Encounter Jesus

Recently, I have been intrigued with the story of Joshua as he led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. We often talk about living by faith and trusting God to see us through difficult times, yet few of us have faced the overwhelming challenge of leading a nation as they step into the fulfillment of God's promise to them. In addition, Joshua has the unenviable position of following Moses as the national leader. These are no small shoes to fill.

Yes, Joshua was the nation's military leader and knew the burden of leading. Yet, he had always had Moses to encourage and remind him. As I see it, it is very likely that Moses spent much of his time mentoring Joshua to remember all that God had done to protect and provide for His people. Joshua was one of only two men that were delivered out of slavery in Egypt and also crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. All other adults had died while the nation wandered in the desert. It was vitally important that Joshua remember God's faithfulness as he lead the nation after Moses's death.

In Joshua, chapter 1, we see God's encouragement to Joshua as he becomes the leader of Israel. Three times, God instructs Joshua to "be strong and courageous." He also reminds Joshua that, as Israel's leader, he must obey all of God's commands. Obedience would ensure the nation prosperity and success. This obedience is not out of self-will or legalistic discipline. Rather, it is an act of love and honor for all that God had done and would do for His people. Obedience sourced out of a deep and genuine love.

At the end of chapter 1, we see the response of the nation to Joshua's appointment as their leader. First, they tell Joshua to "be strong and courageous." This is the fourth reminder to Joshua. I think God really wanted him to hear this. As the successor to Moses, he was probably, and understandably, fearful and doubting himself. How could he ever live up to the standard Moses had set. The key is, God did not want Joshua to be Moses. God wanted Joshua to be Joshua... strong and courageous! So, the people remind Joshua of God's instruction and while providing their vote of confidence.

Joshua 1:17-18 - Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous! (NIV)

This was his nation to lead. He was committed to God and knew God would do what He had promised. Joshua looked to God, not at the circumstances. Joshua believed God.

Do you?

Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Which one of these guys is wearing a mask?

In my opinion, the answer is BOTH… one is just a little more obvious than the other. I am not being critical of Jim Carrey as I suspect he is just like the rest of us (I don't personally know Mr. Carrey and don't presume to know any personal details about his life). We are all actively hiding and trying to put on a front.

Genesis 3:8-9 — Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" (NIV – emphasis added)
 
We have been posing and hiding from the moment sin entered into humanity. It is only as we actively and intentionally press in to be closer to God that we have any hope of overcoming the habit of posing. Honestly, I suspect that we are all terrified that what we are trying to hide behind our mask will be exposed.

Yet, God is calling us to live in the true identity He has given us.

Psalm 139:13-16 — For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (NASU)

Jeremiah 1:5-6 — “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (NASU)

Galatians 1:13-16 — For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles (NASU)
 
Men, put away the masks and stop posing. Every single one of us is dealing with issues that result from our constant battle. It is as we walk in truth and grace that we begin to experience the joy of community and the blessing of a unity through the Spirit. Don’t let our common enemy gain an advantage by living in secrecy, shame and solitude. Walk in His strength knowing that our faith is being perfected (not yet perfect) and that the body NEEDS each member to be actively engaged and fully available.

Christianity has become a soft, timid religion. We are more concerned about winning arguments, political debates, and convincing people that their beliefs are wrong. We are focused on the wrong target. As a result, we have lost our effectiveness and have become a joke. 
 
Many Christians are afraid to stand up and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God and eternal life is only possible through Him. Yet, Jesus said:
 
    John 14:6 – Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no 
    one goes to the Father except by me. (NIV)
 
And:
 
    Matthew 7:13-14 – Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and 
    broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But 
    small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 
    (NIV)
 
He seems to be saying, repeatedly and clearly, that there are not many ways to heaven, but One. So, Christians needs to stand and proclaim for all to hear that Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. This is not done to win a debate, but to change an eternal destination.
 
However, we are timid and fearful that we might offend someone or someone might become upset that we are not more tolerant of their beliefs. Let me say, simply, this is not an issue of tolerance. I can tolerate your beliefs just fine. I just can’t sit back and let you think that you are right or that it doesn’t matter. I do not need to convince you that you are wrong, but introduce you to the One that is THE TRUTH so that deception can melt away. It is critically important that the light of truth shine. There is only ONE WAY to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ.
 
    2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a Spirit of fear; but of power and of 
    love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
 
    John 14:15-17 – If you love me, you will obey my commandments. I will ask 
    the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you 
    forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot 
    receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, 
    because he remains with you and is in you. (NIV)

Jesus left us to return to the Father. He did not do this out of selfish gain. In fact, it was just the opposite. He had to leave us so that we could receive His Spirit, One that would never leave us and would always remain with us. The Spirit is given so that we can carry out the mission Jesus gave just before ascending into heaven:

    Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All 
    authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and 
    make disciple of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father 
    and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I
    commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
    (NIV)
 
The only way to accomplish this mission is to proclaim the truth in love and grace. We are not to demean or belittle to win a debate; we are to encourage and lift people up pointing them to the Lover of their soul. We are to introduce them to the only One that can give them eternal life! Then, we can welcome them into the family to become part of the body. No arguments. No debates; just faith, hope, and love.
 
    1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But 
    the greatest of these is love. (NIV)
 
    1 John 4:16 – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is 
    love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (NIV)

Happy New Year!