(CLICK THE PICTURE) Good morning and praise the Lord on this day He has made. Today I’m going to pray for all of you and your families along with my own family and then I’m going to share a much needed word for the time we are in right now.
Today’s Prayer
Father, Your Word tells me that it is Your great desire that no one should perish: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Lord, it is my desire also that no one perish. I especially want to lift up to You my family members, neighbors, children’s friends and friends’ parents who need to repent and turn from their ways and receive Your forgiveness. I pray that they will see Your light and be drawn to You. I pray that they will understand their need for a Savior and realize how much You love them and want the best for them…and how much You want their love. I pray the blood of Jesus over their souls, that they will repent and receive forgiveness of sin and that their faith and trust in Jesus will grow as they experience Your marvelous grace. Thank You for working in their lives. Please help me to be the living testimony that will make a difference in their lives, and send other “touches” moment by moment to speak to their spirits. Thank You for hearing my prayer. Thank You for answering, for my desire is Your desire; to see these loved ones saved and living for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Going Against the Flow
But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. – Numbers 14:10
Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn’t popular? The bible tells us that God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn’t work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what He had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.
Whenever God is slow by our standards to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts, Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them. Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites Numbers 1(4:5-10).
Notice Joshua and Caleb’s response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Now my question to you my friends is this; has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.
…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
Quote of the Day
When we in prayer seek only the glorification of the name of God, then we are in complete harmony with the Spirit of prayer. Then our hearts are at rest both while we pray and after we have prayed. Then we can wait for the Lord.
Ole Kristian O. Hallesby
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.