John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Ephesians 6:10, 11, 15, “10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 15. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”

Hello OTP Family!! Today has been a challenging day, but yet one still full of blessings and the mercies of God. I was constantly reminded of the peace of God. How precious it is and how we need to “hold on” to that Godly peace placed in our hands directly by God. That perfect peace that allows his children to not be troubled or afraid. But we must hold our peace (at times) and hold on to our peace always.

Let’s talk about peace.

According to the dictionary peace is described as:

Peace fundamentally refers to a state of security, calmness, and harmony, characterized by the absence of war, violence, or mental stress. It spans from global harmony between nations to personal tranquility within an individual. 

Peace is typically categorized into several dimensions: 

• Global & Societal: The absence of war, hostility, or civil disorder. It is often formalized through treaties and maintained by law, civil order, and mutual respect. 
• Interpersonal: Harmonious relationships free from conflict, arguments, and tension. 
• Inner Peace: A psychological or spiritual state of serenity, balance, and acceptance. It represents freedom from oppressive thoughts, anxiety, or emotional turmoil. 

The word originates from the Latin word pax and is the equivalent of the Hebrew word shalom (which also embodies concepts of wholeness, completeness, and well-being).

Biblically speaking, peace is described as:

In the Bible, peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is a holistic state of completeness, soundness, and well-being. Rooted in the original Hebrew shalom and Greek eirene, biblical peace signifies restored relationships, prosperity, and the active presence of God in the midst of chaos. 

The Two Pillars of Biblical Peace

1. Shalom (Old Testament)

• Meaning: Completeness, wholeness, and harmony.
• Usage: It refers to things being in their proper, intended order. For example, perfectly fitted stones without cracks, or complete payment of a debt.
• Focus: Shalom involves relationships between individuals, nations, and God, all operating in perfect harmony and mutual benefit. 

2. Eirene (New Testament)

• Meaning: Tranquility, quietness, and unity.
• Usage: It builds on shalom and is often used to describe reconciliation—such as two opposing parties coming together to form a “whole” again.
• Focus: Primarily, it denotes the inner calm and confidence Christians have through a restored relationship with God. 

Dimensions of Peace:

• Peace with God: The fundamental belief that, through Christ, the barrier of sin is removed, restoring your broken relationship with the Creator (Romans 5:1). 
• The Peace of God: An inner tranquility and a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) that guards your heart and mind against anxiety, even during difficult circumstances (Philippians 4:7). 
• Peace with Others: The active pursuit of reconciliation, unity, and justice among people, acting as “peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). 

Let’s also take a look at “hold.”

The Bible speaks of holding your peace as to keep silent, stop worrying, and trust God. Rather than a demand to simply “shut up,” it is an invitation to exercise self-control, let go of panic, and rely on God’s deliverance during chaotic moments.

– Resting in God’s battles: When the Israelites panicked at the Red Sea, Moses told them to “fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13-14). Here, holding your peace means surrendering your anxiety and trusting God to fight on your behalf. 

– Exercising wisdom and restraint: The Book of Proverbs suggests that staying silent is often a sign of wisdom. Proverbs 17:28 states, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding”

For the believer, it is the opportunity to express to God that we do trust him and take him at his word. It is an act of faith and love toward God. We always have the option to take things in our own hands and act out. But the end of this way only provides momentary satisfaction. Right behind that minor satisfaction, comes guilt, shame and embarrassment. Ultimately, we will find ourselves in a much worse state than before we put our own hands (or mouth) to the situation. Holding our peace in this way, we are ensured the victory. However, moving without self-control is a sign of spiritual immaturity.

There is another perspective of “holding” our peace that I would like to explore.

The word hold primarily functions as a verb meaning to grasp, carry, or support something with your hands or arms.

In the John 14:27, Jesus clearly explains that he is leaving His peace with us. That is mind blowing and amazing! Consider this, that same level of calm confidence that Jesus showed at all times was due to the peace he had from the Father. Knowing that God had his back, he had no cause for concern. He spoke what he heard from the Father (for he was there with Him from the beginning (See John 1-14). That same source of calm confidence he has left with us. We just have to hold on to it.

In Ephesians, we see and are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God daily. The foundation of this armor is peace. Our feet are to be shod with the gospel of peace. This means where ever we walk, we are to walk in peace. Whatever room or space you enter the peace of God is coming with you. If you walk into a room where it seems chaos is reigning, we should allow that peace of God room to work because we carried it is with us.

We must ‘hold on” to this peace. We must guard it and never let it go. I say this because there are times where the troubles and situations we find ourselves in can sometimes challenge this peace and cause us to lose our grip on it. Making sure we are fully dressed in our armor daily will help us keep this in mind. Also, we must constantly speak peace over our lives, our situations, and our concerns. We must also speak peace over our homes, automobiles, and places of employment. I even speak peace over my children and their homes and situations. I walk in peace so every where I go, peace comes with me.

Hold on to the peace that God has given you. Hold your peace in your situations and allow God room to work on your behalf. God has your back and he will not let you down. We don’t have to worry or stress. We can love and trust God enough to take him at his word. This is peace at its finest.

Is this easy? No, but is not impossible.

Does this take practice? Yes, every day.

Will you fail at times regarding your peace? Yes. But the more you mindfully practice holding peace and holding on to your peace, the better you get.

My prayer for us all is that we continually walk in peace. That we recognize when the enemy is attacking our peace. That we recognize when it is time to go into spiritual warfare to protect our peace. That we take comfort in knowing that God is with us and has our back, continually, without fail.

Have a blessed night.

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Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

Hello OTP family and friends! Today I wanted to talk about relationships. Specifically, your relationship with God (but it is also appropriate to be applied to all intimate relationships). Every relationship must move beyond lip service – the things we say, to action – the things we believe and do.  This movement will begin with your confession or rather changing the things we say. Because how we speak is a mirror of our relationship(s). How you speak about the people you are involved with will show health of your relationship.

Changing the things we say will impact what you believe and reveal the way forward (actions to take).

Let’s take a quick look at the tabernacle from the Old Testament:

The Three Layers of Biblical Tabernacles and Temples

The Outer Court, Inner Court, and Holy of Holies represent the three sacred zones of the ancient Hebrew Tabernacle and Temple. Access became strictly more exclusive as one moved deeper into the presence of God. 

1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that now – after Jesus’s loving sacrifice at calvary’s cross, and ushered in the Holy Ghost in Acts, now we are His tabernacle. He seeks to dwell in us. However, even with this our relationship with God can resemble this same zone structure. Now, the intimacy of this relationship we have with God flows from Outer Court, Inner Court, and Holy of Holies.

An Outer Court relationship (The “Acquaintance” Zone). Casual friendships, professional colleagues, and social acquaintances. These people have access to your public life but are not permitted into your private struggles, secrets, or deepest emotions. 

In context to our topic – it describes a foundational, introductory phase of faith. It is characterized by approaching God through sacrifice, thanksgiving, and obedience to basic truths, but remaining at a distance rather than experiencing deep, intimate communion.

An Inner Court relationship (The “Close Circle” Zone). Close friends and family. These individuals have earned your trust, understand your values, and share significant moments with you, but still may not know the deepest, most vulnerable parts of your inner.

In context to our topic – represents a lifestyle of deep, personal intimacy. Moving past superficial faith, it signifies entering intoGod’s immediate presence, where the mind, will, and emotions are transformed through dedicated prayer, honest devotion, and consecrated living.

Holy of Holies relationship (The “Intimate” Zone). Your absolute most intimate connections (like a spouse or a few deeply trusted confidants). They see your authentic self, your fears, and your dreams. 

In context to our topic – the ultimate level of spiritual intimacy. In the ancient biblical Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies was the innermost sanctuary housing the Ark of the Covenant, where God’s tangible presence dwelt and only the High Priest could enter once a year. 

I wanted to post both definition and context as a visual aid to see what type of relationship you have with God. Is God an Acquaintance to you? Is God just in your close circle?  Or is your relationship with God truly intimate? This is a perfect opportunity for self-reflection. Are you pleased with your relationship with God? Is God pleased? Or has he been urging you closer, to develop a deeper relationship with him?

Testing Your Confession

Now that we have some insight into relationship zones, let’slook at how we speak. There is a difference between knowing a thing and owning a thing.

The difference between knowing and owning lies in the transition from passive awareness to active internalization. Knowing means you possess information or recognize a fact;while owning means you have integrated that knowledge into your character, habits, or actions through experience. 

Knowing

Nature: Theoretical and objective

Source: gathered from the outside (books, lectures observation).

Focus: memorizing facts and data.

Result: you can explain the concept.

Owning

Nature: Experimental and deeply objective.

Source: earned from the inside (personal failure, practice application).

Focus: internalizing principles (they become second nature).

Result: you can consistently execute or live the concept.

 In relationships, especially intimate ones, if they are to be strong and enduring, we must move beyond knowing to owning. We must understand that when it comes to receiving anything from God our faith requires us to make this transition. Making this transition will change the way we speak/talk.

Example: God is a healer. This represents a fact that most believers know to be true from a surface level. God is my healer. This represents owning. The believer owns the fact and makes it personal. Transition from awareness of God’s ability to actively accepting that God has already done it by faith.

To fully receive anything, we must be ready to actively internalize the gift. This includes how we view the gift, which impacts how we speak of it. We must own it as a fact and not some intangible possibility. The ‘a’ and ‘my’ are two very small words but they carry a huge impact. It is called unconscious speaking (hidden mental processes, underlying emotions, and instincts express themselves). What you feel in your heart is exactly what is going to come out of your mouth. Pay attention to what you say. It will show you things you are not aware of. Its honestly – your truth. But it does not have to be set in stone. You can make the transition.

These two small words reflect your position in the relationship with God. Are you in an Outer court relationship? Or are you in an Inner Court relationship with God? In the outer court, you know a great many things. You have good understanding. In other words, you can talk-the-talk, and for the most part you believe it. Sounds good but has little actual substance. When the time of testing comes, it can be hard to remain steadfast in your confession. This is ‘a’ mentality. 

In the Inner Court you are all about walking by faith. You speak the work by faith, you decree and declare – with a goal of possessing what you need. You speak strong words of faith and can stand when a time of testing comes. But the transition from owning to receiving is still not yet quite fully realized. Why, because the pull to be closer to God is constantly there. This causes the believe to move toward the next level – the Holy of Holies. This is ‘my’ mentality.

In the Holy of Holies this is true intimacy. This is the place of deep and abiding love where you reverence and worship God. This is the place where you practice the presence of God. Where your heart is open to hear and receive from God. Although we don’t dwell here permanently, we do visit it quite frequently. The more we do so, the easier it is to maintain an Inner Court life. This solidifies our ability to receive from God – even when the enemy fights against you with all that he has – your confession remains strong and unshakable – this is ‘mine’because God gave it to me! This is ‘my’ mentality!

Lesson Summary

We must be cognizant of how we speak, of what we say, because it reveals what we truly believe/feel in our hearts. It reveals where we are in our relationship with God and with people. Do we speak kindly or harshly with people? Do we speak with love or with contempt? Are our words peppered with grace? Or do we speak without regard to how the words are received?

What we say to and about people reveals how we feel about them.

What we say when speak faith or about God reveals the relationship we have with him. 

My prayer for us all is that we strive for an Inner Court relationship with God. A relationship that changes the very fabric of our lives so that the life we live shows the power and love of the God we serve.

Have a blessed day!

Psalms 100 – A PSALM OF PRAISE.
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Hello OTP Family and Friends!! I wanted to talk about the power of praise, gratitude and being thankful to God. The Bible says in Psalms 22:3 that God inhabits the praises of his people. Armed with this understanding it puts a different spin on praise. It sheds a light on when/where we can practice this attitude of thankfulness.

Let’s take a moment to look at the words used in Psalms 100:

• Joyful (noise)
• Gladness (and singing)
• (Come to him with) thanksgiving and praise.
• Be thankful (and bless) or worship

Now let’s add some definitions to help further understand the Psalmists intention…

Joyful is a deep, enduring state of gladness, strength, and inner peace that is rooted in God‘s character and promises.

Gladness is spiritual delight and cheerful satisfaction rooted in God’s presence, favor, and redemptive work.

Thanksgiving is the active, worshipful expression of gratitude and praise to God for his character, provision and redemptive acts.

Thankful is a natural response to God‘s steadfast love, grace, and eternal salvation.

Worship is the act of describing worth, honor, and reverence to God.

Just a little bit of these “ingredients” in your daily diet will feed your soul and strengthen your mind and body.

The best part is that an outward show is not needed. These ingredients can be inward thoughts, small whispers or audible. They do not need to be grand gestures. However, whenever you have the space and time I would give it all the “noise” and emotion I can. This way is a huge stress reliever.

So today, practice incorporating just a little bit of Psalms 100 into your day. Feel the impact of appreciation to God on your day and comment with the results.

My prayer for you is that your day be truly blessed.

Philippians 4;13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Thessalonians 5:19, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Hello OTP family!! I just wanted to say a great big THANK YOU to you all for your support. I received notification that my posts have reached 50+ countries!

I am thankful to God that this ministry is embraced by so many. I trust that the word of God has greatly impacted your lives as well.

As always, your comments and prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you to all our subscribers you have know idea what a blessing you have been.

We will continue to share the Good News (gospel of Jesus Christ) as God leads.

Thanks again and have a blessed night!

Esther 1:12, “But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.”

Esther 2:5, “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;”

Hello OTP family! Today I wanted to reflect on God’s masterful skills orchestration and planning. Understanding how God works as a wheel in the middle of a wheel (Ezekiel chapter 1). Revealing His omnipresence, omniscience, and supreme authority in what seems like insignificant details of our story, but are actually divinely ordered steps that take us where He needs us to be.

The origin story of Esther may be widely known to Christians everywhere, but I wanted to take a quick look at Queen Vashti. In truth, if not for Vashti’s decision to say no to the King, there would be no Queen Esther.

I am sure that when Vashti woke up that fateful morning she did not consider that it would be her last day as Queen. But her decision was crucial for God’s plan.

The Bible does not go into detail about why Vashti came to feel the way she did about appearing before the King and the many princes that were attending the celebration. It does not explain if she had concerns about her safely, dignity, or respect in that room. The only details provided was that it was a room full of drunken men. Speaking from a woman’s point of view, I can certainly understand if she did have concerns. However, all we do know is that she refused to go.

Her refusal was like a match thrown on a pile of kindling. It started a fire among all men that concerned them enough that they pushed the King to make a decree that would offer protection against any other woman who would dare to act disrespectfully towards their own husbands. This decision caused Vashti to lose her crown and to be banished from the King’s presence forever.

We don’t know what Vashti felt about the punishment as the story does not reveal that. We don’t know her fate after her banishment. What we do know is that the door was now opened for someone to take her place.

Look at how God worked His plan was to orchestrate things to facilitate Israel’s freedom:

• Vashti had to be removed.
• Mordecai had to be in the right place to recognize the opportunity for his adopted daughter.
• Esther had to be the type of woman who could capture the heart of the King. Truthfully, not just the king. She first needed to find favor with the keeper of the women.
• Esther needed to be made Queen.

Let’s consider these steps further. They involved so much in-depth planning by God.

• He had to get Vashti to the place where she willingly disobeyed the king.
• Mordecai needed to be in or to have the position to hear the plan.
• How many things had to occur that would require Mordecai to adopt Esther?
• What influences were required to make Esther into the right type of woman needed in this situation? Imagine the impact of life experiences needed to form her into this great woman of God?

This highlights the power and planning of God.

It also brings our own lives into focus. Yes, terrible things may have happened in our lives. No, I am not saying that God planned them for you. What I am saying is that God is able to take those things and still shape us into who he needs us to be – for His glory! Horrible things do not remove us from being used by God to help deliver His people. They actually make us better equipped to compel his people from a point of pain. Pain that has been transformed into strength because God has delivered and brought us through it!

Don’t allow the circumstances of your life thus far hold you back from the place(s) God is trying to take you to. God knows you are uniquely qualified for the job. You just need to see it in you too. Or at the very least not fight against the pull of God. Just go with it. I promise you it will be worth it.

Vashti or Esther? Each had a specific and important role to play to bring God’s will to pass.

Understand that God has a plan for each of us. Let’s decide to trust him even when we don’t see it, know it, or fully believe it. God is still God and He has never failed us.

We can depend on Him!!

Have a blessed day.

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Hello OTP family!! It’s Monday again and I wanted to offer you so encouragement to keep going.

Remember to keep moving. Keep operating within the call and anointing on your life.

Understand that the 90% of the time your ministry will be outside of the church. As the great commission is to go OUT into the highway and hedges and compel men to come (Luke 14:23). We must work where the need is!

You got this, because God is on your side!

Have a blessed day.

John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have have everlasting life.”

Hello OTP family!! Today, I am just reflecting on the love of God.

I am so thankful that as he sees me he does so through the lens of his grace. His amazing grace that looks beyond my faults and sees His plan being worked out in my life. Daily, I am working through the kinks that are found in the mountains and valleys in the landscape of my life. As they say “the struggle is real” – but also is the love of God! There is nothing more powerful than His love toward us.

I acknowledge I have days (that sometimes stretch to weeks or months) where I am so far off the mark of what God has planned for my life. But I never give up because the Holy Ghost dwelling on the inside keeps me. His keeps his word in my heart and mind. For this I am so grateful!!

The blessing that comes with salvation is the benefit of repentance. We can acknowledge our failures, repent, and get back in line. Our challenge is to accept the forgiveness afforded to us through the grace of God. Just as God, once he forgives us, he no longer holds it against us. We must learn to forgive ourselves. But we also need to acknowledge we cannot use God’s grace as a license to sin (see Romans 6:1-2).

We all face days where we need to lean into the Love of God, and allow him to carry us through. The scripture says it this way 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…”

When we are strengthened we must also show grace to others (Luke 22:32). We should pray for one another and bear their burdens as we can (Galatians 6:2). Yes, we do need each other and we are our brother’s keeper. As the song says “I pray for you, you pray for me…”

Such great love that God shows to us that his love allows us to show love one to another!

Lean into that great love. Don’t allow anything (force or influence) make you run away from God. Instead, use the pressure as a source to propel you towards God’s love. And take as many as you can with you, but make sure you get there.

My prayer for you is that you repent and release any guilt and shame the enemy would use to keep you bound. I pray that you run to and embrace God’s love. That you get back in line and get back to kingdom work. I pray that you understand there are people waiting for you to take your place – your ministry, your gift, and your calling are necessary to someone’s life – necessary to someone’s deliverance. I pray you realize that God working through you is an anointed blessing. I pray you don’t let go of His hand, that you don’t give up! In Jesus name, amen.

Have a blessed and prosperous day!

Psalms 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at the right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

The physical benefits of praise and worship…

The “Science” of worship…

Brain Structure: research suggests that spiritual practices like worship can physically alter brain structure, reducing activity in the amygdala (fear center) and increasing activity in the frontal lobe.

Habit Formation: as little as seven minutes of daily worship can significantly impact brain chemistry and reduce stress.

Allostatic Load: regular worshipers often have a lower astatic load, meaning their bodies are less stressed and more resilient.

What an awesome God we serve!! He knows how to bless us spiritually, mentally and physically. Yes, indeed, in His presence is the fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

So, if you have not already done, go ahead and institute that seven minutes daily of praise and worship with God. If you do, I guarantee you will never be the same again.

Have a blessed day!

Psalms 34:1-3, “

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Hey OTP family!!!

Today I just wanted to talk about choice. Making a choice… by definition choice is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

Every day we are given the opportunity to decide how we want our day to go. We can choose to be happier, sad, excited, melancholy, depressed, encouraged, discouraged, it goes on and on and on. I say it’s a choice because yes, some of these things come upon us when bad things happen are terrible things happen or even the worst happens but such as life the Bible says that time and chance happens to us all. That’s found in Ecclesiastes 9:11.

Because it’s something that happens to everybody, and of course everyone is going to choose to react in different ways. That brings us back to choice. Once we feel that initial impact of the thing that has happened to us or around us, we can then decide our reaction.

It is at this point we decide whether we’re going to allow this thing that has happened to impact our thought process, to impact our mood, or to impact the way we choose to react.

The writer psalms 34 provides us with a perfect example of choosing how to react. He starts by saying, “I will bless the Lord at all times”. This is a powerful and a significant statement because we all know that not every time in our life is a good time. In fact, most of the time in our life are tough, challenging, sad, and some even feel downright impossible. However, the writer is saying, in spite of all that I choose to approach it from the standpoint of “I’m gonna bless you, Lord, no matter what”. It is in giving God this blessing, this glory this honor, this praise that we release ourselves from the burdens that come from the times we are facing.

The writer then goes on further to say more than blessing the Lord at all times, I’m gonna make my boast in him. I’m gonna tell the world about how good He is, what He has done for me, and all the ways He has made for me. i’m gonna boast about my Lord! Doing this gives us the opportunity to give God’s résumé to all that will hear. If He did that then surely He can do this now. He made that way, He opened that door, He fixed that situation! So, what I’m facing right now I’m not gonna worry about it because God has my back.

The best part? He invites and encourages others to do the same. He tells them to “magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together”. This praise, this blessing, this worship is not a spectator sport. Everyone can join in! Everyone can partake and everyone can choose to have a great day.

The great day comes from not dwelling on the times we are facing, but it comes from acknowledging the God we serve. Basking in his presence and allowing Him to feel the spaces in our heart and our mind where despair and discouragement would want to come in ruin our day.

I don’t know about you, but I agree with the Psalmist – I will bless the Lord at all times.

– I choose to have a better day than what the enemy wanted me to have. I

– I choose to switch my focus to God, and not away from him.

– I choose to allow him to come in and dwell in these spaces, taking the place of everything that the enemy has tried to do.

What about you? What is your choice?

Have a blessed day.

It’s Going to Cost More Than You Think…

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 27:9-10, “9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.

10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.”

The Cost of obedience

This book was written at the end of the 40 years the children of Isreal wandered the wilderness. Most of the people who originally received the law passed away, now there is a new generation who did not receive the law firsthand. God wanted moses to give/read them the law anew.

The people who are now poised to enter the promised land arenot the same people who first left Egypt (they do not have the deep ties to Egypt or have that slave mindset. But they also do not have the mental capacity to possess the promise). God is faithful and his word is true. What he promised he will perform. You may not physically touch it yourself, but your seed will. Sometimes the promise is not for you but for your seed. It is because of your faithfulness and obedience that your lineage is blessed.

The altar (built strictly to the specifications God gave through Moses) is functional on many levels. It is where offerings are made. It serves as a monument of remembrance to keep the commandments, and the journey God so wondrously brought them through. It is proof that God keeps his word – always.

Moses tells the people – “This day thou are become the people of God”. This is their notice that the journey in the wilderness accomplished what was needed, now it is time to move to the next level. Crossing over Jordan and entering into the promised land was a demarcation – a transition from the old (or former person, level, or faith) to the next.

Moses then tells the people – “Thou shalt therefore OBEY the voice of the Lord thy God, and DO his commandments and his statutes…”

Commandments and Statutes – The difference

Commandments are direct foundational moral charges (like the 10 commandments), while Statutes are the specific often ritualistic or civil rules. They are boundaries and decrees detailing how to keep the broader commandments covering festivals, offerings, or social conduct.

Commandments are General, fundamental divine orders or charges to be obeyed. The nature of a commandment is broad foundational moral principles.

Example: The commandment (or general rule) “Keep the Sabbath holy” Exodus 20:8. The statutes are the specific regulation: “You shall not do any work on the Sabbath” Exodus 20:10.

Statutes provides the practical application and boundaries for fulfilling the core commandment.

Obedience is the hallmark of the Children of God

Biblical obedience is actively listening to and submitting to God’s commands out of love, trust, and reverence. It is not just following rules, but aligning your will, actions, and heart with His purpose.

It is joyful, willful yielding to God’s instruction, reflecting a deep dependence on Him.

The entrance to this next level required a new level of obedience they did not previously have.

This transition pulled them together and made them a people – The people of God!

The Symbolism of Crossing Jordan

When you cross THIS JORDAN, you will never be the same!

Crossing Jordan represents several things:

1. Transition & New Beginning: Moving from a past state to a new promised future.

2. Freedom & Deliverance:  Signifying freedom from bondage and adversity, a breakthrough after a long journey.

3. Divine Presence & Power: Miracles at the Jordan affirm God’s active presence and faithfulness.

4. Spiritual Warfare: Represents overcoming internal or external obstacles to claim God’s promises.

Symbolism with Baptism:

Baptism buries our former life and sins in the water in the Name of Jesus. As we arise out of the water we are to walk in the newness of life. Jordan provided water as the children of God came out of the waters of Jordan their former life was dead (Egypt and everything attached to it – mindset, raiment, and former behaviors). Their new life was to be governed by the commandments and statutes of God.

God if faithful – the children could not receive (embrace) the word of God while they were still under the law of the former. They needed to be released of that before they could accessGod’s will. 

But being released does not mean you are yet free. You still must overcome the hidden things that come with being in captivity. It took the children 40 years to work their way through. 

What is Your Jordan?

What is God transition you through? We are all dealing with something. We have things on the altar that we have been seeking God for.

We are in a place of transition. Pulling away from the old former things and preparing to embrace the new. We are moving from 1 level to the next. But this next level is like nothing we have ever seen or been through before. It is going to require personal responsibility and perseverance. We are going to have to fight this flesh at times, and people (including family) at other times.

God is faithful that He makes our “go through” not feel as challenging as it truly is. Because of His grace and mercy and the divine blessings and favor of God.

 The True Cost of Obedience

What is the cost of obedience? The true cost of obedience involves:

1 Radical self-denial,

2 Sacrifice,

3 And surrendering your whole self to God.

This often led to persecution, loss of comfort, broken relationships, and challenging worldly expectations.

Examples: Jesus obeying to death on the cross

Abraham when he left home he knew for the unknown, but following the leading    of God.

It means aligning your will with God’s. Prioritizing Him above personal desires, reputation, and earthly security. Recognizing that this costly discipleship ultimately transforms your file for God’s purposes, even when it upsets others.

Key Aspects of the Cost of Obedience

1. Self-Denial & Sacrifice: following Jesus means denying yourself, taking up your cross and follow me – Matthew 16:24.

2. Persecution & Suffering: Godly living in Christ often invites opposition, suffering, and ridicule from a world that doesn’t understand.

3. Loss of earthly comfort: Obedience might mean giving up security, reputation, friends, or even family harmony (Matthew 19:21).

4. Upsetting the plans of others: Obeying God might disruptthe plans or expectation of non-believers.

5. Cost to your will & agenda: It costs your pride, selfhood, personal rights, and independent agenda. Requiring submission to God’s larger purpose.

Now that we understand the key aspects of the cost of obedience, let’s look at the reason…

The Purpose of the cost?

1. Love for God: True obedience flows from loving God fully (Matthew 22:27-40).

2. Worship & logic: It is a logical response to God’s love, desiring closeness to Him, not distance.

3. Transformation: it leads to being “light and salt” that God called us to be. A transformed life reflecting God’s character.

 What is your Jordan?

The children had to break free from the traditions and residue of bondage they carried from Egypt. 

Everything that happened during bondage was not bad and the information and knowledge they gained was multifaceted. It was sufficient to help govern life.

We all take something out of our Jordan. In fact, the command was to take whole stones and build and altar to God. These stones came from the riverbank coming out of Jordan and from the land. On these stones they were to write all the words of the Law Moses gave.

When we are delivered from our personal Jordans we also need to build a monument to God. We need to remember the Goodness of God, his faithful delivering and sustaining power that kept us in the fire.

*Today we are preparing to cross over Jordan

**Today we must settle in our hearts to walk in obedience to the commandments and statutes of God.

***We must recognize that obedience opens the door to receive the blessings of Deuteronomy 28. These blessings shall come upon you and overtake you. But this requires us to hear the voice of the Lord.

****We must recognize there is a penalty of disobedience and the curse that accompanies it (Deuteronomy 28:45).

The reuse cost of obedience is worth it all.

Self reflection time … examine yourself: if you see where you are lacking in obedience today is a perfect day to repent and get it right.

Have a blessed day OTP family!