Springhill Baptist Church

As I was reading through the book of Joshua, after prayerful study and personal soul-searching, I journaled the following that I wanted to share.

Joshua 15:63- “But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who live in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.”

It was not that the tribe of Judah could not, they had the promise of God’s power and victory. It was that they would not. They could not because they would not. So much of our defeat is not because we can’t, but rather because we won’t. We are not plugged into God’s power and all we are capable of in Him. And we are unwilling to do what it takes to plug into His power and victory. We won’t live the disciplined, abiding life in the relationship and walk with God that He calls us to. We won’t sacrifice, get serious, pour out, give, trust, go forward, step out, repent, come clean, leave, surrender, seek…….. It’s not that we can’t! It’s that we won’t!

This has been an exciting week for me and my family. Addy made her arrival safe and sound and Matt and Megan are proud parents and of course Tammy and I are proud grandparents. We have truly been enjoying God this week through unique ways.

God has reminded me this week of the importance of slowing down and capturing the moments that come along that are provisions of His blessings. As I look back on life I know there have been many times I should have done that but I was too busy and I missed the moments. Going back to the beginning at creation, God Himself stopped to reflect and see that all He had created was good and He also rested. We just have to do that sometimes. It helps us to become more aware of the activity of God and His hand in our life.

I encourage you to take time to do that. What are you missing because of not slowing down to reflect and enjoy God?

Our trip to Israel was amazing! Tammy and I are still trying to process everything we were able to see and experience. The really neat thing is that now when I read different things in the Bible I have a visual perspective and that brings a another dimension to my walk with God that I have never had before. It was truly a blessing to get to go and we are very thankful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to share more in the days ahead, and Tammy and I hope to be able to schedule a time when we can share all about it with our church family.

Last Sunday I touched on how Peter had some pockets of pride that he was blind to. I made the point that I really do not feel Peter was a hypocrite or someone who was just playing games with God. I really believe he had a deep love for Christ and a desire to follow Him. Peter, though, was blind to the reality of some things that existed in his life that he still needed to deal with.

I have been asking God to help me to see the things in my life that I am blind to. As I have been praying and thinking that way, I am trying to be conscious of the different ways God may choose to bring those things to my attention. One thing God has impressed on my heart through a book I am reading is how I need the help of others around me who walk with Christ to help me see things I do not see. This is something I think we resist a lot of times because our flesh does not like the idea of opening ourselves up in that way. Yet we all need help.

In his book Instruments In The Redeemer’s Hands, Paul David Tripp said, “My self-perception is as accurate as a carnival mirror. If I am going to see myself clearly, I need you to hold the mirror of God’s Word in front of me. Hebrews 3:12, 13 clearly teaches that personal insight is the product of community. Since each of us still has sin remaining in us, we will have pockets of spiritual blindness. The Bible says that we can be spiritually blind and yet think that we can see quite well.” (Revelation 3:17)

I need the help of others to see myself clearly. Otherwise, I will form my own conclusions. Proverbs 12:15- “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” This whole thought reminds me of the importance of connecting deeply in the church. We need each other. We need to be plugged in. We need to come in close and not just stay on the edge. I need to allow people into my life to see me up close and personal. And if I am where I need to be in my walk, I have no reason to fear that. At the same time, through this openness, a deep love and trust develops to the point I can still open up even when I am not where I need to be.

I am praying that God will help us overcome all pride and hesitancy to live our lives open and connected and accountable. It will do nothing but make our walks with God stronger, our homes and marriages stronger, and Springhill stronger.

Genesis 45:8- “So it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Joseph realized it was God’s work behind the scenes all along that brought him to Egypt. The things God accomplished were not merely a result of God reacting to things He could not control. He was in control all along and used all of what Joseph went through to accomplish His good and save the lives of many (Genesis 50:20).

I think that too often we see God as the One who comes along trying to clean and mop up our life messes saying: “I can fix it! I can help!” Many just think of Him as though He is just appearing on the scene as He steps in afterwards. It is not that way. He is not limited to just the clean up roll. He is not passive until things finish happening and then He suddenly becomes an option. He is sovereign, in control, and ever present. In many of the circumstances we go through, for reasons we will never understand, He is even active, as He was in the life of Joseph, in bringing the hardship in to my life.

I want to be more trusting and intentional about seeking God in the midst of anything He may allow into my life.