Taking Inventory

"Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses. Joshua 11:15

I am reminded when I had first read through Joshua and I struggled with how the Lord would ask that Joshua or whoever would destroy people completely. I just didn't understand why such harsh orders. Later I would discover that when leaders would not obey the Lord that those nations would rise up again and even commit more evil and more destruction. God is always good and always knows what's best for us and His creation. God has also commanded us to destroy things in our lives. The question for us is, will we be obedient. Sin is our adversary and victory is ours. What has the Lord called you to destroy and you haven't put it to death

^{Romans 6:11}Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

To conquer the land God has for us sin cannot reign in our bodies. I say we have some serious bloodshed today. Wipe it out. All of it! Take The Land.

Viiictoooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Pastor Joe

Fighting for Us

"And as they fled before Israel... the Lord threw down large stones from heaven... There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword." - Joshua 10:11

"... The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel." - Joshua 10:13b-14

This is the God who fights for us. This is the overwhelming victory we have in Christ our Lord. I feel like today the scriptures speak for themselves. Take some time to claim victory in the name of Jesus over your struggles and battles. Let out a shout of victory and thank our powerful and mighty God because He's worthy.

Victorious,

Robby


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Sneaky

14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua ymade peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. Joshua 9:14-15

So what's your take on the Gibeonites? Yes they deceived that Israel, but it worked. Joshua walks with integrity and keeps the covenant. Today I am reminded on how many times someone has either lied or even betrayed me. God does take evil and can turn it for good. Making them woodcutter and water carriers is not a bad deal for either party. My whole mindset this morning is that I am accountable for my actions to the Lord. I can't control what others will say and do but I can trust the Lord.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 633

Joshua did that by honoring the covenant he made, he had to be puzzled and w0nder what am I supposed to do now? Walking with integrity and in truth is always our battle plan.

Lord, help me trust you and walk in truth and righteousness. Be my defender, Be my source, Be my light, Be my center. Help me keep my eyes of others and live my life according to your word. Help me to trust you when life just does't make sense.

Making sense of it all.

Joe

Waiting and Trusting

If only they would've waited!!! We see here at Ai that the Lord says they can take the possessions of the people for spoils. It's so ridiculous when we try to take the blessings of God instead waiting for the Giver of every good and perfect to give them Himself. Taking comes with a price, but when God gives in His time and within His criteria it has no strings attached, tax free so to say. Maybe, like in the case of this chapter, it's not a matter of waiting, but of trusting God to fulfill a desire. You want something and He just says no. Achan made the mistake of not listening and he paid the penalty. If he would've listened, he would've received the fulfillment of his desire 1000 fold at Ai. The Lord has a plan, has you completely covered, and has you completely in mind because He loves you. We read in Luke 12 a few weeks ago in Axiom about this. Let's continue to be challenged in waiting and trusting God. Because He comes through EVERY TIME and you can't tell me any different.

Robby

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Get UP

¹⁰ So the LORD said to Joshua: “Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? Joshua 7:10

I don't know about you but Joshua is so rich with depth and insight. I love how the Lord told him to Get Up! It's not like Joshua was being lazy. He was praying and interceding and the Lord told him to knock it off. Humbling thyself in the sight of the Lord, prayer, and worship are all good but there is a time to act on ones faith and that pleases the Lord. Joshua role was to hold Achan and the people accountable for their sin. I am sure we can pray for eachother but at times what the Lord is asking us is to point out the sin in another brothers life. By preventing the sin in Achan's life it also prevented damaged in other peoples lives. Nothing seems to anger me more when others have to pay the consequence of someone else's sin. Lord forgive me for transgressing against others.

Today let's get Up and stand up against sin, Ours and in our brothers life.

Getting Up!
Joe

The Battle Cry of Obedience

Joshua's generation had seen firsthand the result of going against the command of God. They and their parents had wandered in the desert for 40 years for their disobedience, but in this chapter I believe the Lord is teaching them, and us for that matter, a very important principle: Victory and blessing come with a condition and that's obedience. Obedience pushes us out of the way, allows God to do His work, and creates a situation where only He can receive the glory. "It's not by strength, not by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." Today we're barraged with a gospel that requires nothing from us, but eye service and a smile. But the character of God has never changed:

"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to the law which Moses My servant commanded you..." - Joshua 1:7a

"... abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love." - John 15:9-10

The Lord had given the Israelites very specific direction. They followed it and were victorious because of it. When have you obeyed the Lord and experienced victory because of it? Is there a time you can recall when you failed to do what God asked, resulting in defeat? What is a point of obedience that the Lord is pressing upon you today?

BE VICTORIOUS!

Robby

Law of the loose sandal

"Take of your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." Joshua 5:15

If Pastor Jack wasn't so blog challenged I would have him post today. I was sharing with him about our study in Joshua and he went on to tell me about the law of the loose sandal. In our reading today Joshua receives the same instruction Moses did at the burning bush. The other time this occurs is when Jesus himself asks his disciples to take off there sandals at the last supper. I wish you all could witness Jack's passion and excitement as he tells that it is only the Lord that asks for us to take of our sandals. What are your thoughts on why Moses and Joshua are asked to take off there sandals because they are standing on holy ground? Let's get some discussion and we'll get Jack to chime in today!