On Angel Wings

03/01/2020

Here, she said, her pockets
stuffed with forgiveness,
borrow some of mine.
I take it between my fingers
like a coin and hold it up
to see how it shines,
but I hide it quick
almost embarrassed
to be seen with it.
All day, I touch my pocket
to be sure it's still there.
All day, I dream of ways
to spend it.

~ Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

As the teachings show us, one of the main ways that we suffer is by refusing to offer ourselves our own forgiveness, holding ourselves hostage in some way for being naturally human - which means imperfect.

Whenever we feel that we've failed in some way, we tend to hold onto a belief or judgment about ourselves that serves as a kind of proof that we're just not good enough yet (or perfect, or saintly enough yet) to be on the receiving end of compassion - from anyone, especially ourselves.

In fact, we're often embarrassed - as the poet tells us - to believe that such compassion and forgiveness might be possible.

Yet the truth is, not only can we learn to forgive, but the more we practice, the more we'll discover a lighter, more expansive heart, and a greater sense of freedom, joy, and ease.

02/10/2020

Sermon for
Feb. 9, 2020

ARE WE AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD’S PEACE?
I ended up taking a convoluted route to acquire this message. When asked to preach I usually have something brewing in the back of mind, or God gives me a word or a scripture. If all that fails then I go to the lectionary to see what scriptures are being applied for that particular Sunday. The scriptures for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany are about being the salt of the earth and being a light. In researching these scriptures the Prayer of St Francis popped up and I went YES!!!! First of all, it is one of my most favorite prayers and second of all I knew that was the message I was to bring forth today.
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, also known at the Peace Prayer, was not written by St. Francis. St. Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181 into a very wealthy family. At the age of 20 he fell ill which turned his focus upon his relationship with God and eternity. St. Francis left behind his wealthy background and founded the Franciscan Order of Friar Monks in 1209 using Matthew 10:9-13 as the foundation of the Order. . . .
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home deserves, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.

St. Francis died in 1226 after rekindling the love of God among thousands.
The Prayer of St Francis was published in a French publication in 1912, author unknown. It was later sent to the Pope and eventually published in an Italian newspaper. Around 1920, a Friar Monk printed the prayer on a back of an image of St. Francis with the title Prayer for Peace but without being attributed to the saint. But the words of this prayer harmonize well with the generous, joy-filled and peace-loving spirit of St. Francis.
Though written in a simple language, the prayer provides rich material for spiritual reflection and epitomizes the life lead by St. Francis of Assisi. Let us take a closer look at the inspired lines of this prayer.
LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE.
Christ’s mission on earth was to bring God’s peace – God’s state of “perfect well-being” and completeness. So this also should be our mission in life. Shalom is the Hebrew word for a rich concept of peace. Often used as a greeting of peace, Shalom is a wish that those so greeted will find healing and fullness of life.
St. Francis saw this as his mission as well. He advised his followers that in going about in the world “they should not be quarrelsome or take part in disputes with words, or criticize others; but they should be gentle, peaceful and unassuming, courteous and humble, speaking respectfully to everyone. Whatever house they enter, they should first say “Peace to this house”. St. Francis was an instrument of peace. Like St. Francis, our mission should be to bring God’s peace as we go about our daily lives.
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE
St Frances told his followers, “Our Lord says in the Gospel, Love your enemies. A man really loves his enemy when he is not offended by the injury done to himself, but for the love of God, feels burning sorrow for the sin his enemy has brought on his own soul, and proves his love in a practical way.” How often do we consider the impact of a sin on offending person’s soul and show them love in the face of their offense?
WHERE THERE IN INJURY, PARDON
Discovering a path of peace, pardon and non-violence, St. Francis went to Egypt, during the Crusades, to engage in a peaceful dialogue with sultan, (the head of the Muslim forces), a meeting in which a spirit of forgiveness, respect and understanding prevailed. St. Francis would have the same message for us today for those who are so quick to see violence as the only solution for terrorism. While we don’t deal with terrorism in our daily routines, shouldn’t we address conflict with the same mindset of forgiveness, respect and understanding?
WHERE THIS IS DOUBT, FAITH
When St. Francis found himself with a serious, death facing, illness, doubt for God’s care for him clouded his thoughts. Seeking God’s face through prayer, he had a vision of Christ gazing at him from the cross with such a look of love that Francis’ “soul melted”. He spent the rest of his life setting others free from their own burden of doubt. Think of Saint Francis embracing lepers and lovingly washing their sores. Surely, many of those suffering souls felt an inner surge of hope and human dignity when they experienced Francis’ care. My favorite scripture is Luke 5:12-13 12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
Jesus touched him BEFORE he cleansed him. I can’t begin to imagine how that made that L***r feel. To have someone touch him in his state of unclean, covered in leprosy, shunned and stoned by his family and friends. To experience human touch, to experience having someone willing to touch him in his unclean state. The hope, the love he must have felt at that moment in time. How quick are we to embrace the homeless? The stinky, smelly, lice ridden homeless that lives on the fringes of our universe? How quick are we to offer hope and faith to the lost and doubting?
AND WHERE THIS IS SADNESS, JOY
The secret to St. Francis’ joyful spirit was his vibrant belief in a God of overflowing goodness and love. He was so in love with God that it was said that he would pick up 2 sticks, tuck one under his chin and use the other one like a bow, like he was playing the violin. Then, in an ecstasy of joy, he would sing songs of love and praise to God. St. Francis use to say that he wanted his followers to about the world like strolling minstrels, “to inspire the hearts of people and stir them to spiritual joy.” Where is our joy? Is it displayed for all to see or do we hide it under the bushel basket? Joy is contagious, people want it, and people want to know how to get that joy. But if it is hidden . . . . . or non-existent. . . . . . . how can we draw people to us?
The first section of this prayer reminds us about whom we should strive to be in asking God to help us live out our identity in Christ.
The second part of the prayer is a reminder of what not to be – selfish
While there is nothing wrong with wanting to be understood, loved, forgiven, but living the life of Jesus Christ means putting others first. It’s a call to remember who we really are in the eyes of God, see who others are from that same perspective. These last seven lines describe the heart of the Gospels. They serve as an excellent set of guidelines to live by every day. It’s emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the love of Christ in giving, rather than receiving.
The last section is divided into 2 sections. The first section make 3 requests to God
GREAT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK TO BE CONSOLED, AS TO CONSOLE
Here we are asked to console somebody else first, rather than seeking to be comforted in our grief or trouble. The thought being that in caring and comforting someone else, we will find comfort.
TO BE UNDERSTOOD, AS TO UNDERSTAND
Most of us do not listen with the intent to understand, we listen with the intent to reply. To understand somebody else first, we have to set aside our natural instinct to tell our story first, to be the one to impress first. The act of understanding involves deep focused listening.
TO LOVE, THAN TO BE LOVED
The greatest commandment is “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Instead of waiting around to receive love, we should be actively giving love.
The second section is 3 statements of faith.
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE
Here we can think about Christ’s words on the importance of giving. If we are generous in our giving, we will receive in abundance.
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED
Christ has some strong words to say about the importance of forgiving others:
Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
AND IT IS IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE
Since we are united with Christ in his death through the symbolic act of baptism, so too are we united with Christ in a new, eternal life.
St. Francis of Assisi may not have written these words, but he certainly lived them. This Peace Prayer, attributed to him, is a deep well of spiritual wisdom. We would be wise to visit this well often.
Acts 20:34-35 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
I have a niece who lost her husband in a motorcycle accident after being married for just a few short years. Leaving her with an infant daughter. A few months later I ran into her and as we were talking she asked me. . . . When I am going to get the blessings? I asked her when was the last time you blessed someone? She had no answer.
It is in the giving that we receive. Giving has many faces. It’s not necessarily money. It could be giving your time, giving your talent, fixing a meal, giving a ride and the list goes on. The receiving also has many faces. It doesn’t always show up in the gift wrapped present that we are expecting, looking for. But when we spend our lives focused on bringing peace to our universe, flipping hatred, injury, doubt, despair, darkness and sadness for love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy. We are blessed. When we strive to comfort, to understand, to show love, to be forgiving, we receive comfort, we receive understanding, and we receive forgiveness.
Let us take a page out of St. Francis’ life and make this prayer a living, breathing, tangible prayer.
A quote attributed to St. Francis that he did not say, is. . . .
Preach the Gospel at all time. When necessary, use words.
But let me leave with you one final thought to mull over - a statement St. Francis actually said. . .
It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
Amen

09/18/2019

Sermon from August 25, 2019

THAT DAM SERMON
Over the years that I have been attending Hawley, I have threatened a few of you with my Dam Sermon. Well, today is your lucky day – today I am giving THAT DAM SERMON.
Dams have always fascinated me. What marvelous works of engineering they are. From the basic earthen dam that we see at Cunningham Falls to the humongous dam at Hoover Dam.
Dams and reservoirs are built to raise water level for storage and safe retention of large quantity of water. Most dams are multi-purpose, serving more than one purpose. Mostly these additional purposes are achieved as byproduct outcome, e.g., hydropower, recreation, etc.
A healthy dam has water flowing into it and when a dam become too full they have spillways to release the excess water. These can be in the form of a sluice way and/or a glory hole. Spillways can be controlled or uncontrolled. A controlled spillway has gates that can be raised or lowered to control the amount of water released. An uncontrolled spillway doesn’t control the amount of water released. A glory hole is a large cylinder pipe that sits lower than the top of the dam and drains off water that exceed the height of the pipe. These spillways help to maintain the integrity of the dam.
Some fun facts about Hoover Dam. Originally named Boulder Dam it was later named after J. Edgar Hoover. Boulder City was created to house the 5,000 workers that built the dam. It took 4 years to construct the dam-finishing 2 years ahead of schedule, at a cost of $49 million. Today that would equal $700 million. The cost has much to do with its arch gravity design. Hoover Dam stands 726 feet tall at its highest point (which is 171 feet taller than the Washington Monument) and is 1,200 feet wide. The base of the dame is 660 feet thick. Which is equal to two football fields placed end to end.
Hoover Dam works as a gravity dam, which means that its foundation must rely on gravity to keep the entire structure from falling down. In fact, the technical name for this structural wonder is actually concrete arch-gravity retaining wall.
There is enough concrete in the dam to build a full-sized highway from New York to San Francisco.
The dam’s energy helps keep the lights on for customers in California, Arizona, and Nevada and creates enough power for 1.3 million people.
Lake Mead – the largest reservoir in the US - was created behind the dam. It offers visitors over 500 miles of shoreline to enjoy. At its deepest point when full, Lake Mead has a depth of 590 feet. This allows visitors a chance to enjoy water sports, swimming, and fishing during their stay in the area.
Sadly, the last time I was there the drought conditions had gotten so severe that marinas were setting 100s of feet above the water line.
But its magnificence alone justified its claim as the 8th wonder of the world.
But I want to concentrate on the basic earthen dam. There isn’t much to found regarding the Hunting Creek Lake except that it created a 43 acre lake when it was created. While I don’t remember the year – and I couldn’t find any information regarding its construction – I do remember the hoopla created over its construction. Homes being destroyed, families being uprooted, and land lost because of the dam.
But its construction is a basic earthen dam. Using Maryland red clay that once harden is impenetrable and hard as iron. It has an uncontrolled spillway at one end and a glory hole at the mid-way point.
Water flows in from Hunting Creek after tumbling down the 78ft high Cunningham Falls, creating Hunting Creek Lake with a depth of 75 feet.
Now we all like to think that the water that flows into our reservoirs are sparkling clear pure water, but the truth is that the water carries sediment, leaves, sticks, dead animals and their waste products. This all flows into the reservoir and settles on the bottom. Over the years, the depth of the dam becomes sallower and sallower. A perfect example is the Pangborn Park lake. It took me a bit, but driving past it one day if finally dawned on me that ducks were standing up half way out into the lake. The lake has become that shallow from all of the sediment flowing into the lake. If you drive past during or after a big storm you can actually see the sediment mudding up the water where the stream dumps into the lake.
Several years ago the Hunting Creek Lake was partially drained so that the sediment could be dredged and the depth restored to the 75 feet. While the lake was drained, the integrity of the dam itself was inspected for any signs of erosion from the underwater currents.
By now you are wondering where in the world am I going with this. Well. . . . we are all dams and our reservoirs are full of whatever flows into it. What we read, see, observe flows into our dams. Whatever we hear flows into our dams. Whatever we eat feeds our dams. And our dam has a spillway in our mouth. This is actually a two way spillway. What flows out of our mouths – we hear – which means not only does it flow out, but it flows back into our dam.
So. . .what are you seeing, reading? What kind of books, magazines are you reading? What kind of movies, television programs are you watching? What are you observing? Would you invite Jesus to the movies or to sit down and watch TV with you? Would you recommend one of your books to Jesus? What are you hearing??? What kind of music are you listening to? Would you share the lyrics with Jesus? Would you share the conversations in the movies and television with Jesus? Are your conversations with each other pleasing to Jesus? Would you invite Jesus to join your conversation? Share a book with him?? Or would you edit what you would share with Jesus? What about what you put into your mouth. Would you share it with Jesus? Or would you hide away the drugs and the alcohol and the junk food when Jesus comes to dinner?
When was the last time that you checked your dam for erosion and sediment? Does your dam need dredging? Are your streams of fresh water really refreshing or full of debris and filth? You see, everything that you have taken in whether it’s by mouth, eyes or ears, settles in your dam. What is in your dam flows out of your spillway. What you are thinking reflects the condition of your dam. The words that come out of your mouth reflect the condition of your dam. Jesus knows our thoughts and he hears what we say. In his presence can you hold your head high or would you hang your head in shame? In his presence would you monitor your thoughts? Edit the words that come out of your mouth? There is a reason why we should wear the helmet of salvation on our heads. To protect our minds and our thoughts.

There is a reason why Ephesians 4:8 – our memory verse - tells us what to think upon. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. Thinking about such things ensures that our streams are sparkling clean, fresh and renewing to our dams. Ensures that our spillways are also full of clean, refreshing water so others can satisfy their thirst down stream.
Soon fall will be upon us. A time when summer clothes are packed away for another year and the fall and winter garments are brought out, aired, pressed and hung up in preparation for the cooler weather. I encourage you to take the time to evaluate the condition of your dam while you are making this seasonal transition. Take the time to dredge out the sediment, to check for erosion or fractures that jeopardize the integrity of your dam.
You don’t hear much about spring and fall cleaning like you use to. But now would be a good time to clean out your dams. Clean up your streams. Let us enter the season of thanksgiving and advent with clean, pure and refreshing dams. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, our dams are our souls. While we are at it, let us clean out our closets and throw out the garments of hate, greed, depression, envy, jealously, self-righteousness, and prejudice. Then go on a major shopping spree and fill your closet with garments of praise, joy, compassion, love, acceptance, kindness, generosity, thanksgiving.
While our new garments will aid greatly in keeping our souls fresh and clean, it is God’s daily blessing of goodness and mercy that clears away the sediment from our souls. As I showed the children, the damage our words can do to another’s soul, God’s goodness and mercy is balm to those wounds and an editor of our words.
Let us pray:
Father the heavens declare your glory; the skies proclaim the work of thy hands. Your law is perfect and it refreshes my soul. Your statutes of trustworthy and make me wise. Your precepts are right and bring great joy to my heart. Your commands are radiant, giving light to my eyes. Your decrees are firm and righteous. They are more precious than pure gold, sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. Keep me from willful sin so that I may be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen

05/22/2019

05/10/2019

Waiting to marry one of my granddaughters.

04/03/2019

Sermon from March 31, 2019

BE STRONG, BE COURAGEOUS, BE OBEDIENT
Let us pray: Father, we welcome you into this place. May your word resound throughout this sanctuary, filling this place with your Glory and Presence. Open our hearts that we might receive your message today, open our ears that we may hear your words and open our minds that our thinking might be renewed. We pray this in the name of your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
As some of you know, last month I found myself with lots of time on my hands. I thought what a great time to spend more time with the Lord. With no plan in mind, I grabbed my favorite Bible and looked for a Bible reading plan. Assuming it was another ‘READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR plan I rolled my eyes and started reading. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it wasn’t a read the Bible in a year plan, but was perturbed to discover that I was reading about obedience. Just the word obedience makes me twitch! But here I was and over the next several weeks I was treated to many scriptures regarding obedience. At some point I said OK God, I get the message I need to be more obedient unto you, and then I realized that he was preparing me for today’s message. When I got out of myself and really started studying the scriptures I discovered a wealth of knowledge regarding our awesome God.
CB introduced me to a new phrase – REG requires extra grace. This came about when we were discussing a difficult person and she said they REG!!! They require extra grace!!!! Yes they do!!!! I exclaimed. Well each of us over our lifetimes has required extra grace. But today I need extra grace. God has moved me out of my comfort zone and into new territory. Give me a scripture and I can teach on it, give me a subject and I can teach on it, but this is the first time that I have been asked to teach across multiple books of the Old Testament and I need much grace as I step out into this new level of teaching.
As I fly over the various books of the Bible, I will not be reading the actual scripture for time sake, but I will give you the Book and chapter, a brief overview – though most of these scriptures are familiar to you. I will show you the consequences of the disobedience; show you God’s mercy when applicable and what we can learn from it.
Ready??? Got your seat belts buckled??? Then let’s take off! Our first stop is
EXODUS 32 CREATING THE IDOL WHILE MOSES WAS ON THE MOUNTAIN
OVERVIEW: While Moses was up on the mountain receiving the 10 Commandants, the Israelites got restless against God and Moses and reverted back to their old ways and created a golden calf and started worshiping it.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: God was ready to destroy the entire nation because of their sin – or disobedience. But Moses pleaded for mercy and God spared them.
MESSAGE FOR US: Our greatest temptation is still to shape God to our liking, to make him convenient to obey or ignore. God responds in great anger when his mercy is trampled on. The gods we create blind us to the love our loving God wants to shower on us. God cannot work in us when we elevate anyone or anything above him. Even if we do not make idols, we are often guilty of trying to make God in our image, molding him to fit our expectations, desires, and circumstances. When we do this, we end up worshiping ourselves rather than the God who created us – and self-worship, today as in the Israelites’ time, leads to all kinds of immorality. Although we deserve his anger, he is willing to forgive and restore us to himself. We can receive God’s forgiveness from sin by asking him. Like Moses, we can pray that he will forgive others and use us to bring the message of his mercy.
Overwhelmed by the actual sight of the blatant idolatry and revelry, Moses broke the tablets containing the commandments which had already been broken in the hearts and actions of the people. There is a place for righteous anger. However angry Moses might have been, God was angrier still – he wanted to kill all the people. Anger at sin is a sign of spiritual vitality. Don’t squelch this kind of anger. But when you are justifiably angry at sin, be careful not to do anything that you will regret later.
Aaron’s decision nearly cost him his life. His absurd excuse (exodus 32:21-24) shows the spiritual decline in his leadership and in the people. Those who function as spokespersons and assistants need to be doubly sure their theology and morality are in tune with God so they will not be influenced by pressure from people.
EXODUS 40 SETTING UP THE TABERNACLE
OVERVIEW: God gives Moses specific instructions on setting up the tabernacle. Where to place the ark, the table, lamp stand and lamps, the diffusers, altars, etc.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: This scripture is an example of obedience, not disobedience. Moses was careful to obey God’s instructions in the smallest detail. Notice that he didn’t make a reasonable facsimile of God’s description, but an exact copy. Because of his obedience, the tabernacle became God’s home on earth and His Glory filled the tabernacle. The overpowering sense of his presence.
MESSAGE FOR US: We should follow Moses’ example and be fastidious about our obedience. If God has told you to do something, do it, do it right and do it completely. The physical care of the tabernacle required a long list of tasks, and each was important to the work of God’s house. This principle is important to remember today when God’s house is the church. There are many seemingly unimportant tasks that must be done to keep your church building maintained. Washing dishes, painting walls, or shoveling snow may not seem very spiritual. But they are vital to the ministry of the church and have an important role in our worship of God.
NUMBERS 12 MIRIAN AND AARON OPPOSE MOSES
OVERVIEW: Miriam and Aaron came to Moses with a complaint. They represented the priests and the prophets, the two most powerful groups next to Moses. The real issue was their growing jealousy of Moses’ position and influence. Since they could not find fault with the way Moses was leading the people, they chose to criticize his wife who was a Cush*te. God told the 3 of them to come to the tent of meetings. There at the entrance of the tent God appeared in a pillar of cloud.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Marian and Aaron’s sin was pride and envy, instead of dealing with their pride and envy, they attacked Moses’ wife. God’s anger burned against Aaron and Miriam, but more against Miriam for her smug attitude towards not only Moses’ authority but also against God’s authority. When the pillar of cloud left, Miriam was covered in leprosy. Aaron immediately pleaded with Moses to forgive them for their sin. Moses cried out to the Lord to please heal her. God said that he would heal her after 7 days.
MESSAGE FOR US: People often argue over minor disagreements leaving the real issue untouched. Rather than face the problem squarely by dealing with their envy and pride, they chose to create a diversion from the real issue. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone’s character. If you are unjustly criticized, remember that your critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Don’t take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it. It is easy to look back at our mistakes and recognize their foolishness. To get rid of foolish ideas before they turn into foolish actions requires eliminating our wrong thoughts and motives. Failing to do this caused Miriam and Aaron much grief.
NUMBERS 13 & 14 THE SPIES INCITE REBELLION
OVERVIEW: Moses sends out 12 spies to check out the land of Canaan. While in Jericho, a pr******te, Rahab hide the spies and helped them escape during the night. The spies returned with reports of land rich and fertile and gave many reasons why they should enter the land. But they couldn’t stop focusing on their fear of the giants and fortified cities. Because of this fear the Israelites decided to not go into the Promised Land. They rebelled instead.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: God had promised that this bountiful land would be theirs and that he would help them secure the land. But the fears from the spies made it easy to forget God’s promise. The Israelites had to decide either to enter the land or to retreat. They chose to retreat were condemned to wander 40 years in the desert. Because of the Israelites’ lack of faith, they needed more than a lifetime to go into the promise land. Moses pleaded with God, asking him to forgive his people. The people of Israel knew better than anyone God’s laws and His physical presence. Their refusal to follow God after witnessing his miraculous deeds and listening to his words made the judgment against them more severe. God’s judgement came in the form the people feared the most. The people were afraid of dying in the desert, so God punished them by making them wander in the desert until they died. Was God’s judgement too harsh? Not when God threatened instant death. Instead God allowed the people to live. God had brought his people to the edge of the Promised Land, just as he said he would. He was ready to give them the rich land, but the people didn’t want it. By this time, God had put up with a lot. At least ten times the people had refused to trust and obey him. The whole nation (except Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and Aaron) showed contempt for and distrust of God. But God’s punishment was not permanent. As a result, God did not allow them to enter the land, but made them wander in the desert until the disobedient generation had all died. In 40 years, a new generation would have a chance to enter Canaan. When the Israelites realized their foolish mistake they were suddenly ready to return to God. But God didn’t confuse their admission of guilt as true repentance. Soon enough they went about their own ways.
MESSAGE FOR US: Moses decided what information was needed before the people could enter the Promised Land, and he took careful steps to get that information. When you are making decisions or assuming new responsibilities, remember these two important steps. 1) Ask yourself what you need to know about the opportunity, and 2) then obtain that knowledge. Common sense is a valuable aid in accomplishing God’s Purpose. When facing a tough decision, don’t let the negatives cause you to lose sight of the positives. Weigh both sides carefully; don’t let potential difficulties blind you to God’s power to help and his promise to guide. Because it is human nature to accept opinion as fact, we must be especially careful when voicing our negative opinions. What we say may heavily influence the actions of those who trust us to give sound advice. God has not changed since Moses’ day. Like Moses, we can rely on God’s love, patience, forgiveness and mercy. Failing to trust God often brings even greater problems then those we originally faced. Running from God means we run into problems. Sometimes right actions or good intentions come too late. We must not only do what is right but also do it at the right time. God wants complete and instant obedience.
DEUTERONOMY 29 & 30
OVERVIEW: 40 years earlier, on Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with his people. In two sentences – God promised to bless the Israelites by making them the nation through whom the rest of the world could know God. In return, the Israelites promised to love and obey God in order to receive physical and spiritual blessings. Obviously God kept and is still keeping his word, but the Israelites failed to keep their part of the agreement. Moses called for a recommitment of the Covenant. Warning the people that if they did not keep their part of the agreement there would be severe discipline. Moses challenged Israel to choose life, to obey God so they could continue to experience his blessings. For the Israelites their first steps towards prosperity was to keep their part of the convenient. They were to love God with all of their heart, soul and strength.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Moses told the Israelites that when they were ready to return to God, he would be ready to receive them. God’s mercy is unbelievable. It goes far beyond what we can imagine.
MESSAGE FOR US: Like the Israelites, we fail to notice how God takes care of us in our daily lives. That all of our daily needs have been supplied, that we are well fed and well clothed. We don’t hesitate to take the credit for being such good providers, instead of giving credit where credit is due, which is recognizing God’s hand in the process.
What is the best way to prosper? We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness – then true success in life will follow as a blessing from the hand of God.
Disobedience comes from an act of the will, not a lack of knowledge. Through God’s word we know enough about him to be saved by faith and to serve him. We must not use the limitation of our knowledge as an excuse to reject his claim on our life.
God wants to forgive us and bring us back to himself. No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to him.
God has called us to keep his commands, while reminding us that his laws are not hidden from us or beyond our reach. If you have ever said that you would obey God if you knew what he wanted? Have you ever complained that obedience is too difficult or too hard? These are unacceptable excuses. God’s laws are written in the Bible and are clearly evident in the world around us. Obeying them is reasonable, sensible, and beneficial. God doesn’t force his will on anyone. He allows us to decide to follow him or reject him. However, this decision is a life or death matter. He wants us to realize this and he wants us to choose life. Daily, in each new situation, we must affirm and reinforce this commitment.
DEUTERONOMY 31:1-8 CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
OVERVIEW: In these verses Moses turned the leadership over to Joshua.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Because of his disobedience Moses was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. He would be able to see it, but his punishment is that he will not be able to set foot into the Promised Land. But he reassures the Israelites to be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
MESSAGE FOR US: Disobedience to God has consequences. But God is still with us, he will never leave us in spite of our disobedience.

DEUTERONOMY 34 1-12 THE DEATH OF MOSES
OVERVIEW: God takes Moses to Mount Nebo and allows him to see the Promised Land and Moses died in Moab at the age of 120 years old
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Moses was the only person who ever spoke with God face to face. He was called Israel’s greatest prophet. Yet even this great man was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he disobeyed God. God disciplined Moses severely, but still called him his friend. Moses was one person who did not let success go to his head. In the end, God was still Moses’ best friend. His love, respect, and awe for God had grown daily throughout his live. It would be more than a thousand years before one greater than Moses would appear – Jesus.
MESSAGE FOR US: The result of our disobedience is that we will be disciplined. When you experience the sting of God’s discipline, respond as Moses did. Don’t turn away in anger, embarrassment, or resentment. Instead, turn toward God with love, openness and a desire to do better.
JOSHUA 1 JOSUHA LEADS THE NATION
OVERVIEW: During their wanderings, the Israelites obeyed God’s laws. They also taught the new generation to obey God’s laws so that they might enter the Promised Land. As the children grew they were often reminded that faith and obedience to God brought victory, while unbelief and disobedience brought tragedy. Now that the older generation has died, the new generation is prepared to make their long-awaited journey into the Promised Land. Joshua’s first mission after succeeding Moses is to lead more than two million people into a strange land and conquer it. God was finally giving the people rest. The people who had no land would be given land of their own and they would be able to settle and rest. But first they must conquer the land. In order to do this everyone had to agree to the leader’s plan and be willing to support and obey him.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY:
MESSAGE FOR US: Every day we face new challenges – while it may not be conquering nations – they can be just a frightening. But with God it can be a great adventure. He is always with us, he promised to never abandon us or fail to help us. By asking God to direct our steps we can conquer many of life’s challenges. We must be willing to fully agree to God’s plan, pledge ourselves to obey it and put his principles into action.
Many perceive prosperity and success by having power, influential contacts and a relentless drive to get ahead. But God taught Joshua the strategy for gaining prosperity was 1) be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy 2) obey God’s law and 3) constantly read and study the Word of God. While you may not be perceived as successful in the eyes of the world, you will be a success in the eyes of God – and his opinion lasts forever.
Three times Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, when we are afraid to do what is right, may we remember that strength and courage are readily available from God.
JOSHUA 6 THE FALL OF JERICHO
OVERVIEW: The first move to conquering the land of Canaan, was to take the city of Jericho. Jericho was one of the oldest cities in the world. In some places the walls were fortified up to 25 feet high and 20 feet thick. Soldiers standing on the ramparts could see for miles. Jericho was a symbol of military power and strength. The Canaanites considered it invincible. By striking this city first, the Israelites put the fear of Israel into the heart of every person in Canaan.
Why did God give Joshua such precise strange instructions? 1) God was making it undeniably clear that the battle would depend upon him and not Israel’s weapons and expertise. This is why priests carrying the ark, not soldiers, led the Israelites into battle. 2) God’s methods of taking the city accentuated the terror already felt in Jericho. 3) this strange military maneuver was a test of the Israelites’ faith and their willingness to follow God completely. The blowing of the Trumpets was to remind them that their victory would come from the Lord.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Why were they told to destroy everyone and everything in Jericho? God was carrying out severe judgement against the wickedness of the Canaanites. Because of their evil practices and intense idolatry, the Canaanites were a stronghold of rebellion against God. The exception was Rahab and her household, which were saved because she had faith in God and because she helped the Israelites spies. The silver and gold were kept, not to enrich the people, but to beautify the tabernacle and its services. God’s purpose was to keep the people’s faith and religion uncontaminated.
MESSAGE FOR US: God wants us to be pure. He wants us to clean up our behavior when we start a new life with him. We must not let personal gain distract us from our spiritual purpose. We also must reject any objects that are reminders of our rebellion against God.
JOSHUA 7 ACHAN’S SIN
OVERVIEW: Joshua sends spies from Jericho to Ai. The spies told Joshua to send two or three thousand men to take Ai and do not worry for only a few men are there. About three thousand men went up and were routed by the men of Ai. The Israelites were chased from the city gate and were struck down on the slopes.
CONSEQUENCES/MERCY: Though God’s commands were very explicit about what to do in Jericho, Achan disobeyed God and took a beautiful robe, 200 shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels and buried them under his tent. Causing God’s anger to burn against Israel.
Out of over 2 million people, one person caused the defeat at Ai. ONE PERSON OUT OF 2 MILLION!!! The result of Achan’s sin was 1) many men died 2) Israel’s army melted in fear 3) Joshua questioned God 4) God threatened to withdraw his presence from the people 5) Achan and his family had to be destroyed.
Why did Achan’s sin bring judgement on the entire nation? Although only one man disobeyed God, God saw it as a national disobedience to a national law. God needed the entire nation to be committed to the job they had agreed upon – conquer the land. Thus when one person failed, the entire nation failed. If Achan’s sin went unpunished, unlimited looting could break out. The nation as a whole had to take responsibility for preventing this undisciplined disobedience. Achan underestimated God and didn’t take his commands seriously. It may have seemed a small thing to Achan, but the effects of his sin were felt by the entire nation, especially his family.
When Israel eliminated the sin from their community the results were: 1) encouragement from God 2) God’s presence in battle 3) God’s guidance and promise of victory 4) God’s permission to keep the plunder and livestock from the battle for themselves.
MESSAGE FOR US: Throughout Israel’s history, blessings came when the people got rid of sin. We will also experience victory when you turn away from sin and follow God’s plan wholeheartedly.
Confused by their defeat, Joshua and the elders went before God in deep humility and sorrow to receive instructions. So should we turn to God for direction and help, humbling ourselves so that we will be able to hear his words.
Like Achan, our actions affect more people than just ourselves. Beware of the temptation to rationalize your sins by saying they are too small or too personal to hurt anyone but you.
Why did Achan’s entire family pay for his sin? We don’t know if they were accomplices to his crime, but in the ancient world, the family was treated as a whole. If he prospered so did his family. If he suffered so did his family. Many Israelites died in battle because of his sin, now he had to be completely cut off from Israel. Achan’s entire family was to be stoned along with him so that no trace of the sin would remain in Israel. The punishment fit the crime. Achan had disobeyed God’s command to destroy everything in Jericho, thus everything that belonged to Achan had to be destroyed. Sin has drastic consequences, so we should take drastic measures to avoid it.
After Israel was cleansed from Achan’s sin, Joshua prepared to attack Ai again – this time to win. The lessons that Joshua learned we can also learned from 1) confess your sins when God reveals them to you 2) when you fail, refocus on God, deal with the problem and move on. God wants the cycle of sin, repentance, and forgiveness to strengthen us, not weaken us.
LEARNED: So what have we learned from this fly over the Old Testaments.
1) Disobedience to God :
a. brings God’s anger and has severe consequences
b. create additional problems
c. affects more than just ourselves
d. brings destruction and defeat
2) The characteristics of God are:
a. Immensely patient
b. God’s love is one promise we can always count on
c. forgives again and again
d. Is merciful, listening to and answering our requests
3) We should be:
a. Strong and courageous
b. Obey God’s law
c. Constantly read and study the Word of God.
Thinking about all the things that God has asked us to do, has he ever asked you to die on a cross? Die and spend 3 days in hell? Arise again to bring us eternal life? NO? Jesus’ sole purpose on this earth was to do exactly that? But even Jesus wrestled with obedience. On the night he was betrayed he went into the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed not once but three times, Father, please take this cup from me. Obviously the Father said no and Jesus remained obedient unto the Father. If Jesus can be strong, be courageous and be obedient for our sins, then so can we be strong, be courageous and be obedient unto the Father.
Let us pray. Father, thank you for your undeserved grace and mercy. As we struggle with our disobedience and sin, may we run toward you and not away from you. May your arms always be outstretched to receive us in love, may your discipline be tempered with mercy and may we grow to be more like you every day. Amen