https://renewalchristiancenter.org Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/23/put-that-false-prophet-to-death Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:55:57 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/23/put-that-false-prophet-to-death

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if that sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, "Let us follow other gods" . . .  "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  
. . . That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery.  
. . . If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" . . .  You must certainly put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death . . .  Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the LORD your God . . .   Deuteronomy 13:1-10

God is big on loyalty and He expects the same from us. He has vowed never to leave nor forsake us. He promises that even if our own mother forgets and forsakes us, He will never forget us because He has engraved us on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:15).
This is a picture of unrelenting love. Love that is unmovable; love that can never be quenched under any circumstances.

This is the kind of love that caused God to redeem His children out of slavery in Egypt, as He  fought for His children with signs and wonders, bringing the mighty Egyptian army to its knees in utter defeat. This is the kind of love that caused God to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die and save us from our sins. God paid the ultimate price to reconcile us to Himself. God's love is measureless and priceless. God's love for us is the ultimate!

That is the basis of God's uncompromising stand in asking His children to put to death any person or thing who would entice us to be disloyal to the God who redeemed us from the bondage of sin and the clutches of Satan. That person, be it a prophet, a blood brother, a son, a daughter, one's own dear wife or closest friend must die! Nothing should come between you and God!

So, God is simply saying to us: Kill off anything that takes first place in your life over me. Never allow anything in your life to become your god. That thing or person must certainly not be allowed to entice away your heart and loyalty to the God who loves you so dearly and is completely loyal to you.

Question: Is there anything that has taken first place over God in your life? Maybe your job, business, career, or family? These are all good things. But, have you consciously decided that none of those things will replace your loyalty to God? Put that false prophet to death before it enlarges in life and destroys your relationship with God.

PRAYER:
Lord, please help me to be completely loyal to you. Let me always put you first. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/22/the-eyes-of-god-are-on-your-blessings Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/22/the-eyes-of-god-are-on-your-blessings

Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess . . .
The land you are entering to take over is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you planted your seed and irrigated it by foot as in a vegetable garden. But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land that the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today -- to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul -- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains . . .  I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. Deuteronomy 11:8-15.

The LORD cares about the land He has given you. The eyes of the LORD are continually upon it from the beginning of the year to its end. The land God has given you does not require strenuous human irrigation efforts. The LORD Himself will irrigate it with rains from heaven!
God will ensure that the rains fall in the appropriate season. There will be pasture for your cattle and you would not have to worry about food because you will eat and be satisfied.

Application: The LORD cares about the blessing He has bestowed on you. He cares about the job and career He has given you. He cares about the children He has blessed your life with. He cares about your marriage. He cares about the apartment or house He has blessed you with. Even though you must work to obtain and take care of it, you will be divinely aided from heaven so that you will not require strenuous human efforts. From the beginning of the year until the end God will continually watch over all the blessings He has bestowed upon your life.

Folks, these are not empty words. They come from the heart of our kind, merciful, and gracious Father. They come from the lips of the one who blesses without adding sorrow. But these blessings, again, are conditioned upon obedience to the commands of God. They will only happen if we put God first in our lives and serve Him with all our heart and soul.

Would you heed the voice of God today and determine not to compromise on obeying His voice? That is the only way to ensure that the eyes of the LORD will continually be on your blessings from the beginning of the year until the very end. This is totally trustworthy.

PRAYER:
LORD, I thank you for caring so much about me. Thank you for watching over the blessings you have bestowed upon my life. Please help me to walk in obedience so that my land will flourish with divine irrigation from heaven. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/20/do-you-feel-overwhelmed Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:32:38 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/20/do-you-feel-overwhelmed

Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.
Cursed be the day I was born!  . . . For He (God) did not kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave . . .  Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame? Jeremiah 20:13-18

One minute the prophet Jeremiah was extolling the praises of God. The next minute he was lamenting his plight and feeling overwhelmed and sorrowful! He even cursed the day he was born -- not exactly a positive example from one of God's greatest prophets, who was handpicked from the womb to fulfill a divine assignment!

One of the most refreshing things about the Bible is the truth it portrays about the lives of God's most cherished servants. They are painted in Scripture, warts and all. The Bible makes no attempt to present them in glowing terms or hide their shortcomings. Their faults are not hidden. This underscores the trustworthiness and absolute veracity of the Bible. 

David, the man after God's own heart, was exposed when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. Moses' anger and failure to honor God were preserved in Scripture for all to see. Peter's betrayal of Jesus was recorded for posterity. All this gives us hope as we relate to God with the reality of our frail humanity. God understands our doubts, failures, and frustrations.

So, we see the struggles of Jeremiah -- depressed and almost in a crisis of faith:
"Cursed be the day I was born . . .  Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?"  Why all this pain and trouble?

That is how Jeremiah felt when the going got tough. He felt exhausted from the relentless efforts of his enemies to discredit him and the message from God. He felt he was on a mission impossible and that his days were going to end in shame and disgrace.

Question: Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Does your task ever seem hopeless? The truth is: you are not alone! The prophet Elijah felt overwhelmed and asked God to end his life. Moses questioned God about why he had to bear the burdens of ungrateful Israel. Even our Lord Jesus admitted in the garden of Gethsemane: "My soul is overwhelmed to the point of death."

The good news is that Jesus has promised sufficient grace to see you through your situation.
Listen to His words:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So do you feel overwhelmed? Take a deep breath:  God's grace is sufficient for you.

PRAYER:
Father, there are many times when I feel overwhelmed, but I take hope in the sufficiency of your grace. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/20/do-you-have-fire-in-your-bones Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/20/do-you-have-fire-in-your-bones

You deceived me, LORD, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me.
Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.
But if I say, "I will not mention His word or speak anymore in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:7-9

It is refreshing to see the struggles of Jeremiah the prophet as He carried out his very difficult mission of pronouncing impending divine wrath and judgment upon God's children.
All the other prophets were falsely assuring the people that there would be peace and no judgment. All would continue to be well. There was nothing to worry about. But, they were all lying prophets. They had not heard from God.

Naturally, Jeremiah became the odd one out. He was mocked, insulted, and even beaten and imprisoned. He became the joke of the town. This ill-treatment did get to him. Jeremiah felt God had deceived Him. His harsh message fell on unrepentant ears. The truth he proclaimed brought him insult and reproach all day long.

But, deep down in his heart, Jeremiah knew that in spite of the prevailing challenges, God's word was true. He knew that God would protect him from his enemies. Jeremiah knew that in the end, God always wins. This deep conviction spurred him on. He could not help but proclaim the truth he knew. Jeremiah could not hold back the divine truth. The word of God was burning in his heart like fire. It was like fire shut up in his bones!

Question: Do you recoil from sharing and living out the truth of God's word because of opposition? Would you rather shut up to save your skin? God understands your struggles!
But the truth of God's word must be proclaimed nonetheless. Like Jeremiah, we must not allow the fire in our hearts to die out because of opposition. The word of God must be like fire in our bones. Let's proclaim it in word and deed like Jeremiah. Let out the fire in you!

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for the truth of your word. Please help me not to recoil but to boldly proclaim Jesus in word and deed. Amen

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/19/our-god-is-mighty-and-awesome Mon, 19 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/19/our-god-is-mighty-and-awesome

To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.  
. . . For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner living among you, giving them food and clothing.  . . . He is the one you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Deuteronomy 10:14-22

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and       awesome . . . !
To Him belong the heavens!
To Him belong the highest heavens!
To Him belong the earth and everything in it!

He is the God of gods!
He is the Lord of lords!
He is the great God!
He is mighty and awesome!

He shows no partiality.
He accepts no bribes.
He defends the cause of the fatherless.
He defends the cause of the widow.

He loves the foreigner; He clothes and feeds them.
He performs great and awesome wonders.
He causes the few to become as numerous as the stars.

This awesome God is our God! This awesome God is our Father! This awesome God is our Protector! This awesome God is our Defense! This awesome God is our Provider!

If this awesome God be for you, who can be against you?
Is there anything too hard for this awesome God?
Our God is all-powerful!
Our God is awesome! He deserves our highest praise!

PRAYER:
Lord, you are awesome. Lord, you are awesome! Lord, you are awesome! Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/18/there-is-no-room-for-boasting Sun, 18 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/18/there-is-no-room-for-boasting

After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my  righteousness."  No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity . . . but on account of the wickedness of these nations.  
. . . Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.  
 . . . From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the LORD.  Deuteronomy 9:4-7.

God was about to fulfill His covenant promise and bless His children. But He also reminded them not to boast when they came into possession of those blessings. He reminded them that He was dispossessing the wicked of their wealth and transferring it to His children. That transfer was not on account of the righteousness of the Israelites but because of His grace.
God had been gracious in spite of the rebellion of the Israelites.

Let's face it: Humans are quick to take credit and boast. We specialize in making it all about us! We hardly take the blame when things go wrong. In fact, we make excuses to exonerate ourselves when there is failure -- even when it is our fault!  But we are quick to pound our chests with pride when there is success. God knows us too well -- He is our Creator! He knows our thoughts even before they are formed. He knows we can be proud and boastful.

I believe there is a sobering lesson behind the caution not to boast. Behind our inkling to boast and take credit for ourselves is an innate desire for self-worship and self-glorification. This is unpleasant to hear, but the truth is we would rather take the glory than give it even to God!
So, God said to the Israelites, "The glory belongs to Me! Be careful not to touch it! Don't claim anything for yourself! Your righteousness and integrity had nothing to do with the blessings."  

All we are and everything we possess comes from the Hand of God. It is purely the result of God's grace. Even our salvation is by grace! Let's humble ourselves and give God all the glory. There is absolutely no room to boast about anything! God is the source of all our blessings!

PRAYER:
Lord, you deserve all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. All that I am and ever hope to be is purely the result of your grace. Thank you for your grace. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/17/the-lord-goes-ahead-of-you Sat, 17 Oct 2026 07:39:27 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/17/the-lord-goes-ahead-of-you

Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall -- Anakites.   . . .But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; He will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. Deuteronomy 9:1-3

When you face a giant, it takes a power greater than the giant to overcome that adversary. When you face fortified cities that have walls to the sky, it takes a power higher than those walls to give you victory. When you face the impossible, it takes a power greater than the impossible to overcome.

That was the reality Israel faced as they prepared to take possession of the Promised Land.
But Moses asserted confidently, "Be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes ahead of you like a devouring fire . . .  He will subdue them before you."

God is far greater than any impediment we will ever face in the journey of life! His presence levels every mountain and crumbles every wall, no matter how high or how wide.
Be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes ahead of you like a devouring fire.

The potency of fire is beyond imagination. It devours and destroys very quickly. That is the reality of our victory when we allow God to go ahead to fight our battles! We must not shrink back in fear under any circumstance. We must boldly persevere and press on with every task at hand no matter how challenging. We must do our part and trust God to secure the victory for us.
 
When God goes ahead of you, strong nations become weak.
The impossible becomes possible.
Your weakness is turned into strength.
Don't panic. Press on. God is with you. Like a devouring fire, God goes ahead of you to consume every impediment and level every mountain!

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that your presence turns my weakness into strength and my impotence into omnipotence. I will stand still and see your deliverance. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/16/remember-the-lord-your-god Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:13:50 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/16/remember-the-lord-your-god

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe His commands . . .  Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down . . . then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  
. . . You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have obtained this wealth for me."
But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:10-18.

But remember the LORD your God . . .  But remember the LORD your God . . .  
God wanted the very best for His children. He would spare no blessing from their lives as long as they put Him first and remained loyal to Him. He cautioned them not to forget Him when they were enjoying the good life in the Promised Land. God was concerned that after settling in fine houses, eating good food, and enjoying increased possessions, the Israelites would become proud. They would attribute their accomplishments to their own hard work and forget that God was the one who gave them the ability to acquire all they had.

Prosperity has a way of creating amnesia about where we came from and those who were instrumental in getting us where we are. There is something about the human soul that makes us want to see ourselves as "self-made" individuals. At the height of success, it is easy to become arrogant and dismissive of those who helped us along the way. Perhaps, no one gets the boot out of our schedule quicker than God! Moses nailed it right on the head, "your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God . . ." God is quickly forgotten!

Those words were inspired by the Holy Spirit thousands of years ago but they are as relevant today as they were then. It is amazing how we quickly relegate God to the corner after He has helped us to stand on our feet and taste prosperity. We no longer have time for Him and His Kingdom agenda is no longer a priority to us. The Blessings replace the Blesser! We forget God!

Please let's remember that the God we so quickly forget is the source of all our abilities. He is the source of our every breath! Don't wait until it is too late. Repent and remember God now!

PRAYER:
Father, I repent of the many ways in which I have failed to put you first in my life.
Please forgive me and help me to remember you by giving you first place in the use of my Time, Talents, and Treasures.  Help me to worship in absolute integrity. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/15/sometimes-the-blessings-come-little-by-little Thu, 15 Oct 2026 00:07:36 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/15/sometimes-the-blessings-come-little-by-little

The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you . . . until they are destroyed.  Deuteronomy 7:22-23.

I can imagine the excitement of the Israelites as they waited expectantly to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses was addressing them for the last time since the reigns of leadership were being handed over to Joshua. He apprised them of the divine plan.

He assured them that God would definitely deliver on His covenant promise: His children would inherit the land flowing with milk and honey. But almost to bring them into reality, Moses added, "The LORD will drive out those nations before you, little by little."

Frankly, after waiting for forty years to possess the promise, "little by little" doesn't exactly sound like music to the ears! I am sure, the Israelites would probably have preferred a mass outright possession of the land. They were probably expecting an immediate overwhelming defeat of their enemies so they could occupy the land. But God had a reason for releasing the blessings "little by little." God knew that the Israelites were not numerous enough to occupy and cultivate the entire Promised Land.

God knew that there were wild animals that the Israelites needed to contend with, not just the human occupants of the land. If all their enemies were immediately killed off, there would not be enough humans to fight off the wild animals and the Israelites would be overwhelmed by the multiplication of those wild animals. That would have been disastrous. So, in His omniscience and manifold wisdom, God purposed to release the blessings, "little by little" for their own wellbeing.

Question: Are you frustrated because God seems to be releasing His blessings on you little by little? Could it be because God wants to ensure that you are actually ready to handle those blessings with strength and maturity? Do you realize that in all things God is working together for your good? Sometimes, God releases His blessings on us little by little because He is our Creator and He knows how much we can handle at any point in time.
If God chooses to bless you little by little, thank Him because He means it for good and never for evil.

PRAYER:
Lord, I know that your plans for me are for my good and not for my evil. Please help me to wait patiently as you orchestrate all things for my good. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/14/blessings-are-contingent-upon-obedience Wed, 14 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/14/blessings-are-contingent-upon-obedience

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
But those who hate Him He will repay to their face by destruction . . .   
If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep His covenant of love with you . . .   He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers . . . You will be blessed more than any other people . . .    Deuteronomy 7:9-14

These are days when the truth of God's word is being twisted by many preachers. Many pastors are circumventing the truth of God's word and telling folks that God will bless them regardless of how they live their lives. Godliness and character do not matter! Righteousness, integrity, holiness, and obedience are not really that big a deal. God's grace covers it all so there is really no need to worry. All one has to do is to claim and stand on the promises of God and the blessings of God will come pouring out! This is a lie straight from the pit of hell!

I had a situation recently where someone called me from out of state. She had been given my number by another person who also lived out of state. She mentioned that this person assured her that I was a genuine man of God who would be able to help her with her situation. Her first statement to me was, "Pastor, I have been hesitant to call because there are too many untrustworthy pastors and too much falsity in the church. But somehow, after my long hesitation, I decided to call you because I know the Holy Spirit will help me to discern whether you are a true man of God or not. I want to come and see you tomorrow." She drove two hours to come and attend our service. She encountered Jesus, not me!

The person's concern was a breath of fresh air to me! I was very grateful that she was searching for the truth. God was very gracious and we had a wonderful service filled with the refreshing presence of God! I believe she is already on the path to victory.

God is absolutely gracious and merciful. But He is also holy and righteous. He forgives and restores but He does not bless filth and untruth! Listen to the words of Moses again: "If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to obey them, then the LORD your God . . . will love you and bless you . . ."

The Blessings of God are contingent upon obedience. It is because of His mercies that we are not consumed and His compassions never fail. But what we have and are because of His mercies, cannot necessarily be counted as "blessings" when we are living in willful disobedience! True blessings are contingent upon obedience and they are without sorrow. Don't be deceived! Every true blessing of God is contingent upon obedience.

PRAYER:
Father, your word is clear that to obey is better than sacrifice. Please help me to live in obedience not just to be blessed, but simply because I love you. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/13/do-not-compromise Tue, 13 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/13/do-not-compromise

When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations . . . nations larger and stronger than you -- and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.
Do not intermarry with them.  Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.  
. . . Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones . . .  
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:1-6

Destroy them totally!
Make no treaty with them!
Show them no mercy!
Do not intermarry with them!
Smash their sacred altars!

The Israelites were God's treasured possession. Out of them were to come a new standard of righteousness and morality. The new righteous ways of God could never be attained if the Israelites compromised and assumed the sinful ways of the Canaanites. So God gave them specific instructions about how to treat the occupants of the land they were about to inherit: completely destroy them.

This might seem harsh to us in retrospect. But the truth is: a little compromise can prove to be rather deadly. A former alcoholic can have a relapse and go down a path of destruction by compromising and sipping one little bit of alcohol. A former drug addict can quickly slide back into addiction with a little compromise. Our walk with God is no different. We have a real adversary, called Satan, whose sole aim is to steal, kill, and destroy. A little compromise can give him much room for havoc.

Scripture tells us not to give the devil a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). In our spiritual journey, we must understand there are treaties we cannot make, relationships we cannot have, altars we must smash, and things we must totally destroy for the sake of our relationship with God. Compromising with those things can have dire consequences for us.

May the Lord help us to be steadfast in His righteousness and uncompromising in our relationship with the world. Sure, we are in the world but we are not of the world. We are God's holy people. We cannot afford to compromise.

PRAYER:
Lord, please help me to stay on the straight and narrow way. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/11/obey-and-watch-god-bless-you Sun, 11 Oct 2026 23:36:20 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/11/obey-and-watch-god-bless-you

These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you . . . in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess . . .  Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey . . .  
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind  them on your foreheads.  Deuteronomy 6:1-8

There is only one path to the blessings of God -- obedience to God's Word. There is only one path to peace and prosperity -- obedience to God's Word. There is only one way to ensure that life will go well for you -- obedience to God's Word. It sounds simple, but it is the simple truth! Obedience to God's word sets us on the path to divine blessings and favor!
And that is why Satan fights tooth and nail to cause us to doubt the reliability of God's word and even pushes us to disobey it!

God promised to bless and prosper Israel but this was contingent upon obedience to the commands He had given them. God knew that by keeping His commands, Israel would prosper and increase greatly hence the strong admonition to walk in obedience.

Obedience is the key to your blessings! Obedience will cause the windows of Heaven to openly rain down favor on your life. Obedience will cause your prayers to be answered by Heaven. Obedience will cause God to shine His face upon you.

There is no substitute for obedience. Put the word of God securely in your heart. Impress God's word on your children. Make God's word a vital part of your family discussions. Let God's word be a visible part of you and watch God pour His favor on you. Obey and watch God bless you!

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you for the favor that comes from obeying your word. Please help me to walk in total obedience so that it may go well with me for your glory. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/11/are-you-a-promise-keeper Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:31:58 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/11/are-you-a-promise-keeper

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: "This is what the LORD commands: When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. Numbers 30:1-

God is a Promise Keeper. He never breaks His word!
In fact, the Bible states: "God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19).  Our God is a God of absolute integrity. There is no shadiness in Him at all! The reason why we can count on the promises of God is that God always fulfills His word!

Scripture tells us, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are"Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." (2 Corinthians 1:20)
Because God is absolutely trustworthy, we can always count on His word with an "Amen."

But how about you and me? Can God count on us to fulfill the promises we make to Him?
Can God count on us to fulfill our promise of witnessing to others about Jesus and winning souls into His Kingdom? Can God count on us to fulfill our promise to live holy and righteous lives for His glory? Can God count on us to fulfill our marital vows and walk in faithfulness and purity? Can God count on us to raise our children in godliness? Can God count on us to be financially faithful to Him so His work can be done?

Keeping the promises we make to God is a vital spiritual necessity because we enter into a pact with divinity which should never be taken lightly. God counts on our partnership to carry out His agenda on earth.  If God places a vow, obligation, or desire on your heart, He will always give you the grace to fulfill it. Never renege on your promises to God. Step out and fulfill it and watch God surprise you beyond your imagination.
God is a Promise Keeper. How about you and me? Are you a promise keeper?

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you for being a Promise Keeper. I confess that I have not always faithfully kept my promises to you. Please give me the grace to keep my word to you. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/10/do-you-really-honor-and-respect-god Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:58:13 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/10/do-you-really-honor-and-respect-god

The LORD of Heaven's Armies says to the priests: "A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my Name . . .  You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar . . .   "You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.  
When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong?  . . . Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" . . . Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should He show you any favor at all?" asks the LORD of Heaven's armies.  
. . . Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the LORD. For I am a great King," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies,  "and my Name is feared among the nations!" Malachi 1:6-14 (NLT)

It is very easy to talk religion and not back it up with action. It is easy to claim that we love God and do nothing to underscore that love. It is easy to say we love, respect, and honor God without doing anything concrete to back it up!
Love, respect, and honor are all action words. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son . . ." (John 3:16)

The Israelites made promises to give their best offerings to God but when the time came, they selected the worst among the flock -- the blind, lame and weak animals. God was saddened. The Great King was angry! He challenged them to offer the same gifts to their governor and see if he would accept it! But alas it was just God! They could afford to disrespect him by giving them their rejects! But there was an attendant curse with that kind of behavior! Treating God with contempt has consequences, but our callous human hearts lead us to do that all the time!

We should give our very best to God because He not only gave us His best in the form of Jesus, but He continues to give us His best by way of His Spirit and His word! It is important that we keep the promises we make to God! When you promise to give God a portion of your Time, Talent or Treasure; don't play games with it. Honor your promise to God and you will be blessed.

Do you really love, honor, and respect God? Then let it show in the practical ways in which you serve the LORD with your Time, Talents and Treasures! Give God your best; not your worst!

PRAYER:
Lord, my desire is to honor you with the best of my substance. Please help me never to consume on myself what I should give to you by way of Time, Talents, and Treasures. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/09/move-forward-not-backwards Fri, 09 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/09/move-forward-not-backwards

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: " 'Hear the word of the LORD . . .  This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!"
. . . " 'Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe" --  safe to do all these detestable things?
Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you?"
". . . Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward." Jeremiah 7:1-24

Authenticity is very important to God. God looks at the heart and not the outward shows we put up in church for others to see.

All throughout Scripture, we see the struggle God had with His children as He continually tried to plead with them to repent from their sins and turn back to Him. Constantly, God would painfully plead with them. But His children were always recalcitrant and remained entrenched in sin and idolatry. To the Israelites, going to the temple to offer sacrifices kept them safe from divine wrath. They could steal, murder, commit adultery, mistreat foreigners, and commit whatever wickedness their heart desired and still feel comfortable in the temple! 

But God was saying: "Not So!" "You cannot disrespect my House that bears my Name. You cannot turn my House into a den of robbers. You cannot do all these detestable things and still feel safe! I am watching!"

Frankly, the behavior of the Israelites is no different from what we see today. God's church has so much deception and sin that I believe God is nauseated by the hypocrisy and lack of repentance.

But what strikes me the most are the concluding words of God, "Walk in obedience to all I command you... But they did not listen or pay attention. Instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward."

What a sobering assertion of the consequences of sin! Sin sets you backward and never forward, no matter how much temporary pleasure it brings!
Avoid sin and you will move forward in blessings. Dabble in sin and you will move backward with pain and regret. Move forward; Not backward.

PRAYER:
Lord, please help me to move forward in obedience and not backward in sin. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/08/god-has-it-already-figured-out Thu, 08 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/08/god-has-it-already-figured-out

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites. After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people . . . for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin . . . you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes."
. . . Moses said to the LORD, "May the LORD . . . appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him."  Numbers 27:12-18.

Moses had a heart of gold. He was a true servant of God who selflessly cared for the wellbeing of those he served. He was about to pay dearly for his personal sin. He would not see the land for which he had labored for forty years. But Moses did not bemoan his situation. He was more concerned about the future of God's children. He wanted to ensure that they had a genuine person to succeed him as their shepherd!

The good news is that his request was no surprise to God. God already had a solution in place in the person of Joshua, Moses' faithful aide and warrior par excellence!

Scripture tells us that we should not be anxious about anything but in all things by prayer and supplication, we should boldly make our case before the Lord and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Why? Because God has it already figured out!

Every day of your life has been written in God's book before lt unfolds in the annals of history and time. God has your situation already figured out. Don't live in anxiety. Don't sweat the details of life. Have a genuine spirit like that of Moses for the fulfillment of God's kingdom agenda. Put God's kingdom first in your thinking and actions and God will bless you with solutions you can never dream of.

God has it already figured out. Don't be afraid, God will help you.

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you that every day of my life is known by you. You have it all figured out. Please help me to simply trust in you, knowing that the answers are already in place. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/07/god-will-favor-your-case Wed, 07 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/07/god-will-favor-your-case

The daughters of Zelophehad . . . came forward and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, "Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah's followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and had no sons. Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives."
So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, "What Zelophehad's daughters are saying is right.  You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father's relatives and give their father's inheritance to them.
"Say to the Israelites, 'If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers . . .   This is to have the force of law for the Israelites as the LORD commanded Moses.' "  Numbers 27:1-11.

The daughters of Zelophehad were brave, determined, and wise.
According to the then-existing law of Israel, a man's inheritance could only be passed unto his surviving son. If he had no son, the property was lost to the family forever. But Zelophehad had only daughters and no son. The family was in danger of having no landed property which was rather crucial in their farming economy. The daughters approached Moses before the entire community and made their case for their father's inheritance. God made an exception and changed the law in their favor.

Increasingly, I ponder over whether we really know, understand, and trust the heart of our God.
Do we really believe that God will work everything out for our good? Do we really believe that God has our best interest at heart? Do we really believe that God hears and answers our cry?
The answer is yes! God will do anything to ensure our wellbeing.

There are several things to ponder over. Let me highlight four of them:
First: Our silence in the face of injustice and unfairness can have a detrimental effect on generations to come. Scripture makes it clear that when we petition God about unrighteousness and injustice, heaven will answer. Can you imagine what unborn generations would have lost if the daughters had not sought justice? We must approach both God and earthly powers when we see injustice.

Second: God does not discriminate. Scripture tells us that God does not distinguish between Jew or Gentile (different races) or male or female. God is prepared to use anyone.
Third: We must approach God boldly and present our case clearly. God is prepared to listen.
Finally: God will favor your case. Don't write your situation off as hopeless! Open your mouth wide and God will fill it (Psalm 81:10). God is prepared to make an exception for you.
God will give you special consideration. 

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you for encouraging my heart today and favoring my case. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/05/be-sober-and-vigilant Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:12:10 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/05/be-sober-and-vigilant

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD's anger burned against them.
The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of these people, kill them and expose them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that the LORD's fierce anger may turn away from Israel." So Moses said to Israel's judges, "Each of you must put to death those of your people who have yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor." Numbers 25:1-5

The corrupt prophet, Balaam, did not succeed in his attempt to destroy Israel through a curse.
But Balaam did not give up on his desire to see the ruin of Israel. His wishes were fulfilled when the men of Israel began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women in Shittim. They ate their sacrificial meals and bowed down before their gods. God exacted judgment by asking that those involved be put to death in broad daylight. Relatives were to kill relatives!

We read in Numbers 31:16 that it was Baal who advised the women of Moab to seduce the Israelite men and cause them to be unfaithful to God!

We have a real adversary who is prepared to wait for however long it takes to create havoc in our lives. Nothing is off-limits when it comes to what Satan will do to entice and destroy God's children. No wait is too long for him! After failing in his temptation against Jesus, the Bible tells us in Luke 4, "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."  That's how relentless Satan is. He never gives up! He waits for an opportune time!

But we are not defenseless. The Bible commands us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That means Satan is continually looking for an opportunity to swallow someone so we must be watchful.

I want to encourage you to be sober and vigilant as the Bible says. Don't be fuzzy in your thinking. Be clear-minded at all times so that you can resist the enemy no matter what shape or fashion he appears in! Don't take any seductive bait he offers. It is definitely not worth it.
Stick to the scriptural admonition: Be sober and vigilant. Resist him and he will flee!

PRAYER:
Father, I am grateful for your word of admonition. Help me to be circumspect at all times. Help me to be vigilant so that I can recognize and reject any enticing thing from the adversary. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/05/it-pleases-god-to-bless-you Mon, 05 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/05/it-pleases-god-to-bless-you

Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, He did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him and he spoke his message:
"The prophecy of Balaam . . . the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty…  
"How beautiful are your tents . . .   Like valleys they spread out . . . 
Water will flow from their buckets . . .   
Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness -- who dares to rouse them?
May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!"
Numbers 24:1-9

These were "involuntary" words of blessing from the lips of Balaam over Israel. Balaam had been hired by Balak to curse Israel but the intended curse became a blessing! Balak was so infuriated by this that he burned with anger against Balaam and said: "I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home!"

What does God see when He looks at His children? God sees a blessed people. That is why God prevented Balaam from cursing Israel. Balaam, "The one whose eye sees clearly, who sees a vision from the Almighty, saw a people blessed by God and echoed it in words:
"How beautiful are your tents . . .  
Water will flow from their buckets . . .  
They have the strength of a wild ox . . .  
Like a lion, they crouch and lie down . . .    
Like a lioness -- who dares to rouse them?"

Why these words of blessing from the lips of a corrupt prophet? Because Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel! He had no choice but to voice out what he saw -- a blessed people!

Child of God, it pleases God to bless you!
When God looks at you, He sees a blessed child of His, not a cursed person.
That is why Balaam concluded by saying: "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!"  May your adversaries become your advocates and may they pronounce blessings on your life!
It pleases God to bless you. Receive and walk in your intended blessings today!

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that I am blessed by you. Thank you for giving me the strength of a wild ox and allowing water to flow copiously from my buckets. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/04/your-blessings-cannot-be-reversed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/04/your-blessings-cannot-be-reversed

This was the message Balaam delivered:
"God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind.
Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through? Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!
No misfortune is in His plan for Jacob; no trouble is in store for Israel. For the LORD their God is with them; He has been proclaimed their King. 
God brought them out of Egypt; for them He is as strong as a wild ox.
No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against Israel.
For now it will be said of Jacob, "See what God has done!"
Numbers 23:19-23 (NLT, NIV)

Balaam was hired by the King of Moab to place a curse on the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. The objective was to reverse their fortunes and set them on a path of defeat through a curse. But, the Israelites were a blessed people. God said to Balaam, ". . . You must not put a curse on those people because they are blessed."  The angel of the Lord almost put Balaam to death for persisting in his attempt to curse Israel. In place of the intended curse, Balaam uttered these words: "God has blessed and I cannot reverse it!"

Creation came without a curse. The curse was a result of sin. But Jesus became a curse for us when He died on the cross! Jesus replaced the curse with an unchangeable blessing.
This irreversible blessing is based upon  a solid foundation: "God is not human that He should change His mind." Our blessing is irreversible!

God has commanded a blessing upon His children.
God has blessed you and it cannot be reversed.
God's plan for you does not include any misfortune.
There is no trouble in store for you.
The LORD your God is with you.

Your King is with you.
Your King will fight for you with the strength of a wild ox.
No curse can touch you.
There is no magic power against you.
People will soon proclaim, "Look what God has done!"

This is directly from the Scriptures. That is your portion. Your blessing is irreversible!
God has spoken and so shall it be! Would you receive this into your soul?

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that I am graciously and irreversibly blessed by you. Amen

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/03/grace-in-spite-of-disobedience Sat, 03 Oct 2026 06:13:15 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/03/grace-in-spite-of-disobedience

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they."
Moses said to the LORD . . .   "If you put all these people to death . . . the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 'The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them on oath . . .' "
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I     live . . . not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times -- not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors."  Numbers 14:10-23

The Bible declares in Jeremiah 17:9 that "the heart of man is desperately wicked . . ."
It sends chills down my spine to think that some of the Israelites talked about stoning Moses after all his hard work in bringing them out of Egypt. God was understandably angry because the people had treated God with contempt. He was ready to strike them down and make a new and greater nation out of Moses.

But Moses intervened and reminded God that the nations will mock God and say, "The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them on oath."
God forgave the sins of His people but there were severe consequences for their disobedience.
None of the wicked grumblers would see the Promised Land. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years until each of them died off!

It is said that "familiarity breeds contempt." The Israelites had become so familiar with the Presence of God on the journey that some of them had no reverence for God or respect for His servant Moses. In God's own words, "How long will these people treat me with contempt?"

In our walk with the Holy God, may we never become so familiar that we take Him for granted and treat Him and His servants with contempt. When we question the integrity and ability of God, we treat Him with contempt. When we give less than our best to God, we treat Him with contempt. The spirit of familiarity exacts a heavy price. It is dangerous and definitely not worth it. Let's repent of any such inclination and walk with God with deep reverence.

PRAYER:
Father, please forgive me for any way in which I have failed to reverence you. Help me never to get so familiar with you that I forget your might and holiness. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/02/have-a-different-spirit Fri, 02 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/02/have-a-different-spirit

". . . not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."  Numbers 14:23-24.

Of the twelve spies who went to explore the Promised Land, ten came back with a bad report and discouraged the Israelites. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, insisted on moving forward. Caleb said: "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us." (Numbers 14:7)

Whilst others were instilling fear and rebellion into the hearts of God's people, Caleb took a stand for God. His faith in God was absolute in the face of giants on the land! Caleb knew that God is a Promise Keeper and would deliver on His word. He had a different spirit and God rewarded him with an inheritance in the Promised Land.

The Promise was fulfilled in Joshua 14 when Caleb said to Joshua:
"Today, I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey . . .  So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said."   So Joshua blessed Caleb . . . and gave Hebron to him as his portion of the land. (Joshua 14:10-13 NLT)

The promises of God are definite and sure, but it takes a different spirit to inherit those promises. Often, those marvelous promises are met with staunch resistance from the adversary. His sole goal is to drive fear into our hearts and tempt us to question God's faithfulness and ability. But, when God finds a person with a different spirit, God will fulfill His promise to him no matter how long it takes. So at eighty-five, God gave Caleb the strength to overcome the same giants he had seen forty-five years earlier and inherit their land.

These are days of much skepticism about God. Many are acting as if God is dead. They serve God half-heartedly and do not take His word to heart. But the truth is: God has not changed. Those who have a different spirit are still being given "mountains" to take for the glory of God. So, in the face of all the mockery around us, would you present a "different spirit" to God and watch Him use you? It takes a different spirit to stand up for God in this day and age. But the rewards are sure!

PRAYER:
Father, help me to have a different spirit and to believe you to use me to take "mountains for your glory." Amen 

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/01/never-get-too-familiar-with-god Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:56:15 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/10/01/never-get-too-familiar-with-god

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they."
Moses said to the LORD . . .   "If you put all these people to death . . . the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 'The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them on oath . . .' "
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I     live . . . not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times -- not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors."  Numbers 14:10-23

The Bible declares in Jeremiah 17:9 that "the heart of man is desperately wicked . . ."
It sends chills down my spine to think that some of the Israelites talked about stoning Moses after all his hard work in bringing them out of Egypt. God was understandably angry because the people had treated God with contempt. He was ready to strike them down and make a new and greater nation out of Moses.

But Moses intervened and reminded God that the nations will mock God and say, "The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land He promised them on oath."
God forgave the sins of His people but there were severe consequences for their disobedience.
None of the wicked grumblers would see the Promised Land. They wandered in the wilderness for forty years until each of them died off!

It is said that "familiarity breeds contempt." The Israelites had become so familiar with the Presence of God on the journey that some of them had no reverence for God or respect for His servant Moses. In God's own words, "How long will these people treat me with contempt?"

In our walk with the Holy God, may we never become so familiar that we take Him for granted and treat Him and His servants with contempt. When we question the integrity and ability of God, we treat Him with contempt. When we give less than our best to God, we treat Him with contempt. The spirit of familiarity exacts a heavy price. It is dangerous and definitely not worth it. Let's repent of any such inclination and walk with God with deep reverence.

PRAYER:
Father, please forgive me for any way in which I have failed to reverence you. Help me never to get so familiar with you that I forget your might and holiness. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/09/30/forget-the-past-and-look-ahead-to-new-things Wed, 30 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/09/30/forget-the-past-and-look-ahead-to-new-things

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
It is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
The wild animals in the field will thank Me, the jackals and the owls, too, for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed."
Isaiah 43: 18-20 (NIV/NLT)

What an encouraging word from the lips of God!
Prior to uttering those words, God had reminded the Israelites about the incredible miracles He worked to rescue them from Egypt. He talked about the parting of the Red Sea. He talked about how He enticed and drowned the horses and chariots of Pharaoh. By all accounts, that is one of the most astonishing displays of God's power in the entire Bible.

Yet, incredibly, God speaks to the Israelites about the new wonderful things He has for them.
He tells Israel to forget those amazing miracles of the past, and look ahead to the new things He is about to do! Interestingly, He reminds them that those new things have already begun. God is actually surprised that His children were oblivious to those new things! So, He poses the question: "Do you not see it?"

God is neither stagnant nor locked up in the past. He has plans beyond our imagination. That is why the Scriptures say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit.  (I Cor. 2:9-10, NLT).

Don't be stuck in what God did in past years! Thank God for the wonderful things in your past, but don't limit Him by dwelling on the past. God is dynamic in His workings. He is constantly desirous of doing new and bigger things. His word still stands: "Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."  (Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV)

God wants your latter end to be more glorious than your beginning. Your past should never be brighter than your future! His past workings are nothing compared to the new and wonderful things He has in store for you. The best is yet to come.
Forget the past and look ahead to the future with excitement and anticipation.

PRAYER:
Father, I am very grateful for the blessings of the past. But please help me to look ahead with faith and a spirit of expectancy as I move ahead into the future with you. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/09/29/their-protection-is-gone Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/09/29/their-protection-is-gone

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron . . . And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."
. . . Joshua son of Nun and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land . . .  Only do not rebel against LORD.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." Numbers 14:1-9

Twelve men explored the land of Canaan. Ten of them brought a negative report and they caused many to grumble, lose hope, and miss out on the Promised Land! They convinced the people that they would be better off as slaves in Egypt, rather than take their chances and possibly die in the wilderness. It is obvious that they had no faith in God's ability to protect, sustain, and ensure that they would inherit the Promised Land.

Sharply contrasting the negative report and the sentiments of the Ten was the attitude of Joshua and Caleb. They reminded the people that not only was the land exceedingly good but also God was perfectly able to deliver it to the Israelites. The basis of their confident assertion was that the giants they were afraid of were without protection. Their protection was gone! But God was with Israel.

Many times our fear of "facing the giant" stems from the fact that we feel we are no match against him. Like the nine-foot giant David faced, we see the enemy as fully protected, and ourselves as defenseless.

But, like Caleb and Joshua, let's look beyond what we see with our eyes and remember that in the presence of God the enemy is without protection. When God shows up on our side, the protection of the enemy will be gone!
God is with you. You are not defenseless. The enemy is the one without defense. His protection is gone. Arise and take steps to overcome every obstacle and possess your Promised Land.

PRAYER:
Lord, I know you are with me.  Thank you for being my defense. I will boldly arise to accomplish your purposes for me because the enemy's protection is gone! Amen.

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