by David Scott Robertson
Well, here we are...again.
Together we stand at the threshold of another new year.
For me, the week nestled between Christmas Day and New Year's Day has always been unique and special. Typically, I'm off work and on vacation, and this year is no exception. In my household and in my heart, these seven days have traditionally been a brief but important season of reflection and anticipation; an opportunity to evaluate what went right and what went wrong in the year prior - what worked and what didn't - and a chance to make adjustments and tweaks for a better tommorow. It reminds me of insects that hibernate all year and then come out for a week to lay eggs and then die. Then again, maybe that's not a good analogy!
It's the week after Christmas that I get caught up in all sorts of obscure projects. For example, today I cleaned out the glove compartment of my car. Now, it is immaculate. I have an envelope for each important category of paper in my glove compartment: emissions, warranties, insurance, and a miscellaneous envelope to stuff all the documents I didn't know what else to do with.
I polished a pair of boots today that had sat muddy in my garage for the last four months. This is the week I'll clean up my hard drive. I'll organize my closet, my chest and drawers, and I'll go through my junk drawer (you do have a junk drawer, don't you?) And so it goes.
It's funny, but I feel the urge to purge, the need to organize or agonize, and to sit down and "goal-set" so I can "goal-get" what I want to accomplish in the coming year.
Yes sir, the week after Christmas, for me, is an unusual time of organization and inspiration in preparation for the New Year.
As I ramp up for a new year, my excitement builds. It's like a football team starting out a new season with a perfect record with no losses. It's a chance to begin again with a clean slate - at least emotionally.
Although there are countless (unaswerable) questions that could cross my mind about what the future year holds, I balance these with those truths I know to be non-negotiable and firmly established. These rock-solid truths bring stability and courage into my life. For example...
...I know that my Redeemer lives.
...I know God is my Father.
...I know Jesus is my Lord.
...I know the Holy Spirit will be my faithful Guide to help me find my way.
...I know God's Word will not change.
...I know my eternal destination of heaven is settled and fixed.
...I even have my faith to hold on to concerning less stable truths in my life. For example...
...Faith that my marriage will endure another year.
...Faith that my career will continue to provide an income for my family.
...Faith that our health will hold up.
...Faith that my daughter Abigail will continue her trend of excellence.
...Faith that "there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Psalm 91:10-11).
I know the scriptures say: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).
To be honest with you, God is not the only One that looks to faith as an indispensible commodity. I need it too. My faith in God, my faith in the love of my wife and family, my faith in the love of my church family and friends, my faith in my country and its ideals, all spur me on to face the New Year with hope.
I'm going to end this thought with a statement that I hope you can mentally and spiritually grab hold of and repeat it out loud as your own.
"THIS NEXT TWELVE MONTHS IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST YEAR OF MY LIFE."
I dare to believe God for it. How about you? Do you dare? If yes, go ahead and say it out loud as a declaration to God, to the devil, and to yourself.
DSR
12/28/03
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Monday, December 22, 2003
Reading a Miracle Between the Lines
by David Scott Robertson
(Josh 2:1 NIV) Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
I read something in God's Word the other day that leaped off the page into my heart! I had read the story of the fall of the city of Jericho many times and yet had never seen what I'm about to describe to you. What I discovered may be common knowledge to you, but it was a revelation to me. I believe the Lord opened my eyes to see a "miracle between the lines" in this familiar Old Testament passage.
As our opening verse reveals, Joshua had sent two spies into the land of Canaan to investigate it. Somehow (that's another story for another day) they wound up at the house of Rahab the prostitute, who lived in Jericho.
To be more precise, Rahab's house was located on the wall of the city of Jericho.
(Josh 2:15 NIV) So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
I don't exactly know if her house was on top of the wall or embedded into it, whatever the case it is a fact of biblical history that it was part of the wall and included a life-saving window through which the two spies escaped the grasp of the king of Jericho who had dispatched soldiers to find and kill them.
Before escaping to freedom to return to Joshua, the two spies made a covenant with Rahab to save her life and the lives of her family provided that she and her family stayed within the confines of her house when the Lord will have given them the city.
(Josh 2:18 NIV) unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.
(Josh 2:19 NIV) If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
Let's fast forward the story to the fall of Jericho and I'll show you the miracle between the lines.
Before beginning the conquest of Jericho and implementing the bizarre battle strategy that God had given Joshua of marching around the city day after day, Joshua makes this statement concerning Rahab:
(Josh 6:17 NIV) The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
Here it is again: The explicit statement that all who are in her house will be saved from certain death.
And now we come to "D-Day." God orders to army to march around the city seven times on the seventh day and then it happens - miracle upon miracle! Obvious miracles and hidden miracles! Miracles plainly stated and miracles between the lines!
(Josh 6:20 NIV) When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.
(Josh 6:21 NIV) They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it--men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
(Josh 6:22 NIV) Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her."
(Josh 6:23 NIV) So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
We can plainly see that the walls of Jericho falling at the shout of the people was an undeniable miracle that left the city more or less defenseless against the invading Israeli army. But what is not so plain to see is the miracle of Rahab's house, which scripture says was part of the wall, remained completely intact despite every supporting structure above, beneath, and around it caving in! Can you just picture the sight?
We know that Rahab's house was not at the base of the wall for the two spies needed a rope to descend safely from it and besides the thick wall was there for defensive purposes and a low window would have compromised that objective.
What I think I am reading between the lines is an outstanding miracle of the walls of Jericho completely disintegrating at the shout of the Lord's command and the house of Rahab is supernaturally protected as it falls to the ground safely with its human cargo of Rahab's family!
Talk about a special effect! I'd like to see Hollywood try to portray that miracle in a film adaptation of the fall of Jericho!
But there's more. Joshua allowed Rahab to live outside the camp but that's just it, she was permitted TO LIVE outside the camp and to this day, the Bible says, her descendents live among the people of God.
(Josh 6:25 NIV) But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day.
Well, this concludes my observation of the astonishing "miracle between the lines" concerning Rahab's house and family. But here's where the grace of God picks up where we leave off. God's kindness to Rahab continues as you can readily see as the great God Jehovah permits her to marry into the lineage of the Messiah, Christ Jesus Himself:
(Mat 1:5 NIV) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse…
But God is still not done with miraculous kindness to Rahab. When the writer of Hebrews starts to walk the readers through the great "hall of faith," guess who shows up in the list? Rahab!
(Heb 11:31 NIV) By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Finally, Jesus' half-brother James even mentions her in Holy Scripture:
(James 2:25 NIV) In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
So you see, there are many miracles between the lines of scripture that you can piece together with the help of the Holy Spirit!
DSR
12/22/03
(Josh 2:1 NIV) Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
I read something in God's Word the other day that leaped off the page into my heart! I had read the story of the fall of the city of Jericho many times and yet had never seen what I'm about to describe to you. What I discovered may be common knowledge to you, but it was a revelation to me. I believe the Lord opened my eyes to see a "miracle between the lines" in this familiar Old Testament passage.
As our opening verse reveals, Joshua had sent two spies into the land of Canaan to investigate it. Somehow (that's another story for another day) they wound up at the house of Rahab the prostitute, who lived in Jericho.
To be more precise, Rahab's house was located on the wall of the city of Jericho.
(Josh 2:15 NIV) So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.
I don't exactly know if her house was on top of the wall or embedded into it, whatever the case it is a fact of biblical history that it was part of the wall and included a life-saving window through which the two spies escaped the grasp of the king of Jericho who had dispatched soldiers to find and kill them.
Before escaping to freedom to return to Joshua, the two spies made a covenant with Rahab to save her life and the lives of her family provided that she and her family stayed within the confines of her house when the Lord will have given them the city.
(Josh 2:18 NIV) unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.
(Josh 2:19 NIV) If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
Let's fast forward the story to the fall of Jericho and I'll show you the miracle between the lines.
Before beginning the conquest of Jericho and implementing the bizarre battle strategy that God had given Joshua of marching around the city day after day, Joshua makes this statement concerning Rahab:
(Josh 6:17 NIV) The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
Here it is again: The explicit statement that all who are in her house will be saved from certain death.
And now we come to "D-Day." God orders to army to march around the city seven times on the seventh day and then it happens - miracle upon miracle! Obvious miracles and hidden miracles! Miracles plainly stated and miracles between the lines!
(Josh 6:20 NIV) When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city.
(Josh 6:21 NIV) They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it--men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
(Josh 6:22 NIV) Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her."
(Josh 6:23 NIV) So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
We can plainly see that the walls of Jericho falling at the shout of the people was an undeniable miracle that left the city more or less defenseless against the invading Israeli army. But what is not so plain to see is the miracle of Rahab's house, which scripture says was part of the wall, remained completely intact despite every supporting structure above, beneath, and around it caving in! Can you just picture the sight?
We know that Rahab's house was not at the base of the wall for the two spies needed a rope to descend safely from it and besides the thick wall was there for defensive purposes and a low window would have compromised that objective.
What I think I am reading between the lines is an outstanding miracle of the walls of Jericho completely disintegrating at the shout of the Lord's command and the house of Rahab is supernaturally protected as it falls to the ground safely with its human cargo of Rahab's family!
Talk about a special effect! I'd like to see Hollywood try to portray that miracle in a film adaptation of the fall of Jericho!
But there's more. Joshua allowed Rahab to live outside the camp but that's just it, she was permitted TO LIVE outside the camp and to this day, the Bible says, her descendents live among the people of God.
(Josh 6:25 NIV) But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day.
Well, this concludes my observation of the astonishing "miracle between the lines" concerning Rahab's house and family. But here's where the grace of God picks up where we leave off. God's kindness to Rahab continues as you can readily see as the great God Jehovah permits her to marry into the lineage of the Messiah, Christ Jesus Himself:
(Mat 1:5 NIV) Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse…
But God is still not done with miraculous kindness to Rahab. When the writer of Hebrews starts to walk the readers through the great "hall of faith," guess who shows up in the list? Rahab!
(Heb 11:31 NIV) By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Finally, Jesus' half-brother James even mentions her in Holy Scripture:
(James 2:25 NIV) In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
So you see, there are many miracles between the lines of scripture that you can piece together with the help of the Holy Spirit!
DSR
12/22/03
Monday, December 15, 2003
The Dynamic vs. the Demonic
by David Scott Robertson
There are two primary forces at work in our world today.
The DYNAMIC power of God and the DEMONIC power of the devil.
Each are diametrically opposed to the other having opposite objectives in mind for humanity.
God works in partnership with the human spirit while the devil strives to control the fleshly, carnal nature of man.
Capitalizing on man’s natural tendency to sin, the demonic power of the devil seeks to manipulate, control, and influence man to take the pathway of least resistance, the one that builds no spiritual muscle. Satan knows very well that…
> Flesh doesn’t want to read the Bible.
> Flesh doesn’t want to go to church.
> Flesh doesn’t want to pray.
> Flesh doesn’t want to enter into an accountability relationship with another person.
> Flesh doesn’t want to submit to authority.
> Flesh wants what it wants when it wants it and woe to the person who objects.
> Flesh is a self-serving, self-seeking, self-centered aspect of our humanity that the demonic power of the devil leverages to its maximum potential.
The dynamic power of God, on the other hand, works through the agency of His Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Jesus, and bring us to maturity attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13).
No surprises in what I’ve said thus far. But the real question is “Where are you in all of this? Where do you fall in the epic battle for your soul?”
Are you allowing the dynamic power of God to dominate your behavior and propel you further and deeper into God’s plan for your life? Or are you allowing the demonic power of the devil to influence you; however subtlety it may be, to drift away from God’s plan for your life?
This is a question that we must ask ourselves and respond to on a daily basis.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test ourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
DSR
12/15/03
There are two primary forces at work in our world today.
The DYNAMIC power of God and the DEMONIC power of the devil.
Each are diametrically opposed to the other having opposite objectives in mind for humanity.
God works in partnership with the human spirit while the devil strives to control the fleshly, carnal nature of man.
Capitalizing on man’s natural tendency to sin, the demonic power of the devil seeks to manipulate, control, and influence man to take the pathway of least resistance, the one that builds no spiritual muscle. Satan knows very well that…
> Flesh doesn’t want to read the Bible.
> Flesh doesn’t want to go to church.
> Flesh doesn’t want to pray.
> Flesh doesn’t want to enter into an accountability relationship with another person.
> Flesh doesn’t want to submit to authority.
> Flesh wants what it wants when it wants it and woe to the person who objects.
> Flesh is a self-serving, self-seeking, self-centered aspect of our humanity that the demonic power of the devil leverages to its maximum potential.
The dynamic power of God, on the other hand, works through the agency of His Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Jesus, and bring us to maturity attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13).
No surprises in what I’ve said thus far. But the real question is “Where are you in all of this? Where do you fall in the epic battle for your soul?”
Are you allowing the dynamic power of God to dominate your behavior and propel you further and deeper into God’s plan for your life? Or are you allowing the demonic power of the devil to influence you; however subtlety it may be, to drift away from God’s plan for your life?
This is a question that we must ask ourselves and respond to on a daily basis.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test ourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
DSR
12/15/03
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
A Message to Children and Teenagers
by David Scott Robertson
"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign [he was 16 years old at this time] while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year [at this point he was 20 years old], he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images…he broke down the altars of the Baals…" (2 Chronicles 34:1-4)
And the Bible goes on to describe in detail the exploits and zeal for the Lord of young king Josiah.
My point and word of encouragement to children and teenagers today is this: God has historically used young people for His purpose and plan. I believe he often does this because their faith is so pure and has not yet been soiled by religion.
God will elevate a young person - an 8-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 20-year-old - to positions of influence, so that He can use them, often mightily. You don't have to wait to grow up to become a man or woman of God to be used powerfully by the Lord - you're already there; right now, today.
Young person, you might say, well, "I'm not a king" or "I'm not a queen", or "I'm not the president" or "I'm not a pastor" or "I'm not a whatever...."
That's OK! God is not looking for a person with a position to make an impact on the world, he's looking for a young man or a young woman who is available to stand up for Jesus Christ.
The boy Samuel was groomed to become one of Israel's greatest prophets. The shepherd boy David was used to kill a giant. Jesus Himself, at 12 years old, astonished the teachers of the law because of His wisdom. Even a superficial search of the scriptures would turn up many young people whom God used to advance His cause and kingdom.
If you are reading this and you are twenty years of age or younger, may I challenge you to think outside the box of your paradigm of age limitations? May I suggest that now is the acceptable time for you to seek the Lord and make an impact on your world. Even if you don't yet have a driver's license, still you are the perfect age right now to do exploits for God in your sphere of influence: at your gradeschool, your junior high, or your high school.
I want to share an incredible verse with you about another 8-year-old king. He's found in 2 Chronicles 36:9 - "Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord."
You see, it's NOT the position or the power you possess that makes you acceptable before God. I believe the key is your openness, willingness, and availability before the Lord that makes the difference between you earning the reputation as a good king or an evil king; a wise student or a foolish one; a good communicator for Christ or a secret agent Christian who barely confesses he or she knows Jesus at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to his young protégé Timothy: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Tim 4:12)
When the young person Jeremiah protested to God about being too young to respond to God's call to be His prophet God replied:
"But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." (Jeremiah 1:7-9)
When children or teenagers receive Christ as Savior, they do not get indwelt by a miniature version of the Holy Spirit! No, they receive as much of the miracle of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) as an adult.
The main thing, like Jeremiah experienced, is to allow God to put His words in your mouth. Then regardless of your age you can speak with authority.
When that happens, an 8-year-old, 16-year-old, or 20-year-old can do exploits for God just like young king Josiah did. As a matter of fact, all that is necessary is "to believe," in other words, to exercise faith in Jesus and His power. Then any person, regardless of age, can demonstrate the power of Christ operating through them to the point that the following scripture applies to them:
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18)
DSR
12/2/03
"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign [he was 16 years old at this time] while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year [at this point he was 20 years old], he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images…he broke down the altars of the Baals…" (2 Chronicles 34:1-4)
And the Bible goes on to describe in detail the exploits and zeal for the Lord of young king Josiah.
My point and word of encouragement to children and teenagers today is this: God has historically used young people for His purpose and plan. I believe he often does this because their faith is so pure and has not yet been soiled by religion.
God will elevate a young person - an 8-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 20-year-old - to positions of influence, so that He can use them, often mightily. You don't have to wait to grow up to become a man or woman of God to be used powerfully by the Lord - you're already there; right now, today.
Young person, you might say, well, "I'm not a king" or "I'm not a queen", or "I'm not the president" or "I'm not a pastor" or "I'm not a whatever...."
That's OK! God is not looking for a person with a position to make an impact on the world, he's looking for a young man or a young woman who is available to stand up for Jesus Christ.
The boy Samuel was groomed to become one of Israel's greatest prophets. The shepherd boy David was used to kill a giant. Jesus Himself, at 12 years old, astonished the teachers of the law because of His wisdom. Even a superficial search of the scriptures would turn up many young people whom God used to advance His cause and kingdom.
If you are reading this and you are twenty years of age or younger, may I challenge you to think outside the box of your paradigm of age limitations? May I suggest that now is the acceptable time for you to seek the Lord and make an impact on your world. Even if you don't yet have a driver's license, still you are the perfect age right now to do exploits for God in your sphere of influence: at your gradeschool, your junior high, or your high school.
I want to share an incredible verse with you about another 8-year-old king. He's found in 2 Chronicles 36:9 - "Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord."
You see, it's NOT the position or the power you possess that makes you acceptable before God. I believe the key is your openness, willingness, and availability before the Lord that makes the difference between you earning the reputation as a good king or an evil king; a wise student or a foolish one; a good communicator for Christ or a secret agent Christian who barely confesses he or she knows Jesus at all.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to his young protégé Timothy: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Tim 4:12)
When the young person Jeremiah protested to God about being too young to respond to God's call to be His prophet God replied:
"But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." (Jeremiah 1:7-9)
When children or teenagers receive Christ as Savior, they do not get indwelt by a miniature version of the Holy Spirit! No, they receive as much of the miracle of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) as an adult.
The main thing, like Jeremiah experienced, is to allow God to put His words in your mouth. Then regardless of your age you can speak with authority.
When that happens, an 8-year-old, 16-year-old, or 20-year-old can do exploits for God just like young king Josiah did. As a matter of fact, all that is necessary is "to believe," in other words, to exercise faith in Jesus and His power. Then any person, regardless of age, can demonstrate the power of Christ operating through them to the point that the following scripture applies to them:
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18)
DSR
12/2/03
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