Month: July 2016

Speak of Him

tell of his salvation from day to day

Psalms 96:2
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns

Psalms 71:18
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation

Romans 10:14
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?

The question asked in Romans “how are they to believe in home they have never heard” should be a reminder to us each day why we have both an obligation and honor to speak God/Christ into encounters with others.  Psalms clearly states “tell of His salvation every day” – “let me live to an old age so I can proclaim your might to another generation” and as well in Isaiah “blessed are the feet of him who brings good news”.  It is easy to say this is not my calling – WRONG.  We can come up with all sorts of reasons why we don’t do this.  It is up to each of us to live to bring honor and glory to God through how we live.  It is also up to us to speak of Him and tell others of the hope that is within us.  Be that person.  Start with open ears to hear God’s leading – then just do it.

Obey the Voice of the Lord

‘They shall not enter my rest. ’

Joshua 5:6
For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey

Numbers 14:33
And your children shall be shepherds in the wilderness forty years and shall suffer for your faithlessness, until the last of your dead bodies lies in the wilderness.

Deuteronomy 2:7
For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing

Deuteronomy 8:4
Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land.

Hebrews 3:11
As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest. ’”
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

For 40 years the Israelites wondered in the wilderness for disobeying God. The children received the promise of God yet they still were under the discipline put on their parents for 40 years before they received the promise.  Disobeying God has consequences not only for us individually but to those we love and cherish.  The writer of Hebrews warns us “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God”.  Obey Him and purpose with  your whole heart to serve Him.  Think on what it means to serve Him with your whole heart, what it means to obey Him, what it means to trust Him.

God’s Mighty Arm

for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm.

Joshua 4:24
so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”

1 Kings 8:41
(for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm)

Deuteronomy 3:24
‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours

Psalms 8914
You have a mighty arm;
strong is your hand, high your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
who exult in your name all the day
and in your righteousness are exalted.
For you are the glory of their strength

Isaiah 52:10
The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God

I am so encouraged by reading this today.  God’s mighty arm, His mighty hand, and His strength.  This chapter of Joshua we have seen how in God’s power He stopped the Jordan River so the people could cross over.  After this feat it is recorded that all people should know how mighty God is.  This same God of old – is our God, who never changes, and His promises never fail.  I love the verses from Deuteronomy and Psalms that speak of His mighty hand and am reminded of Paul speaking of God “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” Nothing can separate us from God and His promises.  What limits us is our belief that He is able.  Purpose to know and trust in His mighty power.  His outstretched arm is there for you!

Don’t Forget

to be a reminder to the people of Israel

Joshua 4:7
When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you? ’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever

Exodus 12:14
“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall

Why would Joshua have a memorial made?  I suppose it has to do with how easy it is for us to forget what God has done. How much have we forgotten?  How many times in the past have you seen God’s hand and overcome something that seemed impossible? I was sent a link yesterday and it reminded me of something very remarkable.  The content of this link essentially said “Share your story”.  Share what your life was like before, the day it all changed, and what it is like now.  This miracle should be fixed in our heart and mind so firmly that like the stones we are reminded of God and His provision.  Reminded of His awesome power that can change a person from the inside out.  How He can open their heart and mind to the wonders of creation, place peace in their soul in times of hard trials, soften our heart to love and forgive, heal broken relationships, supply needs when there seems no hope….. It is easy to forget what God has done, what God is doing, and what God has promised for the future when we do not speak of them.  Speak often of God and never forget His awesome power, love, grace and mercy.

Dry Ground

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan

Joshua 3:14
So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Jeremiah 49:17
As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the Lord, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her. Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me.

2 Kings 2:6
Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.

 

I wonder if we truly believe this or consider it fiction.  The Jordan river in a time of over flowing it’s banks stops flowing and the people cross over on dry ground.  If we were to read this outside of knowledge of God we easily would say impossible and discount anyone who is trying to say it happened.  Yet this is recorded not once but multiple times where God has done this.  God, the creator of heaven and earth and all that is in it, is able to do so much more than this.  There is nothing impossible for Him.  So why is it we limit our thinking and belief on what He can do.  Scripture is clear that He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  He can touch the heart of those we think impossible to reach. He can create a new person out of the most vilest sinner.  He sends His holy spirit to indwell in those who seek Him and choose to serve and glorify Him.  This is much more of a mystery to me than stopping the Jordan river or Red Sea.  Take time to think about God and His awesome power and endless love for those who desire Him.

Go Near and Hear

Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it

Joshua 3:7
And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Deuteronomy 5:25
For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? Go near and hear all that the Lord our God will say, and speak to us all that the Lord our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it

Psalms 42:2
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God

Psalms 63:1
O God, you are my God; earnesty I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you

John 7:38
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

I want to tell you scripture that means something very deep to me.  “heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire”.  8:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 1978 I was working as an apprentice plumber.  Another man, Lee, and I were scheduled to work in a house under construction. We arrived at the house a little before 8:00 and got set for what should take us about 4 hours of overtime to complete.  We were in the basement.  When Lee went to light his torch the house exploded in a ball of flames.  I remember getting up off the floor totally engulfed in flames. I was frantically trying to beat out these flames.  I was wearing a polyester winter coat.  The flames were melting this coat on to my skin when there was an audible voice that said “Daryl pull off your coat”.  And though I was burned the voice of God saved be from much more serious burns.  I must say at this time of my life I gave little or no thought of or about God.  God used this to get my attention.  He then placed people in my life who followed Him.  For over a year these people built relationships with me and continued to explain the gospel over and over again.  These people followed God’s calling in their life to make disciples.  On March 22, 1979 I came to the knowledge of God’s plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I knew without a doubt I was a sinner in need of forgiveness.  You may ask “forgiveness of what” – living for God and for His purpose – to honor and glorify Him.  It is impossible to do this on our own accord.  There is nothing we can do to make ourselves right in His eyes but to believe in the saving grace through the work Jesus did on the cross.  From this beginning our life will take a complete change.  Our hunger to do everything for ourselves and our benefit changes to a hunger and thirst to know God more and to seek to bring Him honor and glory.  Thirst for Him.

 

Which Way

“All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go

Joshua 3:3
“As soon  as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.

Numbers 10:29
“We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you. ’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.” But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us. And if you do go with us, whatever good the Lord will do to us, the same will we do to you

We ask others to walk with us but are we giving any reason for it?  Paul said “as I am following the Lord, follow me”.  Joshua said “Follow the Ark of the Covenant in order that you may know the way shall go, for you have not passed this way before”.  What are we using to guide us through each day?  There are times we hit a day where we have no clue the path to take to get us through it.  Being prepared is a very good way to start.  Stay in God’s word, desire in your heart to know Him deeper, start the day with worship to Him, think about His word, Pray, ask God to open your eyes to those around you and how you might serve them in some way, listen to that quiet still voice of God, Obey His leading…… These are not Do’s and Don’ts but rather heart choices made with one single purpose: to honor and glorify God.

Almighty God

I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you

Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.
Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.

Genesis 35:5
And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob

Exodus 15:14
The peoples have heard; they tremble;
pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;
trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
Terror and dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,
till your people, O Lord, pass by

I am intrigued by this story of God’s power.  How He is in control. How the impossible is possible.  How He is not limited in any way.  I pray that each of our hearts and minds are reminded of this each day and that our faith grows accordingly to our understanding, knowledge, and desire to serve Him more and more each day.  Remember the line in an old hymn “morning by morning new mercies I see”.  He is our heavenly father, the great I am, the redeemer, the healer, the protector, the leader, the almighty God.  Trust Him for He is able.

 

God’s Leading

All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go

Joshua 1:16
And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be  strong and courageous

Numbers 27:20
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

Numbers 32:25
And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead, but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord orders

Deuteronomy 1:31
you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place. ’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God

 

It is important to note that Joshua was commanding people on entering the promised land.  He was confirming to them that God was in Control, what the plan was, and they all agreed to follow God’s plan as He instructed Joshua.  On top of this they agreed to put to death anyone who did not follow this leading.  This is a big commitment.  There are times in our lives where we will have battle (emotional, health, personal, family, children, financial and much more).  So how are we to face these battles with confidence, strength, and commitment?  I think it starts with a heart desire to know God more and more each day and continually growing, to commit to  hearing that quiet small voice leading and(OBEY IT), to trust God’s plan for this journey through life, to trust God’s plan is perfect for you, to rely on God and cling to His strength for any battle we are facing.  Start with a deep hearts desire, commit and trust, take peace in His plan, and rest on His promises.  He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  Do not limit God’s leading in your life.

Place of Rest

walk in it, and find rest for your souls.

Joshua
‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this land.

isaiah 11:10
In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it. ’
I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet! ’
But they said, ‘We will not pay attention. ’
Therefore hear, O nations,
and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
the fruit of their devices,
because they have not paid attention to my words;
and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Isaiah 40:28
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

I see this happening over and over again.  In times of trials and heavy burdens people turn to God for peace and rest.  They come to a place where “doing it on their own” is not working out and the desire/seek God’s hand in their life.  Why is it that we “run” to God when we are finally broken but in times of little to no trials or burdens we seem to not see the need for God?  Could it be that our walk with Him is superficial?  What does it say about a life that only seeks God when times are rough?  What would you think about a son or daughter who only spoke to their earthly father when they needed something or were in trouble?  They never went to see their father any other time.  They never invited him to any part of their life.  Only when they were in need did they contact him.  I am confident you get the point – God, our heavenly Father, wants our heart desire to be for Him, to serve Him, to seek what His purpose is for us each day.  To stay in His word we find words of direction, hope, peace, rest…. To stay in His presence is peace and rest.  Learn to live in His presence every moment.