Category: Joshua

Posted on

Stand Up to Fear

I love that we have the story of Gideon in the Bible. He is the poster child of transformation. Going from fearful farmer to valiant warrior, all because he had an encounter with the Lord.

I think what I love most about this story is God’s faithfulness. He lovingly encouraged Gideon each step of the way. The Lord didn’t become impatient or frustrated, instead He gave continued instruction and showed His commitment to direct Gideon and deliver Israel.

After Gideon asked the Lord for proof of His willingness to lead him and Israelites, Gideon stepped out with the army but look where they went.

“ Early the next morning, Gideon and his army got up and moved their camp to Fear Spring. The Midianite camp was to the north, in the valley at the foot of Moreh Hill. 2 The Lord said, “Gideon, your army is too big. I can’t let you win with this many soldiers. The Israelites would think that they had won the battle all by themselves and that I didn’t have anything to do with it. 3  So call your troops together and tell them that anyone who is really afraid can leave Mount Gilead and go home.” Judges 7:1-3 CEV

They went to “Fear” Spring. God had a purpose for going there; remove fear from the camp. Everyone that was afraid was sent home. Twenty-two thousand soldiers left, only ten thousand remained.

Fear is persistent. It tries to wear us down, it’s goal is to defeat us and keep us from being who God created us to be.

“God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 CEV

“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 CEV

“ Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. It is his punishment that makes a person fear. So his love is not made perfect in the one who has fear.” I John 4:18 ERV

God was not only working in Gideon’s life but also in the lives of the men who remained. The men needed to be alert, ready for battle.

“Gideon,” the Lord said, “you still have too many soldiers. Take them down to the spring and I’ll test them…6 Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink. 7 The Lord said, “Gideon, your army will be made up of everyone who lapped the water from their hands. Send the others home. I’m going to rescue Israel by helping you and your army of 300 defeat the Midianites.” Judges 7:3-7 CEV

Victory doesn’t come because of great numbers or worldly prestige. It comes from faith; trusting in God’s word and His purposes. It comes when we stand, firmly planted on God’s promises.

“ I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CEV

Stand up to fear; we defeat it not in our own efforts but by placing our trust in our God who never fails!

Posted on

Before Take Off…

For the last several days I have been reminding you of what God’s word says about the storms or anxious moments we face.

Why the repetition?

Well… that’s what God has put on my heart to encourage and inform you of His promises.

So, this morning when I heard the Holy Spirit prompting me, one more time, to share more on this message I did say, “Lord, they are probably getting tired of hearing this. Can I come back to it later”?

That’s when I saw, in my mind’s eye, those flight attendants who stand in the aisleways before every flight telling us about seat belt placement, life vests and oxygen masks. Yes, they probably have other things they would like to do but their first priority is our safety. They follow the same routine on every flight. The same script. The same communication with the cockpit. Everything is done to ensure our safety and theirs.

That’s why, once again, I’m going to remind you of the promises God has given us for our daily safety and protection.

Before we take off on the day let’s go over them once more. Take out the safety instructions, the Bible, and let’s go over them together.

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” II Corinthians 1:20 NIV

“I will soon die, as everyone must. But deep in your hearts you know that the Lord has kept every promise he ever made to you. Not one of them has been broken. 15-16 Yes, when the Lord makes a promise, he does what he has promised. But when he makes a threat, he will also do what he has threatened. The Lord is our God.” Joshua 23:14-16 CEV (This is an amazing testimony to God’s faithfulness. Joshua died at 110. He never saw God break a promise.)

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5 You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won’t fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon.” Psalm 91:3-6 CEV

And finally, from Jesus’ mouth to our ears:

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds? Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

You are now prepared for take off. Enjoy today’s flight. God has you secure under His wings!

Posted on

Stacking Stones

Recently I have been reading through the book of Joshua, again. It’s one of my favorite Old Testament books. I have a book in my small library entitled “Victorious Christian Living” by Alan Redpath. It’s a study in the book of Joshua written in 1953, the year I was born so that somehow seems significant. (There are copies available on Ebay, if you’re interested.)

Well…back to this morning’s blog.

One of the first instructions Joshua received when crossing into the Promised Land was to establish a monument of God’s faithfulness.

“ After all the people had crossed the Jordan River, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 ‘Choose twelve men, one from each tribe. 3 Tell them to look in the river where the priests were standing and get twelve rocks from that place. Carry these rocks with you and put them where you stay tonight.’

4 So Joshua chose one man from each tribe. Then he called the twelve men together. 5 He said to them, ‘Go out into the river where the Holy Box of the Lord your God is. Each of you must find one rock. There will be one rock for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Carry that rock on your shoulder. 6 These rocks will be a sign for you. In the future, your children will ask you, ‘What do these rocks mean?’ 7 You will tell them that the Lord stopped the water from flowing in the Jordan River. When the Holy Box of the Lord’s Agreement crossed the river, the water stopped flowing. These rocks will help the Israelites remember this forever.’” Joshua 4:1-7 ERV

These rocks will help Israel remember forever.

Do you have a stack of stones, whether physical or mental, that you have stacked to remember forever marvelous things that God has done in your life. Times of rescue? Circumstances miraculously changing for your protection and good? Places you have moved or jobs you have taken that you knew were the Lord’s provision?

There are a number of times in my life that I have stacked some stones. The time when God’s promise to never leave me or abandon me became an indelible truth. Then again, in my deepest heart break when the Lord’s promise to heal my broken heart and give me peace that bypassed my understanding became my firm foundation. I could go on for hours telling you of the times I stopped to stack the stones.

“21 Then Joshua told the Israelites, ‘In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these rocks mean?’ 22 Tell them, ‘These rocks help us remember the way the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River on dry land.’” Joshua 4:21-22 ERV

I think it’s no coincidence that Jesus left a “stone of remembrance” of His own.

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord came from the sky, and there was a huge earthquake. The angel went to the tomb and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on top of the stone.” Matthew 28:2 ERV

That stone had been set in place to keep Jesus in but once it was rolled away it could be used as a monument to the power of His resurrection!

May I encourage you to take some time and stack some stones today. With each stone, thank the Lord for His promises and His provision.

Posted on

God Uses the Unusable

Do you know who Rahab was? She was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Would you be surprised if I told you she was used of God to aid the Israelites in their destruction of that city? Talk about using some who was considered unusable – it would be her story.

Rahab’s home was on the city wall. I don’t know if there was a red-light district in Jericho but immediately upon entering the city of Jericho, the spies Joshua sent out went to Rahab’s house. I guess that they felt strangers going to the house of a harlot wouldn’t garner much attention because certainly there must be a steady stream of men going in and out of her house. But the arrival of two Israelites in Jericho didn’t go unnoticed.

The king sent and questioned Rahab as to where the spies were and she lied saying that they must have already left the city and if the king sent soldiers after them, they could probably catch up with the spies. She had hid them on her roof under the drying flax.

Rahab told the spies that the people of Jericho had lived in fear of the Israelites since they heard of how the Lord parted the Red Sea for them and then helped them defeat the kings, Og and Sihon in the wilderness.

“She said, “I know that the LORD has given this land to your people. You frighten us. Everyone living in this country is afraid of you. 10 We are afraid because we have heard about the ways that the LORD helped you. We heard that he dried up the Red Sea when you came out of Egypt… 13 Tell me that you will allow my family to live—my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all their families. Promise me that you will save us from death.” Joshua 2:9-13

I think it’s interesting that her country lived in fear for the past 40 years – since they heard about the Red Sea parting and yet, the Israelites had been walking around in the wilderness for 40 years afraid of the giants in the land on the other side of the Jordan. The report of God’s ability to fight for Israel had left their enemies in mortal fear and yet the Israelites didn’t have faith in God’s word but rather “considered” the giants in the land.

“ The spies said: You made us promise to let you and your family live. We will keep our promise, but you can’t tell anyone why we were here. You must tie this red rope on your window when we attack, and your father and mother, your brothers, and everyone else in your family must be here with you.” Joshua 2:17-20

A few days after the spies returned to their camp, Joshua set the battle plan in order and the Israelites took Jericho and everyone in the city was destroyed except for Rahab and her family. Not one Israelite died in the battle.

The Israelites had lived in fear of the giants in the promised land but the people in the promised land had lived in fear of God.

What giants are keeping you from God’s promised land today? What is it that seems so large, that you can’t conquer it? “Consider not” the giant that has paralyzed you in the past but instead consider God’s promise of blessing. When you put your faith in God and His word, He will go before you and cause you to rise victorious.

God loves using those who the world thinks are unusable.

Posted on

The Lord’s Battle

Mondays – new adventures, new challenges, new victories!

“These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David. 2 Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.3 You will learn what is right and honest and fair. 4 From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense. 5 If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand 6 proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom and all kinds of riddles. 7 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.” Proverbs 1:1-7 CEV

Very good advice for daily living – Respect and obey the Lord. This is the beginning of wisdom – trusting His word, drawing on His strength, looking at things His way brings us to victory.

Moses was being attacked by the Amalekites and so he told Joshua to get some soldiers ready for the fight. These men were not seasoned soldiers, they had been slaves making bricks for the last 400 years. They were strong but not trained soldiers. But they prepared for battle as Moses said.

Moses, Aaron and Hur were up on the hilltop watching the battle. As Moses held up his arms with the rod that the Lord gave him, the Israelites were victorious. As he grew weary his arms began to drop lower and lower. When this happened the Amalekites gained the advantage. So Aaron and Hur got Moses a large rock to sit on and they held up his arms until Joshua was completely victorious.

Now where was the logic in that? It wasn’t logic it was obedience! Obedience comes from respecting the Lord – that’s wisdom.

” Moses built an altar and named it ‘The Lord Gives Me Victory.’ 16 Then Moses explained, ‘This is because I depended on the Lord.'” Exodus 17:15-16 CEV

Joshua, the leader of that battle, was about to face a battle of his own at the city of Jericho. He encountered the Lord and this is what the Lord said.

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing near him with his sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, “Are you for us or for those who hate us?” 14 “No,” He said, “I have now come as Captain of the army of the Lord.” Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshiped, and said to Him, “What has my Lord to say to His servant?” Joshua 5:13-14 NLV

Joshua laid aside conventional wisdom and followed the Lord’s instruction. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today you may have battles but you have also been given the victory! Trust what the Lord is saying to your heart and obey. It’s the Lord who gives the victory!

Posted on

Be Strong – Be Courageous

These words came fast and with great emphasis this morning. These words are from God’s heart to yours!

“Trust the Lord! Be brave and strong and trust the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 CEV

“Be strong and brave, all of you who are waiting for the Lord’s help.” Psalm 31:24 ERV

“ I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 CEV

“When I asked for your help, you answered my prayer and gave me courage” Psalm 138:3 CEV

“Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him. 22 He will give us whatever we ask, because we obey him and do what pleases him.” I John 3:21-22 CEV

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories.” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

“ David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart become weak because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ 33 Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go and fight against this Philistine. You are only a young man, while he has been a man of war since he was young.’ 34 But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant was taking care of his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and fought him and saved it from his mouth. When he came against me, I took hold of him by the hair of his head and hit him and killed him. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear. And this Philistine who has not gone through our religious act will be like one of them. For he has made fun of the armies of the living God.’ 37 And David said, ‘The Lord Who saved me from the foot of the lion and from the foot of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.‘” I Samuel 17:32-37 NLV

I’m not sure if you are facing is like a lion, a bear, the city of Jericho or an army that wants to destroy you, but God’s message is “Take heart – Be Courageous – I AM with you”!

Posted on

Follow the Plan

Have you ever struggled with something – maybe a new computer program, maybe a construction project, maybe a relationship? Every day can be like that if we are making our own plans without consulting with the Father.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25 KJV

Our thinking or reasoning isn’t always the best. Take Joshua for instance.

Jericho was a walled, well fortified city, many people lived there and the city was guarded. And I’m sure Joshua was developing a battle plan when the Lord spoke to him.

“Meanwhile, the people of Jericho had been locking the gates in their town wall because they were afraid of the Israelites. No one could go out or come in.

2-3 The Lord said to Joshua:

With my help, you and your army will defeat the king of Jericho and his army, and you will capture the town. Here is how to do it: March slowly around Jericho once a day for six days. 4 Take along the sacred chest and have seven priests walk in front of it, carrying trumpets.

But on the seventh day, march slowly around the town seven times while the priests blow their trumpets. 5 Then the priests will blast on their trumpets, and everyone else will shout. The wall will fall down, and your soldiers can go straight in from every side.” Joshua 6:1-5 CEV

Seriously, you take a city by marching and blowing trumpets?! No, you take a city by being obedient to what the Lord has said!

“The priests blew their trumpets again, and the soldiers shouted as loud as they could. The walls of Jericho fell flat. Then the soldiers rushed up the hill, went straight into the town, and captured it.” Joshua 6:20 CEV

What if Joshua had gotten discouraged at the end of day six and quit? What if he had abandoned the Lord’s plan and consulted with the heads of the twelve tribes? He knew that wouldn’t be right.

Remember when Joshua and Caleb had been sent out by Moses with ten other leaders to spy out the land of Israel. The ten came back with a report of fear and defeat, Joshua and Caleb’s report was one of victory. The people believed the ten and wandered in the wilderness for years. Now, here they are, finally going in to take the land the Lord had promised them years before.

Consulting with those who don’t have a godly perspective is dangerous. Following God’s plan is always right.

What is the Lord saying to you about your “Jericho”? You’ve been trying to figure this battle out on your own but now it’s time to listen to the One who has the right strategy. When you do, you’ll be victorious!

Posted on

Lessons from Childhood

What lessons did you learn as a kid that you are still using today?

It’s amazing how many things we do as adults that we were taught as children. We no longer do them because we fear that we may get a whippin’ or because “mom” is still standing there telling us to but we do them because we know they’re right.

Look both ways before crossing a street

Brush your teeth before going to bed

Don’t run with scissors

Don’t talk with your mouth full

Chew with your mouth closed

Don’t tell a lie

Don’t pick your nose

Don’t tattle

Wash your hands after you’ve gone to the bathroom

Say, “Yes Ma’am” “Yes, Sir”

Don’t punch your sister

Pick up your clothes

Feed the dog

All of these things are simple and right, but we had to be taught to do them and now that we do them, we are better for it.

You know the same is true with Scripture.

“So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land.

9 I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 CEV

Joshua was taking over for Moses, leading over a million Israelites into the Promised Land. Big shoes to fill – he needed wisdom and courage. This was his instruction from the Lord…remember what you were taught, you will be successful!

Today I want to remind you what you were taught. Several times through Scripture the theme of all Scripture was summed up in two instructions.

“36 “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 23:36-40 CEV

When we love the Lord with all our heart we will naturally or supernaturally love others as well. We learn from His example of love, unconditional love and we give. We give our time, our possessions, our acceptance, we give our very lives if necessary.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:9-12 NLT

When the Lord gives us a commandment, He also gives us His strength to follow and fulfill it.

The words and instruction we hear from Christ as children in faith will be what we model as we grow to maturity in our Christian walk. Afterall, they are lessons from our childhood.

Posted on

Noises that Go Boom!

Last night was a night of very little sleep. Right before bed, I read a “Breaking Now” news story. Two firefighters were killed, and one was wounded by a sniper! This was in a town we used to call home, Couer d’Alene, Idaho.

I wondered if we knew these men and/or their families. I prayed for them, their families, the other first responders, and the community. It was hard to sleep and when I awaken at 1 p.m. I was prompted to pray more. I ask you to pray for that city and all involved today.

With that being said, this morning I recycled a blog from 8 or 9 years ago. It’s one on driving out the loud noise of fear…

“I was reminded of this experience that I had several years back while we were in Iowa watching the fireworks. It was a nice display – I had a perfect spot from the porch of our RV. But Glory, our Australian Shepherd, was not getting the same enjoyment I was.

As long as she sat in my lap and I was patting her, she was ok. She didn’t realize that there was nothing to harm her and that soon, very soon, it would all be over. Her perspective was skewed but she knew she would be ok because I would protect her.

It made me think of how unfounded my fears have been. Most things are only loud noises when put in perspective with God’s word and His goodness, grace, mercy and power (the true light). In a few short days I will be celebrating my 64th birthday. (Now to be 72.) The years have flown by, and I feel the best is still ahead – the best years with my husband, my children, my friends, and my God!

There’s an old song – The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows! Yes, I can say God is always faithful! Always!

Me, on the other hand, I can use some work. So many times, I thought I knew best and had the perfect plan. I got out into a place of loud booming noises that frightened me. I was sure I would be destroyed. I would come back and cuddle in close and I would feel God’s reassuring hand and hear His voice telling me it would be ok, “I’m here”. And yes, it was soon over, and it was ok.

Moses was giving instruction to the Israelites and to Joshua right before they crossed over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Moses told them that he would not be going with them; he had led them for 40 years and now it was time for someone new to take charge. They were to follow Joshua.

“ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 30:6-8 KJV

Be of “Good” courage.

Good courage is God based, and it will drive out fear. John wrote in I John 4 that perfect love casts out fear.

When we are secure in God’s love for us, knowing that He will never leave us or abandon us, we will be strong with “good” courage even in the face of fierce battles and opponents that are big as giants.

Look at what Moses says in verse 8; He WILL be with thee, He WILL NOT fail or forsake thee, fear NOT!

I don’t know what loud noises you are facing today but when you are letting the Lord lead you can have “good courage”, and you’ll hear His voice telling you He’s there and you can trust Him to protect.

Let the light in your eyes be the light of His glorious presence and then there will be no reason to fear!

Posted on

A Word for the Wise

This morning, I was reading in I Kings. The book begins like this, “ King David was now an old man”.

David knows his life is ending. He has a son who wants to steal the throne from his brother Solomon. David’s advisors tell him what is being planned and David thwarts that plan by having Solomon immediately anointed king.

What a way to live your final days? David needed to prepare his son for life as the ruler of Israel. He gave Solomon this instruction.

“My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. 3 Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go. 4 You and your descendants must always faithfully obey the Lord. If you do, he will keep the solemn promise he made to me that someone from our family will always be king of Israel.” I Kings 2:2-4 CEV

Do these words sound familiar? They did to me.

The Lord gave these words to Joshua many years before this.

“Long ago I promised the ancestors of Israel that I would give this land to their descendants. So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land. 9 I’ve commanded you to” be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 CEV

Joshua led the Jewish people as the conquered the Promised Land. David ruled the nation of Israel and made it a great nation that honored and served the Lord. Now Solomon was given the place of leadership – a passing of the torch or the mantle of leadership.

A few days back I showed you Solomon’s prayer when his father died. He asked for wisdom to be a good leader and the Lord not only blessed him with wisdom but also with great favor and wealth.

Now, look at the words of wisdom Solomon gives in the first few chapters of Proverbs.

“My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words. 2 For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. 8 It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.” Proverbs 3:1-8 NLV

Why read the Bible? Why study God’s word?

I know of no other place to find true wisdom, for these are the words of life!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress