“And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.” 1 Samuel 14:35 (ESV) Saul had been preoccupied with his mission of mobilizing his army against the Philistines. His warriors were weary and faint since they had not been allowed to eat. In desperation, they killed animals and ate them with the blood. When Saul heard about their conduct, he summoned everyone to bring his ox or sheep to where he was and to slaughter the animals there. Saul reminded the people to not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood. At this time, Saul built an altar to the Lord. “And Saul inquired of God, ‘Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?’ But he did not answer him that day.” 1 Samuel 14:37 (ESV) Saul chose to go vertical through worship and through prayer. He was seeking guidance from the Lord and wanted to know if he should pursue the Philistines and if God would give them into his hands. God did not answer him that day. Have you experienced anything recently that caused you to go vertical through worship and prayer? Have you known desperation at the level of being compelled to seek God and wait upon His directive? Pursue God daily and persistently. Go vertical with your focus and with your energy. Keep your passion for God alive by consistently feeding on His Word and consistently communing with Him in prayer. Your love relationship with the Lord is the most important relationship in your life. Maintain intimacy with God. What adjustments do you need to make in your life in order to align your life with God’s priorities? What is keeping you from going vertical? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 101: 1 Samuel 13-14 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Author: Stephen Trammell
Categories
Saul and God’s Sovereignty
“Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.’” 1 Samuel 10:17-19 (ESV) Samuel gathered the people of Israel to confront their reality and to position them for their future. He had a word from the Lord to deliver directly to them. Samuel reminded the people of Israel of God’s faithfulness and reminded them of God’s provision of deliverance from the hand of the Egyptians. It was time for Samuel to go public on God’s plan to raise up Saul to be their king and to deliver them from the Philistines. God used Samuel in the process to prepare Saul for the new assignment God had for him. Saul was simply searching the countryside to recover some of his father’s lost donkeys. God had an awesome adventure awaiting Saul that he would have never imagined for his own life. The sovereignty of God is demonstrated through Israel’s history and throughout your own personal life. Think of where you are right now and consider all that God has done to see you through the ages and stages of your life. God rules and reigns and nothing can thwart His will. God will accomplish His plan and He will develop you in the process. Submit to His prompting and trust His timing. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 100: 1 Samuel 9-12 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.” 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (ESV) Israel experienced a devastating blow as they were defeated in battle. When Eli heard about the ark of God being captured and his two sons being killed in war, he fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate and died. Eli served as judge of Israel for forty years. The daughter-in-law of Eli and the wife of Phinehas gave birth to a son and then died. “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel!’ because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, ‘The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.’” 1 Samuel 4:21-22 (ESV) The ark of God represented God’s abiding Presence among the people of Israel. His favor rested upon them until they turned from Him in rebellion. God removed His glory from Israel. When you became a follower of Jesus Christ, you became the walking tabernacle of God’s Presence. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s glory is revealed in your life through salvation and through your life as you continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Other people get a glimpse of God’s glory as they examine your life fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ. Is there anything in your life that inhibits the glory of God being revealed through your life? Live a life that brings honor to God and that benefits others. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 99: 1 Samuel 4-8 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, ‘How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.’” 1 Samuel 1:12-14 (ESV) When you are hurting, your emotions will be expressed through anger, suppression, depression, or grief. At some point, your hurt will manifest. For Hannah, her pain was being expressed through heartfelt prayer. She was unveiling her broken heart before the Lord. Hannah was barren. Eli misinterpreted her pain as that of being drunk. That was far from the truth of Hannah’s condition. She wasn’t drunk. She was devastated with the reality of her circumstances. Can you relate? “But Hannah answered, ‘No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.’” 1 Samuel 1:15-16 (ESV) God knows what you are feeling right now. God knows where you are and where you are headed. Nothing catches God by surprise. Maybe you are experiencing a delay that just doesn’t make sense to you. Know that God has a purpose for every delay we endure. God understands our feelings and our frustrations even when others may not understand. God is all-knowing. God has the final say! For those who have misunderstood you, will you entrust them to God? For the delays you are experiencing, will you entrust them to God as well? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 98: 1 Samuel 1-3 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’” Ruth 4:14-15 (ESV) The story of Ruth is filled with God’s grace. Ruth became a widow after her mother-in-law had already become a widow. Instead of leaving Naomi to start a new life, Ruth chose to stay with her. Her loyalty and devotion to Naomi were demonstrated consistently. “But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.’” Ruth 1:16 (ESV) “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.” Ruth 4:13 (ESV) God provided a kinsmen redeemer. The portrait of God’s grace continues in the first chapter of Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus where Ruth is named. When you examine your story, you should be able to detect God’s grace. Consider how Jesus redeemed you and delivered you from the kingdom of darkness and placed you in the kingdom of light. Measure the grace God lavished on you to adopt you into His family and to fill you with His Spirit. You are a child of the living God! You are the apple of His eye and the masterpiece of His marvelous ministry of grace. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 97: Ruth ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Lordship and Leadership
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 (ESV) Chaos saturated the people of Israel as each chose to do what was right in his own eyes. The sense of covenant community was fragmented and the evidence of unity was shattered. Without a king in Israel, the cultural current of immorality intensified. What is your moral compass? Where do you look to gain clarity on what brings honor to God? How do you know what you are supposed to be giving your life to? “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (ESV) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13 (ESV) You are blessed with access to God’s revelation through His Word. How may Bibles do you have? The Bible is the owner’s manual for your life. As you read and feed on the Bible, God will illuminate the path He wants you to take. The Holy Spirit lives in you to guide you into all truth. He lives in you to intercede for you and to empower you to decipher truth from falsehood. As you walk in the truth revealed to you by the Holy Spirit, you will learn to surrender to the Lordship of Christ and you will learn to submit to His leadership. Focus your life on being a fully yielded follower of Christ. Draw near to God through His Word and be responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit living in you. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 96: Judges 19-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Energy Allocation
“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.’ 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines.’ Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” Judges 16:28-30 (ESV) What are you doing with the life God has given you? Have you established your priorities and do they reflect God’s priorities? Your were created to make a difference in the world for God’s glory. It is not about what you can do for God, but what God wants to do in you and through you to accomplish His purposes and His plan. Priorities and stewardship go hand-in-hand. Your priorities will determine how you stewardship your energy and influence. You must determine how you will allocate the energy and influence God has given you. How will you invest your life to make an eternal difference? Samson was blessed by God to be a blessing and to rescue his people from the Philistines. Samson drifted from God and was corrupted by lust and trapped by the seduction of Delilah. However, God granted Samson’s final request to be strengthened so he could be avenged on the Philistines for his two eyes. What would have been different about Samson’s life had he wisely allocated his energy and influence for God’s glory? What about your life? How are you allocating your energy and influence? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 95: Judges 16-18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, ‘Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, 5 for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.’” Judges 13:3-5 (ESV) God performed a miracle by enabling Manoah and his barren wife to have a son, Samson. To their amazement and delight, Samson grew and the Lord blessed him. He was set apart as a Nazirite to God and positioned by God to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Eventually Samson married a daughter of the Philistines at Timnah. This was part of God’s plan since the Philistines ruled over Israel. Samson was deceived by his father-in-law and sought revenge by setting fire to the stacked grain and standing grain as well as the olive orchards. In his rage, Samson struck down 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey. “And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, ‘You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?’ 19 And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day. 20 And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.” Judges 15:18-20 (ESV) God supernaturally provided for Samson throughout his life and He will provide for you. Entrust your life to His care. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 94: Judges 13-15) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Continual Realities
“And the Lord said to the people of Israel, ‘Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? 12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. 13 Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. 14 Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.‘” Judges 10:11-14 (ESV) God delivered some strong words to the people of Israel after their willful disobedience in spite of God’s perpetual gracious treatment. God rescued them and delivered them from their oppressors. They still chose to forsake God and served other gods. As a result of their incessant rebellion, God told the people of Israel to go and cry out to the gods whom they had chosen. God encouraged them to let their gods save them in their time of distress. Of course, their gods would not respond. The propensity to sin is a common thread throughout human history. Living in a fallen world and combating the sinful nature are continual realities. To live in victory requires forsaking sin and following Christ. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14 (ESV) “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV) Your flesh craves sin. Crucify the flesh by starving the flesh. Be robed in the righteousness of Christ and walk in the power of His resurrection. Make no provision for the flesh. Flee sinful allurements and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 93: Judges 10-12) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. 34 And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side, 35 and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel.” Judges 8:33-35 (ESV) When you trace the journey of the people of Israel, you will notice a pattern of obedience, rebellion, discipline, and repentance. God blesses obedience and God disciplines disobedience. The people of Israel would obey God for a season and then allow the tug of rebellion to captivate their attention. Instead of worshiping the Lord their God, they would digress into idolatry. As a follower of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul identified the tug of rebellion that originated in his sinful nature. Even though he was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul had to perpetually combat the cravings of the sin nature. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” Romans 7:18-20 (ESV) How do you triumph over the tug of rebellion? Walk in full surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Acknowledge your total dependency upon the Lord to empower you to live in victory. Run from sin and run to Jesus as you practice instant obedience. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 92: Judges 8-9) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me.’” Judges 7:2 (ESV) Gideon considered his clan to be the weakest in Manasseh and himself the least of his father’s house. He did not feel qualified to lead the charge to defeat the Midianites. God confirmed His will through a fire, a fleece, and a formula. Gideon prepared a sacrifice and God sent an angel of the Lord. “Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes” (Judges 6:21 ESV). Gideon asked for additional clarification by asking God to fill a wool fleece with dew while keeping all the ground dry. God performed the miracle and Gideon wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. The fleece was used again to test the validity of God’s will. This time, Gideon asked God to let the fleece remain dry while allowing there to be dew on all the ground. God performed that miracle. The formula God chose for Gideon demonstrated God’s power in the midst of Gideon’s weaknesses. The formula involved reducing Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300. Gideon and his army of 300 won the victory! God’s way to victory does not always line up with our logical thought process. In our humanity, we tend to judge our circumstances from our limited point of view. God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). The victory over our sin, our death, and our dilemma was won God’s way through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 91: Judges 6-7) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Drifting from God
“And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.” Judges 3:7 (ESV) How quick they were to forget the Lord their God after all He had done to deliver them from Egyptian bondage! Sound familiar? The generation following Joshua’s death was marked by disobedience. They drifted from the Lord. “And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10 (ESV) “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1 (ESV) We are made to worship. We will worship something or someone. Idolatry seeps in when devotion to the Lord shifts. An idol is anything that dilutes our passion for God or diverts our affection from God. Drifting from God is a perpetual reality for the child of God who neglects practicing instant obedience. We are to pay close attention to what we have received from the Lord and adhere to the principles of God’s Word so that we can walk in alignment with God’s purpose and plan. Jesus left the glory of heaven to come earth in order to provide the atoning sacrifice for our sin. Jesus was obedient to death on a cross. His passion was to fulfill God’s will and to finish His work. The story of redemption is marked by the instant obedience that Jesus practiced throughout His life and ministry on earth. Instead of drifting from God, decide to yield to the Lordship of Christ and be a fully devoted follower of Christ. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 90: Judges 3-5) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. 9 And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.” Judges 2:8-9 (ESV) Some of the most meaning funerals I have ever preached have been those in which the children of the deceased person stand to speak about their parent’s life. One day you will take your final breath on the earth and your funeral will be conducted. What should your children be able to say at your funeral? Our parents taught us how to walk with God. If you want your children to walk with God, then model the value of intimacy with God. Let them see you having your daily quiet time. Share the overflow of what God is teaching you in your daily walk with Him. Place your children in environments that will help them develop their walk with God. Our parents taught us how to love others. Validate the value God places on others. Show your children how to love others. Your children are watching you closely. They know if you genuinely love people. Another important step is to seize opportunities that will enable your children to serve others. Our parents were still living by faith when they died. In order to leave a legacy you must live a legacy. Guard your priorities in order to finish strong. Keep your love relationship with Jesus your number one priority. Can you imagine what Joshua’s children would have said at his funeral after he lived 110 years? Our father taught us how to walk with God, how to love others, how to make wise decisions, and he was still living by faith when he died. It’s never too late to start. What will your children say at your funeral? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 89: Judges 1-2) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“‘Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’” Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV) Joshua’s passion for God was contagious. He was willing to take responsibility for the spiritual condition of his home. Joshua made a bold proclamation that as for he and his household, they would serve the Lord. He did not apologize for his passion to obey God. His loyalty to God was expressed through his passion for God. Joshua’s passion to lead his family spiritually impacted the nation. “He said, ‘Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.’ 24 And the people said to Joshua, ‘The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.’” Joshua 24:23-24 (ESV) It is interesting that Joshua did not ask the people to do anything he had not already done. Joshua put his passion in action by leading his family to revere and serve the Lord. Now the people could respond to his example and to his exhortation. Are you putting your passion in action in such as way as to impact your family and those in your sphere of influence? Is your passion for God contagious or difficult to detect? Resolve to serve the Lord. Focus your passion on serving the Lord and continuing His ministry on the earth. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 88: Joshua 22-24) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Promises of God
“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45 (ESV) A promise is only as good as the character of the one making the promise. A person who keeps his or her promise is a person who is deemed trustworthy. Keeping your promise is equivalent to keeping your word. When a promise is not kept a person’s character comes into question. God’s Word is rooted in God’s nature and character. God is holy, righteous, and perfect. God cannot lie and God cannot do anything contrary to His nature and character. God keeps His Word because God is trustworthy. He keeps His promises! The Lord demonstrated His faithfulness to the house of Israel. Everything God promised to them came to pass. God kept His Word! God delivered on His promises! God has a plan for your life. He created you to include you in His story of redemption. God thought of you long before you could think of Him. God pursued you long before you had the capacity to respond to His pursuit. You are not an accident. You are God’s idea and you are God’s masterpiece. Your life matters to God and He established your worth by allowing His precious Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for you. He has paid your sin debt in full and purchased your salvation. In Christ, you have become a child of the King! As a new creation, you have the wonderful privilege of being fathered by our Heaven Father who is the ultimate Promise Keeper. Your security is based on your new identity in Christ and rooted in the fertile soil of God’s character. You can stand on the promises of God! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 87: Joshua 19-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Made to Worship
“Then the whole congregation of the people of Israel assembled at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The land lay subdued before them.” Joshua 18:1 (ESV) You were created to worship. God has given you the freedom to choose your object of worship. You can choose to worship creation or you can choose to worship the Creator. God’s will is for you to worship Him as your Creator. The enemy will tempt you to worship yourself, other people, or other things to divert your devotion from God. “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:8-10 (ESV) The people of Israel methodically received their allotment of land. As you can imagine, the process was lengthy and thorough. The entire congregation of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to set up the tent of meeting. The priority of worship was guarded and the activity of worship was perpetual. The land lay subdued before them as they worshiped the One True Living God! How will you respond to the temptation to bypass God in worship? Will you do what Jesus did? Stand firm in your resolve to worship the Lord your God and serve Him with passion and diligence. Establish the priority of worship in your daily routine and surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Make Jesus your number one priority as you unleash your worship to revere the One who died to set you free. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 85: Joshua 16-18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Wholly Followed the Lord
“Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.” Joshua 14:14 (ESV) If someone were to shadow you for forty days, what would that person experience firsthand? Would that person be drawn to Christ or repelled? What that person be encouraged in their faith or discouraged? Joshua and Caleb had shadowed each other for forty-five years? They both had the privilege of shadowing Moses. They both were selected to spy out the land that flowed with milk and honey. They both returned with a positive report in spite of the negative report given by the other ten spies. In this immediate text, Caleb is eighty-five years old and reflecting on his journey. It is now time for him to receive his allotted portion of the Promised Land. He was given Hebron as an inheritance because he wholly followed the Lord. Would someone shadowing you say that you wholly follow the Lord? Would your walk with God give evidence to full devotion and complete commitment? Take a few moments to examine your life both internally and externally. Take inventory of your journey with God and try to assess your level of commitment over the years. Be honest about your current reality. Are you wholly following the Lord? Let Caleb’s life inspire you to a greater level of commitment to the Lord. Make it obvious to others that you are growing in your love relationship with Jesus. Share about your intimacy with the Lord. Commit to take your prayer life to a new level of intimacy and intentionality. Share your faith with those who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord. Wholly follow the Lord! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 85: Joshua 12-15) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
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. 11 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. 11 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 84: Joshua 9-11) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? 11 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. 12 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 83: Joshua 5-8) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“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! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 82: Joshua 1-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Twelve Decades
“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 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, 12 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, 25 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 81: Deuteronomy 32-34) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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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. 8 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 80: Deuteronomy 30-31) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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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, 14 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 79: Deuteronomy 28-29) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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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. 22 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 2 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— 3 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 78: Deuteronomy 24-27) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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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, 23 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’— 14 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 77: Deuteronomy 21-23) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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God Fights For You
“And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 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, 4 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 76: Deuteronomy 17-20) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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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, 8 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 live to you so that you can give your life to others. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 75: Deuteronomy 14-16) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Obedience and Blessing
“‘See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, 28 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 74: Deuteronomy 11-13) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Walk in His Ways
“Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 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. 11 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. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 73: Deuteronomy 8-10) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Love Your God
“‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 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? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 72: Deuteronomy 5-7) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell