Scott Lane

The Hand and Voice of God

Re: Verse reading–1 Kings 19:1-18 (day five) “When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said,”

Greetings from Impact Youth Camp! It’s been a wonderful week at LeTourneau University. Each night as we worship, pray, preach, and process I see the hand and voice of the Lord at work in the hearts and lives of hundreds of teenagers.

Crying, singing, kneeling, praising, questioning, and trusting. All indicators that these young human hearts are hearing the voice of the Lord. Some for the first time, others the first time in a long time, still others continuing a regular and on-going pattern and conversation with the Living God who is both personal and powerful.

It is never a small or little thing to hear the creator of the universe call your name and speak life and truth into your soul. So, how about you? When was the last time you have personally heard and/or seen evidence of the Voice of God? Would you wait till you did? Would you call out till he speaks? Would you notice if He hasn’t?

I invite you to watch a live stream webcast tonight at 7:30 via our camp website (www.impactyouthcamp.org). Danny Panter is our camp speaker this week. You’ll be glad you did! You might even hear and see the hand and voice of God at work.

Identity

Re: Verse reading–Numbers 13:26-33; 14:1-9 (day five) “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.”

Since Exodus 3, God has been telling the Israelites that the promised land would be “flowing with milk and honey” and would also be “occupied by Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Jebusites,” (and others)

So… Why the doubting? Why the panic? Why the disobedience?

Perhaps one of the answers is found in the response of the spies. When Joshua and Caleb saw the others they remembered God’s promises. When the other 10 saw those inhabitants of the Promised Land they saw themselves in relation to the giants and forgot all about God’s promises and power. They forgot who they were in relation to their Heavenly Father, but rather focused on themselves in relation to the giants. They had a very skewed perspective of their identity!! Part of our faith is believing and trusting God’s Word and Promises about His children and His followers. Look closely at 1 Peter 2:9-11

Really Good News

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 3:7-15, 4:1-17 (day five) Exodus 4:11- The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹²Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”

Scripture always holds two things together (God’s act of creation and His sovereign providence). Some theologians believe in “Deism”. It’s a theological view separates them. In other words, they believe that God created the universe and everything in it. Then, He withdraws like an absentee landlord to allow the world to run its own course.

You can’t read the Bible very long without coming to a very different conclusion: Jesus’ answer to the disciples in John 9:3, Romans 8:28, and God’s response to Moses. God reassures Moses of His power, provision, and presence. (all-together and at the same time) He is not distant or removed from any circumstance or issue we encounter. He makes the same promises to us today, and that is really good news.

Believing God’s Word

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 3:1-19 (day five)

“Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” I read this week that “the first evil act was to call into question the Word of God”. What separated man from God was ultimately unbelief.

This week I was again reminded of the importance and priority of learning, studying, and trusting God’s Word. In God’s Word we find salvation, freedom, and joy. Through God’s Word we understand best, “Who God is”, and “What is He like”. It is no small thing to read (each week), study (individually and in small groups), and worship around (the promises and hope) God’s Word. I am grateful for a church that intentionally presses its people deeper into God’s Word. (Re:Verse, graduate gifts, worship and music, are just a few of the ways)

God’s remedy for restoring His relationship with man answers the sin problem in its first form. Believe!! Mark 16:16, Romans 10:9-10

Default Setting

Re:Verse reading–Judges 17:1-6; 18:1; 19:1; 20:1-7; 21:25 (day five)

“In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

It seems like this was the “default setting” for the Israelites- When there was no King (voice of God), they selfishly turned inward to find guidance and understanding.

Thousands of years later, we see that we are the same. Sadly, this inward and selfish bent has been the default setting for the human heart throughout history. Apart from a relationship with God through Christ, we are left with our own (man-made) wisdom and understanding to guide and govern us.

The good news of the Gospel, is that God has made a way to speak to the human heart that will trust and follow Him. Even in relationship with God, there is still the struggle against this “default setting”.

How can we resist? What can we do? Start with these:

Accountability- Hebrews 10:23-25

Discipline- 1 Timothy 4:7

Humility- Psalm 139:23-24

God’s Presence

Re:Verse reading–Judges 13:1-5, 14:1-9, 16:1-30 (day five)

Judges 16:20- “But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him”.

Questions that come to mind are: 1) I thought God was omnipresent, How can He leave someone? 2) Hasn’t God promised He would never leave us?

We must distinguish between is the Omnipresence of God, the Covenant Presence of God, and the Manifest Presence of God.

The omnipresence of God never changes. He is present and therefore near to everyone and everything for all of time.

The covenant presence of God never changes, for those who have a covenant relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. God is faithful to His Covenant promises to never leave or abandon His children.

God does withdraw is His sweet fellowship (Manifest Presence), which is accompanied by a conscious sense of His power and nearness. Often (as is the case with Samson, Israel, and us), the cause is sin and rebellion against God.

So maybe the Prayer of David in Psalm 51 helps us understand, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Scripture

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day five)

What are the lessons you’ve learned from scripture? How has scripture shaped your character and heart? How does scripture guide you through decisions, choices, and commitments?

Fast forward in the story of Jephthah. When word came back from the king of the Ammonites, Jephthah’s response was a retelling of Numbers 20. In fact, it was 100% accurate. HE KNEW THOSE SCRIPTURES.

Let me suggest 3 evidences that the scripture shaped Jephthah’s life and heart. 1) Jephthah extended mercy to the elders (probably included his brothers) of Gilead by his willingness to help and lead them. 2) Jephthah upon being made leader, intentionally spends time in prayer and conversation with God. 3) Jephthah’s first response (as a mighty warrior) was to seek a peaceful resolution with the Ammonites.

Ps 119- Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

Patient God

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day five)

Judges 7:10- “But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant”.

It is such an encouragement to read and consider God’s patience with Gideon and his fear. The struggle in chapter 6 (v. 27) continues into chapter 7 (v. 10). Even though he has been given promises, signs, and has clearly been used by God, Gideon still has fear. Yet, God shows patience with Gideon and helps Gideon address his fear.

Maybe then, the goal of the life that belongs to God is NOT perfection, but rather direction. The direction being living “closer to God”. Growing in our faith and trust in God results in a closer relationship with God. We must be determined no matter what our weaknesses, fallibilities, and insecurities to continue to please and glorify God. Our courage and confidence are a direct byproduct of his kindness and patience.

Faith > Fear

Re:Verse reading–Judges 6:1-2, 11-28, 36-40 (day five)

Gideon is struggling with genuine doubt and insecurity. We read this in verses 13-18. Yet, they are not enough to keep him from being obedient to God’s instruction. We all have to manage fear, insecurity, uncertainty, and doubt in different degrees as we follow Christ and obey the Lord. God’s promise was the deciding factor. The Lord’s promise to Gideon is the same promise He makes to us. “I will be with you!!” For Gideon, it was enough to overcome doubt and insecurity and begin to take steps of trust and obedience. (Judges 6:27) And for us, the same promise can be a tremendous encouragement as we see and sense opportunities to trust and obey God. Will God’s promise empower us to take a first step or the next step? Will our faith become greater than our fears?

Ingredients

Re:Verse reading–Judges 2:1-3, 6-22 (day five)

Josh McDowell has a well known quote on parenting. “Rules without relationship leads to rebellion”. Perhaps the same concept applies to passing on faith in God. Maybe the young Israelite generation just saw rules (being followed) without relationship (vibrant faith being modeled and talked about by the older generation). Result was spiritual rebellion. See Judges 2:17.

Let’s think about our next generation: Do they see a genuine and dynamic faith being lived out daily (joyful obedience) in the older generation? Does our younger generation hear us talking about our experiences with God (past and present)? (Have our children and teens heard our testimony? Why not share it this week?). Do our children trust God to meet their needs and be worshipped above all else by what they sense and gather from being close to us on a regular basis (parents/leaders/mentors)?

The faith of the older generation needs to be seen, heard, AND sensed. All are ingredients that give great hope in passing along faith in God.