GRASSHOPPER?

“There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 33:13 NASB

“You are what you think you are” or as Solomon describes it: Proverbs 23:7, “as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is,” In other words, you are what you think you are.

The other day in devotions we were reading the story of when Moses had sent spies into the land to see if they could potentially take the land. I was fascinated with the last phrase written in Numbers 13, “and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

I stopped to read this line over and over.

All i could think about was that old saying, “you are what you think you are.”

Joshua and Caleb didn’t see themselves this way. They knew they could take the land. They were shaking in their boots like a couple of wussy grasshoppers! They didn’t see themselves that way. They believed in themselves because they believed in their God.

I want to explain something to you that is very simple but extremely important to your success in life. And it has to do with your self-view, how you think about yourself.

1 thinking of yourself too LOW is pride.
2 thinking of yourself too HIGH is pride.

Not too long ago I had to sit down one of our leaders for disciplinary reasons. Now, this is a great leader mind you. Wonderful heart, terrific talent and incredible upside. But what i told the leader is what i want to forewarn you about, I said, “the problem is that you don’t have an accurate view of yourself.”

As we talked, the leader began to see the picture i was painting.

Make no mistake about it, your view of who you are and where your at is such a big deal. It was for the Israelites as they wandered in the desert in search of the promised land. and it is just as important for you and I.

So, in simple terms, don’t be a grasshopper, but don’t be a rock star. Be who God says you are. Chosen, called, blessed, favored, servant and friend!

“WHO’S BEEN TEACHING YOU?”

A few weeks ago my wife and i attended a funeral online. i know that might sound a bit different. but really… we did. and i make no exaggeration, it was the most life changing funeral i’ve ever been to.

     

The woman who had passed, was to all who knew her, an icon of faith. everyone that got up to share at her funeral found themselves saying the same thing, ”she taught me how to have faith” …the next person, “i’ve never known anyone to have faith like her, and i learned how to believe God by watching her.” on and on. one after the other. it was incredible, to say the least. it was almost as if they had been instructed to mention that. but you knew that they hadn’t, because it was so sincere in their testimony of who she was.everyone who spoke had learned faith from her.

         

It made me think of timothy. remember paul said the same thing about timothy. Paul says to timothy, ‘remember that the faith that you have in you has been passed down from generation to generation. and timothy, you make sure to keep that faith stirred up within you. make sure you keep the gift of God stirred up within you.’ well, that’s my paraphrase.

      

“When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 timothy 1:5-6 NKJV

      

Timothy had someone there to teach him faith. he experienced the laying on of hands and he carried inside of him an incredible gift from God. the gift of FAITH!

my question to you is… ‘who’s teaching you faith?’ get around faith. get around people of faith. stir up the gift of God within you. and whatever you do, pass what you have learned thus far to the NEXT GENERATION!

      

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 NKJV