Good Friday

So I wanted to break away from Joshua today and talk about Good Friday. Today marks the day that Christ was crucified for our sins, the day He took our place, our burden, and our punishment. Today is the day we reflect on the work of our Savior on the cross. Today is a somber day as we read about the brutality, the shame, and the rejection He experienced on our behalf. Today is the day that Jesus went through the most difficult, most painful, most horrible experience that anyone could ever experience for you and for me. Today is the day that He gave the greatest sacrifice, paid the greatest price to purchase us, and showed the greatest love. Today the veil was torn. Without today we would still be lost without hope. Let's take time today to remember, to refocus, and realign ourselves with the work of the cross because our response is thus:

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Robby

Joshua 13-14

Joshua 14:11-12 (New King James Version)

¹¹ As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. ¹² Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”

I hope you noticed by I am covering two chapters today. Chapter 13 was primarily a list of the land that had been conquered. I think Caleb's response in vv. 11-12 in chapter 14 is amazing. Here we have an 85 year old man saying that he is ready to kick some butt. 45 years earlier Caleb as a spy, returned with a report of the land and was ready to enter but the other spy's were fearful. Saying that the people were taller and greater than them (Duet 1) but not Caleb, the dude is a warrior. We need more Caleb's in our lives that don't walk in fear but ready to take on whoever and whatever is thrown at them. My question for you is are you Caleb or are you someone who walks in fear assuming the worst? There is nothing impossible with our God. Real men follow Jesus. I would encourage you to go pick a fight with Satan today. Stop walking with fear and being a wimp. Don't let an 85 year old dude put you to shame.

Man Up and walk in your inheritance!

Pastor Joe

Details and Enjoyment

Difficult chapter today because there isn't really any action here. We have an account of all of the kings defeated in Moses' time as well as in Joshua's conquest. But something that I got from this portion of scripture is that our God cares about the details. That's why His Word can't be proved wrong. We can base our understanding of history on the Bible because history is based on His plans. And to bring it to a more personal level, He is involved in every detail of our little lives. The word says that even the hairs on our heads are numbered and that He sees each tear that falls. He sees our every private moment and into our very hearts. He cares about the details.
Another thing that I wanted to point out was that Moses spent the time before they entered the promised land in battle fighting through the land. When Joshua entered into it it seemed like there should've just been peace. But we see that he had to conquer 31 kings! Their enjoyment of the promise was dependent on them taking hold of it, believing God in faith, stepping forward and ceasing what God had promised. What are the promises God is telling you to cease in faith in this season?

Robby

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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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