Tag Archives: deeper life

March 29

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Joshua 16:1-19:31, I Chronicles 4:24-33

Joseph’s family weren’t all that thrilled about their inheritance. They looked around and realized some of the other families seemed to have received more land than they. So they complained to Joshua. Give us more, they cried. Joshua says, If you don’t like it, if you think you need more, then put down the remote and get busy clearing the land you have. They replied, it’s too hard! To which Joshua said, get over yourself. Clear it. You can do it.

Ok. Maybe that’s not an exact quote from Scripture but you get the idea. Joseph’s family wanted to live comfortably in Canaan but they were unwilling to do what needed to be done to make that happen.

This Christian life is hard work. While we walk this earth there are things to do, battles to win. And each of us has a job to do no one else can do. If we want to live in Canaan we’ve got to cut down some trees. If we want that deeper relationship with the Lord we’ve got to cut out sin.

It’s a personal road we are on. And if we don’t do what God is asking we will never realize what it is like to fellowship with him on that deeper level.

Today is Good Friday, the day we celebrate the death of our Savior. Talk about a tough job. Jesus had to go to the cross. He was the only one who could do it. But he was obedient all the way. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, despising the shame. The thing is Jesus WANTED to go to the cross. He set his face like flint, meaning he knew what he wanted and nothing was going to stop him. The joy that was set before him was me. It was you. It was all of us who choose Jesus.

Dear Jesus, thank you for going to the cross for me. You went willingly because you knew I would accept you as my Savior two thousand years later. I pray that I won’t be satisfied just to accept your gift of salvation without doing everything it takes to walk as close to you as I can get this side of heaven. Reveal the sin in me that needs to be cut down. And may I be quick to obey, for the joy set before me… the joy of having that deeper relationship with you.

March 20

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Deuteronomy 23-26

Sometimes when I read the Bible certain things jump out at me. Other times not so much. This morning was one of those “not so much” times. I would love to know if God pointed out something to you as you read today.

In these chapters of Deuteronomy Moses continues to talk to Israel about the Promised Land, about how God wants them to treat each other, about where they have been.

I am reminded that this is Moses’ last address to the people before he dies. He tells them how important it is that they not sin, that they treat each other fairly, that they do the work that needs to be done. The nation of Israel was to look and act differently from every other nation on earth. And God would bless them.

As I meditate on God’s Word today God is saying the same thing to me. He wants me to stand out from the crowd as well.

Dear God, You are asking me to be the person in my neighborhood with a reputation for being honest, kind, moral, caring and trustworthy. May I stand out from the crowd as someone who loves You, obeys You and is blessed by You. And may they recognize my Savior as they observe me today.

March 11

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Numbers 32&33

The Israelites sure moved a lot during their trip from Egypt to Canaan. I counted 43 times they relocated during their forty years in the desert.

In the 37 years I was a public school teacher I moved eight times which seems like a lot. My parents owned their home for sixty years!

So as many times as the Jews packed up and moved, I can imagine they were ready for four walls and a permanent address. When they finally arrived at the Jordan and looked at the beautiful land of Canaan I can understand why some said they’d rather end their journey on the plains of Moab. Cities were already built there and the land was fertile enough. Occupying Canaan looked like more struggle and more time before they could rest.

The truth is, the deeper life does take time and it is a struggle. God doesn’t make his people live there. You can be a Christian and live on the other side of Jordan.

But God can’t bless you there like he can in Canaan.

The walk with Him is sweeter, the joy and peace more amazing. It’s not a life without struggle and there may be barbs in our eyes and thorns in our side until we get rid of those things which dishonor God. But God promises that it’s worth it.

Father, may your people be drawn to Canaan. May we spend time in your Word, go about our day in an attitude of prayer, be sensitive to your voice. May we be aware that you are walking right there beside us and helping us to defeat our enemies so that we can enjoy the blessing that comes from that deeper relationship with you.

March 4

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Numbers 14&15

Is the Promised Land heaven? I’ve heard it said that Canaan represents heaven and I can understand the comparison. We as Christians are promised an eternity so amazingly wonderful, and Canaan promised to be that for the Israelites. Well, except for the fact that they were going to have to fight their enemies in order to live there.

Instead, I see Canaan as the Christian life right here on planet earth. When we come to Christ we have available to us all we could ask or think. We can have peace and rest in our souls. Yes, there will be enemies to defeat and weeds to hoe. But Jesus promises to go with us and make us victorious.

Some of the Israelites didn’t go into Canaan. It’s not that they stopped being Jewish, but they never knew what it was like to live in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Some Christians never experience the deeper life. It’s not that they stop being Christians, but they don’t enjoy an intimate walk with their Savior. Maybe it’s because they are focusing on the giants.

My prayer for us today is that we will step into Canaan by faith. That we would spend time with our Savior, reading His Word, living in an attitude of prayer. That’s God’s plan for us and His promise to us. There are blessings to enjoy in that intimate relationship with Him today. Let’s not miss it.