S-33 - The Caleb Spirit

Bible Reading for background to his life:

Numbers 13, 14

Joshua 14, 15

Judges 1

1 Chron 4:13-15

Last week I shared with you on the Josiah Mindset. I have given to you the keys as to how to have your mindset changed.

I have also given you the Mnemonic “MENTAL” to help you remember this process.

AMPLIFICATION:

M Meditation - Meditate on the WORD – Jos 1:8

E Education - Hos 6 – people die of a lack of vision - Hos 6:3 Pro 29:18

N Neutralisation – Obedience – bring mind into obedience of Christ 2Co 10:5-6

T Thought Control - 2Co 10:5-6

A Association - Bad friends – find people you can look up to – repent Psa 1:1-6

L Lowliness of Mind - Made self of no reputation - Eph 4:2 Phi 2:3

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CALEB

Num 13:28-31

(28) But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage].

(29) Amalek dwells in the land of the South (the Negeb); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along by the side of the Jordan [River].

(30) Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it.

(31) But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are.

CALEB WAS THE FIRST ONE TO MAKE A POSITIVE DECLARATION IN THE MIDST OF OVERWHELMING NEGATIVITY.

Num 14:6-9

(6) And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes,

(7) And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land.

(8) If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

(9) Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.

CALEB TORE HIS CLOTHES WITH JOSHUA AND WARNED THE PEOPLE ABOUT REBELLION AT THE RISK OF BEING STONED.

Num 14:10

(10) But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites.

GOD DECLARED THAT CALEB HAD A DIFFERENT SPIRIT.

Num 14:21-24

(21) But truly as I live and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, [Isaiah 6:3; 11:9]

(22) Because all those men who have seen My glory and My [miraculous] signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tested and proved Me these ten times and have not heeded My voice,

(23) Surely they shall not see the land which I swore to give to their fathers; nor shall any who provoked (spurned, despised) Me see it. [Hebrews 6:4-11]

(24) But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

THE NATURE OF A DIFFERENT SPIRIT – A CALEB MENTALITY OR ATTITUDE

Num 14:24

(24) But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Num 14:6-15

(6) And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes,

(7) And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land.

(8) If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.

(9) Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.

(10) But all the congregation said to stone [Joshua and Caleb] with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting before all the Israelites.

(11) And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people provoke (spurn, despise) Me? And how long will it be before they believe Me [trusting in, relying on, clinging to Me], for all the signs which I have performed among them?

(12) I will smite them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and will make of you [Moses] a nation greater and mightier than they.

(13) But Moses said to the Lord, Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for You brought up this people in Your might from among them.

(14) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, Lord, are in the midst of this people [of Israel], that You, Lord, are seen face to face, and that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.

(15) Now if You kill all this people as one man, then the nations that have heard Your fame will say,

WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM THIS WORLD.

WE MUST ALSO BE DIFFERENT FROM A FAITHLESS AND RELIGIOUS GENERATION THAT CURRENTLY OCCUPIES THE CHURCH BUILDINGS.

THE MENTALITY OF CALEB IS ONE THAT DEFINES A “DIFFERENT GENERATION”.

1. CALEB REMEMBERS A WORD SPOKEN 40 YEARS AGO

Jos 14:6

Then the people of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning me and you in Kadesh-barnea.

Most folk forget the words spoken to them last week. They are constantly looking for new messages that will titillate their ears. Some move from conference to conference and network to network collecting tapes and notes which they subsequently hide in their libraries – for future reference. They never really get to what God spoke to them.

Caleb hid the words of God in his heart. The words spoken by the Lord will not return void. We have more words spoken to us, exceedingly great and precious promises, written in the Book.

THOSE PROPELLED BY A DIFFERENT SPIRIT REFUSE TO FORGET WHAT GOD SAID.

Pro 7:1-3

(1) My son, keep my words; lay up within you my commandments [for use when needed] and treasure them.

(2) Keep my commandments and live, and keep my law and teaching as the apple (the pupil) of your eye.

(3) Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Deu 6:6-12

(6) And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]

(7) You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.

(8) And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes.

(9) And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

(10) And when the Lord your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you, with great and goodly cities which you did not build,

(11) And houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and cisterns hewn out which you did not hew, and vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and when you eat and are full,

HOME WORK

(12) Then beware lest you forget the Lord, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

(THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR YOU TO REVIEW ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD FOR YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR MINISTRY, YOUR COUNTRY)

2. CALEB WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD

Jos 14:8

(8) But my brethren who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God.

Jos 14:14

(14) So Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Caleb means - a dog: and also whole-hearted - (Dr Judson Corwall & Dr Stelman Smith – The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names – ISBN 0-88270-751-5)

Caleb did not render half-hearted service to the Lord. The word wholly implies that he was following God completely. He was not going to change his message when faced with the threat of stoning.

What is also significant is that his inheritance was Hebron – Hebron speaks of Fellowship and Communion. His inheritance was FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION. That same apply to you and me today. If you wholly follow the LORD the FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION of the LORD will be your portion.

Caleb did not serve God like the majority – he was different in a way that pleased God. He was a whole-hearted follower. His declaration was perfectly aligned with God’s word.

Num 13:2

(2) Send men to explore and scout out [for yourselves] the land of Canaan, which I give to the Israelites. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader or head among them.

God said “I am giving”

Num 13:30

(30) Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it.

Caleb said "Let us go up at once and take possession”

He declared the right thing before anyone else. He was first one with the right message – This is what we would call a proton anointing! CALEB had the attitude of a PROTON BELIEVER

The Greek word for first is “proton” first in time or place; in any succession of things or persons, first in rank, influence, honor, chief, principal.

THE PROTON BELIEVER

1Co 12:28

(28) So God has appointed some in the church [for His own use]: first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick; helpers; administrators; [speakers in] different (unknown) tongues.

And God hath set some in the church, FIRST [PROTON] APOSTLES, secondarily

prophets, thirdly teachers...

We see a principle manifested here both in this scripture and in the life of CALEB:

Are you a PROTON believer? Are you a part of a PROTON company of believers? Are you a part of a PROTON church?

PROTON is the Greek word for FIRST mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28. It means firstly in time, place, order or importance.

It also means before, at the beginning, chiefly, first of all. God desires a PROTON PEOPLE. Apostolic people are proton people. It was never the will of God just to have apostles. God’s intention is to have an apostolic company of believers. Apostolic churches and apostolic believers will be at the forefront of what God is doing. When believers have an apostolic spirit, they will be Proton Believers.

When the apostolic spirit is present within the Church, we will see a company of believers who walk in apostolic power. They will manifest certain characteristics that set them apart as a sent people. The word” apostle” is the Greek word apostolos meaning SENT ONE.

Joh 20:21

(21) Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.

Proton believers are sent ones. They have an awareness of being sent. They live by the Sender

If you are a proton believer CHRIST IS YOUR LIFE

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROTON BELIEVER?

MNEMONIC: - F I R S T

F – FEED

You will draw your very life and strength by and from the Sender who is JESUS

• I – IGNITITION

You have a desire and passion to do the will of the Jesus the Sender

• R - REPRODUCTION

You will do the works of a sent one. Your works will bear witness that you have been sent.

• S - SENTENCE

You will judge as a sent one

• T - TARGET

Your motivation is to do the things that please the Sender. Proton Believers are not men pleasers but God pleasers.

AMPLIFICATION

F – FEED

Joh 6:57

Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.

You will draw your very life and strength by and from the Sender who is JESUS

I – IGNITITION

Joh 6:38

(38) For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.

You have a desire and passion to do the will of the Jesus the Sender

R – REPRODUCTION

Joh 5:36

But I have as My witness something greater (weightier, higher, better) than that of John; for the works that the Father has appointed Me to accomplish and finish, the very same works that I am now doing, are a witness and proof that the Father has sent Me.

You will do the works of a sent one. Your works will bear witness that you have been sent.

S - SENTENCE

Joh 5:30

I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

You will judge as a sent one

T - TARGET

Joh 8:29

And He Who sent Me is ever with Me; My Father has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.

Your motivation is to do the things that please the Sender. Proton Believers are not men pleasers but God pleasers.

What does it mean to be FIRST? What are the characteristics of those who are FIRST?

First refers also to responsibility.

It refers to inheritance and blessing. It refers to authority. It is a privilege to be first. There are advantages to being first. It is a favored position. “Those who are first are pioneers. Proton believers are pioneers. They are trailblazers. Proton believers are a remnant people who set the tone and direction for the church.”

These believers are pathfinders.

Synonyms for pioneer include: pathfinder, trailblazer, explorer, forerunner, predecessor, and innovator.

To “pioneer” means to set in motion, start the ball rolling, take the first step, take the initiative, break the ice, lead the way, blaze the trail, institute, inaugurate, found, establish, set up, lay the first stone, lay the foundation, introduce, launch, or usher in.

These are some of the things that Proton believers do.

There are different areas and ways in which one can be first:

• FIRST in power represents a potentate.

• FIRST in authority represents a ruler or a leader.

• FIRST in rank represents a captain or a general.

• FIRST in knowledge represents a valedictorian or a doctor.

• FIRST in time represents a pioneer.

• FIRST in lineage represents a patriarch.

• FIRST in revelation represents a prophetic people.

• FIRST in suffering represents a martyr.

• FIRST in believing represents the first fruits of them that believe.

• FIRST in receiving represents the first fruits of them that receive.

• FIRST in blessing represents the firstborn.

• FIRST in possessing represents a Joshua generation.

• FIRST in breakthrough represents a people of new levels.

Proton believers are a breakthrough people!

A “breakthrough” is a significant or sudden advance or development. It is also an act or instance of removing or surpassing an obstruction or restriction.

Proton believers break through into new regions and territories, both naturally and spiritually. They are cutting edge believers. They are on the forefront of what God is doing in the earth. If a trail is not there, they will make one. They follow the paths that others have already opened and make new paths when necessary. They are people of faith who believe and act on what they believe.

As pioneers, they are both dependent and independent. They are independent from the control of men. They are very dependent upon the Holy Spirit and His direction. They refuse to be controlled by the opinions of men. They are not controlled by family or friends. They are not controlled by religious organizations that refuse to move with change. They hate witchcraft, slavery and control.

They would rather obey God than man.

Act 5:29

(29) Then Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men.

They rely upon the blessing and power of God. They recognize that without God they can do nothing.

2Co 5:13

(13) For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say], it is for God and concerns Him; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit,

Proton believers are often considered crazy. But there is a reason behind their “madness”. Pioneers are often accused of being “crazy”. They don’t make sense to natural men. They op­erate beyond what is considered “reasonable”. They go beyond the limitations of natural reason. They often try what is unreasonable, but succeed.

They are not afraid of failure. They operate with the spirit of faith. They are not controlled by fear. They are not afraid to try new things. They are not afraid to preach new truths. If they fail, it is no reflection on them because they are not afraid of losing their reputation. Their reputation does not come before obeying God.

The proton believers of the previous move may not be the proton believers of the present move. It takes a great deal of strength to be a proton believer. Much energy is expended in the advancing of the purposes of God. Some believers, after expending much strength in previous moves, would rather rest and enjoy the benefits of what they have already achieved. They have a hard time pressing into new battles in order to conquer new territory.

Those with a different spirit give their whole-hearted commitment:

- they pray diligently when no one else is watching or listening.

- they praise fervently.

- they repent quickly.

- they obey willingly.

- they sacrifice readily.

- they walk with integrity.

- they fellowship enthusiastically – come early and leave late.

- they respond to God’s Word delightfully.

CALEB was such a man. He was a PROTON BELIEVER.

The demand then this morning and the challenge before us is the challenge if we to qualify in being a PROTON believer? We have to use the Word as our measuring rod this morning and ask ourselves these questions and also be honest in our response.

- Do you pray diligently when no one else is watching or listening?

- Do you praise fervently?

- Do you repent quickly?

- Do you obey willingly?

- Do you sacrifice readily?

- Do you walk with integrity?

- Do you fellowship enthusiastically – come early and leave late?

- Do you respond to God’s Word delightfully?

We also if the answer is negative to any one of these questions ask ourselves what I need to change in my life in order to align myself to manifest these qualities in my walk with God

3. RECOGNITION OF DIVINE LIFE SUPPORT

Jos 14:10

(10) And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while the Israelites wandered in the wilderness; and now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.

“the LORD has kept me alive”

Caleb recognized that he was alive for a purpose. He recognized that God was keeping him alive for a purpose.

How much can we learn from the life of Caleb and his character? After being in the desert for 45 years wandering aimlessly in that desert, his response is to honor God and recognize that God has kept him alive in the desert for this time. Think on this for a moment. Put yourself into his situation. God gave you a promise. You wait on that promise for 45 years to come true. In that time you see how everyone that you have known all of your life around you dies in the desert. They have heard the same promise that God gave the nation and that is that they will go to the Promised Land. After all this time CALEB is responding “the LORD has kept me alive”

He does not allow his circumstances of the reality of what he sees or experience to influence him. He steadfastly keep to the Word of the Lord that was spoken to him 45 years ago. The WORD IS HIS REALITY.

The WORD is his energizer and his life support

Let us also take a moment and look at the life of another man called Hezekiah and how this man responded to the WORD of the Lord.

Isa 38:5

(5) Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add to your life fifteen years.

God added 15 years to Hezekiah’s life. In that 15 years Hezekiah exposed Judah to Babylon and fathered one of the worst kings of Judah – Manasseh. Hezekiah finished badly. He allowed Babylon to infiltrate the land. He also called on Egypt to fight the Assyrian King. He forgot that God kept him alive.

I we look at his life we see that God also gave Word to Hezekiah

2Ch 32:25

But Hezekiah did not make return [to the Lord] according to the benefit done to him, for his heart became proud [at such a spectacular response to his prayer]; therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

When Babylon came knocking at the door of Hezekiah he embraced Babylon with open arms.

Isa 39:1-8

(1) At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent [messengers with] letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he had heard that he had been sick and had recovered. [2 Kings 20:12-19]

(2) And Hezekiah was glad and welcomed them and showed them the house of his spices and precious things--the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious ointment, all the house of his armor and his jewels, and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

(3) Then came Isaiah the prophet to King Hezekiah and said to him, What did these men say? From where did they come to you? And Hezekiah said, They came to me from a far country, even from Babylon.

(4) Then Isaiah said, What have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.

(5) Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts:

(6) Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and that which your predecessors have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord.

(7) And some of your own sons who are born to you shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

(8) Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good. And he added, For there will be peace and faithfulness [to His promises to us] in my days.

By now all of us know that Babylon presents the world and the world system. Hezekiah received Babylon with open arms. He allowed them into every area of his domain and showed them all his treasures. How often do we not do the same?

We start in the spirit. We pull down and destroy the altars and high places of idol worship. Then we go into a place of comfort and are happy to be where we are. Sickness and disease strike. We call unto God for deliverance and He heals us. We are then so focused on the miracles that we see and experience that we loose focus of the giver of the miracles. We then grow placid as we enjoy the good life. Babylon comes to us with great letters of recommendation and we show Babylon what we can do. We start working 20 hours a day in order to proof ourselves to a Babylonian system. We respond to the demands that Babylon places upon us. We allow Babylon to come into our sanctuaries with all the silver and the gold.

In the end we are no longer lookin at God our father but we are diligently serving the Babylonion God Marduk of withcraft, wealth, miracles and wonder. We become so caught up in the world system that we are more useful and effective in Babylon than what we are in the Kingdom. We end up ruling and reigning as ambassadors of the Babylonian system in stead of being ambassadors of Christ.

God keeps us alive to finish the work he has given us – Don’t be more useful to Babylon than you are to God. Christ is your LIFE AND YOUR LIFE SOURCE

4. CALEB HAS UNFLINCHING STRENGTH

Jos 14:11

(11) Yet I am as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so is my strength now for war and to go out and to come in.

“I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me”

Age did not diminish his strength and zeal. He wholly followed the Lord then and He was wholly following the Lord now. Age is not an excuse for diminishing passion.

At 85 he was still zealous for the work of the Lord. Most folk I know want to retire from ministry at 60, go home and sit and do nothing. Some churches even insist that you retire at 65.

THOSE WITH PASSION FOR GOD DON’T THINK OF RETIREMENT – THEY DON’T

HAVE LEAVING ON THEIR MINDS.

2Sa 19:32-35

(32) Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even eighty years old; and he had provided the king with food while he remained at Mahanaim, for he was a very great man.

(33) And the king said to Barzillai, Come over with me, and I will provide for you with me in Jerusalem.

(34) And Barzillai said to the king, How much longer have I to live, that it would be worthwhile for me to go up with the king to Jerusalem?

(35) I am this day eighty years old. Could I now [be useful as a counselor to] discern between good and evil? Can your servant appreciate what I eat or drink? Can I any longer enjoy the voices of singing men and women? Why then should your servant be still a burden to my lord the king?

Barzillai (man of Iron) lost his zeal at 80 – he considered himself a burden to David.

THOSE WITH A “DIFFERENT SPIRIT” DO NOT SLOW DOWN BECAUSE OF AGE. THEY DO NOT BACKSLIDE. THEY KNOW HOW TO REMAIN STEADFAST.

What we see here in Barzillai is a mindset. He looked in the natural and believed that he has no more value to David. He saw himself as a burden to David. CALEB had a different spirit. Retirement was not on his mind. He draw his strength from God. He kept pushing.

How about you? Do you keep pushing or have you grown placid and believe that you are a burden and have no more to give? Change your mindset. Be like CALEB. Ddo not slow down but keep on pushing for breakthrough and the manifestation of the promises that God has given to you.

5. CALEB ASKS FOR TROUBLE

Jos 14:12

(12) So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke that day. For you heard then how the [giantlike] Anakim were there and that the cities were great and fortified; if the Lord will be with me, I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.

Caleb asked for the most difficult terrain. This was where the giants lived. This was the location that petrified the 10 spies. Caleb wants to prove his report. He was waiting for this for 40 years.

David killed one giant - GOLIATH

Caleb killed a tribe of giants – THE ANAKIM.

Man I love this man and the spirit that he portrays. He is not slowing down. He is asking for the most difficult jobs. He was passionate to see the fulfillment of the promise and word of God to his life. He fully trusted the Word that God has spoken to him. He knew that God was with him. This man was a pioneer, a ground breaker. He did not back off. He kept pushing.

CALEB succeeded where others have failed.

6. CALEB NEVER TROUBLED LEADERSHIP

Jos 14:13

(13) Then Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

“And Joshua blessed him”

Caleb was the first one to come with a positive report. God acknowledges Caleb

before Joshua. When the land is invaded, Caleb is not involved in contentions

and murmuring. He submits to the leadership of Joshua. God promised Caleb an inheritance – Caleb did not bypass Joshua. Joshua blesses him and gave him his inheritance

Caleb was not concerned with what he wanted or desired. His purpose was to fulfil his destiny and to do what God has commanded the nation of Israel. He knew what his responsibility was. He submitted fully to the leadership of Joshua as God’s anointed. He did not run after the promises of God for himself but submitted to the leadership of Joshua as his set man and through that received the full inheritance of what God has promised to him.

CALEB DEMONSTRATES THROUGH HIS LIFE AND ACTIONS THAT PURPOSE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN POSITION. His desire was the fulfillment and what God has spoken over Israel as a nation.

7. CALEB POSSESSES HEBRON

Jos 14:14

(14) So Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb. Hebron means “communion and fellowship”

Intimacy, communion and fellowship with God is our inheritance if we step into the Caleb mindset. Many people see intimacy with God as a mountain they cannot possess. As a strong believer many people will treat you like Moses and tell you to go and meet the Lord on the mountain and then to come back and tell them what God is saying. Do not feed that mentality or mindset. Tell them about this man Caleb. He had a different spirit. Looking at the life of Caleb we then also learn that:

YOU NEED A DIFFERENT SPIRIT TO MAKE COMMUNION WITH GOD A LIFESTYLE.

8. ACTIVATES REST IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE

Jos 14:15

(15) The name of Hebron before was Kiriath-arba [city of Arba]. This Arba was the greatest of the Anakim. And the land had rest from war.

“Then the land had rest from war”

After Caleb gets his inheritance, the land enters into rest from war.

THERE WILL AGITATION, TROUBLE AND PERPLEXITIES UNTIL THE RIGHTEOUS – THOSE WITH A DIFFERENT SPIRIT RECEIVE THEIR INHERITANCE.

A MORE EXCELLENT POSITION:

AS YOU GET OLDER YOU MUST GET BETTER. WE MUST MOVE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, VICTORY TO VICTORY.

THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE MUST BE GREATER THAN THE GLORY OF THE FORMER HOUSE.

WE HAVE A BETTER COVENANT THAN CALEB.

Heb 6:4-11

(4) For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit,

(5) And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come,

(6) If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance--[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace.

(7) For the soil which has drunk the rain that repeatedly falls upon it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated partakes of a blessing from God.

(8) But if [that same soil] persistently bears thorns and thistles, it is considered worthless and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. [Genesis 3:17-18]

(9) Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it.

(10) For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.

(11) But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end,

Let me conclude this message and place this challenge before you.

Be FIRST. Be a proton believer. Manifest the CALEB mindset and spirit in your life.

That is what it means to be a true Son of GOD.

You are FIRST – You are a FIRST FRUIT COMPANY. Now go out and live this life.

God bless you.