What If?

“Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest, and will give you this land.’ Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall cross ahead of your brothers in battle formation, all your valiant warriors, and shall help them, until the Lord gives your brothers rest, as He is giving you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you may return to your own land, and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.

“They answered Joshua, saying, ‘All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the Lord your God be with you as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.’” (Joshua 1:13-18 NASB)

In this first chapter of Joshua, God is giving incredibly important instructions to Joshua regarding the fulfillment of His covenantal promise to Abraham. This agreement with Abraham was not about a favored people whom God loved more than other humans. It was a covenant He initiated in order to use Abraham and his offspring to help Him save the world. The Messiah would come through them.

The book of Joshua is another step in that process. It is not just about a special people receiving their extraordinary inheritance; it’s about a calling, an assignment, an inheritance needed to help save the world. That’s big stuff! And it makes the instructions God gave Joshua regarding this important next step very significant. As He lays out the important commands and encouragements, God mentions one that may seem a bit unusual.

In the above verses, He reminds 3 of Israel’s 12 tribes of a promise they made Moses 40 years ago. Shortly after leaving Egypt, they came to a land that suited their ranching lifestyle, whereupon they asked Moses if that could be their inheritance, rather than a portion of land in Canaan, on the other side of the Jordan. It was agreed to, as long as the men promised to temporarily leave their homes and ranches to assist the remaining tribes possess their inheritance, when the time came. They wouldn’t be allowed to sit comfortably and enjoy their inheritance while their brothers and sisters warred for theirs. Though the promise had been made 40 years earlier, reminding them of it and insisting it be honored ranked toward the top of Joshua’s instructions.

Though the book of Joshua can be read in a couple of hours, the conquest of Canaan took 7 years. The commitment these tribes had to keep was no simple task; it wasn’t just a couple of months or a few weekends here and there. It was 7 years! I’m not sure how they did this while protecting their families and possessions back home. Perhaps they alternated - a month on, a month off. Certainly, the women and kids had to pick up the slack and take over some of the responsibilities of caring for the livestock and land - for 7 years! Whatever the plan, it was a significant commitment.

This was very important to God. Failing to fulfill the commitment was punishable by death. Since what occurred with Israel was written for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11), we can assume it is important for us, also. What if, rather than the demonic and disgusting competitive spirit existing in today’s American church, we took seriously the command to help one another? What if, rather than making great efforts to transfer sheep from another pasture (local church) to ours, we worked together to grow everyone’s congregation? What if, instead of attending Church Growth conferences (Sheep Transferring conferences), we attended “How Can I Help My Fellow Believer Take His/Her Inheritance” conferences?

What if pastors and ministry leaders who have successful ministries, large facilities, good salaries, etc., decided to help their fellow “countrymen” possess their inheritance? I’m not talking about a pat on the back, or a hundred bucks once in a while. I’m talking about commitment, Joshua 1 stuff - fighting for them, sharing resources, building buildings, etc. What would it look like if every larger church in America paid the salary of a pastor pioneering a church - a church that isn’t in their network or carrying their name, by the way? What if they supplied them with a worship team? A children’s pastor? What would happen?

Well fortunately, we don’t have to wonder. Jesus told us in John 17:21: “That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

He also told us in Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, as on Aaron’s beard, the oil which ran down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for the Lord commanded the blessing there— life forever.”

Interestingly, the word “good,” describing unity, is the exact same Hebrew word as the “precious” anointing oil of Aaron’s priesthood. God places unity on the same level as His anointing. And this unity included working together, by the way, not just well-wishing. The passage makes it clear that blessings were being exchanged - Mt Herman was watering Mt Zion. Maybe if we did more helping one another we’d see more anointing. Holy Spirit said in this passage He would be able to command more eternal life to be released. And according to Christ, the world would believe.

Satan is not our biggest problem. We are.

Pray with me:

Father, please forgive us for our arrogance in thinking that what You want to do through us is more important than what You do through others. Forgive us for our divisive activities and ways of thinking. Forgive us for the place in our hearts that allows competition with our brothers and sisters to occur.

We ask You to replace these attitudes, this sin, with hearts that are willing to prefer one another in love (Romans 12:10). Give us hearts that are willing to serve our brothers and sisters and war for their inheritance. Tear down every wall that has been built by religion and pride. Give us the heart of Jesus, who made of Himself no reputation, laying everything down for others.

Bring the greatest revival of unity and love the church has ever experienced. May we take joy and rain down blessings on mountains/ministries which belong to others. Please tear down every man-made kingdom, until only Yours stands.

As we move forward into this great awakening, may it be marked by a generation of believers that gloried in warring for others’ success and inheritance. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that we will allow the unselfish heart of Jesus to rule and reign in ours!

Copyright © 2021 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

Living On a Mission

 Living on a Mission

Paul told his spiritual son, Timothy, “Be instant in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). The words “season” come from the Greek word ukairos, which means “convenient or opportune time.” In other words, always be ready, whether the timing is convenient or not! The context is regarding preaching. However, if appropriate for preaching, surely it is applicable to all of our service for Christ. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to “redeem the time.” The same root word that is used for “season” is used here for “time”- kairos. “Redeem” is exagorazo, which means “to buy” The verse is telling us to spend whatever time, energy, money,` that is necessary to buy the opportunities that come your way. My great friend, Tom Hamon, shares about this readiness in a challenging exhortation regarding soldiers.

“With all that has been happening the last year and a half we all are being challenged in new ways. It feels as though the enemy is working overtime to get the church to back down. In response to this, God has been saturating the church with the powerful revelation of being Christ’s ekklesia, called to operate in supernatural power and authority. This is a true paradigm shift for many Christians. It is requiring us to move from a comfortable, casual, civilian mentality to a singular focused soldier’s mindset. This responsibility is mandating that Christians become more strategic in their thinking, a mindset I call, ‘Living on a Mission.’

“Our ministry base in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, is in a military community surrounded by 3 very strategic military bases: Hurlburt, Tyndall, and Eglin Air Force bases. Within these bases is housed a very significant contingent of special ops forces. Interestingly, if you were to meet these elite men and women in the community, they would not look much different than anyone else you might encounter. And their day to day lives aren’t much different, either. They have families, homes, financial endeavors and other stresses, just like everyone else.

“They ARE different, however. These soldiers live with an understanding that their life could be interrupted at a moment’s notice if called upon to fulfill a mission for their nation. When that call comes, they immediately kick into mission mode. Normal life is set aside and they focus fully on the mission at hand. They ‘live on a mission.’

“Having committed themselves to answering the call, these warriors have devoted themselves to being prepared:

• They have given themselves fully to preparation and training.
• They’ve purposed and learned how to work as a team.
• They have devoted themselves to skillfully mastering their weapons and equipment.
• They know and understand the winning strategies of warfare.
• They’ve learned the strategies of the enemy they are confronting.

“When called, these warriors focus keenly on one thing and one thing only: accomplishing the mission! They are willing to fully engage their hearts, gifts, and energies to accomplish the mission they have been given, even unto death.

“Isaiah 28:5-6 speaks of such a calling: ‘In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people; a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.’

“Notice that God gives a special strength to the spiritual special forces willing to battle at the gates. Gates are entry points, places of influence in societies, including gates of government, education, business, media, family, religion, arts and entertainment. The battle for these gates of culture - and ultimately our nation - is always occurring at these gates. And God is looking for Isaiah 28:6 type warriors who will run to the battle when He calls. . .and shift the battle at the gates of influence! He is looking for those who will ‘live on a mission.’

“Moving from living with a civilian mentality to that of a ready soldier will require:

• A willingness to respond quickly, at any time, to the alert from the watchmen
• Remaining diligent, watching and praying
• Total submission to Christ - always saying ‘Yes Sir,’ or ‘Yes, Lord’
• Training and equipping - put on your spiritual uniform/armor
• Learning to walk in unity with others
• A willingness to employ your spiritual weapons of war
• Listening closely to the commander’s voice, especially in the midst of the battle
• Engaging tirelessly with all your heart to see that the battle is won

“One of satan’s deterrents to this call of shifting culture at the gates can be seen metaphorically in the verses following verse 6, mentioned above. ‘Moreover, the prophets and priests are drunk. They stagger because of wine and stumble around because of strong drink. They are confused with wine, stumbling because of strong drink. They’re too drunk to understand their prophetic visions. They’re too drunk to render right decisions in judgment. All of their banqueting tables are covered with filthy vomit; vomit is everywhere!’ (Isaiah 28:7-8 TPT)

“The indictment given by Isaiah to his generation is valid for us today: if we become ‘intoxicated’ on the world’s opinions, principles, and system, we will lose our influence and opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, many people work hard to rise to a position in the ‘gate’ of government, education, entertainment, or others, only to become enticed and seduced by the spirit of the world. Sadly, they don’t use their position of influence to bring the change God is looking for. They may compromise, lose their way, fall asleep at their post, err in their vision, stumble in their judgment on issues, or give way to an unclean spirit.

“Like Joseph, we WILL be tempted at the gate in which God has called us to serve. If we have become drunk on the world’s ways and conform to the culture around us, one who was meant to be a great force for good (and God) can end up being one who defames the name of the Lord. God is looking for a purposeful, powerful, holy ekklesia that knows what to do when they’re positioned to battle for kingdom influence and advancement at the gates of culture. He is looking for those who ‘live on a mission.’”

Pray with me:

Father, You commended the Issachar tribe of Israel for understanding the times and, therefore, knowing what to do (1 Chronicles 12:32). The passage says they were “among the mighty men who helped [David] in war,” (verse 1). They were elsewhere referred to as “mighty men,” and “men of war” (verse 38). They “lived on a mission.” Make us like them!

You also commended the church at Thessalonica as those who understood the times (1 Thessalonians 5:1), and rebuked the Pharisees for not being able to discern the time, (Matthew 16:3). Clearly, this discerning of the kairos times is needed in order for us to be effective. Give us this discernment!

And God, we ask that in the darkness pervading our times, You would cause a righteous remnant to arise, who’ll be willing to battle at the gates to bring kingdom transformation in their generation! Keep us focused on the kingdom’s cause and founded in the precepts of Your Word. Keep us pure, clean, and unpolluted from the world’s influence. Most of all, God, cause us to know that we are called each day to live on a mission for You, to make a difference when our Commander calls!

Our decree:

We decree. . . that God will bring a shift toward righteousness in our culture, that a nameless, faceless generation is choosing to go to the gates of culture and fight for what is right! We decree that You will raise up an army of special operators with the strength, discernment, and strategy to open gates for the King of Glory. You will enter those gates gloriously and victoriously, in our generation! Amen!

Copyright © 2021 Dutch Sheets Ministries, All rights reserved.

Read and Discuss: Is All Lost?

"We're wasting our time and energy, wishing/hoping/entreating the Congress, including any and all 'Tea Party' newbies, to do anything at all about the massive debt and pending bankruptcy of the formerly-great U.S. of A.

"Whether the currency collapses before the bankruptcy becomes apparent is a moot point, and will makes no difference anyway. The Progressive Party's intent to enact a creeping de facto martial law is dependent upon the willing participation of dumbed-down citizenry inhabiting the ranks of the police and military - and said police and military may not be nearly so willing to drink the kool-aid once they realize they're being offered Monopoly money on payday.

"The whole thing is a colossal exercise in meaningless rhetoric and political bloviating, watching Nero and his cronies playing a hoe-down while the empire burns to the ground.

"I had little faith in the elected officials at all, before the current round of talk, and have none at all, now. It seems apparent the people who should be rising up won't, and those who should be ashamed of themselves won't be, while abandoning all pretense at civility, sucking on the public teat, willingly boarding buses to throw tantrums and chant meaningless slogans in state capitols and at union rallies.

"I don't believe there's enough of that 'dedicated, tireless minority' to make a difference, any more. We're truly screwed."

* * * * *

What thoughts come to mind at this point? What's next? What should be next? Will anyone take the obvious steps? Ought we to rely on State governments to do what's right? Or are we, the American people, out of time and luck?

Discuss.