Learn God's Word 03.21.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday March 21, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of Joshua. Please read Joshua 22-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about two and one-half tribes building an altar, then return east of the Jordan; a civil war is prevented and Joshua's final proclamation. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning God's Word.

When God told Joshua every place that he walked will be given to them he did not merely trust that the Lord would force the Canaanites to voluntarily give up their land. The fact is, the Israelites received their inheritance by faith; but they were to fight for every foot of land that God had promised them.

Now, Joshua was getting old and reminded the Israelites of all the blessings that God had given them over the years. "And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you." (Joshua 21:1-3).

He also reminded them that they must not be as their fathers were, either serve God wholeheartly or not at all. "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods..... And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (24:1-2,13-15). We can not serve two gods, we can not follow the motions of a Chirstian life and live for the world.

After about seven years, the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua completed their conquest of Canaan. However, the Israelites' greatest danger was yet to be faced,"If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey." (24:20-24).

Jesus, which also means Joshua in Hebrew freed us from sin by His substitutionary death on the cross and His triumphant physical resurrection. What a tragedy it is that so many people assume once a person has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, he just leaves everything else up to the Lord and He will some how tell us what to do without even learning it on our own. The fact is, the Lord has left it up to us, if we just relied on what others have told us we will never learn what it is that the Lord wants us to do personally. In order to walk with God we must be willing to learn and in order to learn me need to be reading our Bibles daily and apply that to our daily lives. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Today's Psalm: 18:35
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Often the daily grind is not appealing as I awaken each morning to the tasks before me. Sometimes the routine seems endless and at times pointless. I find myself lacking fulfillment in this aspect of my life and yet it requires the majority of my time and focus. Jesus, please help me to find the hidden strength that only comes from seeking You to deal with the negative attitudes that tempt me daily. Help me also to look beyond the immediate to the deeper meaning of each day's task. Above all, help me to keep my eyes on spiritual truths as I meditate upon Your Word and apply its meaning to my life each new day. It is in this faithful practice of placing You at the center of my focus that I can rise above the difficulties that come my way. May You restore to me, this day, the joy of Your salvation and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Have a wonderful Friday! As we observe Good Friday take some time to reflect on Jesus and that He died to save us from death. This is also a day to put to death some things that have been haunting us so we can be free from the bondage of it.

God Bless,
Christina

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