Victorious Church

Treating the Symptom Deuteronomy 7:18:20; 2 Corinthians 2:1217; Psalm 34:122 I regularly predict that something will only take me an hour when it actually en...ds up taking two. I’m beginning to think that this is a sign of a larger issue: the tendency to underestimate the severity of a problem. In medical offices, this is called treating the symptoms and not the disease. In street ministry, it’s known as getting addicts off the street rather than helping them understand their addiction. Addicts rationalize sin. And eventually, sin becomes everything in their lives, which means they rationalize away who they are. If we’re all honest with ourselves, we would see that, like the addict, we like the gray area far too much. We want to push the boundaries in the name of freedom, rationality, or cultural appeal. In Deuteronomy 7:18:20, Moses was uninterested in pushing boundaries. He even told the Israelites to stay away from foreigners who worshiped other gods because they would corrupt the fledgling worship of Yahweh (Deut 7:34). Paul makes a similar point in 2 Cor 6:14: Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? Paul’s statement is part of a larger discussion on why the world is as black and white as God makes it out to be. In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul writes, For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. Christ-followers are meant to be a good smell to the world of God’s work and goodness, and it’s impossible for them to do this if they are not living in His light. Corruption infects everyone affiliated with it. We are meant to bring the light into the darkness, not become part of the darkness. Interacting with culture and those who don’t believe is not the same as becoming one with culture and those who don’t believe. When we see a symptom, we need to recognize there is a disease behind it. We’re all metaphorical addicts. The difference between Christ-followers and the rest is that we recognize the condition and seek Christ, who can heal us and save us. In what ways are you rationalizing your sin or problems? What can you do to understand it the way God would like you to, and what can you do about it? John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).

Gifts and Grace Numbers 35:136:13; 1 Corinthians 16:124; Psalm 30:112 Yahweh spoke to Moses on the desert plains of Moab beyond the Jordan across Jericho, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their property cities to live in; and you will give to the Levites pastureland all around the cities’ (Num 35:12). The idea of giving is ancient. Before God’s people even enter the promised land, they’re commanded to help th...e Leviteswho will be serving them as spiritual leadersby giving them cities. Now that God has given to the people, He asks that they give back to His work. There is an opportunity for obedience, and this obedience will come with the blessing of continued spiritual guidance from the people to whom they are giving the land. But giving is not the only concept at play here. Shortly after this, God asks the people to provide refuge cities for murderers (Num 35:68). He institutes a system of gracea type of house arrest. The idea that synagogues and churches are places where criminals can find refuge (sanctuary) likely finds its origins in this. This system of grace also manifests itself in types of hospitality. We see this several times in Paul’s letters. For example, Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians was on the rocks, yet he still requests hospitality for his fellow ministry worker: But if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to fear, for he is carrying out the Lord’s work, as I also am. Therefore do not let anyone disdain him, but send him on his way in peace in order that he may come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers (1 Cor 16:1011). God is gracious, and He calls us to be the same wayeven when we don’t want to, and even when our sense of justice makes being gracious frustrating. Is God calling you to be gracious to someone? How are you going to give? John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).

I WILL MAKE THE CROOKED STRAIGHT AND THE DARKNESS LIGHT My child, I have taken hold of your hand and will guide you. Hold firmly to My Word, for it is the message that gives life. Encourage My people and give them comfort. I selected and sent you to bring light and My promise of hope to the nations. You will give sight to the blind; you will set prisoners free from dark dungeons. I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never ...traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. PSALM 43:34; ISAIAH 40:14; 42:1617 Prayer Declaration Lead me, and make Your way straight before my eyes. Make darkness light before me and crooked things straight. Teach me to light the way for the blind and to bring hope to the nations. Give me the treasure of darkness and Your riches, which are stored in secret places. Strengthen me so that men may know there is none beside You. You came to reveal the true light that gives light to every man who comes into the world. John Eckhardt, Daily Declarations for Spiritual Warfare, 1st ed. (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2011), 94.

Interactive Bible Study

March 23: Reason: Not the Ultimate Power Numbers 27:123; 1 Corinthians 10:122; Psalm 22:1431 Reason is a gift from God, but that doesn’t make it a substitute for seeking God’s will through prayer. Moses appears to have been an intelligent man. He figured out how to flee Egypt after killing an Egyptian, how to survive in the wilderness, and how to make his way back without prosecution. He also transformed non-militarized men into a military and taught them to craft the weap...onry necessary to win countless battles. But Moses didn’t rely on these abilities; he relied on asking God His will and waiting for His guidance. Moses relies on God’s will so often that I’m convinced that the actions that appear to come from great intelligence and reasonlike his ability to escape and reenter Egypt and his ability to train people in combatwere based on God’s direct guidance. We see Moses seek God’s guidance in matters that he could have used reason to discern as well. In Numbers 27, when Moses is asked if a family should receive an inheritance of land (in the promised land) even though their father died without a son to inherit it, he could have simply said, Of course; God is gracious. He won’t punish your entire family forever for your father’s sins. (That was the reason they weren’t granted the land automatically.) His simple reason of God is good probably could have answered this for him. But Moses seeks God’s guidance instead. That’s the right answer. Our culture overemphasizes reason. Often, the people best at reasoning are promotedin our workplaces, our churches, and our governmentso it’s easy to see reason as the ultimate power. Instead, though, we should seek God in all things. His guidance is always needed. While He gave us our minds, He also gave us the Spirit; and while the mind can fail, the Spirit, if truly sought, listened to, and waited upon, cannot. What do you need to seek the Spirit’s guidance on that you are relying on reason for instead? John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).