Temporary or Eternal?

Philippians 1:9-10 (NLT), “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

What really matters?  How do we decide what gets our time, money, and attention?  If you are like me, it is easy to get distracted by things that might be low level priorities.  Things that will eat away at the precious little time I have to use each day.  The key is to find out what God's priorities are and to align ours with his.  Matthew 6:33 (NLT), “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…”

Following are some priorities I see in the Word:

Prayer:  Luke 5:16 (NLT), “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” We see here that prayer was a priority for Jesus.  If the Savior of the world needed to spend time in prayer, how much more do we, weak, frail humans need to spend time in prayer? 

Study of the Word:  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 

Eternal things: 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV), “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Reaching the Lost: Mark 16:15 (NIV), “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

Love: John 13:34-35 (NIV), “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   Matthew 5:44 (NIV), “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Fellowship: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT), “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”  Proverbs 27:17 (NLT), “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

There are also many examples in the Word of people who had wrong or unbalanced priorities. 

Storing up treasures on earth:  Luke 12:16-21 (NIV), “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ ‘Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’  But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’  “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV), “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Selfish Desires (Unconcern for the needs of others):  Luke 16:19-31 (NLT), “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. ‘Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”

Household Cares: Luke 10:38-42 (NLT), “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

As can be seen in the story of Mary and Martha, priorities have weight or value.  In the case of Martha, it was not wrong for her to desire to make things nice for Jesus and his disciples.  But she forgot that spending time with the Master has more value/weight than working for the Master.  Mary, on the other hand, chose the priority with the greatest value.  She could do housework and prepare meals after she had spent time with Jesus.

Like Martha, we often give more of our time and attention to things that should have less value and not as much time to things that should have greater value.  For instance, if having a spotless house takes priority over spending time with family and friends, the values are skewed.  Is it wrong to want a clean house? No, however, when we get to heaven will a few stray dust bunnies matter anymore?  The time we invest in relationships will matter for eternity.  Each life we touch for the Kingdom will mean another soul pulled from the grip of the enemy; another brother or sister with whom we will worship our Savior.

When we invest too much time on low level priorities, we miss out on the opportunity to spend our time on the top level priorities.  We must pray and seek God.  Asking him to help us prioritize our lives to best meet the daily needs of ourselves and our family, while investing more time on the top level priorities (those that align with his).  

Temporary or Eternal?

By Melissa Larabee

Each day as you turn to me I’ll give you eyes to see, the temporary things in life, the things of eternity.

My goal for you is to learn the difference between, the things that look important now and the things unseen.

I’m always working for your good; to teach you along the way, how to see the value in the things you do each day. 

The way you spend your time and strength; the value that you place upon, the things I put in your path as we journey on.

Some things should have priority, like prayer and studying my Word.  But sometimes you’re so busy with other things, my voice cannot be heard.

When the things of this world begin to drown out my voice, it’s in that moment my child, that you must make the choice. 

I’ll never force you to come to me, never demand my way.  But when you fail to spend time with my on your back all your burdens lay.

When you feel the pressures of this life welling up inside, remember, it was to see you through that I bled and died.

You were never meant to carry all the things you do.  My plan all along dear one was to wear the yoke with you.

My shoulders are both big and broad, my strength it never wanes.  As I wear the yoke with you, your strength will grow and gain.

As you seek me every day my priorities you will see.  As you tap into my strength, you’ll walk in victory.

I’ve place you here in the world for such a time as this.  Look at your priorities. What’s atop your list?

Are the things you hold up high the ones that should be there?  Or do you let the world dictate upon which things you care?

I don’t see life the way you do, I see the grand design.  And if you seek to know my heart, our priorities will align.

I’ll show you the things I care about, where your energies should be placed. I’ll lead and guide you through each day; I’ll give you the grace. 

You may have to let go of things that you hold as dear, but if you’ll still your heart and mind, I’ll whisper in your ear. 

My peace I’ll give as you work to learn a different way.  I’ll hold your hand and guide you through each and every day. 

Keep your focus on the things above, not the things below.  And I will give you the strength you need to let the low things go.

I want your life to be spent on eternal things, like time down on your knees in prayer for presidents and kings. 

Sharing the truths of my Word with a soul who’s lost; laying down your life dear child, no matter what the cost.

Spending time with the ones you love, your family and friends.  All these things will matter most when life comes to an end.

How clean your house, how big your purse will not mean a thing, when you bow before my throne and worship me as King.

Keep your heart tuned to my voice and I will guide your way.  Pay close attention and I will show you how to use your day.

Seek First The Kingdom

Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT), "So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."  If our father already knows our needs, why do we worry about them?

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT), "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."  Here we see the key. We need to ask and keep asking. Note it does not say, "Worry and keep worrying."  We are not to worry but to bring our needs to God.  Philippians 4:6 (NLT), "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

Seeking first the Kingdom is not a suggestion in the Word, it is a command. We need to be seeking to know the Giver daily not just seeking the gifts. God longs for us to get to know Him so well that we can trust no matter what our eyes see. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV),"For we live by faith, not by sight."

How do we learn to trust God's character? How do we even know what His character is?  We can see God's character throughout the Word. We can hear His heart in the messages He sent through the writers of Scripture. We can see His love acted out in and through the lives of believers today.

First is the Word. We must daily dive into the Word for ourselves. You don't just eat on Sunday and then wait for the next Sunday to eat again. We cannot do that spiritually either.  The sermon you hear on Sunday cannot be the only spiritual food you partake of each week.

I know some people say, "I don't understand what I read."  Pray for wisdom. Ask God to illuminate His Word to you mind.  One good method of study is to take one chapter and read it every day for a week. Before each reading pray for wisdom and then rehearse what God showed you. Meditate on it. Think about it all day long. Share your thoughts with someone you trust.

A Bible commentary is helpful too. Look at what others have written about the passage. Don't believe everything you read or hear from others. Take it all back to the Source and ask for His guidance.   James 1:5 (NLT), "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

Second, look at the messages of the writers of scripture.  David writes in Psalms 23 (NIV), "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (He provides all my needs!!). He makes me lie down in green pastures (places of peace and rest), he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul (refreshing). He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake (direction). Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (protection, faith, encouragement, strength). You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (provision, daily bread, needs met). You anoint my head with oil (honor, healing and restoration); my cup overflows (abundance ). Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (His presence).”  (Italics added for emphasis and clarification.)  These verses address every area of need in our lives.  God longs to meet all our needs.  With everything we know David went through, how awesome is it that he could write this beautiful testimony to the goodness of God!

The final thing we can look at is God moving in and through others today.  A word of warning: when we see God moving in the lives of those around us, we need to be encouraged and not become jealous or discouraged because we may not be seeing Him move in ours. We don't know how long they have been asking, seeking, knocking.

We must also understand that God is always at work in the lives of those who are yielded to Him. Philippians 2:13 (NIV), “ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” He always answers our prayers too. His answers are "yes," "no," or "wait."  If we get no answer or have no definite feelings on the issue, He may be saying “wait.” When the answer is “yes” we usually feel a sense of peace even if we don't see the answer right away. If the answer is “no” we often feel uneasy about the request and should seek Him till we either gain the peace or hear the definite “no.” Once we yield to the “no” we usually feel peace even if it was something we really wanted.

One thing I've learned is that when I am asking for something that is not already promised in the Word, I must ask with open hands, meaning, I ask but understand that God may have other plans. If I get so caught up in wanting my own way, I will rob myself if peace and rest in Christ. I think sometimes we give the devil credit/blame for our own mistakes. He does try to steal our peace, but we can steal it ourselves by unyielded desires and expectations.

When we pray for needs that are already promised in the Word, we can quote the scriptures with confidence and remind the Lord of His promises.  They we need to rest in Him and allow Him to answer!

Let us Seek first the Kingdom…..

The Secret Place

Psalm 91:1( KJV), "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

The secret place is the place of prayer and humility before God. It is the place where we meet alone with the Father. 

Mark 1:35 (NLT), "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."   If Jesus, being God, needed to make time to go to the secret place, how much more do we need to?  

The battles we face are won in the secret place. When we spend time in the presence of the Savior we gain the wisdom and strength to fight the battles that come our way. It is in those times of prayer that we win the battle; when we determine ahead of time what our answer will be to the temptations and lies of the enemy. 

When we leave our secret place we need only walk out the decisions we made there. Mark 14:35-36 (NLT), "Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,”'he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"

Our faith, confidence, joy, peace, and spiritual muscles are built in the secret place. When we are confronted by trials or temptation we can draw from those resources to stomp on the enemies head and walk through the fire without being burned.  Daniel 3:16-18, 27 (NLT), "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'...and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them."  

It is safe to assume that these me were prayed up. They had made a decision earlier in their secret place to honor God and serve Him only. When it came time to face the fire, they spoke with confident faith in the One who loved them and they came through unharmed. 

Please note: "and there was no smell of fire on them."

If we want to come through the battles we face unharmed, we need to make time to spend in the secret place. Our freedom and very lives depend on it!!!!

The Secret Place

By Melissa Larabee

In the quiet I hear a voice calling out to me.  Come and sit upon my lap and see the world I see.

From where you sit the world looks dark, the battle’s hard to fight, From where you sit, all hope seems lost, the future like endless night.

I too see the battles rage, Satan’s power appears to win.  I see mankind in hopelessness all bound up in sin.

But as you sit upon my lap those little lights you see, moving across the world, doing work for me.

Those lights, my child, are all the saints carrying my Word, to the lost, dark, broken world, to ones who’ve never heard.

They work in day, they work in night, they never faint or cease, because within each submitted heart I have placed my peace.

My peace that overwhelms the soul and makes the spirit glad; my love that saturates each heart, remember I’m their Dad.

Their lights shine bright in spite of the pain they daily have to face. For I have overcome the world, in my strength they run the race.

They can labor and toil each day and night, because they’ve come away, into the secret place with me, to worship, rest, and pray.

When they draw in close to me, to seek my heart and will, I wrap my arms around them and draw them closer still.

You are one such light of mine in this world so dark, through your life and ministry, I’m lighting little sparks.

Each life you touch, each hand you hold, each word you speak for me, will change a heart, and change a life, and change a destiny.

Just never fail to come away into the secret place, for there in my lap you will find peace, and joy, and grace.

My strength you need to fight the fight, the battles you will face. Keep your eyes on me my child so dear, I’ll help you run the race.

Your light will shine on bright and clear as you yield your all, and come and sit upon my lap when you hear me call.

I long to hold you in my arms, my peace and strength to give, I long for you to lay down your life and in my presence live.

No fear within, no fear without, can stop my work in you, when you come away my child, each time I call to you.

My voice you’ll know and recognize, as you yearn for me, for only from the secret place can you win the victory.

I love this lost and broken world, I’m sending you to now.  You have the hope they dearly need, just remember how,

To come away and sit with me, my strength and grace I’ll give. For if you are to work for me, in the secret place you must live.

Mercies

As I sit in my secret place and watch the sun rise over the Organ Mountains, I am reminded of how much the Father loves His children. 

Lamentations 3:22-23,"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Every morning He gives us new mercies to carry us through the day. 

Webster's Dictionary defines mercy as: 1 compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.  2 a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. 

I believe both definitions apply to God's mercies. First, we are under "His power" and we are offenders. Romans 3:23,"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."  In spite of our failings, God extends compassion and forbearance to us. When we repent He doesn't even remember our sin anymore. Psalm 103:12,"He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." It is obviously not because He couldn't remember it if He chose. The beauty of forgiveness is that He chooses not to remember our sin. 

The second definition applies as well. God daily blesses our lives with acts of divine favor. If we look at each day after it has passed, we can see the divine favor God bestowed upon us that day. Some may be small things like getting to visit with a friend. Others may be big things like receiving a new job. Big or small we can each look back and see the blessings. 

The key is recognizing God's hand in our circumstances. Because we are His children, nothing can touch our lives that He is not aware of.  

He allows things, both good and bad, to touch us each day. Both are intended to draw us closer to Him and to make us more like Jesus. Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." 

Psalm 103:13-14,"The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. God  is our Father, and like earthly fathers sometimes have to allow their children to feel pain (like getting shots are stitches) our Heavenly Father does the same. The difference however, is that our earthly fathers can only see today. They also often fail to remember that their children are just that children and they expect too much from them. 

Our Heavenly Father sees all of time in one instant. He knows our beginning and our end. And He remembers that we are weak, that be are just dust. He only expects from us what He gives us the strength and power to do. 

Today try to remember the blessings of yesterday. No matter how bad or hard yesterday seemed as you journeyed through it, there were blessings.  Find them! Recognize them and thank you Father for them!!!!  The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3, "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."  That's you and me. 

Mercies

By Melissa Larabee

I was with you yesterday, my mercies they were new.  My grace gave you the strength to walk, my hand was holding you.

As you look more closely now my blessings you will find.  There is not one moment child, when you’re not on my mind.

I give you all that you need to face each day ahead, and if you tap into my strength you have nothing at all to dread.

My peace I give when trails come, if you will trust in my.  When I am working for your good, you have the victory.

But when you try to stand alone, ignore my strength and peace, you will find that you will fail because you are so weak.

You were not meant to walk alone, to do things as you please.  I made you to depend on me, to spend time on your knees. 

Seek my face and seek my heart, my mercies I renew.  I love you child and I desire to spend my day with you.

Bring me all your cares and fears, your worries and your doubt, for my child it is your growth and peace I care about.

I allow you to face some hard times but I am there with you.  Call upon my name and see that I will see you through. 

I give the strength that you need, the mercy, peace, and rest.  Just fall into my arms dear child and you will be truly blessed. 

I never waste a tear dear child, a sorrow or a pain.  As you learn to trust in me, more strength your life will gain.

In this life you will find sorrow, pain, and strife, but that is why I paid the price by giving up my life.

Even in the valley child, you can look and see, my mercies are renewed each day, and they’re always fresh and free. 

I will not leave you all alone to struggle through this life.  I care for you as a godly man cares for his new wife.

You are my bride and someday soon we’ll celebrate above, but till that day, dear child of mine, rest in my peace and love.  

What's Under Your Tent?

“Achan replied, ‘It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.’” Joshua 6:20-21 (NIV)

            Joshua 1: 1-6 says, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.’”   

 

            God was taking the Israelites into the Promise Land; however, they could not go in with sin in the camp.  They were commanded to go against Jericho, kill all the people, and destroy everything.  They were to burn the city completely.  They were not allowed to take any plunder.   (Joshua 5:13-6:27)  After the victory over Jericho, Joshua sent out spies to check out the land of Ai.  When the spies returned they told Joshua that the entire army did not need to go up against them, only to send two to three-thousand.  Joshua took their advice and when the army went up against Ai, Ai routed them and thirty-six men of Israel were killed.  Joshua was devastated.  He tore his clothes and fell on his face before the ark.  God spoke to him and told him that there was sin in the camp.  The men had been routed and killed because of one man’s sin.   Joshua, following God’s instructions, figured out that it was Achan who sinned.  After confronting him and hearing his confession, Achan, his family, and his livestock were taken outside the camp and stoned to death.  Then his personal possessions were all burned.  As long as there was sin in the camp, God could not bless Israel.  (Joshua 7)

            God has a Promise Land for each of us.  It may be a calling yet unfulfilled, a desire He has placed in us, or maybe even a territory to take for the Kingdom.  Regardless of what/where our Promise Land is, if we are not careful, we, like Achan, can fall into the trap of believing the lies of the enemy.  When we do, things get buried under our “tent.”  When there are things buried under our tent, God cannot take us into our Promise Land. 

            Achan’s sin started when he believed the lie that his own desires took priority over the command of God.  He placed his desires ahead of what was best for the entire nation, thus costing many lives and loss. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10a Satan would love nothing better than to see our lives destroyed and our Promise Land unreached.  He will do everything in his power to do just that.  We must daily evaluate our lives to ensure that we don’t have anything hidden under our tent to hinder the move of God and His blessing in our lives.  There are many things that could be under our tent:

1.      Hidden Sin

2.      Lies of the enemy that we have believed

3.      Unfulfilled dreams that we have allowed to come between us and Christ

4.      Selfish desires

5.      Un-yielded areas of our life

6.      Past hurts

7.      Past regrets

8.      Unreasonable expectations of ourselves and others

            Following are two examples of things that were “hidden under tents” in the Bible. Please note that when the individual repented, God forgave and right relationship with the Father was restored, however, when no repentance was demonstrated the consequences were drastic.

            Hidden Sin: “Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite’ David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, ‘I’m pregnant.’” 2 Samuel 11:2-5 (NLT). 

            David slept with another man’s wife.  If that wasn’t enough 2 Samuel goes on to tell us that after he got Bathsheba pregnant, he had her husband killed and took her as his wife to cover it up.  When David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he repented.  There were consequences he had to face (the child of his union with Bathsheba died), but his relationship with the Father was restored. 

            Selfish Desires/Believing the Lies of the enemy:  “But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.  He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!’ As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.  Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, ‘Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?’ ‘Yes’” she replied, ‘that was the price.’ And Peter said, ‘How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.’ Instantly, she fell to the floor and died.”

            Ananias and Sapphira desired to “look good” in church by donating money for the care of the body.  However, they also wanted to keep something for themselves.  They didn’t want it to be known that they did not donate all they had received.  They believed the lie that it was ok for them to lie about the price of the land they sold in order to keep up the appearance of complete generosity.  It is safe to assume that their hearts were not repentant because God struck and killed them in church.  If their hearts had been repentant, God would have forgiven them.  The Word tells us, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 (NLT)

            God’s desire for our lives is holiness. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:16 (NLT) Part of being holy is removing those things hidden under our tents.  As we confess and repent, Jesus will give us the strength to walk away from them.  He will provide the freedom we need to turn our back on them and live holy lives.  He does the work of freeing us, but we must walk in that freedom, meaning we must keep free. 

            In ministering to young people, my husband and I have watched many young people receive healing and freedom, only to go back into that sinful lifestyle or habit again.  They failed to daily crucify their flesh and once again latched onto the lies of the enemy.  We have also seen young people who received healing and freedom and embraced that freedom by daily crucifying their flesh and who are today walking as free men and women.  Many of them have reached their Promise Land and are doing amazing things for the Kingdom.

            The choice is ours.  We can ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light “under our tent” and reveal any area that needs submitted to Christ or we can ignore the call and live with the consequences. 

                                                                         

          Your Promise Land

By Melissa Larabee

All your cares, your hopes, and dreams, your ups, your downs, the in-betweens, place them all into my hands, I’ll lead you to Your Promise Land.

Don’t lose heart, don’t fear or dread. Simply cling to what I've said.

My grace is yours each day and night.  Remember I have won the fight.

Grasp your sword, dig in and see that in me you have victory.

I've never failed you in the past.  Do you doubt my grace will last?

Those doubts are planted in your heart.  The enemy is such a fart.

He lies and tries to get his way. His reward he’ll get some day.

Until I choose to take you home, remember you are not alone.

I have Your Promise Land in sight.  Just don’t grow weary in the fight.

The battle rages on and on.  It’s always darkest before the dawn.

My strength is yours when you ask.  I know you are up to the task.

I've gifted you with peace and grace.  Look to me and seek my face.

I am all you need to win, in this battle against sin.

As we look beneath your tent, it was for this my life was spent.

My cruel death upon the tree was to ensure your victory. 

So dig things out without delay. Over each item kneel and pray.

                             I want you free from lies and sin;  I long to give you peace within.                   

As we work on the things we find, you’ll receive more peace of mind. 

I know it hurts as we push through, but I am right here beside you.

Your Promise Land is up ahead. Just remember what I said. 

My grace and strength, peace and mercy too, are always there to see you through.

                          Cling to me and don’t turn back.  For in me child you’ll have not lack.