“man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”  Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4

There is no triumph without testing. 

There can never be a revealing of what controls us without a time of testing.  Testing is not pleasant, however testing with the right attitude and focus can bring about powerful weapons for battles.  It is in the testing that these weapons are revealed, sharpened, bloodied, and victorious. Jesus came out of the baptismal waters fully immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit.  While Jesus lived a sinless life growing up as Mary and Joseph’s son, He was going to enter a time of intense spiritual battle as His ministry begins and ends at the terrible wonderful cross.  Jesus needed to be tested, strengthened, attacked, and come out victorious to equip Himself for His ministry.

40 days – 40 years

During the forty-day fast Jesus identifies with Israel in the wilderness.  Israel was sent to the wilderness because of unbelief.  God was going to teach them a long lesson.  Jesus was sent by the Holy Spirit for forty days to be strengthened.  During the wilderness trials of Israel and Jesus, a withdrawal from provisions are placed upon them or in Jesus’ case was self-induced.  As a time of physical need becomes a reality, our bodies begin to ask for supply, for food, pleasure, peace, escape. 

Faith grows out of emptiness.

Israel complained about the lack of provisions and God supplied manna and water to sustain.  What was also being provided to Israel was faith in God.  Although they complained to Moses,  there was also a  strengthening of faith in God.   Jesus fasted forty days knowing God was preparing Him for the mission.  His body cried out for food, Jesus’ soul cries out for God.

The Jericho Victory

After forty years of growing faith and knowledge of God Israel once again faces Jericho.  The once believed unbeatable kingdom was now a possibility because of what was learned in the forty years. Our supply and hope are not from food and drinks only, but from God who supplies, defends, and delivers victories in impossible situations.  The devil tempted Christ to turn the rocks into bread and eat.  He was very hungry as his body was screaming for food.  But a greater cry came out of Christ’s soul.  He quoted from Deuteronomy 8 a truth that we must learn in the testing to succeed and mature in faith.

Deuteronomy 8:1-3  Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors. ² Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. ³ He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

You may be in a time of testing right now. 

Don’t look only for the needs of your body and family.  Allow this time of testing to strengthen your faith in God and His word.  It may be good for you to fast a few days to place your body and soul in a place of need as you cry out to God.  He will strengthen you as you call out to Him.  Use your faith in the trial against Satan and triumph over his temptations and suggestions. 

Israel entered the promised land.  Jesus was victorious on the cross and prepared a promised land for us.  Walk this world fighting the good fight with every word that comes out of God Word.  You will find a sharpened, ready weapon beside your glowing lightnside.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  Psalm 19:7 NIV

God’s word effects our mind, spirit and path.

The greatness of God’s word and it’s effect on our lives are recorded in the second half of this Psalms. The word is active. It is alive and brings with it an active influence into one’s life.  Even if you don’t remember what you read yesterday,  the fact that the word went through your mind and heart, it creates a reaction.  This Psalms records the effect of God’s word in your mind and soul.

Attributes and Reactions

The Psalmist elegantly describes the attributes of God’s words  then list’s it’s effect in our mind, body and soul.  God’s word is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, firm, more precious than gold. The Word’s produces refreshing, wisdom, joy, light, endurance, righteousness, and sweetness.  Want to be sweeter to others?  Answer: God’s Word!

There are also some preventive properties in God’s Word.  These properties are the added results beyond the benefits mentioned above.  These properties are like taking vitamins or getting a flu shot.  Protection and insulation are the added benefits from God’s word. This protective effect of a daily intake of scripture is found in verses 11-13.

Verse 11: “BY THEM” (the daily dose of God’s word):

We are warned – Understanding consequences of choices.

Exposes hidden faults cannot see –  Brings to the surface hidden behaviors and beliefs that have secretly caused us harm.

Keeps us from allowing willful sins to rule over us. 

Keeps our life away from choosing life destroying paths. 

Because of the scrubbing, correcting, healing and joyful  work of God Truths we conclude and desire with David as we say with lightnside:“Let our words and thoughts be pleasing to God. My Lord (relationship), my Rock (security), my redeemed (active Grace and Mercy).” 

Acts 10:9 Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

God was planning on using Peter in a new way that would challenge some of his beliefs and traditions. God was opening the gospel to nations outside the Jews. But it was going to require a change in Peter’s thinking and traditions. God put Peter in a trance and lowered a sheet down that had many unclean animals by Peter’s standards. God said Rise, Kill, and Eat. Peter replied, “no, I have never eaten from unclean animals.” God said, “Do not call unclean what I have made clean.”

God was calling Peter to change a tradition and belief that was so ingrained that any thought of changing was unthinkable. Sometimes God will call us to change our daily patterns of activity and focus to be used by God. It may challenge us. God may be wanting to use you in a new and fantastic way. To do that, He must place a revelation be used by God, which will require you to change some habits and traditions in your life. After the vision, men from Cornelius arrived to ask for Peter. Peter went with them and followed God’s leading.

Rise

God showed Peter the trance to challenge his traditions and beliefs. Peter had to do more than just think about it. He had to put action toward this effort. It may not be an evil habit, but God may be wanting you to change your life habits to open up more time for God. Today we have so many distractions surround us with streaming tv, social media, cell phone addiction, sports, and other activities. God may challenge you to change your daily focus. God told Peter to make a change, to do something outside his comfortable daily habits. Peter left with the gentiles. God may be calling you to spend more time with Him, to lead a small group, to change your thoughts about someone or a class of people. Reading more Godly books—volunteer for His purposes. You will need to rise from your normal life and make a change to follow God.

Kill

God was not only calling Peter to kill the animals (which he did not do). He called on Peter to kill some of his traditional beliefs. He knew it was God speaking to challenge him in a new way. To not call unclean what God has made clean. Peter was challenged to change his way of thinking. Peter was challenged not to let his past prejudice stop what God was doing. You may be challenged to kill some daily habits, things that would interfere being used by God. Kill some addictive habits that keep you away from the Bible, prayer, and time to meditate on God and His word.

Eat

God was telling Peter this new journey was His plan. Peter was expected to follow God and the Holy Spirit by faith. When Peter later saw what God was doing, it changed his whole life.

God used Peter in powerful ways to grow His church in the Gentile world. God’s revelation to Peter that day on the roof challenged him to take action (Rise) in his life to trust God, to make changes (Kill) in his own traditions, and to walk in faith (Eat) and fellowship with God.

Following God is a challenge and requires changing elements of our own lives and habits. You never know what God will do with a person who, like Peter, will rise, kill, and eat their way to a powerful man or woman of God.
Let you lightnside be challenged by God this week.

Hebrews 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

During this time of national struggle,  We can become focused on politics,  on the economy, on how we should protect our families,  on our retirement.  All these things are not necessarily evil. They are a part of real life.  But if we see beyond today and see beyond our local surroundings, and even see beyond the next election and look into eternity, we will see a hope that cannot fail.  We will see an unfading promise.  We will see our Savior and our God waiting to embrace us and live in complete bliss for eternity.

What is your focus?

The people listed in Hebrews chapter eleven have all long since died.  Some were delivered from tragedy, and others suffered without relief.  Some are very famous as God used them to protect and lead the nation of Israel; others were unknown and died poor.  The one thing all these people had in common was their focus.   In Hebrews 11:13, it speaks of a people still believing when they died.  Their focus was beyond their time here on earth.  There focus was a reward in heaven. 

Where is your focus?

The American dream is to be comfortable and retire to enjoy life.  God’s Word never promised easy times.  Just because you became a Christian, it does not mean all things become easy and pleasant.  The Bible talks more about overcoming troubles and counting it as joy when you go through trials.  If your focus is based on something eternal,  God will give you strength and grace to endure.  The Hebrew verse states the people identified themselves as a foreigner and stranger on earth.  Their focus and identity were on heavenly citizenship.  Their kingdom was not of this earth. By faith, they saw and welcomed their promise from a distance.

Who is your focus? 

(My hope is built on nothing less )Hymn by Edward Mote 1834

Listen to this great hymn and allow your lightnside to proudly shine on a focused promise that is in the future and welcomed from a distance.

How do you go forward in this new world  when you are not sure what to do next? 

The answer  James 1:1-8

The book of James has so much practical advice in living during frustrating times with strong spiritual truths and common sense.  The preamble to the whole chapter is found in the first eight verses.

There are two truths that the remainder book rests on.  First, you will be frustrated and challenged in your mind and heart.  So knowing that understand these struggles will make you a stronger Christian and mature you in ways that a comfortable life would not. You will also be in situations where you do not know what to do next. And to ask God for wisdom to make decisions in a new world environment.

FAITH IN FRUSTRATIONS

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Count it as joy even though it is not joyous.  You can choose to be happy about your situation because God is growing stronger in you.  You will need to control pride, anger, outbursts.  But, aren’t you suppose to do that already?  Maturity only comes through struggle.  

• Why not keep a journal of some kind to help process feelings and to consider your thoughts and prayers each day.
• Know that God is at work in the situation and in you.
• Repent when you fail and learn from the failures and God’s Grace.
• Worship God and His goodness.  His timing and plans are not ours.
• Ask and believe for wisdom.

ASK & BELIEVE FOR WISDOM

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

We are all facing a world that is beyond our experience.  Worry and fear can keep us awake at night, feeling unable to know what to do. Ask for wisdom from God.  The Bible says, “It will be given to you.”  Fact, Truth, Bible!

We have a natural ability to doubt.  We look again at the high walls of Jericho (COVET-19) and want to begin to doubt instead of following God. Believe, not feel.  Believe not hope it might be true.  Believe God is giving you wisdom through the Power of the Holy Spirit.  Rest in that truth.  Don’t waver. Someone who doubts becomes more than useless,  they become unstable,  unreliable,  driven by fear and gossip.  No, my friend…BELIEVE you are receiving wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

Personally,  in the last three years, I have faced each year a strong trial that challenged me greatly.  Before the last three years,  life seemed to move smoothly for several years then…BAM.  Three difficult situations I found myself in.  God took me to James.  I asked for wisdom.  I had to work at believing I was receiving direction from the Holy Spirit.  It was work to believe.  I had to say it out loud, “I BELIEVE YOU ARE GIVING ME WISDOM AND I RECEIVE IT!” As I walked slowly through these three events,  God helped me.  All three events are past, and I can say I have matured in my walk with Christ and my belief in God-given wisdom.

As you are reading this blog,  you will be faced with challenges this year as our nation tried to manage life with the virus.  Be a JAMES 1:1-8 student.  Manage joy in frustrations and faith for wisdom.  You will grow more mature and feel the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, helping you through your situation.  Your lightnside will burn joyfully and wise in the coming days.

“playing the odds is a fragile place to put your hope…There is a better place to stand: a Rock of certainty rather than the sand of probabilities.” John Piper

“I am moved to write because playing the odds is a fragile place to put your hope. Odds like 3 percent versus 10 percent, youth versus old age, compromised health versus no history of disease, rural versus urban, self-isolated versus home meeting with friends. Playing the odds provides little hope. It is not a firm place to stand. There is a better way. There is a better place to stand: a Rock of certainty rather than the sand of probabilities.”

I recommend this book.  It is encouraging, honest, and God centered.  John helps us understand God and His character in a difficult time.  I will share a few small quotes and leave the rest for you to discover in his small but powerful book.

Truth and understanding of God comes from the Bible which is a living book.  Piper states in this book ” The way we come to know the glory of God in Scripture is similar to the way we know that honey is honey… We know that this is honey because we taste it. Similarly, there is a divine sweetness in the glory of God in the message of the Bible. It touches a part of us that we know was put there by God. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps. 119:103). “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps. 34:8).

The book is two parts.

The God Who Reigns over the Coronavirus  (5 chapters)

What Is God Doing through the Coronavirus?  (6 chapters)

Much of this book deals with the solid foundation of trusting God and resting in His sovereignty.  This book also points to a world to awaken to it’s need of God and a call to repentance.

This book will challenge you and help you feel secure during our national crisis.  It’s not sugar coated but rather, mercy coated.

You can find this book and a short video from John Piper here.  https://www.desiringgod.org/books/coronavirus-and-christ

Blessing to you and your lightnside.

John 12:24  Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  

This chapter in John has such a range of emotions.  Starting with the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem.  Such joy, such hope.  It would seem this event is the spark that would bring about the kingdom of Christ as the savior of the world.  But it was instead a final celebration before suffering and death.

Victory through death?  YES

Christ made clear that the triumph He sought was not by His own strength and popularity.  It would be in suffering and dying.  Jesus shared a model for us to follow.  We do not become a more powerful person by asking God to just bless our lives.  By asking Jesus to give us more of what we want in life.  It is rather us dying to our desires and plans to allow something new to birth in our soul and heart.

The hour has come to die then God glorifies

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…  ^27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” It was not the entry into the city that was triumphal,  it was His death that produced much life.

What you feed grows and what you starve dies.

We can walk around and try to be a good  Christian by our own power.  It will not work.  It is the act of dying to our desires and allowing some issues of our heart like anger, lust,  pride, judgementalism to die so God can birth something holy into our life.  One statement I remember from college is the statement “what you feed grows and what you starve dies.” I will be first to say, God is dealing with me to put to death some of my emotions and desires of my sinful nature that wants to rise up.

The Cross is the path to Resurrection.

Allow the Holy Spirit to identify areas in your life that need to die so that God can birth a resurrection of healing and life.  There will always be tension between our desires and following God.  As we come to the Cross and lay down our heart and desires before God,  His righteousness, and the power of Christ’s death takes that offered seed and produces much fruit.  Are you frustrated in sins and attitudes,  place them on the altar to die.  God will birth the power of His presence and the Holy Spirit to produce more than you could ever be on your own.

Die to God and watch your lightnside burn bright with resurrection power.

 

 

Fasting

Full Fast
Drink only liquids (you establish the number of days).

The Daniel Fast
Eat no meat, no sweets, and no bread. Drink water and juice. Eat fruits and vegetables.

Partial Fast
A partial fast is from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm or from sun up to sundown. You can select from three types of fasting —a Full Fast, Daniel Fast or give up at least one item of food.

Also, you can choose to fast from social media, tv etc.

 

ANOINT YOUR DOOR POSTS – use some kind of oil and ask God to protect your home from the effects this virus.

READ PSALMS 91   Place it on the fridge, mirror, on phone.

 

Join me on this fast to ask God’s help in this Pandemic.

 

Blessings

Dave Rose

 

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13

God set the rainbow as a promise to the people that God would never again flood the earth with water.  It is interesting that the rainbow is only seen when there is water present.  After a rain or a storm, we can sometimes see the rainbow and remember God’s Promise.  It makes us smile and feel comforted.  We need that feeling during our walk through the nation’s crisis.

I have recorded some of the promises of God.  You can almost see the rainbow promise as you read them.  You can click on the verse to read the complete passage.

Joel 2:32  “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

Psalms 23  The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…

 

Psalms 91  He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty…

 

John 14:1-6  “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me…I go and prepare a place for you…I am the way the truth and the Life.

 

Romans 8:37-39  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Standing on the Promises of God  Hymn by R. Kelso Carter (1849-1928)

I used to sing this song as a child in church.  As we sang this hymn and it would repeat over and over “standing on the promises of God.”  That means constantly looking and believing the promises in the scripture.  I want to share verse 2 and the chorus:

Verse 2

Standing on the promises that cannot fail.

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living word of God I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God

Chorus

Standing , standing, standing on the promises of God my savior,

Standing,  standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Look at the rainbows of God’s word.  Even if we face difficulties and trials, just like the rainbow in the sky is present with the water,  look to God’s word for His rainbows of scripture. As you are “Standing on the Promises” your lightnside will reflect God’s rainbow to others.

Luke 12:6-7 

 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Today, the world (thanks to media) is in great fear and worry.  Not only for the Coronavirus but the upcoming election,  stock market, health.  Many are living in fear and stress.   Jesus said don’t be afraid of what might happen on earth.  God is completely aware of everything about you. There are over 10,000 different species of birds and an estimated 100 billion birds on earth. God is aware of each bird.  He knows when they fall to the ground.  Imagine that, all the thousands and thousands of birds that have almost no earthly value, but “Not one of them is forgotten by God”.  You are worth more than many sparrows. 

God created fear

Why did God create fear?  It should help us run away from harm.  God told Adam and Eve to not touch the tree of life or you will suffer death.  I am sure for a while just the sight of the tree caused fear.  But the devil manipulated God’s word to transfer fear to lust.  Today we are sidetracked from God’s commands and warnings because of selfish desires.  As Christians, we are to have a clear understanding of  God’s commands and consequences.  Where there is no fear,  there is no restraint.

Faith in God

We must trust the scripture.  God is watching over his followers.  Does that mean nothing bad will happen to us?  No, but it means as events take place God is there with you and His grace is at work.  We are to rest in verses like Psalms 91 speaking of God’s rescue in troubled times and His presence in our lives.

What Jesus says about fear—eternity

Luke 12:5   But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Jesus says we should have fear of God’s ability to place us into heaven or hell for all eternity. Many would say it is not real fear but just respect.  I believe we should honor and respect God but also have a fear of His all-seeing eyes and His holiness.  After our physical bodies die,  your soul and a resurrected body will live forever and ever.  I am now 63 and one day in eternity I will be 100063!  I will be where God places me in eternity.  THIS TRUTH IS SOMETHING TO PONDER ON AND FEAR.

Have faith in God for His presence and blessings and have enough fear of eternity and God’s authority over it to follow Christ and live according to God’s word. I fear God and I love God.  I trust God and I believe God loves me.  It is the fear and honor of God that helps me live holy.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,  but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalms 36:1 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

God is aware of all the tiny sparrows.  God is very aware of you.  Come what may in this life,  know that God is watching over His children.  Live under God’s law and have faith in Christ.  Let your lightnside shine bright as you look forward to eternity.