Mission Faithwalk

                 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the  Lord  said to Joshua,   “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe,   and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”   So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe,   and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the  Lord  your God into the middle of the Jordan. 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 ...

                 And the  Lord  said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.   Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”   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. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.   The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the  Lord  stopped in the middle of the Jordan and ...

                 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. (Joshua 2:1) Really? Forty years earlier, God told Moses to send twelve spies into the Promised Land. Joshua was among them, and they came back with a report that led the people into rebellion. The result was forty years of wandering (seemingly) aimlessly while waiting for people to die. Now Joshua was repeating the exercise?  He only sent two, but I wonder whether he spent the whole time they were gone wondering what he would do if they came back with a bad report. Perhaps before they left, he told them that if they came back with that bad report – without sufficient evidence – that he’d have them executed. Did he consider not sending out scouts? The problem with that is that sending scouts was pr...

              “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.    Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you...

                 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria .  (Acts 8:1) This past Wednesday, our prayer meeting was dedicated to praying for the persecuted Church. I want to make this clear: I am completely in favor of praying for the persecuted Church. They need our prayers and it is our responsibility and privilege to pray for them. We should be praying for the persecuted Church. At the same time, however, I think we must be careful with this idea. We have a tendency to try to divide the needy into the “truly” needy and the whiners, and there are valid reasons for not responding to them in quite the same way. The problem is, we tend to compare the two, and if someone doesn’t measure up to the level of suffering we deem sufficient to be considered persecuted, we dismiss them. They don...

                 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:9-10)   Imagine that you have created the ultimate theme park. As one fictional theme park declared, you “spared no expense.” Like that theme park owner, you didn’t want the park to be just fun; you wanted it to benefit all humanity. You spent billions on the infrastructure and billions just on dressing things up for the opening day. Everything was perfect, then the first visitors walked through the gates, and all hell broke loose. No, it wasn’t dinosaurs having escaped from their pens; it was the guests themselves. For some, it was too warm, for others, too cool. Some didn’t like the music, food, colors, restroom locations, some of the other guests, or you. The food is...

                 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44)   And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives . (Genesis 50:20) I’ve written about this verse many times, but probably not quite this way. The day before yesterday was our elections, and I’m not happy with how things turned out. I hope things don’t turn out as hard as I expect. God is still in control, and He will cause all things to work together for good. Yeah, yeah, we say the words and I suspect we think we mean them. But, as we approach the holidays, an ad comes to mind: Christmas Strength . If you’ve skipped watching it, it’s a good one that you’ve p...

                 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (II Corinthians 3:6)   A covenant is a contract, like the constitutions that direct the interactions between governments and the governed. They are vital to those relationships. We need to know. Some may suggest that there should be no rules, but truly no rules opens the door to abuse, neglect, and disappointment. After all, while we may think the other should know intuitively what’s right or wrong, that’s imposing a difficult rule on them. They are required to read the mind(s) of the other(s). Every time they fail, it is seen as their failure even though it’s ours because we haven’t communicated. But covenants and rules can be deadly, too. A government could pass some common sense laws, like no murdering, no stealing, no raping, drive on the right side of the road, tu...

                 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)                It’s Election Day! I’ve heard people talk about not voting because they’re disgusted with the way things are, but Scripture tells us to be subject to governing authorities. Usually, we think of these as people like kings, governors, and even police officers or teachers. But there is another form of authority: written. We have Scripture. If you don’t think we should obey the principles God teaches through Scripture, that will be for you to discuss with Him. No doubt, we all have qualms with at least one thing we find in Scripture, but if we are to be subject to governing authorities, God and His Word certainly fit that description. The other piece of the puzzle is that ou...

                 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them . Matthew 6:32 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective . (James 5:16) I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness . (I Timothy 2:1-2)   I have heard the complaint or accusation that if we believe that God is omnipotent and loving, we should not ask Him for anything more than once. The verses from Matthew 6 are sometimes used to argue this. Even more, we sh...

              I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (Ephesians 1:18)           Yesterday’s post had to do with being sober and alert for our enemy. Today, my Bible platform spun us around. Yesterday, Peter told us to be alert and sober, to pay attention. He called for us to be active. In today’s passage, Paul didn’t tell us to open our eyes and pay attention. He said he prayed that our eyes would be opened. His hope was for our blindness to be healed or removed. Or perhaps that our vision would be expanded. We like to think we’re not blind, but we can see only 0.0035% of the electromagnetic spectrum. That’s one of the reasons why the notion that the claim that science gives us the truth based on what we can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste is so amusing. If we can’t m...

                   Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (I Peter 5:8-9)           This wasn’t the topic I planned to write about, but now that my Bible platform has suggested it, it is appropriate. The days are getting short, and they’re about to seem shorter. Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour this evening! The holidays are coming up, which means stress and (for some) depression. And with all of that, life goes on, with all its demands.           Then, there are all of the unnecessary distractions and media overload we face. I seem to have two modes: mono-focus and complete lack of focus, and it feels as t...

                Fo r it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)           For some people, this may be the most horrific verse in Scripture. In fact, it’s probably a nightmare idea for most people in the world. And it is for that reason that I believe it to be from God, and not from man. Man wants to sing with Frank Sinatra, “I Did It My Way.” Salvation, or even success, is based on what we have done. At least, it is for us. There are other poor souls for whom the only chance for success is our responsibility.           This passage suggests that, ultimately, salvation is success. Any other success is temporary and crippled. The passage states clearly that we can not achieve salvation. It can only be gained as a gift. But that grates our egos a...

              Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1)           The day before yesterday, John Ortberg’s v-log was about this verse. Yesterday, it was the verse on the Bible platform I use. I wouldn’t take that to be a sign of God’s will being that I should do some big, dramatic thing, but I’m going with the notion that it’s probably an excellent verse for me to explore again.           Toward the end of Dr. Ortberg’s comments, he suggested that we take some time and survey ourselves, giving various parts of ourselves to God. He began with the forehead, which he connected with our minds and thoughts, but he didn’t strictly stick with Dallas Willard’s breakdown of the soul: mind (thoughts/feelings), heart (will),...

  For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. (I Peter 1:24-25)             There was a time when I thought I could take on the world. Later, I was able to jog 6.5 miles and get a lot done. Now I cheer if I add a thousand feet to the pitiful walk I take with the dog and feel like I need a nap. And my body isn’t the worst of it. I have a 7-point outline for my prayer time. It’s easy. I want to pray for the Church, the family, the communities of which I’m part, the authorities over those communities, my enemies, various people who need prayer, and myself. I can’t get through any of those without my thoughts wandering off. I’ll grant you, when there’s a crisis in one of them, I’m a little better, but even that diminishes over time.      ...

                 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.   Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up ov...

            All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17) Either Christianity is true or it's false. If you bet that it's true, and you believe in God and submit to Him, then if it IS true, you've gained God, heaven, and everything else. If it's false, you've lost nothing, but you've had a good life marked by peace and the illusion that ultimately, everything makes sense. If you bet that Christianity is not true, and it's false, you've lost nothing. But if you bet that it's false, and it turns out to be true, you've lost everything and you get to spend eternity in hell. (Blaise Pascal, Pensées ) Blaise Pascal invented one of the original mechanical calculators, the Pascaline. His work in fluid mechanics led to the invention of the hydraulic press, and the syringe. He and Pierre de Fer...

           If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22) It seems as though some people look at this passage as a means to an end. They want to send a lunch to their enemy and have $10,000 show up by dinner. As a bonus, they want their enemy to stand in awe and proclaim to all who will listen what a wonderful person you are, while everyone else sees what a louse he is (including him.) Kosuke Koyama wrote an essay entitled, “The 3.5 Mile an Hour God,” in which He explains that while God can perform miracles in the blink of an eye, most of the time, He works at about the same pace that a person walks. He also seems content to work toward long-term goals in day-sized units. The reward we gain from doing good may be a long time coming. There’s another consideration. We tend to see rewards as ...

               T he fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)           I keep repeating this sort of thing because I think it’s vital. A lord is whatever directs, guides, or controls our lives, our thoughts, and our beliefs. Fear of that lord, whether warranted or not, includes recognizing that there is a price we must pay for committing treason against that lord. If the price is too low, there will be no fear and really no lord. That way lies chaos and disaster. If the price is too high, ultimately, the lord in question must either find a way for someone other than the people to pay the price (which is what Jesus did) or destroy everyone who commits treason (which means everyone.)           Now, a good lord must provide direction, guidance, control, and consequences in ou...

                   Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.   Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.   If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.   Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.  ( Galatians 6:2-5)             Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?    How c...

                 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word. (Proverbs 15:23) How often do you find just the right thing to say, three hours (days, years) after the conversation? I’ve told people that I love listening to what I say, because every once in a while, something good comes out. In other words, I discover an apt reply or timely word. Comedy too often uses repartee and put-downs to generate laughs, which is why I watch, read, or listen to very little of it. But apt replies and well-timed words are the heart and soul of comedy. We’re told that when someone is hurting, we should not say anything at first, but just be there with the person. At some point, however, an apt reply and timely word are needed. And when that apt reply or timely word hits its target, the damage can be a bomb, a balm, or a surgical cut that removes a cancer from our lives or allows repair. The recipient is likely to fin...

            The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!”   (Proverbs 22:13)           Sluggard: A habitually lazy person who avoids work and responsibility, often leading to negative consequences .           Habit: A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.           Let me begin by saying that, as far as I am concerned, the only person whose picture goes with this post is mine. If you see yourself, respond accordingly, but I’m not pointing the finger at anyone but me (unless I specifically say otherwise.) Now, let me add to that the fact that, more often than not, we act based on our habits. A habitually lazy person, therefore, probably has what they think is a good reason for what they do. After all, “there’s a lion ...

                   Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me . (Psalm 51:12) Then Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) The verse in Psalm 51 is part of David’s plea to God after he was confronted about his affair with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. The verse in Exodus is Moses’s plea to God after the people of Israel had made and worshipped the golden calf. When I first glanced at David’s words this morning, I wasn’t sure whether the spirit that David wanted to be willing was his or God’s. I checked the Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament [1] , and it claimed the reference was to the Spirit, and I read the verse in context, which clearly agreed. Then Moses’s parallel prayer came to mind. Keeping in mind that David knew Saul had lost the throne because of his sins and that the penalty for his sins was deat...

                 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. (II Timothy 1:12) I will readily admit that this post is in response to someone quoting Carl Sagan as he propagandized that knowledge is different from and superior to belief and that belief is effectively wishy-washy mumbo-jumbo put forth by those who haven’t a clue about reality. Another person added “faith” to the list of foolishness. So excuse me while I try to clear up the misunderstanding, even though the people involved are not likely to ever see it. First, consider how you know what you know. How much of what you know have you independently researched and verified as being true? An easy example. Have you done sufficient research to confirm that America won the war for independence in the last quarter of t...

              Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)           Some people would say that waiting for the Lord is a sign of weakness of character, body, or mind. If we want something, we should step out and get it. If we can’t do it by ourselves, we should recruit others to help us. Others use “I’m waiting for the Lord” as an excuse for not doing something, or anything.  Most of us are probably a mix of the two.           The reality is that when this verse says “be strong and take heart,” it is listing two requirements for waiting. Waiting takes strength and heart. It also takes wisdom because while waiting does require that we not go get the thing we want, it also requires that we actively prepare. If you’re waiting for someone to arrive, you don’t sit and do nothing if the house isn’t ready. You do w...