Deuteronomy 3
King Og attacks children of Israelverses 1-10
Then we turned – and went up the way to Bashan
and Og the king of Bashan came out against us
he and all his people to battle at Edrei
AND the LORD
said to me
Fear him not – for I will deliver him
and all his people and his land into your hand
And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites
which dwelt at Heshbon
SO the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also
the king of Bashan – and all his people
and we smote him until none was left to him remaining
And we took all his cities at that time
there was not a city which we took not from them
threescore cities all in the region of Argob
the kingdom of Og in Bashan
All these cities were fenced with high walls – gates – bars
beside unwalled towns a great many
And we utterly destroyed them – as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon
utterly destroying the men – women – children of every city
BUT all the cattle – and the spoil of the cities
we took for a prey to ourselves
And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites
the land that was on THIS SIDE Jordan
from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon
(which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion
and the Amorites call it Shenir)
All the cites of the plain – and all Gilead – Bashan
unto Salchah and Edrei – cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan
Land given to two and a half tribesverses 11-17
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of GIANTS
BEHOLD – his bedstead was a bedstead of iron
Is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon?
nine cubits was the length thereof (13 feet)
four cubits the breadth of it (6 feet)
after the cubit of a man
And this land – which we possessed at that time – from Aroer
which is by the river Armon – and half mount Gilead
and the cities thereof
gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites
And the rest of Gilead and all Bashan – being the kingdom of Og
gave I to the half tribe of Manasseh
all the region of Argob – with all Bashan
which was called the land of GIANTS
Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob
to the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi
and called them after his own name
Bashan-havoth-jair – unto this day
And I gave Gilead
to Machir
And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even
to the river Arnon half the valley
and the border even unto the river Jabbok
which is the border of the children of Ammon
the plain also – and Jordan – and the coast thereof
from Chinnereth even to the sea of the plain
even the salt sea – under Ashdoth-pisgah eastward
Men of two and half tribes to cross Jordanverses 18-20
And I commanded you at that time saying
The LORD your God has given you this land to possess it
you shall pass over armed before your brethren the
children of Israel – all that are meet for the war
BUT your wives – and your little ones – and your cattle
(for I know that ye have much cattle)
shall abide in your cities which I have given you
UNTIL the LORD have given rest to your brethren
as well as unto you – and UNTIL they also possess the land
which the LORD your God hath given them
beyond Jordan – and THEN shall you return
every man to his possession
which I have given you
Moses turns mantle over to Joshuaverses 21-22
And I commanded Joshua at that time
saying
Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God
has done to these two kings
SO shall the LORD do to all the kingdoms
whither you pass
You shall not fear them
FOR the LORD your God HE shall FIGHT for you
Moses asks LORD to let him cross Jordanverses 23-25
And I besought the LORD at that time
saying
O Lord GOD – YOU have begun to show YOUR servant
YOUR greatness and YOUR mighty hand
FOR what God is there in heaven or in earth
that can do according to YOUR works
and according to YOUR might?
I pray YOU let me go over
and see the good land that is beyond Jordan
that goodly mountain – and Lebanon
LORD says NO!!verses 26-29
BUT the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes
and would NOT HEAR me
And the LORD said to me
Let it suffice you
Speak NO MORE to ME of this matter
Get you up into the top of Pisgah
and lift up your eyes westward
and northward – southward – eastward
and behold it with your eyes
FOR you shall not go over this Jordan
BUT charge Joshua and ENCOURAGE him
and STRENGTHEN him
For he shall go over before this people
and he shall cause them to inherit the
land which you shall see
So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron, is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? Nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man. (7496 “giants” [rapha] means old race of giants, Rephaim, famous on account of their gigantic stature, or pertaining to pre-Israelite inhabitants of Palestine.)
DEVOTION: When the twelve spies went into the Promised Land forty years earlier the majority gave an evil report. They said the land was good but that there were giants in the land. They didn’t want to go in because they were afraid.
Two individuals gave a good report. They were not afraid of the giants. They had faith that the LORD could give them the victory over the giants.
Now forty years later they were conquering giants. I have never seen a man that was eleven or twelve or thirteen feet tall. This was a big king over the people of Bashan. However, he was defeated by the LORD who is much taller and stronger than any individual HE created.
We sometimes can look at the size of the person and forget that the LORD can give us strength to witness to that person or face that person in conflict when we have the truth on our side.
There are many areas of our life that we will think are too hard for us to conquer. It might be a subject in school. It might be a group who don’t like us in school or at work. It might be an intellectual challenge we have to face.
God wants us to face the giants in our life with HIS strength. HE wants us to look to HIM for guidance regarding anything we think is too big for us to overcome.
With the strength of the LORD we can face any giant and become victorious if it is a battle HE wants us to fight.
CHALLENGE: Remember HIS promise to NEVER leave us or forsake us while we are strengthened by HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 20 Until the LORD have given rest to your brethren, as well as to you, and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God has given them beyond Jordan: and then shall you return every man to his possession, which I have given. (5117 “rest” [nuwach] means to settle down and remain, be quiet, to stay settled, or to cause to be in that state of freedom from conflict)
DEVOTION: Is it our responsibility to help our fellow believers to win victories in their lives? Are we supposed to help every believer the LORD places around us? Once the LORD has given us victory should we then just rest in our victory while others have to fight their own battles?
The two and a half tribes had their lands. Their families were provided for and they were safe. Now it was time to keep their commitment to the rest of the tribes to fight with them for them to become victorious on the other side of the Jordan.
Do we think it was easy for them to leave their families behind to fight for someone else’s property? They had made a promise and they were keeping their promise.
Now what about us? What is our responsibility to our fellow believers? Once we have settled into a mature victorious life should we just stay at home and enjoy what the LORD has taught us and given to us?
Mature believers are to always be available to help those who are baby Christians or immature believers mature in the LORD. We are to help them fight their battles until they can fight them by themselves.
It is easier to sit at home and let the immature fight without help. Ours is a ministry of reconciliation between those believers who are immature and those of us who are mature. We are not to judge the immature but help them mature.
We are our brother’s keeper when it comes to helping individuals grow in the LORD. It is teamwork.
When the two and a half tribes went with the other tribes it was an encouragement. We should be in the ministry of encouragement today as well. Walk beside someone who is in a battle. Pray for someone who is facing a battle. That is what it means to be part of a congregation. It is a group not a single person.
CHALLENGE: Our goal should be to help everyone we can in a congregation enter into a spiritual rest with the LORD.
: 25 I pray you, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. (7200 “see” [ra’ah] means inspect, spy, perceive, examine, or give attention to, or use the perception of sight to view objects and make judgments based on the perceptions)
DEVOTION: Moses had many great times with the LORD. He was a slow learner like most of us. He had to see the LORD’S power before he would go and represent the LORD before Pharaoh.
He had to watch the LORD work to cause Pharaoh to let the children of Israel leave Egypt. He had to see the LORD work in all that happened as they left Egypt. He had to see all that happened in the wilderness.
However, when it was time to obey the LORD regarding the need for water for the children of Israel. He and Aaron made a fatal decision. They claimed that they were the ones who were giving the children of Israel water to drink. They used the words “must WE” on that occasion which was the final time the LORD would allow them to act rebelliously.
Now Moses is asking the LORD to just let him see the Promised Land. He wanted to enter the LORD. He wanted the LORD to forgive all his former sins and allow him to enter the Promised Land even after HE has said HE would not let them enter.
Sometimes we can pass the patience of God even if we are HIS children. We continue to sin and still expect HIM to always forgive and allow us to continue with our life. That is not always the case. HE is longsuffering but once we pass the point of no return HE will take HIS children home to heaven.
Moses and we have to realize that the LORD is forgiving of HIS children but HE is also just in HIS dealing with us. Once we get to a certain point with HIM as HIS children HE has to discipline us.
Have we continually doubted the LORD or not acted on HIS word? Are we close to the same point that Moses reached with the LORD? Remember to keep short accounts with the LORD!
CHALLENGE: Remember to be obedient servants. The LORD is longsuffering but HE has a point when HE says “ENOUGH!”
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. (1696 “speak” [dabar] means to arrange, appoint, bid, commune, pronounce, say, talk, or think)
DEVOTION: We realize that prayer is important in the life of a believer. We are taught in the New Testament to pray in the name of the Father through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and close in Jesus name as New Testament believers. In the Old Testament we find that there was a different way of communicating with the LORD by HIS chosen leaders. They had a very personal relationship with HIM and spoke directly to HIM.
Here we find Moses praying to the LORD for the ability to cross the Jordan with the children of Israel. He realized that the LORD was angry with him for his actions in the wilderness when he struck the rock two times instead of speaking to it. Moses told the people, that it was because of them, that God was angry with him.
Moses saw the LORD face to face. Moses was used of God to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. He led them for forty years. During their time in the wilderness, he was angry with the children of Israel and didn’t obey the LORD’S command to speak to the rock. Instead of speaking to the rock, he struck the rock twice.
Remember that Jesus was the Rock in the wilderness. Moses presented his case to the LORD. This verse is an answer to his request. This word gives us the idea that prayer is just talking with God. When we have a desire that we want to bring before God, we need to just talk to him about it.
Moses and the LORD had a good relationship but the LORD denied Moses this request because of a previous sin. Moses saw the Promised Land from the top of the mountain and then God took him.
Even people who are close to the LORD don’t receive all their requests. HE does give us what is good for us. Remember to obey the LORD when HE gives directions on what we should do for HIM!!!
Study prayer in the New Testament to understand how to communicate with the LORD. Practice prayer daily. Remember that our prayers should be concerned with the will of God in our world. Remember public prayer should be short with no gossip included. CHALLENGE: Remember that vain repetition should not be part of prayer.
: 28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see. (2388 “encourage” [chazaq] means make bold, make firm, sustain, strengthen, to aid or assist, harden, or help)
DEVOTION: Is it easy to turn a congregation over to a new leader? What does the old leader do when he turns the congregation over to the new leader? What does the Bible tell him he should do when there is a change of leadership?
Moses is given three instructions from the LORD regarding this change of leadership. Moses had asked the LORD again if he could go over the Jordan and the LORD had said NO.
Now Moses is to give Joshua a charge and encourage him and strengthen him. How is all this going to take place? The first step is for Moses to make sure he makes it plain to the congregation that he is not going to lead them anymore.
He is going to assist Joshua in the change of leadership by giving him a charge to obey the LORD. He is going to do everything in his power to make sure the people follow Joshua.
This needs to take place whenever there is a change of leadership in the church. There should always be a time when the former pastor can come and assist the new pastor in whatever will help the transition be one of grace.
Congregations should never compare leadership styles or mannerisms with a previous leader because the LORD made every leader different. There are different periods of training for congregations. The precious leader is preparing a congregation to do one thing, so that, the next leader can build upon the preparation.
Moses had trained the people with the special instructions of the LORD. He had given them the knowledge of what God expected of them. Joshua was to bring them into the land and fulfill what they had been taught regarding their relationship to the LORD in the Promised Land.
CHALLENGE: Leaders prepare your congregations for the transition to a new leader. Make the transition easy.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Moses prayed – LORD would not hearverses 23-26
LORD says NOverse 27
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 2, 3, 18, 20-23, 26
God (Elohim)verses 3, 18, 20-22, 24
LORD our Godverse 3
LORD your Godverses 18, 20-22
HE will fight for youverse 22
Lord (Adonai)verse 24
GOD (Jehovah)verse 24
Lord GODverse 24
Greatnessverse 24
Mighty handverse 24
Worksverse 24
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Og the king of Bashanverses 1, 3, 4-7, 10
60 cities of the region
Giants
Battle of Edreiverse 1
Sihon king of the Amoritesverses 2, 6, 8, 16
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Fear notverses 2, 22
Deliveranceverses 2, 3
Restverse 20
Fight for youverse 22
Servantverse 24
Chargeverse 28
Encourageverse 28
Strengthenverse 28
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
LORD delivered Ogverses 1-7
Took cattle and spoils of cities
East side of Jordan dividedverses 8-17
Reubenites and Gadites verses 12, 16
Manassehverses 13, 14
Gilead to Machirverse 15
Children of Israelverse 18
Change of leadershipverses 18-29
Joshuaverse 21
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
3:21–22. These two verses are a transition from the distribution of the land (vv. 12–20) to Moses’ loss of leadership (vv. 23–29). Moses had reminded his audience that the time for the conquest of Canaan was near (vv. 18–20). Yet Joshua, not Moses, would lead the people in that conquest. By encouraging Joshua here Moses himself was obeying God’s command (1:38; 3:28). Moses’ firm assurance that the Lord had acted like a warrior for Israel in the past and would do so in the future greatly encouraged Israel’s future leader. Joshua need not be afraid (cf. comments on 1:17). Moses’ words also represented a major theme in Deuteronomy’s historical prologue: the battle belongs to Yahweh (the Lord your God … will fight for you; cf. 1:30; 20:4; also note 2:24–25, 31, 33, 36; 3:2–3). (Deere, J. S. (1985). Deuteronomy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 268). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
A third step of preparation for conquest was the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses and lead the nation into Canaan (Num. 27:18–23). At the command of the Lord, Moses publicly laid hands on Joshua and with the help of Eleazar the high priest consecrated him to his new office. Moses also began to hand over some of his authority to Joshua (Num. 27:20, niv) so that by the time Moses left the scene, Joshua was ready to take charge. However, Joshua was a man of great faith and experience and was fully qualified to lead God’s people. He had served as Moses’ servant (Ex. 33:11) and as leader of the army (17:8–16), and he had been on Sinai with Moses (24:13). At Kadesh-Barnea he proved his faith and obedience by standing with Moses and Caleb against the ten spies and the whole unbelieving nation. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1999). Be equipped (p. 23). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
3:22 the Lord your God … fighting for you. Moses commanded Joshua not to be afraid because the Lord Himself would provide supernatural power and give them the victory (cf. 1:30; 31:6–8; Jos 1:9). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Dt 3:22). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 22. Ye shall not fear them, &c.] On account of the numbers, strength, courage, and gigantic stature of the inhabitants, at least some of them; nor on account of their walled towns, and fortified cities: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you; as he did, particularly at Jericho, the walls of which city fell at the sound of rams horns; and at Gibeon, when he cast down hailstones on their enemies, and more were slain by them than with the sword; and in all their battles it was he that gave them success and victory. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 15). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
3:22 your God Himself fights: The Lord is the Divine Warrior who delivers and fights for His faithful people (Ex. 15:3). (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version (Dt 3:22). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers)
3:18–22 Continuing the conquest. Moses now spoke to the tribes which had just received their territories (18–20). He warned them that their task would not be finished until they had played their full part in the conquest of the whole land. In God’s people, no part is to look only to its own interests; this is the true meaning of being brothers (18). The aim of the conquest was rest for the whole people (20; see also 12:9). This means living at peace in a land which fulfils all their needs. The women and children of the Transjordanian tribes were allowed to settle now in their towns; the warriors of all Israel, however, could not do so until the same blessing had been won for all. History would show that they would not always be faithful to this responsibility (Jdg. 5:15b–17a).
Moses’ words to Joshua (21–22) also spoke of the need to go on with the task. As the Lord had been faithful up to then, so would he be in the tasks ahead, even if they seemed more difficult. (McConville, J. G. (1994). Deuteronomy. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., pp. 204–205). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
21–22. What a delightful view is given us, in this charge of Moses to Joshua, of this man of God’s zeal and affection for the Lord’s cause. He appeals to Joshua’s own knowledge of what had passed, to arm him for all that was to come. Reader! one of the sweetest offices of the Holy Ghost is to act as the Remembrancer of Jesus. And when he graciously performs this office in reminding the believer how in times past the Lord hath sustained and comforted his people, doth he not take the most effectual method in giving confidence for all that is to come? John 14:26. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Deuteronomy–2 Samuel (Vol. 2, p. 18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
The CHURCH in an AGE of CRISIS by James Emery White
When it comes to the idea of being human, there are three foundational statements that must be made, rooted in the account of creation itself: (1) We have been made. We were created, personally by God. (2) We were made in the image of God. This means that when God made us, he put something of himself in us – a spark of the divine. Because we are made made in the image of God, we have a soul that is able to respond and relate to God. Nothing else in all of creation carries that standing, and that makes human life sacred. (3) We were created male and female. The Bible says that when God created human beings, he intentionally created diversity. He purposefully made us a race of men and a race of women. Within this diversity is individual diversity, as each human being is distinct from every other. (p. 115-6)
Sexuality is not like a favorite color – something to be chosen, or a preference – it is hardwired into our being. (p. 120)
1 Timothy 6
The quest for godliness motivates us to “fight the good fight” of faith while we live on earth.
INSIGHT
If any of us could have three wishes, most of us would include wealth as one of those wishes. Everything else being equal, we would rather be rich than poor. Yet that very desire is a snare – so much so that Paul urges Timothy to flee the love of money and “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (v. 11). And he adds: “I urge you . . . that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing” (vv. 13-14). If we have wealth, we are to use it compassionately. If we do not have wealth, we are to be content. (Quiet Walk)
THE INVISIBILITY OF GOD
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.1 John 4:12
Why does God say, “No man hath seen God at any time”? Why does John suddenly introduce this idea of the invisibility of God?
John does not say that we cannot love God except through loving our brethren; that is not his argument. Nor does he say that we can only love God by means of loving our brethren. Rather, he tells us that we are to love God—that we can love God and that we should love Him.
It seems to me that John is here introducing a new theme, a new idea, into his great discussion of the question of loving the brethren. And this new theme I would describe as the theme of assurance of salvation; it is the whole question of our knowledge of God and of the way in which we can know God. In other words, I am suggesting that John here is linking up with that with which he left off at the end of verse 8. Let me reconstruct it to you in this way: “Beloved,” he says, “let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love….No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (verses 7-8, 12).
“So,” says John in effect, “it is important that you love the brethren from the standpoint of your own assurance of salvation and from the standpoint of your fellowship with God.” John is more like a poet than a logician. Although he tends to arrive at his position in circles instead of straight lines, though there is something of the mystic in his thinking, nevertheless there is firm logic at the back of it; there is a definite line of reason.
A Thought to Ponder: It is important that you love the brethren from the standpoint of your own assurance of salvation.
(From The Love of God, pp. 76-79, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14)
The message in our text provides an attention-getting warning to those who claim to be Christians but indulge in or even allow the evil practices of Ephesians 5:3-7. A Christian does not, and indeed cannot, live a life of fornication, or uncleanness, or covetousness, or filthiness, or foolish talking, or jesting (vv. 3-4), for no such person “hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience” (vv. 5-6). Those who practice such things are “fools” (v. 15).
While we as Christians must always be willing to bring the saving message of God’s grace to the sinner, we must not be “partakers with them” (v. 7) in their sins and indeed must “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (v. 11). Instead, we must “reprove them” (v. 11), pointing out the consequences of their actions and focusing their attention on Christ, who “hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (v. 2) in payment of their penalty. All that must be done is to accept this forgiveness. In doing so, we who are “light in the Lord” (v. 8) will shed light in their darkness, for “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light” (v. 13)
As children of the light (v. 8), our lives must exhibit the “fruit of the Spirit…goodness and righteousness and truth” (v. 9). We must prove “what is acceptable unto the Lord” (v. 10), “walk[ing] circumspectly,…wise[ly]” (v. 15), “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (v. 16). The sleeper in our text, whether he be an unbeliever or a professing Christian, is “asleep”—locked in moral insensibility. “Awake, sleeper!” Paul would say, “and accept the God-given remedy for your plight!”
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Jim Elliff – I have a deep respect for the rural churches. I’ve been in many that have retained their vibrancy and usefulness for 100 years or longer. Don’t underestimate the potential of such churches. God may very well pass over the clever church for the faithful one. It would be like God to surprise us by awaking rural churches and pouring out his blessing in them once again as he did in the past. He delights to make the weak strong.
Rural churches, don’t be enamored by trends that come and go. You have enough if you have the Scriptures and the Spirit. Delight in that.
Be a studious church, going deeper in the Bible.
Be a loving church. There isn’t a limit to love.
Be a happy church. You are not inferior, unless you are forsaking God.
Be an active church, focusing on people’s needs.
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