Out Of The Wilderness

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.  Proverbs 23:13-14 I am thankful I was disciplined as a child. Now as a child I distinctly remember not appreciating it one bit. But as I have grown up and watched other families discipline or not discipline their children I have become more and more thankful. It was never easy but I know I would not be who I am today had my parents not been so diligent in their discipline. As hard as it was for me at times, I never doubted their love for me. And now even more so, I see how great their love for me truly was. As I have walked with the Lord I have had to learn the same thing. He chastens me because He loves me. His love for me is so great that He corrects me to save my soul from hell. Literally. God in all His sovereignty knows that if I continue in my sin it will be against me, and not for my good. Even if at that moment it satis

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  Luke 3:8 Here John the Baptist is talking to the multitudes and calling for repentance. I have heard this verse many a time. And always just said yes and amen because it’s a “good verse”. Yet as I have gone through the book of Luke it just hit hard. So many times I think I’ve repented of sin yet my heart remains that same. My sin does not disgust me. I say “okay, better not do that again. But oh man, wasn’t it fun. Didn’t please God, but what fond memories.” That view of my sin is not repentance. I am not seeing my sin as something which separates me from communion with my Father. I just see it as a fun pass-time I probably should be involved in anymore. True repentance bears fruit not only in my life but in my heart and mind. I should be disgusted by my sin and truly despise it.

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:33-35 Pride. Pride. Pride. The moment I read this I was just like... “guys come on.” And instantly I also thought of myself. Because my favorite past of watching the twelve walk with Him, is how often I see myself I their failures. I can relate to this struggle of wanting to be the greatest. So often my own selfish ego wants to be known and be seen. Going unnoticed hurts. Doing something with no recognition stings. I go about and get things done just waiting for someone to notice. HOW BACKWARDS IS THAT? So often I find myself seeking to be first when I am reminded that Jesus said that the first must be last. What a be

You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4   This was a call to Israel to not stray after Gods even if there were “signs” that they had power. Moses was warning them that their faith would be tested by God. He was going to try them and their hearts to see if they really followed Him.  I believe God still does the same today. I believe everyday we are tested to show us the fickleness of our hearts. I know everyday I endure trials that are difficult and at times seem unsurpassable, and I must choose, will I stay faithful to my God or turn to my self. Walking through the fire opens our eyes to whom we truly rely on when the going gets tough. So as Moses is telling them that God will test them, he also calls them to walk faithfully with God, and to fear, obey, and serve Him. He also tells them to hold fast to Him. And I believe this call still remains then same for u