Drum the Message Home

'When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I...

'So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:24-30 (NIV) It seems that when I am all alone and surrounded by darkness that I consider the place where God has brought me to and where He may want to take me. I may...

'I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.' Isaiah 50:6 (NIV) This prophecy was fulfilled 740 years later when Matthew documented that Jesus the Messiah was mocked, spit upon and brutally beaten. 'Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Matthew 26:67-68 (NIV)  

'He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.' Psalm 34:20 (NKJV) This prophecy was fulfilled 550 years later when John documented that Jesus the Messiah's legs were not broken. 'Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.' John 19:32-33 (NKJV)

'Large crowds were walking along with Jesus, when he turned and said: You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. You cannot be my disciple unless you carry your own cross and come with me.' Luke 14:25-27 (CEV) The numbers people and those making a name for themselves and getting rich off of their fame, beware. The large crowds in Jesus day could resemble the same spiritual condition that we may see today in some of the churches of our culture. Some were then, just as some are now, seeking to follow Him for the wrong reasons. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Some examples of people that followed Him then were: the thrill seeker, the sick, the hungry, the sinner, the attention seeker and the fame and fortune seeker! Even today, sadly, reports show that less than 10% o...

'One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple. “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’ Luke 14:25-30 (MSG) God's Glory is in the presence of His Holy Spirit. If you are looking for the Glory you should run hard after it but with the full knowledge that it is going to cost you something. It is going to cost you everything. His Truth will disrupt everything. You should be ready. You should seek it with every...

'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.' Isaiah 43:2 (NRSV) Dear God, Thank you that you never leave us alone. Thank you for being with my grandson and daughter as he passes through the waters of her womb. Amen.