Joshua 16:1-27: Tearing Down Strongholds, Written by my Husband & Let the Strongholds Fall (Song), Written by Me

Joshua 16:1-27: Tearing Down Strongholds

Written by my Husband (Mel)

When Joshua led the armies of Israel into the promised land, they were instructed by the Lord to drive out the inhabitants of the land. When the Israelites saw Jericho, it must have seemed intimidating, the walls surrounding the city were so wide that chariots rode on top. But Joshua trusted in the Lord, and he knew that his God was much bigger than those walls. God instructed the Israelites to have seven priests carry trumpets in front of the ark. The armies of Israel would follow the ark of the Lord, and they would circle the city once for six days, and on the seventh day they would circle the city seven times. When the priests would do a long blast on the trumpets, the armies of Israel would give a loud shout, and the walls would collapse, and the armies would go in. In the same way that Joshua trusted in the Lord for victory over his enemies, we should also have faith that our God is bigger than the walls of fear, doubt, or sin, in our lives. Let us also shout in faith and bring those strongholds down!  

Many Christians feel unworthy or incapable of ministering for Christ, therefore they limit their spiritual potential. Satan's desire is to establish walls or mountains of fear or doubt in our minds to render us useless for the kingdom of God. Quite often people that we know will discourage us from pursuing a ministry that God desires to use us in. The key to being effective for God is to conquer our fears with faith, as well as to bring every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. The entire world is a mission field, and a person does not need a degree in theology in order to share their faith. The other day, I was going for a walk with our dog, and I stopped to visit with a man on the trail. I used the opportunity to share my faith. My wife and I have also witnessed to people in Wal-Mart, grocery stores and elsewhere. I always pray that the Lord will bring divine appointments my way. If you are willing to be used by the Lord, he will use you according to your level of faith.

(2 Corinthians 10: 3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 

Not only are there spiritual strongholds within our minds, but there are also strongholds of sin that will jeopardize our relationship with God. Many people within the churches struggle with addictions to alcohol, pornography, cigarettes etc. and deliverance seems impossible to them. But with God all things are possible, and by relying on the power of God's Holy Spirit accompanied with faith, a person can be set free from all types of bondages. Fasting, accompanied with prayer, is a powerful weapon against sinful bondages. When a person goes on a fast, they are giving something up to show God how serious they are about their prayers. Fasting is normally the giving up of food for a period of time, but it may also include giving up anything that you enjoy, in order to seek God for a breakthrough. When Christ's disciples could not cast out demons they asked Christ, why.  He replied, "This kind only comes out with prayer and fasting."(see Matthew 17:14-21) Fasting is a time-honored principle that will bring results to seemingly impossible situations. 
 

(Joshua 6:1-27) Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

And the Lord said unto Joshua, "See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him...

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them... 

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, "Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city..."

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city... So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Let the Strongholds Fall (Song)

Written by Me

This is a song I wrote when Mel and I were praying about the strongholds in our lives. It goes well with the above article on Joshua written by my husband.

Although I have written many poems, I have not put actual music to them in about 21 years. However, when I was praying alone, the words and music just poured out of me, and I wrote this in about five minutes. When I say, "wrote a song", that is quite an understatement; I do NOT mean I composed a piece of music, just a basic tune in my head.

Let the Strongholds Fall

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

Lord, we hear Your voice,

We will worship You,

And with all our hearts,

Let our praise be true.

Let Your Spirit come

Purify our hearts,

May our hands be clean

As we bow our knees.

Lord, we seek Your face,

Lord we humbly pray,

May You send us out,

Let us work Your fields

Let the strongholds fall,

Let the storm be still,

Let the heavens call,

Lord, we’ll do Your will.

Let the trumpet sound,

Let the angels sing,

Let the enemy be bound,

Let Your fire rain.

-Julie 11/22/17

Joshua 5:11-12: New Food in a New Land

 

Joshua 5:11-12: New Food in a New Land

In Joshua 5:11-12, it mentions that the Israelites are no longer eating the old corn of Egypt or the heavenly manna, but were now eating the fruit of their new land in Canaan. 

In spite of all their grumblings, God had been faithful by providing the supernatural manna for them for the 40 years they spent in the desert.  In addition, God was faithful to keep His promise to bring them to a new land.  

(Joshua 5:9, 11-12) And the Lord said unto Joshua, "This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt..."

And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

I see a strong parallel to when we are brought to a new place in our lives, and in this case, I am referring to a new birth in Jesus Christ, we are to give up the old sinful spiritual food and pursue the new Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

When we walk in Christ and grow in Him, we must yearn to grow past the basics of the Salvation message (milk) and seek out the richer spiritual food to help us thrive and grow in Jesus (meat).    

(Hebrews 5:12-14, AMP) For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant.But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.

God's Holy Spirit will provide us with the desire and strength to give up sinful patterns and to grow in Him so we can produce good fruit.

(Galatians 5:16-25) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Numbers 22:20-35: Balaam's Donkey Sees an Angel

 

Numbers 22:20-35: Balaam's Donkey Sees an Angel

(NOTE: This is half of the article in part 3 of a series I wrote titled "Exploring the Angels of the Bible."  I will post the links to all 9 of the writings at the end of this post.)

Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, we read about angels bringing God's messages of warnings of what will happen if those listening refuse to obey God.  One such instance is when an angel is not sent to a group of people, but to one individual, Balaam.

In Numbers 22, Balaam is commissioned by King Balak to curse the Israelites because Balak is afraid of the large number of Israelites.  Balaam is involved in the evil sin of enchantments. Make no mistake, the entire Bible repeatedly says God HATES witchcraft and those who practice it will not inherit the Kingdom of God (see Galatians 5:20-21 & Revelation 21:8).  There is NOTHING innocent about Harry Potter, Frozen, The Wizard Oz, etc.  Christians, please quit watching theses movies and confusing your children that God is okay with it (1 Corinthians 10:21 - Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.)!  

But I digress, now back to the story. The king of the Moabites says to Balaam, "he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." (Numbers 22:6). King Balak promises Balaam he "will promote [Balaam] unto very great honour, and will do whatsoever thou sayest." (verse 17). 

Balaam agrees to curse the Israelites.  However, God is very angry with Balaam and sends an angel to fight against him.  The interesting twist in this true story is that Balaam cannot see the angel when it appears in verse 23, but his donkey can! Three different times, the donkey sees the angel armed with a drawn sword standing in the pathway.  The donkey is so afraid she first turns off the path into a field, then crushes Balaam's foot into the wall, and the third time, falls down.  Each time, Balaam strikes the poor animal.  

After the third instance, God opens the mouth of the donkey.  In verse 28, she asks "What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?"  Strange enough, the Bible never says that Balaam was shocked that his donkey spoke to him.  He simply tells the donkey he would kill her if he had a sword. After the donkey reminds Balaam that she has always been a faithful animal, God then allows Balaam to see the angel. Balaam is wise enough to show awe and humility at the sight and falls on his face.

The angel also asks Balaam why he beat the donkey and tells him that if not for her, Balaam would have been killed by the angel, and the donkey spared.  The angel then tells Balaam he must not curse the Israelites but can only say what the Lord has instructed Balaam to say. 

Of course, King Balak is furious and tries very hard to convince Balaam to still say his curses, but in Numbers 23:8 Balaam says, "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied?"  We see signs of a changed man.

The king continues on in trying to coerce Balaam, but he continues to refuse. I love what he says in Numbers 23:19-20, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it." 

Those few words in verse 19 should be remembered by us every day. When we are discouraged, remember God will never lie. When we are confused or angry with God, remember God never has need to repent, we are the ones who should be repenting of our callus and rebellious actions.

When we get to chapter 24, we see that indeed Balaam has changed and even given up his evil witchcraft. "And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went NOT... to seek for enchantments..." (Numbers 24:1). Only then did "the spirit of God [come] upon him." (verse 2). Repentance and giving up our habitual sins are the keys for all of us.

Balaam then issues a blessing for the people of Israel, and King Balak reminds him that had he cursed the people, he would have been rich and powerful.  But Balaam replies with, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak." (verse 13).  May we always be so bold in our convictions to do the Lord's will and not be tempted by worldly treasures. 

The angel was used by God to protect the Israelites from a Satanic curse. He could have killed Balaam, but due to the donkey seeing the angel, Balaam was allowed to live.  I truly believe that on occasion some (not all) animals see angels and demons. God most likely will not use an animal to speak to us, but animals can still be used in either supernatural ways or simply from the natural instincts God gave them to protect us.  We need to pay attention to all warning signs around us, and as said above, stay within the will of God and obey the Bible if we are to stay within His protection.  

"Exploring the Angels of the Bible" Series Links

1: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-1.html

2: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-2.html

3: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-3.html

4: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-4.html

5: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-5.html

6: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-6.html

7: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-7.html

8: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-8.html

9: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/exploring-angels-of-bible-part-9.html

Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy: Jesus Made a Surety of a Better Testament

 

Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy:  Jesus Made a Surety of a Better Testament

Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy are all difficult books to write article about.  I had planned on writing on every book of the Bible.  However, these next three Old Testament books will be lacking.  

I have either read or had read to me every single word of the Bible many times in my 52 years (probably even before I was born), and I can say with confidence, based on scripture not my theory, that these books are full of unnecessary ritual as Jesus Christ is the only sacrifice worth honoring and High Priest worth following.  He is the New Covenant in the New Testament. (For more writings about the new covenant, I have included links at the end of this blog.)

(Hebrews 8:6-7 & 12-13) But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." In that he saith. A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

(Hebrews 12:24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

In the New Testament, Jesus continually tells His listeners that he has come to teach them a new way to live. Following the ways of Jesus Christ is the True way to live.  

We do not need to slaughter animals to show we are sorry for our sins, but we do still need to repent of our sins and strive for holiness.  (Luke 12:25 - Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.) Jesus' death on the cross made the way for us to live eternally with the Holy Trinity as they bridged the gap for us.  But it does not end there.  We must accept Jesus as our Savior by accepting His free gift of salvation and make certain we do not abuse the gift of grace lest we lose it. (Revelation 2:5 - Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.)  We can enjoy eternal life in heaven when we live a clean life, and repent when we make mistakes, because we will make them.

I believe the Bible is a great history book, and I accept it as a book of fact.  The chapters of history that involve God's people before the time of Christ's redemption are still meant for us to read and learn from.  We see the powerful and miraculous power of God many times over and it is a great reminder of such.  

Reading the Old Testament also gives us another reason to appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.  Many animals had to die, and endless rituals were performed because they did not yet know God's Son or His Holy Spirit.  They still thought they had to earn their way to Heaven.  They believed that breaking even one of the more than 600 laws would send them to Hell. 

Even Samuel on the Old Testament somehow understood God wants our sincere obedience, not empty ritual:

(1 Samuel 15:22) "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."  

King David recognized this as well and added that God wants us to instead sacrifice our pride.

(Psalm 40:6) Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

(Pslam 51:16-17) For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Rituals are spiritual death.  Solomon, and Hosea also understood this. 

(Proverbs 15:8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

(Proverbs 21:3) To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.).

(Hosea 6:6) For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 

All these verses show God wants our sincere love for Him more than anything.

Romans 12:1 says we are to make our "bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."  Our actions of self-denial to sin and pure lives are the sacrifices God requires.  Giving up all forms of ungodly entertainment, staying sexually pure, not getting drunk, treating each other with love and kindness, etc.,  (see Galatians 5 below), these are the ways to please the Lord!

(Hebrews 10:1-20) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered?... For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure..." 

He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God... For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified...

Saith the Lord, "I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh."

(Hebrews 7:11-28) If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise... For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 

And it is yet far more evident... Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest... By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament... But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when he offered up Himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore

These powerful portions in Hebrews remind us that Jesus' amazing act of love with His death on the cross is the only sacrifice that ever mattered, and no more blood needs to be shed.  I especially love this phrase in Hebrews 7:22 (here is the Amplified version), "And so [because of the oath’s greater strength and force] Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant [a more excellent and more advantageous agreement; one that will never be replaced or annulled].  In Hebrews 7:22 the KJV the word surety is used. The dictionary definition of surety explains Jesus' death on the cross beautifully: "a formal engagement (such as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking: one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another."  Jesus paid our debts for our sins!  

Jesus Christ's own words sum up what I am trying to say.  It is not manmade laws or rituals that please God, but we still need to follow the laws of God to stay pure. Remember, religion is dead ritual, but a relationship with Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, is life!

(Matthew 15:7-11 & 16-20) "Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.'"

And He called the multitude, and said unto them, "Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

And Jesus said, "Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man."

For more on understanding what rules we should follow:

(Matthew 19:16-21) And, behold, one came and said unto [Jesus], "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

And He said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

He saith unto Him, "Which?"

Jesus said, "Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

The young man saith unto Him, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"

Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

(Galatians 5:18-25) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

(Revelation 21:7-8) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

For more writings about the new covenant, feel free to read these other blogs:

Matthew 5: Jesus Teaches us a Better Way: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/01/matthew-5-jesus-teaches-us-better-way.html

The Parallel Between the New Covenant and Being a New Creation in Christ: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-parallel-between-new-covenant-and.html

True Grace, False Grace, and Legalism, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/09/true-grace-false-grace-and-legalism.html

Understanding  The New Covenant, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2015/12/understanding-new-covenant-written-by.html

Justification by Faith Alone, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2020/08/justification-by-faith-alone-written-by.html

Full Assurance of Salvation, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/full-assurance-of-salvation-written-by.html

Pride or Perversion? Reach out to the Lost With the Love of Christ, Written by my Husband

 

Pride or Perversion? Reach out to the Lost With the Love of Christ

Written by my Husband, Mel

(I just put a link to this blog a few days ago in my writing about sexual perversions, but with June being gay "pride" month, I wanted to share this article written by mu husband again in case you did not click on the link.)

God's Word teaches us to Love the sinner but to Hate the sin. Our culture has turned the homosexual agenda into a civil rights issue. However, this is an issue about sexual perversion and is not the same as racial or religious injustice. It is shameful how the White House is lit up in the rainbow colors to honor what God calls an abomination.

Many people believe that those struggling with sexual perversions are beyond the reach of the Lord's hand but this is wrong. The Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save. Many people have been delivered from the gay lifestyle and now are married to the opposite gender. Nothing is impossible with God and he is willing to set you free from all types of sin if you are willing to repent and turn from your old nature.

Salvation is a free gift based on faith alone accompanied with repentance. The Lord will remove all of your former sins and give you a clean slate to begin a new life on. The shed blood of Jesus Christ upon the cross paid for all of your sins and provided peace between the Father and mankind. When we are bankrupt in our sins, God provided bankruptcy court and forgiveness of our debts through the gift of His son upon the cross.

If a person is struggling with same gender attraction, or transgender issues, they should remain celibate and pray for deliverance. God sees a repentant heart and his Holy Spirit will help you to remain clean. God's Word teaches that it is an abomination for a man to wear female attire. Crossdressing is Not acceptable to God and you must wear clothing for your gender. If you are born a man, you are a man in God's eyes, regardless of what our perverted culture tells you. If a person continues in homosexual sin and justifies it they will go to Hell according to God's Word. However, God made a way of escape through salvation and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the surrounding cities because of their wickedness, Genesis 19:1-29. The Bible tells us that the men of Sodom lusted after the angels of God who were sent to deliver Lot and his family out of Sodom; they demanded that the angels be brought to them so that they might have sexual relations with them. In response to their wickedness, the angels smote them with blindness, then led Lot and his family out of Sodom prior to God raining fire and brimstone upon the city. The New Testament book of Jude tells us that God destroyed these cities specifically because of the sin of homosexuality (strange flesh), to make them an example for all time.

(Jude 1:7) As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

(Romans 1:24-28) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

(Leviticus 20:13) If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination... Their blood shall be upon them. (**NOTE: Part of this verse that I omitted says the offenders should be out to death, however, the act of murdering offenders is an man-made old covenant law and we certainly do not condone such a thing today, but to help them seek forgiveness and redemption through the blood of Jesus.**)

(Deuteronomy 22:5) A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

(1 Timothy 1:8-10) Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.

Exodus 34:29-35: Shine for the Glory of the Lord & Moses Veiled his Face, but our Unveiled Faces can Behold the Glory of the Lord

Exodus 34:29-35: Shine for the Glory of the Lord

After Moses communes with God for 40 days and nights, he leaves Mt. Sinai, and his face is literally shining with the glory of the Lord.  His face was so bright that he needed to put a veil on his face when speaking with others.

While I may not literally glow as Moses, I pray to be such an example.  That my time spent with God makes me glow with the joy of the Lord.  I want my face to show I am a child of the most High King and to be a reflection of Him wherever I go.  I want my faith to be noticeable.

Although I am very shy, I want my relationship with Jesus to make me stand out.  I do not want others to be afraid, nor do I want to cover my face, but I want to shine for the glory of the Lord so others may know and love Him too!

(Exodus 34:29-35) And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

 Moses Veiled his Face, but our Unveiled Faces can Behold the Glory of the Lord

With that said, I want to make it clear what the Bible says, that we need to move forward to the New Testament and not live on the Old Covenant.  2 Corinthians chapter 3 clearly shows that we no longer live in the chains of the old laws, but in the grace of Jesus' Salvation and the new covenant (see Matthew 19:16-21 where Jesus says we are still to obey the 10 commandments.).  

Please read the passage below where the apostle Paul clearly states we are to follow Jesus and bask in the light of His grace. Paul points out that we should not harden our hearts to obeying the 10 commandments, and to understand that true glory lies in Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of sins.  

For those who still believe in following the Old Covenant ways, do not dismiss this important passage that points us away from the old ways that kill the soul (because no one could ever follow all their man-made laws, and they were always considered unclean), and turn to the True Light of Jesus whose death on the cross gave us freedom to ask Him for forgiveness of our sins without unnecessary rituals. 

The below is a long passage because I decided to share the amplified version to make it easier to understand.  Remember, grace and freedom in Christ is not freedom to sin (See Romans 6:1-2).

(2 Corinthians 3:6-18, AMP) He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by demanding obedience to 600 laws], but the Spirit gives life.

Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading, how will the ministry of the Spirit [the new covenant which allows us to be Spirit-filled] fail to be even more glorious and splendid? For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God’s special purpose]! Indeed, what had glory [the Law], in this case no longer has glory because of the glory that surpasses it [the gospel]. For if that [Law] which fades away came with glory, how much more must that [gospel] which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!

Since we have such a [glorious] hope and confident expectation, we speak with great courage, and we are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not gaze at the end of the glory which was fading away. But [in fact] their minds were hardened [for they had lost the ability to understand]; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed [only] in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil [of blindness] lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

Exodus Chapters 3 & 4: Profile of a Doubter: Moses

 

 NOTE: This is a part of a writing that included both Moses and Jeremiah, a link to the full writing is: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/03/profile-of-doubter-part-6-moses-jeremiah.html

Exodus Chapters 3 & 4: Profile of a Doubter: Moses

You may be wondering why I am choosing a hero of the faith in this series.  His time of doubt was something to which I am certain we can all relate.

This is not the full story of Moses, just the key point in Moses' life when he was called by God.

If you do not know how the story of Moses begins, you can read about it in Exodus 2.  There are only 25 verses in chapter two and yet there have been many versions of the early years of Moses made into movies. First, do not ever, ever take the word of a very corrupt Hollywood as truth about anything the Bible says.  These movies are all speculation and not fact.  They get a lot wrong, so just skip all the movies and read the Bible instead!  

For the sake of this article, I am going to jump ahead to Exodus 3.  Moses is called into the ministry in a very unique way.  

(Exodus 3:2-5-6) And the angel of the Lord [This was Jesus.] appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, "Here am I." And He said, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Moreover He said," I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 

After Moses is given the instructions of traveling back to Egypt to demand to Pharoah to release the Hebrew slaves (verses 7-10), his insecurities immediately take over.  

(Exodus 3:11) And Moses said unto God, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"  

Don't we all feel that way when God gives us a task?  At least I do.  Who am I, God?  I am not special. I am full of flaws.  No one repects my opinions or listens to me.  In fact, that's almost exactly what Moses says next in chapter 4.

(Exodus 4:1) And Moses answered and said, "But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee."  

I can completely relate to this.  Can you?  No one takes me seriously.  I am shy and not bold.  Why would God choose to use me? In verses 2-9, God gives Moses a series of miraculous signs he can use to prove to the people that he is indeed sent by God.  Obviously, it is very unlikely we ourselves will be allowed such signs, but that does not mean God can't work in other ways, such a miraculously softening up a hard heart long enough to listen to the messages God gives us.

Even after God says He will allow Moses to use these miraculous signs, Moses still feels unsure of his calling.  His words,  "O my Lord, I am not eloquent" are exactly the same I have said hundreds of times.

(Exodus 4:10) And Moses said unto the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."

Does God then say to Moses, "Never mind then, I will choose someone who took speech classes and is an outstanding orator?"  No!  He reminds Moses of the Truth. I love these verses! 

(Exodus 4:11-12) And the Lord said unto him, "Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."  

God could have suddenly granted Moses the gift of being a perfect speaker.  Ever wonder why He did not?  Perhaps to keep Moses humble, or maybe because Moses doubted God, rather than saying, "I am a weak vessel God, but I trust You can make me strong and supernaturally encourage others to listen to me."  Or perhaps it was for the sake of the helper He allows to accompany Moses, his brother Aaron (verses 16-17).  Whatever the reason, we can safely say that Aaron was called as much as Moses was.  But eventually the faith and obedience in Moses would grow much stronger and his understanding of God would surpass all the Israelites and he would be the ultimate leader of them all.  Just remember, we now live under a new covenant, and we are to follow the ways of Jesus Christ over the man-made laws that existed in Moses' time (See Hebrews 8:13 & Hebrews 12:24), with the exception that we still follow the 10 Commandments that were written by the finger of God (see Matthew 19:16-21).

Again, I want this to be brief, so I am not going to continue on with the story of Moses, but I hope you can see my point.

Whether we think we are too shy, poor speakers, too old, too young, not healthy enough, not smart enough, or whatever excuses we may use, God does not want our doubts, but our faith.  He wants us to trust His will and His plans to serve Him.  God is gracious and understands our doubts, and if needed He will send us a helper as he sent Aaron.  More importantly, He will send His Holy Spirit to enable us and help us serve according to His perfect will.  To glorify His name, and not our own.  

May we quit making excuses why we cannot serve and instead start saying, as my other favorite Old Testament prophet says in Isaiah 6:8, "Here am I; send me." 

It is important to be humble and not puffed up with pride as God prefers to use a "broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17) to serve Him.  In fact, it is those of us who say, "Why me, Lord?" in humility and understand the nature of serving others other than self-service, that God is more likely to call.  He wants ones willing to change, not ones who think he or she is already perfect.

In case you haven't seen them, the links to the rest of the doubter series can be found at the end of Sarah's story at this link (also, as I reach the other stories in this Bible series, I will post them again): https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/05/genesis-chapters-16-21-profile-of.html