We see sorrow but not repentance. Sorrow for the consequences of their actions but no repentance for the actions themselves.

This may not seem like a relevant subject to discuss as we approach the season of Advent. Yet what better time of year to fulfill the edict of Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19?

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.  (Deu 6:6-7)

The holiday season often provides an opportunity to slow down and gather with family and loved ones. Why not share how the Lord has worked or is working, in your life?

Be a light in the darkness, pointing the way to the Person of Jesus Christ. It may save a life or even a future generation.

Blessings,

Inspired by . . . the power of your testimony


I've been camped out in the book of Acts these post-Easter days. Marveling at the boldness of the apostles so soon after we left them cowering behind locked doors.

Dispute it if you will but these same men would not be so bold, would not die, for a stolen or an otherwise "missing" body. What gave them their boldness was seeing the risen Savior in the flesh and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Verbena

Not only did the apostles appear in public and speak boldly, they healed people just as Jesus had done.

But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Act 3:6-8)

Though the Jewish authorities sought to stop Peter and the apostles they could not deny their boldness nor the evidence of the miracle standing before them.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 

But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (Act 4:13-15)

We might not be able to say we've seen the risen Lord, or produce a body that's been healed . . . or wait, maybe we can.

If you're a believer then you have been healed, changed, made new! You have witnessed, experienced the power of the risen Savior in your life! 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2Co 5:17)

Maybe you're like me and don't think your testimony is particularly exciting or relevant. 

When I accepted Christ and received the Holy Spirit, there wasn't an outward manifestation, such as speaking in tongues or casting out of demons, etc. But the inward manifestation was very real. And, over time, the fruit of the Spirit has been revealed in my life. 

I do not doubt Christ because I KNOW Christ. [click to tweet] I KNOW the power within me because I know MYSELF and I know the changes in me are not of my own doing. 

Every testimony is relevant. People can choose to believe the Bible or not, but they cannot deny the truth of your personal testimony. [click to tweet] Share what you know to be true about yourself.

Maybe you're afraid that you don't know enough scripture or theology to talk to someone about your faith in Christ. 

Chances are you know more than you think but it's okay to admit you don't know everything. None of us have all the answers when it comes to the things of God. Again, start with what you do know. What has God done in your life? Your testimony is your most powerful witness for Christ. [click to tweet]

We can also rely on the promises of scripture to speak boldly about Christ. Jesus encouraged His disciples before He left with these words:

And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luk 12:11-12)

Just like after Christmas, it can be easy to lose the JOY and HOPE that the resurrection brings. I encourage you to spend some time in Acts reading about the "acts" of the apostles and how they boldly brought the message of the cross to Jerusalem and beyond.

Hummingbird Moth

I know you will be inspired!

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DancewithJesus

Inspired by . . . Moses, man of God

How would you respond if God said He was going to annihilate the entire human race and start over with you?

When we look around at the world today it's tempting, isn't it? We may not necessarily have ourselves in mind. Personally, I'd pick someone far more righteous than I. And, I believe, so would God.

But what if He did pick you? What would you say?

I know how stubborn these people are. Now, don't try to stop me. I am angry with them, and I am going to destroy them. Then I will make you and your descendants into a great nation." (Exo 32:9-10)

Few of even the most righteous among us would respond as Moses did. After the way the people had treated Moses you would have thought he would have been happy to be rid of them. But no, instead Moses pleaded with God to deliver them.

But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God and said, " LORD, why should You be so angry with Your people, whom You rescued from Egypt with great might and power? Why should the Egyptians be able to say that You led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely? Stop being angry; change Your mind and do not bring this disaster on Your people. (Exo 32:11-12)

You'll note that Moses didn't defend the people or their sin. Instead, he appealed to God, His character and mighty power.

Since Jesus has paid the price for our sin and made a way for us to access our heavenly Father, none of us will be getting the same offer that Moses did. But we can still learn from his response.

Moses didn't try to keep God all to himself. He shared freely of all the blessings and wisdom that God gave him. He shared will all people, not just his family or the people he liked or who treated him kindly.

He didn't give up on people either, even when they turned against him. When God struck Miriam, Mose's sister, with leprosy after she spoke out against him, Moses prayed to God to heal her.

It's easy for us to stay in groups who look, talk and believe the way that we do. It's easy to write off people who don't look like us or believe like us. This life is our one opportunity. And theirs.

As believers, we've been given an indescribable gift.  With that gift comes a responsibility. 

"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16)

I encourage you today to let your light shine! 

If necessary, use words.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty