A Wilderness Study: Doctoral: Christian Education in Administration & Organisation

By Dr. Claudette King

Every athlete will testify that not finishing a race is one of the worst feelings they can have. For once started, the aim indeed is to finish, preferably in first place, but finish nonetheless. Like those running a race, when going through a wilderness experience, the determination to endure is what we need most. This book will aid the reader to gain knowledge for those hard times. Providing detailed account of some such as Moses, the Children of Israel, David, Job, John The Baptist and Jesus, who have gone through wilderness experiences in their lives and have left us examples from which we can draw inspiration and learn. Take this journey and gather tools to aid you endure your wilderness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Nov 8, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456815233

Dr. Claudette King

Born out of incest, she was raised in a confusing situation of uncertainty, now knowing who she was. After a family tragedy, her life changed drastically and she came to know abuse like no child should. Going from turmoil to turmoil, she has walked through personal, psychological, physical and spiritual wildernesses. Now looking back and understanding that through it all, God led her, fed her, protected and provided for her in ways that were truly supernatural. Her experiences have taught her how to depend totally on God. Now with full assurance, she encourages others who are going through or who may be facing a wilderness experience to ENDURE.

Book preview

THIS DISSERTATION ENTITLED

A WILDERNESS STUDY

IS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

THE DOCTOR OF

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN ADMINISTRATION & ORGANISATION DEGREE

INTERNATIONAL APOSTOLIC UNIVERSITY OF GRACE & TRUTH

AUGUST 12th 2010

A WILDERNESS STUDY

Doctoral: Christian Education in Administration & Organisation

International Apostolic University of Grace & Truth

(IAUGT)

Date: August 12th 2010

Dr. Claudette King

Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Claudette King.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2010916807

ISBN: Hardcover    978-1-4568-1522-6

ISBN: Softcover      978-1-4568-1521-9

ISBN: Ebook           978-1-4568-1523-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Reprinted by permission. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, W.E. Vine, 1996, Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville, Tennesse. All rights reserved

Reprinted by permission. The New Strong’s Concordance Exhaustive of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D.. S.T.D., 1990, Thomas Nelson Inc. Nashville, Tennesse. All rights reserved

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

301256

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Appreciation & Thanks

Abstract

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1

What is a Wilderness Experience?

Chapter 2

Why Go through a Wilderness?

The Rebirth of the Eagle

Questions for Chapter 2:

Chapter 3

A Wilderness Study Reference

Definition

Wilderness (According to the Vine’s Expository Dictionary)

Strong’s # Meaning

The Numbering System Explained

Bible Books Pertaining to Wilderness

Questions for Chapter 3:

Chapter 4

Wildernesses Mentioned

Some Wilderness Experiences

Questions for Chapter 4:

Chapter 5—Moses

Wilderness Experiences—Moses

Moses—H4872,—השׁ

History—How Israel Became Slaves in Egypt

Moses: Slave or Prince of Egypt

Fleeing from Egypt

Questions for Chapter 5:

Chapter 6—Children of Israel

Wilderness Experience—The Children of Israel

Egyptian Idols

The Start of the Deliverance

Heading For the Wilderness

The Children of Israelite’s Mindset

Wilderness Warnings

Questions for Chapter 6:

Chapter 7—David

Wilderness Experience—David

David Encounters Goliath

David Goes to the Philistines

The Physical Wilderness

The Positional Wilderness

God Saves David from Himself

Questions for Chapter 7:

Chapter 8—Job

Wilderness Experience—Job

God boasts on Job

Believer—Know Thyself

Job’s Reward

Questions for Chapter 8:

Chapter 9—John the Baptist

Wilderness Experience—John the Baptist

Introducing John the Baptist

A Look at John’s Descendants

Choosing of the Levites

Zachariah’s Course

Priestly 24 Course Division

Angelic Visitation

John’s Preparation

The Rulers of John’s Day

John’s Arrest

John’s Death

Questions for Chapter 9:

Chapter 10—Jesus

Wilderness Experience—Jesus

The Divinity of Jesus Christ

Why Did God Come to Earth?

The Plan of Salvation

The Ark

The Tabernacle

The Creation

The Fall of Man

Eve’s Encounter with the Serpent

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Jesus’ Life & Wilderness Experience

Our Example

We Must Be Trustworthy

Jesus’ Ministry

Jesus’ Mission Fulfilled

Questions for Chapter 10:

Conclusion

Summary

Appendices

Appendix A:     Wilderness Occurrences (Bible Books)

Appendix B:     Total Number of Occurrences

Appendix C:     All Scriptures Pertaining to Wilderness (KJV)

Bibliography

Endnotes

Dedication

This work is dedicated to Elder Kevin Hutchinson, a good friend, one whom I respect as an oracle of God. Someone who without knowing what God was doing at the time, sent me to do a study on the wilderness. At a time in my life when I myself was going through my own wilderness experience, unsure of what was happening, God would use him to direct me to study the wilderness. A task I took on, without having any idea or inclination that this study would become my publishable work.

This study aided me in understanding what God was bringing me through and to; and brought about a deep settled peace in my Spirit, enabling me to be more focused in my ministry.

Continue to walk in the Spirit my friend and cease not to speak the Word of God.

Thank You.

Acknowledgement

I honour the Lord, for He is King of all, God the Sovereign Ruler in my life. He is truly my source, my constant and my joy. He is my all in all. Without him, I am nothing and I owe my life and my all to him. Without Jesus, I can do nothing and everything has been made possible only through and by him. He has provided everything I needed, all along the way . . . each step I take, my Saviour leads me and for this, I give him praise.

Appreciation & Thanks

• I acknowledge my husband, John who has been so patient with me, teaching me silently how to be better at everything I do. You are my greatest fan, and I love you. To Nathan and Ronjerome, thanks for bearing with me, when I was snappy and tired, because of late nights and early mornings, working tirelessly to get this done. You are two of the purest people I know, for you have no ulterior motive when you tell me the truth. I love you both.

• To my pastor, Bishop Joseph A. Dawes and his lovely wife, First Lady Yvonne Dawes for support, advice and prayers. I love you both; you are true pillars of faith and sound examples. Keep praying me up.

• To Dr. Gloria Foward and Dr. Sharon Johnson who continued, against all odds, to speak those things which be not as though they were, encouraging me, that GOD will do it! Yes he has, to God be the glory. I am very grateful to Dr. Foward who inspired me to complete my doctoral dissertation, and publish it as a book for world-wide distribution that would minister to the need of his people as they go through their wilderness experience victoriously.

• To Bishop Brooks for his unwavering support and his steadfast belief in not just capturing but holding on to the vision—you are truly a visionary. Thank you for making a landmark day a reality. I love you and First Lady Brooks for you have been there to listen and to guide with humour (First Lady Brooks) and a stern tone (Bishop Brooks).

• To Elder Trevor Udennis & First Lady Julia Udennis for their advice, encouragement and humour, when everyone else got ruffled by uncontrollable events, Elder Udennis’ laugh alone was enough to cheer and calm in many stormy situations—Keep on laughing.

• To all my family and friends who have stood by and supported me in hard times, in trying times, in desperate & dark times, praying for me, encouraging me and allowing me to speak to my spirit whilst teaching them the Word. Shirley & Rosie I love you. You are two of my dearest friends.

• To my sister Inez, who gave me the financial and slap on the head—big sister support (as big sisters do) I love you sis, and hey, hope you are proud of me.

Abstract

There are many references from which we can draw, when we look into the scriptures. Various accounts are recorded of those who had to encounter some kind of wilderness experience. It is not easy or pleasant when we meet upon our hardship, trials, or tests. However, these are to be expected on this Christian journey. James chapter 1 warns us:

Jas 1:2     My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Jas 1:3     Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Jas 1:4     But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jas 1:5     If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Brethren, count it all joy when: when signifies, it is going to happen, had James said "if, it would have meant that maybe we could go through some trials, but then maybe not. However the scripture verse uses the word WHEN"... therefore we can rest assured that trials, hardship, testing, or we can sum it all up and call it a Wilderness Experience must be encountered.

Realistically, we don’t rejoice in our tribulations, our wilderness experiences do not invoke joy and rejoicing, instead we are frustrated, angry, bitter, thereby losing precious time and missing what God is doing with us. Often we resort to feelings of depression and have a pity party, while being in turmoil in our minds about what we have done to bring about such an experience. We struggle in our minds, we struggle in our flesh, we struggle in our spirit, all the time ignoring the one thing we should do, which proves usually to be the hardest thing; that is, to approach God in prayer and earnest supplication, and wait for an answer. While God will not always tell us what he is doing with us, he will give us instruction as to what he wants us to do.

When we find ourselves in a wilderness, we will need direction, therefore; we must go to God, for then he will be our compass. We will need provision, therefore, we must go to God, for then he will be our provider. We will need protection, therefore, we must go to God, for then he will be our protector, our shelter from the harsh elements. We must approach God in our wilderness experiences, allowing our flesh to be subjected to our spirit, otherwise, we will continue to struggle, making wrong turns and wrong decisions, whilst wandering in a place, lost; not knowing where to go to or how to come out of our wildernesses in the Power of the Spirit, as God intended.

Foreword

I am indeed humbled to have been given the privilege to present the foreword to this magnificent work, A Wilderness Study, by Dr. Claudette King. This publishable work will inspire the hearts of many to believe God, as they journey to their God-ordained destiny. Jeremiah 29:11 states For I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith God, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end. He created us with purpose and destiny and He is well able to bring us to an expected end with joy, peace, and victory.

However, to successfully achieve the plan that God has for us, we must completely yield ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit, through obedience to his Word. In other words, the Bible is the road map that will take us from earth, where we face tribulation, economic setbacks, and family breakdown, to our paradisiacal home that God has prepared for us in heaven (John 14:1-3).

The scriptures also bear witness that we will personally experience sufferings, sicknesses, deep wounds and hurts and financial disasters. The author of this book elucidates and defines this phase of our lives as our wilderness experience. She has also given us the reason we must journey through these experiences trusting in God. The reader of this book will obtain enlightenment and revelation that God is with them during His process of purification to bring about the necessary changes in our lives to transform us to the image of his Dear Son, Jesus Christ. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. (II Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:29; I Corinthians 3:18).

This scholarly work by Dr Claudette King, examines the life of various Biblical characters to emphasise that God was with them through their wilderness journey and brought them successfully to their expected end. According to the writer This (spiritual) experience does not necessarily come about because of sin or wrong doings, but rather at a time when God is ready to transition you from one place to another; or when He is preparing you for a great work. She emphasizes that wilderness experiences allows the traveller to get close to God, to understand what is happening and embrace what is about to come.

As you read the account of Moses, the Children of Israel, David, Job, John The Baptist and Jesus, I am certain that you will find areas of significance and similarity; from which you can draw encouragement, strength, direction, knowledge, and revelation applicable to your own circumstance.

Be blessed as you embark upon understanding more through "A Wilderness Study.

Dr. Gloria J. Foward, President

International Apostolic University of Grace and Truth, Inc.

Introduction

Deu 8:2     And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

Often when we find ourselves in hard or trying times in our lives, we seldom remember key scriptures such as Deuteronomy 8:2. Scriptures that is definitive in its message, showing us that with everything, even the things we find uncomfortable and trying, God has locked purpose in it concerning us. In Deuteronomy 8:2, God led Israel through the wilderness to:

1.     Humble them: You might say humble them? But they were slaves who had only come out of bondage, why would they be proud? But remember, all the nations around had heard how God had fought for them, and that had struck fear into their hearts. They could have developed some pride, knowing that they were victorious in battle. Also if we look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, the scripture lends impression that prayer, seeking God’s face and turning from wicked ways, are signs of humility. So when we consider it; Israel had many times gone after other gods, they had conformed to the ways and customs of the heathen nations around them. Clear signs that they were not seeking God and turning from their wicked ways. No saved individual can approach God without repenting, [to repent, means to change one’s mind] and we know from reading the scriptures that Israel was warned by numerous prophets to turn back to God, to change their mind from going after other gods and repent towards God. So God wanted to humble Israel; get them to seek after him, turn from following idols and always go to him first. So the several trials they faced whilst travelling through the wilderness was to lead them to God.

2.     Prove them: Prove means to provide evidence of . . . Israel had numerous occasion to provide evidence to God of their intention towards him. Showing him that they would trust him, approach him first, rely on him only and communicate with him in everything, not just