Stick to The Path

     “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.  This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for them you shall make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”  Joshua 1:7-8

    

     Now, there is nothing more thrilling than wanting to explore the “unknown.”  As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, I scoff at the notion of “sticking to the ‘preset’ path”.  Where is the fun in that??  That’s no challenge!  I like to veer off the trailhead and have a good look around.  There is a time and place for exploring but, not when it comes to God’s path.

     Over two thousand years ago, God created that path for us to follow, by way of His Son.  During Joshua’s time, it was even simpler: “Follow the laws that were given to Moses and you will be just fine.”  Joshua was able to pick up where Moses left off.  God told him to do something and he listened.  It wasn’t difficult, just stick to God’s path.  Sounds easy enough.  Why do people have a problem with this?

     The answer is simple.  The pathway isn’t easy.  It’s not a smooth, level path that we can just go skipping and dancing along.  It is full of obstacles.  It has its share of rock faces to climb, steep drops to descend, and rivers to cross.  This trail was designed to test us.  It was created to give calloused hands and sore feet, spiritually speaking.  It was designed to give our spirits a workout; to use up some of its energy, to be replenished once again. 

     The best part is, we don’t have to guess at where the path goes.  God gives us a map, right at the beginning.  He doesn’t leave us to blindly edge our way, unprepared for the hazards that come.  He shows where all of the sharp slopes, loose gravel, and steep inclines are.  Here is the challenge and a map to show you the way.

     Don’t let the “easy” paths of life sway your determination to follow the way that God has set before you.  Gear up.  Lace up those hiking boots.  Grab the map.  Get going!

A Mother's Love

                                                       Moses and Jochebed by Pedro Américo,
                                                                  1884. 

“The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months.  But when she could hide him no longer, she got him a wicker basket and covered it over with tar and pitch.  Then she put the child into it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile.”  Exodus 2:2-3

     The Bible tells us of several notable mothers throughout history.  We remember Sarah, Abraham’s wife, even though older and barren, bore a child, prophesized by God.  Hannah, Samuel’s mother, never gave up faith in God, in spite of ridicule.  Of course, we remember both Elizabeth and Mary, mothers of John the baptizer and Jesus, respectively.  There is one mother, that gets under credited:  Moses’ mother, Jochebed.

     Jochebed is only briefly mentioned, in the beginning of Exodus 2.  We aren’t even given her name until later on, in Exodus (Exodus 6:20). However, what she did was, perhaps, the most notable act of motherly love.  An act of self-sacrifice.  Jochebed would only keep her baby, Moses, for the first three months of his life, hidden.  Since he was in danger of Pharaoh’s decree to have the sons of the Israelites put to death, Jochebed sent the baby Moses afloat in a wicker basket, hoping to spare his life, knowing she would not see him again. I find it difficult to find a more noble act of motherly love than the act that Jochebed did.  Her faith and hope went to God to take care of her son.  She knew that the only chance that Moses had to survive, was in giving up her motherly duties.  That just makes me say, “Wow!”  That is love, right there!

     While Christian mothers, today, may not have to deal with the same situation that befell Jochebed, most never cease in their role of motherhood.  No matter how old their children become, they will always be mothers, and their love in everlasting.  I know that my own mother will continue to take on that mantle, with all of her heart, for as long as her own life allows.  I am proud to be her son.  She (and my daddy) raised my brother and I in a manner that God expects parents to raise their children.  Boundaries were set.  Rules were placed.  Punishment for inexcusable behavior, was enforced.  I love my parents for every bit of it!

     Let’s remember the sacrifice that Jochebed made, for her son.  Let us also not forget that our own mothers have made countless sacrifices for their children. 

     “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.  She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’  Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”  Proverbs 31:25-31

Who Is Going to Do It?

     "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The EVERLASTING God, the Lord, Creator of the ends of the earth. Neither faints nor is tired. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak and to those that have no might, He gives strength.... Those who wait on the Lord will renew our strength, we will soar high on wings as eagles. We will run and not be tired, walk and not faint!" Isaiah 40:28-31.

     As a Christian, I look out and see the peril that our nation is in.  Our political leaders are not using Godly morals to guide them, and the candidates of the upcoming presidential elections look no more promising, from either party.  So, what do people do?  What do they expect?  What do Christians want?

     From what I see, they want SOMEONE to fix the problem.  SOMEONE needs to stand up for God.  SOMEONE needs to stand up for the common morals that used to hold this country together.  They want SOMEONE…. but, not themselves.   It is through unity that a cause has prevailed yet, there is no unity.  There are many that are willingly standing in the shadows, in silent support.  Silent support won’t fix the problems.  Standing together, working together, and MAKING YOURSELF HEARD is the formula for making these changes to get this country turned back to God.  That SOMEONE is YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR COMMUNITY. 

     Many that claim to be believers cannot be expected to make proper decisions, when selecting candidates to govern this country.  The latest Presidential Primary Polls should attest to this.  There “belief in God” comes next to the world.  This should not be so, ever!  Paul, the apostle warns us not to become part of the world and not to allow worldly morals precede Godly morals (Ephesians chapter 5).  However, I see the exact opposite.  I see people casting aside the commands of the Bible.  I see people shrinking their beliefs, so that they will not be ridiculed.  I see people sacrifice Godly values to support the corrupted; those who would defile the word of God.  I see this and I am embarrassed.  Is this what we have become?

     I want to say to those people:  Go right ahead, and support those that disgrace the union of marriage (Genesis 2:22, Matthew 19:5, Ephesians 5:31, 1 Corinthians 7:2, 1 Corinthians 6:9).  Submit to their lies, immoral ways, and deceit (1 Corinthians 6:10, Galatians 5:20, Ephesians 5:3).  Just remember, there will come a time when each, and every one of us will stand before God, to be judged for our actions, and sentenced accordingly. 

     God’s law supersedes any other law created by man.  That is the law in which I will be judged, one day.  My voice, my actions, and my life are going to be given to His service.  I pray that we will unite and stand in this common cause.

To The Stars

    "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father."  John 14:12

     Why is it that mankind reaches a point, in which they say, “Enough!  I’m not going any further!”?  What causes humans to no longer care about trying to excel in life and just decide to coast along?  Does it seem to you that, after making outstanding accomplishments, we just decided to stop?

     I should have been alive during the events leading up to the lunar missions!  I LOVE that part of history, and I dare say that I know it as well, maybe even more than most that were alive during that time.  What was so great about it?  We did the near impossible!  Think about it!  Until it happened, we had no way of knowing that we could even do it.  What came about, was extraordinary.

     Take a moment to ponder this.  We created spacecraft, suits, computers, all of the hardware needed.  We converted rockets, once used for weapons of mass destruction, into mighty launch vehicles.  We even built a “car” for riding around on the moon’s surface.  Come on now!  Who says that the human mind is beneath the combination of exacting skills and imagination?  Take a moment and look at the photos, a small compilation from several of the Apollo missions.

 

 

     The skills and knowledge that were required to accomplish this feat, is all but antiquated now.  I look around and I see people that no longer care to strive to climb new heights.  We sent TWELVE humans to the moon!  In a strange, new territory they went.  For short times, they LIVED up there!  They had a “house” to live in.  They’d wake up and go to their “job”.  They had a vehicle to take them to work.  They did what the average “Joe” did, just on a new frontier.

     Does this astonish anyone else, besides me?  Through every documentary I watch and every historic book that I read, I AM AMAZED!  The excitement of something new and daring!  The grandeur of exploring a “new world”.  The faith in God, for the skills that He gave to thousands, in order to pull this event off!  It just makes me say, “WOW!”

     What happened to that drive?  Why did everyone just stop?  It saddens me, when I think that we have never attempted to continue in their footsteps.  We stopped trying to work for a common goal.  Mankind has suffered in a lack of divine faith. 

     Don’t stop growing, family and friends!  God wants us to continue to climb new heights.  He wants us to face new challenges.  He wants us to never cease in learning.  Continue to grow in your lives, with your family.  Most importantly, continue to grow in your spiritual life.  Don’t let go of those stars!

     “And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26