Exodus
8/9/06
George Poulo

                    First Generation                               Second Generation


                     Lived in slavery                                Lived in freedom
                     Walked by sight not by faith              Walked by faith not by sight
                     Lived from lack                                Lived from shalom
                     Lived in past/no hope                         Lived in present/hope for future
                     Provisions came from Evil one           Provisions came from God
                     Weapons of warfare were carnal       Weapons of warfare were spiritual
                     Lived in sin                                      Lived in righteousness
                     Lusted for carnal things                     Desired the Spirit
                     Lived from fear                                Lived by faith
                     Worshipped false gods                     Jehovah was their God

Only Joshua and Caleb entered the Promised Land from the first generation.  The belief system of the first generation prohibited these people from walking by faith.  They could not operate from the Spirit even though they had manna, the Law, Moses, and God manifesting himself by a cloud by day and a fire by night.

The second generation did not have the baggage of the past.  They did not live in slavery or bondage or fear.  They did not worship false gods.  They were able to live by faith (The just shall live by faith.  Hab2:4)

Most of us have grown up like the first generation.  Are we doomed to be like them, seeing the Promised Land but not able to enter?  The answer is no.  Pentecost provides the Spirit living inside of us to help us on our journey.  Not only do we need anointed preaching, teaching, and healing ministries, we need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We also need to "build ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude20) and "be strengthened with all might by his Spirit in the inner man"” (Ephes3:16).  We may have to crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts.  We may also have to cut the line from living in the security of mammon to live by faith i.e. deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. (Mt10:38-39)  If we live a life of charity we will succeed.  If we live a selfish life we won't.


 
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