Assignments - May 8, 2014

Scripture: Judges 1-6
12 Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.” 13 Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othniel’s wife.
14 When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?”
15 She said, “Let me have another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. - Judges 1

9 But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. 11 So there was peace in the land for forty years. - Judges 3
Message:
We are all called to do special assignments from the LORD.

Observation/Promise:
Caleb's daughter was a special girl, though she was only mentioned in the bible for a few lines, her story was that she married a man who was going to be a great leader and judge for Israel. Othniel might have been just a regular guy with simple dreams, a guy in love with a woman named Acsah which caused him to leave his simple life so he can fight the battle, win and have her hand. But Acsah was a girl who knew what she wanted, she wanted a field and asked her father for it even though it was not legitimate or usual at that time for daughters to ask their fathers an inheritance since it was only the sons who were allotted an inheritance. But her faith brought results for her and she not only asked her father first but she asked her husband before she had to ask her father. Her husband may not have agreed to it at first but eventually allowed her to ask. After a while the story of this couple continues as Othniel, Acsah's husband becomes a great leader and judge of Israel. Othniel may not be a person who dreamt of being a great leader but Acsah had a bigger perspective in life and from the start she always knew and wanted greater things.

Command/Application:

Men are called to be leaders, some great some small. But wives make a huge impact and difference in a man's life. They are the ones that help form leaders by the way of their support and love for their husbands. A single woman can alter the destiny of a man's life, and this is their special assignment from GOD. We all have assignments in life. What is yours? What is your partner's assignment? Know this and work on it!

Ask Unlimited - April 24, 2014

Scripture: Joshua 16-20
1 The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel,2 then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth, 3 and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea.
4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

- Joshua 16
17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, 18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.” - Joshua 17

Message:
The Inheritance of the Lord towards His people, the fulfillment of His promise, the answer to our asking.

Observation/Promise:
When we ask something from GOD, HE will give to us even more than what we could ever ask or imagine. Because HE is a good GOD and is a loving Father, He will give to us a promise when we ask from Him, for the time that we have to wait for what we have asked for. And when HE gives His word, it is as sure as done because He never backs out on His word. Just like the children of Joseph, they were given what they asked for and even more because they asked.

Application/Command:

Ask and expect from GOD to give, this is an act of faith. Do not treat faith as a matter of play or doubt GOD because GOD is the most powerful being on earth. I am asking GOD for my inheritance of not just land but of houses, of children, of sound health, of successful business, of adventurous vacations, of great positive influence to people around me to the place where He has called me to be. We are only limited by our faith, increase your faith and let GOD do great things as HE is a great GOD! Do not limit GOD. HE is Unlimited!

Fullness of GOD's love - March 2, 2014

Scripture: 1 John 4-5

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other[b] because he loved us first.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. - 1 John 4

13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. - 1 John 5

Message:
The fullness of GOD's love is the power that enables us to love others.

Observation/Promise:
We cannot love others if we don't have the love of GOD. And this is the way that the world knows that we belong to GOD is through our love for each other. We have to live in GOD day by day, so that our love grows deeper and becomes more perfect. This perfect love is not afraid of anything, for fear is not of GOD but is of the devil. Perfect love expels fear. There is also no such thing as loving GOD and hating other believers. It is difficult to love others especially believers when they have hurt us. But when we soak ourselves in the love of GOD and fill ourselves with His love everyday, His love will heal all our brokenness and give us the power to love the unlovable, to love our enemies. Whatever seems difficult, ask this of GOD, especially in loving others and GOD will answer the requests of your heart for you know that when you ask something that pleases GOD, HE will certainly answer you prayers.

Command/Application:
Soak in the love of GOD, be filled with the love of GOD. For GOD's love is always available for us, always waiting for us to partake of it like the air we breathe. GOD's love is freely given to us and is shown by the life and death of His Son Yeshua. GOD's love is waiting for you and me each day. GOD's love longs to heal, to restore our broken lives, our wounded hearts. There's no other power that can enable us to love others, and enable us to win our daily battles but the love of GOD and the Spirit of GOD in us. Believe in His Son Yeshua, and partake of His love so that you can be confident that whatever you ask for you in prayer pleases Him. For when we are one with GOD, He makes our desires conform to His will and when we ask in accordance to His will, we are sure to  receive whatever we ask for in prayer. 

What Should I Do?

8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” 12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” 14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
- Luke 3:8



The words that John the Baptist spoke during this time was very straight forward, direct and harsh. There was no hypocrisy or sugar coated words to lighten the gravity of what he wanted to do. Rebuking everyone especially those that are being dependent on their national standing - being jewish does not get you to Heaven. Going to church will not get you to Heaven, being good is not enough to bring you salvation. There are only two kinds of people that may react to the hurtful rebuke of John. The first ones are those with humble hearts. Those who are humble are the ones who asked John "What should we do?" People who think are righteous, who think they are doing good enough to deserve the goodness of GOD are the ones who are not likely to take the words of John lightly. 

The second group of people would react violently to this, being offended and plotting to kill John the moment He said these words. Why? The proud don't like to be corrected. They feel they are right, they are good enough when in fact they are self-righteous meaning, righteous only in their own thinking, actually proud in themselves because they would not accept correction in fact they will think they are so right they will kill the ones that think they are otherwise. Asking the question "what should I do?" is the right response to such rebuke. If you are truly humble, you will not be offended by any kind of rebuke but will be grateful to be corrected. Proverbs 12:15 says "Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others." Are you unteachable? Then you are a fool. It is better to ask the question "What should I do?" for you are wise and humble.