05/06/2016 - AND TIME PASSED…

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Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.”    Joshua 13.1

It was a harsh word that the Lord spoke to Joshua. However, the mistake was certainly not God’s. It would be good if He always rebuked us. Thus, we would not live thinking that everything was all right. It will be very sad if we get to the Great Day and we are surprised and ashamed, or if we discover that we have not fulfilled our duty, and listen from the Master that we have been bad and careless servants, only to be sent towards eternal punishment.

The Most High had said that nobody would stand before Joshua. However, for some reason, this purpose was delayed, and at that moment, the successor of Moses was old and ready for eternity. He listened that there was still a lot of land to be conquered. Probably the same might be happening with many who have been delighted with small things and still do not understand what God wants from them.

The Lord told Joshua that He would be besides him like He was with Moses. Thus, what else did he need? God has done the same promise to us when He said that we would do the same works that Jesus did. However, unfortunately, we have not believed in these words, and therefore, we have suffered many defeats in prayer. For the Christian, it should be something normal to use the divine power to heal the sick and set the oppressed free, just like it was with Christ.

It is necessary for you to examine yourself and check if you have done everything that He has ordered or if you have allowed the evil one to fill you with proposals. The devil knows how to lead those who are unsteady. The enemy’s suggestions do not seem always evil; some even lead the holy ones to believe that they come from God. However, everything that contradicts the Word has nothing related to the Lord – it comes from the devil.

Certainly, many works could have been done if you had not allowed the fascination for riches to enter your heart, the cares of life occupy your mind, and the worldly ambitions fill your eyes. These are tricks made by the enemy to mislead the saved ones, so that they do not fulfill their duty and run after what is worldly and fleeting.

The Kingdom of Heaven would be glorified so much with the effective participation of the saved ones! If they paid more attention to what they saw, they would notice that it is simple and easy to obey the Lord’s purpose. However, since some listen to others, and not to God, they will be condemned and will spend eternity in Hell. It is necessary to stop and examine what you have done, so that you will not be lost forever.

Analyze everything that the Most High has given or shown you, consecrate yourself to Him and fulfill your purpose. Then, besides pleasing the One who chose you to His army of workers, you will also discover that He is good and rewarding. The reward is according to the size of your obedience (Lk 6.38).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares