Extended leave?

I apologize for not updating recently...I've lost internet access on my personal computer and am only able to access my blogs and all other internet related "stuff" on Scott's computer. And...since he tends to be at work in his office most days and well into the night...that's rather difficult to do on a regular basis. Please forgive me if you really, really look forward to reading these Apples of Gold! *grin*

Here's the latest entry....

Deuteronomy 1: 34-37

34 “When the Lord heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore, 35 ‘Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the Lord completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission.’

37 “And the Lord was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, ‘Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land! 38 Instead, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will lead the people into the land. Encourage him, for he will lead Israel as they take possession of it.


This passage astounds me. God told MOSES he wouldn't enter the Promised Land because he didn't believe 100%!! MOSES!! But Joshua and Caleb ~ two men who simply believed that God would do what He said He'd do ~ would be the only Israelites over the age of 20 who would enter the Promised Land when it came time. Astounding.

So many of us call ourselves Christians and yet we never quite believe that God will do exactly what He says He'll do. So we live our lives as we wish ~ making sure we are "good" and "do mostly the right things ~ and don't give sanctification or repentence a second thought most days. But when things get tough we call on God to heal us...or bless us for our efforts...or miraculously make things better in our lives. What fools we can be!

Asking God to come into our lives is easy ~ He makes it so amazingly easy! But being like Caleb and Joshua? That's the hard part.

Because I am so aware of my Moses-like tendencies in my own life, I've come up with a way to help me pray more fully. Maybe it will help you, too. It comes from what I've said above ~ Christianity is not a One-Way street, we've got to do our P.A.R.T.

P: Praise God for who He is. Not for what He's done for you, but simply for who He is...the example I think of is Creator. Give praise for where you've seen His hand today.

A: Ask forgiveness for your sins. Repent and turn from them. Allow Him to clean your heart so there is no wall of separation between you.

R: Requests...this is the place to lift up whatever requests you have. Healing, guidance, comfort, strength, wisdom, etc. These are for yourself and others.

T: End with a Thankful heart. As Christians, even on the most horrible of days, we have something to be thankful for. Ending our conversation with God on a heart of thanks allows transition into "the world" with a better perspective.

God is not some fairy-Godfather waiting to bless us as we live sinful lives. (sidenote: I am NOT saying our Christianity is based on works!! Please understand that ~ what I'm saying is that we cannot live 90% for God and 10% for ourselves and expect Him to give us the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb believed 100%.) We need to do our PART.

Go with God today and everyday...

Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 “For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.”

A life that honors Christ is a life of purity and surrender to Him in all areas of our lives. Today is a new day! If you are unlike Paul in being able to say you’ve been bold for Christ in the past then start being bold today. If you, like many others, cannot say your life has been a life of purity in the past you can rejoice in the fact that your sins are washed away and you are a brand new creation who is alive to tell the world of His glorious work in you. Surrender today. Pray for a heart that is pure and holy as you dig into the Word of God and allow Him to clear out the sin that so easily entangles and instead gives you hope for a future that honors Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

What a verse of HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT! The very God who created the heavens…the earth…all things under the earth…and all things above the earth IS ON YOUR TEAM!! WOO HOO!! He’s watching the competition’s tapes. He’s studying your team members, and He’s bringing ‘em out of training and making trades at times when it will benefit the team the most. And in the midst of it all we are commanded to surrender the fear and to live in courage and hope. He never lets go!