In Numbers
13:30 (KJV) we read what Caleb reported to Moses about the land of Canaan. He
said: "Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to
overcome it". However, in verse 31 we read what 10 of the other spies said:
"we be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we".
This
is very interesting because they had all seen the same giants; the latter group
were filled with fear but Caleb and also Joshua saw things differently. Caleb
was making a declaration of faith (trusting God to give them the victory) but
the other group just went by what they saw in the natural. As you may know this
delayed taking possession of Canaan for 40 year!
Caleb
was not denying the strength of the giants but he put God into the equation and
this produced faith. He actually had to exercise faith AND patience during his 40-year
wait (Heb 6:12, 10:36). In 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says we walk by faith not by
what we see; that's what faith is all about. If you are facing giant sized
problems in your life today then make a declaration like Caleb did and believe
that through Christ you are more than a conqueror (Rom 8:37).
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
When we were born again our spirit was made
new (John 3:3-7) but we need to bring our body under (1 Cor 9:27) and renew our
minds (Rom 12:2). Our minds have had years under the influence of satan and his
worldly system that we live in and we need to change our thinking over to God’s
influence and ways.
I
was looking at Philippians 4:8 (KJV) and the things God says we should meditate
on to clean up our minds: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.
I checked
out some of the words from the Greek. Well, true means true and you can’t get
closer to the truth than in God’s word. Noble has the sense of something that
demands respect. Something that is just, is innocent or even holy. To be pure
is to be morally faultless or without blemish. To be lovely is to be lovely.
Words of good report are words that lack any negativity or ill report. Virtue,
speaks of moral excellence and goodness. God is praiseworthy, so that sets a
standard right there. Paul says meditate on these things.
Obviously,
God’s word is where our thoughts need to be and we need to train our minds to
think along God’s pattern in all our daily interactions and thought processes.
The results will be peace (Phil 4:7). Try it you will see results, guaranteed.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
"They
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony." (Rev 12:11 KJV). The "him" used here is referring to
the devil. If we are committed Christians then we will always have the devil to
contend with (John 10:10) because he doesn't like it when we start getting
serious about God.
However,
let me encourage you with Rom 16:20: "The God of peace shall bruise satan
under your feet shortly”. The verse in Rev 12:11 says that 2 things are needful
to overcome the devil. The first one is the work of Jesus done on the cross.
Col 2:13-15 reveals that when Jesus died we received forgiveness of sins and Jesus
also conquered satan completely (see also Eph 1:20-22).
The
second thing that Rev 12:11 talks about is the word of our testimony; this simply
means that our words must speak the answer and not the problem. Refuse to speak
doubt and fear when faced with difficult situations. Instead speak words of
faith such as 1 John 4:4: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world” and Phil 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me”. There are many victorious verses in the Bible; write them out and speak
them every day so that they will automatically flow from your mouth when you
need them.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
How
often we try to fight all our battles on our own? Moses and the children of
Israel were trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army. Moses told Israel in
Exodus 14:13-14 (KJV), "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of
the Lord...The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace”.
God's
prophet spoke similar words to King Jehoshaphat when a great army came against
Judah. When the praise team went out ahead of Judah's army as directed by God,
he brought a huge victory, God fought for Judah.
What
is God telling us here? He is saying, trust me, trust my word, do it my way and
we will walk in victory every time. In his word, God tells us to cast our cares
on him (1 Peter. 5:7), rest in him (Matt. 11:28-30) and seek his word for the
answers to the challenges we face. We need to set our faces like flint on his
promises (faith in his word) and watch his word work in our lives. It cannot
fail. Fighting your own battles without God is hard. Do it God's way.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for
information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the:
“contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR
BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com
The
high priest and elders tried hard to find a reason to condemn Jesus to death
but could not (Matt 26: 57-62; KJV). Finally, the high priest asked Jesus if he
was the Christ, the Son of God. I was looking at Jesus reply the other day and
it struck me like never before: "Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto
you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power,
and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matt 26:64).
Jesus
was so confident in his Father and Jesus knew who he was and where he was
going; He had only one goal, that of complete obedience to the Father. He knew
that his reply to the high priest would mean certain death but he spoke the
truth. How often God prompts us to share the Gospel with another but because of
busyness, fear of rejection, pride or embarrassment, we ignore God’s prompting.
What would have happened if Jesus had not had the resolve he did and had not
given the reply he did?
I
believe, that just like Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, God gives us divine
appointments to share Christ with people (Acts 8:26-39). God even says he will
give us the words to say (Luke 21:15) and the Holy Spirit sets up those divine
appointments (Prov 3:5-6). All we have to do is show up, do our part and be
obedient. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
who repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no
repentance” (Luke 15:7). Let’s do it, it’s a spiritual rush.
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
A BLOG by Norman and Jean
Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check
out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based
blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments
section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER
FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com