House by the Side of the Road

by Sam Walter Foss (public domain)

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

This was a favorite poem of my Grandma Ellison who faithfully served the Gospel Center Rescue Mission in Stockton, CA for over 20 years, and founded the Haven of Peace Woman's Shelter in French Camp, CA (1959). If you can help these ministries today, thank you.

What Do You Give?

What do you give to the person who has everything? What do you give to the Creator of all things? The Magi, wise men from the east, brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were expressions of untold wealth. But these gifts were also prophetically significant. Beyond the great worth of these Christmas presents was the foretelling of our redemption.

Matthew shared this picture which prefigures a day greater than the time of his birth. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Frankincense – This was an incense which was familiar to the High Priest of Israel. The ministry of the priest was to be a mediator between God and the people – to intercede on their behalf with animal sacrifices for their sin. Frankincense was burned as a sweet fragrance to cover the stench of death and rotting or burning flesh. This newborn child of Mary’s was sent from heaven to be our Great High Priest. He came to live an exemplary sinless life, to be qualified before God to offer Himself as the perfect, ultimate and final sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus came to die. The sacrifice was bitter sweet.

The fragrant gum resin from the Boswellia tree also had another benefit. Frankincense also holds medicinal healing properties. Herbalists for centuries have used frankincense as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation. Only by familiarity with the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah, could the wise men have known who Jesus was and what He would accomplish for mankind. Hear the words of the prophet, hundreds of years before Jesus was born. “But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Myrrh – Worth five times more than frankincense was this royal perfume. Mixed with precious oils, the aromatic spice derived from a tree resin fragranced the bedrooms of kings. But it was also used in the practice of embalming, even in embalming Jesus. As we can see in John 19:39, “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound [weight].” They removed His body from the cross and wrapped it in grave cloth and these spices. The myrrh at His birth foretold His burial. Three days in the grave was proof of His death.

The double use of this perfume is meant to remind us that although Jesus was dead and buried, this was not the end, for He was destined to be restored to His royal heavenly throne.

Gold – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11). The gold the wise men brought were treasures foretelling a ruler both human and divine. Without the Son’s obedience to the Father, even unto death, there could be no resurrection. But because Jesus Christ faithfully fulfilled God’s directions to redeem lost humanity, the Spirit raised our glorious Lord from the dead, and the Father laid all of the kingdom of God upon His shoulders. Jesus Christ is truly the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who rules and reigns forever more. He came from Heaven to return to heaven. From incarnation to resurrection, Jesus is our priceless gift of salvation from sin for eternal life with Him.

The wise men brought gold, some variety of myrrh, as well as frankincense as gifts to the infant Jesus. So what do we know of the possible significance of these gifts? Because He suffered, we will suffer. Because He died, we must die. Because He lives, we too will be resurrected to eternal life with Him. Give the gift of your life to the Lord Jesus Christ today!

"Great is Thy Faithfulness"

1) Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. (chorus)

Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2) Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (chorus)

3) Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (chorus)

LuAnne McNabb 1958-2009

I'd like to share a letter from my friend brother Darwin Benjamin at the passing of our mutual friend and sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. May it remind you to live every moment to the glory of the Lord!

"It is with great and exceeding joy and humility that I write to you in regards to my sister in the Lord, LuAnne McNabb. I deeply apologize that I could not physically be with you, but know I am with you in spirit! I've asked my good friend Pastor Ed Han to represent me and my family by reading this short letter.

First, my condolences to the family, but please don't despair, rather celebrate that LuAnne is with her Lord. What God has done, no one can reverse. Honor her life with change by growing closer to Jesus. Let your light shine in these dark times to influence someone else for God's glory!

The Scripture says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8). Now I know we all have drama in our lives and weakness, but there is strength at the Cross, in the Word, and through Jesus! When I think of Sister LuAnne, one word comes to my mind "JOY!" That’s what she always portrayed to me, even in drama. Oh my!

We would get together and talk about what the Lord had done for us and in us. Then we would get to shouting and laughing and dancing, no matter where we were. And of course we both would cry! Man I loved that about her. She was one white lady who could fire me up for the Lord with her zeal. I could look into her face, for she was my biggest cheerleader in audience. Even if I stunk, she never let me know. She would say, “Brother I love your fire. I love hearing you preach and dance.” I hope she realizes she was preaching to me! Her laugh, her smile, her giggle and her voice when she sang was one who I feel was sincere, for she loved her Jesus. She knew what He did for her - she knew.

Unfortunately, we as people often judge people who are different from what we understand, not realizing that they are gifts from God to encourage and love others. For the gift God has given us is individuals like LuAnne, to build His kingdom. I thank God for my sister and what she personally did for me. She always expressed "Joy" to me, even when she didn't talk! I pray that you remember how she sparked your life, or at least tried to. And I pray that you will spread the joy of the Lord in remembrance of her life, and let’s finish what she was unable to complete! The Joy of the Lord is our strength! I for one will keep my joy and honor her life by influencing others! LuAnne, I’ll see you in heaven for eternity. I LOVE YOU MY SISTER! Rev."D"

P.S. Somebody please come to Jesus today, because even at her death, God is calling you to Life in Christ! Please don’t let this moment pass you by - LuAnne was prepared for death by receiving God's gift to the world, Jesus Christ who paid it all so you could have it all! Come!"

Being a Witness Where You Work

W – Your Work is your Witness & Worship

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Philippians 2:14-15 “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.”

I Timothy 4:16 “ Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you."

Philippians 1:27 “But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the Good News.” conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel

O – Seek Opportunities to bless and encourage

Romans 8:14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

R – Redeem the time – Be productive. Use your time wisely

Ephesians 6:5 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.”

K – Let Kindness be your way of treating people

Ephesians 4:32; 5:2 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you … Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.”

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

John 12:32 “And when I (Jesus) am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself."

I – Intercede for those around you

I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

I Timothy 2:8 “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

N – Let them see your New Nature – Even in trials

James 1:2 “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”

G – Give first - faithfully and consistently

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

II Corinthians 9:7-9 “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."

A New Mind

The very first word of the good new preached by Jesus was “Repent!” (Matthew 4:17). F. F. Bruce described repentance as involving a turning with contrition from sin to God. He said “The repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.) This is so true, but what we see of Biblical repentance has more to do with changing your mind, or way of thinking and understanding. We need a new mind!

Paul reminded us in I Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Our lives are filled with our own ways of thinking. We base our understanding of things on personal life experience, education and our emotions. By using this particular mode of thinking and judging, our perspective on life are limited and often flawed. If this is true, then the choices we make with this rational can turn out to be big mistakes. As a new man, I have the ability now to put on a new mind - the mind of Christ.

In Christ Jesus I have the opportunity to set aside my old way of thinking and begin to reason from Jesus’ own way of thinking. Paul again instructs us by saying, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Now, this is a process. Although we have newly revived spirits, it takes time and effort to change our way of thinking. We have two helpers. There is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, who now lives within our spirits, and we have the Word of God which comes to us from without through a variety of different ways.

My grandmother told me about Dutch spring cleaning. When she was a little girl, every spring the family would empty the house of everything – and I do mean everything. Then they would scrub the inside of the house from floor to ceiling, and every cupboard and corner. After this they would white wash paint the interior walls. Finally they cleaned everything they had taken outside the house, than brought them back in one by one. Now they brought in only the things that they were going to keep. These had to be useful and beneficial, for they lived very simple lives on that old Indiana farm. What didn’t come back into the house got trashed, given away or sold. Imaging if we let the Holy Spirit scrub our souls with the Word of God and give us a good “brain washing,” in a manner of speaking. That is to cleanse our thought life by the “washing of water by the word” (Eph.5:26). This includes clearing up confusing and misleading ideas even about who God is.

My wife’s grandparents also did something similarly in Ohio. She remembered that throughout the year they were very careful about what they brought into the house, because sooner or later they would have to deal with it. We must also continually guard our minds for thoughts and influences that we will later have to deal with.

If the air and the water are polluted and can have unhealthy effects on us, how much can our thoughts be polluted by the negative ungodly influences of this fallen world? My car radio is set on KYCC, KLOVE and 770AM. These are Christian music and Bible teaching stations that lift my spirit and help to fill my mind with godly thoughts. Still I have to judge and discern biblical truth from error in all of that, and not take it at face value.

It is my job to put on a right mind. “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on … an helmet, the hope of salvation” (I Thes. 5:8). God provides His Word to me. It is a protective helmet over the thoughts of my mind. But I must take it off the shelf and actively apply it to my life. Listen to it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Teach it. Live it!

Restricting God

Just one of the reasons why I love the teachings of Watchman Nee. From his book "The Release of the Spirit". Chapter V, The Church & God's Work. (Italics mine.)

"If we really understand the nature of God's work, we shall readily admit that the outward man (soul - mind, will & emotions) is truly a formidable hindrance. It is true to say that God is much restricted by man. The people of God should know the ultimate purpose of the Church and also the inter-relationship of the Church (all born again, spirit filled believers), of God's power, and of God's work.

God's Manifestation & God's Restriction

There came a time when God committed Himself to human form - in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. Before the Word became flesh, God's fullness knew no bounds. However, once the incarnation became a reality, His work and his power were limited to this flesh. Will this Man, Christ Jesus, restrict or manifest God? We are shown by the Bible that, far from limiting God, He has instead wonderfully manifested God's fullness. The fullness of God is the fullness of this flesh.

In our day God commits Himself to the Church. His power and His work are in the Church. Just as in the Gospel we find all God's work given to the Son, so today God has entrusted all His works to the Church and will not act apart from it. From the Day of Pentecost up to the present, God's work has been carried out through the Church. Think of the Church's tremendous responsibility. God's committal to the Church is like His committal previously to one Man, Christ - without reservation or restriction. Thus the Church may restrict God's work or limit His manifestation.

Jesus of Nazareth is God Himself. His whole being from within to without is to reveal God. His emotions reflect God's emotions; His thoughts reveal God's thoughts. While on this earth He could say: 'Not that I should do My will, but the will of Him that has sent Me ... The Son can do nothing of Himself save whatever He sees the Father doing ... For I have not spoken from Myself, but the Father who sent me has Himself given Me commandment what I should say and what I should speak' (John 6:38; 5:19; 12:49). Here we see a Man to whom God is committed. He is the Word that became flesh. He is God becoming man. He is perfect. When the day came that God desired to distribute His life to men, that Man could declare: '... The grain of wheat falling into the ground ... if it die ... bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Thus God has chosen the Church to be His vessel today - the vessel of His speaking, for the manifestation of His power and His working.

The basic teaching of the Gospel is the presence of God in one Man, while that of the epistles is God in the Church. May our eyes be opened to the glorious fact: God formerly dwelt in the Man Jesus Christ, but now God is only in the Church, not in any other organization (political, religious or otherwise). When this light dawns on us, we will spontaneously lift up our eyes to heaven saying, 'Oh, God! How much we have hindered Thee!' In Christ, the Almighty God was still almighty without suffering any restriction or straitening. What God expects today is that this same power may remain intact as He resides in the Church. He would be as free in manifesting Himself in the Church as He was in Christ. Any restriction or disability in the Church will invariably limit God. This is a most serious thing; we do not mention it lightly. The hindrance in each of us constitutes a hindrance to God.

Why is the discipline of the Holy Spirit so important? Why is the dividing of spirit and soul so urgent? It is because God must have a way through us. Let no one think that we are only interested in individual spiritual experiences. Our concern is God's way and His work. Is God free in our lives? Unless we are dealt with and broken through discipline, we shall restrict God. Without the breaking of the outward man, the Church cannot be a way for God."

Know No One

A friend told me the other day, “The reason people say ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ is because people judge books by their covers.” The statement is made of books, but more commonly of how people judge other people. I don’t know how you know people, but let me tell you, looks are deceiving. I don’t want to know you on the outside. I want to know you on the inside.

Paul gives this instruction, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh …” (II Corinthians 5:16). Created in the image of God, we are tri-part beings. As God is a trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, so we are spirits that have souls and live in bodies. Of those three components, the body of flesh is temporal, but the soul and spirit live forever. I see and acknowledge you in the flesh, but I don’t know you until I know your soul and spirit. This is one of the ways that the gift of discerning spirits operates. Not merely to distinguish between good and evil spirits, but to understand what is in the spirit of a man.

Our society puts a lot of stock into the outward appearance. It is not un-important to take care of your physical body and care for your appearance, but that is not the eternal you. The world obsesses over body image. Cosmetic plastic surgery, diet & exercise equipment sales number in the billions of dollars, while we are raising a Biblically illiterate generation. It’s time to make a serious investment in the spirit man, born again by the Spirit of God. This is the hour for an extreme makeover, soul edition!

“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)

Read, study, memorize, meditate and apply the Word of God to your life! Pray to, praise, worship and serve the Living God! Train yourself to be godly! That is true self improvement.

From this time on, I want to know the real you – the eternal you. When you die your body will go to the grave – earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. On that great resurrection morning you will dawn a new body, “not made with hands, eternal in the heavenly.” When I see you there, I may not recognize your “new suite,” but I will know your eternal soul & spirit. So take some time get to know yourself and others in a brand new way!

Prepare to Lose

Do you ever find yourself fighting for something? Be careful. In your struggle you may be fighting with God. If you ever find yourself wrestling with God, prepare to lose! For in absolute surrender you will win!

Jacob was a fighter. Jacob was a loser. His name means to usurp by treachery or force. He tried to live up to the reputation of his name, but never seemed to get ahead. Just about everything he touched turned to dust in his hand. He was a wrestler, a scrapper, a grappler. But he always seemed to be wrestling with the wrong opponent. Remember “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” At birth he grappled with his twin brother to be first born, and he lost. He wrestled and wrangled to secure the birth right and the blessing of his father by deceptive means. He thought he had won, but in truth he had lost precious relationships with his family as he fled from the wrath of his brother. Jacob met his match when he approached his uncle for the love of his life. This time he tried to do the right thing, but in his best effort was deceived, manipulated and controlled. And yet the greatest failure of his life was soon to come!

It was at the point where in order to return to his homeland he would have to make peace with his brother. Peace would come at the price of sacrificing everything. At the ford of Jabbok he left his wife and children on the other side, and proceeded alone. Jabbok means to be emptied by utter failure or loss. At this stage in his life he would have to risk everything to achieve restoration. Jacob was devastated. It seemed as if he was always striving for something, but could never quite pin it down – until that night, when he was all alone, he wrestled a Man.

Scripture is not clear whether Jacob was asleep or awake; in consciousness or in the spirit. The word “wrestle” implies to grapple and get dusty. This was the fight of his life. Bigger than the Thrilla’ in Manila - this was the all or nothing round! But this was a fight he could not win! At the point that he felt the victory slipping away, Jacob grabbed hold of the Man for dear life! The Man dislocated his hip, but Jacob would not let go without a blessing.

“What is your name?” the Man asked (Genesis 32:27). “Usurper’” Jacob said. “(Not anymore. From now on you will be called Israel) for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Genesis 32:28). Israel means GOD PREVAILS! A name change like this always implies a changed life. Jacob lost. God won! God would continue to win in Jacob’s life as he submitted himself to God's lordship.

Jacob called that place Peniel which means face to face with God. No longer was Jacob striving against God, but rather was redirected toward God. Although his hip was forever disjointed, his life was reset in right alignment with the will of God.

Stop fighting with everyone and everything in life. You are not wresting with stuff. You are wrestling with God. When you finally realize that you are grappling with God, GIVE UP! – and let Him realign your dislocated life.

The Other Prodigal

Many of us have prodigals in our lives. A prodigal is one who wastefully squanders what he has. The prodigal that we are most familiar with is the younger son who prematurely took his share of his father’s estate and carelessly consumed it all on immoral living. This led to poverty and the awakening of his conscience to repent and return his father’s house. But did you know there is more than one way to wastefully squander what you have in relation to the father? Did you know there was another prodigal?

The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.

At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)

The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.

What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!

The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!

No More Manna

Have you noticed the generational shift taking place in the church today? The Grahams, Schullers, Hagins, Hickeys, Robertsons, Prices, Osteens and more. The next generation of leadership is stepping up in the church. But what will this next generation of leadership be like? How will they measure up in our time? I was reminded of another generational shift in Joshua 5.

"And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." (Joshua 5:10-12)

What a transition from the leadership of Moses to the leadership of Joshua. "The manna ceased." Moses was a deliverer and Joshua a conqueror. The disposition of the people was different from one generation to the next. Moses' generation was born to slavery, and when times got tough, they always thought it would be better to go back to the good old days of slavery be the Nile. In contrast, the generation Joshua led was wilderness born, and when times got tough they always wanted to move forward into the Promise Land. Largely Moses experienced miracles of survival - manna from heaven, water from the rock, sandals that wouldn't wear out, quail from the wind. Joshua experienced miracles of conquest - the walls of Jericho crashing down, the sun standing still, overcoming enemies though being outnumbered.

It's interesting to me what punctuated this transition. "No more manna!" One day the people ate manna from the wilderness, the next day they crossed the Jordan River and they ate the produce of the Promise Land. They reaped where they had not sown. The next day the manna stopped! One day the people are living on miracles of survival, the next day they are experiencing and partaking of the fulfillment of God's promise.

What will this new generation be like in our time? Will they survive or thrive? Will this next period of the church go forward to accomplish what God has called them to, or will they constantly desire to return to what is comfortable and familiar? Will the church today do more or less for the kingdom of God? In order for us to move backwards, all we really have to do is nothing. But there is a great deal of work and responsibility in moving forward. Yes, God has given us the land. Yes, the fields are ripe unto harvest. But the people must transition from helpless wanderers to become hard working farmers who possess the land and make it produce. The responsibility of the Joshua generation is that they inherited the promise of God, but the price of the gift is to care for and maintain what has been given.

What has God given to this new generation? What inheritance have we received in Christ from the previous generation? I believe the fields are ripe unto harvest! I believe this generation has an opportunity to reap where they have not sown and advance from where our predecessors left off. But we still have work to do. Posses the land! Bring in the harvest! Sow into the next season! Pray! Win souls! Disciple! Equip the saints! Let us be the generation that truly enters in, and not falls back. Which do you want - manna or the next move of God?

Knowing God

How well do you know God? You may know about Him from what others have said. You may have done your own study and research on God, and have an academic knowledge of Him. You may even have intimate knowledge of Him based on your own personal relationship with Him.

There is yet another dimension to knowledge. It comes from the little Greek prefix “epi” as in “epi-gnosis,” which is to super-impose knowledge and thereby come to a complete and precise understanding. This knowledge is not general or informational. We have the opportunity to increase in correct spiritual knowledge (epi-gnosis) about God which is supernaturally imposed .

The Apostle Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:17 for believers, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (epi-gnosis) of him.” We can study Him and know Him by His Word, the Holy Bible. But add to that the dimension of the indwelling presence of the God's Holy Spirit in our lives as believers. With the Spirit’s help, by giving gifts of wisdom and revelation, we can “know him better” (NIV).

When I learned about this kind of knowledge (epi-gnosis) - the super-imposition of understanding - it reminded me of my souvenir collection. Whenever I go on a trip I try to find the cheapest souvenir. I discovered for fifty-one cents I can get a smashed penny. Into the machine I put my two quarters and a copper penny which already has the image of President Lincoln. After I crank the handle it comes out of the machine thinner, stretched and with the new image of a landmark. Although there is the faint and distorted old image of Mr. Lincoln on the back, the new impression on the front is now prominent. Is that what happens when we come to the knowledge of Christ? When we seek God by the Spirit and the Word, we want to know and understand who Jesus is to us. We want to discover what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives. This kind of seeking changes us as God stamps His divine image on our lives! The dominant image then becomes “… Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). With this new understanding of our relationship with God, our true identity is solidified. His life becomes our life. His identity becomes our identity. His nature becomes our nature. His love becomes our love. By putting our faith in Him, we are being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

This super-imposition is about searching out the things of God through His Spirit within us until we become a part of Him; a partner with Him, and become a full participant in Him. Knowing the truth about God has the power to change our lives. Not through mere informational or intellectual ascent, but by the Spirit's gift of revelation knowledge. In seeking the Lord, we are being impressed upon by the Holy Spirit to come to the full and complete “knowledge (epi-gnosis) of the Son” (Eph. 4:13).

Life Isn’t A Disneyland

“We’re going to Disneyland!” was my announcement to my six and eight year old girls, to which they replied with shrieks and squeals. Their life-long dreams where soon to be fulfilled.

The trip would be long and arduous, but certainly worth the effort to be able to play in Mickey and Minnie’s backyard. I even think that waiting in the ticket line for my eager Mouseketeers seemed longer to them than the entire drive down to Southern California, but we had finally arrived.

As we entered the park, I could hardly wait to show them all of the spots I remembered as a child. We enjoyed the train ride, the stroll down Main Street, a little shopping along the way and even a tour through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Then I popped the question, “How do you like Disneyland?”

To my utter surprise my eight-year-old daughter turned to me with a look of disappointment as she answered, “Well, it isn’t really what I expected.”

“Tell me what you mean,” I said.

“I thought,” she explained, “Disneyland would be like a big playground, and we would get to play all day with Mickey and Minnie.”

Life, I have come to discover, isn’t always what we expect, and the things that happen in life don’t always turn out like one of those Disney cartoons with a happy ending.
Many of us spend our whole lives planning and preparing for the good things that lay ahead. As a child looks forward to Disneyland, a teen looks forward to driving and the freedoms of adulthood. A young adult looks forward to a career that will afford them financial freedom in years to come. And a middle aged person looks toward the restful and relaxing years of retirement.
Nobody plans in their idealistic life to go bankrupt, get a divorce, lose a child to death or be diagnosed with cancer. Most people don’t plan for tragedy, but sadly trials, failure and hardships could strike any one of us irrespective of who we are, or what we have been like. Jesus reminded us,

“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)

As long as we live in this fallen world, in this mortal body of flesh, we are not immune to the affects and influences of our environment. Unfortunately, some never recover such difficulties, while others seem to just break even. But there are those who become victorious overcomers no matter what! In all of life’s trials I have found a biblical principle to be true. This was my grandmother’s life verse.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

What the Apostle Paul expressed was that those who put their trust in God have a definite advantage in life. Not that they are excluded from the struggles of life, or that they are somehow unaffected by them. But rather that those who love God and walk out their lives in faith aliening themselves with His will, find that the end result of any of their adversities is only good always. Taking all of the good and all of the bad things in life, God promises “ALL THING WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.” Not necessarily what you think is good at the time, but what Creator God deems as His overall good in accordance with His divine purposes.

This may seem to be too good to be true, but many will testify that having the love and care of God in your corner can turn many of your trials into gold. It is not too late to see God work your hardships for good, if you will put your trust in Him today.

Is God Dead?

The cover of Time Magazine, April 8, 1966 featured three disturbing words. “IS GOD DEAD?” Although the vast majority of American’s say they believe in God, the real question is what do they believe about God? The article sited several ideas from “on the street” interviews.
- Scientist - “God, if anything, is hydrogen and carbon. Then again, he might be
thermonuclear fission, since that’s what makes life on this planet possible.”
- Prostitute – “God will get me out of this filth one day. He is a God of mercy, dressed all in
white and sitting on a golden throne.”
- Cleaning Lady – “God is a ghost floating in space.”
- Screenwriter – “God is an infantile fantasy, which was necessary when men did not
understand what lightning was. God is a cop-out.”
- Janitor – “God is like a fiery flame, so white that it can blind you.”
- Seminary Student – “God is all that I cannot understand.”
- Another Scientist – “God is the totality of harmony of the universe.”
- Playwright – “It is the voice which says, ‘It’s not good enough’ – that’s what God is.”
- Civil Servant – “God is a lot like he was explained to us as children. As an older man, who is
just and who can get angry at us. I know this isn’t the true picture, but it’s the only one I’ve
got.”

What is wrong with this picture? Things haven’t changed much over the years. Too many people are coming to God with their own ideas about who He is. He is not who we think He is. He is not who other people say He is. God is who He said He is. God is not dead, but if people put faith is a confused misunderstanding of God, I’m afraid they will be terribly disappointed.

In his book, “When God Doesn’t Make Sense,” Dr. James Dobson said, “There is no greater distress in human experience than to build one’s entire way of life on a certain theological understanding, and then have it collapse at a time of unusual stress and pain.” Did God fail, or did an individual’s misconception of God fail?

Who is God? What is His true identity? A person can be identified by personal I.D., fingerprints, blood type, dental records, or DNA. God’s identity is to be discovered in a diligent search for Him in the pages of the Bible, with the help of the Holy Spirit. God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah saying,
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will
be found of you.” (Jeremiah. 29:13)

Our faith is only as good as the God we put our trust in. My book, "IDENTIFYING GOD" is designed to be a training course in identity. The study series begins with identifying God. In order to know who we are, we must first know who God is and why He made us - what our purpose is in Him. After identifying God, we can identify the believer. When we understand what the ministry of the believer is, we can then identify the ministry of the Church, and begin working together as one.

I am a fellow seeker, a fellow struggler. This has been a personal study for me that I would like to share with you. My search begins by understanding the knowledge of truth. The direction that my study takes investigates the meaning of the seven proper names for God from Old Testament Hebrew. These can help us to define the nature, character and authority of God. You will also gain a perspective of the kind of relationship that He wants to have with us. From this vantage point, you will get a clear perspective of who Jesus Christ is in relation to God. Finally, you will meet the Holy Spirit and discovery His divine attributes and manifestations.

These lessons are intended to be an introduction to the unique and personal relationship God wants to have with each of us. It is not my intention to be exhaustive, as the mystery of who God is must become a lifelong pursuit. If time spent in my book helps you to get off to a great start in your faith, or fills in the gaps of a partial understanding of the Lord, and thereby improves your relationship with Him, than the many hour spent in study and preparation have been worth it all.

May you be blessed and greatly rewarded in your diligent pursuit of the true and living God.

Check out my book "IDENTIFYING GOD at www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF ED HAN

There are miracles everywhere that need to tell their story of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. Let these excerpts from my life inspire you to share what the Lord has done for you!

Salvation
At nine years old, I was seated second row from the back with my mother at church. The minister was presenting a chalk talk about Jesus’ crucifixion at Mount Calvary. When the lighting changed, from the drawing of that rugged hill appeared a portrait of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The minister asked if anyone wanted to receive Christ for salvation. Something struck me deep inside. I didn’t know much at that young age, but I knew I was a sinner and I needed a savior. I raised my hand in response to his invitation, but he didn’t see me. Driving home in the family’s VW van on that summer Sunday morning in 1971, I asked my mother, “What do you do after you raise your hand?” As soon as we got home, she took me in the back room, sat me on the end of the bed, and explained God’s love for me in sending His Son to suffer and die that I might be saved. Then she led me in a prayer to receive Christ as my Savior. I experienced an immediate change deep in my conscience, as I became aware of the still small voice of the Spirit guiding me.

My father was furious when he heard the news. “A boy can’t understand that kind of commitment!” But day by day he began to witness a life that was truly changed by the power of God. He began to see it in my servant’s heart and loving attitude. About a year later my parents divorced. I felt confused, but not alone. I hungered for fellowship with God, and prayed every day to draw closer to him. In the summer months I would hop on my bike and ride to the Christian bookstore in the mall, where they had gospel tracks, Jesus pencils and non-stop Christian music playing. I would spend hours in the store. People were friendly, and I felt closer to God there than at home surrounded by my family’s crisis.

Calling
My grandparents were faithful servants of the Lord, who superintended the Gospel Rescue Mission. I was twelve when I announced to my grandmother I had been reading a New Testament Living Bible, and I felt like God was calling me into the ministry. She was quick to explain how God used Jesus to teach the teachers in the temple even at my age. “If God could use Jesus,” she proclaimed “then God can use you!” I received her words of wisdom, and made a commitment to dedicate myself to the Lord’s service.

It wasn’t long after that when my grandfather approached me saying, “The preacher for tonight’s service can’t make it. Do you want to bring the message tonight?” Before I really thought about what he was asking I said yes. The only Bible verse I really knew was John 3:16, so I read the verse a few times and prayed for the Lord to help me. That night I was nervous. When my grandfather introduced me I started in to my message. I don’t remember what I shared, but he said the longer I preached the louder I got. Three decisions for Christ were made that night. I thank God that he can use anybody – even me.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit
By the age of sixteen, I was doing everything I knew to do to serve the Lord. Taking my Bible to school, I had many opportunities to witness to teachers and students on campus every day. When summer rolled around I hooked up with a school friend and we started a visitation ministry in our youth group. We were so thrilled with how God was using us to minister that we stopped by the high school for a prayer meeting. It was a summer evening and there was nobody around. As it was turning dark, we sat in the grassy quad area and prayed. I think I spoke about every praise phrase I knew, expressing my heartfelt thanks to the Lord. When I said the “amen,” my friend began to pray. While he was talking to the Lord, the Lord was talking to me. “Did you say everything you wanted to say?” To be honest, there was more in me than I had the ability to express. I felt like a bottle, sealed tight and all shaken up with carbonation, just waiting to explode. Then the Spirit of the Lord spoke again in a whisper from within me, “I have a gift for you.” A Bible verse immediately came to mind “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Then I knew what He was talking about. As soon as my friend was through praying, I asked him to pray for me to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

He took my hands and prayed. Then he began to speak over me in a language I couldn’t understand. That same still small voice spoke to me again, “Speak this sound and I will give you the rest.” The Spirit gave me a short “i” sound. I felt foolish to speak it out, but I stepped out in faith anyway. When I spoke it out a fluid language began to flow from me. In a matter of seconds I was singing in a language I had never learned. It was dark out now and my eyes were closed. But inwardly I was being flood with light. I walked away from that experience with a peace and joy in the Lord I had never known before.

I can only say that from that moment on the power of the Holy Spirit began to operate in my life. I can’t say what happens to others, but for me, when I received the power of the Spirit all of the gifts of the Spirit became operational through me. I could tell stories about how every one of the gifts from I Corinthians 12:8-10 began to function in me as the Spirit led.

Street Evangelism
Hanging out with a friend one night, shortly after I had received the Spirit’s power, we drove down the Avenue where the young people would cruise. He suggested we get out on the street and witness to them about Christ. I had shared my faith many times, but going out on the rough streets was a new experience. We parked at a fast-food place and prayed. We grabbed our Bibles and headed down the street. It seem like the street was full of youth, but when we walked down the street no one was out. We crossed the street and headed back, and I thought we were home free, when we encountered a group of partying teens. I took about three steps in front of my friend and walked right on by. Basically, I chickened out. When my friend pasted them, one guy yelled out, “Hey, is that a Bible in your hand?” My friend froze. He looked at me, than looked at them. Then he turned around and followed me.

We got back to the car, and it was quiet all the way home. We parked in front of my house, and then broke down weeping and praying for God to give us boldness to reach our generation for Christ. In our failure God emboldened us with a commission to take that street for Christ. For the next two years we went out faithfully every Friday night, and took many more friends with us to reach out to lost young people in our city. Some lives where changed for Christ, but mostly we were changed as we realized God was able to use us if we were willing to serve.

Business –Yellow Pages
I’d been in the ministry for twelve years, but had no business experience, when my wife and I had an opportunity to acquire a yellow page publication. I had worked in sales with the publisher a year and a half when he was going to sell one of his directories. He accepted our offer, and we were soon to be in business. About two weeks prior to launching out on our own, the boss said, “I can’t sell the book.” At this news my heart sank. He went on to explain, “But you are the only one who knows. At the distribution of my last book, I am going to send out thank you letters to our clients. All you have to do is send a follow up letter explaining you are the new phone book in town, and pick up where I left off.” He wasn’t selling the phone directory to us. He was giving it to us.

We did as he instructed and God blessed us beyond our expectations. I asked God why He would honor us in such a way. I believe He said it was His gift to us for years of faithful service for Him. At that point we felt lead to do something we had never done before. We began to tithe in faith, not what we earned from advertising sales, but rather tithe based in what we needed. This we did for our first full year in business. Our revenue doubled over the next five years. It was at that time that another publisher offered to buy the phone book for ten times what the original published offered to sell it to us for. We believe God honored His Word of blessing in putting Him first in our business. We have since carried these lessons with us into our insurance business and other ministry endeavors.

Writing
I was just coming out of a dry season in my spiritual life. I have always tried to be faithful and committed in the Lord’s service. My wife’s sister had a word from the Lord for us. “New beginnings. New ministry.” We graciously received it and put it on the “prayer shelf” for further consideration. Several weeks later there came a prophetic word from an evangelist who called me out during a service in an unusual way. This prophecy confirmed the first message. Then, a New Year message from another evangelist urged us to prayerfully write down the ten things God wanted to do through us in 2007. The next morning I set out to complete this task. When I wrote down number 4 “write a book,” the whole idea of it immediately began to unfold. A couple of Sunday nights later a ministry friend was our guest speaker. When I went to greet him before the service, he said, “I had a dream about you. I was with you while you were teaching, and all of a sudden light flooded the room.” These prophetic words inspired the spiritual direction for my first book.

I can’t make prophetic words come to pass, but I can prepare myself for their fulfillment, and obey the Spirit’s leading. Then I had to get to work. I have to thank my beloved wife Lorri and all of our eight children for their patient understanding, as time was taken from them to accomplish the first of many manuscripts.

My book, “Identifying God” is an introductory study especially for seekers and new believers on the nature, character and authority of the God of the Bible. I am currently working on book two, “Identifying the Believer” which should be self-published like the first book by the end of this year. May these writings bless the body of Christ, and be a legacy of our family faith and trust in Christ Jesus.

Business Men’s Fellowship
After the completion of my first self-published book, the Lord laid on my heart to get in touch with the chapter president of Business Men’s Fellowship and find out when and where the next meeting was to be held. When he explained the meetings had been disbanded, I told him we had to get started again, because the Lord told me to get involved. We then began to contact the business people that we knew to gather them together and share the vision. BMF is thriving in a down economy and a hard hit community, because God’s plan is to “prosper … and to give us a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

During a prayer retreat with BMF leadership, the Lord laid something new on my heart. “Take another business man and go for a prayer walk in one of the business districts.” The first one that came to mind was the Avenue I use to witness on when I was a teenager, known as “the Miracle Mile.” With Answer Magazines in hand we walk and pray from storefront to storefront each week, simple introducing ourselves thus … “I’m Ed and this is Jack. We are with the Business Men’s Fellowship. We are not selling anything. But is there anything we can pray with you about?” Business people have been warm and inviting when they realize we have come to bring hope to a hurting community. We have prayed with people in their stores and on the streets to know the Lord and for God to help meet their needs.

We’ve got a lot to give, and this is the time when people are open and they need it the most. We have “The Answer” that people are looking for. Thank you for the privilege of share God’s grace and power to use me, as he wants to use you, too.

To be continued ...