Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
   “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Hebrews 12:5-8 NIV).

When Joshua set up the camp at Gilgal not everyone enlisted. Those who did not understand or could not buy into the vision stayed away or died in the wilderness. They lost their inheritance because of disobedience and or rebellion. Even though they were people of God they did not fulfil their potential or walk in their destiny. Once they were released from the clutches of the merciless Pharaoh all they did was complain, grumble and moan about the leader God had placed over them.

So we come to the camp of Gilgal. This is the place where the new generation is being trained to fight the enemy.  We fight the enemy not each other! All throughout their lives they have seen their ancestors rebel, bad mouth their leaders and disobey their God. It was now time to make a separation. It was not time to CUT AWAY THE FLESH.

The first thing that Joshua did after setting up the camp was to circumcise them, that is, he cut away the flesh. This signified that they had made a new agreement /covenant with their God.

How is this significant for us? Let me say this, unless we cut away the flesh, that is, we stop looking at things through our natural eyes, we will not be able to see where God is taking us. Let me explain what I mean. God wants to bless us bless us. He is waiting to pour out and lavish on is all that he has in store for us. However, he cannot do it because we do not have the capacity to receive it. Look at it like this, would you give a ten year old £1000 for his pocket money? Or give a mortgage to someone who has never held down a job? Similarly God will not give his blessing to those who are undisciplined or will not come under the spiritual authority of the leader he has placed over them.

Today let us ask the Lord to open our eyes and remember that discipline is learning, and as a learner you must follow the leader!

Read Joshua 5:8 & Hebrews 12:5-12.