365 Reflections

Christianity is a fight. The moment you forget that or deny it is the day you start playing right into the hands of your roaring enemy the devil. Joshua 6 has arrived, the people are consecrated, nourished and spiritually awakened to the promises of God. They are now instructed for warfare of a sort that was never practiced before by any army nor since. The whole episode of Jericho is a wonderful picture of the kind and style of warfare the Christian Church is engaged in to this day. First, we need to see that our enemy is restricted: Joshua 6:1 (ESV)   Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. Just as Jericho was stopped from growing or expanding... our spiritual enemy has been disarmed. He can only "seem" imposing. The truth is, the work of God for us has already made his threat impotent against us. Second, we need to hear the voice of our God: Joshua 6:2 (ESV) And the Lord said to Joshua,...

Christians are people who live in the victory secured by the blood of Christ. This does not mean, however, that Christians are allowed to treat anyone however they please nor live however they please. Christians are still and always accountable to the plan of God for blessing the world He loves through the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached into men's hearts and transmitted into heavenly blessings to the nations. We learn this principle in a most surprising ancient warfare stipulation God gives to His people through Moses. The surface of this text seems out of bounds, but further investigation into the time and context reveal God's regulations upon the people He chose to bless the nations. Deuteronomy 21:10–14 (ESV) “When you go out to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God gives them into your hand and you take them captive, 11 and you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire to take her to be your wife, 12 and you bring her home to your house, she sh...

Deuteronomy 20 is God's instruction to the people concerning how they were to carry out their warfare campaigns. The commentators I read point out how much different these instructions are concerning war for God's nation than typical ancient peoples. For us today, this chapter holds powerful spiritual truths. God opens by letting Israel know they will face stronger and larger nations than themselves. Deuteronomy 20:1 (ESV) “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. But regardless of these facts, Israel was not to fear. The priest was to pronounce a faith-word over the people of God, reminding them that they do not fight alone, God is with them, He will strengthen their efforts against all enemies. Deuteronomy 20:2–4 (ESV) And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward a...

Acts 23:12–14 (ESV) When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Paul had a full share of enemies. The prophecy at his conversion from Christ Himself to Ananias is unfolded in the book of Acts in great detail. From the beginning of Paul's life in Christ, people sought to kill him. Once again in Acts 23, it's the familiar script for Paul. This time 40 men bound by an oath not to eat or drink until he's dead. Paul was right in his farewell address to the Ephesians, prisons and hardships awaited him in every city. He later wrote to the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 (ESV) For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same ...

Being a Pastor, or even just being a Christian is simply joy and agony.  Joy in the illumination of our hearts to know and love Jesus, the scriptures, and enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit in the love of the Father.  Agony in that's we are at war within this world of sin, shame and death. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12 ESV) Paul is giving Timothy some final edification.  A letter filled with how-to's on Pastoral ministry in the face of difficult people and circumstances comes to a final call: FIGHT. The Greek word for "fight" here is "agōnizomai".  It is simple to detect in the English.  It's the word Gony.  We fight in this life.  That is, we agonize through. I can tell you first hand on the outside my life looks really good, blessed and favored.  In many ways it is.  Yet I fight consta...

Have you ever had one of those days? One of those days that just took it all out of you. Took your strengths from you. Take your stamina from you. Took your patients from you. Not that it was a bad day, but it was a draining day. It could even be a day in which you had a great battles and great victories. But no matter the win it still took its toll on your emotions and physical strength. Life has a way of doing that. I think of Abraham fighting off those five kings and rescuing his nephew Lot from his own silly choice to live near Sodom. Abraham must of been totally spent. And here is what happens. This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. (Hebrews 7:1 NLT) Melchizedek is a type of Christ. He is the king of peace and the king of righteousness. And after Abraham had fought and won the battle, Melchizedek came and blessed...