Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Wednesday March 18, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Joshua. Please read chapters 11-13 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%2011-13&version=9

Today's Message: Make An Effort
God promises to give us everything that we need, but we must willing to make an effort to get them.

Although God had promised to give the Israelites the land, they had to fight for every inch of it. The news of Joshua's invasion quickly spread throughout Canaan. The Canaanite kings also had known what the Gibeonites knew, but they decided to defend their heathen gods against the one and only true God. Jabin, King of Hazor in the north, enlisted other kings and their soldiers as far north into the mountains and as far south into Jerusalem to defeat them. "And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining." (Joshua 11:4-8). Thirty-one kings were defeated and Joshua established military control over all of the promised land.

Joshua may have received the victory over the kings, but people within each tribal territory still had to be subdued as God commanded. "Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.........All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee." (13:1,6). God divided the territory that would best meet their physical and spiritual needs. And although the land had been given to them, they still had to exercise their faith and trust the guidance from God in order to possess it. If they had just been given the land and not had to fight for it they would have lost sight of God and never would have realized just how blessed they were.

God makes it possible for us to fulfill His will, but our effort is also required. We can not have everything handed to us, if that happened we would be spoiled brats that never appreciate anything. It is a known fact that even if we did not know God we would forget how grateful we were when we got them. That is why God does not give us everything we ask for right when we want it. He knows that if He gives us everything right away we lose sight of Him, we would be ungrateful and hardly realize that He even exists. "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:9-15). There is no better satisfaction than to know that a battle is won with determination and the effort that it took, knowing that God was with us and made everything possible.

Today's Psalm:128:1-2
"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We know that none of us are 100% humble, for we are clothed in these mortal, fallible bodies, but we do know that You are completely humble and we are to look to You as our example. As we clothe ourselves in Your righteousness we can overcome the pride that is ever before us. We recognize that no good thing can come from us, but all things come from You that work together for Your glory. Remind us daily that gratitude is the antidote for feelings of pride. When we acknowledge that everything we have and all that we are is due to Your merciful blessings we are humbled and grateful to You, the Giver of all things. In Jesus name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week.
God Bless,
Christina

P.S. I apologize for not getting this message out yesterday, I had server issues as well as my own. God Bless You and thank you for your patience and understanding.