Joshua 21:1-3 KJV(1)  Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;(2)  And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.(3)  And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of saying something. I wonder how long it took for these guys before they decided to do more than just fret and stew over things not getting done according to the way they were promised. They saw everyone else getting whole portions of land for their inheritance and although a promise had been made, there was nothing forthcoming- definitely the time for some justified whining.  After all, wasn’t it they who made it possible for all of the rest of the tribes to occupy any of the lands? If it wasn’t for the temple and the glory of God to which they attended, there would be no occupying anything. Obviously this was a pretty major oversight, something that was most disqualifying of the leadership. Actually, it could have been enough to just say, hey, we’re out of here.

Or maybe there just wasn’t any of this. Could it really be that maybe it was simply handled in a mature and loving way? It actually does look like this is was happened, because what could have turned into an ugly situation was simply and quickly resolved with all the tribes immediately agreeing to provide the Levites with enough cities to meet all their needs and that of their cattle. Though there was a possible ‘unfairness’ going on and though it was reason for contention, by simply bringing it to light without emotional frustration there was a resolution that was positive for both the Levites and their brother tribes.

Promises have been made and quite often it may appear that there is an ‘unfairness’ going on, that everyone else is getting theirs and someone’s getting left out. Rather than a potential rift and division resulting and instead of irritation and moaning and groaning going on, maybe it’s just that something needs to be said, apart from any volatility or angry accusation. Possibly a simple presentation to the leadership will bring about a resolution that will be positive for everyone. There is great potential in the moment, both for bad and for good. The difference will completely ride on the choice for mature and loving presentation of the situation or internalized festering of a very healable wound.

May this day be filled with things being said to the One who has the answer, the One who actually made the promise in the first place. And, as His ear is filled with our peace driven presentation, may there be a boldness to bring exposition to other relationships in like manner, completely averting conflicts through the wisdom of the Spirit. There are cities to be lived in and life to be enjoyed far removed from the potential ‘tribal wars’ that are easily averted.

2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV(20)  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV(1)  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 6:11-12 KJV(11)  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:(12)  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV(3)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:(4)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Ephesians 3:16-18 ASV(16)  that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;(17)  that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,(18)  may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

There is this resident motivation within the heart of every living human being to accomplish, to succeed and to apprehend. When this motivation is activated and in motion, it has an effect of apprehending, where that thing that is desired is being possessed and acquired. As this takes place in sports, in business and in families, there is a strong passion oc vision that will cause individuals to do whatever it takes to be the best and rise to the top. When you read about the lives of men like Thomas Edison, Michael Jordan, Abraham Lincoln and Jesus Christ, you recognize in them this same drive that alters choices and directs paths towards what may otherwise look impossible or at least implausible. Not only is there a focus on a prize or goal, but everything else is given lesser priority as the necessary steps to gaining that thing are taken without regard for personal sacrifice or loss.

This drive is something that is different in each individual as talents and gifts go hand in hand with drive to succeed. However, there is a common potential in each and every being that has entered into relationship with their Maker. To ever live to the fullness of their potential there will have to be a giving up of personal drives and passions for the drive of the Spirit that will empower, strengthen, inspire and motivate. While many may find themselves in a state of passivity where life is just happening to them, there is, for each of us, a potential pledge and pursuit of excellence and fulfilled dreams in Him. This was the prayer of Paul on a continual basis for those who had discovered life in Christ. More than anything else He desired for their worship to take them to the place of unhindered and unrestrained drive for the fullness of life in Christ. The more their hearts were given in love to Jesus, the more strong would be their determination and drive to apprehend all that is theirs in Him.

There is this incredible potential in worship today for Paul’s prayer to be fulfilled in us as we become driven to do whatever it takes to acquire all that is provided for us in Christ. Whatever it takes will be more than worth it.

 

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Exodus 33:16-17 KJV(16) For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.(17) And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

There is this incredible favor just waiting and wanting to be given from a mother who loves and cares for her child. While her love may compel her to continue in acts of love, the greatest values she has to bestow are gained not when circumstances demand attention be given to her, but when there is an active search made for the things that will please her. What is found by this selfless search is an empowering favor that will not be affected by any of the otherwise dominating circumstances of life. Just knowing the touch of a mother may be a thing of significance, but being touched by her overflow of grace and favor is something that will transform and redirect a life that’s in need of positive change. This flow from her very heart can in fact be much more valuable than any other earthly thing that can be experienced or possessed. From her grace there is an ability gained to be confident and self assured in advancing to a fulfilled purpose.

While there is such incredible value to be gained from the finding of a mother’s grace, there is oftentimes still less than a majority of children that will be grateful and appreciative enough for the treasure in her to seek it out and really dig for it. Other diversions and distractions in friends, trends and familiarity can dim the vision for the value in her and disable any attempts to be found in her grace’s possession.

The benefit that far outweighs all the rest in this discovery of a mother’s grace is the ability to just be with her and communicate to her in a loving atmosphere. There is really nothing better than this, and if there is incredible truth in this relationship with a mother, so is there a correlation to the much greater and more powerful discovery of God’s favor. While it is ever resident within a God who is full of mercy, only those who desire and insist on knowing Him will take the time and effort to leave other pursuits for the discovery of His wonderful and amazing grace. Today there is an opportunity to be found in that precious place that is ours at His side.

 

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Genesis 6:7-9 KJV(7)  And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.(8)  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.(9)  These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:22 KJV(22)  Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

My biggest problem with finding those items that are always coming up missing is that I just give up. It seems like every day there is a portion of the day devoted to searching for those lost keys, the pair of socks that were laid down somewhere, or for me right now, this dumbbell that I know was in the game room not too many days ago. Hunter had been using it in there and then it somehow got placed either in storage or in a closet, but definitely somewhere that I have yet to discover. I know for sure it’s in the house, but to really find it I know I’ll have to maybe get up in the attic, go through storage tubs, or dismantle a closet. Not wanting to devote the time and really not wanting to go through the whole searching adventure, it’s much easier to just stop by Academy and pick up a new one. (which I did) You know, I could always use another one anyway. I’ve actually done the same thing with socks and, of course, pens.

While the need to search for misplaced or lost possessions can be such a frequent thing, and many things just remain lost because the search is not made, there are some things that are so essential to functioning, such a necessity for living that, no matter the difficulty, no matter what it takes, every rock will be upturned and every closet emptied until they are found. The best example of this is the good old keys to the car. Constantly left here and there, in pants on the counter, hanging on the refrigerator, etc, there will be no going anywhere, no working, no going to the mall or the movies until they are found. So, no matter what else is going on, when the keys come up missing, there can be no giving up on the search for them. For my Jeep especially there is only one set and to replace them would be a very expensive and involved process, much more than just riding the bike down to the auto parts store. For the keys then, there will be no stopping of the search. They are too important and necessary. They will be found no matter what it takes.

Something had become apparently lost for the people occupying the earth at the time of Noah. Their most valuable possession, the relationship with their Creator, had been lost with no apparent desire to search for it. It was so much easier to just stop by the store and pick up something else. Their lives had become full of alternatives and there was no desire or motivation to do anything about trying to discover what was missing. In actuality, what Noah found was something that was available all the time for every other person on the earth. The difference was that for Noah it wasn’t just a lost pair of socks or a dumbbell. This was the keys. For Noah, there was no going anywhere, no sleeping, no eating, no hanging out or chilling until this, his most essential and necessary possession was found. While others all around him thought themselves to be living it up and experiencing the pleasures of life, they didn’t realize that they were really about to lose their life. They had never taken the time or effort to search out the one thing that would really enable their life.

“But Noah found grace”. Noah was definitely set apart from the rest in his search, but amazingly he was successful. Right there all along and available for all, he, by his diligent search and faithful obedience found the very essence of life and the very thing that would save the human race. For him, all the other elements of earthly living were insignificant compared to finding the grace and favor of Almighty God.

The very grace that was available back then is available today. It isn’t, however, something that will jump out and tackle you. It’s the most wonderful and empowering thing that can ever be found and yet it must be sought for. Seeking the kingdom first is what allows all the other blessings to follow. There must be a willingness, though, to set every other activity aside and devote all efforts to the search. There will be no going anywhere, no healthy living, and no sorrowless pleasure without the grace keys. As the water was rising for those outside of the ark, so did their priority for the search for grace, but then it was too late. May this day be one of discovery where grace is secured far before the falling of the first raindrop, and may the fulfilling joy of faithful service be the continual pursuit that keeps us there in the realm of grace found.

Philippians 1:6 KJV
(6)  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

One of the greatest challenges in relationships, whether it be in the home or the workplace is when a request is made for something specific to be done and this request is not performed. It was requested that the dishes be rinsed off and put in the dishwasher, but 4 hours later they were still perched in the sink with their debris intact. A particular task was to have been completed and reported on by noon, but nothing was heard from that person at the end of the day. An appointment was made for a business meeting during lunch, but 30 minutes past the scheduled time, the other party still hasn’t shown up.

While there are still some reliable, dependable individuals to be found, there is a natural tendency developed over a life of interaction with people to assume that if something isn’t obviously taking place right away then nothing is being accomplished and there is no performance of what was expected. Disappointment and frustration set in along with a fracture, however small it may be, in the relationship with that person who failed to perform. From that point on, they can no longer be depended upon and expectations for future performance must be diminished.

This developed tendency to assume a failure to perform is something that will be lost in a true relationship with our Father God. Though periods of time may pass when activity appears to have ceased, there can be a continual assurance that He has never discontinued the project He’s begun in us. He will never fail to show up, He’ll never fail to clean things up, and His commitment to completion is as solid and dependable as the sun’s rising. With Him there is an ever-increasing level of confidence and hopefulness rather than disappointment and second guessing. Completing what He’s begun in us will never be lowered in His priorities. It will never grind to a halt due to difficulty or struggle we may have. It is not directly connected to our performance, but it is, however, specifically connected to our choice to give Him access and be in Christ along with all this means for His progressive work in us.

Today, right here and right now, the great God of creation is performing in us all that we will allow. How great our confidence should be in His presence this day.

Psalms 9:10 MKJV
(10)  And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Jehovah, have not forsaken those who seek You.

We recently experienced another hail storm in our area of the country which, for home and vehicle owners means destruction of property, while for the ones providing the repairs, it means a harvest time. Specifically for the roofs of all the homes in a very large area, there is significant damage, and their insurance will pay for the majority of the cost.

So, given all this immediate opportunity for wealth, there has been a huge rush of gold diggers, salesmen from all parts of the country coming to get in on the action. I did say salesmen, and not necessarily roofers, because it is more necessary to convince a homeowner that their company is the one than to really know that much about roofing. Signs bearing many names I’ve never seen before have been placed in yards and on corners to draw potential customers to call their number. Once that number is called or the salesman shows up at the door, there is a different sales approach for every company that is meant to win over wary homeowners. Promises of no deductable, added services, and no worries (along with the kitchen sink) are made. There is only one thing, however, that is most difficult to overcome: name recognition or confidence. For all the promises, if there isn’t an established name brand that is supported by years of reliable service and support, it can be very difficult to gain the trust of a responsible home owner. While charm, good looks and tall yarns may turn many of those susceptible to such things, more often the most important main thing people are looking for is a well-established name with references and extended years of proven service. This name is one that needs to be established over a long period of time in the local community so that if any problems arise it can be assured a call for help will be answered and repairs will be quickly made. However, once this name is known, especially from personal experience or favorable reference, there is no question about who will be trusted with installing the new roof.

Storms have passed through, leaving every life in need of renewal and restoration. To this need have come a plethora of gold diggers, those ‘world’ salesmen, with the look, the personality, and the list of goodies that promise to meet and exceed whatever might be hoped for. Signs have been posted in every yard and on every corner with many different names and sales pitches. Friends, careers, entertainment, activity, mood enhancers, food and even religion are each ready to be presented as the provider of necessary repairs. Many are being chosen on a daily basis and quite often there is a reply of ‘already in contract’ to the question of need. There may be a certain level of satisfaction that comes from many areas of life as patches are made and damage is covered up by diversions, but when it comes to really trusting someone with the core, the heart, and all that will flow from it, there is great need to discover someone that has a name to back up any claim. More than just a flashy smile, a catch phrase and a promise of relief, there is a need for a name established by proven service over an extended period of time and in the local area.

While there may be many wannabes that are gaining significantly in the wake of the storm, there is really only one name that is proven far above any other. Before the beginning of time He was, not only setting up shop, but planning and providing for exactly what we might need. He has been proven time and again to meet and exceed the expectations of all who have put their trust in Him. Where there has been lack, He has filled to overflowing. Where there has been brokenness, He has mended and restored. Where sickness has brought disabling pain, He has brought complete healing. Where defeat, failure, and disappointment have brought complete hopelessness, He has established an overcoming, triumphant identity and life. For a list of references, there really is an infinite list, because everyone who has chosen to trust the name of Jesus, without fail has been provided an answer that exceeds the highest hopes or desires. The best confirmation of His name, though, is the one that comes from the previous experience. Once He’s been tested, tasted and tried, there’s no settling for anybody else that shows up at the door. And when it comes to gold, He considers us to be the most valuable treasure of His own heart and His own life. The name is Jesus. Trust no other.

Genesis 5:24 KJV
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Just going for a walk?. Well there’s not really anything ‘just’ about going for a walk. When you go for a walk, and especially on a regular basis, you are about to experience a long list of health benefits that will transform and possibly save your life. Circulation and blood flow are given what they need in the action of walking, while breathing, state of mind, sugar levels, and weight are conditioned and maintained at healthy levels. To take a walk provides a great opportunity for adventure and the nurturing of relationships. Apart from the reclining life of one who is never bound for anywhere, the one who is taking the walk is experiencing so much more of what life has to offer. On a walk is where more than just thoughts and words are manifest, but the actual  motion towards a destination and hope.

While there is detailed mention of how long men lived and who they begat in the Old Testament, it’s interesting that uniquely in the description of Enoch is a reference to walking with God. There was something in walking that completely set him apart from all the other honorable mentions of Bible genealogy. He didn’t just know something about God, accumulated through written and spoken understanding. He didn’t just extend praise and worship in the sanctuary along with a full sanctuary of others. His relationship with God wasn’t confined to the discovery of what good could be personally gained from this association. There was a humility in Enoch and his relationship with God that enabled him to, with regularity, ‘just’ go for a walk with Him. Rather than moving through his life with a sense of independence and self-indulgence, by including God in every step through life there was the loss of his own life in a progression to where he would be completely ‘taken’ by God. By agreeing with, moving with, talking with and working with God on every stride of his life-walk he was lifted from the constraints and restrictions of this life to the endless health benefits and wonders of a heaven–life.

There is for each of us this day an opportunity for an adventure, a health, enhancer, an inspiration, and a victory in taking God with us on our life-walk. Though maybe never to be translated like Enoch, there will be in Christ an opportunity to leave the demands of earth life for the liberation and freedom of heaven– by ’just’ taking our walk with the Almighty God.

Psalms 9:16-20 KJV
(16)  The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
(17)  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
(18)  For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
(19)  Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
(20)  Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

For some reason there is this strong tendency and desire in man to be independent and prove that it can be done alone. From Adam and Eve to the men of Babel to King Saul and to us today, there is a continual draw to pull away from God dependence and show that we are somehow able on our own to improve on what He provides. While there is a thing of perfection given in His Word and demonstrated where He’s allowed to influence, man yet thinks himself to be higher than God’s way of proven excellence. What has also been proven is that every time this path of God-forgetting is chosen with an attempt to take His place, there will inevitably be an impending crash or fall. The great potential of man can never be separated from his complete and total need for the wisdom and understanding that only comes from above. Righteousness and doing what is right does not evolve and the wisdom that comes from God alone will exist through all the phases of time and history. No matter how it impacts our emotions or personal sense of rightness, the humility of choosing God’s way over some man-conceived plan is the only way to longevity and stability. While there may be perception of failure along the way, the search should be for where God’s way had been altered rather than declaring God’s way a failure and throwing Him out with the bathwater. Departing from Him as a distant memory with a pursuit of a new and fresh way that leaves the ‘failed ways of the past’ will only lead to a failure that makes those old ones seem quite small.

In pressing towards a new and better way, there is only hope in the way that follows the light of God’s love and His wisdom. For our nation and for the path that will today be ours as individuals, there will be an opportunity to realize we are but men in need of a Savior, that every step will require the direction of a Father who only has our best interest and success in store. The more quickly this is realized, the more quickly will come the wave of peace and security that a foundation in God alone provides. On the other hand, h there will be an opportunity to discover the frailty of a God-forgetting man with the doom his way will arrive at. It really seems so obvious and easy- choose what is right in God and live in the blessings He provides, or in pride insist on the precarious stepping of one who thinks himself to be able apart from God. Until there is knowledge of and fear over the consequences of misdirected reliance the insistent pressing towards independence will prevail, with its ominous ends. May steps be ordered of Him today for our nation and for each of our lives and may our thoughts and ways be settle in the unshakable wisdom of the Rock of our salvation.

Psalms 143:8 KJV
(8)  Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Matthew 11:11 MSG
(11)  “Let me tell you what’s going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him.

Several years ago, while travelling with a ministry, I was presented with an opportunity to become involved in a company dealing with insurance and securities. Although I had very little knowledge or experience in these areas, I took the necessary courses to become officially licensed to sell them. For the normal entry level person there was a position that allowed for producing sales and generating some income, but to really make the higher commissions with the greater incentives you needed to get to the position of ‘vice-president’. This was something that usually took an extended period of time as the position was supposed to be earned through hard work and proven ability to help build the company. For some reason, though, in an effort to hopefully propel me in my new business adventure, the company leadership chose to bestow the position of ‘vice-president’ upon me before I had even made a single sale. While given something of great significance and potential, I didn’t fully appreciate the value that had been placed in my lap. It would really have taken an extended time of growing into my title before I could have actually lived, walked and acted like a vice-president. I had been instantly elevated, with an importance that I couldn’t fully appreciate until I put to practice the power and influence that was freely mine. It wasn’t enough to just have the title or position, I would have to develop the ability to utilize the full potential it carried or it would be of little significance or value to my life.

According to what Jesus was saying about us, no matter how low we might consider ourselves to be, in the kingdom we’ve been given a title and position that exceeds even that of the great John the Baptist. In Christ we’ve been made to be ‘vice-president’ before we’ve won a single soul or cast out a single devil. From the moment we entered the kingdom through faith in Him, our position has been secured. Now, we’re just in great need of realizing the full potential of this position. Although we’ve been given the complete power and authority of the name of Jesus, there will be no success and no living in the fullness of this identity until it is put to use and applied to every area of life.

For some reason there is this natural tendency to see people on levels that are attained through performance and achievement. In Christ, however, there has been a reversal of this process. Though some have developed a greater understanding of what it means to be in Christ and are operating more fully in their authority, their position is no higher than the one who has just committed to a life of faith in Christ. The free gift of life in Him comes with all that is needed for the best, the brightest and greatest potential. No amount of achievement or failure for that matter will adjust this position either up or down. The greatest scholar and the lowest elementary student share the same title and the same rights and privileges. Unrestricted in access to the full resources of heaven by any limitations of title or position, the only restraint is that of understanding, perception and experience. To just know that this is so will make it possible to begin seeing the reality of identity and then experience the joys and fulfillment of what it really means to be an executive in the company.

More than just unproductive titles holders, may there today be a moving towards the life that place in Him provides and may there be an enjoyment of the blessings that are inevitable for the one that takes their place at His side.

Revelation 5:10 KJV
(10)  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Matthew 9:10-12 KJV
(10)  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
(11)  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
(12)  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

It’s so wonderful how Jesus’ holiness and perfection didn’t keep Him from those He came to save. While He was part of the temple elite who normally separated themselves from the riff raff, the ‘ungodly’ and the ‘unacceptable’, there was something about Jesus that drew those to Him who may have never or rarely set foot in a place of worship. Instead of repelling them with a judgmental air, there must have been an incredible acceptance and understanding felt from Him by those who were used to rejection and condemnation.

Associations are so important, and you’ll be known by those with whom you choose to associate. This is such an essential understanding, especially for children today. If there is a choice to hang out with those who despise school, watch bad movies, and use profane language, that will be how they are known, and that will also eventually be who they are. This was surely a part of the difficulty the religious critics were having with Jesus. If He was such a great leader, how could He allow His identity to be tainted by those from the other side of the tracks? How could He compromise His holiness and religious perfection by the uncleanness of worldly associations?

While it was unavoidable for Jesus to be noticed for His hanging out with the publicans and sinners, there was, however, another association taking place. For each one of those condemned sinners who were bound in a self image of failure and bondage to sin, their lives were given a whole new perspective after having sat down to eat with the Master. Association in reverse was lifting them from a lifelong label of evil to one of righteousness and acceptance. After all, the Master, Jesus Himself had allowed them to sit right down next to Him and talk to Him as if they were someone of significance. He, in the power of His own identity was allowing them to be associated with His goodness rather than being lowered to their badness.

In the world that will surround us today there is a need among those who may have avoided places of worship. They are in great need of a new association with the Great Physician. Rather than rejection and a cold shoulder, they require a place at the table and a loving voice of acceptance. Rather than imposing their badness through this interaction, there is a desire for an association change of theirs for His. This will require a great assurance of who we are and the true purpose of Jesus in us. There will be brushes with the ‘unclean’, but each and every one of them are looking for an opportunity to be associated with who we are in Christ. If they are truly condemned and living as sinners, their only real hope is an association change and that will only come by hanging out with who you are as an uncompromising but incredibly accepting and loving member of the body of Christ.

Worship is more than a song and a temple identity. It is fulfilling the Father’s heart purpose in touching those who may have been formerly untouchable with the loving balm that will heal and transform their lives.