April 25, 2015

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

Life is about change, but you have probably noticed that!

We don’t mind change when it is our idea or when we feel in charge of it, but realistically how often does that happen?

Dealing with change generally requires making mental and emotional adjustments first.

That brings me back to the statement that is our theme for the week-end – If you want to change your outcome change your outlook. That is the Caleb difference!

You can call it a paradigm change or a new mindset or an attitude adjustment, whatever you prefer, but until your outlook is right your outcome will be wrong.

God had some major changes for His people. They were good changes but they called for drastic changes in their outlook.

Consider:

God was calling them out of being victims and into being victors.

As slaves in Egypt they had no rights, no privileges, and no freedom. They were at the mercy of their masters and where forced to take what they were given.

Nothing ever changed and they had lost hope of it ever changing.

But God had a better plan! His plan was to deliver them from slavery and make them His sons and daughters! That’s a huge change and it demands a major change in outlook. Though it was a very positive change it wasn’t an easy one. All their lives they had thought like victims but now they must begin thinking like victors. God was calling them to be victorious in the conquest of the Promised Land! That is a paradigm change many are never able to make.

How is your outlook?

Before God can change your outcome you must ask Him to change your outlook!

Also, God was calling them out of bondage and into boldness.

God created His people to be free and placed the desire for freedom in their spirit. But freedom is hard to get and even harder to keep. Freedom demands responsibility. Freedom requires self-discipline, self-denial and sound decision-making.

When bondage is all you’ve known, the boldness to break free is hard to muster. When bondage is all you have known discipline has been imposed upon you, decisions made for you and much has been denied you.

Bold actions must be preceded by bold thoughts and bold desires. To change that outcome requires a change in outlook.

God’s people had difficulty breaking the bondage of Egypt and finding the boldness to enter Canaan.

Will you be bold enough to ask Him to change your outlook?

Thirdly, God was calling them out of hopelessness and into their home.

People in hopelessly victimized by the bondage of slavery are in a bad place. That is where God’s people were when Moses answered God’s call to set them free. God had hopes for them when they had no hope.

God’s hope for His people involved a home where they could live in freedom and peace! Moses was called to lead God’s people out of His land of promise. The promise of this Promised Land was rest

When God called them out of hopelessness into His home He was calling them to His Self! He is the hope! He is the rest! He is where we belong!

God had wonderful plans for His people! But before they receive His plan they had to believe it. Before their outcome could change they would need to change their outlook!

This story is not just an ancient Old Testament story. This story is the foreshadowing of God’s plan for your salvation!

Egypt is your old life of sin and bondage. You were a hopeless victim of your own self-destructive nature.

Moses was the God-sent deliverer called to set His people free. He foreshadowed the Son of God who would be sent to save His people from their sins.

The Promised Land is the rest that God desires for us. It is a land that has where every enemy has been conquered and every passion has been brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. That is the different spirit demonstrated by Caleb!

In between Canaan and Egypt was the wilderness. That represents the life of salvation. Following God, learning to trust Him, getting to know Him and serve Him is what happens in the wilderness walk with God. The wilderness is where slave becomes sons and where outlooks and changed.

You can’t get into Canaan unless you go through the wilderness but you can’t get to the wilderness until you get out of Egypt! You can’t get out of Egypt until you trust Christ for your salvation from sin.

So this old story is as hopeful and helpful and powerful as it was in Egypt. God can still bring you out of your bondage into victory and boldness and into His rest!

Do you know this story?

Is this story your story?

Do you have the “different spirit” like Caleb had?

Are you ready for a new outlook?

April 24, 2015

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

This week I have highlighted some of the ways Caleb was different from the other ten spies and the differences are stark.

One of the principles I was to pull from this story is this: If you want a different outcome you will need a different outlook!

Caleb clearly had a different outlook than the others spies ten spies (Joshua not included). He brought a realistic but optimistic report to rebut the negative discouraging report brought by the ten.

Obviously they all saw the same things but they saw them with different outlooks.

Caleb saw the grapes. They were huge and juicy and tasty! He imagined feasting on them the rest of his life once they conquered their promised land.

The other spies saw the grapes, too! They tasted them. They cut down a bunch of ripe juicy grapes to carry back to Moses. But despite the evidence they bore, their attitude was sour grapes!

Why?

Although the desired the grapes they also saw the giants. The big, bad, burly giants were the ancestors of Goliath and the descendants of Anak. As much as they wanted the grapes they wanted nothing to do with the giants! So the fear of the giants became their focus.

Caleb saw the giants, too. But he wasn’t about to let them keep him from the grapes! While the other spies saw the giants as big threats Caleb saw them as big targets!

Caleb remembered that God had promised this land to them! So those were their grapes! In fact, it tells us in Joshua 14, when the Israelites finally did cross over and conquer Canaan, the land that Caleb chose was Hebron, the territory of the giants!

So, there were grapes and there were giants. Caleb saw them and the spies saw them, but Caleb has a different spirit! His outlook was fueled by faith while theirs was fueled by fear.

Here’s the heart of the difference! When the spies saw the giants they saw themselves as grasshoppers. But when Caleb saw the giants he saw God!

Grapes, giants, and grasshoppers cause the other spies to grumble to the people.

But the grapes and the giants from the perspective of Godly faith stirred Caleb’s spirit within him! He was fired up and ready to go get himself some giants!

There are grapes in your life and there are also giants! Your outlook with determine whether you feast on the grapes or fear the giants. If you want a different outcome you will need a different outlook!

At FredWes this year your Leadership Team and your Trustees have diligently been spying for a new promised land. They have found some grapes but there are also some giants. They will soon be presenting their report. When they tell you about the grapes you will get excited. But then you will hear about the giants. That will test your outlook! Will you be overcome by the grasshopper outlook?

Or will you have a different spirit like Caleb who saw God beyond the giants?

In every group there are Calebs and there are spies.

Ultimately, like God’s people, FredWes’ outcome will be determined by our outlook.

God, let me be a Caleb!

April 23, 2015

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

Caleb was one among twelve spies but he stood head and shoulder above the rest! He prospered when the ten faithless spies perished!

Over the last few days we have been learning why:

·         He was a devoted servant

·         He had a different spirit

And the third thing different about Caleb is:

·         He was dead to self

As you look at this story it is obvious there were two different spirits at work in the ten spies than in Caleb and Joshua.

If you are going to have a different spirit as Caleb did why not have God’s Spirit? You cannot have God’s Spirit and your selfish will co-existent in the same heart. Your sinful nature must die in order for God’s Spirit to fill you with His presence and power.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

When you look at the difference in Caleb’s report and that of ten other spies you have to wonder, “Wow! What a difference! What’s that about?”

They saw the same things but they saw them with a different spirit.

The difference was about seeing Canaan through eyes of faith rather than eyes of flesh. And the difference was having the confidence of a victor instead of cowering as a victim.

The difference was about Caleb being dead to himself and alive to God! He wasn’t worried about anything except pleasing God. He didn’t have to b defensive or fearful or timid, he just had to size up the enemy, measure them against God and share the optimistic report.

The difference was about Caleb sensing God’s presence, God’s peace and God’s protection as he scouted behind enemy lines.

It was a big difference and it raises a big question. If they knew they were going to spy out God’s Promised WHY didn’t the other spies prepare spiritually as well?

How about you?

Are you spiritually prepared for the next big thing God has for you?

Have you died to yourself?

Do you have a different spirit?

April 22, 2015

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

Wouldn’t it be great if God could brag on you?

If God were to brag on you, what would he brag about?

God was bragging on Caleb in our Scripture text today. In yesterday’s post I mentioned three things about Caleb that impressed God.

First, he was a dedicated servant.

This morning I want you to notice the second praiseworthy trait Caleb possessed. He had a different spirit – “Caleb has a different spirit”.

What was different about Caleb’s spirit?

Caleb had faith!

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30

When nearly every other Israelite was overcome with fear over the report from the Promised Land, Caleb had the contrary opinion. Ten spies were moaning and lamenting the giants that would confront them across the Jordan River. Those spies saw the same things when they scouted out the land for forty days. But they returned with vastly different reports.

Why were there two such opposite forecasts about their future when all twelve of the spies went the same places and saw the same things!

At least part of the answer lies not in WHAT they saw but in HOW they saw.

The ten spies who gave the bad report were looking through eyes of flesh while Caleb was looking through eyes of faith!

They saw the giants in light of their own weaknesses and inadequacies, while Caleb saw them in light of God’s strength and power!

That’s the difference that faith makes!  And it’s a BIG difference.

Facing giants in the flesh is a losing strategy that incites fear. But Caleb’s spirit, the spirit of faith, inspired hope!

Caleb had fervency!

“Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.  If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:6-9

Caleb was zealous for the will of God. He knew how God had delivered them from the bondage of the mighty Egyptians.  He was mindful of how God had brought them safely through the Red Sea and then closed it back to destroy their enemies! He was convinced God was able to give them the Promised Land as well!

He could not let the skeptics and the doubters have the last word! He fervently pleaded God’s case before the people!

Caleb was fearless!

“Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.” Numbers 14:9

Caleb’s courage came from his conviction that God had the power to keep His promise! He had seen what God had done in the past and believed He would do it again!

Caleb had a “different spirit”! His spirit was a spirit of faith, a spirit of fervency and of fearlessness. His spirit stood in stark contrast to the defeated, discouraged and doubting attitudes that surrounded him that day.

No wonder God took notice of him!

No wonder God was pleased with him!

No wonder God bragged on him and help him up as a model for all His people.

How is your spirit today?

Are you living by faith?

Are you fervent for His will?

Are you fearless in His promises?

There is a spirit better than Caleb’s spirit available to you this day! It is God’s Holy Spirit offered to those who will ask for it, believe and receive it.

April 21, 2015

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.” Numbers 14:24

As we have been diligently seeking the Lord’s will concerning FredWes’ relocation prospects I have spent considerable time in this portion of Scripture. God had led His people to the edge of the Promised Land as He promised when they left Egypt.

But Numbers 14 records the troubling way God’s people reacted upon receiving the report about what the 12 spies had spied in the Land of Promise. It wasn’t a good reaction. In fact, it was a very bad and irrational reaction!

I encourage you to read the entire chapter. When you do this 24^th verse will jump out at you because it is such a contrast in tone with the rest of the chapter. Caleb stands out like a shining star!

Caleb reminds me of Andrew in the New Testament. You won’t see him mentioned much, but every time he shows up in Scripture he is doing something significant! The world can’t have too many Calebs! Neither can local churches!

I want you to notice three outstanding descriptions God gives when He commends him to Moses. As you meditate on these three God-given compliments, think of what God might say about you if He were to describe you to someone!

Here’s the first!

Caleb was dedicated servant – “my servant Caleb”.

What does a dedicated servant do?

He dedicates himself to serving his master faithfully and fervently! Whatever the master desires a servant provides or performs. A servant obeys his master promptly and in the way that pleases the master.

Caleb was a dedicated servant!

Are you?

Who are you serving?

How are you serving?

Is pleasing God your greatest desire, as it was with Caleb?

Do you have a servant’s heart?

If not, what needs to change in you?

April 20, 2015

"LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, or I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, or I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."  Psalm 143

Do you pray just to get an answer?

Would you still pray if you didn't get prayers answered?

Why do you pray?

Have you ever thought about it?

You don't get everything you ask from your spouse but you don't stop talking to them, do you? You have no hope for a continuing relationship if you stop communicating.

Someone has said there are two primary reasons for prayer. One reason for prayer is to know the will of God and the second is for grace to do His will. 

The Psalms are filled with passionate prayers. One of those is found in our text, the 143rd Psalm. If you want to have a passionate spiritual relationship with God you must understand prayer. And if you believe that the main reason for prayer is what you can get out of Him, you are missing the better half of prayer. Prayer is also about what God wants to put into you!

Prayer connects you with God allowing you to communicate with Him. Communicating with God brings contentment. Communicating with God means you learn to listen to Him. Listening to God helps you get to know Him and learn to love Him. Connecting and communicating are extremely important to your spiritual health and growth.

Prayer allows you to confess your sins to God and that brings you peace. Peace is evidence that God has heard your confession and lifted your guilt.

When you pray you can contemplate His Word and His works, and His wonders. Meditating on God stretches your mind, expands your spirit, and encourages your heart. Contemplating how much He loves you and how powerful He is and how imperfect and needy you are.

Praying develops conviction within you. As you connect and communicate with God and when you spend regular time contemplating His goodness He will become increasingly more real to you and your faith will strengthen and grow.

Character will develop within you - His Character - as you devote time to praying His Spirit will begin shaping your Spirit. Your thinking will begin to be shaped by His Spirit as you commune with Him and contemplate His word.

So, you see, there are plenty of good reasons to pray to God beyond getting answers to your prayers. We have mentioned five or six of those.There are more reasons but these are certainly good enough!

Prayer is a powerful tool. It can be hard work but it is incredibly worthwhile. Even if you never got what you really wanted and requested from God, you discover all the joys of living in an intimate spiritual relationship with the eternal God of the universe! Worry less about what you can get out of prayer and rejoice about what it can put into you!

April 19, 2015

^"About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."  Acts 10:9-16

God was preparing Peter to help an entire new group of people belong to the Faith and particularly, the Church.

Belonging is a very important and necessary thing for everyone. It is essential to the human psyche and soul. The breakdown of the family over the past several generations has only intensified that need.

What is involved in belonging? What needs to happen in order to feel like you belong?

There is a "Me" aspect to belonging and there is a "We" aspect to it. Belonging involves acceptance but it also involves commitment. Here is how it works:

Obviously, you or I cannot belong to something unless we are accepted into that group by the members. Acceptance is a warm welcome. Acceptance is permission to enter the group. You can't really be part of a group until the group allows you to join it.

Of all the groups that are available for people to belong to, a local church should be among the most welcoming. Anyone who comes to worship at a local church should find an immediate and sincere acceptance from the members of that body. No one should ever leave a worship service with the feeling they were not accepted.

Acceptance is essential but it is not enough. No matter how accepting a group is and regardless of how warm the welcome, a person doesn't belong until he is willing to commit to belonging and submit to its ways.

If you were to read on to the "rest of the story" followings Peter's vision of the clean and unclean animals you will see that Peter did extend acceptance to Cornelius and his family as God commanded. That obedience and acceptance allowed God's Spirit to work in a powerful way. But, then it became incumbent on Cornelius and the other Gentiles to respond with a commitment. Acts records that they did! They believed and were baptized and as a result, truly belonged to the Faith and the Church!

Acceptance is the role of the "We" in belonging and that acceptance should be as sincere as possible. But in order to belong, there must be a commitment made to the "We" by the "Me".

In my considerable experience in local churches, those who struggle to belong struggle as a result of a "Me" problem rather than the "We" problem. If you are not willing to commit and to submit to the group you will have trouble belonging.

Does that make sense?