God calls Israel to repentance and confronts their idolatry. King Ahab not only continued to promote idolatry like those before him but went a step further. He decreed by law Baal to be the national deity over Israel, and even built a temple to honor him.

Elijah built an altar and asked the prophets of Baal to build their altar and said “Let’s see whose God answers by fire”. It was a challenge that couldn’t be declined since their deity was proclaimed to be the new national God. The Phoenician image of the sun depicts Baal as the fire god that gives light, heat and life.

Elijah challenged, mocked and ridiculed all of their prideful pomp and displays. For hours they cry out to their god in vain. Elijah rebuilds his altar and circles it with 12 stones one for each tribe of Israel. He even poured 12 barrels of water on his altar, soaking the wood and filling a trench with the overflowing water.

Then, the God of Elijah by His Word brings down fire upon his altar, showing whose God was the national God of Israel. The fire consumes not only the sacrifices but the wood, dust, 12 stones and even the water in the trench surrounding the altar.

Moses came as the deliverer. Elijah came as the reformer. The deliverer warns the enemy. The reformer warns God’s people to turn back to God or face judgment of their sins. Backslidden Israel didn’t want an Elijah message of repentance and reformation; they wanted a Moses message of more blessings to come. Are we ready for the Elijah anointing?

The Elijah anointing isn’t pastoral and nurturing. Elijah came to shake them, wake them and make them repent. The end times will be a time of reformation and confrontation. The Elijah anointing will usher in the return of the Lord, with signs, wonders and miracles.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Malachi 4:5

The most unusual thing about Solomon’s temple wasn’t the beauty of its architecture, or its priceless furnishings, though they were amazing. What’s most unusual was that it wasn’t in God’s plan. The Temple was a creative desire of King David’s heart of worship.

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my Father David, “Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.”
1 Kings 8:17-18

The temple exemplifies Davidic (King David) worship and devotion. The temple was an address of worship and prayer to God. It was a place of identification. Whenever they worshipped, prayed, made supplication or were going to war they identified with God’s house. God would hear them when they addressed Him at or facing His house.

They believed that God would respond to them as individuals, families, armies, or as a nation. Yet they were careful not to to limit God’s omnipotence (ability to be all powerful)  in any way - in their thinking, by a mere physical structure. If the heavens could not contain the greatness of God, the temple certainly could not. It was not built for God’s containment but for their connection to Him.

The temple was also a place of judgment and justice where oaths were made in retribution for sin, judgment upon the unrighteous and blessing upon the righteous. The temple was the place where God’s transactions took place whether worship, prayer, justice, blessing, judgment or deliverance and healing.

The Church is now the temple built upon the cornerstone, Jesus, where people can come and find God. We’re the priesthood who offer sacrifices of praise and worshipful service unto God. Assembled together in worship, we manifest God in His house around the world.

You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5

David told his son Solomon how he could succeed in fulfilling his calling. He reminded him of the same things Moses reminded Joshua. He said: be strong (be a man), walk in His ways, statutes, commandments, judgments and Testimonies as it is written in the law (Word), that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. I guess it still worked? It never has stopped working!

David asked Solomon to balance the scales of Kingdom justice and eliminate the current threats to the Kingdom and all of those who had violated Kingdom authority. In so doing Solomon showed his ability to make the hardest of decisions, including the execution of his oldest brother.

Solomon fulfills his father’s directives and established the kingdom. He loved the Lord and made an outstanding sacrificial offering.  His generosity and obedience got God’s attention. 

Then Solomon had a dream, when God appeared and asks Solomon “What can I give you?  Here in lies a key to the heart of God – obedience and generous sacrifice is what got God’s attention, but Solomon took it a step further in his request. 

And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”  The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

1 Kings 3:8-10

Solomon asks for wisdom and an understanding heart, so he can best lead, and judge Gods people. Solomon’s request revealed his understanding of God’s heart – “Gods people!”  He wanted to be able to discern between good and evil for the benefit of God’s people, in order to judge properly in solving disputes.

Too many today are looking out for themselves. God shows us through Solomon that when we care about what God care’s about, and seek to be better in fulfilling our God given purpose, everything else is added on to that.

God gave Solomon what he asked and then added riches honor and the highest level of material wealth in human history. Solomon’s wealth would be equivalent to a trillion dollars!

When we seek first our kingdom purpose, walk in God’s ways, and seek His guidance, everything else is added.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

…and be sure your sin will find you out.

Numbers 32:23b

Most of us are familiar with the infamous story of the adulterous relationship between David and Bathsheba.  It was a shocker that rippled the kingdom.  David not only had an affair, but his affair was with a married woman.  This woman conceives a child as a result. In an effort to cover it up, David, sends for her husband to come home on leave hopint that he would be with his wife and create the impression that the child she was carrying was his. 

But this noble warrior (Uriah) could not enjoy the impromptu leave as his comrades were out in the battlefield.  So, in desperation, David sends him to the frontline of the battlefield to die, so his sin would be undiscovered. When he died, to come off as the noble king, he married her.  But, his sin found him out.

What could have ever propelled a man who had a heart after God to do such a thing?

King David, a man after God’s own heart fell into sin, because he was not fulfilling his purpose!

It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.  

2 Samuel 11:1

The scriptures reveal that although it was the time that the kings went out to war, David remained in Jerusalem.  Therefore, David’s sin of not being involved with the business of his destiny created an open door for sin to enter.  And that decision cost him dearly.  His decision resulted in the enemy (his flesh and satan) taking advantage of his weakness and then it allowed him to feel justified in his indiscretion.

We can learn so much from this story, but my prayer is that in this season, we learn from Jesus and His story, the importance of being about our Father’s business. If we do, then we will not fall into temptation, because when we are fulfilling our divine purpose, we will be delivered from sin.

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Luke 2:49

King David allowed the things of this world to distract his focus on who he was and what God had ordained for him to do. 

Are you about your Father’s business? If you are it will consume your focus and protect you from the sin and its distractions of life.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: …

Psalms 57:7

David the shepherd becomes David the King of Israel. Most of his life has been spent in obscurity. His significance was overlooked not only by his brothers, but even by his father. David’s leadership was showcased in his conquest of the giant Goliath and all of his victories in battle. Yet Saul being jealous and intimidated by him tries to kill David.

David maintains his integrity and submission to Saul’s authority even though he had been anointed as king by God’s Prophet who he would be king and shepherd of Israel. David would have no part in selfish ambition or a need to validate himself after being mistreated, ignored and criticized.

One can only imagine how David felt when he was finally recognized and promoted by the elders of Israel as their new King. He enters into covenant with them as unto the Lord. He uses sound wisdom and seeks divine strategy to unite Israel, take back Jerusalem as Israel’s capital while rallying others to the cause.

He then from a place of strength in the inside of Israel begins to come against their enemies on the outside, and defeats them. Why was David so successful in defeating his enemies? David had the wisdom and humility to ask himself the most important question before starting his quest against the Philistines – “What does God say?”

We can learn a lot from this wise King, who told himself “Don’t go until you know!” He let God pick his battles and he won them. He didn’t always get the Word of the Lord right however.  In his first effort to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem he didn’t follow the directives in the Word.

He used a cart and ox instead of having the priesthood carry it back. It was a disaster and it cost a man his life. We can’t forget the importance of obeying God’s Word even when we’re doing something noble and right. God’s correction restored David’s fear of the Lord which was essential to his future as a kingdom leader.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Psalms 111:10

Behold, your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.

1 Samuel 24:9-10

As I read God’s word, it can feel at times, like you are reading the tabloids of the rich and the famous with all their soap opera drama.  But in reality the Word of God gives us the truthful accounts of mankind and the struggle that exists between the fleshly nature and the spirit-led nature within.   We see the battle between pride versus humility and trust versus control.  This contrast helps us to clearly see the light from the darkness, so we can learn from its lessons and fulfill our destiny.

In the account of I Samuel, we see the contrast of two men, both human, both anointed by God and both with a destiny to fulfill.  One who chooses to be led by the flesh and its worldly ways, while the other chooses to be led by the spirit and ways of God.  

Although Saul was anointed by God and graced with a destiny to lead, he did not surrender his prideful insecurity that sabotaged his ability to trust God at His Word.  Saul’s life epitomizes the truth that James spoke in the New Testament.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

James 3:16

But David was different; in all of his humanity, David made a decision to trust God and His Word.  David’s ambition was not fame and fortune, his ambition was to be close to God and to honor God in all of His ways. 

It is interesting to note that the first time the word “loyalty” is used in the scriptures is to describe the character of David who shows loyalty toward Saul and the anointing on his life in-spite of Saul’s behavior toward David. 

David’s example shows us the characteristics of true loyalty.  True loyalty is not based on another person’s behavior, but based on the integrity of one’s heart, which is born out in one’s decisions and the code of conduct one lives by, even in adverse times.

This account reveals that we may find ourselves in seasons of conflict between the ways of God or the ways of the world.  But, as children of God, we have a choice.  We can choose to trust in the ways of the flesh or choose to be a people of integrity, who honor God and his ways even when life seems unfair.

Many people declare themselves loyal, but who can find someone who is {really} trustworthy? A righteous person lives on the basis of his integrity. Blessed are his children after he is gone.

Proverbs 20:6-7

God told Samuel “I have provided Myself a King, and to go and anoint him.

1Samuel 16:1

God works in our lives in seeming obscurity to develop us for His purpose and calling. We can be so unaware that we are God’s provision in progress! This lack of awareness can be reinforced by those around us. Sometimes the people in our own families can be the greatest re-enforcers of our perceptions of worthlessness.

David’s own father totally overlooked him and excluded him from this great event of Samuels visit with the whole family. Separation from our siblings can be a part of God’s intentional development in our lives. David had been completely convinced he would never get his brothers approval and this better prepared him to obey God and not be infected with the please disease, like so many leaders are.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

1Samauel 16:7

God chooses leaders, not for their looks, or for their past, or according to man’s pecking order, or age or tenure over their ability. God looks at their heart. It’s important to note that the shepherds in David’s day were all warrior trained by the vigorous wilderness terrain, they traveled in daily, while leading their sheep. Not to mention the wild animals, thieves and robbers that was so common.

When he asks about killing Goliath and what the reward was, they accused him of being full of pride. But David doesn’t let that stop him from carrying out justice and fulfilling his divine call and destiny.

David chose the tried and proven weapons in his life to kill Goliath. He ran right up to Goliath and made a bold confession of his faith, and won a renown victory in the name of the Lord. Like David, choose to be a victor, not a victim because you’ve been misjudged, overlooked and criticized.

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,  that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

1 Samuel 8:19-20

“Nevertheless;” is a word that implied so much.  It’s a word that communicates the people’s choice above God’s choice in the matter.  A single word that devalued the value of the King who had had proven His ability to love them, protect them and lead them victoriously against their foes.  Nevertheless; a shallow word reflecting men’s reasoning that deeply negated the evidence that they were a chosen people set apart by God.

The children of Israel’s need to be like the world, caused them to reject the manner in which God chose to lead them. Their need to conform to the ways of the world caused them to forget that they were a people set upon the earth to be a sign and a wonder that would lead others to know the reality of God.

Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Isaiah 8:18

Samuel the prophet and High Priest tries to reason with the children of Israel as he presents to them the ramifications of their choice.  Yet, they cried out all the more.  So, the Lord gave them what they desired, even though their choice was a rejection of God and God’s best for their life. 

And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.

I Samuel 8:7

 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

Proverbs 12:15

What we often find ourselves longing for the things that can separate us from our identity and the source of our strength. The children of Israel embark on a road that causes them to be conformed to the ways of the world instead of desiring to be an influence that will lead others to God. 

As you go about your journey in life, don’t let the ways of man distract you from the ways of God.  Do not allow the need to fit in, squeeze you out of your destiny, and your relationship with a God who loves you so much that He gave His best for you.

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Proverbs 19:20 

… Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:8

Samuel Listens to God

Samuel’s name means; “asked of God”, and “lent to God.” His mother Hannah whose name means “favored, gracious one” and “one who stoops in kindness to an inferior, to pray and make supplication”, was barren. Samuel’s father Elkanah whose name means “God possesses”: had two wives but favored Hannah.  Hannah shows her fine character qualities in how she responds to adversity.  She prays and doesn’t get bitter even when taunted and accused by the other wife of being judged by God for her barrenness.

Hannah chose not to get bitter but get better, while living in a house divided. Even though Hannah is misunderstood and quickly misjudged by Eli (the High Priest). She doesn’t take offense for being accused of being drunk in God’s house. Instead she clarifies her actions as being one distraught while in prayer over her barrenness.

Eli has compassion on this humble and devout woman and tells her God will grant her request to open her womb. In response she vows to give her first born to God to serve Him for life.

Hannah keeps the vow and brings him to God’s house after weaning him and preparing him to serve the Lord. After giving birth to Samuel, Hannah has five more children, ending the strife in her own house. Now Samuel as a vessel unto the Lord is used to bring an end to strife and sin at God’s house caused by Eli’s adult children.

Samuel’s ministry began with his learning to hear the “Word of the Lord” and not compromise in its delivery prophetically.  Although, he grew up among religious corruption, he didn’t become critical or judgmental, while at the same time he spoke the uncompromised Word of the Lord to those whom God had pronounced judgment upon.

God revealed Himself to Samuel by the “Word of the Lord”. Samuel is a great example of what can be born out of devotion, even when we may have our own issues of barrenness and persecution at home. What God did at home with Samuel, Samuel did at God’s house, becoming the link between the time of Judges and Kings.

Ruth’s life communicates many metaphors we can learn from, along with demonstrating the kind of life that exemplifies godly character that endures in life’s trials.  When both her husband and father-in-law die, Ruth’s world comes apart.  Yet n her “tough times” Ruth’s true character is revealed.   

Ruth was loyal and optimistic and a person of faith.

 The women cried together out loud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Naomi good-bye, but Ruth held on to her tightly.  ….“  But Ruth said, “Don’t beg me to leave you or to stop following you. Where you go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.…

Ruth 1:14, 16-17

Ruth was a hard worker.

And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came and has continued from early morning until now, except when she rested a little in the house.

Ruth 2:7

Ruth was submissive as she gracefully worked within the customs of her day

Then Ruth answered, “I will do everything you say.“ So Ruth went down to the threshing floor and did all her mother-in-law told her to do.

Ruth 3:5-6

Ruth was a person of integrity

And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character.

Ruth 3:11

In trying times, Ruth made strategic decisions in her life.  She did not allow her circumstances to define her, but allowed them to refine her.  She did not abandon her faith in God, but only grew in her faith in her time of need.  She allowed her circumstances to propel her into a new dimension of trust in the faithfulness of God to care for her and protect her. 

Ruth understood that like in a marriage we have a partnership with God.  In that partnership we not only trust, but we continue to do our part.  Ruth made a decision to remain loyal and hardworking, as she remained teachable and open to good counsel in her life. These decisions empowered her to step into a new beginning. Ruth made the choice to not allow the challenges that she faced or the grief that she bore to cause her to compromise her integrity to get her needs met. 

As you forge ahead in this life, what will you do in your hour of need?  What will you become; Bitter or Better?  Those who trust in God will emerge better, stronger and blessed.

 My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need.  

James 1:2-4

Samson Defeats the Philistines 

Samson is the perfect example of how someone can have a great start and finish miserably. His mother was barren and an Angel of the Lord appears to tell her she will have a son and to follow a strict Nazarene diet. Samson was born in the right family!  He was raised with a good spiritual foundation, and took the Nazarite vow, eating and drinking nothing that comes from the vine or that is unclean.

Samson experiences the supernatural strength and power of God, but begins to take it for granted. He fails to address his glaring character weaknesses. He picks a pagan wife, sleeps with a prostitute, who ultimately destroyed him. Like Samson when we neglect to repair our character flaws they only worsen!

Samson also acted impulsively picking a wife, rashly. He made bets without thinking and got into battles because of his bad temper. He was also deceptive, not telling the whole truth. The deceiver Samson was deceived by the deceiver and seducer Delilah. He also misused his anointing of strength and power given to deliver Israel for personal revenge.

Samson’s self centered, undisciplined and arrogant nature, made him unteachable. He leaned on his own strength and understanding and didn’t seek guidance from God or others, not even his own Godly parents.

Pride will destroy a person; a proud attitude leads to ruin.  

Proverbs 16:18

He ultimately took out more Philistines in his death but who knows what might have happened? What if Samson humbly connected with God or sought the guidance and accountability of his people?

Like Samson we all need help developing our character flaws and weaknesses. If we are to be good stewards of God’s anointing and gifts we have to have a humility plan to deal with our recognized weaknesses. What greater plan is there than to spend time in prayer and daily devotions while seeking the leadership of others who are on that same journey? We can learn a lot from Samson.  We need to invite others into our lives as mentors and coaches who have gone the way before us.

The empty-headed treat life as a plaything; the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it. Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.

Proverbs 15:21-22

Written by Ron Satrape

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

Judges 6:15-16

I could write a week’s worth of devotions just on the nuggets of this story. But what strikes at the cord of my heart today, is the transforming power of God that brings a nature change that leads us into our destiny.

The children of Israel had strayed far from God and the insidiousness of sin is that the farther you stray, the more distorted your perceptions becomes of God and yourself.  The story of Gideon reveals the heart of God as He responds to our cries, even when we have strayed.

In response to their cries God sends a prophet.  The prophet represents the voice of God that brings a now word in our season.  The now word represents hope as it is a living word that reconciles us and strengthens us as it reveals God’s plan for us. (Judges 6:7-10)

Gideon then has a visitation from God.  Even in Gideon’s fearful and sinful state, the Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon bringing a personal word of destiny and peace.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

Judges 6:12

As Gideon communes with God, He discovers that God has a different perception of Gideon and his potential.

And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

Judges 6:16

Gideon perceptions begin to change as a result of being in the presence of God and hearing God’s Word to him.  He discovers that the Lord Jehovah is not an angry God, but a God of Peace, who desires to reconcile us to Him and our destiny.

 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”  Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”   So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace…

Judges 6:22-24

In response to his encounter with God, Gideon surrenders his life as he builds an altar of worship to the Lord finding a new peace in his life that gives him the courage and strength to arise and become all God has destined him to be.

As you continue on your journey, listen to the Word of the Lord, and allow it to draw you into God’s presence; for there you will gain a new perception and discover a peace that restores and reconciles you to Him and His amazing plan for your life!

Deborah leads Israel

After eighty years of peace and prosperity Israel again does evil in the sight of the Lord! Israel continues its repetitive pattern, much like the church of today, of straying away from God in “good times”.  As a result they again find themselves in bondage to ungodly oppressors.

The King Jabin their oppressor’s name means intelligent or intelligence. How easily we fall prey to intellectual bondage when we seek to go “our own way.”  Little do we know that we have fallen under the power of spiritual forces, who rule us through spiritual and intellectual pride.

For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the North; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.

Isaiah. 14:13-14

Israel begins to suffer from their intellectually superior oppressors and in their suffering begin to cry out to God.  This intellectual pride had also permeated Israel’s leadership who were greatly divided and in complete disunity.  But, God brings the light into their intellectually dark lives through the Prophet Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth.  The judge, who’s name (Lapidoth) means lantern of light.

By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10

Satan rules through pride but God rules through humble wisdom.  

… “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

 James 4:6

God uses a woman Deborah to lead the battle against pride and another woman named Jael, to nail proud Sisera to the ground.  God comes to Israel’s aid in ways that not only delivered them from their oppressors but also from the oppression caused by their own pride and complacency.

.. God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  

1 Corinthians 1:27

Remember, when people can’t agree on what to do (because of pride) complacency sets in.  Deborah’s leadership and intercession brings down a heavenly angelic attack

“they fought from the heaven; the stars from their courses fought against Sisera 

Judges 5:20

Pride can blind and make us God resistant.  Pride can cause us to lean to our own understanding.  Ask God to deliver you from all oppressors and from all oppression caused by pride.

Let us learn from Deborah, as she reflected the name of her husband by being a “lantern of light”; let us as the Bride of Christ be a lantern of light to the world.  Do not allow the pride of life, to snuff out your light in this hour!

Let not the foot of pride overtake me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Psalms 36:11

Written by Pastor Ron

When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel.

Judges 2:10

When Joshua and the leaders around him died (2:7), a depressing cycle in Israel’s history began (2:10-19). They turned away from God, worshiped idols and experienced disaster.

In this account, we see a silent and powerful enemy at work in the children of Israel;  The enemy of “forgetfulness.”  The children of Israel became forgetful with the passing of time.  Their forgetfulness caused them to drift away from the “Word and Ways of God,” resulting in a cycle of behavior that brought destruction.  They no longer were living as a people who were brought out of bondage, but they allowed the old nature and ways to resurface leading them astray once again.

Being “forgetful” is an enemy to our faith as forgetfulness causes us to wander aimlessly in our own reasoning, no longer governed by truth, but by our flesh and its selfish ways.

To forget means:

• to lose the remembrance of
• to be unable to think of or recall
• to cause something to become obsolete  
• to cease from doing;
• to treat with inattention or disregard  
• to disregard intentionally
• to overlook
• to fail to become mindful at the proper time
• to lose one’s dignity, temper, or self-control

We see by the definition of forget, that it’s not just a lack of recall, but it is a powerful enemy that can cause us to make obsolete that which was once true and of great value and importance. 

Forgetfulness, can lead us to a place of inattention, resulting in a disregard of what is good or right.  The progressive path of forgetfulness leads us to fail to be mindful of the times and seasons in our life resulting in a loss of dignity which will always lead us to a lack of self control and therefore sin.

The Lord instructed the children of Israel to continually speak of the goodness of God and the things He had done for them so that they would not fall prey to the enemy of forgetfulness. 

Only take heed, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen and lest they depart from your [mind and] heart all the days of your life. Teach them to your children and your children’s children—

Deuteronomy 4:9

Have you allowed the passing of time to cause you to forget the goodness of God? Has your forgetfulness been leading you astray? Then cry out to the Lord and draw close to Him and you will overcome and in doing so you will influence others to overcome.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11

The word got out about Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. This was at the most difficult time of the year. The snow had melted from the mountains and the banks were overflowing. Don’t think God can only move when conditions are perfect.

We get more and more discouraged as things deteriorate, but God chooses those times to display His infinite power and glory. He’s not waiting for things to get better; He’s waiting for them to get the worst. Then the glory cannot be diminished but rather showcased.

Israel’s part was to renew their covenant, which required circumcision or the cutting away of the unclean. God’s new covenant circumcises our heart and cuts away sin’s unclean desires. We have a heart that wants what’s clean and good.

All those born in the wilderness were not circumcised. Like many of us whose parents didn’t obey or know the Lord, they had to experience covenant for themselves. Before we can enter into all that God has for us we must deal with the uncleanness in our lives.

Water baptism is where by faith our hearts are circumcised and the old affections and desires are cut off and buried.

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Colossians 2:11-12

Some are being defeated by the enemy, because they’ve not obeyed God in his call to sanctify and prepare themselves by being baptized, spending time in the Word, and a become members of God’s army? Like Joshua, we need to get divine strategy in how we are to win our daily battles.

Joshua rose early and got in the presence of God. They marched 7 days, seven times. The number seven represents devotion every day, walking it out through the day, while resting in faith and speaking the Word.

Joshua brought the children of Israel to the Jordan River and lodged there for three days before crossing over and encamping in Gilgal. Gilgal means “a rolling away”. Jesus crossed over into death, was buried, and on third day the stone was rolled away when He rose from the grave!

Perhaps you’re facing some very difficult challenges today? Just like the leaders of each tribe who each carried a stone, we must each bare our own appointed burdens, that when laid down, form a memorial of the grace and power of God in our lives.

We too have responsibility to give to future generations memorials of God’s faithfulness that will encourage their future quests and victories. Today, our ark of the covenant, Jesus Christ, will go before us, followed by the prayers of the priesthood who are our brothers and sisters in Christ, warring in the Spirit in prayer.

We too must sanctify or set ourselves apart in our hearts. We do that through Bible reading.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.
John 17:17

We sanctify our hearts by letting the Word of God in and keeping the words of the enemy out of our hearts.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…
1Peter 3:15

Daily devotions are sanctifying because we’re getting into the Truth first, listening to God first, and picking up only our appointed burdens until we can lay them down at His feet as a memorial stone of His grace and power. We celebrate memorials on the other side of the Jordan.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1Thes. 5:23-24

How would you like to be the leader who followed the great prophet, reformer, deliverer, miracle worker Moses? I’m sure that had to come across Joshua’s mind.  First God calls Joshua,  He then renews the vision of what God has given His people. What’s the key to accomplishing this great vision and fulfilling his destiny? The answer for Joshua was not to be found on the outside but on the inside of Joshua.

Three times God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or dismayed. Joshua had to secure the inner victory and success before he could accomplish the outward victory and experience success.

Your inner world reality determines your outer world reality! God tells Joshua how to make the promised land vision a reality – God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. But how does Joshua do that?

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law (Word) which Moses My servant command you; do not turn form it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.

Joshua 1:8

What was the key to Joshua’s success and great accomplishments in the Kingdom of God?  

He kept his focus upon the Word of God, he meditated upon it day and night, he observed on the inside a new reality until it became on the outside, like it was on the inside!  “What we think about, we bring about.” If we can see it, we can be it.

What do failure and success both have in common? They’re both created in the same place – on the inside.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ….

Proverbs 23:7a

How does what we see on the inside become what we experience on the outside?

It transfers through your mouth. Meditate on God’s Word, see yourself doing it and then proclaim it until you experience it!

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”…

Romans 10:8

^…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Matthew 12:34

Take the time to meditate on God’s Word.  Allow it to encourage you and shape your innerworld.  If you do you will have great successs!

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Exodus 33:11

There are so many amazing wonders to ponder as we read about the journey of the children of Israel out of Egypt. But the one “wonder” that captures my heart is the personal relationship between God and Moses.

Moses relationship was so close to God that when the children of Israel sinned God voiced His anger and displeasure to Moses.  Yet, when God declared His plans to wipe them out and start a new nation through Moses; Moses stepped in and interceded for God’s mercy on their behalf and on behalf of God’s reputation.  As a result God repented of His plans. (In so doing Moses foreshadows what Jesus would do for us when He would come and surrender His life on the Cross.) 

A close relationship is what God wants with all people. He created us in his own image and wants us to love and follow him with our whole heart. The question is do you want a relationship with him? 

To have a close relationship with God, we must understand that there are requirements. 

• We must have a hatred of sin (Ex. 32:19-20)

The Lord loves those who hate evil….

Psalms 97:10

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  

Micah 6:8

• We must possess a willingness to obey him.

“If you love me, you will obey my commands.

John 14:15 (NCV)

• When we have a close relationship with God there is tangible evidence in our lives.  ……

a. God is with us (the pillar of cloud, Exodus 33:9-10)

b. God is in us (Moses’ radiant face, 34:29)

•  Do you desire a Relationship with God?

 Will you do what it takes to have that relationship?

 Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ  and be embraced by him…  

Philippians 3:8-9a

 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life

Philippians 3:10

As you forge ahead with the E100-Challenge remember that God paid a high price for a relationship with you. What will you do for him?

Moses functions as a Christ like mediator between God and His chosen people. He wants the people to experience God’s presence within appropriate boundaries. The people are quick to agree to do what God commands but then withdrew from His presence, out of fear.

It’s important to recognize that God didn’t start out with Israel by giving commands.  He started by blessing, protecting and delivering them from Egypt.  He took them out of the world, saving them from it.  Now He is by commandment or by His Word taking the world out of them.

You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagle’s wings and brought you to Myself.  Now therefore, If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure above all people; for all the earth is mine.

Exodus 19:4-5

God’s desire for His people was to empower them through His spoken, presence filled Word. But they pulled back from that asking instead that God’s Word come through the mediator Moses. To obey God’s Word We need personal contact (faith) with it.

God ultimately had a better plan for them. They couldn’t come to God in their sinful state so God came to them through Jesus Christ the living Word to give them by grace, a life of righteousness, peace and joy.

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is also mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

Hebrews 8:6

In this covenant God would put His law in their minds and write them on their hearts, transforming their thoughts and desires, making the old covenant obsolete. There’s no need for rules when you don’t think about or desire to break them!

If not for the Ten Commandments, sinful man would never know his sinful state or his need for a Savior and complete heart change. Thank God for changing your heart today and ask for all His desires to become yours?

I will give them a desire to respect me completely, and I will put inside them a new way of thinking. I will take out the stubborn heart of stone from their bodies, and I will give them an obedient heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11:19

The Israelites response to a challenge:

They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”  

Exodus 14:11-12

Moses response to the same problem:

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:13-14

As we contemplate the happenings in Exodus 13 – 14, we can see two mindsets at work, the mindset of the victim versus the mindset of the victor.   The victim looks to find blame in the midst of life’s challenge and the victor focuses on the power of God and His ability in our life. 

Truly, we all desire to find victory, but in the midst of life’s challenges, for many of us, we will have to fight our default to fear, instead of trusting in God.  If we are going to step into our Promised Land, the place of our destiny, we must understand that it will be layered with obstacles that seem insurmountable as the Red Sea therefore, we must be like those who have placed their hope in God.

The children of Israel represent those who were a people who were led by their flesh and emotions.  When trouble came they questioned if there was a God.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” …

Psalms 53:1

But, Moses represented those who placed their confidence in God.

In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me. He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

Psalms 59:10

As believers we are all called to embrace the same mindset of Moses in the midst of our Red Sea.

(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.  

1 Timothy 4:10

So what mindset defines you; Those who are overcome or those who overcame?

The Passover and Exodus of Israel are types and shadows of the coming Messiah and his Jewish and Gentile Church. First God makes and marks a new calendar by the sacrifice of a lamb without spot or wrinkle.

 What had been the seventh month in their year now becomes the first month (Abibe) of a new year. The year had previously begun when the harvest was off the ground, but now it begins with the sacrificial lamb in March/April which is when Christ the Lamb would later be slain. The calendar was again set for the world “After the death of Christ.” That’s when the spiritual harvest began. Jesus was the first born from the dead.

Jesus Christ was slain from the foundation of the world. In Revelation 13:8 We also see Him in the first recorded sacrifice.

Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:4

The Bible begins with the sacrificial lamb and continues right on through the book of Revelation. The Hebrew calendar was remade, as was our calendar today, both started with sacrificial lambs!

The lamb was to be sacrificed between 3pm and sunset, the very time of the crucifixion of Christ. It was a celebrational sacrifice made in readiness to being brought forth into liberty, freedom and deliverance from sin’s slavery and bondage.

The feast of unleavened bread (Passover) started with the purging of leaven or yeast from every household. This represents the true repentance that results from the searching and recognition of sin in the heart to be confessed and cleansed from sin.

• When we receive communion (unleavened bread) we search our hearts for the leaven of sin, so we can be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

1Co. 5:7

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1John 1:9

Allow the sacrifice that He made for you to birth a new beginning; a new year in your life!

And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new…

Revelation 21:5-6

The Pharaoh Rameses II was also know as “Rameses The Great – The King Who Oppressed the Children of Israel.” Being one of, if not the most successful Pharaohs in Egypt’s history, Rameses II was the epitome of aged worldly pride. He declared himself a deity and was a great warrior and builder of treasure cities on which the Israelites worked.

He was “a new King who knew not Joseph.” How quickly history can be forgotten by the proud! In God’s plan to deliver Israel, he also planned to humble Pharaoh and show the world who the real God was. The first time pride appears in Scripture it is referred to as the source of power to the disobedient.

And after this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will break the pride of your power: I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.
Leviticus 26:18-19

It goes on to say that our strength will be spent in vain; our land won’t produce and trees won’t bear fruit, our enemies will attack us, our food supply will be cut off and we’ll never experience satisfaction in life. Sometimes people aren’t persecuting us, our pride is!

The word “pride” means to mount up and rise, be majestic – glorious, arrogant, pompous and swelling. According to Psalms 10, the wicked in their pride persecute the poor, devise evil plots, boast evil desires, bless the greedy and renounce the Lord!

In the conflict between Pharaoh and God, pride is allowed to reach its highest height, while at the same time given an opportunity to repent, which it continually rejects. The plagues start on the edges of life and work their way closer to Pharaoh. The plagues are comprehensive involving all the elements, earth, wind, water and fire.

Moses intercedes, but Pharaoh falsely repents until it’s too late. We must repent when pride is on the outer edges of our life – before it’s too late. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  ¹⁰ So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Exodus 3:7, 10

Moses wasn’t exactly at the pinnacle of his success when God called him. He was on the back side of the desert hiding from the world. He had killed an Egyptian and had been hiding in obscurity. Perhaps that factored into his insecurity and hesitance in immediately accepting his calling?

We have a tendency to think God can only use people who are at the pinnacle of their success, forgetting that with God the way up often starts when things have really gone way down.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

Philippians 2: 5-8

Did you ever stop to think that failing can be the pinnacle of success, your qualifying factor for fulfilling your purpose and calling? Promotion and forward movement with God has historically started with the humility that comes with failure.

So why does God show Himself to the humble Moses through a burning bush?

Could the burning bush represent that the impossible is obviously possible? Maybe it showed Moses (a preserved murderer) that God can preserve the living in the hottest of trials and times!

Moses’ insecurity actually angered God, but God gave Moses reason to believe he could do what God called him to do. God called his brother Aaron to assist him.  He also provided wonders that struck fear in the hearts of both friend and foe alike. What’s more fear provoking than a poisonous snake or leprosy?

Moses overcame his insecurity to become the greatest prophet in the Old Testament. When we let our failures humble us, allow others to help us, and become more God trusting, there’s no telling what He can do through us!

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.  

Isaiah 57:15

As you press on in your journey with God, do not allow your weaknesses to disqualify you; just humbly present yourself to God and watch what God’s strength can do in and through your weakness!

God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.

Exodus 2:24-25  

For the next five days we will peer into the life of another man of destiny and the journey he takes in discovering his true identity in God and his purpose in life. 

The story of Moses and the children of Israel’s Exodus out of Egypt is not only a true account of a factual event, but it is also a type and shadow of the conflict between a life that is led by the world and its ways versus living a life led by God and His ways. 

…For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  

Romans 8:5

In this story Egypt symbolizes the worldly systems and how it imposes its sinful, fearful and prideful mindsets upon the lives of the people.  Moses life depicts the journey and the process of a man with a destiny who being raised in the ways of the world searches out his purpose in life.  We then see Moses attempt to accomplish his destiny in his own understanding and how this journey leads him to a place of brokenness and maturity as he yields his ways to God’s ways and as a result, his life impacts the lives of others as well.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

This account also amplifies how one person’s life and decisions have an affect on many.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

Romans 5:17-18

As you contemplate the life of Moses in these next few days, let it serve to remind you of the following:

• God is a covenant keeping God and He watches over His word in your life
• Your life truly has a divine purpose
• This purpose will become the catalyst of change that will mature you so you can fulfill your purpose
• Your life is not an island and your destiny is linked to others accomplishing theirs.  

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:16

Joseph again reveals as a type and shadow the coming Christ in his own life and spiritual journey.

…who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle.

Hebrews.8:5

The tabernacle built by Moses was a copy or type and shadow of the heavenly tabernacle. Joseph was a type and shadow on earth of the Christ of heaven, an Old Testament fore-telling of that which would come from heaven to earth.

Like Christ, Joseph was favored by his Father and sent to check on the Fathers children. They don’t receive Joseph because of their envy, jealousy and pride. Instead Josephs brothers sell him into slavery and come up with a false story of his death.

Years pass and to them Joseph is dead and gone. In their thinking, he’s a slave so he won’t last long, and is as good as dead. To their surprise Joseph is seemingly miraculously resurrected and seated at the right hand of Pharaoh’s power.

Joseph becomes the savior of his people and of the world in storing food and provision during a worldwide famine. He makes way for a new nation Israel, a chosen generation of God. And through it all Joseph models forgiveness but only after pressing his brothers to deal with their own sin by blessing them with the very same instruments of their betrayal – silver coins! It’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Joseph covers his brother’s sin from the world (Egypt) by asking them all to leave before confronting his brothers in tears instead of anger. How powerfully Joseph moved his brother’s hearts towards God through the brokenness of his own heart. Jesus did the same when asking for the forgiveness of those crucifying Him. Anger here in this instance would be the voice of a victim, but brokenness, the voice of a true Victor.

As you go about your journey toward your destiny, live as a victor, by allowing the finished work of Christ to satisfy all the debts you owe and others owe you.  Live a life that releases and covers by the power of forgiveness, so that anger will not be able to make you a victim any longer.

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

1 Peter 4:8

Joseph’s life gives us a good example of a man who made decisions not to allow life’s experience define him.  Although he did not let life’s betrayals make him bitter, Joseph’s life shows us that some hurts are so deep they take time and gradual pressure from God to get them out in the open.

But we can learn from Joseph how to properly respond to our anger and grief that comes as a result of our disappointments and pain.  When Joseph was with his brothers and reflected on all that was seemingly lost as a result of what they had done, Joseph dealt with his anger by buying some time to process his feelings before reacting.

Then Joseph left suddenly, because his heart was full of tender feelings for his brother. He was about to break down, so he went to his room and cried.  

Genesis 43:30

Joseph didn’t blow his brothers away, because he loved them.  That’s why lashing out is the worst thing you can do when you’re angry. Joseph wisely finds a private place to weep. Because honest grieving is an essential step in gaining healing from our wounds.

We learn from his life that anger isn’t necessarily wrong, as anger can be justified (Genesis 37:12-28)   But, uncontrolled anger can lead to sin in our lives. 

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.  

Ephesians 4:26-27

My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.

James 1:19-20

As you go about your day follow Joseph’s simple steps to empower you to win over the disappointments and hurts of life by:

a.  Taking the time to step away from the situation; don’t lash out

b.  Give yourself permission to grieve your loss and pain.

c.  And then allow love and true forgiveness to lead the way in your decisions and responses.

“Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. ⁵ But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

Genesis 45:4-5

And Joseph kissed all his brothers and cried as he hugged them. After this, his brothers talked with him.

Genesis 45:15

d.  Finally allow the love of God to bring you to a place of healing

To all who mourn in Israel he will give: Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; Praise instead of heaviness. …

Isaiah 61:3

Joseph’s life continues to preview Christ, by bringing his brethren to a place of true repentance for their sin of heart demonstrated by their murder, envy and betrayal; which was demonstrated in their plot to murder him.

Joseph uses harsh measures to awaken and convince his brother’s harden consciences to a place of repentance.  Sin hardens the heart which then requires hard times to break through hard-heartedness.

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

He.3:13

That’s why John the Baptist had to precede Jesus Christ.  The “hard Word” of repentance prepared the hard hearted people for the coming of their God who was to bring good news.  God’s Word that changes our hearts often makes tears, before it dries them; God’s Word evokes sadness before joy.

… Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 30:5 (NLT)

Only in the heart saddened by a true repentance, claimed by the fore-running Law, springs up the joyous assurance of the Gospel flowing from faith in the Atonement (of our sin by His blood.) God’s mission is not only the forgiveness of sin but the remission (removal) of sin from our lives. Hebrews 9:22

When truly repentant there is a heart change towards sin. We change how we feel about what we’re doing because we’re grieved by our sin. God can’t take away what we still want. We have to ask God for a heart change, a shifting of desire before sin can be removed.

God is amazing in how He breaks through heard hearts. Joseph’s brothers were paid by silver coins when they sold Joseph into slavery years earlier. Joseph had their silver coins secretly hidden in the mouths of the bags containing the food they had purchased. The hidden blessing revealed the hidden sin. The goodness of God leads men to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

The brothers had no fear of the Lord when they betrayed Joseph but they sure were afraid when they saw those silver coins in their bag and they related it to God punishing them for what they had done in the past.

Is anything hidden that’s hardening your heart today? Ask God to show you and to change your heart?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalms 139:23-24

 Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.   Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Psalms 51:10,11

Written by Ron Satrape

The story of Joseph, teaches us many life lessons that can empower us on our journey with God.  Joseph, a young man with great dreams and a huge destiny upon his life discovered that life isn’t always fair.

… For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too.

Matthew 5:45

But Joseph made a decision in the midst of his setbacks to trust in God to take care of him.  Joseph allowed the challenges and opportunities he faced to become the tools that shaped him to fulfill his destiny.   When the outcome of his issues seemed unjust or the words of others waned, Joseph did not grow bitter, but purposed to become better.

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.  

Hebrews 5:8  

• Instead of allowing the issues of life to cause him to back off and resign, Joseph tackled all that he did with excellence as unto the Lord. 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  

Colossians 3:23-24  

• When opportunities presented a shortcut to his success and prosperity, Joseph didn’t buy into the temptation as he desired to please his God.

…he himself has no more authority here than I have! He has held back nothing from me except you yourself because you are his wife. How can I do such a wicked thing as this? It would be a great sin against God.”

Genesis 39:9

As you go about your day, make a decision to look at life from a fresh perspective.  Don’t allow the challenges you face to define you, but let them be the tools that refine you for the destiny that the Lord has for you.  For your God is watching over you to complete what he has begun.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

Hebrews 12:7

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  

Galatians 6:9

In Genesis 37, we see firsthand the impact that sinful nature of man has on family life.  As we read about Joseph and his family’s dynamics, we can glean important nuggets that can help us in our own family life, as the story reveals to us the roots of family problems.

The roots of family problems are often times based in the following:

a. Favoritism [37:3]

b. Arrogance [37:2-9]

c. Jealousy [37:4, 11]

d. Hate  [37:4, 5, 8]

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.

James 3:16

So the story of Joseph becomes our example of how the weaknesses and failure of man is woven into and through the fabric of divine plan and destiny.  And when these issues are not addressed, they only serve to divide and separate and erode the health of the family.

Consider the generational affects of envy and strife that started with Abraham’s preference of Isaac over Ishmael, Sarah over Hagar. Then envy was passed on to Isaac who preferred Esau over Jacob, who then out of envy stole his brother’s birth right.

Jacob was then ripped off by his father in law and ended up marrying the wrong daughter who became envious over Rachel being Jacob’s greater love. Envy and strife began spreading to all of Jacob’s children who were born of 4 different women in the same house!  God’s weapon against envy came through Joseph.

This account amplifies the truth that we need a deliverer to come and intervene in the famine that is taking place in every dimension of our life.  So we also see the story of Joseph as a type and shadow of the life of Christ who was to come and endure the injustices of sinful humanity, as He forged ahead to become our deliverer and savior.

Make a decision today to take a stand against the dysfunction that exists in your life and the life of your family by applying the truth of God’s Word to bring solution and deliverance in your life.

When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day.  

Ephesians 4:26

“There is a saying, ’Love your friends and hate your enemies.’⁴⁴ But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much.  If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

 Written by Pastors Ron and Denise

Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant…

Genesis 32:9-10

The messages of the story of Jacob and Esau are many, but the one that shines through, is the story of Jacob’s transformation.  Jacob left his homeland empty-handed; a deceiver; a man whose life was ruled by his fears, and later returned home, a man of humility with all its rewards. 

 True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

Proverbs 22:4

There is an old saying which states, “what goes around comes around;” Jacob discovered that what you do in life is like a seed and it will bring a harvest. (Genesis 29)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Galatians 6:7

Jacob learned that his family’s dysfunction wasn’t just what mom, dad and brother did, but what he did as well; as he saw his own dysfunction play out in his family’s strife. But Jacob had an encounter with God, and as a result, he made some life changing decisions about the way he would live his life. 

• A man, who once deceived others to get ahead, became a man of integrity, keeping his word even when he was in-turn deceived by others.

 If you are good, you are guided by honesty. People who can’t be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.

Proverbs 11:3

• He became a man who sought out God’s wisdom to win in life, no longer relying on deceitful schemes to win.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

• He became a man who worked hard to be at peace with all men.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Romans 12:17-18   

• He became a man who relinquished his need to be in control as he surrendered his life to God’s control.

 A man’s pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Proverbs 29:23

• He became a man of humility not relying on his own understanding, as he chose to trust in God.

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.

Proverbs 3:5-6

But more than anything Jacob discovered God’s unfailing love that can heal and transform our lives from the inside out.  As you continue on your journey this day, allow God’s unfailing love to transform you into the person of destiny you were created to be!

 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”  

Genesis 28:16

The story of Jacob and Esau can sound so very much like reality TV, with all its co-dependent drama.  But in reality, this story shines the light on the dysfunction that is a result of our sinful nature and how it impacts our daily lives.

Sin’s nature brings with it, a skewed perception of what is true.  Instead of being ruled by the God kind of love, one is ruled by their fears; fear of being rejected, fear of being misunderstood and the list goes on.  In this story we see that fear is the doorkeeper of a home filled with pride, distrust and manipulation as each member vies for a place of significance.

But the story does not end there!  When sin has a way of driving a family apart, God has a way of bringing restoration and reconciliation within, when we place our trust in His Word. 

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

Genesis 28:15

Jacob flees for his life, only to begin a journey that will help him discover a new life.  This journey is very much like the journey you and I must embark on as we discover that we are a part of the dysfunction in our dysfunctional family.

God’s answer to the brokenness and dysfunction in our lives begins with us understanding that God loves us where we are, but too much to leave us the same. So, unbeknownst to Jacob, God who leads Jacob on a journey that begins with a God encounter.  In this encounter, God reveals to Jacob two things; 1) Jacob’s destiny 2) God’ integrity to watch over His Word in his life.  

Until we realize that God loves us as we are, we will never gain a new perspective of who we are, so we can face where we are and make the needed changes that break the dysfunctional cycle of our lives.  

So, as you go about life’ journey, do not be afraid.  God truly has a plan for you and if you will allow His love to guide you instead of your fears, you will discover your significance to Him and His amazing plan for your life.  A plan that will make all things new, a plan that will bring restoration and healing in your life.  A plan that will impact you and those you relate to.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Isaac was born of the Word spoken by God. It was impossible and God did the impossible by His spoken Word! The Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. They weren’t laughing at Abraham and Sarah but they were laughing with them. Can you imagine a 100 year old man having his first child with a wife who’s already been through the change of life?

The first conflict happened when the son of the bondswoman. Ishmael, scoffed at the son of promise, Isaac. The son of the flesh will forever contending with the son of the spirit. The flesh had to be removed because flesh cannot be heir of what was only possible by the spirit which came by promise or faith. The battle has been raging, flesh against spirit for a long time. We’re born of the flesh first and then we must be born of the spirit. When twice born, the conflict begins.

 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of god; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
1Co. 15:50

The only way to enter the kingdom of God is through faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

God tested Abraham. It’s so easy to get attached to the blessings of God, not realizing that we are worshipping what was given instead of the giver of it. Abraham waited a long time to have a son and now the Lord is asking Him to sacrifice him?

Abraham brings his son to the same location which would become the place in the future where the temple of worship would be built. What we will become in the future depends upon where we are today in our worship and sacrifice. Today’s blessings are often required to be willingly sacrificed for tomorrow’s future to be guaranteed.

Abraham passes the test, because he’s willing to sacrifice what God gave him believing God could raise Isaac from the dead – the very thing God did with His own Son Jesus Christ.  Abraham had the right idea.  God raised His Son up from the dead!  Remember a life that is lived by faith is a life that willingly surrenders all, because they have placed their confidence in the One who has given us His all!

Written by Pastor Denise

“And after these things the word of the Lord came to Abram…”

Sometimes we have to go through some things before the Word of the Lord comes to us. The Word of the Lord came to Abraham after he had rescued his nephew Lot and overcame the enemy who had captured Lot and his family. The Word of the Lord came to Abraham after he gave tithes of all the spoil. The Word of the Lord came to Abraham after the blessing was proclaimed over him by Melchizedek the kingly Priest of the Most high God. The Word of the Lord came after Abraham gave tithes of all the spoil he had recovered from his conquest.

The Word of the Lord comes only after we have been obedient to the Word we’ve already heard! But notice this word comes in a visual. Obedience to God’s Word opens up other avenues to us to receive the Word.

Abraham is invited to enter into a blood covenant with God. God promises to give him an heir but not the legal only heir. If there was not a blood relative then the first born in Abrahams house would inherit all that he had. So God tells Abraham his heir of the blood covenant will come from his blood line, and he would have a son.

God gives Abraham another visual and tells him to “speak to the stars”. The word stars is the same word used in Judges Chapter 5.

They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera.
Judges 5:20

Every night Abraham made prophetic declaration about his seed and all that God had spoken to Abraham concerning his heirs and the nation that would come from him. Now because of faithful Abraham, all who believe are the seed of His faith. As he spoke the Word of God, so must we.

Call those things that be not as though they were today! Find the promises of God and proclaim them; visualize their fulfillment and watch what God will do for you.

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.
Gen. 12:1

The story of Abraham exemplifies the life of one who made a decision to obediently follow God, by trusting in and responding to His Word. In doing so, Abraham fulfilled the plan of God for his life.

In the New Testament we would call that person a disciple. A disciple is one who responds to God’s call to follow Him.

So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Galatians 3:9

The blessing is in the believing, not in the achieving. Abraham made mistakes as we can see here in chapter 12. He turned to Egypt in his time of need and he lied about Sarah to protect himself. But because Abraham believed God was able to grow Abraham’s trust to a higher level.

…Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

Like Abraham, we all have to not only answer God’s call to follow Him, but we have to learn to trust Him in our journey. God never abandoned Abraham when he misplaced his trust. Instead, God showed Himself trustworthy to Abraham. In what ways did Abraham need to be refined and improve by faith? He was told to leave his Father’s household and it says Lot went with him. One more person would be a help, right? Abraham had to learn to trust God, not people who might be obligated to him.

Abraham had to look to God for his provision not to the world, which Egypt typifies. God knew the famine was imminent. God knows what we need before we need it. He is the author and finisher of our faith when we will like Abraham continue on our journey even though we’re not perfect and are being perfected as we go on our journey.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Finally, Abraham had to learn to trust God for his safety. He lied about his wife being his sister to protect himself, yet God still intervened on his behalf by plaguing the Pharaoh and his house for taking Sarah into his harem. Again, Abraham and Sarah see that they can trust God even when they blow it and aren’t honest. What’s really awesome is that they left with a huge blessing despite their wrong-doing because they learned from their mistakes, repented and failed forward. He finally learned that he needed to come out of the world and trust God to perfect that which concerned him.

Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.
I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.
2 Co. 6:17-18

But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Genesis 11:5-6  

It’s rather amazing to me how much easier the wicked can come into unity to accomplish something, than it is for the righteous. The name Shinar means the city of two rivers. Oh, how effortless the wicked flow together.  Could it be, because they desire and speak the same things?

This ancient region spoken of in Genesis 11, is the cradle of mankind after the flood.   It is a plain of fertility which lies between two great rivers.  It is interesting to note that pride makes its home and builds its empire in the fertile places.  Pride speaks one language (it’s all about me or us).  But notice that God disrupts pride through the dispersing of diverse tongues, thereby interrupting the progress of evil enterprises.

Yet, God disperses the Gospel with the introduction of diverse and unknown tongues on the day of Pentecost.  When our intellect leads, it attracts pride to its throne.  But when our heart (spirit) leads it attracts the supernatural power of God and humility to its throne.

The very thing that hindered the progress of evil helped the gospel and carried it across language and geographic barriers throughout the whole world.  We as believers, who have become one with Christ, now speak the good news of the Gospel.  

Make a decision to speak a different language today at home, at work and everywhere you go.  Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your conversations and let your light shine in all your communications. Don’t let the divergent rivers of the world draw you into its negative flow.

 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.  

Colossians 4:6

Pride will always attract God’s attention as it did in Babylon.  They got God’s attention but they didn’t get what they expected.  Remember God gives grace to the humble and pride goes before destruction. If we don’t choose to humble ourselves, God our Father will help us.

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  

James 4:6

 Ask the Father to show you if there’s any towering building projects of pride in your life. With pride there’s usually a lot of negative babble. Remember, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Humility building projects are foundational to God’s building projects. He came as a humble servant leader, so let’s follow Him today?

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Psalms 133:1

As you read the account of the flood, you can focus on the destruction it brought or you can contemplate on the love of God that gives mankind a second chance to begin again. 

“I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things.

Genesis 8:20-21

Mankind’s second chance has nothing to do with the fact that evil had been wiped off the face of the earth, but the second chance has everything to do with God’s love for His creation.  Therefore, the account of the flood reminds us of several things:

1.  There really is a consequence for our actions.

For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

2.  God’s heart for man and mission for us still remains the same.

God blessed Noah and his sons: He said, “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth! Every living creature—birds, animals, fish—will fall under your spell and be afraid of you. You’re responsible for them.

Genesis 9:1-2

3.  God is a covenant keeping God, even when we fail.

Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come.  I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.  When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures….

Genesis 9:12-15

4.  God is aware that the issue of evil starts from the inside out and not the outside in. 

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Romans 5:12

Therefore man needed a nature change and this nature change couldn’t take place until the consequence of sin was fully satisfied by a pure offering from a man.  So God sent His Son to pay the price for our sin, so we can not only begin again, but begin again with a new nature.

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.  But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Romans 5:17-18

So the next time you gaze upon a rainbow, let it be a remind you that God replaced an old covenant with man with an even better one! One that not only forgives us of our sin and gives us a new beginning, but gives us a new nature as well!

It’s so easy to read about what happened in the judgment of man and miss what happened to God as a result of His rejection by man.  But in a modern day translation of Genesis 6:6 it gives us a much better view of how God is impacted by a world that was once full of light and glory, now filled with darkness, evil and depravity.

So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth.  It broke his heart. … But Noah found favor with the Lord.

Genesis 6:6, 8

We cannot preach the Gospel of Salvation without including the need for repentance and acknowledging the evil state of mankind.  The value of Salvation is diminished when what we have been saved from, isn’t included in our preaching.

The following verses in chapter six go on to explain the evil state of mankind and God’s communication to Noah regarding it.

Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!  

Genesis 6:11-13

Are we validating the ways of the world or are we challenging it while keeping ourselves pure from it? 

We like Noah must strike the balance of being in the world but not of the world.  Yet, in the midst of socially and morally corrupt times, Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

Genesis 6:22

This statement is again repeated in Chapter 7:

So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 7:5

Not only was Noah obedient but he was continually obedient to the Lord; because Noah had chosen obedience as his lifestyle. 

How was Noah able to not only obey God’s commands, but continually live an obedient lifestyle?  The same way we do- by faith.

By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Hebrews 11:7

Noah’s vision to obey the Lord was his distraction provision which kept his faith focused.  Hmmm…maybe that could still apply in our lives today?

But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 24:37

Will your obedience to the Lord and the purpose to which He has called you, be your saving distraction in this hour?  If it is, then not only will you find favor with God, but you will bless His heart as well.

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9 (NLT)

Today’s reading leads us to Genesis chapter three, where a pivotal change takes place in the life of man, as these passages give us an account of the Fall of Mankind into sin.  The greatest impact of man’s fall is that it separated man from their day to day relationship with God. 

In verse eight of this chapter we read that God would meet them in the cool of the day to fellowship with them; that is, until sin brought an interruption to this relationship.  Of all of creation, man was born to have a unique and personal relationship with their Creator.  So we can see that sin’s greatest offense is that sin’s choices bring with it the fruit or harvest of division and separation in one’s life.

It is interesting to note, that when man fell, it was not God who hid from man, but man who hid from God.  Sin’s baggage brings a loss of identity in one’s life. This loss of identity, brought guilt and shame, where there was once clarity and stability.  The result causes one to hide from themselves and those with whom they are connected to.

Think about it; to have a personal relationship with someone, one must also have the ability to choose.  How could man choose to give up something so wonderful? It’s easy, when man allows temptation’s voice to misrepresent what is true.

Man’s fall from their close relationship with God began with a temptation; that opened the door to deception and deception’s question misrepresented the truth influencing one’s choices.

“Did God really say that you must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?’

Genesis 3:1

So many times we can focus on the “act of sin” instead of the “impact of sin.”  The deceptive temptation promises so much, but never shows you the moments after and the cost of that choice.  Ultimately, the greatest impact of sin is the separation and consequential loss it brings in one’s life.

So, before taking a bite into what seems so promising, allow the voice of God to ask you a simple question to locate you: “Where are you?”  

Don’t allow the temptations of this life to deceive you into questioning what is good and true. But draw from God’s love that provides a promise of escape when you choose to trust in who He is and what He has said.

 The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Hebrews 2:18 

 Written by Pastor Denise Satrape

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Genesis is one of the most important books of the Bible because it’s the foundation of the beginning of heaven and earth. The heaven and the earth were both created together in the beginning.

The word used for “God” in verse one, is a plural word.  This shows us that the Trinity or the three personalities of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) were all involved in the process of creation.

Verse two states that the earth was or became without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  Because everything God created was good, I find it hard to believe that God created anything that was without form, void or darkness upon it. 

There is speculation amongst some theologians that there may have been a period of time between verses one and two.  Some believe there may have been a pre-adamic (before Adam) creation that experienced something catastrophic before God moved upon the face of the waters in verse two. 

But the scriptures do not give us an explanation of what may have happened or how much time may have evolved between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, therefore, it is important to not make assumptions about the age of the planet based on what we assume to be true.  This can also true of all scripture interpretation.  According to scripture, it’s not clear exactly how old the planet is, but the account of creation is clear and science confirms it. This communicates to us an important truth that God doesn’t tell us everything, and we should be careful not to assume, but to base our truth on what His Word does say to us.  Never has biblical creation or the Bible been proven wrong, however assumptions about the Bible have been proven wrong. 

Then the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water; the Son of God spoke the Word given to Him by the Father.  In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

God said let there be light and there was light!  This was not the light of the sun, moon and stars but the light was good.  The first day was lit by the light of God that was created by the spoken Word.  The light was divided from darkness by the rotation of the planet. Once God’s Word established the rotation of the earth the first day was created.  Then the rest of creation unfolded through the spoken Word of God.

Then God rested in faith, knowing the Word would do the rest.  When the light of revelation shines on the spoken Word we can rest in faith knowing the creation of our day is in “now” progress. 

You do not have to know everything, nor do you need to make assumptions, just speak God’s revealed Word over your life and rest in faith that God will perform according to His word, because God’s Word continues to create when spoken out of our mouth.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. …

Hebrews 4:12a  

Written by Pastor Ron Satrape

As believers our ability to mature and grow in our faith and in our relationship with God is directly connected to us knowing and understanding His Word.  It’s not too late to make a decision to join the challenge to read through the Word, using the E100 approach.

What is the E100 Challenge?

The Essential 100 Challenge (The E100) is an effective Bible reading program built around 100 carefully selected short Bible passages — 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. This approach will enable you to get the big picture of God’s Word and in the process develop a daily Bible reading habit.

• The E100 Challenge is a simple achievable plan for reading the Bible. The E100 Challenge is designed to be flexible.

It works with any Bible translation and any time frame. You can set your goal to read them over the next 100 days, or 20 weeks or over the next year. You set the pace to accomplish your challenge.

• The E100 Bible passages are usually one to two chapters in length and can easily be read in 10 minutes or less.

It is a great plan for anyone! 

The following are some tools to help you succeed with the E100 Plan. They are available at CLC.

The E100 Daily Planner Card –A fold-out car that fits right inside your Bible!  $.75 per card

The E100 Challenge Guide –  $10

Pastor Ron and I would like to invite you to join the CITL-100 Challenge, beginning January 15^th – April 24^th

Beginning January 15^th, we will post on our website, short daily devotions from our own insights on the passage for that day. Then, if you wish, you can also post your insights in the comment section as well!

If you plan to join us on the challenge, just RSVP me in an email and say: “I am taking the challenge!”

So, whether you take me up the CITL Challenge or setting up a time frame that works best for you, let me encourage you to begin this year in the Word of God.

Have you ever initiated the process only to get distracted or stalled midway? Does the challenge seem so daunting, because you don’t know where to start? 

As believers our ability to mature and grow in our faith and in our relationship with God is directly connected to us knowing and understanding His Word. So how can we effectively become people of the Word?

By taking me up on the challenge to read through the Word, using a different approach; The E100 approach.  

What is the E100 Challenge?

The Essential 100 Challenge (The E100) is an effective Bible reading program built around 100 carefully selected short Bible passages — 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. This approach will enable you to get the big picture of God’s Word and in the process develop a daily Bible reading habit.

• The E100 Challenge is a simple achievable plan for reading the Bible.  The E100 Challenge is designed to be flexible.

It works with any Bible translation and any time frame.  You can set your goal to read them over the next 100 days, or 20 weeks or over the next year. You set the pace to accomplish your challenge.

• The E100 Bible passages are usually one to two chapters in length and can easily be read in 10 minutes or less.

It is a great plan for anyone, even if you have read through the Bible before.  Consider using a different translation as you read through again.

If you are a new believer or just searching for the truth, this is a great plan to give you an overview of the Bible.

The following are some tools to help you succeed with the E100 Plan

(You can purchase these items by contacting me at denise.satrape@citlchurches.com.)

• The E100 Daily Planner Card –A fold-out car that fits right inside your Bible! It includes your personal action plan and a list of the passages and a punch out card to mark each day you accomplish your goals. ($.75 per card)
• The E100 Challenge Guide – This great guide will give you a half page overview of the reading for the day; questions to ponder for deeper thought; and a place for personal journaling to track your own insights; and questions at the end of each section to challenge you more or can be used as a small group study, or with family and friends.  $10

 Begin this year by taking CITL E100 Challenge with us!

Pastor Ron and I would like to invite you to join the CITL-100 Challenge, beginning January 15^th – April 24^th

Beginning January 15^th, we will post on our website, short daily devotions from our own insights on the passage for that day.  Then, if you wish, you can also post your insights in the comment section as well!

 If you plan to join us on the challenge, just RSVP me in an email and say:  “I am taking the challenge!”

So, whether you take me up the CITL Challenge or setting up a time frame that works best for you, let me encourage you to begin this year in the Word of God.

Why not encourage a friend or family member to join you in the challenge.  This challenge is for any age, so spread the word, young and old and let’s launch into the New Year with a fresh new hunger for God’s Word.  You do not even have to be a member to accept the challenge; you just have to be hungry to know God more!