The Promised Land

by Keith Gardner

From the end of Genesis through Joshua we read the story of deliverance to destiny. A chosen people are moved from slavery to promise. These are real people on a real journey. The lessons they are to learn serve as our lessons; their fears, their fights, their loss of faith and their facing the promise is fodder for the imagination. It is in the telling of the story, the real and active hand of God guiding and meeting the needs of a stubborn people, that we see ourselves. It is here in this story that a very real journey, gives birth to a very real spiritual application. Our journey from salvation to maturity is mirrored in the Israelites journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.

by Keith Gardner

Can I tell you something about sin? This may be new information to you, then again maybe not. We are steeped in it. We are covered from our head to our toes and all in between. All too often we see ourselves as good. We think we are winning the righteousness game when in reality we are not. I know what you are thinking; “but what about forgiveness? Aren’t I forgiven?” Here’s the thing, our definition of sin is too narrow. We usually define sin as a deliberate and rebellious act in opposition to some predefined rules of wrongness. You know what I mean; the Ten Commandments and the like. While that is sin, sin goes much deeper and broader. We walk around with wrong ideas and attitudes all the time. Some of our longest held beliefs of right behavior are really unrevealed sin; we just don’t know it yet.

Going for Second Best

by Keith Gardner

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.'  I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." –Exodus 33:1-3

Do you see the sadness with me? The People of Promise going to the land foretold without their God. God so tired of the stubbornness, the rebellion, the bickering and complaining, and the unbelief; decides to send an angel ahead, instead of Himself. I often wonder how much of my life, my Christian walk, is filled with God’s second best. Do I miss out on all that God wants for me because of my not listening; not learning? Why is it that I, too often, think I know best? How can I ever imagine that I can see around the bend in the road from my straight line perspective?

Seed of the Blessing

by Keith Gardner

Did God tell you something long ago? Years have passed since a word came to you and you have waited and waited for it to be fulfilled. Many times in the dark days you wondered if you were mistaken. You doubted your ability to hear God. “It was a daydream; wishful thinking”; you would say as you consoled yourself. Over the distance of time you would hear those words again, a reminder of the promise. After a while you became afraid to listen; it is easier not to be disappointed. Time passes, your faith has grown and your relationship with your Heavenly Father is closer than ever; still you avoid the topic. You’re afraid to ask; “What about those words spoken long ago? Was I mistaken? Have my sins disappointed you so badly that they no longer hold true? Was I wrong?” But still you do not ask. It’s easier not knowing.

The Righteous Breastplate

by Keith Gardner

I was thinking about the breastplate of righteousness the other day. Actually, I was thinking about things I shouldn’t have been thinking about and I realized how much I needed a breastplate of righteousness, and a helmet of salvation, and the shield of faith, and…You get the picture. What is it about putting on the “full armor of God”? Have you ever seen this armor? Is it one size fits all or is it custom made? And how do I know when I have it on anyway?

Ancient Landmarks

 

“Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Proverbs 22:28

In the study of history there is a great and oft neglected recurring theme in the human condition. That theme is the constant need to be refreshed in truth. Truth without filters or revisionism. The Children of Israel needed it, Christians in

The Way of the Ant

by Keith Gardner

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!  It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.  -Proverbs 6:6-8

Have you ever considered what an ant thinks; or more appropriately, might think if it could. Could you imagine a conversation between a materialist ant and a theistic ant? It would be quite revealing. I imagine it would go something like this.