Joshua's words went out to "the chosen generation." God had waited until all those who were stiff-necked and rebellious had grown old and died. That younger generation would go forth and inherit the promises. After they crossed the Jordan, God told Joshua to "make flint knives for yourself and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time," (Josh. 5:2). The older generation was circumcised, but the younger generation had not been. They were to bear the mark of covenant in their flesh before God would take them any further.
We have been seeing that the testimony of Jesus is Christ, and what Christ signifies in relation to God's eternal thought as to man and the world. You can go beyond that, if you like, and say, of the universe. That signification is comprehensive and all-comprehending, but it is gathered up into three things, and those three things are: Light, Life and Love. We come now to Life. Life has a large place in John's first epistle, just as we saw Light has, and as we may yet see that Love has. What does this say?
I am not (on purpose) going to act like I am anything or anyone that I am not. I see a lot of people who act bigger than their calling and this "aura" surrounds them like what happened to THEM is better than others. This SO DEFEATS the Cause of Christ in His Redemption work! Some just can't resist that, and then they make all these "special distinctions" that set them apart from others! That is the spirit of the Pharisees!!! I don't know if Americans or others can get cured of that or not! I am strong in my gift now, because of my sincere efforts, but it wasn't always that way!
In the journey of faith, a profound path beckons each believer toward a life marked by transformation and divine fulfillment. This path is illuminated by God's presence, which invites us into an intimate relationship with the Creator, offering a foundation upon which the entirety of our lives can be built. In this sacred space of closeness with God, we begin to truly experience the depth of His power, the abundance of His produce, and the clarity of His purpose for us. As we seek His face and dwell in His presence, we are not merely observers of the divine; we become participants in the supernatural. This journey is about seeking God for what He can do in our lives and discovering who we can become in Him.
Economists are calling it the "Whiplash Effect." After a post-pandemic surge, wages are under pressure and hiring is declining. Inflation is eroding purchasing power; people's money just doesn't go as far. Does it seem you just can't win? Is it all bad news or is there any hope? Do we just hold on? Or can we advance? Coming out stronger? That our lives and blessings would overflow to others? Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us that, "And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is to this day."
Romans 15:13 says, May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope) (AMPC). Over the last 40-plus years I've spent traveling and teaching God's Word around the world, I've met many incredible people from nearly every walk of life... Some were doing great, seemingly on top of the world. Others confided in me that they were barely getting by, living day-to-day, trying to make ends meet. And many others were dealing with circumstances so difficult that, quite frankly, they felt defeated and overwhelmed by life.
What disappoints you? Is it yourself? Is it circumstances you think you shouldn't have to go through? Is what you think God should have done for you think He didn't? Is it other people giving up on fulfilling their potential? When it comes to our personal failures and disappointments, it is very difficult to deal with. Case in point. when we really want such as to lose weight and try but fail. It's disappointing when it doesn't go as planned. When we hit roadblocks within ourselves it's hard to know what to do.
Have you ever reached a point where life was too hard? Have you ever prayed, "Lord, I want to be more like You," and then all hell broke loose? I have a friend in another state who is feeling overwhelmed like this right now. Life is just too difficult for him. First there was a wave of family drama, complete with accusations, betrayal and hurt feelings. Then there was an accusation at work that triggered doubts about his job. On top of that, one of his children was rushed to the hospital because of a viral infection. And right after that, his youngest child fell against a glass table—and the bloody cut sent her to the emergency room.
Except that we overcome by grace there is no other way in which we can overcome the onslaughts of the enemy for they are many and we must escape them only by abiding in the Secret Place of the Most High. The Secret Place is our place of habitation where we are being uplifted and strengthened by His abiding grace which is the power that enables us to be able to face the giants knowing that nothing by any means can harm us and if so, that only good will come forth from whatever we have to face and walk through.
My wife, Annette, and I personally witnessed a horrible hurricane in Florida. It destroyed homes, property, infrastructure and most tragically of all, it killed many people. Insurance companies call such events "acts of God," but Jesus told us who is ultimately behind such destruction. John 10:10 (NKJV) states, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Living in a fallen, sin-filled world also produces disaster and damage because the earth rebels against sin, and evil people cause destruction.
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