Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Mark 4 -- Fear Sure Comes Up A Lot Here

"Jesus was not impressed by the lard crowds that followed Him.  He knew that most of them would never produce fruit from changed lives, because the Word He was teaching them was like seed falling into poor soil," my commentary said.  That would be disheartening to any youth minister!

The different types of soil equated to different kinds of hearts.  Hard hearts "must be plowed up before they can receive the seed, and this can be a painful experience... Shallow hearts represented emotional hearers who ... don't really understand the price that must be paid to become a genuine Christian ... When persecution and difficulties begin, the enthusiasm wanes and the joy disappears."  Crowded hearts belong to those "who do not truly repent and remove the weeds out of his or her heart -- worldly cares, a desire for riches, a lust for things -- and the good seed of the Word has no room to grow."  Fruitful hearts belong to "true believers, because fruit -- a changed life -- is the evidence of true salvation."

"The more we heart the Word of God, the better we are able to share it with others."

"In the parable of the sower and the soils, the Lord suggested that much of the seed scattered would fall on unproductive soil.  This fact could discourage His workers; so in this parable He reassured them 'in due season we shall reap if we don't faint.'"

"Faith must always be tested.  It is not enough for us merely to learn a lesson or be able to repeat a teaching.  We must also be able to practice that lesson by faith, and that is one reason why God permits trials to come to our lives."

"Jesus slept in the storm because He was truly secure in God's will ... the greatest danger was not the wind or the waves; it was the unbelief in the hearts of the disciples.  Our greatest problems are within us, not around us ... It was their unbelief that caused them fear, and their fear made them question whether Jesus really cared."

Father, the word "fear" really showed up a lot in this chapter.  It made me realize how susceptible I am to it as well.  Calm my fears and help me develop the faith in You that I need.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Monday, December 26, 2016

Mark 3 -- Quite A Bit To Consider Today

Very interesting things pointed out by my commentary.  Regarding Jesus' healing on the Sabbath:  "Since evil is at work every day, including the Sabbath day, why should good not be at work as well?"

The large crowds were pressuring Jesus to heal and also to re-establish the kingdom of Israel.  Their motives weren't spiritual.  My commentary said we see His three responses here:  "He founded a NEW nation ... a spiritual nation .... and the twelve disciples were the nucleus of it ... He established a new family ... His family is made up of all those who do the will of God ...He announced a new Kingdom" -- He began to help them understand this through His parables.

Regarding the unpardonable sin Jesus mentioned, in the context of Israel, my commentary said that "God the Father had sent John the Baptist ... the religious leaders had permitted John to be arrested and eventually killed ... those same religious leaders asked for Jesus to be killed ... The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost ... and then the religious leaders killed Stephen themselves ... When the sinned against the Holy Spirit, they had reached the end of the line, and there could be no more forgiveness."

For us today, it said, "The only sin today that God cannot forgive is rejection of His Son ... but even if the sinner so hardens his heart that he seems to be insensitive to the pleadings of God, so long as there is life, there is hope.  Only God knows if and when any deadline has been crossed.  You and I must never despair of any sinner."

Father, I sure needed this today.  Your timing, as always, is perfect.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Mark 2 -- A New Kind Of Ministry

"In this section, our Lord makes it clear that He came to bring to all who would trust Him three wonderful gifts:  forgiveness, fulfillment, and freedom," my commentary said.

Speaking about the story of the four friends who lowered their friend for Jesus to heal, it said,"  Jesus went to the heart of the man's problem -- sin ... evidently this man's condition was the result of his disobedience to God ... Forgiveness is the greatest miracle Jesus ever performed.  It meets the greatest need, it costs the greatest price, and it brings the greatest blessing and the most lasting results."

"When Jesus looked within, He saw the critical spirit in their hearts and knew that they were accusing Him of blasphemy ... Jesus was claiming to be God.  But the next instant He proved Himself to be God by reading their hearts and telling them what they were thinking ... Jesus affirmed His deity not only by forgiving the man's sins and healing his body, but also by applying to Himself the title "Son of Man" ... It was definitely a messianic title."

Jesus talked to them about how a physician heals the sick, not the healthy.  Like a physician, "He comes to us in our need, He makes a perfect diagnosis; He provides a final and complete cure; and He pays the bill!"

"There are three kinds of patients whom Jesus cannot heal of their sin sickness:  1)  Those who do not know about Him; 2) Those that know about Him but refuse to trust Him; and 3) Those who will not admit that they need Him ... Unless we admit that we are sinners deserving of God's judgment, we cannot be saved.  JESUS SAVE ONLY SINNERS."

"Jesus had already made it clear that He came to convert the sinners, not to compliment the self-righteous."

How befuddled and agitated the scribes and Pharisees must have become, being unable to successfully deal with Jesus and His methods of ministry.  Their rules condemned people, while Jesus' ministry forgave and healed them.  How much more freeing that would be!

Father, I hate being a sinner.  I know I should absolutely be obeying You in every area of my life, particularly since You sacrificed Your Son for me.  Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your fulfillment, and Your freedom!

--
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Mark 1 -- The Theme of Jesus As A Servant

My commentary says, "Mark wrote for the Romans and his theme was Jesus Christ the Servant ... He shares three important facts:  The Servant's Identity, Authority, and Sympathy," in this opening chapter.

His Identity is established using witnesses:  Mark, the prophets, John the Baptist, God the Father, and The Holy Spirit.  That's a pretty hefty bunch of witnesses!

As to His Authority, it said, "We expect a servant to be under authority and to take orders, but God's servant exercises authority and gives orders -- even to demons -- and His orders are obeyed."

His Servanthood was evidenced by His baptism with the appearance of the Holy Spirit and God's glory along with God's voice.  With all that glory, He could have basked in it, but he asked to be baptized even though He'd committed no sins.  It's also evidenced by how quickly he left that glory to head into the wilderness for the 40 days of temptation that would almost drain Him, but would confirm His dependence on His Father and His willingness to do His will.

His Sympathy and compassion were evidenced by two miracles of healing:  His healing of Peter's sick mother and His willingness to touch a leper during his healing, something the man hadn't experienced in years.

It said also, "If the Son of God came as a servant, then being a servant is the highest of all callings.  We are never more like the Lord Jesus than when we are serving others."

Another important reminder:  "If you are going to be a servant, be sure you have compassion, because people will come to you for help and rarely ask if it is convenient."

Father, continue to equip me to be a compassionate servant, even when I'm tired.  Let me place others ahead of myself to show them You.

--
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Joshua 24 -- Last Warning

"In verses 2-13, it is the Lord who speaks as Joshua reviews the history of the nation."  Joshua is about to die with no named successor, and it will be up to the people to keep their covenant with God.  He said that God chose Israel when He called the idolater Abraham to go to Canaan.  "Their national identity was an act of God's grace.  Abraham didn't seek after God and discover Him; it was God who came to Abraham! ... Believers were chosen in Christ 'before the foundation of the world,' and are called 'God's elect' ... All of us must admit that God takes the first step in our salvation."

"It does a believer good to remember what it was like to be in bondage to sin and then to rejoice in the redemption that was purchased so dearly for us on the cross ...To serve God means to fear Him, obey him, and worship only Him.  It means to love him and fix your heart upon Himobeying Him because you want to and not because You have to ... The people had to make a decision to serve the Lord God of Israel.  There could be no neutrality.  But if they served the Lord, then they would have to get rid of the false gods that some of them secretly were worshiping... Some of the Jews still sacrificed to the gods of Egypt!... Joshua knew that everybody must worship something or someone, whether they realized it or not, because humanity is incurably religious."

"Joshua's words were meant to curb their overconfidence and make them look honestly into their own hearts ... their great need was to cleanse their hearts of allegiance to the gods and to incline their hearts only to the Lord.  If they persisted in their hidden disloyalty, God would not forgive them but would punish them for their sins ... Because the people of Joshua's generation (the one that died off during the 40 year trek) failed to keep their promises and teach their children and grandchildren to fear and serve the Lord, the next generation didn't know the Lord."  We have that duty to do ourselves today.

Father, keep seeking out those You have chosen.  Keep reminding us to cleanse our hearts of hidden disloyalties.  Remind us of the dangers we place into our lives by choosing to worship people or things other than You.  Teach us to serve You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Joshua 23 -- Words of Warning Important To Us Today

Joshua himself admits that he is very old.  It's time for him to give the leaders of Israel a reminder before he dies, and then to speak to all the people.  "While Israel had gained control of Canaan, there still remained territory to possess and pockets of resistance to overcome.  The task of the tribes wasn't finished," my commentary said.  "The great danger was that the people of Israel would gradually change their attitudes toward the pagan nations around them and start accepting their ways and imitating them."

They needed motivation for remaining  a separated people, my commentary added, and Joshua laid it out.  "Those Gentile nations were God's enemies, and therefore must be Israel's enemies."

Obedience to God's commands and devotion to His Word were the secrets to Joshua's success ... They enabled him "to get to know God better, to love Him, and to want to please Him ... It isn't enough to know the Word of God.  We must also know the God of the Word and grow in our fellowship with Him ... The most important thing was that Israel remain a separated people and not be INFECTED BY the wickedness of the Gentile nations around them."  I think that is still the biggest stumbling block for Christians today.  We often call that missionary dating.  We seek to become friends with those who are not Christians and instead of them being drawn to God, we find ourselves compromising to get along with them.  "Joshua warned them that their disobedience would be a gradual thing.  First, they would associate with these nations in a familiar way; then they would start discussing their religious practices; and before long Israel would be worshiping the false gods of the enemy.  The Jewish men would then start marrying women from the pagan nations, and the line of separation between God's people and the world would be completely erased."

For us today, "it takes courage to defy the crowd and stay true to the Lord.  But it also takes love for the Lord and a desire to PLEASE Him."

He reminded them that God promise both blessing and chastenings, depending on their obedience.  "Both are evidences of his Love, for 'whom the Lord loves, He chastens' ... God will not allow His children to sin successfully."

"Joshua's argument is obvious:  Since God has given us such a good land, the least we can do is live to please Him."  And it's the same with us today!

"James connects the goodness of God with our resisting of temptations.  In Luke 15:17 it was not his own badness but his father's goodness that brought the prodigal son to repentance and then back home.  'The goodness of God leads you to repentance.' (Romans 2:4)  The danger is that the material blessings from the Lord can so possess our hearts that we focus on the gifts and forget the Giver, and this leads to sin."

Summing up, it said we need to keep God's Word, cleave to the Lord, and love the Lord.  "Too many Christians have not only compromised with the enemy, but also have capitulated to the enemy and the Lord is not first in their lives."

Father, help me to continue growing in fellowship with You, getting to know you, loving You and not the gifts You've given me.  Keep my separation from the world intact and help me to meditate on Your Word instead of listening to the world.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Monday, December 19, 2016

Joshua 22 -- A Decision Made On The Basis Of Human Wisdom, Not God's Truth

When the two and a half tribes were discharged to go back to their land east of the Jordan River after the battles had been won, the troops were surely thrilled to see home again.  But while it was home for them, it wasn't the home God had wanted for them.  When they got there, they began to worry that the tribes west of the Jordan, in the Promised Land, might someday claim that these tribes were not part of the nation of Israel.  In an effort to make themselves feel better, they constructed an altar just like the one at Shiloh on the western side of the Jordan River, in the Promised Land, so that later, if there was a claim that they didn't belong, they could point to it.

When word got back to the other tribes, they worried that God would deal with them harshly for allowing such apostasy.  They sent the High Priest's son and leaders from each tribe to determine what was going on.  After hearing them out, this delegation first declared their actions as a trespass (an act of treachery), and used the word rebel twice.  They then pleaded with them to come back with them to the Promised Land to share God's blessings.  But these tribes basically blamed God for the problem.  "For the Lord has made the Jordan a border between you and us."  "No, they were the ones who had made the Jordan River the dividing line," my commentary said.  "They put their cattle ahead of their children and their fellow Jews, but they blamed God and the other tribes for the problem that they created."

After their solemn oaths involving God's name that their intention was honorable, the other tribes were pleased and left, but was God pleased?  "They rejoiced that God wouldn't send judgment to the land and that there would be no civil war in Israel, but the nation was divided in spite of the altar of witness... Peace at any price isn't God's will for His people.  This decision in Gilead was made on the basis of human wisdom and not God's truth... The peace that God's people achieve at the price of purity and truth is only a dangerous truce that eventually explodes into painful division.  There is always a place in human relations for loving conciliation, but never for cowardly compromise."

Father, I feel You are showing us important truths here for where we are now and where we are headed.  Lead us to Your truth, not letting us settle for human wisdom.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Friday, December 16, 2016

Joshua 21 -- An Old Blessing Fulfilled

Way back when Jacob was about to die, when the Israelites had first traveled to Egypt when Joseph was in charge, Jacob was blessing his sons before he died, and he strangely stated that Levi and his brother Simeon had been too violent, and perhaps it was God talking through Jacob when he said, "I will divide them up among the tribes of Jacob and scatter them through all the tribes of Israel." (Gen 49:7)  This chapter describes the fulfillment of those words.  It's hard to imagine that someone derided for his violence would father the priestly tribe!  But God knew way back then what He had in mind.  

As they took the Promised Land, "the tribe of Levi didn't have territory assigned to it, but was scattered throughout the land," my commentary said.  And there was a reason:  "This way, they could teach the people the law and influence each of the tribes to be faithful to the Lord."

Of course, they had livestock to feed their people, so they needed some land.  So 48 cities throughout the Promised Land were given to them, along with the pastures outside of those cities.  Six of the cities were also cities of refuge.

Numbers 26:62 says there were 23,000 Levites before Israel entered the Promised Land, "a big crowd to distribute among 48 cities," my commentary added.  That's about 480 per town if divided equally.  "It was important that Israel have qualified and authorized people to minister in the tabernacle and later in the temple, and we must never minimize the teaching ministry of the priests and Levites.  Since the common people didn't own copies of the Scriptures, it was important that the Levites identify with the people and explain the Law to them.  These Levitical cities were so located that nobody was too far away from a man who could help them understand and apply the law of Moses."  Just imagine towns having 480 pastors!

There's also a section at the end of this chapter that reminds us that God is faithful and that He'd been faithful to Israel, giving them the Promised Land, giving them victory over their enemies, and keeping His promises always.  "The covenant of God, the power of God, and the promises of God are spiritual resources we can depend on as we claim our inheritance in Jesus Christ," my commentary concluded.

Father, I pray that I am where You want me to be, doing what You want me to be doing.  I feel that covenant with You and I've witnessed Your power.  Continue to amaze me with Your kept promises!

--
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Joshua 18-20 -- Accepting Our Inheritance And Enjoying God's Gift

While the temporary seat of government was at Gilgal, five tribes had received their land.  Then Joshua moved it to Shiloh, which was more convenient and more centrally located.  "Seven tribes still had to have their inheritance marked out for them, and apparently they were slow to respond to the challenge," my commentary said.  "These tribes didn't have faith and spiritual zeal ... they hesitated to claim their inheritance and enjoy the land God had given them."

Joshua and the leaders inaugurated a new system for allocating the land.  Twenty-one men from the remaining seven tribes thoroughly cataloged the land and returned, giving Joshua the information, which he would use to assign the remaining land to tribes by lot in the presence of the Lord.

God had also told Moses years before to assign cities of refuge conveniently located throughout the land.  There were three on each side of the Jordan River.  My commentary said the land was about the size of Maryland, so six cities were sufficient for the purpose.  These weren't sanctuary cities like U.S. cities making the news today.  Our cities are offering sanctuary to those who intentionally violated immigration laws.  Those cities in the book of Joshua were sanctuaries because there were no police forces or FBI to investigate crimes.  A person was either an intentional killer or an accidental killer, and the leaders of those six cities were tasked with determining which they were.  If intentional, they were put to death.  If accidental, they in effect traded their freedom for their lives until the high priest died.  Then they could go home without worrying about revenge.

My commentary noted that some believe this to be "a picture of our salvation in Jesus Christ, to whom we have fled for refuge.  The lost sinner is in danger of judgment because the wages of sin is death... God's appointed Savior is Jesus Christ, but the sinner must come to Him by faith in order to be saved."

"Beyond that, the picture is one of contrast.  When we come to Christ for salvation, there's no need for an investigation or trial, because we know we're guilty and we admit it.  The only people Jesus can save are those who confess their guilt and throw themselves on His mercy.  If the fugitive prematurely left the city of refuge, he could be killed, but our salvation in Christ is not conditional.  Our High Priest will never die, and we are forever secure."

Lesson #7 in short is "unless you have fled by faith to Jesus Christ, you aren't saved," my commentary said.

Father, thank You for this new way of seeing the cities of refuge, and linking them to the refuge I've found in Your Son.  I can have no better Savior!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Joshua 15-17 Lessons From The Land Division

Although this reads like a modern day set of surveyor's notes, there are some important things to take note of:  There were towns in one tribe's land that actually were given to other tribes.  That sounded like a recipe for disaster from the start!

The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were complainers and criticizers who flaunted their status as adopted sons of Jacob and thought they deserved special treatment, my commentary said.  Since Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, he told them straight up to do what Caleb had done and go defeat the giants and take the forests of the mountainous areas to make more room for themselves, if they needed it so badly!

My commentary also cited six lessons from the land division.  In short, they are:
     Don't become a borderline believer.
     Be encouraged in your pilgrim journey.
     We are never too old to make new conquests of faith in the power of the Lord.
     The older generation must provide both materially and spiritually for the next generation.
     God wants to give all His people their inheritance.
     It's not your boasting but your believing that gives you the victory and gains you new territory.

Father, You continue to encourage me with Caleb and Joshua's actions and attitudes, even though they were the oldest people there!  Thank You!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Joshua 13 & 14 -- What God Had Said About Caleb!

The Israelites were ready to see which tribes received what land.  God was picking it for them as they cast lots.  Two and a half tribes had settled for land outside of the Promised Land, because it looked great for raising cattle.  My commentary said that may have been so, but "it created serious problems for their children," being influenced by the nonbelievers in the land.

I loved what I was reading about Caleb, and how amazing it would have been to have had that said about yourself!  "You remember what the Lord said ... about you and me ... I was 40 years old then ... I fully believed the Lord would allow us to take the land.  Moses promised me, "... I will give you that land because you fully believed in the Lord, my God."  He said, "Here I am, 85 years old.  I am still as strong today as I was then, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then.  So give me the mountain country..."

God had kept him young in body, mind, and spirit.  He wasn't ready to retire, but to fight for what was his.  After all, God had promised.  He didn't want an easy walk on some beach, but to conquer mountains.  This came about because he wholly followed the Lord.

Father, You kept being faithful to Caleb through those 40 years in the wilderness, and he remained faithful to you, waiting for what You had for him.  And then You gave him new land to conquer.  I am thankful for how faithful You've been to me.  I can't claim as he could that I've wholly followed You, but I still know that Your will is an expression of Your love, and I want to be doing whatever You know is best for me from this moment forward in my life!


Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Monday, December 12, 2016

Joshua 11 & 12 -- Wrapping Up The Conquest, But Leaving Some Things Undone

These chapters, along with the last part of chapter 10, quickly wrap up the rest of the general conquest of the Promised Land.  The conquest of the first two cities, Jericho and Ai, were told in several chapters in greater detail, and God was such a promisekeeper that the rest of the conquest was told in just these two chapters.  Joshua had effectively split the area in two, then took out the southern kings, followed by the northern kings.

My commentary noted that 11:23 said Joshua had taken control of all the land, but in 13:1, God says, "Joshua, you have grown old, but there is still much land for you to take."  The key cities throughout the Promised Land had been conquered and the land was under Israel's control and Joshua was able to divide the land among the tribes, yet there were still small towns and villages occupied by the Canaanites that still had to be defeated.

It mentioned the Anakim -- the giants who'd scared the first spies and led to the failure at Kadesh Barnea  which then led to the forty years of wondering through the wilderness.  Joshua and Caleb hadn't been afraid of them then, and now their trust in the Lord gave them victory.  Joshua fought them in 11:21-22 and Caleb in 14:12-15.  Gath is mentioned, and years later David would defeat Goliath, on of the last of the Anakim, who was from Gath.  These partial victories had helped them control the land, but the lack of a final defeat meant they had to deal with the problem for years to come.

Father, help me to take care of things fully when You show them to me, so that I won't have to revisit the problem over and over again.  Let me see the importance of finishing well.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Friday, December 9, 2016

Joshua 10 -- God Uses Even Our Mistakes

"When you make agreements with the enemy, expect to end up paying a price and having to defend them in order to protect yourself.  This is why God's people must remain separated from the world," my commentary said.

When five regional kings discovered that the large city of Gibeon had made peace with the invading Jews, they had to come together and attack, because a large barrier between them and Israel had been removed.  "The poor Gibeonites had made peace with the invaders and were now at war with their former allies ... God was using these events to accomplish His own purposes.  Instead of having to defeat these four city-states one by one, He would help Joshua conquer them all at one time!"

"The mistakes we make embarrass us, especially those mistakes that are caused by our running ahead of the Lord and not seeking His will.  But we need to remember that no mistake is final for the dedicated Christian.  God can use even our blunders to accomplish His purposes ... Whenever we believe the promises of God and obey the commands of God, we act by faith and can expect God's help."

In an amazing miracle, God assisted Israel by bringing a hailstorm to kill the enemy army.  Yes, it was a miracle, but my commentary said "an even greater miracle was the fact that the stones hit only the enemy soldiers ... When God's people are obeying God's will, everything in the universe works for them."

The last miracle recorded in Joshua resulted from Joshua's prayer for more time to finish the task.  We can be tempted to try to explain away the miracle of the sun standing still for an entire day, but we will likely make ourselves insane in the process.  God is not just God over the physical laws He created.  He is also outside of time, and our limited human understanding of things outside of time make it difficult for us to envision how God might even have crammed an extra day into a few seconds so that the sun appeared to remain motionless for a day!  It's not for us to understand by simply to believe.

"There's a word of encouragement here:  God can take even our blunders and turn them into blessings.  This isn't an excuse for carelessness, but it's a great encouragement when you've failed the Lord and His people."

Father, I pray that You will give me discernment to find Your will before I act, so that I won't make a mistake, but I also love Your care and provision for me when I do fail You, to use even my mistakes to further Your kingdom and to bless me!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Joshua 9 -- If You Make A Mistake ...

According to my commentary, the world's belief is that "it's only those who do nothing that make no mistakes.  In Joshua's case, however, doing nothing was his mistake."

My commentary also issued a warning to us:  "After an experience of great blessing, God's people must be especially prepared to confront the enemy, for like Canaan, the Christian life is a land of hills and valleys ... Satan sometimes appears as a deceiving serpent, and we must be alert and protected by the spiritual armor God has provided for us."

The Gibeonites made it look like there were a peace delegation who'd traveled for months to get there, when they actually lived only 25 miles away.  They knew they were on God's hit list, and they were willing to be slaves rather than die.  They were blasphemous in saying that they had come because of the name of the Lord.  My commentary said, "Satan's ambassadors can lie more convincingly that some Christians can tell the truth.  Satan knows how to use religious lies to give the impression that people are seeking to know the Lord," and we see this in people who approach a church claiming to be seekers when they only want a handout and have learned how to lie successfully about it.

The reason they were successful in their lies:  "Joshua and the princes of Israel were impetuous and didn't take time to consult the Lord.  They walked by sight and not by faith ... They took the scientific approach instead of the spiritual approach."

"The will of God comes from the heart of God, and He delights to make it known to His children when He knows they are humble and willing to obey.  We don't seek God's will like customers who look at options but like servants who listen for orders... God sees our hearts and knows whether we are really serious about obeying Him."

"True faith involves exercising patience (Heb. 6:12)  ... God's people today are living in enemy territory and must constantly exercise caution.  When you believe the enemy instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, you can expect to get into trouble."

"Joshua and his associates teach us an important lesson:  If you make a mistake, admit it, and then make your mistake work for you!"  These people were put to work as slaves hauling water and wood to the Temple for use in the offerings.  "There's no evidence in Scripture that the descendants of the Gibeonites created any problems for the Jews ... The fact that over 500 returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity suggests that they were devoted to the Lord and His house."

Father, thank You for this timely warning and reminder not to act rashly but to seek Your knowledge and Your will.  I need that right now!

 
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Joshua 8 -- Organizing Victories Out Of Mistakes

The first attack on Ai had been a mistake based on overconfidence and the lack of oversight to have discovered what Achan had done.  But God was all about organizing victories out of mistakes.  My commentary quoted from a sermon from 1849:  "Life, like war, is a series of mistakes, and he is not the best Christian nor the best general who makes the fewest false steps.  Poor mediocrity may secure that, but he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes.  Forget mistakes; organize victories out of mistakes."

It also said Henry Ford defined a mistake as "an opportunity to begin again, more intelligently."  It continued, "No matter what mistakes we make, the worst mistake of all is not to try again; for the victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings ... Discouragement over the past and fear of the future are the two reactions that often accompany failure.  We look back and remember the mistakes we made and wonder whether there's any future for people who fail so foolishly.  The answer to our discouragement and fear is hearing and believing God's Word ...God never discourages His people from making progress ... God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him... Spiritually minded believers are victorious because they allow the Word of God to saturate their minds and hearts.  The Spirit using the Word controls their desires and decisions and this is the secret of victory."

There was an interesting note about changes in our lives as well:  "God is not only the God of new beginnings, but He's also the God of infinite variety ... God changes His leaders lest we start trusting flesh and blood instead of trusting the Lord, and He changes His methods lest we start depending on our personal experience instead of on His divine promises... It's very important that we seek God's will for each undertaking so that we don't depend on past victories as we plan for the future ... How easy it is for Christian ministries to dig their way into administrative ruts that eventually become graves, simply because the leadership fails to discern whether God wants to do something new for them."  

"The work of the Lord requires strategy, and Christian leaders must seek the mind of the Lord in their planning.  Like Joshua, we must get the facts and weigh them carefully as we seek the will of God ... Leadership demands planning, and planning is an important part of strategy."

Father, help us to realize when You are wanting to do something new in our lives.  Cause us to seek Your will and not our own personal experiences.  Let us not choose ruts that become graves.  Keep our ministries fresh and relevant.


Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Joshua 7 -- How We Convince Ourselves That It's Not Sin When It Is

This chapter is such a great reminder of how we can allow sin to enter our lives, thinking such a small thing won't really matter, and then find out just how badly things can go as a  result of our disobedience to God.

The Israelites, fresh from their stunning victory at Jericho, were thrashed by a small city they invaded next.  Yes, they'd probably been overconfident, but the real problem was the sin of one man and his family's efforts to help him hide it.  "Never underestimate the amount of damage one person can do outside the will of God," my commentary said.

It also detailed Achan's mistakes:

First, "he looked at the spoils a second time ... It's that second glance that gets the imagination working and leads to sin."

Second, "he reclassified those treasures and called them the spoils.  They were not the spoils; they were part of the Lord's treasury and wholly dedicated to Him... When God identifies something in a special way, we have no right to change it ... If God says something is wrong, then it's wrong and that's the end of the debate."

Third, he coveted.  "But each on is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (James 1:14) ... The imagination is the womb in which desire is conceived and from which sin and death are eventually born."

Fourth, he thought he could get away with his sin by hiding the loot.  "Be sure your sin will find you out."

"Unbelief is always content to settle for something less than God's best ... Achan and his family had turned from the true and living God and had given their hearts to that which God had said was accursed -- silver, gold, and an expensive garment.  It wasn't worth it!"

The words of verse 13 ring out in warning:  "The Lord, the God of Israel, says some of you are keeping things He commanded you to destroy.  You will never defeat your enemies until you throw away those things."  Achan, when caught, said, "I wanted these things very much for myself."  That says it all.

Father, thank You for this awesome reminder of how we can convince ourselves that our sin isn't really sin and that it's okay to allow it in our lives.  Help me not to want anything else but You, and what You've commanded me to destroy from life, give me the strength to do so.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Monday, December 5, 2016

Joshua 6 -- Warfare In The Bible

I admit that years ago I did what it mentions in my commentary -- wondered how a merciful God could have destroyed the people like He did at Jericho.  My commentary helps to set our thinking straight.

"You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict ... Our enemies are constantly waging war against us and trying to keep us from claiming our inheritance in Jesus Christ.  The World, the flesh, and the devil are united against Christ and His people ... We've forgotten that the main theme of the Bible is God's holy warfare against Satan and sin ... If you eliminate the militant side of the Christian faith, then you must abandon the cross, for it was on the cross that Jesus won the victory over Satan and sin ... Too many Christians cultivate only a sentimental emphasis on peace and goodwill and ignore the spiritual battle against sin, and this means they've already lost the victory, and are working for the enemy ... The Christian's warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against enemies in the spiritual realm, and the weapons we us are spiritual.  Satan and his demonic armies use people to oppose and attack the church of God, and if we don't take our stand with Christ, we've already lost the battle.  In the army of Jesus Christ there can be no neutrality.  'He that is not with me is against Me,' Jesus said.  And He spoke those words in the context of spiritual warfare."

Three principles of spiritual conflict and victory applicable to our lives:

Before the challenge:  Remember that you fight from victory, not just for victory.

During the challenge:  Remember that you overcome the enemy by faith.

After the victory:  Remember to obey God's commands and give Him the glory.


"We should also keep in mind that these historical events were written for our learning ... In the destruction of Jericho and its population God is telling us that He will tolerate no compromise with sin in the lives of His people ... Thank God He will not make peace with sin in my heart!"

Father God, show me how to do this in my life situations right now.  I want to be fighting with You and not against You by default.  I understand that there is no neutrality.


Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Friday, December 2, 2016

Joshua 5 -- Putting Off The Old Life

"God's people must be prepared before they can be trusted with victory," my commentary said.  They'd just crossed the Jordan in another miracle from God, and all of the kings of the city-states in the Promised Land had heard about it and were now cringing at God's power.  Did they immediately attack?  No.  God first disabled their entire army.

The people weren't prepared.  The covenant needed to be renewed, because God had temporarily suspended His covenant with Israel after their refusal to enter the Promised Land at Kadesh Barnea.  No young men had been circumcised since that event.  They couldn't celebrate Passover without being circumcised.  So Joshua stopped everything and got it done at God's command.  The entire army was disabled for likely two weeks at a minimum!  This tested their faith.

It also pictured some important spiritual truths, according to my commentary.  "Israel's crossing of the Jordan River is a picture of believers dying to self and entering by faith into their inheritance ... God doesn't want us to wander in the wilderness of unbelief.  He wants us to claim our inheritance by faith, conquer our enemies, and enjoy the spiritual test that He has for those who walk by faith."

"The Christian's circumcision is internal, spiritual surgery on their hearts ... for the believer, the whole 'body of the sins of the flesh' was removed.  When you accept this fact and reckon on it, you have victory over sins of the flesh that would enslave you.  Faith in the working of God can give you overcoming power."

The manna ceased arriving on the day after Passover ... The manna reminded them of their desire to go back to Egypt ... God fed His people the bread of heaven ... and yet they lusted after the food of Egypt.  God easily took His people out of Egypt, but it was difficult for Him to take EGYPT out of His PEOPLE."  Too many professed Christians contradict their profession by exhibiting an appetite for what belongs to their past life... You've crossed the river and are now in your inheritance ... Don't look back and desire the things of Egypt or the wilderness.  Let God feed you and satisfy you with the harvest in the inheritance."

Father God, thank You for bringing me out of my Egypt and into my inheritance with You.  Keep me from wanting to remember that old life and even from desiring my old sins.  Lead me to let You alone feed me and satisfy me.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Joshua 4 -- Something In The Water

God directed that twelve large stones be removed from the middle of the Jordan before the priests holding the Ark walked out.  The men who'd been assigned the task actually carried them 8 miles to Gilgal where the Israelites camped that night.  They were placed in a heap to remind the Israelites to tell their children the spectacular story of God's power in getting them into the Promised Land.  "When Israel crossed the Jordan, it was not the obedient  arm of a leader that brought the miracle, but the obedient feet of the people.  Unless we are willing to step out by faith and obey His word, God can never open the way for us," my commentary said.

Before the river returned to the flood stage it had been experiencing just before the crossing, Joshua had twelve other stones heaped up in the middle of the river where the priests had stood holding the Ark as the people crossed over into the Promised Land.  "It must have seemed a strange thing for their leader to do.  After all, who but God could see 12 stones heaped together in a riverbed?"  Years later, when parents recalled the crossing to their children, they could point out the stones at Gilgal.  And they could add, "'But there's another monument in the middle of the river where the priests stood with the Ark.  You can't see it, but it's there.  It reminds us that our old life has been buried and we must live a new life in obedience to the Lord.'  The children would have to accept this fact by faith, and if they did, it could make a great difference in the way they related to God and to His will for their lives," my commentary said.

Father God, remind me of the spiritual markers You've placed in my life, where my old life was buried when You forgave my sins and where my new life of faith began.  Remind me often of Your great grace and forgiveness and Your love for me in sending Your Son.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Joshua 3 -- Stepping Into The Water

My commentary began, "This book deals with much more than ancient history ... It's about your life and the life of the church today -- what God wants to do here and now for those who trust Him ... about the victory of faith and the glory that comes to God when His people trust and obey ... Unbelief says, 'Let's go back to where it is safe, but faith says, 'Let's go forward to where God is working.'... Faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence ... The people mentioned in Hebrews 11 all did something because they believed God.  Their faith wasn't a passive feeling; it was an active force."

"The Lord's message to Joshua:  Both Moses and Joshua had received their authority from the Lord before these miracles occurred; but the miracles gave them stature before the people.  It takes both authority and stature to exercise effective leadership ... True spiritual leadership focuses the eyes of God's people on the Lord and His greatness."

"Unless we step out by faith and get our feet wet, we're not likely to make much progress in living for Christ and serving Him."

Father, I remember when I used to worry what others would think if I chose to step out for You.  I'm glad that You've taught me that I have nothing to worry about when I make it my purpose to glorify You in all that I do!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Joshua 2 -- The Faith Of A Condemned Gentile

The Israelites were still waiting outside the Promised Land while the two spies entered Jericho to reconnoiter their first target.  "Joshua wanted to know how the citizens were reacting to the arrival of the people of Israel."  He wasn't exhibiting unbelief because he knew that God had already given them the land.

"How did the spies make their way through the city without being immediately recognized as strangers?  How did they meet Rahab?  We certainly have to believe in the providence of God as we watch this drama take place.  Rahab was the only person in Jericho who trusted the God of Israel, and God brought the spies to her," my commentary said.  "It's remarkable how God in His grace uses people we might think could never become His servants ... Jesus wasn't ashamed to have a former prostitute in His family tree."

Rehab's faith wasn't like that we see in a Disney animated film where "some people have faith in faith, and think that just by believing they can make great things happen," my commentary said.  "True saving faith involves the whole personality:  the mind is instructed, the emotions are stirred, and the will then acts in obedience to God ... Unless the whole personality is involved, it is not saving faith as the Bible describes it ... our assurance of salvation is based on how we live, for if there hasn't been a change in our behavior, then it's doubtful that we've truly been born again."

Father, thank You for giving us such a great example of Your mercy and grace in saving this Gentile woman who'd already been condemned just by being a resident of the land You were giving to Your people, and for not being ashamed to have a former prostitute in Jesus' family tree.  That helps me to know that my sins don't disqualify me from Your salvation.  Thank You for loving me while I was still Your enemy and for sending Your Son to die for my sins.


Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Ephesians 6:10-24 The Battle And The Equipment

My commentary began:  "As Christians, we face three enemies:  the world, the flesh, and the devil.  The world refers to the system around us that is opposed to God, that caters to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life ... The flesh is the old nature that we inherited from Adam, a nature that is opposed to God and can do nothing spiritual to please God."

"The important point is that our battle is not against human beings.  It is against spiritual powers.  We are wasting our time fighting people when we ought to be fighting the devil who seeks to control people and make them oppose the work of God."

"We are involved in a hand-to-hand battle and are not mere spectators at a game.  Satan wants to us our external enemy, the world, and our internal enemy, the flesh, to defeat us."

"Since we are fighting against enemies in the spirit world, we need special equipment both for offense and defense.  God has provided the whole armor for us, and we dare not omit any part.  Satan looks for that unguarded area where he can get a beachhead."

This special equipment includes truth, righteousness, the good new of the gospel, peace, faith, salvation ("a mind controlled by God"), and the Word of God.

Paul lets us know that prayer (maintaining a connection with God) is vitally important in our battles.  "We are to keep on praying until the Spirit stops us or the Father answers us.  Just about the time we feel like quitting, God will give the answer."

Father, it sure is a battle.  Show me any parts of Your provided equipment that I'm not using properly.  Lead me to fight the battle against the enemies of the spirit world and not against people.  And help me to maintain that vital link of prayer with You.


Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford