- John 16:32

Have you experienced to be alone especially during the times you badly needed someone to be there with you? It caused you to be lonely isn’t it?

Loneliness has been defined the most desolate word in the English language. Albert Einstein said, “It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely.” God said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good for a man to be alone.” Having a feeling of loneliness is exasperating.

Our intimacy with the Creator makes us feel secured that we are not alone. He said, “I am not alone because the Father is with Me.” We have to put our trust and confidence in Him.

Reaching out and touching the lives of many people can help us forget thinking more about ourselves but instead, focus on the lives of the less fortunate. Mother Theresa found joy and happiness in life through her gentle touch to the millions of children who are needy. We too can bring love and share our bounty with others. We can truly say, “You are not alone. Somebody cares for you.”

The Lord wants us to feel that He is always present. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He sent His comforter to shield and protect us when we are down and troubled. Amidst our tests and trials, He sees us through and offers His helping hand.

Why should we worry? He sends even a multitude of angels to minister to us and send our requests above. His words serve as our daily compass for our daily living. He provides us with a Light that shines transcending our windows. This heavenly light illumines us to tread the bright side of life.

His heart is full of compassion, ready to fill our hearts with care. His mind occupies our mind to think of others too. Those who are hopeless receive the greatest hope. His ears are always open to hear our prayers. We can also have our open ears to lend and to sympathize with others.  His mouth assures us speaking words of love, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

We can feel His loving arms ready to touch and embrace us. Even our arms and hands can be widely open to reach out and touch the lives of many. His feet always carry us even if we are heavily burdened. He lightens our load by always saying, “I will carry you.” Our feet can be made beautiful if we walk with humility and kindness sharing His good news of love.

With His reassuring words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” This reminds us that we are not alone.

Wherever you are, whatever difficult situation you are facing, I encourage you to pray this prayer with me.

“Thank you Lord for the assurance that You are always with me wherever I am. Your Presence is just here for me both in good times and bad times.”

The primary reason why we should regularly study the Bible is because of its immeasurable profit to our lives. The Bible is an inexhaustible goldmine of spiritual blessings.  It contains a vast deposit of truth which can potentially enrich every area of our life. The scriptures repeatedly emphasize the reality that the Bible provides countless benefits for us. True enough, the Bible is God’s amazing word.

Amazing Unity. The Bible reads as if it were written by one author. It consists of 66 separate books; 40 different authors from different background (kings, fishermen, educated, and uneducated), cultures, and times. It was also written over a period of about 1600-2000 years, in 3 different continents: Asia, Africa and Europe; and in 3 languages: Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Amazingly, it is in complete agreement from Genesis to Revelation about who God is, His nature, His character, and about man – that he is a sinner and needs salvation and about the way of salvation. It agrees on controversial topics like marriage and divorce, on the importance of family. It agrees on controversial issues dealing with homosexuality.

Amazing Fulfilled Prophecy. The Bible has amazing fulfilled prophecies, telling events that are going to happen before they happen, which only God can do. There’s no other book in the world that has prophecy like the Bible. Only the Bible has prophecy that is 100% accurate. The Bible has over 300+ prophecies on the OT (Old Testament) concerning the first coming of Jesus Christ, for us to know exactly when Jesus Christ came, that we would know He is the one, the Messiah. Amazingly, every single one of them was fulfilled in the Bible and in Christ. It was prophesied in the book of Isaiah, some 700 years before Christ, that He would come from the line of David (Isaiah 11:1;Matthew 1:1-17). It predicted His birthplace, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1). It said, a herald would announce His coming (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3), He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13). The Messiah would be pierced (Psalms 22:16; John 19:33-34), telling us He would die through crucifixion. God foretold every one of these events and every single one of them were fulfilled in the life of Christ.

Jesus said in the book of Matthew 24:2, as He was out with his disciples, looking at Herod’s beautiful, magnificent temple: “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” Jesus words came true 100% in just a short time after that. In the year 70 A.D., the Roman general Titus besieged Jerusalem. HE killed many of the Jews, and the Jews from that point on were scattered all over the world, just as the prophets foretold. That happened the second time on May 14, 1948 (the first time was after the Babylonian captivity). Isaiah (11:11-12), the Prophet foretold that day: “Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Amazing Changed Lives. God’s word has the amazing power to change lives. Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s word is powerful that it can pierce deep down into our hearts, and then bring conviction, and bring salvation.

Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:35 said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my word will never pass away.” Read the Bible. Apply it, obey it! The teachings of the Bible are derived from the authority of God. As Christians, we are to obey the teachings of the Bible.

Do you love God? The proof of loving God is submitting to His scriptures. If you do not love God, you will not learn how to love others. Know the love of God. Read the Bible.

– Galatians 2:20

If Christ lives in me, what happens in my mouth? If Christ lives in me, what should I allow my ears to listen? If Christ lives in me, what should I allow my eyes to see? If Christ lives in my body…

Indeed, very meaningful verses in the Bible. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” There’s a metaphor that God is a good shepherd. When God is placing us on the right path, it’s painful but it’s for our own good and what’s best for us. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” His words are true. We have been healed when Jesus died for you and me 2000 years ago. What’s more interesting to note is that God is a continuing AM. HE is not contained by time. Though it’s historical, its effect is timeless. Jesus is Savior not was a Savior. God cannot be put in a box, in a linear box of time. Therefore the sacrifice he did is greater than our past, present and future sins.

How can we be saved? John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus coming toward him, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29).

Because Jesus already paid for our sins, and because God is timeless, our salvation is not according to our performance. The believer is healed through Christ. Faith in Christ saves all saints. This is what happened; we were crucified thru Christ when we prayed the sinners’ prayer.

So, how do we become new?  When we accept Jesus, we become new. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

1. By being forgiven. When we repent before God of our old sinful life, He forgives us. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
2. By being born again. God sends His Holy Spirit to live within us and to give us a new nature. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
3. By living a life of faith. The life we now live is one of faith in the promises and provision of God. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith (1 John 5:4).

If Christ lives in me, what happens in my mouth? My mouth will say, “Forgive me”, “rebuke me”. No more gossip, no more lies. If we lie, we know that Satan is the father of lies. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

If Christ lives in my body, my hands should be productive. And if the Lord is really the resident of our life, our feet are to be used to bring good news. The body of the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If our body is for the Lord, what about our properties? Remember, an idle man is the devil’s workshop.

Because God loves us, we can trust Him. After all, He died for us. Salvation is free but not cheap. Every sin is forgiven but paid for by Christ. I’d like to challenge each one of you reading this article. “Does Christ lives on you? Are there areas in our lives that we haven’t surrendered to the Lord? In silence, seek the Holy Spirit. It may be relationship, habit, aspirations.

That spirit was corrupted, when you were born again, a new spirit was born.

“You can do all things through Christ.”

Pray this prayer with us.

Lord Jesus, we like to surrender our hearts to you. Forgive us if we entertain Satan. “Lord I have been deceived. I allowed the evil spirits to look through my eyes, to move through my body. I would like open the doors of my life and let you reign over every room in my life. We’ve learned that blessings and forgiveness are available for those who recognize the need for the touch of the Lord. We now receive your forgiveness. We are new creations. We enthrone you once more. Give us sensitive spirits. By your grace, we can live glorifying you. Thank you, Jesus.

– 2 Timothy 4:7

You have probably heard someone say, “Please be patient, God isn’t finish with me yet.” That light- hearted saying is absolutely true.

Oftentimes, we wonder over the things that befall us. We charged ourselves with the circumstances which circumvents us. We are hastily searching for the results when in fact all we have to do for a moment is to hold on our faith.

Why do we have to pause for awhile? It is simply because you have to have faith in God. We have to have faith in what He is going to do. His plans and his timing will become clear to you the moment that you trust in the things unseen. When you believe in your heart that Jesus is the one who can save you and that you are under His lordship, there is nothing to worry about because He is not yet done with you. When you have Jesus in your heart, you can be sure that all things work together for your own good. Even though you are in a difficult situation right now, God wants to tell you that it is not yet over. When you trust Jesus as your Savior, you begin a growing process that will last for a lifetime.

In his book Lifetime Guarantee, Bill Gilham explains it this way: “Once a person is born from above, his nature is already Christ like, but it’s infantile in maturity… By faith and obedience, he will look more and more like Jesus.”

The Lord engineers all the circumstances of your life to conform you to Christ’s image. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” God works in everything that he sends and allows in your life. When you have faith in God and in His ways, you can be sure that you are under His care and protection. These things that you are going through right now will help you determine your purpose. Give your life to Christ and expect that all that you are up to now is for your own betterment. That is how great God’s love for us that He prepares you to achieve an excellent life, and that He will be with you as long as you have faith in Him.

Yes, God may discipline you and let you experience some painful consequences of wrong actions, but His plans haven’t change, it is certain. You can always count on His ways. He is ever dependable for He is faithful. You just have to keep the faith and remember that it is not yet over; He is not yet done with you. He won’t let you down. Never will he allow adversities in your life that you can’t withstand. He is just there, waiting for you to call upon Him.

]]> http://greatisthelord.net/blog/550/its-not-yet-over/feed/ 0 http://greatisthelord.net/blog/432/salvation-that-is/ http://greatisthelord.net/blog/432/salvation-that-is/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:12:28 +0000 Bobbie http://greatisthelord.net/blog/?p=432 What is Salvation? Why do we need salvation? Who and where do we find that Savior? When the first man and woman who were created and set in the Garden of Eden disobeyed God’s commandment regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, their fellowship with God had broken. Their disobedience put all of humanity, as well as the natural creation, under the authority and dominion of Satan, who had been cast out of heaven because of his own rebellion. The fall of mankind brought us under the power of a fallen nature, with its selfish desires and lusts (Ephesians 2:1-3). The fall of mankind put us in a situation where we seriously need a Savior, and that Savior should no other than Jesus, God’s only Son.

“But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6). The dominion of sin and the power of Satan over mankind were broken by Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, being born into this world as a man, living a perfect sinless life, and then giving his life in suffering and sacrifice to pay the debt of divine justice. Because there was no sin in Him, death had no legal hold on Him and He was resurrected by the power of God and then ascended to the throne of God (Hebrews 10:12-14).

God’s great love for us is shown, not only in Christ’s act of redemption, but in His eternal identification with us in our humanity as the second Adam, the beginning of a new creation (1Corinthians 15:45,49).

God’s purpose in offering salvation is not just to provide us a place in heaven. His purpose is to restore us to an intimate fellowship and love relationship with Him.

One author quoted:

“Longfellow could take a sheet of paper, write a poem on it and make it worth $60,000. That is talent.

Rockefeller could sign a piece of paper and make it worth millions. That is capital.

Uncle Sam can take an ounce of gold and stamp an eagle on it and make it worth $40. That is money.

A mechanic can take material worth $5 and make it into an article worth$50. That is skill.

A merchant can buy an article worth 80 cents, put it on his counter and sell it for a dollar. That is business.

God can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it, cleanse it, put His Holy Spirit into it and make it a blessing to all humanity. That is salvation.”

Got it my friend? In order for this to happen, our hearts and minds must be awakened to the passions and affections that are in the heart of God for us. The more our hearts are awakened to His love for us, the more our desire grows to return that love to Him.

This is the story of a man named Zach.

One day, Jesus went through the city of Jericho.  Many people were following him.  There, lived a man named Zach.  He was a tax collector.  Zach was a very rich man.  But he was greedy and dishonest.  He gained money by cheating people.  When he knew that Jesus was going to pass through their city, He wanted to see what he was like so he rushed to the streets downtown and waited there for Jesus.  When Jesus was passing, he tried his best to move close to him.  However, there were many people around Jesus and he found it difficult to see him.  Zach was a short man and could not see over the crowd.

In his disappointment, he walked away.  Then as he turned his back from the crowd, he noticed a sycamore tree in front of him.  So he ran quickly ahead of the crowd.  In a hurry, he climbed up the sycamore tree and waited there eagerly to see Jesus.

When Jesus got there, he looked up and said to him, “Zach, hurry down!  I want to stay with you today.”

When he heard what Jesus said, he quickly came down and gladly welcomed him to his home.  Everyone who saw this was unhappy and said. “Look!  Jesus is going to the home of that bad guy.”

Jesus did not care about what the people said because he wanted to show Zach his love.  Zach totally changed that same day.  He stood up and said to Jesus, “Lord, I will give half of what I have to the poor.  And I will pay back four times as much to everyone I ever cheated.”

Jesus said, “Today you and your family have been saved.  I come to this world in order to look for and savepeople who are like you.”

What a nice story, isn’t it?  How about you?  Have you ever cheated people?  Have you been dishonest?  Have you done wrong things?  Jesus loved Zach and wanted to help him.  Jesus also loves you and wants to help you. WE all have sinned and need the salvation that he offers.  Do you want to believe in Him and accept Him as your savior?

–  Jeremiah 29:11 TMSG

Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough for your family?  Sure, you enrolled your children in gymnastics, basketball and music, but you forgot to sign them up for swimming – and now it’s too late! The recording in your head begins playing, “You’re a bad mother” or “You’re a bad dad.”

Many parents hear that same recording. Sometimes it plays nonstop. We worry that we are not providing our children with opportunities that will bring them success. What if they don’t make the high school basketball team because you didn’t sign them up for the summer basketball clinic?  What if they miss out on those academic scholarship opportunities because you didn’t spend enough time reading with them when they were still little toddlers?

What if? What if?  What if?

You know, The Lord our God doesn’t want us living in the land of “What If.” He wants us to trust Him for the future of our children.  He wants us to quit too much worrying!  God has a plan for their lives – better that hat we could ever imagine.  So relax.  You’re not a bad parent if you missed summer basketball clinic sign-ups.  If you’ve entrusted your children to God, you’ve given them the best chance to succeed that you could ever give them.

And don’t forget, you are a child too in Big Daddy’s caring arms.  And you are being reminded of his goodness now – the same way you care for your children and more.

You parents–if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:9-11 NLT).

The only thing that keeps us from experiencing that security from the Heavenly Father is our attitude as children.  And most of the time, many would ask this question – “Am I really a child of God?”

Well, the Bible has a sure answer to that query. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NLT).

So, would you like to come to Him and accept Him now?  And if you haven’t believed Him still with all that He claims to be in your life, this article serves as an invitation.  He is waiting for you like a mother longing for a child she hasn’t seen after giving birth to him.  The Lord our God allowed us to be born and enjoy the beauty of this world but many times we ignore him and his calls.  Today, why don’t you come to him and feel the love of a perfect father.

– 1Peter 1:7

When it comes to coping with crises, one of the most dramatic accounts in Scripture is the story of Job. Here was a wealthy man, honest in all his dealings, the most respected man in the community. He was a godly man with ten privileged children, for whom he expressed a great deal of ongoing spiritual concern and love. And then suddenly, Job’s entire family and resources was wiped out. Literally, his entire kingdom was wiped out. He developed painful boils all over his body, from his scalp to the soles of his feet. What is astonishing about Job’s life story is that it appears that God allowed these calamities to happen as a test of his faithfulness and a witness to Satan. It seems that his life was chosen as a battleground between God and Satan. The story tells us that Job cried out to God in his great suffering, “Why me? Why was I ever born?”

Though Job was baffled by this mystery, he did not let it destroy his faith. He allowed his suffering to refine his character so he could fight despair and cling to hope. Through it all, Job insisted on his righteousness before God, and he never once doubted the character of God. Job was a man who lost everything. But Job was also a man who knew God. Even his great loss, his overwhelming sorrow, his agonizing pain could not shake his fundamental trust in who God is. What Job knew about God?

At the height of the satanic attacks against Job, his friend Eliphaz said, “What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us?” (Job 15:9).

If we are sure of our salvation in Jesus Christ and sure of our way with God, people who don’t share this certainty will always attack and mock us. But what did Job know about God that his accusers didn’t know?

Job knew God was there. In spite the loss of family and everything in his kingdom, and in spite of his great anguish of heart, Job worshipped the Lord and declared his certainty that God was there. How could this be? How could he worship with such great anguish? This is very difficult for us to understand. But in spite of being a supremely devoted family man, the ultimate meaning in Job’s life had never been centered on his family or his wealth. Had it been, he probably would have been destroyed, as Satan anticipated. Instead, God had been the central focus for Job. God was still there, and that was enough for Job to hold onto. Through it all, he did not allow the disasters, his pain, or his inability to understand what was happening to him to unravel his certainty of God’s existence.

Job knew God was righteous. Job was also strengthened by his vision of God’s righteousness and his own family’s need for forgiveness. In fact, Job regularly prepared a sacrifice to the Lord, saying: “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5).

Job knew God accepted him. In chapter two of the book of Job, there is a scene where angels and even the devil are in attendance at God’s throne. “Have you seen my servant Job?” God asked Satan. “He is blameless and upright.” How can anyone, stained everyday by sin, possibly be blameless before God? By the blood of an atoning sacrifice. God shuns evil; Job knew this, so he submitted to regular cleansing, offering the sacrifices that looked forward to the fulfilling sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Before the hosts of Heaven Job was declared to be unique in all the earth in maintaining his integrity. In other words, God said, “I’m proud of him.” This was not because Job was sinless, but because he was forgiven and covered by God’s righteousness.

Job knew this, too. He knew he was a sinful man, but he had kept his accounts straight with God. Even in the midst of his terrible troubles, Job was able to rest securely in God’s acceptance of him. This made his trials stopped and Satan has lost the battle. The Lord’s blessing upon Job is even greater than he knew in the earlier part of his life.

Isn’t it a good feeling to know that right now, because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, God is proud of you? You and I have no righteousness in ourselves. But no matter how many fingers point at us, no matter how many storms try to beat us down, we are accepted by God, our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus IF we let Him.

Now that you know these characters of God, will you continue to deny God’s existence, His righteousness, and His love? Job knew God’s character and he recognized that God does test us, and he repeated the truth of what God had already declared – that Job was righteous. That was his testimony, as it should be ours. God says, “You are righteous in Christ,” and we should respond, “Yes, I am righteous because God declares it.” That’s what the word “testimony” is all about: repeating what God has already said about me. Once I was a sinner, but the moment I admit it and seek forgiveness, asking Jesus to come into my heart and life, then I am no longer counted a sinner. From that moment on I am seen by God as righteousness, and God will treat me as such. Thank you Lord Jesus!

1.    Salvation. God’s perfect will is salvation for everyone, which comes by grace through faith in Christ, not on the basis of our good works, but Christ’s (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Salvation is a free gift. Have you thought that maybe you could manipulate God to save you because you do things to earn points with Him? It is totally by God’s Grace that any of us are saved! There’s only one way and there’s no other. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me”. Without the way, there’s no going. Without the truth, there’s no knowing. Without the life, there is no living.

2.    Revelation (Word of God).  Once we have a personal relationship with Christ, God guides through revelations in His Word. We need His Word to direct our path and strengthen our faith. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the  man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Our part is to be diligent in studying His Word, that we may know His perfect will for our lives, that we may live out God’s Word, and that we may become teachers of His Word.

3.    Conviction (Obedience). It is not enough to just know God’s Word. Good works is the evidence of salvation and our love for God. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). If we abound in kindness, humility and compassion, we glorify God and open doors of opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ.

4.    Dedication. What we do with our bodies or what we do while we are in the body should please and honor God. Romans 12:1 appeals, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship”.  We pray, “Lord, here are my hands, lips, eyes, ears, feet. Every part of my body is dedicated to You. Use them as You wish for Your glory”.

5.    Supplication (Prayer). “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Prayer is our communication line with God. We pray because God commands us to; it is His will for us; and it is the sovereign method He uses to fulfill His divine plan.

6.    Separation. Though we are in the world, we are not of the world. We are a new creation set apart for Christ. “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:15-16). There should be no more room in our lives for these things in the world.

7.    Transformation. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect”.  As we grow in the Lord, we grow in godliness and maturity to discern the will of God for any situation or any matter needing decision.

That should do it. Now, ask yourself these questions: Salvation, have you come to faith in Jesus? Revelation, do you spend time in God’s Word? Conviction, do you obey God’s Word? Dedication, have you given your life to Christ? Supplication, do you commune with God daily in prayer? Separation, have you separated yourself from the things of the world like craving to possess what we see, passion of sex, and the boastful pride of life which refers to position –when we make idols of ourselves through our career, social status, beauty, fame, education, achievements, talents, intellect, or ministry? Transformation, do you have a renewed mind so that you can discern the leading of the Spirit?

We can trust God to lead us for His glory. May these seven key words guide us to do, not our will, but His…nothing less, nothing else.

In Joshua 3 and 4, the Israelites build a memorial to mark the Lord’s amazing deliverance for them. During that time, Joshua and the nation of Israel are preparing to cross the river and to take the first bold step of conquering the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the desert. But there seems to be a big problem. Joshua and the nation of Israel faced the river at its flood stage with strong and rapid currents. However, they did not focus on the dangers but obeyed God’s command. Joshua told the people that on that day they would know that the God they worshipped is a living God who is living among them. Oftentimes, we too may be faced with daunting challenges in life – challenges in the form of financial difficulties, sickness, addiction, relationship problems or other bondages. But, God is reminding us that like the Israelites, we should not focus on the danger or on the seeming impossibilities of crossing the river but on Him – we should take that bold step of faith and obey no matter what. God is assuring us that He will fulfill His promise, will deliver us and will be with us. God is in the habit of keeping all of His promises. As He was with the nation of Israel throughout their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, so will He also be with us in our Christian walk. We can count on God to be with us all the way, from beginning to end. God said, “Lo, I will be with you even to the end of the age.” God had given the Israelites very specific instructions before they could claim the Promised Land. They had to cross the flooded Jordan River and in order to do it, they had to take that first step into the water. Similarly, if we want to experience God’s goodness, we too must let go, trust God and take that step of faith. Like the Israelites, we must step into the water and get wet. If we want to experience God’s blessings, we must learn to surrender our lives. If we want to experience God’s blessing and promises, we must be a blessing to others.

God instructed the Israelites to construct a memorial marker on the banks of the Jordan River so that whenever they return to that spot, they would be reminded of God’s awesome power, salvation and deliverance. Similarly, we should have spiritual markers to remind us of how powerful and how faithful our God is. And the best starting point would be, having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Knowing and experiencing Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior and Lord would be the best spiritual marker to start with.