Jesus committed his life to us
Through the life and ministry of Jesus, Jesus invested his life, Jesus invested his love! Rather than moving away from people who were broken and even angry he moved toward them – toward us. John 12:23-24 tells us he moved toward us willingly, and was completely and unequivocally prepared to die for those he loved. This act is an expression of the Father heart of God toward us. As I have said on this before, God’s actions in and through Jesus was a wilful act of God to deposit life, salvation, healing, strength into us.
God committed himself to us, with the hope that we might commit ourselves to him, that we might commit our lives toward one another.
The gospel tells us that Jesus was willing to take a bullet for us and now because of the covenant he established with us he asks us – are we willing to take a bullet for those we love for those with which we share this covenant? Continue reading “Jesus committed his life to us”
“Joshua, Moses is Dead”
adapted from a blog by Steve Backlund ‘Igniting Hope Ministries’
“I wish things were like they used to be.” Most people have felt this when there has been the loss of a person, security, or a good experience. It could be:
- The loss of an important family member or mentor
- The loss of youth
- The loss of confidence in the direction of their nation
- The loss of life as we new it
Joshua knew Moses had died, but it appears he did not accept it. He needed to be jolted out of disappointment and fear by accepting that the “Moses season” was over so he could embrace what God was doing and saying. Concerning this, the first two verses of Joshua chapter one are fascinating.
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan’” (Joshua 1:1-2).
God was basically saying, “Joshua, Moses is really dead. You have to move out of denial and arise into your calling and assignment. You must overcome clinging to the past. It is a new day for you that will bring out the greatness in you and those you lead. Continue reading ““Joshua, Moses is Dead””
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Giving God Something to Work With
In a recent blog by Steve Backlund (Igniting Hope Ministries) he focuses on an important aspect of God’s methods for achieving His purposes that resonates with me, that is, that God is always partnering with people to accomplish His will. I’ve included excerpts of the blog for you to consider in todays pastoral letter.
- Steve goes on to say …… While in some instances God specifically directs a person’s course of action, many times a believer’s own ideas and initiative actually spark a move of God. Consider these two stories:
Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14:6
“Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few’”.
Jonathan said, “It may be that the Lord will work for us.” He had no direct word from God at the beginning, but his actions led to a powerful conquest. Continue reading “Giving God Something to Work With “