Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "The Victory Is Already Won" by Stephanie Malcolm for Friday, 16 November 2018 RG AUDIO 111618 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "The Victory Is Already Won" by Stephanie Malcolm for Friday, 16 November 2018 RG AUDIO 111618 1 Corinthians 15:42-58

1 Corinthians 15:42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. When the body is “sown,” it decays; when it is raised, it cannot decay. 43 When sown, it is without dignity; when raised, it will be beautiful. When sown, it is weak; when raised, it will be strong. 44 When sown, it is an ordinary human body; when raised, it will be a body controlled by the Spirit. If there is an ordinary human body, there is also a body controlled by the Spirit. 45 In fact, the Tanakh says so: Adam, the first man, became a living human being;[1 Corinthians 15:45 Genesis 2:7] but the last “Adam” has become a life-giving Spirit. 46 Note, however, that the body from the Spirit did not come first, but the ordinary human one; the one from the Spirit comes afterwards. 47 The first man is from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 People born of dust are like the man of dust, and people born from heaven are like the man from heaven; 49 and just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, so also we will bear the image of the man from heaven.

50 Let me say this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot share in the Kingdom of God, nor can something that decays share in what does not decay. 51 Look, I will tell you a secret — not all of us will die! But we will all be changed! 52 It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofarwill sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed. 53 For this material which can decay must be clothed with imperishability, this which is mortal must be clothed with immortality. 54 When what decays puts on imperishability and what is mortal puts on immortality, then this passage in the Tanakh will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.[1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8]

55 “Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?”[1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14]

56 The sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah!

58 So, my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing the Lord’s work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the Lord your efforts are not in vain.  (Complete Jewish Bible).

Thought for Today: So, my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing the Lord’s work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the Lord your efforts are not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58).

I have often heard it said, “What is the point of doing good? I don’t make much of a difference.” At the food pantry I served, there were days when I felt my work helped people, but then there were days when people were ungrateful, mean, and rude. Sometimes it felt like the struggle to find resources was not worth it. Then God would bring before me the faces of all the grateful people who our ministry brought hope to.

When we look out at the world, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the problems: poverty, sickness, war, famine, and so on. It seems like death is everywhere. Paul reminds us that death no longer has the victory. Christ has won the battle. Paul encourages us to no longer live in ways that act like death still has power. We are called to live in the hope of Christ’s victory, persevering in our work with the knowledge that no matter how bad it gets the battle has been won by the risen savior. As we go out to serve our world, let us remember that Christ has already won. Let us look past death and see the new creation which Christ has brought.

Hymn for Today: "Look and Live" by WilliM A. Ogden

1. 1. I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
   This message unto you I’ll give,
   ’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
   It is only that you “look and live.”
   • Refrain:
     “Look and live,” my brother, live,
     Look to Jesus now, and live;
     ’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
     It is only that you “look and live.”
2. 2. I’ve a message full of love, hallelujah!
   A message, O my friend, for you,
   ’Tis a message from above, hallelujah!
   Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
3. Refrain:
   “Look and live,” my brother, live,
   Look to Jesus now, and live;
   ’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
   It is only that you “look and live.”
4. 3. Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
   Eternal life thy soul shall have,
   If you’ll only look to Him, hallelujah!
   Look to Jesus who alone can save.
5. Refrain:
   “Look and live,” my brother, live,
   Look to Jesus now, and live;
   ’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
   It is only that you “look and live.”
6. 3. I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
   To Jesus when He made me whole—
   ’Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
   I trusted and He saved my soul.
7. Refrain:
   “Look and live,” my brother, live,
   Look to Jesus now, and live;
   ’Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
   It is only that you “look and live.”
8. Thought for Today: For God is king of all the earth;
   sing praises in a maskil.
   
   God rules the nations;
   God sits on his holy throne.  (Psalm 47:8).
9. Please pray: That the Christians in Mesoamerica will be strengthen in their faith
10. ***

Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Treasures" by Stephanie Malcolm Thursday, 15 November 2018 RG111518 Joshua 6:12-27

Joshua 6:12 The next morning Y’hoshua got up early, and the cohanimtook up the ark of Adonai. 13 The seven cohanim carrying the seven shofars ahead of the ark of Adonai went on, continually blowing on their shofars, with the fighting men marching ahead of them and the rearguard following after the ark of Adonai; all the while the blowing on the shofars was incessant. 14 The second day, they went around the city once and returned to camp. They did the same for six days.

15 On the seventh day, they got up early, at sunrise, and went around the city in the same way seven times. That was the only day they encircled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time, when the cohanim blew on their shofars, Y’hoshua said to the people, “Shout! because Adonaihas given you the city! 17 But the city and everything in it is to be set aside for Adonai and therefore to be destroyed completely; only Rachav the prostitute is to be spared, she and everyone with her in her house, because she hid the messengers we sent. 18 So you, keep clear of everything reserved for destruction. If you bring a curse on yourselves by taking anything set aside to be destroyed, you will bring a curse on the whole camp of Isra’el and cause great distress there. 19 All the silver and gold, and all the brass and iron utensils are to be separated out for Adonai and added to the treasury of Adonai.”

20 So the people shouted, with the shofars blowing. When the people heard the sound of the shofars, the people let out a great shout; and the wall fell down flat; so that the people went up into the city, each one straight ahead of him; and they captured the city. 21 They completely destroyed everything in the city with the sword — men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

22 Y’hoshua said to the two men who had reconnoitered the land, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring the woman out with all that she has, as you swore to her.” 23 The young men, the spies, went in and brought out Rachav with her father, mother, brothers and all she had; they brought out all her relatives and put them safely outside the camp of Isra’el.

24 Then they burned the city to ashes with everything in it, except for the silver, the gold and the brass and iron utensils, which they put in the treasury of the house of Adonai. 25 But Y’hoshua spared Rachav the prostitute, her father’s household and everything she had; and she has continued living with Isra’el from then until now; because she hid the messengers Y’hoshua had sent to reconnoiter Yericho. 26 Y’hoshua then made the people take this oath: “A curse before Adonai on anyone who rises up and rebuilds this city of Yericho: he will lay its foundation with the loss of his firstborn son and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son.” 27 So Adonai was with Y’hoshua, and people heard about him throughout the land. (Complete Jewish Bible).

Thought for Today: All the silver and gold, and all the brass and iron utensils are to be separated out for Adonai and added to the treasury of Adonai.” (Joshua 6:19).

The walls of Jericho have fallen and God has given victory to the Israelites. There are plenty of spoils of war, but God demands that he be given the treasures. This seems unfair, but God is reminding the Israelites that he gave them the victory. It was only through the power of God that the city of Jericho was conquered. The treasures are used for the continuing of God’s work through the Israelites. Everything that the Israelites have is only because God gave it to them and it is to be used for his purposes.

The bounty from the victories we have are not for our own purpose, but instead to be used for the continuing of the kingdom of God. Often, we forget this and think that our treasures are our own. We get greedy and hoard, when God is calling us to give. This means more than our money: it means our whole selves. Everything we have is God’s gracious gift to us and it is up to him how those gifts get used. By giving our whole selves to God, we allow his plan to continue through us.

Hymn for Today: "Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated Lord, to Thee" by Frances R. Havergal

1.	Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2.	Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3.	Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee.
4.	Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5.	Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne.
6	Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.

  Thought for Today: But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11:28).

Please  pray: For the ministry of caring for widows and orphans in Mesoamerica.

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Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Marching Orders" by Stephanie Malcolm for Wednesday, 14 November 2018 RG111418 Joshua 6:1-11

Joshua 6:1 Yericho had completely barricaded its gates against the people of Isra’el — no one left, and no one entered. 2 Adonaisaid to Y’hoshua, “I have handed Yericho over to you, including its king and his warriors. 3 You are to encircle the city with all your soldiers and march around it once. Do this for six days. 4 Seven cohanim are to carry seven shofars in front of the ark. On the seventh day you are to march around the city seven times, and the cohanim will blow the shofars. 5 Then they are to blow a long blast on the shofar. On hearing the sound of the shofar, all the people are to shout as loudly as they can; and the wall of the city will fall down flat. Then the people are to go up into the city, each one straight from where he stands.”

6 Y’hoshua the son of Nun called the cohanim and told them, “Take up the ark for the covenant, and have seven cohanim carry seven shofars ahead of the ark of Adonai.” 7 To the people he said, “Move on, encircle the city, and have the army march ahead of the ark of Adonai.” 8 When Y’hoshua had spoken to the people, the seven cohanim carrying the seven shofars before Adonai passed on and blew on the shofars, with the ark for the covenant of Adonai following them. 9 The fighting men went ahead of the cohanim blowing the shofars, while the rearguard marched after the ark, with incessant blowing on the shofars. 10 Y’hoshua gave this order to the people: “Don’t shout, don’t let your voice be heard, don’t let a single word out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout; then you will shout.”

11 So he had the ark of Adonaimake a circle around the city, going around it once; then they returned to camp and stayed in the camp. (Complete Jewish Bible).

Thought for Today: Adonai said to Y’hoshua, “I have handed Yericho over to you, including its king and his warriors. (Joshua 6:2).

One does not capture a city by marching around it. A normal battle would call for weapons that could damage walls or the structures and people behind the walls. Yet, God does not call Joshua to do this. Instead, Joshua is told to march around the wall. Can you imagine how foolish that looked from a strategic military perspective? On top of this, God asks them to march around the city for a whole week!

Joshua could have easily told God that he was crazy. Yet, he chooses to remain obedient to God’s call on his life. 1 Corinthians 1:1 says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those who are being saved it is the power of God.” Many times, the things that God asks us to do may seem foolish to those who are not Christians. The call to put others ahead of yourself is a dangerous proposition. Yet, this is how the upside-down kingdom of God works. The last are first. The weak are strong. It does not make sense, yet this is what we are called to do. May we go forth like Joshua and be foolish for Christ.

Hymn for Today: "Jesus Calls Us" by Cecil F. Alexander

1. 1. Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
   Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
   Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
   Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”
2. 2. Jesus calls us from the worship
   Of the vain world’s golden store,
   From each idol that would keep us,
   Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”
3. 3. In our joys and in our sorrows,
   Days of toil and hours of ease,
   Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
   “Christian, love Me more than these!”
4. 4. Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
   Savior, may we hear Thy call,
   Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
   Serve and love Thee best of all.

Thought for Today: They will gush forth the fame of your abounding goodness,
and they will sing of your righteousness.
8 Adonai is merciful and compassionate,slow to anger and great in grace. (Psalm 145:7b-8).
Please pray: For the child development programs that minister to children in Mesoamerica .
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Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Are You For God?" by Stephanie Malcolm for Tuesday, 13 November 2018 RG111318 Joshua 5:9-15

Joshua 5:9 Adonai said to Y’hoshua, “Today I have rolled off from you the stigma of Egypt.” This is why the place has been called Gilgal [rolling] ever since. 10 The people of Isra’el camped at Gilgal, and they observed Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month, there on the plains of Yericho. 11 The day after Pesach they ate what the land produced, matzah and roasted ears of grain that day. 12 The following day, after they had eaten food produced in the land, the man ended. From then on the people of Isra’el no longer had man; instead, that year, they ate the produce of the land of Kena‘an.13 One day, when Y’hoshua was there by Yericho, he raised his eyes and looked; and in front of him stood a man with his drawn sword in his hand. Y’hoshua went over to him and asked him, “Are you on our side or on the side of our enemies?” 14 “No,” he replied, “but I am the commander of Adonai’s army; I have come just now.” Y’hoshua fell down with his face to the ground and worshipped him, then asked, “What does my lord have to say to his servant?” 15 The commander of Adonai’s army answered Y’hoshua, “Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy.” And Y’hoshua did so. (Complete Jewish Bible)

“No,” he replied, “but I am the commander of Adonai’s army; I have come just now.” Y’hoshua fell down with his face to the ground and worshipped him, then asked, “What does my lord have to say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:14).

I was leading a teen Bible study and one of the teens asked me to pray that his favorite sports team would win. When I said I would only pray for the safety and sportsmanship of the game, the teen became confused. He thought that God had to grant any wish that he prayed for. What he didn’t understand is that God doesn’t pick teams.

Joshua had that same problem and angel in this passage redirects Joshua’s attitude. He turns the questions from, “Is God for us?” to “Are you for God?”. God is with the Israelites if they are obedient to his plan. It is only when the Israelites have strayed from God’s plan that he is no longer on their side. Joshua once again chooses obedience and God is with him.

God wants the whole world to follow him. We need to remember that the only teams there are in life are those who are for God and those who are against. If we remain obedient to God, he goes with us into the battles we face in life. We are not alone and do not fight alone.

Hymn for Today: "We Gather Together" by Theordore Baker

1. We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
sing praises to His Name, He forgets not His own.
2. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning:
Thou, Lord wast at our side--the glory be Thine!
3. We all do extol Thee, Thou leader in battle,
and pray that Thou still our defender wilt be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised; O Lord, make us free!

Thought for Today: I keep my feet from every evil way,

in order to observe your word. (Psalm 119:101).

Please pray: For those ministering in media to communicate the Gospel in Mesoamerica. 

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Reflecting God: Embrace Holy Living from The Foundry Publishing of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "Let Go and Obey" by Stephanie Malcolm for Monday, 12 November 2018 RG111218 Joshua 5:1-8

Joshua 5:1 When all the kings of the Emori on the west side of the Yarden and all the kings of the Kena‘ani near the sea heard how Adonai had dried up the Yarden River ahead of the people of Isra’el until they had crossed it, their hearts failed them, and they fell into depression because of the people of Isra’el.

2 It was at that time that Adonai said to Y’hoshua, “Make yourself knives of flint, and circumcise the people of Isra’el again, a second time. 3 So Y’hoshua made himself knives of flint and circumcised the people of Isra’el at Giv‘at-Ha‘Aralot [the hill of foreskins]. 4 The reason Y’hoshua circumcised was that all the people who had left Egypt who were males, all the fighting men, had died in the desert along the way after leaving Egypt. 5 For although all the people who left Egypt had been circumcised, all those who had been born in the desert on the way as they went on from Egypt had not been circumcised; 6 because the people of Isra’el walked forty years in the desert until the whole nation, that is, the fighting men who had left Egypt, had died out; because they had not heeded what Adonai said. Adonai had sworn that he would not allow them to see the land which Adonai swore to their ancestors that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their children to take their place, and it was these whom Y’hoshua circumcised; till then they had been uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised while traveling.

8 When all the nation had been circumcised, every one of them, they stayed where they were in camp until they had healed. (Complete Jewish Bible).

When all the kings of the Emori on the west side of the Yarden and all the kings of the Kena‘ani near the sea heard how Adonai had dried up the Yarden River ahead of the people of Isra’el until they had crossed it, their hearts failed them, and they fell into depression because of the people of Isra’el. (Joshua 5:1).

The Israelites have barely stepped foot in the promised land and God is already preparing the way. The nations in the area hear of the Jordan river drying up for the Israelites to cross and are filled with fear. Before the Israelites lift a sword in battle, God is causing the nations around them to shy away from fighting, making the way easier for them as they claim the promise land.
This new generation of Israelites led by Joshua decide to start their time in the promise land by being obedient to the commands God has given them. The lack of obedience of the previous generation is shown in the need to circumcise the new generation. God makes a way as they live in obedience to him.

God is like that with us. God will not call us to go without first preparing the way for us. Beford we get started, God is already at work. All God asks for is our obedience. Joshua breaks free of the sins of those who raised and chooses obedience. The only thing holding us back from God is ourselves. We are called to let go and obey trusting that God is preparing the way for us.

Hymn for Today: "The Lord Jehovah Reigns" by Isaac Watts

1. The Lord Jehovah reigns,
his throne is built on high;
the garments he assumes
are light and majesty:
his glories shine with beams so bright
no mortal eye can bear the sight.

2. The thunders of his hand
keep the wide world in awe;
his wrath and justice stand
to guard his holy law;
and where his love resolves to bless
his truth confirms and seals his grace.

3. Through all his ancient works
amazing wisdom shines,
confounds the powers of hell
and breaks their cursed designs;
strong is his arm, and shall fulfil
his great decrees, his sovereign will.

4 And can this mighty King
of Glory condescend?
And will he write his name
My Father and my Friend?
I love his name, I love his word;
join, all my powers, and praise the Lord.

Though for Today: You are to obey my rulings and laws and live accordingly; I am Adonai your God. (Leviticus 18:4).

Please pray: For the compassionate ministries among the poor and in disaster areas of Mesoamerica. 

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