Joshua 14:10-12 – “So now, look, the Lord has preserved my life, just as he promised, these past forty-five years since the Lord spoke these words to Moses, while Israel traveled through the wilderness.  See, I am eighty-five years old today!  ¹¹ Today, I am still as strong as when Moses sent me out.  I can fight and go about my daily activities with the same energy I had then.  ¹² Now, assign me this hill country that the Lord promised me at that time!  No doubt you heard then that the Anakites live there in large, fortified cities.  But assuming the Lord is with me, I will conquer them, as the Lord promised.”  

Today is a new day, new in kind, not just a new day in a series of days.   There has never been a day like today, and it will never be again.   It has opportunities, discoveries, revelations, treasures, and challenges unique to today.  We can seize the moment, discover the treasures, and soar like eagles because we live in His love and have His Promise!  Unexpected discoveries that lead to powerful victories are waiting to be discovered and embraced by those who seek them.

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of ‘Possessing the Promise(s)’ came to mind.

I love the story in Joshua 14:6-15 about Caleb.   I was drawn to something I had not considered.   Caleb received the Promise at age 40.  He endured the 40 years of wilderness training, testing, and trial.   Now, at age 85, he says, “Enough delay, give me THIS mountain (Promise).”   He got the Promise at 40, and 45 years later, he got the Promise.   He began taking possession at 85. 

I received a promise from God at about 40 years of age.  It has seemed impossible and almost a whimsical fantasy, but this story gives me renewed hope and expectation.  The Promise is God’s Promise, and God never fails.   If we press in, He provides!

Joshua told Israel in Joshua 18:3, “Don’t put off possessing the promise.”  In Joshua 21:45, we read, “Not one Promise failed to come to pass.”   In Titus 1:15-16, we are reminded that profession is not possession, and confession is not completion.   Between the profession, confession, and completion, there is a wilderness.

• Profession is recognition of the promise.  
• Confession is the attaching of ourselves to it. 

Once we have received the Promises, we must, step by step, inch by inch, day by day, live and focus on the provision of the promise.   God’s delay is not denial nor a sign you missed it.   The wilderness is our life university, and if we, like Caleb, never lose sight of the promise and never give up our confession, we will, one day, take possession of the promise of our confession.

Hebrews 1:14 is comforting because there we realize that God’s assigned angels have a charge to help us Possess our Promise!   Never give up, give in, or give out (become exhausted in delay).  God cannot, does not, and will not lie or fail.

Don’t put off Possessing the Promise!

Let us determine that we will ‘Possess the Promises’ no matter how long it takes!

Psalm 115:16 –  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, a single word kept echoing in my heart and mind – “Character.”

Psalm 115:16 fascinates me.  “The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.”  Some make that an environmental mandate, focusing on issues such as global warming and climate change.   I suggest being good stewards of the planet is wise and necessary, but something larger is at stake.  

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam the Garden and used the word “subdue” in His instructions regarding the planet and its creatures.   People are our focus, not just the terrestrial ball upon which we live.

But that is not my thought today.  Psalm 119 always challenges me.

Psalm 119:9-11 The question was about young men staying pure.  The young are driven by passion and raging hormones.  The Word (precepts) of God is an anchor.

Psalm 119:27 – “Make me understand the way of Your precepts so that I will muse on Your wondrous deeds.”   The way?   In this context, the way refers to character.  God’s and what is produced in us.  The precepts (Word) of God produce in us the character of God.

In verse 33, we realize that character becomes our anchor.   In verses 57-59, we see the incredible power and value of that character-producing word, which transforms us.

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Revelation of God’s character and nature transforms us with illuminated truth.  Verse 130 says, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”   We can never be the manifestation of Jesus without being transformed by His word.

Romans 13 calls upon us to awaken not just because time is short and it is the Last Days, but because it is our last days (brevity of life).   The world needs God, but will never receive Him unless we become transformed by the character of God.  

The Word is not to be studied for information but for transformation.  Not for revelation but application.  The precepts of God will always challenge the flesh.  Character is not a status reached; it is an experience encountered.  It is an anchor that will not fail.

Psalm 119:89 – “FOREVER, O Yahweh, Your Word stands firm in heaven.” Notice it says Forever!

Father, help us to embrace and be transformed by Your Character!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 –  ^“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.  ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.  ¹⁶ Always rejoice, ¹⁷ constantly pray, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks.  For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit.  ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt.  ²¹ But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.  ²² Stay away from every form of evil.”

Deuteronomy 16 and beyond reveal that we should keep in the forefront of our minds that God does not acknowledge blemished sacrifices.   We never come before Him empty-handed.  Not that we attempt to bribe or earn anything, but that when we come before Him, we give our best to Him: our best prayer, best song, best attitude.  We give Him ourselves.

That attitude and lifestyle are then manifested in Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22.  I call that Lifestyle Christianity.  Verse 14 is powerful, misunderstood, and neglected today.   Paul urged them to do these 4 things.  The urging is strong, indicating it is so essential that it is a matter of life and death.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

• Admonish (noutheteo) – direct face-to-face confrontation and exhortation to change.   

The word ‘uruly’ includes idleness and laziness.   It indicates the adaptation of ungodly lifestyles.  We are urged to show the biblical and practical principles of responsibility and godliness. 

• Encourage (paramutheo) – display of emotional empathy for those who are losing hope.  

It even includes the feeble-minded.   Those who are in no condition to press on.  Discouraged and deceived.  Lift them up by word and deed in a demonstrated life.  Show them the biblical life!

• Help (antcheo) – lift up.  This could be physical, emotional, or spiritual.  

It is to be a helping hand and meet the revealed need that is in your power to fulfill.

• Patience with everyone demonstrates Christlikeness.

Simply, we do not ignore, justify, or reward idleness, laziness, or corruption.  We face to face it with the truth in love. We demonstrate perseverance to encourage and lend a hand in lifting up the fallen and needy, in a Christlike manner, with a spirit of patience, remembering our own forgiveness.

How is that given power?   Note verses 16-22.    

• We are to rejoice always, perpetually, and faithfully pray.  
• We are to have a continuous attitude of gratitude.   
• We are to be open and yielded to the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit.  
• We are to expect God to speak and examine our hearts and motives.  
• We are to reject evil and even the appearance of evil.  
• We must not let the flesh have any place to operate.  
• We are to give God our best!

If our first look is upward (to God) and our second outward (to others), then we can look inward with peace and honesty and receive God’s sanctification, provision, and preservation.   Lifestyle Christianity is our call, and it has great rewards.

May the LORD enable us to begin living the Life of Jesus here on Earth!

Ecclesiastes 11:3  – “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the thought of “Life Lived” filled my thoughts.    Pilate said about the inscription he had placed over the Cross of Jesus, “What I have written, I have written.”  

Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 11:3, “…if a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it shall be.”   Life lived can’t be unlived.   Once life is lived, that defines its eternity.  Changes must be made NOW!

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, Solomon offered a powerful revelation we all need.  The race is not to the swift.  Although the speedy in a natural competition do win, in the race of life, just going fast does not equate to victory.   In nature, in the spiritual realm, and in life, the strongest do not always win the battle.  Timing, planning, strategy, and opportunity are mitigating factors.

He concluded, saying, “…because time and chance happen to them all.” Does God’s plan depend on random chance?   Heaven forbid!   The word time (Hebrew) is season.  The Hebrew word translated as “chance” is actually used in 1 Kings 5:4 to mean “misfortune.”    Seasons of life come to all.   Misfortune is a common occurrence in life.  We get one chance, in the sense of one lifetime, to get things right.

Peter said in 2 Peter 1:10 – “Be diligent; for through your good deeds, you make your calling and election sure; and when you do these things, you shall never fall.” What things?

Go back to verses 2-9.   It is knowing Jesus intimately.  It is the precious promises that enable us to partake of His divine nature, escaping corruption.   It is faith that perseveres with virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Agape.  It is full surrender to God.   

Ecclesiastes 11:10 – “Therefore remove (something we do) anger from your heart…”    How?   Replace thoughts focused on self with thoughts focused on God and His Kingdom.  “…AND, put away evil from your flesh…”

Lest anyone think I mean willpower, I mean “grace” acted on.  Demonstrated grace through right actions enables us to be clouds full of rain rather than rainless clouds.  It enables us to maintain integrity and even have lost integrity restored through repentance and diligent pursuit of righteousness.

We can help each other.   If we love, we seek restoration, not exposure.  If we love, we forgive rather than judge condemningly.   Our goal is peace with all and to be found “without spot or blemish.” 2 Peter 3:14.

Life is lived, and the way it ends defines its eternity.  We have the grace to live, the grace to forgive, and the grace to rebuild.  We are our brother’s keeper and cells in the body.  Life is more than what we do or who we are.  It is also the outflow to other members of the body.  Life is for living, and living is for life!  Let Jesus live His life in us, through us, and by us.  What is your life?

May the Lord bless and keep you is my prayer!

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 – ^“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!  ⁵ You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.^”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was moved by several realities and spiritual directives.   In Deuteronomy 6:5, we have the command with promise about LOVING GOD.  The only acceptable love is Consuming Love.   ALL the heart, ALL the emotions, and ALL the strength.  Body, soul, and spirit are passionately devoted and submitted to God.

If we live with Consuming Love for God, we discover His purposes and benefit from His discipline.   Deuteronomy 8:3 reveals that every trial contains a revelation.   Their hunger and the manna were not only to meet a physical need but also to provide the revelation that “man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh.”    Where have we heard that?

God always gives us a choice.  Deuteronomy 11:26-28, He set before them two paths.  Always a choice!

Colossians 1 reveals that in Christ, we have access to God’s fullness, enabling us to know His will and benefit from His wisdom and knowledge.  Imagine having a database of unlimited information operating inside you!   You do in Christ!   

We are enabled to live lives that produce spiritual fruit and are continually being expanded into the full knowledge of God.  We possess divine strength, enabling us to remain steadfast, patient, and continuously filled with joy and gratitude.  We have been rescued from satanic authority and transferred into God’s kingdom, redeemed, and made whole.

We embrace the revelation that Christ in us is our hope!   IN US, through us, with us, and by us, but first and foremost, IN US!

Colossians 2 contains the complete revelation of our BLESSING in Jesus.  Everything is in and by Him. EVERYTHING!  We are rooted (planted) in Jesus and built up (developed) in Him in Faith.

In Colossians 2:14-15, we have the revelation that enables us to truly live.  All the charges of the devil about us and our failures were nailed to the Cross.  In Jesus and His sacrifice, WE ARE FREE!   We can declare the revelation of Paul in Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”    The Cross wiped out the charges.  Our lives, past, present, and future, are HIDDEN with Christ in God.

IF we will give God our ALL, He will provide us with His ALL, and His ALL is far more than our ALL.   I surrender ALL, and in surrendering my ALL, I get His ALL.  How could we not trade our puny, limited, flawed ALL for His flawless ALL?

Today is the greatest time ever to be alive!  Let’s not waste this opportunity.   If you could trade a beat-up old Honda for a Rolls-Royce free and clear, would you?  That is a weak comparison of what we trade spiritually, but it makes the point.  God’s ALL for our ALL.

May our Love for the LORD grow exponentially daily!