Culture Counters

We first hear of this week’s hero, Caleb, in Numbers chapters 13 and 14. We really don’t hear much about him until 40 years later. After God’s people were freed from captivity in Egypt they sent spies in to the promise land. Caleb was chosen as his tribe’s representative. When they came back only Joshua and him had the faith and courage to go forward.

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30

Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes. Numbers 14:6

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24

Caleb had enough faith in God to counter his culture. When everybody was saying we can’t, he and his Godly friend said we can’t but God can! A great lesson here in trusting God and having Godly friends.

May we always seek God’s way and be blessed by faithful friends. Amen?

God's Business

Jesus has made everything we need to know available to us. He said in John 15:15,

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

So Jesus is saying we can and need to know and be about doing the Master's Business. How do you learn God’s will and ways? Spend time with Him by watching, learning, reading His Word, and asking questions through prayer.

We need to stop making excuses and putting our own agendas first. Be a God’s way not my way person. Through the Holy Spirit you can know God’s business – Jesus promised. That’s good enough for me.

Amen?

Working

I like Labor Day. Hopefully you are not too busy to stop and think what this day means. It’s a day to honor workers! I think God honors our work for Him. Here are the seven verses in the New Testament that contain the word, “working”. Read and learn the essence of how work plays in to God’s kingdom.

In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:6

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Ephesians 3:7

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23

I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Colossians 4:13

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:22

Keeping working for Jesus. Amen?

Problem Solving

We all have problems. King David, a man after God's heart had plenty of them. Some were self imposed, but others were cast upon him. It was during one of these times that he wrote in Psalm 34:1-9:
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. - David

This is a great model for all of us. Even when we are facing a crisis or even death we should:
1. Tell of His greatness
2. Give Him praise and glory
3. Encourage others
4. Rely and trust in God
5. Know where your true salvation comes from
6. Fear God not man (or the things of this world)
7. Experience God in new ways (even in your pain and sorrow)
8. Accept his protection and provision
9. Be strong and courageous
10. Do not be afraid Christ is always with you

Accept God's promise and apply them to your life every day. Amen?

Changes Happen

It is true that God never changes, but God is also a God of new ideas, of innovation. God is a God who uses change. We must pray for new visions. We cannot be content with what is. We must crave what can be. That which holds our attention will determine our actions!
If you want to be distressed - look within. If you want to be defeated - look back.
If you want to be distracted - look around. If you want to be dismayed - look ahead.
If you want to be delivered - look up! When we focus our attention upon the Lord:
Setbacks will become springboards! Obstacles will turn into opportunities! Barriers will turn into blessings! Cowards will become courageous!

We can learn from Moses. Hebrews 11:27 tells us: " By faith he left Egypt not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen." Those last words are words which should instruct us. Moses’ eyes were on God and he was able to endure. The Living Bible says: he " kept right on going!" Moffatt’s translation says, " He never flinched."

Moses had staying power - even with all the changes that challenged him. That power is available to all of us.

 
Moses kept his eyes on God, not the obstacles. He endured in his eighties, in his nineties, and on into his hundreds. He endured despite the contempt of Pharaoh, the stubbornness of the Hebrews who grumbled, maligned him, complained, and rebelled. He endured amidst the criticism of those closest to him. He fixed his eyes on the Lord, and never looked back.

You and I can do the same! We can endure by fixing our eyes on our Lord, and allowing His changes to happen in our lives. Amen?

Renewed

God is calling His church to have a renewed vision. We must have a passionate and clear vision of what God has called us to do and of what we need to be. Too often we have taken our feet off the pedal and looked too long in the rear view mirror at past glories.

Someone has said: “When we have more memories than dreams, life is over." When we have greater memories than dreams we will never make a difference in changing our world for God. We must know where we are going and what we are going to do!  We must dream great dreams! The challenge before us is to aim high. Low aim is a crime - it’s a sin!

God told Isaiah in Isaiah 43:18-19:“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

You and I can do the same! We can endure by fixing our eyes on our Lord. God calls us to be courageous:
Even when the evil seem to prosper
Even when the wicked seem to be winning
Even when the pressure seems to be unbearable
Even when the critics won’t shut up
Even when big people act contemptibly small.
Even when we feel as though we’re all alone
Even when a lie is called truth, and the truth is called a lie.

As you stand on the edge of a new change, a new challenge, a new commitment -- look at Christ! Whatever it is you are facing - look at Christ! With our eyes on Christ we can go forward fearlessly, and know that the things which are shaken will only reveal the Eternal and Unmovable God! Bring on the changes -- world do your worst!

God uses ordinary people totally committed to Him to make a difference in a changing world. One person can make a difference!

What is He calling you to do today?

Speaking

In the God story found in Acts 9:36-43 we make note that our hero does not speak a word. Her actions and others spoke for her. If Tabitha were to speak to us today her closing "words of encouragement” might be:

-          Serve the Lord with a glad heart Allow your life and work honor and lead others to Christ.

-          Always give Jesus the credit. Remember whom and why you serve.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Tabitha began a movement that spread well beyond her community. She has inspired literally millions of women and men to use whatever gift they have received to serve others.

May God inspire you to use your gifts for his glory today. Amen?