Author: Stephen Trammell

And the Lord Threw

“And the Lord threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.” Joshua 10:10-11 (ESV) Joshua’s life was marked by conquest and depending on God’s provision. Joshua courageously pursued his enemies as prompted by God and learned the value of taking God at His Word. In his battle at Gibeon, Joshua mobilized the men of war and engaged in strategic warfare. As Joshua obeyed God, the Lord threw his enemies into a panic. As they fled before Israel, the Lord threw large stones from heaven on them and they died. More died because of the hailstones than from the sword. Living in a fallen world mandates preparation for spiritual warfare. We are to anticipate opposition to God’s will and prepare for spiritual attack. We are in a battle to fulfill the Great Commission as we live out the Great Commandment. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) Find your strength in the Lord. Put on the full armor of God and prepare for battle. You are covered by God’s sufficiency and He will fight your battles for you as you obey His prompting. God will enable you to stand against the schemes of the devil. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Idolatry Joshua Sin

Remove Devoted Things

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.’” Joshua 7:10-12 (ESV) Idolatry is a word we seldom use. Whenever you allow someone or something to take the place of God in your life, you commit the sin of idolatry. The first and second of the Ten Commandments speak to this concept directly (Ex. 20:3-4). Whatever or whomever becomes the object of your worship becomes your idol. Jesus infuses this earthly tendency of ours into His teaching on becoming a disciple. To become a follower of Jesus Christ, you must be willing to remove the idols in your life. Your loyalty to Christ is to be unmatched and undivided. Jesus becomes your focus and the object of your worship, devotion, and loyalty. Your love, loyalty, and devotion to Jesus is to be your top priority and the expressed passion of your life. Don’t allow anything or anyone to compete for that place in your life. Don’t allow anything or anyone to rob your allegiance to the One who gave His life for you. Jesus has already demonstrated His selfless and sacrificial love. Now, it’s your turn to demonstrate your selfless and sacrificial love for Jesus. Remove devoted things. Remove anything that seeks to be enthroned in your life. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Joshua Miracle Obstacles

Cross This Jordan

“And when the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord came up from the midst of the Jordan, and the soles of the priests’ feet were lifted up on dry ground, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and overflowed all its banks, as before.” Joshua 4:18 (ESV) Crossing the Jordan River on dry ground was a tremendous experience of faith for the priests carrying the ark. They remained in the middle of the river while the children of Israel passed through on dry ground. Once the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant, the waters of the Jordan returned to their place. God had worked a miracle and involved the people in the process! The Christian life is a life of faith. To be a fully devoted follower of Christ, your life with be marked by a journey of faith. Faith is taking God at His Word and entrusting your life to His care. As you walk in daily dependency upon the Lord, you will discover the joy of seeing God at work and seizing opportunities to join God in His activity. Continue to walk in faith. Sometimes your journey will be as clear as crystal, but at other times the way may appear foggy. You will experience seasons of high spiritual energy and focus and at other times, you will experience seasons of uncertainty. That’s part of the faith journey! The scenery changes and the pace shifts from time to time. Don’t get so fixated on the destination that you miss the God-moments along the way. Enjoy the process of knowing and obeying God. Enjoy the journey. God has some Jordan Rivers for you to cross. He will turn your obstacles into opportunities for you to see His glory and for your faith to be exercised. Obey what you know! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy God's Faithfulness Moses

Twelve Decades

“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” Deuteronomy 34:10-12 (ESV) Moses spent twelve decades on the earth. He experienced forty years in the palace, forty years in the desert, and forty years in the wilderness. “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24-25 ESV). There was none like him. The miracles God did through Moses are extraordinary. Recall the burning bush, Moses’ staff turning into a snake and then into a staff again, and Moses’ hand becoming leprous and back to normal. Recount the ten plagues of Egypt, the passover, and the magnificent crossing of the Red Sea on dry ground. Consider the manna from heaven, the quail in the evening, water from the rock, and the Ten Commandments. Moses was sent by God to do all these signs and wonders to deliver the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. The message of Moses’ life is the faithfulness of God. Moses knew the Lord face to face. Moses even got a glimpse of the glory of God. Let Moses’ life be a reminder to you that you can trust God. God keeps His Word. God loves you and God is for you. God will use you for His glory to accomplish His will on the earth. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Fear Moses

No Need to Fear

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (ESV) Have you ever felt inadequate or insufficient for a task? Joshua experienced a defining moment as his mentor, Moses, handed off the mantle of leadership and transferred the baton of responsibility. In the sight of all Israel, Moses commissioned Joshua as the one who would lead the people of Israel into the land of Promise. Joshua would lead the charge to possess the land flowing with milk and honey. Moses imparted words of comfort to his protégé, Joshua. Not only did Moses affirm possession of the land, but he also affirmed God’s provision. Moses clarified to Joshua that the Lord would go before him. He assured Joshua that the Lord would be with him and would not leave him or forsake him. There was no need to fear. There was no need to be dismayed. God always provides you with everything you need to accomplish His will. If you are facing a God-sized assignment, you can rest in God’s sufficiency to equip you with everything you need to fulfill His assignment. If you are walking in the unknown and the uncertain, you can know God’s provision and you can be certain of God’s abundant supply. Wherever God guides, He always provides. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Favor Moses

God’s Favor

“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them, and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.” Deuteronomy 28:13-14 (ESV) Moses reminded the people of Israel of God’s blessings and favor related to their obedience to God’s commandments and laws. God blesses obedience and punishes disobedience. God’s favor is unleashed when God’s people obey. The demonstration of God’s blessing was personally experienced as the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness. God provided them with manna from heaven in the morning, quail in the evening, and allowed them to drink water from the rock. God had delivered them from the threat of the Egyptian army and miraculously allowed them to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground. God’s favor was upon them. God’s favor is upon you as you walk in His ways. Caring for the needs of others and living a life of generosity brings forth God’s favor. Keeping yourself from being polluted by the world is another act of obedience that God blesses. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27 (ESV) Eliminating idolatry and living a life of moral purity paves the way for God’s favor to be evidenced in your life. God blesses you as you obey Him. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Compassion Deuteronomy Moses

Don’t Forget

“When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.” Deuteronomy 24:21-22 (ESV) Take pride for a ride by spending some time reflecting on your condition before your conversion. Do you remember what it was like being lost? Can you recall the darkness that enveloped your soul as an unbeliever? You were hell bound and in bondage to the clutches of the enemy. You were alienated from God and separated from the favor of God. “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV) In His mercy, God came to rescue you from your sin. Putting His compassion into action, God redeemed you from your sin and delivered you from the kingdom of darkness and placed you in the kingdom of light. The divine transaction was initiated by God and demonstrated His unconditional love for you. Be generous to others just as God has been generous to you. Humble yourself by remembering your former condition and recognizing where you would be without God’s gracious intervention. Place the needs of others before your own. Seize opportunities to show Christ’s love to those He places in your path today. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Cross Deuteronomy Moses

Reverse the Curse

“‘And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.’” Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (ESV) God values holiness. His laws were established for the people of Israel to keep them from defiling their lives and to keep them from defiling the land He was giving them for an inheritance. God was protecting their covenant community and preserving their future. Consequences for sinful actions were enforced to ensure unity and solidarity. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV) In our own effort, we do not have the capacity to generate the holiness that God demands and that God deserves. We fall short and do not measure up to God’s standard of righteousness. The Good News is that Jesus was willing to reverse the curse that our sin caused. Jesus was willing to become a curse for us by taking on our sin and by receiving the full wrath of God for our sin. Jesus paid our sin debt in full and enabled us to receive His imputed righteousness. In Christ, you have a new identity. Your past has been forgiven. Your eternal security has been established. Now you can join God in His redemptive activity so that others can benefit from the reverse of the curse. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Moses Victory

God Fights For You

“And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” Deuteronomy 20:2-4 (ESV) God gave the people of Israel tremendous favor as they obeyed His commands. He promised them victory as they drew near in battle against their enemies. There was no need to be in fear or to panic or to be in dread because God would go with them and fight for them against their enemies to ensure victory. The battles we face as followers of Jesus Christ are spiritual in nature. We combat the devil, the world, and the flesh. The devil has an agenda that opposes God’s will. The world has a current that flows counter to God’s way. The flesh has an appetite that seeks to divert our devotion to God and to pollute our passion for the things of God. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV) As you draw near to battle today, put on the full armor of God. Live in the power of the Holy Spirit and claim the victory that Jesus won when He died sacrificially and rose from the dead supernaturally. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Generosity Moses

Blessed to Bless

“‘If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.’” Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (ESV) God has blessed you to be a blessing. God has lavished you with His love so that you can lavish His love on others. You have been given spiritual treasures to share with those in need. You have been endowed by God to become a conduit of His compassion. Be generous. Diligently seek to meet needs as God places people in your path. Turn interruptions into opportunities to be a blessing to others. As you give, God’s love will be dispensed. As you give, God’s grace will be extended. “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Proverbs 14:31 (ESV) Honor God by being generous to the needy. Place the needs of others before your own. Of course, that is not a natural response; it is a supernatural response made possible by the Holy Spirit living in you. You have been enriched by God so that you can be generous in every way. As you generously bless others, you will be producing thanksgiving to God. In other words, by being generous toward others, you will be giving thanks to God who has blessed you with the ability to be a blessing. Jesus is the gateway of generosity. He gave His life for you so that you can give your life to others. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Choices Deuteronomy Moses

Obedience and Blessing

“‘See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.’” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (ESV) Life generates endless choices to make and countless paths to take. Some choices bring forth blessing while some choices bring forth curse and negative consequences. Some paths lead to blessing while some paths lead to devastation. You can become overwhelmed with the number of opportunities placed before you in this life. Your decisions determine your direction and ultimately your destination. God set before the people of Israel a blessing and a curse. Obedience generated the blessing whereas disobedience generated the curse. God warned the people of turning aside from His way in order to go after other gods. Idolatry would produce devastating consequences. Walking with God and making wise decisions is an act of worship and a mark of spiritual maturity. Your obedience to God is a tangible demonstration of your love for Him. “Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” John 14:23 (ESV) “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” 1 John 5:2 (ESV) Choose the blessing. Surrender to the Lordship of Christ and take paths that are firm. Allow Jesus to guard your heart and to guide your steps. He will illuminate the path that brings blessing. Obey His voice and you will be making the right choice. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Discipline Moses

Walk in His Ways

“Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.” Deuteronomy 8:5-6 (ESV) God has already established your value by sacrificing His only Son on the cross for you. His redemptive act made salvation available to you and the removal of your sin possible. Now that you are a recipient of God’s unconditional love, you are a new creation and filled with the Holy Spirit. God has demonstrated His love for you through the atoning work of Christ on the cross. God continues to demonstrate His love for you through dispensing discipline. God disciplines you because He loves you and is committed to conforming you into the image of Christ. As you learn to walk in His ways and to fear Him, God’s discipline will be featured less and less in your life. “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV) What area of your life is in need of God’s disciplinary activity? Knowing that God disciplines you for your good so that you may share in His holiness, consider the peaceful fruit of righteousness that has become evident in your life. Continue to keep His commandments by walking in His ways and by fearing Him. You are in the process of becoming who you are in Christ. God is building you into the person He has created you to be for His glory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Love Moses

Love Your God

“‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.’” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV) What’s love got to do with it? Everything! Your love will be directed to the object of your affection and to that which you treasure. Who or what are you loving? Does anyone or anything have prominence in your life? The Lord is your God. The Lord is one. He thought of you before you could think of Him. God designed you to be uniquely you and to fulfill a unique purpose in this life that only you can fill. Will you love the Lord your God with all your heart? God deserves your utmost devotion. God is worthy of your affection and full attention. When you allow your loyalty to God and your love for God to erode, you experience mission drift. When you dilute your passion for the Lord, you misappropriate the relationship you are privileged to have with the Lord your God. Give God your very best and demonstrate His value in your life. Recognize where you would be without Him and enthrone Him through moment-by-moment surrender. “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV) The safest place for you to be is in the center of God’s will. It is clearly God’s will for you to love Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. What adjustments do you need to make in order to love your God that way? Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy Moses Obedience

No Other God

“Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40 (ESV) As I am writing this devotional, my team and I are about to board our plane to return to America after spending a week serving the people of East Asia. If you have ever had the opportunity to fly on a commercial jet, you will recall the unique perspective you gain by looking through the widow of the plane down to the earth below. You begin to realize how small you are and how big the earth is. Your daily pressures and the basic anxieties of life are suspended for the duration of your flight. You don’t have to board a plane and ascend to an altitude of 37,000 feet in order to gain a new perspective on life. Simply acknowledge and take to heart that the Lord is God. He is God of heaven and He is God of earth. He created the entire universe and He created you. There is no other God. He is the One true living God who rules and reigns. All other gods are simply gods. We serve the God of all creation. One way to demonstrate your acknowledgement of God is by obeying His commands. God reveals Himself to you so that can know Him personally and intimately. God reveals His Word to you so that you can obey Him immediately and consistently. Your obedience to God’s Word is a true mark of spiritual maturity and an indication of your new identity in Christ. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Deuteronomy God's Faithfulness Moses

Trace Your Tracks

“These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.” Deuteronomy 1:1 (ESV) Moses presents a series of strong sermons to a wandering people. Impressing God’s Word on their hearts, Moses preaches the Law to the people of Israel. Moses reiterates the covenant community expectations as prescribed by God and reminds the people of Israel of God’s faithfulness. In the New Testament account of Stephen’s speech to the Sanhedrin, we find a bold reference to the disobedience of the people of Israel. “Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him’” (Acts 7:39-40 ESV). Waves of obedience were followed by waves of disobedience. In Deuteronomy, Moses traces the tracks of the wilderness wanderings and the inconsistency of the people of Israel. As Moses speaks forth the series of messages to the people, strong themes of obedience, disobedience, brokenness, and repentance arise. Through the ebb and flow of the people of Israel’s response to God’s activity, God remained faithful. Trace your tracks. Where have you been and where are you going? Has God been true to His Word? Can you trace the faithfulness of God throughout your life? God invites you into His story. You are His masterpiece and His instrument of reconciling the world to Himself through Christ. Will you rest in God’s faithfulness and trust in God’s abundant provision? Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Mercy Numbers Refuge

Finding Refuge

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment.’” Numbers 35:9-12 (ESV) God featured His mercy and grace as He established the cities of refuge for the person who accidentally killed another person. God was providing protection from the avenger. When you consider the large number of people Moses was leading and when you consider the challenges of mobilizing around two-million people, the probability of conflict is rather high. Doing life together as a covenant community generated some major challenges and opportunities. The cities of refuge were strategically placed and graciously established. God was demonstrating His nature and character through His tangible redemptive activity. Moses was charged with carrying out the plan of God and ensuring the protection of the person who accidentally killed another. As followers of Jesus Christ, we look to God as our refuge and strength. He is the Creator of life and He is the sustainer of life. We look to Him because He is our faithful Shepherd and our consistent provider. As God’s children adopted into His family, we have privilege of casting all of our cares on Him and receiving mercy and grace to help us daily as we serve Him. Are you in need of refuge? Instead of running from God, choose to run to God. God already knows your condition and He already has everything you need to live the abundant life He has for you in Christ. Find refuge in Him! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Journey Moses Numbers

Journal Your Journey

“These are the stages of the people of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their companies under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses wrote down their starting places, stage by stage, by command of the Lord, and these are their stages according to their starting places.” Numbers 33:1-2 (ESV) What if you begin to journal your journey with God? Whether you have been walking with God for a few months, a few years, or several decades, consider journaling your journey with God. There are two components to include. Write down the major spiritual markers in your life such as your conversion, baptism, and other major decisions the Lord guided you to make. Describe some of the moments in your walk with God when you encountered His Presence in a special way. Another component to journaling your journey with God is the daily discipline of writing about the overflow of your time alone with God. For example, as you have your daily quiet time, write down a verse from your Bible that God used to speak to you that particular morning. Make some general observations about that verse and then write down a specific application that you sense God wants you to incorporate into your life. You may choose to even write down your prayer. This daily discipline will help you focus and it will give you a permanent record of your journey with God. Moses wrote down the specific stages of the journey he was on with the people of Israel. He specifically identified their starting places. The consistent theme was, “They set out from…” Moses was intentional about recording their journey with God and we are benefiting now from what Moses wrote down then. Others may one day benefit from what you write down. Without question, others will benefit from your intentional discipline of walking with God and journaling your journey with God. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Commitment Numbers Obedience

Yes Lord

“And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben answered, ‘What the Lord has said to your servants, we will do. We will pass over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.’” Numbers 32:31-32 (ESV) When you surrender to the Lordship of Christ, you are placing His agenda before your own. Lordship is a decision of stewardship. Stewardship is caring for what God has entrusted to you. Your devotion and commitment to Christ is demonstrated through the way you steward what God has entrusted to your care. Surrendering your life to the Lordship of Christ places Him in charge of your life and your decisions. The people of Gad and the people of Reuben were willing to submit to what the Lord had said. They acknowledged that they were servants and their lives were marked by instant obedience. They were willing to do what the Lord said. Obedience to the Lord was not only valued, but also demonstrated by their actions. “‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.’” Matt 7:24-25 (ESV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV) Start demonstrating the Lordship of Christ by being a hearer of God’s Word. Consistently read and feed on God’s Word. Grow in your understanding of the Bible. Move into becoming a doer of God’s Word by putting God’s Word into practice. Apply God’s Word by practicing instant obedience. Live your life by perpetually saying, “Yes, Lord!” Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Character Integrity Numbers

Keep Your Word

“Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, “This is what the Lord has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:1-2 (ESV) How refreshing to spend time with a person of integrity! The guard comes down and pretense evaporates because you are in the presence of someone who keeps his or her word. You can count on them. You can trust them because they are trustworthy. You can rely on them because they are reliable. You can depend on them because they are dependable. Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel to affirm the value of a vow. Moses reminded them of the utter importance and vitality of keeping their word. Their conversation was to be consistently supported by their conduct. Their beliefs were to be authenticated by their behavior. Do you keep your word? Are you a person of integrity? Does your conversation line up with your conduct? Take personal inventory of your life to assess the health of your integrity. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Sam 16:7 (ESV) Invite God to search your heart and to unveil anything in your heart that does not bring Him honor. Ask God to reveal any fraction of compromise or deception resident in your life. Be a person of integrity. Keep your word! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Moses Numbers Transition

Prepare for Transitions

“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.’” Numbers 27:18-20 (ESV) Transitions are constant in this life. From the cradle to the grave, you experience countless transitions. Some of the transitions are more pronounced than others. Every transition is an opportunity to experience God’s grace and to obey God’s voice. Moses had just received the difficult news of those who would die in the wilderness and not see the Promised Land. The list was long and included Moses. God had judged Moses for previously striking the rock with his staff twice instead of speaking to the rock in order to produce the flow of water for the people of Israel. These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Moses and the people of Israel failed to uphold God as holy at the waters before their eyes (Num 27:14). Moses faced another major transition. It was now time to commission Joshua to succeed him as leader of the people of Israel. Moses was preparing for his own death and for the succession of his leadership. Are you currently facing a transition? How are you responding to this particular season of your life? What do you sense God is up to? God will always develop your character to match His assignment. Be sensitive to God’s activity and be open to God’s leadership. You may be prompted to go in a new direction or you may be prompted to renew your commitment to your current assignment. God will give you the grace to match every transition you face. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Judgment Numbers Zeal

The Real Zeal

“When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.” Numbers 25:7-9 (ESV) Instead of influencing the culture, the people of Israel were influenced by the culture. Instead of being a thermostat and setting the environment, the people of Israel became like a thermometer and reflected the environment. They drifted into Baal worship and forfeited their loyalty and devotion to the Lord their God. Aaron’s grandson, Phinehas, took the initiative to end the descent into pagan worship by piercing the Israelite and the Midianite woman he brought to his family in the sight of Moses and the congregation of the people of Israel. In response to this courageous move by Phinehas, God stopped the plague on the people of Israel. This was a dark day for the people of Israel in that twenty-four thousand had died by the plague. God credited Phinehas with turning back His wrath on the people of Israel. God affirmed Phinehas for being jealous with God’s jealousy among the people of Israel. What is the life lesson from such a traumatic encounter? Value what God values! Place the same value on people that God does. Place the same value on God’s will and God’s way that God does. Be zealous for the things of God and be diligent to be an irresistible influence for the Lord. Don’t allow the culture to shape you. Choose to shape culture by valuing what God values. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Moses Numbers Salvation

Look to the Healer

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV) Have you ever seen the medical profession logo that features a snake wrapped around a pole? That image serves as the icon for the medical arena. You can trace the origin of that image to the instruction God gave Moses. The people of Israel spoke against God and Moses in their frustration generated by their wandering in the wilderness. They longed to return to Egypt where they had served as slaves. God judged them for their grumbling by sending fiery serpents among the people to bite them. Many of the people died. The survivors came to Moses to plead for intercession and intervention. Moses prayed for the people. God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and to set it on a pole. God gave further instructions that anyone bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live. God’s grace was clearly evident by His response to their willful disobedience. Jesus made reference to this experience during his conversation with Nicodemus. “‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life’” (John 3:14-15 ESV). Just as the people of Israel were healed by looking to the bronze serpent lifted up on the pole, so all believers today can be delivered from the sickness of sin by looking to the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus has been lifted up on the cross to bring forth our ultimate healing! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Disobedience Moses Numbers

God’s Way

“Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.’” Numbers 20:6-8 (ESV) God’s way is always the best way. When you are contemplating a direction you should take or a decision you should make, remember that God has a specific plan for you. God’s will is to be done God’s way. Moses and Aaron learned a painful lesson about doing God’s work God’s way. Instead of speaking to the rock to provide water for the people of Israel, Moses struck the rock with his staff twice. Water came out abundantly and the congregation and the livestock drank. Everything appeared to go as planned until God spoke. “And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them’” (Num 20:12 ESV). Disobedience brings discipline. “Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Heb 12:9-10 ESV). God’s way is always the best way. God blesses obedience. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Discernment God's Will Numbers

Discern God’s Will

“On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff.” Numbers 17:8-9 (ESV) God reveals His will. Even when you are not clear about a direction you should take, God will bring you into the decision making process to reveal His plan. God created you and God has a specific plan for your life. Will you pursue Him daily and trust Him completely? Will you obey what God shows you? Moses obeyed God’s directive by securing the staffs of the twelve chiefs of Israel. Moses wrote their name on their staff and wrote Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. The morning after Moses placed the twelve staffs in the tent of meeting, he retrieved each staff and noticed that Aaron’s staff had sprouted. Through this very interesting process, God revealed His will. Perhaps you are going through a season of life in which you would love for God to reveal His will to you in a tangible way. You would be willing to secure a staff or any item that God would use to indicate His will. The reality is that God reveals His will through His Word. Are you reading your Bible? Are you spending time in prayer and spending time diligently seeking God’s will? As you obey what God has already revealed to you, He will illuminate the path He wants you to take. As you obey, God will show you the way. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Caleb Devotion Numbers

Follow Fully

“‘But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.’” Numbers 14:21-24 (ESV) Tension mounted as the people of Israel grumbled against God and against Moses. God declared that none of those who despised God would see the land flowing with milk and honey. That would have been devastating news after all those years of wandering in the wilderness. God demonstrated that He does not bless disobedience. Refreshingly, God affirmed His servant, Caleb. God affirmed that Caleb had a different spirit and that Caleb followed God fully. As a result, God promised to bring Caleb and His descendants into the land he had explored with Joshua. The Promised Land was Caleb’s inheritance. Would God identify you as a fully devoted follower of Christ? Would your devotion to the Lord set you apart as a person with a different spirit? Take some time to take personal inventory of your life and your commitment to the Lord. Measure your motives and calculate your commitment to God’s Word and to God’s will. Are you fully devoted to the Lord? In order to exhibit a different spirit, you must allow the Holy Spirit to have full control of your life. Yield to His prompting and allow Him to empower you to follow Jesus fully! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Caleb Faith Numbers

Focus on Giants or God

“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.’ Then the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’” Numbers 13:30-31 (ESV) Are you facing something beyond your reach? Have you been agonizing over anything lately? Your situation may be relational, familial, financial, or physical. Whatever you view as your greatest obstacle just might be the greatest opportunity for God to reveal His glory. After twelve of the Israelites returned from spying out the land of Canaan, they returned with a mixed report. Ten of the twelve indicated that the land was filled with giants and could not be conquered. Yet, Joshua and Caleb had a much different report. Instead of focusing on the giants, they focused on God and His ability to bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey. Are you listening to the voices of doubt and fear or to the voice of God? God knows where you are and the specifics of what you are facing. Remember, nothing is hidden from God. Nothing catches God by surprise. Our limited perspective does not limit God. God has a plan for you that factors in your circumstances. God will remove the obstacle or He will help you overcome the obstacle. God will eliminate the giant before you or elevate your faith to persevere in light of the giant you face. Take possession of the land God is giving you. Will you focus on the giant or focus on God? Will you view your circumstances from your perspective or from God’s perspective? If God has allowed this situation, He will use it for your good and His glory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Movement Numbers Tabernacle

Moving with God

“Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. “ Numbers 9:22 (ESV) The tabernacle was constructed in such as way as to maximize flexibility and mobility. Instead of constructing a permanent structure, God instructed Moses to construct a mobile tabernacle. The tent of meeting was fashioned for ease of mobility. Why was this an important feature? God wanted the people of Israel to be able to worship Him and to move with Him. A permanent structure would not suffice. Whenever the glory cloud lifted, the people would set out based on the orderly procedure Moses had established for taking down the tabernacle and transporting it to the next location. This process enabled them to move with God. When God moved, the people had the capability to move with God. Are you flexible, teachable, and stretchable? Are you available for God to expand you and to invite you into His story? Choose to make yourself available for God’s use. Live in ready-mode to join God in His activity and to move with God. It may mean a physical relocation or it may mean a change of attitude about your usefulness to God. God wants to reveal Himself to you and to do a new work in your life so that He can do a new work through your life. Position yourself in such as way as to be able to move with God. Practice His Presence and join God in His activity. Be sensitive to what God is doing around you and be ready to be used of God to touch the lives of those in your sphere of influence. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

God's Voice Moses Numbers

Hearing God’s Voice

“And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.” Numbers 7:89 (ESV) After twelve days of consecrating the tabernacle by the chiefs of Israel, Moses entered the tent of meeting. This was a divine moment in that Moses chose to draw near to God. In this holy encounter, God spoke to Moses from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony. The Creator of the universe communicated with Moses. God spoke! As you read chapter seven of Numbers, you will detect the immense preparation that went into consecrating the tabernacle. Each of the twelve chiefs of Israel participated in the process of consecration. Each of the twelve chiefs invested personally and sacrificially in the process. Moses waited patiently as the tabernacle was being prepared for the divine encounter of God’s Presence. Compare the twelve days of preparation to how most people in our modern context approach God. So often, people in our society approach God as though He was just another individual we pass along the way. Even in our Christianity, we can become so casual with God that we lose sight of His holiness, His sovereignty, and His majesty. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:16 (ESV) Our confidence in approaching God is not based on our arrogance or our sufficiency. We have the privilege of approaching God because of the matchless grace He dispensed through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Blessing Favor Numbers

Be Blessed

“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:23-26 (ESV) God has blessed you to be a blessing. Your words have the power to build others up or to tear them down. Your words can inspire or discourage. Your words can motivate or devastate. Speak words that bless those whom God places in your path. Be a blessing to others by blessing others. Aaron and his sons were instructed to bless the people of Israel. They were to deliver a word of blessing from the Lord. God imparts life and God inspires hope and bestows blessings upon His people. God affirmed His blessing, His protection, His favor, and His grace upon His people. God projected His affirmation of His enabling and His abiding peace. Think about what you need to be on mission with God. Consider the resources necessary to do God’s work God’s way in this fallen world. You cannot live the Christian life in your own strength. God never intended for you to fulfill His plan in your own power. Receive God’s blessing. Receive God’s supernatural enabling to fulfill His mission on the earth. May the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you. May the Lord be gracious to you in your time of need. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His sustaining peace. You are not on your own. You are not operating in isolation. God is blessing you so that you can be a blessing. You are blessed to bless! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Focus Numbers Priorities

Focus Your Life

“The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.’” Numbers 2:1-2 (ESV) What is your preoccupation? What do you think about most? What consumes a majority of your energy and attention? Your answers to these questions will help unveil your focus. One healthy discipline is to intentionally assess the trajectory of your life. You need to know where you are heading and what you are giving your life to. God gave specific instructions related to the massive encampment of the twelve tribes of Israel. God wanted the people to camp facing the tent of meeting. Making His presence known within the center of the camp via the tent of meeting, God wanted the people of Israel to focus their attention and their lives on Him. “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119:15 (ESV) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:2 (NIV) Are you living the Christ-centered life? Is your life oriented around God’s agenda? Regain your focus and ask God to restore your spiritual sight to be able to see what God wants you to do and where God wants you to go. Obey what God reveals to you. Maintain an unyielding devotion to bring pleasure to the Lord by continuing His ministry on the earth. Make an eternal difference by focusing your life today. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell