"Did You Know..?"

Did you know that every day the things around us lose its value? The value of money, value of life, value of Christ..!

Today I need you to take a stroll back down memory lane. Remember, if you can, the first dollar you earned. Do you remember how you wanted to hold on to it but again the urge to spend it on something of your choice? Now think about the first car you bought? If you were like most people you showed it off to everybody, including some of the people you worked with. And all of your friends and families had to see it. You would even go as far as to tell about all the great features it has and for the first month you kept it sparkling so that everyone would know it was new.

Now for those of us that have children or have had a girlfriend/boyfriend think about how you felt when they first came into your life. Most of us went out of our way in one way or another. For our children many spend months looking for the perfect name. Others spend way too much fixing up that nursery, and when he/she finally arrived more money gets spent on pictures. For those that can’t relate to the child experience consider your boyfriend/girlfriend. Think back to when you first met. Do you recall talking for hours trying to get to know all you could about each other. Then while dating the both of you would go out of your way to make sure you impressed one another. Men I’m sure you took her out on nice dates, while you ladies spent way too much time in the bathroom trying to get ready.

This next trip I want you to think back to the day you felt Christ touch your heart. You know, the day you knew you wanted to change and be saved. Yeah, I know your smiling on the inside remembering the warmth that enveloped you, causing you to feel both guilty and comforted at the same. This was because for the first time in your life you knew everything was going to be ok. After getting saved you wanted to share your bliss with everyone, and despite your fears you wanted to give back to the world somehow. You wanted to show Christ that you were thankful for his death and grace. So you told God in your heart that you would share his redemptive story.

                But something happened..! Think back again to your first experiences, this time instead of earning it, think about when it was given freely. Chances are that dollar was spent w/out thought. As for the car, the average male drove it like it was stolen, even though chances are he kept it tuned up. While the average female only put gas in it, not ever considering a  tune-up or the like. Children & boy/girlfriends  don’t fit in the ”freely given” category, but all the same, once time had passes they too were not cherished as the day they first arrived. The saddest part in all of this is we treat Christ the same way. I have come to the conclusion that anything that fits in the “maintenance” category will be neglected after a while. Many will argue this fact because they don’t want to look like bad parents or stewards of the things they own. But if you are honest with yourself you know this is true.

                Unlike us however, Christ did not give up on his commitment(s) he stayed with it until the bitter end, that in turn became our sweet salvation. So I extend to you this challenge; search your heart to find the value of things once cherished. Do you show your children the love that you once had for them, more importantly do they know you love them? Do you show your significant other that he/she is not a thing of the past and that you still love them with the same fire as when you met? Above all others make sure you don’t forget the one who died for you, the one that still despite our faults goes before God on our behalf. Lastly don’t forget the commitment you made on the day he touched your heart.

Did You Know...?

Did you know... that Jesus Christ is that Lion of the tribe of Judah? "Sure you did..!" But do you know the story as to why the tribe of Judah? Better yet do you even know who Judah is/was? Judah was the 4^th son of Leah and Jacob. We all know that Jacob was tricked into marring Leah (see Genesis 29 for story), and because he loved her younger sister more that her, God opened Leah’s womb. When she became pregnant she felt he would love her, especially considering it was a boy. After failing to win her husband’s love with 3 boys she decided that with her next son she would praise God instead. And that’s what she did, so he was called Judah. When Jacob (Judah's father) blessed his sons before he died, Judah was blessed and referred to as a lion. He was even blessed into royalty. In fact he was to be the symbol of authority for mankind until Christ came (Genesis 49: 10-11). And considering that both King David and Jesus Christ were of his seed the blessing held fast and is true. When Christ finally came he picked up the scepter fulfilling the prophecy and becoming the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”

"Did You Know..?"

 Did you know that, it was only 2 years since the Children of Israel were delivered from Egypt when they arrived at the promised land. But in those two years God’s wrath was kindled against them ten times and two of those times God wanted to kill them all and make a nation from Moses. However Moses prayed for the Israelites to be spared so that the promise that was made to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob could be fulfilled. The reason they had to spend 40 years wondering is this. When they arrived, twelve men were sent to scout the land of Canaan, 10 of the 12 were afraid and gave a report to the people saying that they would die if they tied to take the land. Caleb and Joshua felt otherwise because they saw what the Lord had done for them thus far. At that moment God declared that all the men 20yrs and older would not see the promised land, except for Joshua and Caleb, along with Moses and Aaron (who later lost that right, because of their lack of faith). As far as the men that gave the bad report stirring up the people, they died by plague before the Lord. Finally they were forced to wonder the wilderness for 40 years. (Numbers 13)

Did You Know..?

Did you know…, that the old testament is a collection of stories about Gods chosen people the Israelites. The Foundation was laid in Genesis. God created Adam, but because of his disobedience he was kicked out of the Garden of Eden. But Gods chosen seed was carried on, not through Cain because he killed Able, but through Seth, all the way down to the birth of Jesus Christ in the new testament. “I believe the old testament stories were recorded as example’s for us (the new generation of followers) to show us what happens when  we have faith in God and put Him first, and also what happens to those that don’t.”  It is evident that even among Gods chosen people (the Israelites) some were more prosperous than others  because of their faith and commitment to God, even after their exile from the promised land.



Did you Know..?

 Did you know….  that God protects those he loves? There are a lot of people that know it but dont believe it. I'm saying this because many people who say that they are God’s children run into serious problems but forget to call on God first. Here is a story about the children of Israel and how they came to know firsthand the protection that God can offer. It's found in the 10^th chapter of Joshua. After Israel finally made it into the promised land the surrounding tribes were afraid because of the stories of how God watches over them and the things that he does with and for them had reached their ears. The kings were so afraid that they wanted to kill the Israelites. One king wanted to so badly that he rallied up 4 other kings and their armies to fight against the Israelites. There were so many that came against them that Joshua had to ask God to keep the sun from setting (Joshua 10:13 - And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies ... it was about a whole day). Before they went out to fight God comforted them saying do not be afraid for I have already delivered them into your hands. Not only did the 5 kings end up with the feet of the Israelites on their necks (literally, see verse 24) but God rained down stones from heaven killing more enemy troops than the entire Israelite army had done. This to me is a true testament to Gods word when he tells us to rejoice in the mist of the storm, because in the end  the victory is the Lords. "If God be for us, who can stand against us?"

"Did You Know..?"

Did you know… The Israelites only knew God as the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac  and Jacob because they lived 400(+) years in the land of Egypt. Moses introduced God to them as “I am” but as time went on they came to know Him by other names, based on their experiences with Him. But of all the names told from generation to generation I believe “Jehova-Rohi” (which means The Lord is my Shepherd) was the most popular. It illustrates best how the Lord “Protected” them, “Provided” for them (both food or “mana from heaven” and water “which at times poured out of solid rock”). It shows how He (the Shepherd) also Directed/Lead his people ( the sheep) through the wilderness (as a pillar of cloud by day and as a pillar of fire by night). Most importantly it shows how he takes care for his people just as a shepherd takes care of his flock. These stories can be found beginning at Exodus 3 thru the book of Deuteronomy.