June 25 2018

Spread it out before the Lord

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying: “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:14-16

Sennacherib was threatening to come against the people of Judah.  
The men of the King of Assyria came to the walls of the city, in the hearing of the men of Judah and spoke of the plans of Sennacherib to destroy Judah as he had destroyed others.  
The messengers brought this information to Hezekiah.  
What Hezekiah did with it, is an important lesson for all of us.  
Hezekiah physically brought the letter and took it to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.  
Then he prayed, beginning by acknowledging the greatness of God.  
We MUST learn to bring our concerns before the Lord.  
Our initial reaction should not be to panic, to devise elaborate counterattacks or to withdraw in fear.  Our initial reaction must be to acknowledge the greatness of our God in every circumstance and then bring the issue to Him, spread it out before Him, and wait on His response.  
In this case the Lord sent Isaiah with a message for Hezekiah; a message that they would be safe from the king of Assyria.  
In our case the message from the Lord may come in various ways:  though His still, small voice; through the Word of God; through someone around us; or even through a series of circumstances in which we clearly see the Lord’s Hand at work. 
What concern is on your mind and heart this day?  Spread it out before the Lord even now and wait for His response.

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June 24 2018

Possess the Land

How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you? Joshua 18:3

The Israelites were in the Promised Land. 
God had given it to them and promised to drive out the inhabitants a bit at a time so that they could take it over and it wouldn’t become overrun in the process. 
But part way through the book of Joshua, Joshua rebukes the people and asks why they have not possessed the land.
The land was before them and it was promised to them, yet, they had not taken possession of it. 
They were directed to go and survey the remaining land and divide it up and take it for themselves.  Like the Israelites, three thinks keep us from taking the land that the Lord has promised us:
1) a lack of knowledge,
2) a lack of faith,
3) a lack of motivation.
In order to possess the land we need to know the promises of God for our lives. 
We need to be in the Word and in relationship with the Lord. 
Possession of the land takes faith. 
Once we know the land is ours, we must move forward to take it.
Faith requires action on our part.
Often we lack motivation. 
We get in a rut and become apathetic; content with what we have, all the while, the riches of the Promised Land are ahead of us, not accessed and going to waste. 
Where are you in the process of possessing your Promised Land? 
Do you understand the promises of God for your life?
 Have you begun stepping out in faith?  Do you find yourself in a place of apathy? 
Today, like Joshua, I ask you:
 “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers have given you.” 

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June 24 2018

Possess the Land

How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you? Joshua 18:3

The Israelites were in the Promised Land. 
God had given it to them and promised to drive out the inhabitants a bit at a time so that they could take it over and it wouldn’t become overrun in the process. 
But part way through the book of Joshua, Joshua rebukes the people and asks why they have not possessed the land.
The land was before them and it was promised to them, yet, they had not taken possession of it. 
They were directed to go and survey the remaining land and divide it up and take it for themselves.  Like the Israelites, three thinks keep us from taking the land that the Lord has promised us:
1) a lack of knowledge,
2) a lack of faith,
3) a lack of motivation.
In order to possess the land we need to know the promises of God for our lives. 
We need to be in the Word and in relationship with the Lord. 
Possession of the land takes faith. 
Once we know the land is ours, we must move forward to take it.
Faith requires action on our part.
Often we lack motivation. 
We get in a rut and become apathetic; content with what we have, all the while, the riches of the Promised Land are ahead of us, not accessed and going to waste. 
Where are you in the process of possessing your Promised Land? 
Do you understand the promises of God for your life?
 Have you begun stepping out in faith?  Do you find yourself in a place of apathy? 
Today, like Joshua, I ask you:
 “How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers have given you.” 

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