Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast.
If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you.
Thank you for joining us today.
Lord, we thank you for each one tonight,
each brother and sister.
Father, we love you, and
we're in love with you, and we thank you so much for a meaningful relationship that we have.
Broaden our relationship, deepen our relationship, and
Father, we will be thankful to praise you for who you are,
what you've done in our lives, and where you're taking us, and
certainly tonight we yield to you afresh, and
Lord, we ask that as
you go, we go. As the cloud moved, Israel moved, and Lord, as you move in our lives,
we want to move with you, not resist you,
not
tell you that there's a different way that you want to go, we want to go, but Lord, that you would
envelop us in such a way that we would have a yielded heart, so when the cloud stops, we stop, and when the cloud of
leading goes another way, we go that way too, and so we thank you for tonight. In the name of Jesus, we ask that
what we share, Lord, will be your heart and not mine. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Yeah, come on up. All right. See, if you're not, if you're back there, I can't pick on you then. I mean, you know.
And I know I'm not doing a good job if you put the earphones back on, right?
Yeah, all right. We'll give it to you. All right. We did a little switching around.
Amir asked me, he said, I thought you weren't on tonight. Well, between the four of us,
vacations are coming,
people are going away in business, and all that stuff,
so I'll be,
I'll be pinch-hitting for a couple, and
then they'll do me in the fall, because I've got some other teaching that I have to do.
So we're talking about chapter 9, and
as you remember, we went off on a divergent path last week, and
I think we had gained some ground and understanding, and tonight we're back on track in
chapter 9 1 through 23.
So
let's look at the outline so we know where we're at in this chapter.
Verses 1 through 5 talks about the command to celebrate the Passover.
We're not going to work the Passover anymore.
I think we did justice to that as we went through Exodus,
but now they're going to celebrate that Passover, and he instructs Moses in the wilderness of Sinai
to have the Israelites celebrate the Passover, so the people obey and celebrate the Passover,
you know, the preparation that they all go through, and the remediation of that which was necessary for sin
to pass over them and not be in their family.
And then verses 6 through 14 is the provision for the unclean and the distant.
So some men are
ceremonially unclean due to the contact with the dead person and
cannot participate. As you know, that was the ritual that they were outside of the camp until they were cleansed.
So they appealed to Moses.
Say, look, I mean we were unclean and we can't participate in the Passover, which I thought was very good
because it shows their interest of
performing the ritual that the Lord Jesus, that God wanted, and
they're appealed to Moses, and then he says that he will seek God for guidance.
So God permits a second Passover on the 14th day of the second month, and I want you to think about that.
Remember, he
instituted what we call the Passover, and now
they require or ask for an adjustment of
that Passover, and what does he do? He gives it to them because they could not participate the first time.
So I want you to think about that, and we'll attack that as a point of discussion.
So those who were unclean, those who went on a distant journey
then are the ones that participate in the second Passover.
However, anyone who is able but refuses to celebrate will be cut off from the community.
That cut off simply means, and I guess we'll wait.
Everybody's turning around and looking, so we'll wait.
Whatever. Hello all.
How are you?
Don't sit back too far.
Michelle, come on up front. In here. There you go. Okay.
Hi, how are you?
Oh, Gordon.
Yeah, look at this. I tell you what.
This is good. After a while, we're gonna overflow. Oh my gosh, I can't believe that.
Walt's back from vacation.
Yes, good to see you.
So we're just going over the outline, so you didn't miss a thing.
So then we go down here. It says, however, everyone who is able but refuses to celebrate
is to be cut off from the community, and that basically means to be excommunicated.
Look, if you didn't do it when you were able,
we're going to excommunicate, and I'm not sure that there was a way back,
but that's what this word has meant to them.
And then some law, the same law abides for those that are Israelites and also foreigners
who wish to observe the Passover.
And as you remember, when they left Egypt, there were some foreigners that went with them.
And they, without getting back into that, so there were other people.
So the third element of what we'll be talking about, the cloud over the tabernacle.
A cloud covers the tabernacle by day and appears as fire by night.
The Israelites move or stay based on the movement of the cloud,
and this symbolizes God's presence and guidance.
And whether the cloud remains for a day or many days, the people obey the Lord's command.
So that's the outline.
Now, what we're going to do is kind of work on this area up here where it talks about
the second opportunity in the Passover to be able to celebrate that.
So we're going to look at that, and then we're going to major most of our time down in here
about the cloud, the aspects of the cloud, what the cloud means to them,
and what the cloud or the archetype means to us.
Okay, here's the first question right out of the bag.
What can we learn from God's nature as he made provision for a second Passover
for some Israelites?
So here's the law.
Now all of a sudden he said, okay, yes, but the law,
but you know, you can participate in it.
What's that say about our Lord God?
He's merciful.
Anybody else?
Merciful is a key word.
Patient.
Anything else?
All right.
And you know what?
God can change his mind.
How's that?
It even says in the scriptures, and again, I can't point to it tonight,
but he changed his mind about a particular thing
where he was going to kill all the people off.
And that was Moses, by the way.
Moses said, no, God, don't do that.
Okay, in Numbers 9, 7 through 10, in verse 10, it says,
speak to the sons of Israel saying, if a man of you
or of your generation shall be unclean because of a dead body
or on a journey, he shall then keep this Passover.
So we now learn that there are exceptions to every rule.
So God provides that exception for us.
So grace was extended.
Much grace was extended.
Even those who temporarily are unfit, are far away,
were still invited to participate.
And that kind of gives you an inkling how God works with us.
Here's the precept.
Here's the goal.
And so often, any hands on this, we fall short.
Yeah.
So in doing so, God allows for his grace.
And so often, we don't appreciate that grace.
And some of us that have been raised in different religions
and backgrounds think that that's a travesty
because we have failed in doing what we do.
God is graceful.
All right.
The ritual was not a closed system then as we see it.
And it rather shows the heart of compassion of God.
He wants everybody to be included in this.
Not just some, but those people that couldn't make it.
So he provides a second Passover.
So fellowship in this case really matters.
He desires fellowship and he honored their desire to belong.
So think about this.
He desires fellowship so much that he created a world.
He put Adam and Eve in it.
He fellowshiped with them in the garden.
There was wonderful, true, honest, wonderful,
all the adjectives that you could ever put.
And then, of course, came the fall of Adam.
And the relinquishing of that fellowship.
And he's getting that back by virtue of bringing his son to the earth
to die for our sins.
We know all these things.
But he is so passionate about the fellowship for one another
and for him that he's made all these things as opportunities for us.
So Revelation 3.20 says,
Here am I.
I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in, eat with him, and he with me.
So there is an open invitation.
Our fellowship with him really, really matters.
How many have been guilty in the fact that as you go through life
and you look at some of the ups and downs,
fellowship has been sweeter sometimes
and not as sweet in other times
because either you were by the roadside
and sitting down and saying,
gee, I'm discouraged, I'm tired,
or other things that have come into your life,
busyness, work responsibilities, and so forth.
And again, but it matters what we do with our Lord
and how we do fellowship with him.
He is not only in the present with us,
but he is emotionally invested in us
because he paid that price.
He wants to have what you are willing to give.
He'll take anything, even some of a loaf,
even some prayers that tend to be quick,
some devotions that are cut short.
He'll take that.
He desires more and we've talked about that
in that relationship, how we build that.
But again, it is what it is
and we are in flesh and we understand that.
In Zechariah 3.17, it says,
the Lord is your God is with you
and he will rejoice over you with singing.
How about this?
He really makes a fuss over us
just like we do with our own children.
I'm telling you, I did a word study independent of this today
and I looked for all the words
that were descriptors of Christ's love
toward us and I looked at all the verbs.
There was about 28 of them
and then I developed around that a prayer
and I was so blessed in the fact
that God, he loves us so much.
He rejoices over us.
He heals us.
He wants to commune with us
and all these verbs
and I was going to quickly include it,
but getting to 15 and 16 pages
on Wednesday night
is just a little bit too much.
I'm a 14-page PowerPoint guy
on Wednesday night,
but it's the idea that you can rejoice
in all these things
that God's done for us
and as we participate in that fellowship,
what begins to happen?
We're drawn in more and more and more.
My wife, in preparing for today,
I usually set Wednesday aside
and she has ceramics from one to three
and I said, okay, that's good.
Well, I sat down in my chair
and I just loved him the Lord
and I tell you what,
it was such a wonderful experience
just to have about an hour and a half
with him conversing,
listening to what God was saying to me
and I tell you what,
I cherish those things
even more so than I did years ago
because I guess I have the time now to do it.
So I would encourage you
to be able to do these things
so that you can appreciate his love for you.
Another question specifically now,
what insight does this give us about God?
This is on this side now.
What insight is that?
Well, how about this?
Redemption for the outsiders.
The application that we are in fellowship here
but what about those that come into us?
It's your second chance to connect with God.
Even those who are, quote,
impure or physically distant are not forgotten.
They are the ones that need Christ.
We are the ones that should be missional to them,
to understand them,
to encourage them.
Look at this in Jonah 3.1.2
it says,
after Jonah ran from God,
doesn't that sound familiar
in some of our hearts?
The Lord gave him a second chance
to fulfill his mission.
So don't ever be dejected
that, okay, I missed it.
There is possibly an opportunity
as it will come around again.
And so often,
I didn't think I'd get into lawsuits so soon.
Excuse me.
If anyone of you offended,
I got an extra one.
Oh, there.
Really?
Yeah.
All right.
So he gives Jonah a second chance,
he gives us a second chance.
In Luke 15.20 it says this,
about the prodigal.
I just love this.
From a long distance away,
his father saw him coming,
dressed as a beggar,
and great compassion swelled his heart
for a son who now was returning home.
So the father raced out to meet him,
he swept him up in his arms,
hugged him dearly,
and kissed him over and over
with tender love.
Isn't that how God works on us?
And I graphically have to tell you this
in the sense that,
some of you know the story
and I hope I won't repeat myself too much.
Our second son
was a prodigal.
It was so bad that I had to tell him
to leave the home.
My wife cried for about six months.
What did we do wrong?
I said, we didn't do anything wrong.
This is the righteousness
that we stand for.
If you can't abide by that,
you have to find your own way.
Three years go by,
he calls up one day
and he says to his mom,
he says, mom,
he said, I feel like
the little lamb
that was hobbled,
that's now around Christ
and that coming back.
I want to come home
and straighten my life out.
And if he did anything,
he did everything.
So there was a lot of stuff
going through it.
For three years,
he was absent.
I think we saw him
about two or three times
in that time,
but we prayed
and prayed and prayed.
And when I read this,
I am remembering
as a witness
the feelings that I had.
They just all melt away.
The things that he did,
the things that he said,
you know, he's just,
used us to ashes in his mind
because he didn't want we had.
So this is the way
God treats us.
He wants us.
He delights in us.
So God understands
our human limitations.
Illness, grief, travel,
doesn't disqualify anyone
from the covenant.
Hebrews 4.15 says,
for we do not have
a high priest
who is unable
to empathize
with our weakness.
But one who has been tempted
in every way
just as we are.
Yet, he did not sin.
Proverbs 24.16 forth,
though the righteous fall
seven times,
they rise up.
Just reflect on this.
That his divine relationship
is not forced.
He doesn't have to do this.
It's not superficial.
It's tender.
It's persistent.
It's rooted in love
and compassion.
And for that,
we ought to rejoice.
I mean, it's just such
a wonderful relationship.
Okay,
now let's look at
what is the application
for us.
Here we are.
Like the Lord,
then we must make room
for those who feel distant
physically,
emotionally,
and spiritually.
We must recognize
that belonging
extends to all those
who contact with us.
They want to belong.
And graphically,
you can look at
the word belonging,
and you can apply it
to everybody in this world.
Everyone wants to belong.
God built this desire
into our very being.
Think about where you were,
what you did
without the Lord.
You tried to fill it
with things,
vacations,
jobs,
children,
whatever you name it,
you put it in there.
But even worse than that,
without God,
this belonging need
then cannot be fulfilled.
But it then manifests itself
in different ways.
Why do people get in gangs
for the sense of belonging?
Why is there body
mutilation clubs
that mutilate themselves?
Drugs, we know about that.
Usually it's a result
of wanting to be
in the in crowd.
To be loved by somebody,
and especially those
that have had a hardship
in being raised up in a home
that is not loving,
maybe a home that is split,
maybe a home without
a full cadre of parents
and people to help you
in your life.
I can remember one time
we were reaching out
in Norristown,
and we had these three
young boys
that we were picking up
in Norristown.
We'd rotate
and they would come.
And it got so bad
that we had to look
at three different households
to find these boys
Sunday morning
because their parents
didn't care.
They were on drugs.
They may sleep here today.
They may sleep there today.
And it was such
that we bought them bicycles
for Christmas one year
and they were so joyed.
We went back a couple
of weeks later
and the bicycles were gone.
And I said, what's wrong?
He said, my parents
sold them for money.
You know, brutality
at its worst.
I mean, you know,
you talk about
the implanting of attitudes
and things
that people deal with.
Just have no idea.
You know, and the idea
of not having regular meals
and so forth.
So we have these things
that are encumbrances.
But for us,
we must not live
in our bias,
our prejudice,
our stereotype
when it comes
to being inclusive
toward others.
That's the mission.
I always thought
my mission would be
preaching the Lord Jesus
in a bathing suit
down in Florida.
You know, so that was
my idea of hardship.
But that's not the case.
Those that are far off
or naturally unclean
are to be nurtured
into relationship
with empathy.
You know, I have learned
in my life not to go
for the kill
on the front end.
In relational evangelism
as we practice
in our community
is that we make friends
and, you know,
a lot of you know this.
We go and we have dinner
together.
We have associations
together and so forth.
And then the
as the friendship develops,
you begin to ask
them about, you know,
about eternity.
There was one couple
that had been
on our WhatsApp prayer list
that we had been praying for
which was the John
and the Gail.
If you remember,
not you, Gail,
but this other Gail.
And we had dinner with them
in the last interim of time.
And I thought,
okay, Lord,
we had three dinners with them.
It's time to kind of
get to the where we're
gone with this thing.
And I was asking the Lord.
So we went to dinner
all through dinner
in the niceties of life,
yada, yada, yada, yada.
And it was like
coming to the end.
I said, okay, Lord,
I guess this time has passed.
And at the end,
before we got up,
she said one sentence
had changed the whole dynamic.
And it was at the point in time
not making a long story short
that I asked them.
I said,
did you ever think about
what's ahead of you?
What the next step is?
About what death brings.
And none of them
really thought about it.
To me, that's mind blowing.
But anyway, I said,
look, if you'd like to have
a different conversation,
not here, not now,
but sometimes,
so we laid the groundwork out
about what Jesus did.
So that seed is planted.
And that's what we're to do.
To be inclusive
to the point in time saying,
okay, we'll inconvenience
ourselves for the sake of people
that we have opportunity
to administer to.
The goal is always
to be inclusive
and thus build unity
in the body of Christ.
Romans 15, seven says this,
accept one another
than just as Christ accept you
in order to bring praise to God.
In Luke 15, too,
speaking of Jesus,
this man welcomes sinners
and eats with them.
That's us.
Okay, we're going to move on
to the cloud.
Enough about that.
So we have the cloud.
It appears to be Israelites.
The first mention of the cloud
over the Israelites
in the Bible was Exodus 13, 21.
We covered a while back
shortly after their departure
from Egypt during the Exodus.
And it says this,
and Jehovah went before them
by day in a pillar of the cloud
to lead them the right way
and by night in a pillar of fire
to give them light
to go by day and night.
He did not take away
the pillar of the cloud by day
nor the pillar of the fire
by night before the people.
Here are some very interesting
aspects about the cloud.
There was no committee
or decision
and casting a vote
to make the cloud go on.
It was a total aspect
of learning to yield
what God wanted.
Obedience.
Being patient.
And how many times
have we run ahead of God?
I won't ask for a show of hands
because they're probably
in your heart of hearts
everybody would raise their hand.
Yeah, I got it, Lord.
Okay.
They simply kept their eyes
on the pillar of God
resting over the tabernacle.
They didn't have to worry
about what to do next.
They only watched and followed.
And that's how
our Christian life should be.
God executes a plan for us.
There was a calling.
We talked about that.
There was an anointing.
But we don't want to run ahead
of what God wants.
We want to be in sync
how he takes us
and how he unfolds us.
How many realize
that we as human beings
are impatient?
Yeah.
I mean, every hand
ought to go up with that.
We're even saying,
okay, Lord, what about?
What about it was like me
with Gail and John.
You know, it was time.
Lord, we've been at this thing.
This is the fourth meal together.
So let's get on with it.
And he was faithful at the end.
So the pillar of the cloud
provided shade and protection
from the harsh desert and heat.
Typically, the desert around Israel
is 100 to 108 degrees.
Think about that.
What was it today?
96?
Now it's 108.
Clouds provide a natural reduction
of anywhere from 10
to 15 degrees of heat
when you're under the cloud.
A cloud.
Making your skin
and breathing feel refreshed.
And the sand becomes
much cooler to the feet.
So consequently,
there was a natural aspect
to this that they benefited from.
Some of the interpretations
of the cloud and fire
are as follows.
Many Christian scholars
believe that it was one pillar
that appeared as a cloud
by day and fire by night.
The fire was likely
within the cloud
visible only in darkness.
However, on the other hand,
there are Jewish commentators
and scholars that say,
like Rashi and Nechmedadis
would argue that there were
two different distinct pillars.
One of the cloud
and one of the fire
that alternated or worked together.
It really makes no difference,
but it's the idea
that there was provision.
Here's a quick timeline
just to give you a perspective.
The departure from Egypt.
The role of the cloud
guided them by day and night.
At the Red Sea in Exodus 14,
there were protection
from the Egyptian army.
Out Mount Sinai,
and this is where we're still after
beginning to leave God's presence
during the giving of the law.
And over the tabernacle,
God's dwelling and signal
to move or to stay.
And lastly,
during the wilderness journey
in Numbers 9
that we're talking about
indicates time
for the Israelites
to begin to move.
So that's the chronology
of events at this point in time.
Okay, question.
Look at this.
D-O-E-S.
What does the cloud reveal
about God's character
and his desire to dwell
among the Israelites?
What main things
can you think about
that the cloud provides
other than what we talked
about naturally?
Any idea?
Ah, we got some hands here.
Yes.
I said guidance.
All right, key word.
We'll come back to that.
That's one of the words.
You know, you get two points
on your test at the end.
His presence.
That's another one.
You guys are stealing
my fire here.
That's good.
A little bit of community
because people are going
to stay together
instead of scattering.
Yeah, right.
Cohesiveness.
Yeah, that's good.
I would say rest.
Rest?
Okay, that's good.
Anybody else?
Nothing, Roger.
All right, okay.
Confidence and comfort.
Yeah, that's good.
All inclusive.
Okay, let's go
through some of these things.
Okay.
There we go.
It was clear.
It was a clear
and visible sign
that the Lord was
dwelling among his people
and leading them.
There was never a phenomenon
like this before
in the history of the world.
The clouds showed them
confidence again
that God's intentional,
watchful care
and the value of each one
was of his greatest interest.
Now, that's hard to think
when you think of
a million people,
a million men,
plus the mothers,
the wives, and the children.
But think about that.
He cared for each one.
And guidance.
Okay, somebody said that
the cloud led the Israelites
through the wilderness by day.
Well, the pillar of fire
guided them by night.
So that's another one.
The Israelites then
had to learn
to trust in God's pace.
And like we said,
we tend to be impatient
and I don't think
the Israelites
were any different than us.
Although our society
has made us very impatient
and want the now
rather than the later.
In moving them
toward the promised land.
In Numbers 9, 19,
it says,
the cloud tarried long
and the people of Israel
kept the charge of the Lord.
In other words,
at least on the front end,
they were willing to listen
and to be anointed
to the point
where they understood
what God wanted.
So they worked
to set a camp up,
to do all the things
that were necessary,
set the tabernacle up.
And I often think about
what if they do all this stuff?
They prepped,
they made the tents,
they got the fire going.
They made the meat
and all of a sudden
that next morning
you look up
and the cloud starts to move.
Okay, up again.
I don't know that it was
or wasn't it was,
but the idea
that God was testing them
for their obedience.
And then the third one,
protection.
In Exodus 14, 19, through 20,
the cloud moved
between the Israelites
and the pursuing Egyptian army
shielding them.
Okay.
So also the protection
from the harsh desert elements
that we cover.
So now,
let's ask the question.
What are the spiritual principles
that demonstrate
God's presence with us today?
Not then.
We talked about that today.
What do you think?
How is he demonstrating
his presence to us?
Well, I'll give you a hint.
There's the first one.
He's consistent.
He doesn't come today
and go on tomorrow.
He doesn't give you a pamphlet
or booklet
and say read this
and I'll be back later on.
Okay.
He abides with us.
He is always guiding
and comforting
and dwelling with us.
So that's one area.
In John 14, 16,
it says,
then I will ask the Father
to send you
the Holy Spirit
who will help you
and always be with you.
In verse 17,
the Spirit will show you
what is true.
So the Spirit,
if you will,
displaces the old covenant
understanding
of what being with you means.
And I, for one,
we have talked about this before,
appreciate the fact
that I'm born on the covenant
on this side of the covenant
than on that side
because of the Holy Spirit
abiding with us,
being with us.
We do not walk this road alone.
So that's one aspect.
His presence transforms us.
We're not the same.
How many are the same
10, 4, 6 years ago
as you were
when you first came to the Lord?
No.
He transforms us.
How does he do that?
God's presence
doesn't leave us unchanged.
It reshapes our thoughts,
our attitudes
and our behaviors.
He works on the inside of us.
Remember, quick lesson,
we talked about
how we get intuitive knowledge.
We hear the word of God.
We read the word of God.
That gives the Holy Spirit
opportunity to work.
The Holy Spirit speaks
to our conscience
and our conscience
then directs our lives.
So there's a chain of events
that go that are carried on.
So he aligns us closely
with his image
and then purpose.
His presence provides intimacy.
It fosters a relationship
marked by trust, peace,
somebody said that, peace
and communication.
Experiencing God often feels
like being known
and loved at the deepest level.
And I have a picture of this.
Oftentimes, not just today,
oftentimes I get so comfortable
in the fact when I'm with the Lord,
I don't want to break that
and have to get up
and do something.
And of course,
you know, time came that my wife,
she needed help to go
from the ceramics department
back home again.
So I knew that I had about
an hour and a half
set my watch, so to speak.
But I hated to do that.
I mean, not help my wife,
but just the idea of
when you're in the zone,
you're in the zone.
How many experiences is that?
I mean to tell you,
it's just so blessed
I could go on the rest
of my life feeling this way.
But of course, we can't.
We have to do what we do.
We are flush.
But it's just the idea
that those times are so valuable.
And if you don't spend time,
I would just encourage you
to even take a vacation day
and say,
okay, Lord,
I'm not going to do anything else.
But be in your presence
and spend time with you.
And if that's not comfortable
with you,
you'll find 50 million excuses
to do other things.
Oh, I got to go put the coffee on.
I got to take the dog out.
Somebody's at the telephone.
I actually put the telephone on.
It goes beep, beep, beep,
then I hide under a pillow.
So it doesn't bother me.
Because invariably,
you know when you're
in the comfort of the Lord,
you know, all of a sudden
the telephone rings.
Okay.
So again,
I can only encourage you to do that.
His presence brings us
conviction and clarity.
The Holy Spirit gently,
not harshly,
not like we were taught,
many of us,
reveals areas where we need
to grow or heal.
That's another thing
his presence does for us.
Okay, continuing on.
His presence brings us joy
and a divine desire to worship.
Worship is not just an act,
not on Sunday morning,
but in your home,
in your car,
going down the highway,
cleaning the apartment,
whatever, the house.
It is a response
to his divine presence.
You can't help it,
but want to worship.
I guess my question is,
those that know the Lord
that don't have
an outgrowth of worship
like we do,
by comparison,
and I don't mean
that we're better,
but it's just so limiting
to close your eyes
and your hands folded.
And there's a liturgy
and you get up
and then that's it.
I mean, it's so dearth
of that relationship
that you desire.
And once you know these things,
you really can't go back.
When we experience his presence,
there is often an outpouring
of praise, gratitude,
a sense of awe
when we see God's nearness
to us and experience that.
So we have these things
that reinforce it
and all you want to do is mourn.
All right,
his presence brings healing
and freedom,
emotional, spiritual,
and physical healing can flow
from the time spent
in God's presence.
It's where burdens are lifted
and chains are broken.
You know, oftentimes we think
of that in relationship
with others or for others.
It's also for us
spending time strengthening
the inner man.
And he gives us a fragrance.
I ought to asterisk this
and put Chris at the bottom
as a footnote.
He and his fragrance
smelling good on Sunday.
You know, I used to think
about that when I first came.
I said, how does that
all work out?
But, you know, I'm converted
now, Chris.
Like a spiritual aroma,
God's presence in us
can be sensed by others.
It may not be a sense of smell,
but it's a sense.
And we talked about this before,
how people gravitate
or why they gravitate to you.
You know, people,
they want to be your friend
or they want to have you over.
Why is that?
Because they sense
the Godliness in you.
There is an aura.
If you remember Christ ministering
and there was a sense of aura
around him as he walked on,
he has given us these gifts
to really know him
and to substantiate in our life
the meaning of this aroma
that we have
that we give out to other people.
So, consequently,
the idea of people wanting,
desiring and knowing
who is on the throne in our lives
is the hope and the truth
and the transformation
that we pray for everyone.
Okay.
Now we're going to go to guidance.
What are the spiritual principles
that demonstrate
God's guidance to us?
Well, I'll give you one.
God's guidance leads us
step by step,
not with a cloud,
but with his presence
in the Holy Spirit.
Here is,
his guidance provides clarity
in decision making.
How many have a difficulty
making decisions?
Oh, okay.
Let's see.
Is that more men and women?
Okay.
No.
All right.
He gives us clarity
so often
when we worry about
the things of life,
we can't make a decision
and I have a son
that's kind of gets stuck
on that sometime.
He's a follower,
but he just can't make himself
come to a decision point
in his life.
So, when he calls me
on the telephone
and we just happen
to be talking today
and he was at a point
with his one daughter
that's in college
and she just,
she signed a one-year lease
on her apartment
and she found out
that the three
Christian girlfriends
that are apartmenting
with her are cat lovers
and she hates cats.
So, there's the dilemma
right there.
So, we talked about that
a little bit
and I said,
well, you know,
why don't you ask her
and I went on
and gave a litany
of what my wisdom is
because he had asked
in the thing.
But the decision making process
can become easier.
God's guidance
brings a sense of direction
where confusion
often resides
if we don't allow him
to speak to us.
Choices become clearer
and if the path,
even if the path
is not easy.
Remember years ago
we also used to pray.
Lord, take us out
of this circumstance.
How many ever prayed that?
Years ago.
Now it's, Lord,
help us through
the circumstances.
Let us become stronger
by your power.
And oftentimes
he does take the circumstances
and resolves quickly
and other times
we just keep on going.
Okay.
Our need
and his guidance
aligns with Scripture.
Nothing that he ever says
to you is not scriptural
and if it is,
it's not the Lord.
I just want to declare
that tonight.
Verses will illuminate
certain situations
and act as a lamp
to our feet.
How many have ever needed
an answer
or something
and all of a sudden
the Lord begins to open up
the word.
Oh, there it is.
There it is.
And that's the answer.
That's great.
I'm glad you're practicing that.
His guidance often comes
from trusted mentors,
friends,
and spiritual leaders.
Just be willing
to share your burdens,
your thoughts,
your aspirations,
your fears
with other people.
And I was speaking
to someone tonight
about their participation
in,
in hung groups.
And hung groups
is one of the easiest ways
to begin to get started
in that.
There's a smaller grouping
of people.
There's an opportunity
for us to share
and we have brothers
and sisters
that are in need
and that are ministers to us.
So that friendship
that we develop
is very valuable.
Let me just show our hands.
How many
go to a,
a,
a small group?
How many regularly do that?
No, half of you.
Okay, that's good.
All right.
I encourage the rest of you
to try it out.
Proverbs 15 22,
where there is no counsel,
purposes are disappointed,
but in the multitude
of counselors,
they are established.
So that's the proof text
for you.
His guidance enables us
to be patient
and wait for his voice.
We have talked about that
and sometimes guidance
comes through,
again, seasons of stillness,
sometimes where
he doesn't even answer.
He's silent.
The heavens are silent.
You know, and you wait,
and you wait.
Waiting on God
cultivates trust
and again reveals
his timing to us
when he wants to act and do.
It was like the four,
four different times
that we spent with,
with Gail and John.
Psalm 27 14 says this.
Wait on the Lord,
be of good courage
and he shall strengthen your heart.
I say,
wait on the Lord.
Why does he say that twice?
Because we need to hear that.
Wait on him.
Okay.
Now we come to protection.
What are the spiritual principles
that demonstrate protection?
Well, it's like walking through life
with a divine shield.
Again, the armor of God.
We all know that.
I won't pick up on that.
Not one that removes the hardships
but one that assures us
that we are never alone.
His protection covers
and guides our hearts and minds
from fear,
despair and temptation.
His provision
and his protection shields us
from spiritual attacks
and rescues us
from destructive decisions
and pathways.
How many have ever been
in a situation
where you decided
to do something
and you were about to do it
or into it
and the Lord stopped you
and you realized
that that was wrong.
I'll raise two hands on that.
You know, and I kind of think
we have many stories
to share with that
but it's the idea
that he won't let us destroy
ourself.
If we are following the Lord
he will not let us destroy
ourself.
Now there may be lessons in that
but they are redeemable lessons.
Lessons that he wants you to learn.
Understanding
what his character is.
It's always a purpose
behind everything.
I can't stress that enough.
You think, well, this is a casual thing
or, gee, I don't want
to baba beLord about that
or this is infinitesimally.
I mean, I get down to difficulties
with my car.
I mean, I had an instance
with my car not so long ago.
It would just literally stop on me
and I don't mind that.
You know, you put it in neutral.
You start it up
but the engine light came on.
So I thought, okay,
this isn't bad for me
because I can get out
and yada yada yada.
But I've got a wife that's disabled.
How do I get her home
when she doesn't walk?
So I started thinking about this.
I said, look, okay.
So we have a device in our car
that you can put it
on the hinge of the door.
We'll lift her up from inside,
take her out,
put her in her chair.
Well, every time you get a new tool
for that, it's another couple thousand dollars.
I thought, okay.
So I looked at other Volvo's.
There was one down in Florida
for $7,500 beautiful thing.
It was nice.
It was the same year that I had.
And then I got to thinking.
So I went to the dealership
and I asked him,
what do I want to fix it?
Well, he started at $7,000.
I said, okay.
Then I looked at the list of things
and I said, the engine light was on.
I said, what is critical?
Well, there was three different
distribution pump sensors
and so forth
and I won't go into detail.
But that was five.
So I was kind of hesitating
and I thought, well, no.
You know, five is cheaper
than buying another used car
that may have the same problem.
So I went and got it fixed.
Well, I am so happy
that the Lord drew me down that way
because I wasn't inclined to do so.
And he, the car works perfectly now.
I didn't have to spend
but $5,000 to do this thing.
And I'm a happy camper
but I was going to do something else.
And that something else
would have cost me more money.
So the lessons learned
are not just monetarily
but relationally in the family
and all the other things
that go through our life.
In 2 Thessalonians 3, 3,
it says the Lord is faithful
and He will strengthen you
and keep you safe
from the evil one.
I mean, that's a testimony in itself.
His protection brings peace
in the storm.
When chaos surrounds us,
He brings calm.
He speaks like He spoke
to the waters.
Be calm.
Maybe you won't get out of the water
but the water will be calm
so that you can go through life.
Psalm 91 provides provision
and protection in all that we are
and all that we do.
I want to ask you a question.
When you pray for your family,
I want you to consider Psalm 91
because you can pray for your family
with a lot of different ways.
And I'm not saying
this is a template for you.
But what I am saying,
Psalm 91 is so conclusive
for daily protection and provision
for you, each one of you.
Family, if you're single,
if you're dating,
if you're divorced,
if you have family members
that aren't following.
So I want you to think about this.
Joni and I,
when we do our devotions
and prayer and intercession for people,
we go through all the Christian people
in our government.
And I have them listed by name.
I mean, do you know
that there is nine or 10 cabinet members
that know the Lord,
that profess the Lord.
Secretaries of Defense,
Pete Kedzeth and Noam,
Kristi Noam,
she knows the Lord.
I mean, it's just amazing.
And here you have Vance
and here you have Trump.
So every day,
we name the names of the leaders.
We name our children
and their children
and our grandchildren and us.
And I want you to close your eyes
and I want you to listen to this prayer.
Psalm 91.
We live under the protection
of God most high
and stay in the shadow of God
all powerful.
Then we will say to you, Lord,
you are our fortress,
our place of safety.
You are our God
and we will trust you.
Lord, you will keep us safe
from secret traps
and deadly diseases
that you will spread your wings
over us and keep us secure.
Your faithfulness is like a shield
or a city wall.
We won't need to worry
about the dangers at night
or the arrows during the day.
And we won't fear diseases
that strike in the dark
or sudden disaster at noon.
We will not be harmed
though thousands will fall around us.
And with our own eyes,
we will see the punishment
of the wicked.
The Lord Most High is our fortress.
We will run to you for safety
and no terrible disaster
will strike us or our home.
And you will command your angels
to protect us wherever we go.
And they will carry us in their arms
and we won't hurt our feet on stones.
And we will overpower
the strongest lions
and the most deadly snakes.
The Lord says,
if you love me
and surely know who I am,
I will rescue you
and keep you safe.
When you are in trouble,
call out to me.
I will answer
and be there to protect
and honor you.
And I love this especially
at the end.
This is me.
And you will live a long life
and see my saving power.
Now think about that.
I have prayed many prayers
for my family,
but I have found this
to be all inclusive.
So I want you to just think about that
and try it out for yourself
tomorrow or the next day.
It covers many of the things
that you may be praying for.
So I exhort you in that.
We know that we have guidance.
We know that we have protection.
And that's just Psalm 91.
It's the New English version.
And I would just encourage you
to be blessed tonight
to take home something
that we have talked about
in the area of the cloud,
what it does for us
parenthetically
through the Holy Spirit.
And Lord, we ask you tonight
that you would bless us.
You would watch over us
and you would enable us
to encompass
through your Psalm
that which is the protection
and the provision
that's needed daily
for all our loved ones,
those in government,
our wives,
our husbands,
our friends.
Lord, we thank you for this,
we pray.
And everyone said,
Amen.
Thanks for joining us
at Lansdale Life Church
as we praise God
and discuss His word.
Don't forget to join us
for Worship Live Sunday mornings
at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube.
Be blessed
and have a great day!