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The FIVE KINGS

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The FIVE KINGS

When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land, they immediately faced 5 kings who were determined to stop their progress. Joshua and his army warred with them and eventually defeated them, but 5 of the kings fled the scene and hid in a cave. When they were found, Joshua commanded that they be brought out and that the feet of his leaders be put on their necks and they be killed.

He told his men not to be dismayed but be strong. Why would he say that? The word ‘dismayed’ actually means to ‘tear down’ or ‘fall apart’. It’s possible that these Kings were taunting those who were going to kill them. Joshua is saying ignore this, don’t let yourselves be torn down by their words. I can imagine them shouting out that if you kill us our brothers will come back and get you.

We too can be afraid when standing against our enemy the Devil. We can be scared to take Him on because of His taunts and lies. He can shout out all sorts of threats like “you are going to die,” “this problem will never go away.” Satan is actually afraid of us and knows we have the power to resist Him in Jesus name. He wants to rob us of our blessing, our inheritance, our Promised Land.

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The Bride of Christ - Part 8

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The Bride of Christ - Part 8

One thing I am noticing now days is that there is a lot of contention as to who the Bride of Christ is. I don’t profess to have cornered the market but I’m more inclined to believe that she is a believer who is in love with Jesus. As you know, not everyone is in love with Jesus. Yes we are saved by faith, but not all Christians pursue Him as a bride. “This is what the Lord says:

“ ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me ..” Jeremiah 2:1 (NIV)

The Bible mentions her in the Book of Revelation and all through the scriptures and it likens Israel and then the Church as a Bride. I feel it’s important to explore this thought. I am convinced that it’s the Church today, but is it all the Church? The Bride speaks of someone who is in love with the Bride Groom - Jesus, it’s someone who is close to Him. Jesus said to Peter three times, “Do you love me,” after he had denied the Lord just before His death. There was a need for Peter to repent of His sin and get back into a right loving relationship with the Lover of His soul. As you have probably noticed there are Christians out there that aren’t walking in love. Look at this verse.

“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

The Song of Songs- part 7

The Song of Songs- part 7

HE SONG OF SONGS Part 7 of Practicing His Presence

“The song of songs, which is Solomon's.” S/Songs 1:1 (KJV)

“This is Solomon's song of songs, more wonderful than any other.” (TLB)

King Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived and he penned the Song of Songs. If you were given writings by the wisest man that ever lived, I’m sure you would consider its content to be a cut above the rest. This book is called the Song of all Songs. It’s also called a song more wonderful than any other. So any other song that has been written pales in comparison to this song. Wow, that’s a bold statement. So this song is the ‘Mother of all Songs’!! There have been millions of songs written over the ages about all sorts of things in this world from rivers to cities, animals, love, hate, war and relationships just to name a few. Some have become famous and others are only one minute wonders, but this song claims to be the best of them all. It’s worth asking, “Why”? All the songs you remember are popular because of their tune rather than their content, but this song has no tune. Sometimes psalms begin with the instructions on what tune they to be sung too, but not this one. This is the greatest song ever written not for its tune but for its content. This song is all about a relationship between a man and a woman, and not just any man or any woman, but a song about the love relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church. Because this song is the inspired word of God, it’s a living song. It’s a spirit and life song The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

Practicing His Presence - Part 6

Practicing His Presence - Part 6

“How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend— far more pleasing than a fine, rare wine, your fragrance more exotic than select spices.” Living Bible

“How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride. Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling. And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing.” The Passion (TPT)

I have been reading through the Passion Translation of the Song of Songs and find that it really brings out what the Lord thinks about His Church, His Bride. Here is a portion by the author, explaining the above verse.

“Your life of devotion pleases Him more than any other beautiful thing He's created.”

It intoxicates Him! Jesus is essentially saying that your love for Him is more valuable than anything else in the universe. Your love thrills His heart. He values your love more than any other pleasure there is. He measures it, not by its strength, but by its sincerity. He knows you love Him although you may fail and sin at times. You are desired just the way you are. Never let these words go in one ear and out the other. Take a moment and meditate on this truth. It will make your heart soar and cause you to live differently. Knowing how much He loves you will ignite passion that becomes an unquenchable fire.

How could this possibly be? How could God want and appreciate our fickle love so much? We see in John chapter 4 when Jesus was talking to the woman at the well that God is actively looking for worshippers.

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Practicing His Presence - Part 4

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Practicing His Presence - Part 4

The Book of Genesis is called the book of beginnings. It’s here we find out the ‘whats,’ ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of man’s existence. It’s interesting to know that before God made living creatures, He made a place for them to live first. He made the sea first then the fish to swim in it. He made soil then plants to grow in it. He made the firmament for the stars before He made the planets that He placed there. He made Eden for man to live in before He made man. When you take the fish out of water it malfunctions. When you take a plant out the soil it malfunctions and when you take a star out of its place it becomes a meteor. Take a man out of Eden and he kills someone.

No one has ever found Eden for it was not so much a place but an environment. Man was created to live in God’s presence and when he is outside of His presence he malfunctions. In a previous message we looked at how King David said that there was one thing he desired more than anything else, and that was to live in God’s presence every day of his life.

“One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord. And to meditate in His temple.” Psalm 27:4