WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

The story of Achan and the tragedy that befell him has its application to the church of America today.

Joshua 7:11-12 says, "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you."

Abortion, adultery, divorce, homosexuality, marriage breakup and pornography are "accursed" and unless the church repents and cleanses itself by the blood of Jesus Christ, we will continue to lose in the battles of the Lord. This could well be the reason why we lost the battle over our recent elections. Only God knows what other battles we are losing in this country because we are so insensitive to what is sensitive to God.

Have our hearts become so hardened and indifferent to the holiness of God that we no longer care enough to address these important issues? Joshua cared enough to tear his clothes, fall to the ground and lay face down before the ark of the Lord until eventide. He and the elders of Israel put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow (Joshua 7:6).

What will it take for us to repent like this?

Be encouraged. Colin
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Men who are spiritually sharp will also, like myself, have grave concern over the breakup of our Christian marriages. There is something terribly wrong with the church in general when we are so blasé and carry on as if nothing is wrong. It's just business as usual.

The real men of God will hang their heads in shame and embarrassment. How can we fight and win victories in the battles of the Lord when there is such a flippant attitude towards Christian marriage breakup?

It seems to me that one of the most dangerous places in the church these days is the Woman's Bible Study. I am not a legalist and I am not in any way down on woman having their own Bible studies. My wife led ladies' Bible studies for years. However, I have recently heard from many men of adverse repercussions after their wife joined a certain Bible study where a number of other women were either separated or divorced. Somehow or other, the Bible Study turned into a liberal, feministic, husband-rejecting, wife-complaining, self-exalting event, and in time, women were encouraged to get up and walk out of their marriage.

Shame! Shame! Shame! Men, we must be sharp enough to address this problem.

Be encouraged. Colin
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Men, are we sharp enough to counteract the terrible onslaught of the devil on our Christian marriages?

When we are sharp, we will be more aware of what's going on around us, good or bad. When we are sharp we will be quick to respond to any action that may be required. Sharp men will not allow negligence to control them. They will not keep putting off things that need to be completed right now.

We men need to sharpen up in every way--in our marriage, in the disciplining of ourselves and our children. The most important area where we need to be sharp is in the spiritual realm. We need to be especially sharp in discerning God's voice speaking to us. If we are not sharp in this area, we will be guided by our own wisdom and logic and miss out on the most exciting and thrilling privileges we men have.

Romans 8:14 says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." If we are not sharp to hear God's voice, how difficult it must be for the Spirit of God to lead us.

I am very alarmed by the terrible increase of divorce of late in the so called "Spirit filled church." It is a terrible indictment on the name of Christ and reveals just how unfilled with the Spirit of God we really are! Spiritually sharp men are the only answer to this devilish attack.

Be encouraged. Colin
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Men, a blunt sword will not do as much damage as a sharp one. Men whose profession demands the use of an axe will wear themselves out if the axe is blunt.

At County Fairs in New Zealand, where I was born, they have axe cutting competitions. They set up pine logs approximately 18 inches thick, four to five feet high, with about 10 men or more competing against each other. It was amazing to see the chips fly as these strong men raced to win the prize. One of the great advantages was to have a heavy axe that was razor sharp.

Men, the devil is not intimidated by blunt weapons. Ecclesiastes 10:10says, "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." Let me paraphrase, "If the axe is blunt and he does not sharpen the blade, he will wear himself out. Be wise and sharpen the blade."

Jeremiah 51:20 says, "Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with the will I destroy kingdoms."

Who wants to employ a dull employee who is not sharp enough to be profitable? God feels the same way about us.

Men, it is high time to sharpen up.

Be encouraged. Colin

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