"MONUMENT BUILDERS
I've heard people say, 'God's not concerned about my physical and emotional needs; He certainly never does anything anyway. He's only committed to my spiritual life and needs.' Defining the promised land is crucial. I, for one, believe I Thessalonians 5:23 is an adequate picture of the boundaries of our personal promised land; '... and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless...'. Suggested views of the promised land:
1. Super-Spiritual View - The opinion says the land of promise has nothing to do with here and now. It's basically harps, halos, heaven, pie in the sky by and by, and all that good stuff. To those who embrace that view we say, 'Amen,' but you're only partially correct.
2. Personal Improvement View - They make the promised land all here and now. It's based on Galatians 5:22, that promises an improvement in personal character for all who walk with the Lord. While that's correct, it's only partially correct.
3. Gettin' Rich View - This opinion relates to palavering after things. (1) I want riches. (2) I want that woman [or man]. (3) I want that ministry. They call the decade of the 70's 'The Age of Me'. I this, I that; when mankind used God for personal gain (I Timothy 6:5).
Would you agree with me that God is as concerned with the outer you as with the inner you? There are some that desire spiritual things at the exclusion of the physical, and vice versa.
Memorials and monuments seem to important in scripture. My question to you is, 'Do you have any in your life?' Places where God supernaturally intervened in your life and made Himself known at a physical and spiritual level? Like drying up the water so you could cross, or providing a way where there was no way? If you're struggling to think of some, let me suggest several:
THE CROSS - a memorial to our Lord's defeat of hell and redemption of sinners
OUR VOWS - He gave us to one another
PERSONAL HEALING - He touched me
Memorials to the Lord are built on earth and established in heaven. There is no time or force that can destroy or erode God's workings toward us. They serve as a constant reminder of His faithfulness and care.
Ron Mehl"