Don’t Live in Egypt

Jeremiah‬ ‭42:12-16‬ - And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land. But if you say, “We will not dwell in this land,” disobeying the voice of the LORD your God, saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell”—then hear now the word of the LORD...thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die.”

Strong words of warning. The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with allegories that can be applied to today.  All of God’s Word in some way has just as much meaning for us today as it did in the days and circumstances of then. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1Corinthians‬ ‭10:11‬)

Egypt in the Bible is another name for the world. The world we live in has its own way of doing things. If we are true Christians who are devoted to God, Jesus and the Word of God we are no longer part of this world. We are strangers as the Bible tells us. The world offers us very little of value as compared to what Jesus can give us. No amount of prestige, success or money is greater than what God has to give. 

In Jeremiah the words spoken above were for the people of Judah. They turned their backs on their God, repeatedly. However, it can apply to us also. It can prevent us, as God was implying to His people, that they would not enter into the land He had intended for them. They were intent on living as the world around them. 

So look at the verses again. God will be merciful to us if we choose to follow Him. Before the Fall in the Eden everything was perfect. Man had a relationship with God. He lived, walked and communicated with them. Life was perfect with no work, no hatred, no wars, no need. Everything necessary was provided by God. 

But we now live with the effects of that fall. We are separated from God...until we come into relationship again with Jesus Christ. It is through Him alone that our separation from God has ended. When we do, that land He has promised will be attainable. It will not be without trials until He returns, but we have the hope  of that future.

But if you say, “We will not dwell in this land...but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread...” This world cannot offer the hope of peace on its own. We cannot put our trust in man, government or self. If we do we are ultimately in disobedience to God. Our only hope is in one Man, Jesus Christ, as I repeatedly say and which message Jesus tries to convey. I am reminded of another scripture:

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.‭‭ (1Thessalonians‬ ‭5:2-4‬) I know peace and safety will not come in this world. I know about this day. I am not in darkness. So, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt...and you shall die.

People, this is a part of what a relationship with God is about. Eternal life. This world cannot give eternal life. One day, hopefully soon, Jesus will return. He will bring real peace but it will only apply to those in this relationship in Him. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are safe and secure because you’re a good person or do good works. ...share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus... (2Timothy‬ ‭1:8-9‬)

It’s also not about a denomination but that relationship. He offers it to anyone who is willing to choose it. There is only one Way and His name is Jesus. There are not many ways to receive eternal life. 

I don’t write this to anger or scare anyone but to warn. Jesus warned, God warned...for a reason. My words, which are not really mine but the Bible’s, I’m sure I will sound like those old time evangelists who shouted, “Repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Not one of us without this relationship with Jesus and have experienced a change of heart, will enter into that promised land. But God is patient. He is holding off His return so that more will seek Him. All it takes is humbling yourself and realizing that you may not know the truth and desire to. An open heart will do this. 

I once was blind, big time, and now I see. Those words to  mean so much more these days. I pray they will for anyone of you who reads this and seeks to know the God of all truth...and hope and peace. 

Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭- Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

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You Gotta Know

1John 1:2-3 - ...—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

I’m still awed by a message preached by our pastor’s son. I’ve seen him mature in the six years or so since joining my little church. He was not as confident when he first spoke as he is now. He practices what he preaches. He lives out his faith. I am not saying this to promote this young man, as I'll explain later.

Eight to ten years ago he stepped into the sanctuary of my old church one Thursday night during a little prayer group. He apologized for interrupting and we asked what he was there for, could we pray for him. He’d come to pray about a message he was going to be giving to high school boys using our church gym for basketball. So we prayed.

Then he prayed! Something very powerful came over me. His prayer touched others as well. We found out where he went to church. I did an internet search when I got home but realized the church was “too far away” for me. (I guess I was starting to feel somewhat unsatisfied where I was attending church...) 

For three years he came to mind occasionally and the same powerful feeling came over me. I visited one Sunday while staying the weekend with a friend who lived in the area of the church. It didn’t impact either of us like I thought it might so I tried to push it all aside. 

My feelings for my church were growing more distant. I wasn’t getting enough anymore. Something just wasn't right. I came home from a Bible study with a heaviness I couldn’t shake. I entered the house and the words, “It’s time for you to leave and here’s where I want you to go” entered my spirit, as if I'd heard an audible voice. I knew instantly what they meant with just the little information I received! It was time to leave my church and go to this little church that was “so far away!” 

And I did. And it’s where I am right now. And we’ve moved even farther away!! 

Again, I'm not promoting this young man. God orchestrated my need for change, any surrounding people and circumstances, the change and any growth that may have occurred from that change. He puts the pieces of puzzles together, sometimes in amazing ways. I have gotten away from the church system to a church family. Is it perfect? No. No church is, no man is. But God is and if He chooses to use a young man or a small church for His glory, that’s where I want to be. We have many in our church and many who come to preach in our church who also do so by the power of God. And the Holy Spirit shows up.

This young man said these words. They aren’t anything new to me. They aren’t new to him. But they might be new to someone else. 

You can know that you know [God], but you gotta know that you know Him. And you know what? You can know Him again...and again, and again, and again! - Aaron Fischer

I’ve said this many times. It’s not a religion this walk with the Lord. It’s not a denomination. It’s not a church. It’s not just saying I know who He is but rather I know Him. It is a relationship with the God of all heaven. Our Creator. Our Redeemer. No one else should be revered. No other name under heaven can save (Acts 4:12). Only Jesus. Not knowledge from the head or a book or a church’s or pastor’s teaching, but through the power of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. We have to meet Jesus. 

1John 1:6-7 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Nothing I Have Done

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that NOT of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I love when this happens!! I’d been feeling a bit down and a bit hard on myself for some reason. In our Sunday school study in the Book of Job the comment came up that the devil’s job is to steal, kill and destroy. One of the things he definitely doesn’t want for us to cling to is our faith in his greatest adversary, Jesus Christ. 

In 1999 I put my faith in Jesus. Before that I gave no thought to Him, did not attend church and later found out any church upbringing or doctrine I had did not secure my salvation. I had to acknowledge a need for Jesus Christ alone in my life and then, as He has shown me repeatedly, to follow Him, no man made religion (or government or man of any kind) but develop a relationship with Him. 

So I admit I have my doubts occasionally. I have feelings of inadequacy and times when He seems so silent. This may some day be considered “Christian-ese” but it pretty much sums up this point...when a class of students is being tested, the teacher remains silent. He wants me to trust during the times of silence. It builds one’s faith. Ouch. And again I have to ask forgiveness for not trusting! And call only on the name of Jesus when the enemy tries to butt in to steal my faith.

But there’s more! During worship the words to a song we sang probably prompted this reminder: Nothing I have done of myself but what He has done in me. A truth right out of scripture that impressed heavily upon me at that moment. So strongly I HAD to write it down out of concern I’d forget! Again, a very strong need to not forget those words. 

Then came the sermon! Our pastor’s son preached which was a pleasant surprise. His message was the gist of those words God impressed so strongly upon me above! Only God can do such incredible things. And...it was the power of God in the words of the preacher/evangelist this morning, not his own words. 

I needed to hear again that my salvation, and everyone’s, is a product of the power of God alone, nothing I have done. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. (John 3:30-31)

Years ago a word was spoken that pierced my heart, not my head, that turned me to God and made me His child. Before that I was an enemy of God! It was not a church or denomination but the very real power of God. This concept is difficult to understand unless one has been changed by that very power of God alone. 

I praise my God for the almost 20 years of salvation! I have proven that it is not a passing fancy or a fad, but something I have clung to even though there were times of doubt. I’m probably no different in that respect. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I cannot turn my back on that which is true and just and of good report. I know the consequences. For this I can say I love the Lord with heart, soul and spirit. 

2Timothy 1:8-9 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

HIS Government

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...

I know, sounds like something that could be written around Christmas. So thankful God's Word is useful any day at any time. 

So, God is fully aware of all the sin in this world (way too much to list here). Above He has shown us that "the government will be upon His shoulder and of the increase of His government in peace there will be no end..." (Isaiah 9) 

It's not about the world's idea of how government should operate. We do need order and boundaries. Our country started with using the Bible to form that sort of government. Too often in just about anything, man wants to muck things up by exerting his own idea how something should run. God's ways are not like ours. They're better.

I will say this repeatedly: It's all about Him. When we understand this we will understand about His peace. 

All God wants is for us to believe and trust in Him, to turn to Him, not man. HE brings perfect peace through HIS government. HE is to be the head. He is to be Supreme over even our government. We worship Him, not our country, not a flag or pledges. We worship Him. Then all else, for that person, falls into place. 

Sure we have to live in this world till He returns, but knowing there's hope despite all we encounter is well worth it. I am sure of my eternal resting place. Praise God alone for that. 

The Word says...despite all the sin, He still...is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9)  There is

We cannot live without God. We just can't. Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall among the slain. (Isaiah 10:4a) But He continues to call hoping another one will turn to Him or back to Him. This is His love at work for anyone. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 10:4b)

It's not too late to turn to Him. He suggests we do it before it becomes too late. (When's too late? When we die suddenly or He returns suddenly, in a flash and the twinkling of an eye.)

So it is suggested:

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD... (Acts 3:19)

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.