April 14
Josh 9:3-10:43 | PS 83:1-18 | Prov 13:4 | Luke 16:19-17:10
We, who are in Christ, must make decisions with that which He has imparted to us. We either simply soak it in, like reservoirs, or pour it out, like having streams flow through us. In Israel the Sea of Galilee is full of marine life, as the Jordan River flows in and out of it. While the Dead Sea is devoid of marine life, as the Jordan pours into it, but there is no outflow. We are commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen." Notice there are no caveats to this Great Commission from Jesus Christ, Himself. There is not a certain time of training, or a certain number of years after entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. You don't have to go to seminary. It isn't tasked to some group specifically gifted. This is for all of us. God does not waste what He pours into us. The question remains, "What will we do with what He has given us?"
We read in Joshua 1:6-9, "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua was tasked with a major responsibility, leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. He also was the successor to a very godly leader in Moses. Three times in these four verses, God reminds Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage". There had been some time, and some battles. God reminds and encourages Joshua, especially after his mishandling of the Gibeonites in 10:8, as he approaches a major battle, "And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” But after his major military victory, notice how Joshua imparts what he was given, and the words that he chooses to give the captains of the men of war in 10:24-25, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks. Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
So it is with us. We read Scripture. We go to Him in prayer. We go to church and hear messages. We listen to Him in worship. Others pour out to us what God has given them in fellowship. What are you doing with this? It is wrong to keep all of this to yourself. I would go so far as to even call this selfish. Yes, our relationship with God is deeply personal, but we are also members of a larger family, filled with brothers and sisters who would benefit from what God has given you. We are to come alongside others and share. We are to go outside the family to those who do not yet know the risen Lord, and through what God has imparted to us, offer invitations to the most important relationship they could ever have. God does not need us, but He uses us, if we are willing to be used for His glory.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: