Jericho, Alters, World
Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control. Prov. 25:28
What is your Jericho?
Matt. 20:29
“And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.”
Broken Down Alters
I Kings 18:30
“He repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.”
Love not the World
I Jn. 2: 15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
Introduction
I think the biggest problem we have as Christians is that our loyalty is divided. I know that I have made many mistakes in my life and if given the opportunity I would do things different. But one thing I know I can’t live in the past. I must look at my present situation and ask what is keeping the blessings of God from me. I need to look deep into my heart and see what I need to do to put things right with God. I must be quick to forgive, quick to love, quick to forget.
What is your Jericho?
Jericho is a very significant place in the Bible. Most of the prophets and kings confronted their enemies at Jericho. Israel could not enter into the promise land until Jericho was destroyed. Did you know that Jericho can be a very different place for different people? Jericho can be a place where you have a weakness in some area of your life. Your Jericho might be sexual temptation. Your Jericho might be not walking in love. Your Jericho might be talking about others behind their backs. Your Jericho might be overspending and buying things you don’t need. Your Jericho might be not giving to others. Your Jericho might be overcoming alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc. Whatever Jericho might be in your life it is a place whereby YOU MUST through progressive Sanctification overcome it with the strength of God. Until you overcome your Jericho’s with the power of God you won’t enter into your promised land!
Jericho’s can be a very lonely place in which no one understands your situation. And it is not important that others understand as long as you understand that which hinders the power of God in your life. We must become VERY SERIOUS to get rid of those things that hinder the power of God in our lives. But when we surrender those secret things to God then we will see God’s power come alive in us. The above scripture states that when they left (Jesus and His disciples) Jericho then the multitudes followed. We must leave our Jericho’s behind us then people we see God’s power in our lives. Then they will follow because they see God working in us and through us.
What is your Jericho? What is hindering God working to His fullest in your life? Put those struggles and temptations behind and you will enter into that promise land of peace, joy, and abundant living.
Broken Down Alters.
Before Elijah decided to rebuild the alter that was broken down, he had to clear out the brush around it. We also need to clear the brush in our lives before God can begin is home improvement. That brush might be for some of us pride, resentment, anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, pornography, lying, or stealing. Whatever is the brush in your life you need to ask God for forgiveness, so the rebuilding can begin. God will give you strength to get rid of it. God pledges to help you if you are truly tired of those things in your life that separate you from Him.
How do we rebuild the alter of our heart? We need to take a clean-cut stand for Jesus. Until you do, you will stay as cold and unresponsive as a stone. No matter what has broken down the altar, build it up. Remember God loves you. He is on your side. He wants the best for you. He wants you to succeed but it has to be His way or no way. You decide!
Love not the World and its Influences!
We must keep our bodies under. We must be disciplined in our thoughts, our speech, and our life. The first usage has to do with the material universe, the world under the dominion of Satan. The second usage has to do with unsaved people. They do not love God. They are enemies of the cross. The third usage has to do world system governed by Satan. Satan is the originator of evil and resistance to all that is holy at every level. Including secular ungodly education, politics, music both secular and alleged sacred that is filled with doubt, etc. We must ask ourselves, “How is this thing affecting my relationship with Father God?”
• Lust of the Flesh- sexual appetite, physical gratification.
• Lust of the Eyes- our sinful nature, mental gratification or pleasures.
• Pride of Life- empty, boasting, how vain life is.