What you need to go to the next level!

Do you want to go to the next level? Whatever that means! For me this means being the man God intended for me to be. Recently I spoke on the subject of promises. The Psalms are full of these promises. I'm drawn to Psalm 89:3 - But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. 


While speaking I was reminded of the movie Second Hand Lions (it's a coming of age film about a young boy being reluctantly raised by two old bachelor uncles). One of my favorite scenes is the fight at the soda shop between Uncle Hub and four rowdy teens. And yes the old warrior Uncle whoops 'em good.

Then the old tough uncle brings the boys home and gives a speech they needed  “The everything you to know to be a man speech” Later he gives part of the speech to his young nephew – and promises later to give him all of it.. Hub McCann to Walter:

" Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good. That honor, courage and virtue mean everything ; that power and money ... money and power mean nothing. That good always triumphs over evil. And I want you to remember this.... that love....true love never dies ! Remember that boy ... remember that. Doesn't matter if it is true or not, a man should believe in those things , because those are the things worth believing in...... got that ? "

I've added to this for my boys (who are now men) to include these truths to live up to:

• Integrity always matters!   
• Honesty is the essential ingredient in manhood. You loose honesty and you will never gain it back. 
• Consistent is about the habits we've developed when no one was looking.  
• Dependable always be one others can depend on – therein lies the secrets of leadership. 

You wish to be at the next level? That will get you there every time. 

Psalm 119:50 - Your promise revives me; 

it comforts me in all my troubles. 

Psalm 146: 6 - He made heaven and earth, the sea, 

and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. 

The Walls Must Come Down - Part One

June 12, 1987 President Ronald Reagan delivered a most moving speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. This continues to remind me of the importance of being diligent in our fight for freedom.

 - And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Joshua, historically, is standing at the first challenge in assuming ownership of the Promised Land; a walled city called Jericho. In order for victory to come the walls have to come down. The same is true for us today. If victory is going to come, and we are to take our Canaan Land, then The Walls Must Come Down.

 Joshua 6:1-4

The Scene – Defeat with victory (v1)

Jericho was besieged this was not the plan.

(The wall was 5 feet thick, 12-17 feet high – had a tower from which great defenses could be marshaled; surrounded by a ditch 8 feet wide, 9 feet deep. The whole of the town of Jericho was about 6 acres.)

God is not content to simply isolate our problems

(Some think that if we don’t speak of our problems they will just go away – Ostrich syndrome. Problems ignored become greater – especially spiritual problems.)

God is not content to simply seal up our pains

(It is dangerous to seal up your pains; especially your grief.

God wants to free you from your pains – that’s why we have grace.

God wants to heal you from your pains – that’s why we have cleansing.

God wants to use our pains – that’s why we have pain.)

The Sign – Vision with action (v2-3)

Jericho was delivered already - but you still must follow the plan...

We have deliverance - but we must follow obediently the plan of God for our lives

Action we need for victory

·        Action is about the pathway love (Ephesians 5:2)

o And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

·        Action is about the projection of light (Ephesians 5:8-10)

o 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

·        Action is about the possession of wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-18)

o 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

The Surrender – Action with Purpose (v4-6)

Perfect advocate (7 priests)

Jesus Christ, 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

And, as we come against the strongholds of life, He is making intercession for us before the throne of God, Heb. 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Rom. 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

 Perfect atonement (7 ram horn-trumpets)

There will be no real, lasting victory over the flesh and the world until you have been saved by the grace of God. When you become a partaker of God’s plan of salvation through the blood of Jesus, you are given the power to enjoy victory over and freedom from the power of sin in your life, Rom. 6:1-14

Perfect timing (7 days)

God is always on time! He scares me to death sometimes – but he is always on time.

Perfect Presence (1 ARK)  

The ark is the real presence of the Lord in our lives. He is what we need to really win the battles. Remember in the ark was the manna pointing to the full provision of God in impossible circumstances. Also Aaron’s rod that budded is there proving Jesus power to bring life out of death, Then there are the tablets containing the laws of God pointing to the power of the Word of God against strongholds and evil. You see all power is given to Him and he makes it available to us.

Why do you keep struggling with your own fight in your own power? Surrender to His plan for your life.

The Day Before the Walls Fall

(Joshua 5:13-15)

Sergeant Alvin C. York was the most famous soldier of World War I. Many people do not know that Alvin York single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers one day in France. However, Alvin C. York was a most unlikely man to become a legendary hero. York felt that his Christian faith barred him from killing anyone, even in war. After being drafted, York made it known that he was a conscientious objector; that he would not be able to kill other men. He was sent home on a ten-day leave to think about his situation and to consider the scriptures a Christian captain had shared with him. York was promised that he would be dismissed from the Army if he still felt the same way when he returned.

Finally in a crisis of faith, God showed York that he could obey God and defend the helpless in Europe at the same time. He wrote, “As I prayed there alone… I knew that He was there. He understood I didn’t want to be a fighter or a killing man… He took pity on me and gave me the assurance I needed… It was His will and that was enough for me.” Sgt. York had to win the war in his mind before he could win the battles that lay ahead of him in the trenches of France. The Walls will fall before the walls fall!!

1. The Struggle before the Day

v. 13 a - ...when Joshua was by Jericho…(what are the feelings just before the battle?? FEAR; Strength;

The questions?? Do I have what it takes; Is this the right strategy; is this the right time-plan-place; Is this what the Lord wants of my life… )

The Battle was being fought internally (many of our struggles are fought on the inside..)

Stepping into your Canaan is a radical step - (we hear a lot today about radicals: people who have so given themselves over to do, say, accomplish objectives by any means… is this not the place we are to be under the power and control of the Lord?? to so surrender ourselves over to the Lordship of Christ that he may do, say and accomplish in us his kingdom principles in this world. )

You see to enter into our Canaan we must first come through our Jericho - the sign and symbol of a fortified city… the image of barriers that we think will somehow protect us, surround us, secure us - but in the presence of the Lord Jesus they are but mere stones - rubble that must fall so that we may live in victory… what we think is a security is in fact a prison of our sinfulness and selfishness! (We have to die in order to live -- The cross bids me come and die that I may live…)

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

2. The Sight before The day

13 b - Posture of the Lord - ready for battle - not passive, not weak, not confused, not concerned… No! The day of battle has arrived and where is our Lord? He is ready! He is strong!

He is confident and Courageous! (The day you get ready to radically surrender to the Lord He is ready to fight!)

13 c - 14 - Joshua’s question reveals much - “Are you for us or for our adversaries?”

(Who are you? Why are you here? What are you up too? What response do you require of me?)

Position of The Lord - (revealed) in the answer… (14) No, but as the Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

You see we must not ask is God for us? We must ask Am I with the Lord?

(Theophany - this is Jesus the eternal Son of God. He reveals himself many times in the OT:

 He appeared to Hagar, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, 3 Hebrews in the furnace, Daniel,

Zechariah,

3. The Surrender before the Day

Proper Response - 14 b Humble worship

Before you can conquer, you must first be conquered!

Many today need to do just what Joshua did right here. Many need to lay down their swords at the feet of the Captain of the Lord’s host; surrender their pride and yield to His authority!

Proper Recognition - 15 - “ Take your sandal off your foot…” (Single sandal, single foot… why?) He is our Captain our Commander - our covenant maker…

When a covenant was made between two individuals, in which one person possessed power to keep the covenant and the other didn’t, the weaker individual handed the other individual one of his shoes. It was his way of saying, “I can’t, but you can.”

For Joshua, this was a challenge for him to come to the place where he could admit his own weakness and inability to gain the victory. It was a call for him to surrender to the Lord.

He is able - I’m not

He is capable - I’m not

He Can! I can’t - but He can!

Take off your shoe! Better yet lay down your sword, shield, and shoes… the Battle is the Lord’s

Dangerous? You Honestly Think God is Dangerous?

Recently I made a statement in a message that our Savior is Dangerous. That in fact, I've discovered in following Jesus that He is dangerous, puts me in danger, and places me on a path that danger is a real possibility. I have to admit to you this is not a comfortable thing to say or even think.

Too many of Christians think of God in ways that the Scripture never demonstrates or describes. As a theologian, teacher, and preacher it disturbs me to hear people describe Jehovah God in terms that they found in pop culture, pop psychology, and prosperity gospel. I have to admit it disturbs me more when I hear it come from my lips.

So, I've begun to wrestle with the uncomfortable truths that rise out of a theology of suffering. A theology that allows me to acknowledge that I do not have power, but He does. A truth that allows me to struggle with grief knowing that He does not. And a place that creates a reality that He may indeed place me in dangerous place to do dangerous things so that His kingdom may be advanced through my availability to Him.

Since these are just words in a blog I am not trying to prove anything to anyone through an exhaustive Scripture reference. I do consider the Psalms a good place for one to begin to encounter these thoughts. Consider the words of David (a dangerous man in his own right) in the 23rd Psalm. "Even When I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." David knows the dangers of the darkest valley. He has learned the protection and comfort that has been provided to him in the danger. By the way keep reading and you will find tables prepared and heads anointed, and even the unfailing love of God following hard after this servant who walked through the dangerous valley. 

Maybe you have not encountered the dangers of the valley yet. Or maybe you have but you're ashamed to acknowledge you've danced with that danger and thought you some how had slipped from His protection. So I tell you my friend wrestle with the dangerous, be willing to embrace the pathway of the valley. Because it is there you will find our Jehovah God - Loving, Leading, Protecting, and Providing! 

The Believer's Best for 2015

The Believers Best for 2015

Do you have your New Year’s resolution down? {the gym will be full – I’ve already seen more people at the track; got your diets picked out?? – bowflex is here to help! Or Nutrasystem…}

Do you have your New Year’s spiritual resolutions down? Allow me to suggest the Believer’s best for 2015.   

Believer’s Best Dream

(Indwelling life of Christ)

Matthew 5:20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV

Here’s the deal – We have to be Right, Righteous – in a word Holy!

I can urge you to be good – try harder; draw from the depths of your personality (guess what – Self help will not help you!)

I can give you tools of behavioral science and tricks of the mind to make you behave better (guess what – Psychology will not help you!)

I can set up rules, regulations, and religious threats with punishments or banishment (guess what – Legalism will not help you!)

The only way to gain righteousness is to be filled with God!

2 Cor 5:21 - For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This happens on God’s terms – it is restoration to be who God created us to be – his image on this earth – it takes Christ to be a Christian – his presence, his passions, his personage – his reality! Our availability to become all he desires us to be… you see the dream is to be – simply be everyday His man/woman in this world.

Believer’s Best Destiny

 (Goal Driven and Consumed or Driven Goals and Content)

{I believe in Realistic goals: measurable, challenging, flexible & Adjustable}

Contentment is about Surrender Phil 4:11 - Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content & 1 Tim 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

               Surrendered to God’s Action!

               Surrendered to God’s Adventure!

Contentment is about Sufficiency (2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,; 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Believer’s Best Dedication

We serve a dangerous Savior! He is not safe! He is not all sweetness and serenity.

(I’m reading through the NT in 30 days – so may plan had me here = Matthew 10:16; 17-18; 32-33

You are sheep among wolves – (16) {the defenseless among the dangerous}

You will be delivered up (17-18) {Not a positive phrase – consider our days}

 You must confess! (32-33)