Just as God came down on Mt Sinai and Moses went up to meet Him, so Jesus came down to earth so that we could rise above our broken earthly existence and come up to be in God’s presence. Click here or on image for video.
Jesus Would You Notice Me?
If I was there with Jesus would He really notice me?
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When the 10 spies brought back a bad report to Moses and the people of Israel, Caleb gave a different view and said “do not fear the people of the land for they will be our bread” (Numbers 14:9). This is not a phrase I would use in my normal conversations.
Psalm 23:5 says that God has set a table before us in the presence of our enemies. I would prefer that God’s table of provision was in the absence of any enemies but then I’m not the one setting up the rules of the game. It seems to me that if I want to partake of that particular table mentioned in Psalm 23 then I need to recognise that where I have enemies (contrary circumstances, problems, challenges, difficult relationships, etc) then that is the place in which God has placed a table of provision.
I wonder what is served up for me on that table of provision? Which brings me back to my opening paragraph. God serves up my enemies as bread for me, to sustain me and strengthen me.
So when things come against us, pull up a chair, get your knife and fork and a serviette because it’s time to eat. Our enemies become our sustenance.
How can our enemies sustain us and make us greater? That principle is found in Judges 3:1,2
Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan. It was only in order that the generations of the people of Israel might know war, to teach war to those who had not known it before.
In other words, God allows enemies so that we learn to be victorious.
Conclusion: when evil forces come against us, rejoice, for deliverance is at hand. That deliverance will come through us as we defeat our enemies with God’s help. And as we defeat our enemies we will be strengthened, ie they become “our bread”.
I was listening to a speaker recently (Carole Ward who’s been effecting huge change in Northern Uganda and South Sudan) and she said this:
When God conquers US then we can conquer the ENEMY.
This was in the context of strategic prayer and coming from a foundation of a surrendered life. Cities and nations are available for the taking – Jesus instructed us to disciple nations and gave us the authority and power to do so.
What I got out of her teaching was that “I’m the problem”. I can’t blame the church, the government, the globalists, the gangs or any other reason. As I walk with God and discern:
Then I can push back darkness more than I’m doing now.
When I say “I’m the problem” I’m not saying I’m feeling condemned but rather spurred on to action. I believe we are in a season of fresh grace for overcoming and taking ground.
I’m with Joshua and Caleb who said “we will surely overcome” and “our enemies will be our food”.
I’m with David who said “who is this uncircumcised Philistine who’s defying God”.
I’m with John who said “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world”.
I’m with Jesus who said “I’ve given you all authority, now go and disciple nations, and I’m with you always”.
Now is the time to reach out and connect in a Spirit-led way to your street, your workmates, and anyone in the various areas of influence in which God has placed you.
I’ve had a few failures, but – to take Peter’s example as he stepped out of the boat – I’d rather be SINKING in failed obedience than SHRINKING back in fear and self-interest like the remaining 11 in the boat.
My recently published children’s illustrated book was launched Sunday 14th August 2022.
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