We have spent the last few weeks discussing our need to not just have the truth, but to love and to walk in it. Truth is one of the most precious gifts that we have been given—a great treasure that deserves to be honored and protected. However, truth is not just a philosophy of life or the knowledge of the facts of history, but truth is Christ Himself. Truth is a Person. Walking in truth is walking in intimacy with the Lord. We can know all doctrines accurately and yet still not be in obedience to the will of the Lord.

Our text for this week in Ephesians 6:1 continues the emphasis on family relationships.

This week we continue our study with Ephesians 2:10
 

We should expect God’s Words to be challenged in every way possible if they are valuable. Satan will viciously attack every truth that he can because God’s truth will set people free from the darkness that has them in bondage. The Lord allows His Word to be tested—to reveal its strength and integrity. God allows His messengers to be tested to reveal their strength, integrity, and devotion to the truth. If God had wanted it to be easy for us, He could have bound Satan right after the resurrection, but He left him on the loose for our sakes!

For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Mark 13:8

    As we proceed into these most interesting of times, we are coming into unprecedented opportunities for the gospel. At the same time, there is an obvious and accelerating collapse of the spiritual, moral, political, and economic foundations of America, as well as most nations in the West. If these trends are not checked and reversed soon, we will see lawlessness growing in an increasing and merciless rage. As this happens in America, it will also happen in Europe, only with greater intensity. Western civilization is tottering on the edge of a meltdown.

As we come to the close of this most exciting year, many are entering the New Year with a feeling of dread and fear because of the things going on in the world. Others are entering it with great faith and hope. Faith and hope are going to win. The best year yet will be 2009.

This study is about how we will take the Promised Land, as the church, and as individuals. During this week’s study, I want to focus on how we can individually begin to practically cease from our wanderings, mostly in circles in the wilderness, and begin to walk in our purpose, our Promised Land from God.

As we continue our study of how the church will cross over and begin to possess its Promised Land, this week we will look at the first great event after crossing the Jordan, which we see in Joshua 5:2: “At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time."

The next “work of the flesh,” we will study from Galatians 5:22 is “drunkenness.” Of course, getting drunk, or high, should have no place in the life of a Christian. To become drunk is at best to reduce your ability to control yourself, or to resist the devil. When this happens we can count on the other “works of the flesh” to assert themselves, and the devil taking advantage of us to do his evil work.