March 2022
Lesson 1: Traction Control for the Soul
This was borne out of a message by Pastor Carolyn Crowell on March 20th. Her talk was focused on being intentional.
You need to learn how to live intentionally. Keeping your mind and spirit from drifting away.
Ephesians 5:15-17
## See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.Intentionality is not a one time thing, it’s an ongoing walk. You need a plan to walk with God or you will drift away
Be’s of the Bible 1. Be still and know 2. Be strong in the Lord 3. Be filled with the spirit
Daniels intentionality
Daniel 6:10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to His God.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.
Daniel 9:1-2 It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians.2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.
Seek wisdom in getting intentional in your relationship with God
Proverbs 2:11-12 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.
Application
This means I need to be intentional in my walk with God
I cannot allow myself to just coast in my walk with God. Going to church, serving in church is not and has never been the goal of salvation. The main goal of salvation is renewed relationship with God. This means I need to be more proactive in my relationship with God. I need to spend time in prayer and in bible study. A quick devotion in the morning is not enough. I need to allow the spirit of God to dwell within me every second, minute, hour of the day.
Lesson 2: Why were the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years?
This has been one of the fascinating things I’ve learned from the bible. After years of reading about the Israelite journey through the wilderness, I’ve never thought long enough on how they were able to walk such a short distance in 40 years. It was mind boggling and i chose to just accept it as fact.
Well, recently through a bible study I attended (Issachar Study), I was able to answer that question. The answer is found in the book of Numbers (Chapters 13,14,33) and Deuteronomy (Chapters 1,2). I started with this question in mind and instead, focused on what they were doing on their 40 year journey through the wilderness. In these chapters, there is a description of what happened as the Israelites were saved from slavery in Egypt. The possible map of the journey is shown on these two sites:
Story description
In Numbers 13, we see the Israelites are settled in the wilderness of Paran when God asked Moses to send out spies to the land of Canaan which God had promised to them. Twelve spies were sent, one from each tribe, into the land. Their names were (Name-Tribe):
Shammua - Reuben Shaphat - Simeon Caleb - Judah Igal - Issachar Hoshea/Joshua - Ephraim Palti - Benjamin Gaddiel - Zebulun Gaddi - Mannaseh Ammiel - Dan Sethur - Asher Nahbi - Naphtali Geuel - Gad
When they returned from the land after forty days of spying, they brought the fruit of the land with them to show that the land indeed was flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 13:27). They followed this with a description of the people who they saw as “strong”, and the cities as “fortified and very large”. Caleb (Numbers 13:30) and Joshua (Numbers 14:6-9) were the only one who spoke up saying they believed they could overcome all the people and cities mentioned, and if it is the Lord’s will, then He will bring them to the land as promised. The testimony of the others was heeded by the people and they rebelled against God instead.
Because they rebelled, God spoke to the rebels through Moses that they will not inherit the promised land. Specifically, Everyone from twenty years old and above who rebelled would die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:26-35) and they would not die instantly, but they shall remain with the guilt of their disobedience for forty years (one year for each day the land was spied).
They were kept from Canaan for 40 years because they would have been destroyed if they attempted to go in before the people who disobeyed God had perished
Application
The Israelites were punished for their disobedience/fear that God will not do what He had promised to their forefathers. Therefore, I need to recognize and remember when God has spoken to me, and not allow doubt or fear or worry to overwhelm me. All I need to do is to anchor on His word and keep reminded myself and whomever is speaking those words of doubt or fear of what God has promised to me.