Caleb: Fearless

Can you hear Caleb pleading?

^{Numbers 14:5-9} Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

I am at a crossroad in my own life right now. My biggest obstacle is fear. It is always fear. I am afraid of the changes that will come. I am afraid because I can't see through the tunnel. I am afraid because I just don't know all of the details. I can almost picture Caleb begging me not to be afraid because God has promised me an abundant life. 

^{John 10:9-11} "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

All I need to do is trust and not be afraid. 

^{Romans 8:15-16} For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Can you hear Caleb crying out to God's people? He is crying out to you. The Lord is with You, do not be afraid.

Please continue to pray for Jennifer S this week.

Giving Day 2

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This verse makes we want to give all that I have so that the same will be given to me. Yet, my flesh screams out to me that I only have what I have and that I am risking it if I give it all. These days times are tough, they are uncertain. In my minds eye, I begin to think that those who have less than I would probably want to hold on to every bit. But that is not true. In our church, it is reported that there has been an increase in giving. People are understanding that it is God's and we must trust that he will provide for all our needs as a community. Some friends of ours certainly have less than we do, yet, they continue to "out give" us. No, it is not a race or a "keep up with the Robinson's" attitude, but it definitely makes me think that I am not giving enough, that I am living in my flesh and not living out my faith.

With this in mind, is it possible that we also hoard our love for others? When we want to love someone and they hurt us, do we withhold our love? If we give with the measure of "you hurt me so I am not going to love you" then we fail to love with the measure that our God loves.

I think of my recipes at home, some of them say to sift the flour, so it is fluffy and light. When I don't sift it, it is full and heavy. Same with brown sugar. When it is all pressed down, shaken together, it definitely has more volume than the lighter fluffy sifted amount. We are told that we will be given the same measure we give to others. Do you carefully sift through it, making it look like more, or do you make sure it is fully loaded, pressed down and shaken together?

Dear Lord,
Living in the flesh is not the most ideal arrangement that I can think of. If only we could see our futures and know that everything will turn out okay. My heart tells me that you will take care of me and that you will love me no matter what. My heart tells me that it is my responsibility to give to others, give to my church and to give to you all that I am, have and can be. Lord, give us each the knowledge we need to see where we fall short in giving. Help us to see when we are being greedy, when we are expecting more than we are willing to give. You are an amazing God and I praise you for providing far more than I could ever imagine. As I look out at the lanai mountain range, I am overwhelmed with your power, your imagination. Thank you again for the family that has given to us this wonderful place to abide in you. May they be blessed abundantly. Amen.