Facing the Fearful River

Today’s scripture:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Have you ever had to face something so terrifying and fearful you didn’t think you could go through with it? Of course you have. We have all been there, and if you haven’t yet… you soon will. You may be going through something right now that seems to be such a violent storm that only God could calm. Your current circumstance may seem like the most dangerous raging river you ever had to cross.

When we think about the awesome power of God, we look at scriptures like when He saved the Israelites by parting the Red Sea. But what about after Moses died and God gave the leadership roll to Joshua telling him to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River (Joshua 1)? See, when God led them up to the Red Sea, the Israelites did not have much faith and God knew it. He knew they had to grow in their faith so He parted that huge body of water before their very eyes. Yes, it still took faith to cross it even on dry ground. “What if the water would come back over us as we walk through”, they may have thought.

So, God first showed the Israelites that they could trust Him. Then, He brought another faith building situation… the Jordan River. You may think, “A river? That’s not a big deal compared to the sea.” Well, there are a couple of things to understand here. First, the time they had to cross, the river was in flood stage, which was the most active dangerous time. The other thing to understand is the Lord did not stop the water from flowing before they had to step into it like He did at the Red Sea. They had to act in faith before they saw any signs that God was going to do what He said He was going to do. They had to put their faith into action by remembering what God did before and know that He will keep His promise.

If you refer to a blog that I wrote titled “Revelation through Captivity” I mentioned that I was incarcerated. After spending 45 days in jail, I had to battle with the situation of being separated from my family with absolutely no contact of any kind and I lost my job that I had at Liberty Bible Church for exactly 6 years. I got real used to the idea and security of having that job. I was so comfortable in the thought of working around good Christain people I was fearful of going anywhere else.

The metaphor of the Jordan River for me came several times over the course of the last 5 months starting when I had to spend 6 weeks in jail, having no idea when I would get out. Having never experienced jail before, God wanted me to face my fears and teach me to rely on Him all over again in a deeper way. I was weakening in my belief that God is always in control and forgetting that God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a strong mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

When God takes you through something that is fearful, remember He is not taking you through it so that you will be in fear because He does not bring that kind of spirit. He brings the spirit of power over that fear. He brings a spirit of perfect love that can cast out those fears (1 John 4:18) because He is love and He is perfect. He also brings a spirit that strengthens your mind with knowledge of His Word and the wisdom to live it out.

Reflection:

Are you at a point in your life that you know God is saying take a step of faith? Maybe everything around you is saying you will sink if you take that step. If you believe God is requiring you to step, just believe He is giving you the power to take that step. That power has to start in your mind. Having the strong mind of faith that God will provide a way. Just live out your faith and put it into action.

Challenge:

Chances are you will come to the Jordan River sometime soon if not now. But, even now you may be faced with just a small river to cross. Life is full of small rivers every day. It may be that your facing a new job change, or working with someone that is difficult, or cleaning up after your dog when he devours the garbage. Then again you may be facing much more difficult times. Whatever it is, practice your faith in God by just making that choice to cross it no matter the circumstance.

-Doug McGowan

Revelation Through Captivity

Today’s scripture:

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

It was September 2^nd 2013 and the steel doors slammed shut and the loud sound of the electronic locks making you very aware you are not going anywhere for a while. Hours and hours go by with nothing but your own thoughts to keep you company. Those thoughts that tell you that you are in a heap of trouble and there is no way out of this one. You are stuck there and there is no way of getting out.

As I lay down on that steel bed at about 2am with the lights shinning as if it were mid-day, I cried out to God from the very depths of my soul. I was hurting bad. I began to break. I never thought I would experience jail. Of course I had done some pretty horrible things in my past before I gave my life to Jesus. I just never got caught. And now that I am a Christain, I’m not supposed to be in a place like this, unless of course I’m ministering to inmates. At least that’s what we tend to think anyway.

Then the Lord spoke to me as clear as anything I have ever heard in my life. He said, “Doug, my son, I love you and I know you are hurting right now. And even though you won’t understand this right now, I had to allow you to get arrested so that I can speak to you. I am right here with you experiencing the same pain with you. I know this hurts terribly but its exactly what you need right now. There is something big that I want to accomplish in you and because it is so deeply rooted, it’s going to need major spiritual surgery. But remember, I am right here next to you and I will not go anywhere. I choose to be locked up with you!”

Anytime we go through trials in our lives, it is an opportunity to worship God, to give thanks and to allow Him to do something in us. There are two ways we face trials. We either go through them because God wills it and it is brought to us by nothing we have done or we simply go through it because we messed up. However, either case God allows that trial and He will use it to do something wonderful in us… that is, if we let Him. But first we need to choose humility and embrace it to the best of our ability.

Now there are many different levels of trials. There can be a category 1 trial of loosing your car keys to a category 10 trial of the death of someone very close to you. However, I believe in EVERY situation (no matter how small) God has us go through it for a purpose. There is something in that trial we need to learn.

For me, going through a time of separation from my friends and family for 45 days in jail and experiencing some very scary things was extremely sobering to say the least. They weren’t scary because I was in jail, but it was scary because I had to face some very ugly demonic things in me. It was about a week in jail God told me that I was there because He wanted me to let Him work on my fear. Fear that has caused me to try and control other peoples lives. Fear that said, “I don’t trust You God”. Now, there are many other purposes in me going to jail but that was a major one. Now, months later I sit in my home with my family living out my faith with a new beginning of casting all my fears on Him because He cares for me (1Peter 5:7). God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind (2Timothy 1:7).

This is something that I have NOT learned; rather it is something I am learning. I know that I have the power to embrace any situation. I know I can claim God’s love for me that will give me strength in any trial. But, to do that I need to let Him have His way and worship Jesus through it.

Reflection:

James 1:2-4 says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Trials are meant to work good things in us. They produce the gifts of the spirit. Now, if your going through a category 5 or more, the last thing you want to hear is someone preaching what trials can do for you. Dear beloved, in the harder trials, go to the cross. Touch Jesus’ hands and feet and know those holes are meant for you. Claim His love for you and just fall at His feet giving up on yourself and just let Him have His way with you. He will care for you.

Challenge:

What kind of trials have you had lately? Category 1 or more? Talk to Jesus, won’t you? Tell Him what you’re experiencing and just let Him have His way. He knows how to get you through it. Beloved, whatever you do, choose to worship Him using that trial. Even if you don’t feel like worshipping Him, do it anyway and soon those feelings and desires will change for the better. Most of all worship Him because He is worthy of it.

-Doug McGowan

The Gate and the Way are Narrow

Today’s scripture:

“Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” (Romans 9:27-28)

I’m sure you have heard the term “radical christain”. What does being a radical christain mean to you? Webster defines radical as being very different from the usual or traditional: Extreme.

What if I read to you the scripture found in Matthew 7:13-14, but read it so that it mirrors the way most people who call themselves “Christians” live. It would read like this… “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and easy is the way which leads to life, and there are many who find it.” If you read this carefully, you will see that is NOT what scripture says. However, that is the way many so-called “Christians” live.

A few days ago, I had a conversation with someone discussing a movie I recently watched with my wife. I told him how I was sad and disgusted to see how much darkness was in the movie. I understand it’s just a movie but it was glorifying the fantasy of vampires, witches, warlocks, and demons! I can’t stand to experience in any way the things that Jesus died for. Just like my wife says… “If Jesus died for it, then it isn’t funny and should not be glorified.” I went on to talk about how important it is to live a life glorifying to God, to live without that garbage polluting our minds. I was very surprised to hear my friend say, “Well yes, the gate is narrow but the path is wide.” I could not believe my ears! Jesus says the way is difficult and it is narrow! It is narrow because of His commandments and His commandments are to protect and guide us.

Today we are looking into the eighteenth topic on the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus is teaching, which is “The Narrow Way”. Matthew 7:13-14… Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

The Lord tells us to repent and follow Him. Notice He says only a few find that path and choose to live on it. Dear ones, those on the narrow path are the only ones who will be saved! They are the remnant! We need to live in the way that is difficult. What makes it difficult? Well, I believe there are several reasons. One, our human nature to have what we want whenever we want it that is so opposite from what the bible teaches. Second, we live in a prideful world that caters to the flesh. Third, Satan rules this world and is in constant pursuit to steal our heavenly rewards, kill our spirit, and destroy our relationship with Jesus.

Now, here is the problem. Too many times we read and listen to half of the truth. We read this passage and only focus on one part of it. The gate is narrow because it is by only one way we can be saved and that is by Jesus the Christ! See, even people who confess to be christains are deceived today. They don’t have a problem with John 14:6 “Jesus said to him,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This is what we are always taught. However, we cannot stop there! We need to read the whole truth and not just the part that is comfortable. Jesus says the “Way” is difficult (NIV says “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life^…”). The “Way” is how we are living our life. Dear saints, we need to be very careful how we live. Do not let yourself get caught up in the ways of this world because the ways of this world are on the wide path headed for destruction.

Lets get back to this term “Radical Christain”. Are you willing to be extreme about your walk with God? Are you willing to take the criticism from others even if they are Christians who choose otherwise? Because I guarantee you that is what it’s going to take. If you are not struggling a little with the things this world has to offer, chances are you have given yourself to it. If your not being made fun of because of your faith, chances are you aren’t living a way to give others that edge. If your not being criticized for being over the top with wanting to please God, chances are you have made some compromises with the Word of God.

Reflection:

We need to be radical Christains set apart not only from this world but also set apart from being just comfortable enough to be considered a Christain and yet live doing, saying, listening, being apart of the things that Jesus died for. Live on the NARROW way!!!

Challenge:

Challenge yourself by making a list of things that you like to take part in that compromises what Jesus died for. Do you like to watch movies that glorify black magic like witches, vampires or sorcery? Do you like to head off to the casinos or play the lotto? Do you like to watch TV shows that show sexual activity even if they are innuendos? Ask the Lord if He approves of your activities and most of all be honest with Him and His answer. Do you have a conviction about them?

-Doug McGowan

Am I there yet?

Today’s scripture:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5)

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Have you ever been at that season of life as a child or a youth where you think you have it all figured out? I mean there is nothing that anyone can tell you something that you haven’t already figured out yourself. You have probably said to yourself… “Don’t worry dude, I got this!” …Right?

I have boys of ages 19, 17, 12, 10, 8 & a girl who is 14. I hear all the time, “Yes, I know! You don’t have to tell me! I already know that!” It seems to be a constant daily task and challenge to teach them and bring them up in the Lord, instructing them in the ways they should go. When a teenager hears you say, “You are not old enough to be dating”, but they already think they got the whole “love” thing all figured out and are mature enough to handle their responsibilities, the last thing they want is your direction.

Actually, it’s pretty comfortable for us to think back to the days as a youngster and say, “yeah, I acted foolish and said some pretty foolish things”, or to join in with talk on how our kids act. I think it is comfortable because we either want to look at others faults and sinful behaviors rather than our own or we don’t mind to look back on our past as long as we think we have come along way since then.

The truth of the matter is we have not come nearly as far as we think we have. Think how that kind of attitude relates to how we tend to act with our spiritual authorities or our boss or our spouse, and especially look at how it relates to how we act when God tries to give us direction.

Think back to the last time God laid something on your heart. Now, I’m not talking about that thing where God is leading you to do something amazing. I’m talking about simple obedience of cutting off that relationship with the one you have been dating the past few weeks? Or, what about that favor you promised your friend last month that you would help them do yard work for their disabled relative? How about if God is telling you to wait and be still when your so excited to go after that job or go into ministry or get married or buy that awesome car?

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Don’t we tend to roll our eyes at God sometimes thinking we have got a hold on this thing? Sometimes we may even ignore His still quiet voice because we are too distracted by our own pride thinking we know it all. Like I have said so many times before, God speaks to us in several ways and your circumstances, whatever they are, is one of those ways. Stop and take a look at your circumstances and consider what God may be telling you what you should do. Try not to think that you have arrived at the place that you know better than God Almighty! Of coarse we don’t articulate it that way. We would never say that we know better than God. I mean that would be absurd! But isn’t that exactly what we are saying with our actions when we go against what God is trying to tell us what we should do?

Oswald Chambers said “The more a person knows of the inner life of God’s most mature saints, the more he sees what God’s purpose really is: to “. . . fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ . . .” (Colossians 1:24). And when we think of what it takes to “fill up,” there is always something yet to be done.”

Reflection:

Dear saints, we have to realize that not a one of us have arrived yet. We all still at times act childish in our attitudes toward God especially when He is wanting us to do something that goes against our own will. What He really desires from us is a humble and willing heart with the attitude that reflects back to today’s scriptures. An attitude that is honest, yet humble that says “I don’t understand why you want me to do this or why you don’t want me to do this, but that’s ok because I trust you Lord and I will obey.”

Challenge:

Think of your current circumstances right now. Do you feel God leading you to do something or not to do something? Dear one, be the child of complete obedience trusting that He knows things that you have know way of knowing and that He loves you too much to not let you have what you need. Just say “YES LORD”!