"Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."Matthew 11:28-30

Many people take vacations because they're exhausted from working, and need an extended rest to be restored and revitalized. Yet, ironically, more often than not, when they return home, they feel the need for another break to recover from the vacation they just took! Something is missing ... and I think it has to do with the essence of Jesus' invitation, "Come unto me..." Our relationship with Jesus contains a promise of rest. His yoke is not a heavy yoke of "religious" performance, but an invitation to an intimate relationship which is restful and truly empowering. His joy will be our strength, and serving Him in that relationship will not make us weary or worn out, but actually invigorate, revitalize and re-energize us IF we are doing it with His help, His power. When Jesus was here on earth He was surrounded by those who were constantly in need. He faced harsh opposition, and rarely found any privacy. And even in those private times, when he secluded himself for rest -- we read that He didn't sleep, but rather He prayed through the night. Jesus found His deepest rest in the presence of His Father. Brothers & Sisters, now, there's nothing wrong with vacations, and we all really do need to disconnect from our work routine from time to time, but are you feeling worn out or weary, or even close to "burn-out"? Then it's time to renew and refresh your relationship and allow Jesus to give you His rest. Wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength, and His rest will restore your weary soul, revitalize your body, and empower you to continue in the vision and calling He gave to you. Find your rest in Him this weekend! ARE YOU FEELING WORN OUT AND WEARY?

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses."Psalms 107:2-6

In his book, Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan has written one of the most beautiful allegories about the journey we all travel as a believers. The book describes the hero, Christian, and his journey from the City of Destruction to his heavenly destination, the Celestial City. Now there's one part of Pilgrim's Progress that I want to focus on today -- walking through the Swamp of Despondency! At one point during their travels, Christian and his companion suddenly find themselves there....in the Swamp of Despondency. Still bearing his burden, Christian, begins to sink in the mire. His traveling companion manages to get out, but he returns to the City of Destruction without giving aid to Christian. Christian is left all alone and sinking even deeper in the mire, until Help, the allegorical figure for the Holy Spirit, pulls him free from the swamp. Christian then asks Help why this dangerous plot of land has not been mended so that poor travelers might go safely to the Celestial City. Help replies, "This miry slough is such a place that cannot be mended." How true it is in real life! As hard as we try to avoid them, whether young in the Lord, or spiritually mature...swamps of despondency seem inevitable, and we must struggle through them! Fits of depression come over most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. There may be here and there men of iron...but surely the rust frets even these." Brothers & Sisters, there are times in our lives when we will struggle through the swamps of despondency -- but praise God that He has provided us a helper for those times of need! We need to press through, seeking and trusting the power of the Holy Spirit to pull us out of those nasty swamps, and set our feet back upon the Rock of our salvation. Let's also look around us to see our brethren who may be struggling in the swamps of despondency, so that, rather than abandoning them, we might give them a hand on their journey to the celestial city! PRESS THROUGH THE SWAMPS!

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."Ephesians 4:3-6

A good pastor friend of mine told me that his congregation was experiencing some hardships and division. How often does this happen among us? It breaks my heart -- and I believe the Lord weeps over this too. I come across a fable story about four bulls who were the best of friends. They always kept close to each other so that in the event that danger came their way, they would face it together. They traveled together, grazed together, and lay down to rest together. One day, a hungry lion who lived nearby spotted these four friends and became determined to catch one. He was no match for all four of them at once, so he would follow them and watch carefully, hoping to catch one alone. Every time he saw one lagging the least bit behind, he would sneak up and whisper to him that the others had been saying unkind things about him. This, he did with each bull until finally all four began to feel suspicious and uneasy around one another. Each thought that the other three were plotting against him. When the lion succeeded in breaking the trust among them, the bulls went their separate ways....... and one by one, he devoured them. I'm sure you can see the analogy here. The enemy would love nothing more than to divide us and break the trust among us in the body of Messiah. He knows full well that if he can just get us separated, he can come in for the kill! Brothers & Sisters, let's not allow the devil to play out his wicked scheme! Be on guard! Don't gossip -- overlook offenses -- pray with one another and be determined to stick together, so that we may accomplish great and mighty things for God's kingdom! There's power in numbers -- and there's SO much work to be done! KEEP CLOSE!

"Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets."Luke 9:16-17

The disciples worried -- we only have five small loaves and two fishes! What ever will we do?? Five loaves and two fishes could never feed the multitudes in the natural realm! But we have a God who is in the multiplication business! He works on an entirely different mathematical equation than we are accustomed to -- He takes the little we offer and turns it into more than we could fathom! How often do we feel as if we have little to offer? The Lord is interested in everything we have to give, even if it seems miniscule to our eyes! Brothers & Sisters, let's not be afraid to offer up our gifts, talents, abilities, accomplishments and material things that we may find insignificant. They are not! When we give up even the littlest of things to the Lord, He brings forth an abundance! TAKE PART IN DIVINE MULTIPLICATION!

"Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."1 John 4:4

While John warned against deception in the last days, and we should be mindful and discerning the times in which we live, keenly aware of the rise of the spirit of Antichrist -- he also gave us encouragement: "...you have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." The children of Israel failed their tests in the wilderness because they consistently forgot who their God was -- and is! Since He actually dwells within us now, let's not repeat their mistake! So Brothers & Sisters, being an over-comer in these last days is not only knowing who your enemy is – BUT NEVER forgetting who YOUR GOD IS! Spend your week resting in the peace and confidence that greater is He that is in you, and that no evil of any kind can gainsay the victory that He has already won. GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU!

"The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." The LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward."Exodus 14:14-15

The Lord spoke to Moses, who led the children of Israel out of Egypt to be desperately cornered with the Red sea before them and Pharaoh's chariots advancing upon them from behind. Overwhelmed with terror they cry out to Moses, "It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!" Having just miraculously escaped from the miserable life of slavery, and only beginning their new life of freedom, the children of Israel were faced with the most dire threat to their existence. This test of their faith, to trust God for their very survival, followed only a few days after the young nation's astounding deliverance. Could it really be that God had brought them out just to have them recaptured and returned to the slave camps or be slaughtered by Pharaoh's army and be food for vultures? We, who have been delivered from a life of slavery from sin, may also quickly be faced with massive and overwhelming trials, and we may cry out desperately to God, "Is this what you delivered me for !!??" How is it that the enemy, having lost his hold on us, will often make furious attempts to reclaim or even destroy us? Yet he is relentless, especially when he has just suffered a crushing defeat. Now the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward." No, you were not delivered to be ensnared, recaptured or slaughtered by the evil one. His final threat will only prove to be his undoing. Brothers & Sisters, go forward, press on! Your trial, your obstacle, the threat against you, is proof of your deliverance, and may just turn into devastating defeat for the one who is set against you. What Israel faced at the Red Sea, what appeared to be their death sentence, suddenly and irrevocably became God's instrument to crush their enemies. "Tell the people of Israel to go forward!' Just do it. The Lord will provide your victory! JUST GO FORWARD!

"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."Hebrews 2:14-15

Over the past few weeks, we've begun a series of devotions based on the Exodus wanderings of the Children of Israel, and their tragic mistakes which we can learn from and avoid. One powerful influence common to their failures was fear. Fear is a terrible motivator, and a true slave-master. And it's a source of incalculable sin. Yet, the Lord has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, of power, and a sound mind! [2 Timothy 1:7] The first test came when the Israelites feared death at the hands of Pharaoh and the Egyptians [Exodus 14:9-14] The Lord heard their cry, opened the Red Sea and made a way of escape. Nevertheless, time and again the children of Israel became fearful of death, and this is why they failed miserably in the wilderness. But this bondage to the fear of death can be broken. Jesus has said that He holds the keys of hell and death. [Rev. 1:18] Because He Himself was resurrected from the dead, in Him we are no longer in bondage to this fear. If the Egyptian Pharaoh is a type of the antichrist spoken of in John's Revelation, then we may also find there the examples of those who are overcomers, as were Joshua and Caleb in the time of the Exodus. And there they are: "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." [Rev. 12:11] The martyrs throughout all of history testify to this faith in the Resurrection. Brothers & Sisters, the fear of death must not have its hold upon us. Identifying with Jesus in His death will enable us to live a fear-free life, for there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. [1 John 4:18] Life enters a realm of freedom with this realization: "If you're willing to die for Jesus, then it becomes easy to live for Him!" So instead of wandering fearfully in the wilderness, make it your place of victory over the fear of death. FREE YOURSELF FROM FEAR & DEATH!

"By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world."1 John 4:2-3

Civilization continues to erode as the world is being prepared for its greatest deception, the appearance of the false messiah -- the Antichrist. The word literally means "one against Christ" and also, one "in place of Christ." Jesus predicted and warned his disciples and all believers of this dangerous development in the last days. Toward the end of the first century, the gospel message came under the influence of Greek philosophy and culture, and was corrupted by Greek "Gnosticism" to the point of heresy. "Gnosis" – meaning “knowledge”, in this case, special, particular, hidden, esoteric, "spiritually enlightened" knowledge, was the basis and goal of Gnosticism, both at that time, and today in its many contemporary expressions. These spiritual adepts claimed to be the “spiritually enlightened” ones, some of whom inserted themselves among the true believers to draw followers and to replace the true revelation of Jesus with a counterfeit. The apostles addressed this heresy in numerous letters. Paul exhorted Timothy to, "Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge (gnosis)." [1 Timothy 6:20] Most of these Gnostics believed Jesus, whom they called, "Christ", to be divine, but that he was only one of the "aeons" or "divine spiritual beings." They taught that Christ only seemed to be human, that he was never actually born to a Jewish household, growing up in Nazareth, and that He was never actually crucified nor bodily risen from the dead. This Gnostic "Christ" revealed himself only to reaffirm and exemplify the message of "spiritual enlightenment" for those who sought this "special revelation." And they believed that he was only one of numerous "prophets" appearing from time to time with this "universal" Gnostic message. The apostle John was well aware of this and was led by the Holy Spirit to teach and warn of it. And Gnosticism is alive and well today. One of its ubiquitous signs is the "all seeing eye", which is traceable to ancient Egypt as the "eye of Horus" and is associated with the same "special revelation" or "enlightenment" propounded by the Greek Gnostics. The same false rendering of Jesus also abounds today in various Gnostic teachings, so that the words of John the apostle are just as relevant as ever, perhaps even more so. According to Gnostic teachings, Jesus is no longer the savior of the world who died for sins and rose from the grave, but a spiritual adept who appeared to exemplify and teach the transcendent knowledge of "enlightenment." There is a dark being in the scriptures who is associated with "light" [2 Corinthians 11:14] and who is behind all false teachings of "enlightenment." His light is darkness. [Matthew 6:23]. So our brother John carefully warns us to, "Test the spirits ... to see whether they are from God." The test is simple but unequivocal. "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God." "In the flesh!"; not a "spiritual, angelic, aeon/avatar, one of many bringing a false message and a false "light"... but a unique incarnation of the Creator God who lived a human life, and died a human death, and was physically, bodily raised to eternal life. Brothers & Sisters, the true Gospel message is simple and beautiful, and accessible to all. It is not a deep esoteric knowledge, or mystical experience. We can rejoice in the beautiful and simple fact that in Him, namely "Jesus,... are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Colossians 2:3] TEST THE SPIRITS!

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour."1 John 2:18

For the past two weeks we have examined lessons from the OT account of Israel's Exodus from Egypt in hope of avoiding the errors and attitudes of the children of Israel. This week we will draw connections between the Exodus and the prophecies in the book of Revelation. One of the central figures in the Exodus, was the Egyptian ruler, Pharoah. The Hebrew spelling for "Pharoah" ("peh"-"resh"-"ayin"-"hey") literally describes who the man was. The outside letters ("peh" – "hey") spell the Hebrew word "Peh" which means "mouth" in English. The inner two letters ("resh"-"ayin") form the word "Rah", the name of the ancient Egyptian sun god. So, "Pharoah" in Hebrew, identified him as, "the mouth (or voice) of Rah". But the word "rah" has another meaning in Hebrew, that is, "evil", "wicked", or "bad". Adding this meaning describes someone who speaks with "godlike" authority, yet is evil. We can see here a strong similarity to the "beast" of Revelation 13, as this "beast" was given a mouth to speak blasphemy against God; [Revelation 13:5]. The apostle John warned that antichrists are already here among us, and while we may be aware of the various manifestations of the antichrist spirit in our culture, and elsewhere, we also are expecting a final revelation of a "Man of Sin" known as "The Antichrist". His way is being prepared that the whole world may receive and worship him. Brothers & Sisters, "the whole world", but not true believers in the Lord the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). Yet, not to be deceived as the Lord warned us, [Matthew 24:24] will require spiritual discernment. We must test the spirits, as the Apostle John instructed us: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God..." [1 John 4:1]. Our spirits and our minds must be informed by the Word of God, according to simple and true gospel of Jesus' death for sin, and resurrection from the dead. DISCERN THE SPIRITS!

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."1 Corinthians 10:11

Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 27:18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. For the past two weeks we've been building life lessons derived from the Exodus wanderings and from Paul's exhortations to the church in Corinth. Notice carefully that Paul says, "these were written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the ages have come"... ...that is, written for us today! – admonitions from Paul to learn lessons from the history of the children of Israel. Much of what we can learn is how NOT to behave, and what NOT to do. Yet there are also the lessons from the few who were over-comers, Joshua and Caleb particularly. From them, we may grasp what a life of faith, courage, and victory looks like. While people often say that history repeats itself – it doesn't mean that people must repeat history. We do have the option of learning from it, and from those who were the over-comers. In the days of the Exodus, only two adult men actually entered the Promised land, out of the thousands that originally left Egypt – only Joshua and Caleb. What was different about them? They followed God fully – and were of a different spirit. Brothers & Sisters, take these lessons from Israel's history to heart. By learning from their mistakes, and being encouraged by the faithful few, you may avoid repeating (sad) history – and rather, learning from it, enter your own inheritance in the "Promised Land". LEARN A LESSON FROM HISTORY!

"nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer."1 Corinthians 10:10

Numbers 14:36-38 Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the Lord. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land. Numbers 16:3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" Numbers 16:30-32 But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord." Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. Paul exhorts the church at Corinth about grumbling and complaining. He reminds the believers of the judgments that befell the 10 spies who brought a bad report of the land – and were struck down by a plague, and terrible fate of Korah and those aligned with him that came against Moses and Aaron and were swallowed up by the ground under them. How easy is it to fall into grumbling and complaining? It didn't take long for those who turn something that was good into something they could complain about. It's especially easy for us to fall into this type of behavior – especially during this political season! However, Brothers & Sisters, our calling is to exhort, uplift and bring encouragement to the world! So let's not descend into murmuring or complaining – it did not go well for any who did. DON'T MURMUR!

"We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,"1 Corinthians 10:9 ; "And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died."Numbers 21:5-6

Here we have a stark word. Here we see the Lord testing Israel: "He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you." [Deuteronomy 8:16]. Yet Paul says that they put Him to the test. A great irony occurs when God is testing us, and we despise His discipline, thereby testing Him. The children of Israel once again complained about their physical needs -- despising His provision -- and calling manna "worthless bread!" This behavior crossed a line and stands as a serious warning. God's tests are not without purpose. "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." [Deuteronomy 8:3] Where have we heard that before? What greater life-changing lesson? Israel was the one nation which received the greatest revelation of God's election, His love, and His miraculous power. This election, however, came with commensurate responsibility. God had revealed Himself in massive, and mighty acts, but it was not for entertainment or just to write a great story. It was to shape a nation into people of great character, patience, endurance, and faithfulness. These characteristics belong to God Himself and they are not optional for His people. He will have a people who exemplifies them. For this reason, the discipline of God is necessarily severe when He is put to the test -- whereby He sent serpents to strike the children of Israel for their sin. And many of them died. Yet even this terrible object lesson brought greater revelation to Israel, and to all of us as well, as the Lord instructed Moses to erect a serpent on a pole -- so that whoever looked upon it was healed from the serpent's bite! This we now know was a pre-figuration of the cross of Messiah (Jesus). So, Brothers & Sisters, how much complaining will our Lord endure? In the beginning, when we are starting out with Him, and because He is patient, probably a lot. Yet, as we grow and He continues to show us His love and faithful care, His expectations of us will increase and His tests will be more stringent. We should cultivate an attitude of patient endurance when He is testing us, lest we find ourselves turning around in bitterness and testing Him. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." [Hebrews 12:11] DON'T TEST YOUR LIMITS!

"We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day."1 Corinthians 10:8 ; "Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel."Numbers 25:1-3

When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, he was speaking to a church that was surrounded with sexual immorality. The city of Corinth was a haven of hedonism where many temples hosted hundreds of prostitutes which were visited by vast multitudes of foreigners. In the ancient world, the term "Corinthianize" indicated a life of sexual promiscuity. Paul connects the situation in Corinth with that which is found in Numbers 25. With God's blessing on the young Israelite nation, the prophet Balaam was unable to obey the king of Moab's (Balak) command to curse Israel. But because Balaam was a self-serving prophet, practicing both divination (Numbers 24:1) and giving voice to the words of God, he was willing to advise Balak to seduce the men of Israel with the Moabite women, causing Israel to fall into idolatry which brought God's judgment upon them. (Numbers 31:16) Balaam understood that living in holiness and sexual purity is a great protection, and that fornication and adultery would bring a curse with them. Sexual sin is serious, and it is rampant in our time. There seems to be almost no escaping the temptation of licentiousness at every corner. We must learn by experience to avoid either trains of thought or social situations which for us (not necessarily for everyone) lead to temptations. Like motoring (driving) -- don’t wait till the last moment before you put on the brakes, but put them on, gently and quietly, while the danger is still a good way off." Brothers & Sisters, the spirit of Corinth is everywhere, as we all can see. The greatest protection is abiding with the Lord in our determination to reject a "Corinthian" life of hedonism (living for pleasure), and to cultivate a godly and beautiful vision of marriage and sexuality, for ourselves and our loved ones. That vision will inspire us to navigate these licentious times, avoid trouble spots, and put on the brakes gently and firmly. BRAKE EARLY!

"Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did."1 Corinthians 10:6 ; "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at." vs 34 Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving."Numbers 11:5-6; 34

The Apostle Paul's admonition in 1 Corinthians 10:6 against desiring evil as they did, would seem to point to the obvious sins – lying, stealing, adultery, fornication, etc. – and following their deliverance from slavery, many of the children of Israel were certainly guilty of some of these. But this passage in Numbers describes a type of sin we don't normally consider: it was simply their desire for the foods they ate in Egypt. The daily supernatural provision of angel food (manna) for every meal had become tiresome and even loathsome to the Israelites. The memory of their tasty diet under slavery actually brought about a wave of weeping among the people as each man stood at the door of his tent representing his family which was "fed up" with God's Manna. Naturally speaking, it's not hard to sympathize with people who long to enjoy such healthy and tasty foods as fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Yet this complaint angered God very much. Some may wonder at His anger, and judge it to be harsh and unreasonable. Shouldn't people be allowed to expect variety and taste in their diet? Yet the sin of discontent and complaining about God's provision and lusting after the food of their slavery ultimately brought severe judgment. Yes, the quail came in great abundance, [Numbers11:31-34], but with it, a severe plague which killed all who were convicted of greed, which the New Testament calls "idolatry" [Colossians 3:5]. The place where they were buried "Kibroth-hattaavah" translates to "the graves of greediness" or "the graves of lust". Brothers & Sisters, can we be content with simplicity, and the repetitive sure provision of our Lord? Or will we complain in our lust for the pleasures of this world? The children of Israel were consumed by their lusts. Tasty food in and of itself is not evil. But greed and dissatisfaction are a great offense to the Lord, and a form of idolatry. Paul spoke elsewhere, "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:12-13 NASB] This weekend, may we abide in a state of contentment, abundantly satisfied with the Lord Himself and His perfect provision, humble as it might be. LEARN CONTENTMENT!

"But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness."1 Corinthians 10:5

Numbers 14:21-24 but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord-- because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. In this NT passage Paul distinguishes the multitudes of Israelites who never entered the Promised Land, in that they never apprehended the destiny which God intended for them, but, instead, perished in the wilderness. The only adults that entered the Promised Land were Joshua and Caleb. What distinguished Joshua and Caleb? A "different spirit". It is astounding to realize that so many failed to apprehend this spirit, and Paul makes it clear that this example has the most serious implications for New Testament believers. The spirit of whole hearted commitment, apparently rare as the finest rubies, receives the inheritance, the rich rewards of the "Promised Land". What this "Promised Land" may be for those who are as faithful in the present age, we may wonder. But be assured it will flow with "Milk and Honey" just as the Land of Israel did in those ancient days, (and is again experiencing today!) Following God "with all that we had" will qualify us for the greatest eternal rewards. The great test for Joshua and Caleb involved the godly courage to face massive giants in battle. They had learned and believed in the miraculous power of God to deliver, protect, and provide for His chosen. And Caleb, because of his great faith, was able to maintain his youthfulness even at the age of 85. (Joshua 14:10-12) So, Brothers & Sisters, while these are days of tremendous testing, we have the finest examples to follow: Joshua and Caleb, whose spirit was different, whose hearts were whole, and whose faith was built on the witness of God's repeated demonstration of His miraculous power. They knew they could afford to trust God with all they had, and we can too. The Promised Land is waiting for those who will. Just realize and accept that you're being tested. You will please Him with your faith and His living water will flow from you. FOLLOW THE WITH ALL THAT YOU HAVE!

"and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ."1 Corinthians 10:4

Exodus 17:-2-7 Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Psalm 11:4-5 The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. The children of Israel are facing yet another test, this one, even more severe than hunger– dehydration – which, unabated, quickly leads to a miserable death. Yet, now, every day they are also seeing the miracles of God, who is feeding them regularly with manna, and surrounding them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Once again, they fail the test, even in the midst of their daily witness of miracles. So even though the test is more severe, the evidence for trust is that much greater. Are some of us also asking this question, “Is the Lord among us or not?” "Is He seeing what's happening to me, or are His eyes shut to it?" ("His eyelids test the sons of men..") I'm often faced with this question from my friends – “Where is God?” Most often the good and true answer is, "He is testing you!" And I think of the testing the children of Israel faced in their wilderness wanderings. Over and over again, the Lord provided for their needs. This time Moses strikes the rock –and out pours living water! Brothers & Sisters, don't allow your heart to become hardened in these days no matter how severe the test. As you endure His testing He will touch your heart once again so that His spring of living water may flow through you to this dying and desperate world. Jesus (Jesus), the Rock of our salvation was struck for the sins of the world, and He promised those who trust Him that living water would flow from our inmost being. And God's eyes are never really shut. So the question, "Is the Lord among us or not?” will repeat Israel's sad mistake at Meribah. Just realize and accept that you're being tested. You will please Him with your faith and His living water will flow from you. TURN ROCK INTO LIVING WATER!