Today we read the passage where an often quoted verse comes from:  "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15b)  As I read through this chapter (24) though, it was very remeniscient for me of Moses at the end of his life in Deuteronomy.  In Deuteronomy 29, we see Moses call all of Israel together and remind them of all that God has done just like Joshua does here at the end of his life.  Then in Deuteronomy 30, specifically verses 15-20, Moses puts before them a choice to either serve God and be blessed or to not and be cursed.  Joshua does the same here and says that He's choosing to serve God.  I guess we shouldn't be suprised by this, Joshua was trained up by Moses.

The point I'd like to bring out today though is a very simple and obvious one.  All of us have a choice before us.  We can choose to live life the way God has set forth for us or we can choose to live our lives the way we want to, for our own selfish desires.  The first choice comes with blessings and the second with consequences.  It is true that following Jesus doesn't mean it will be easy.  He actually said that you would suffer and be persecuted for following Him. (Matthew 10:16-25)  But, he does promise life and not just life but life to the fullest.  (John 10:10)  So, this Joshua is saying to you today, choose whom you will serve, the gods and pleasures that everyone is pursuing around you, or your Creator who promises the life He created you for.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

In our reading today, we see land designations for Joshua, the cities of refuge, along with towns and territories given to the Levites.

As of late, I have been really trying to pay better attention to people as they speak.  As I listen and observe, I can’t help but wonder how truthful their analysis or argument of a particular subject is.  As I formulate their response in my mind, what I continually hear lately is:  “I believe”.  But what I rarely hear is a reason for their particular belief.

Some years ago, I accompanied a youth group to camp.  The main speaker was Sean McDowell.  He made a statement that has stuck with me these many years, and has given me a great deal of foundational security when speaking of the works of our Lord, or why Terry and I have chosen a life style based upon God’s economy, value system and His word.  During one of his weekend sessions to the youth He said:  “It doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is the truth”.  That truth being what is written in the bible.

Tucked away in our reading in Joshua 21:43-45, is a truth the Lord had given to Israel many years prior.   The promise of a land that they would possess; a land that gave them rest on all sides because the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. Finally, vs 45 says – “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true”.  Our Lord certainly has a way with the truth.

But there is another truth today – this Good Friday – the truth of our Lord and savior – Jesus - and His ultimate sacrifice for our sins; and let us never forget what He has done, is doing, and will do for us through all eternity.  As Jesus was upon the cross and had given up his spirit, here is what the Centurion and those around him said in Matthew 27:54:  “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”  I know for a fact that they got this one right - “They had spoken the Truth”.  Blessings…….Larry

Joshua 18:1-19:48

In high school I was part of our high school production of Neil Simon's, "The Odd Couple" where I played the part of Murray the Cop (can you say type casting?) One of the hardest things to do was not to laugh at the lines as we rehearsed. As I was reading today's scripture the character the Israelites displayed reminded me of Oscar Madison as he told his friend Felix Ungar how impossible he was,

"Blanche used to say to me, "What time do you want dinner" I'd say "I dunno, I'm not hungry". Then 3 o'clock in the morning, I'd wake her up and say "now".
I've been one of the highest paid sports writers in the east for the past fourteen years, we saved eight and a half dollars in pennies.
I'm never home, I gamble, burn cigar holes in the furniture, drink like a fish, and lie to her every chance I get.
Then on our tenth wedding anniversary, I took her to the New York Rangers-Detroit Red Wings hockey game where she got hit by a puck! I still can't figure out why she left me, that's how impossible I am."

Seven tribes of Israel have yet to get off their duffs and claim the land that God has provided for them.  They have stayed together content on being lazy and giving up on the land that was promised.  Is it any wonder why God gets angry..  I guess much like Oscar, it would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

What have we put off that God wants us to do?  God has given us the chance to take part in His plan.  If we don't, God will find someone else to do what we have been called to do and it will be our loss, not God's.  He has furnished all we need...we just have to is move on it.  Blessings......Art

 

Today
we continue reading about the division of the land west of the Jordan River. Judah is described in more detail than the
others. At least 112 of its towns are identified by name. 

 No one could totally drive out the Canaanites (Joshua 15:63, 16:10, 17:12). The best they could do was force them to work as slaves. The failure to fulfill God’s command is like sowing the wind. The whirlwind is reaped generations later as strife with the Philistines, a divided Israel, Samarian idolatry, and Babylonian captivity. As I think about  what is being sown by the Church today? I pray we are sowing seed and not wind. The sowing of wind reaps the whirlwind and destruction. The sowing of seed reaps the harvest and blessings. I am challenged on a personal level to think about being more deliberate in what I sow and curious about what subsequent generations will reap of it.        http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/12_Tribes_of_Israel_Map.svg

As a side note about today’s reading…the daughters of Zelophehad received their fair share. This was rare for the culture because women had so few legal rights. But the greatest testimonies are demonstrated by those going contrary to culture adn having their world rocked to abide by God’s word. 

Joshua had only defeated 31 kings, and seems to be slowing down (I think waiting for his lifetime achievement award) when God said you’re getting old and there is a lot left to do.  Most people would be content with defeating 1 or 2 kings, let alone 10 or 20.  But in God’s economy, he was just getting going at 31. How many times do we limit God and don’t see the really big picture. Or, we might say that we are getting older and just can’t serve the Lord like we use to. All it means is that God may have to do more work. Caleb was 85 when he took on the giants in his land. He knew what God promised and went right after it.  In God economy, he likes the old guys. Don’t get me wrong he likes the young to, but God has to work a little harder and we become more dependent as we get older.  We need to see the Big picture and accomplish the Big things that God wants us to do.  So are you resting waiting for your lifetime achievement award or are you taking over kingdoms allowing God to work through you?

Following the Lord doesn't make since sometimes.  We tend to think that our value system is the Lord's.  So when we read a text like this today and realize that men, women, and children were slaughtered by God's people at God's command, we tend to have a faith crisis.  Is this the God I serve?  Is this the God that saved me?  Is this the God that I am following?  Can I or would I be as obedient as Joshua was here? 
Let's remember a few things...
     1. First of all...God sees that which we do not see.  Therefore, sometimes His decisions are for reasons we do not understand.  God had promised this land to His people and the affects of these people remaining in the land and being alive would have had ramifications that God definitely understood and we can only imagine.  Hence, one reason He would give such commands. 
     2. Secondly, this was a test of faith and obedience for Joshua.  Any of us can follow what we agree with but can we follow with what we don't agree.  This is truly the test of faith and obedience for all of us. 
     3.. Thirdly, this was a test for the people of Israel.  Remember, they were no different than you and me and they were inclined to get there feelings in the way of this obedience as well.  Would they follow, would they obey and would they follow through as God had commanded.  They did and God blessed but I am sure it was not easy. 
     4. Fourth, remember that God is Just and He is the judge.  Though we may not understand, it is imperative that we obey even when for us it grinds against everything in us.  In these events, the responsibility for the moral implications rested with God, not Joshua or his men. 
Taking this Home...
     I can think of many times that we wrestle with what God says verses what we want to do.  For example:
1. Forgiveness...We don't feel it nor is it in our fiber but God tells us we must do it and then love the person we have forgiven. 
2.Death...we loose someone we love and we can't understand why they are gone.  So we blame God or get angry about the circumstances.  Remember, we are in the land of the dying and going to the land of the living.  When we think of the opposite it grinds against everything we are. 
3. Our military...I think of the men and women that give of themselves to the orders and guidance of their superiors and sometimes those orders grind against their faith and values.  Let me encourage you that as you obey those orders, you are under the moral and ethical implications of your leaders.  God has placed them in authority and holds them accountable.  Serve well. 
4. Our families...many times we don't understand parents, spouses or husbands.  Remember, God holds them accountable for their leadership.  He put them in place.  Honor them as unto the Lord!  Blessings, Pastor Rick 

What do you know, Joshua doing a blog on Joshua.  I've always sensed a bit of connection with Joshua, not just because I was named after him but my Mom would quote to me Joshua 1:9 almost every night she would put me to bed.  Even today, I find myself relating to Joshua and clinging to that verse.

The impact that comes from parents passing on the reality of who God is and what He has done is huge.  It can completely shape and direct a life.  I know from experience.  This is what God wanted to happen when He had them set up memorial stones in Joshua chapter 4.  What kind of memorial stones are we setting up that will give us opportunities to speak to our kids about what God has done in the past?  One thing we have tried to do is keep a prayer journal.  We write down what we pray for and then how God answered those prayers.  It has been a great encouragement and reminder for us as parents to look back at how He has worked but I'm hoping that as my daughter gets older, it will be inspirational to her too.  Maybe you could post here what you do with your family to set up "memorial stones" or what you would like to do.

Another thing that I find interesting in this passage is the Commander of the Lord's Army's response to Joshua's question in Joshua 5:13-14.  Joshua is basically thinking in terms of us verses them and the commander is like, "I'm not on either side, I am for what the Lord wants.  I think a lot of times we get in that mode of my side/your side or our side/their side.  People even tend to do this with their country's military and the Lord is saying it's not about what you or they want.  It's about what I, the Lord God, want.  Notice Joshua's response to the commander.  "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:14b, ESV)  May our hearts always be in that position and not focused on what we want or are trying to accomplish.

One extra interesting fact is that the fulfillment of Joshua's curse of Jericho in Joshua 6:26 is found in 1 Kings 16:34.

I started my day with a few morning chores, catching up on some unfinished business that seems to wait until my day off (Friday morning) to get accomplished.  Terry and I chatted about today’s events, I saw her off to work, and then I went outside with a cup of Joe and started the March 22nd Bible reading.

We are currently building mom’s house in the back, and have outside insulation on the walls.  As I began to read, the sun was just beginning to crest on our backyard. When the sun hit that silver insulation, it really put the light to everything and I couldn’t help but relate that to the verses I was reading.  33:2 says:  “The Lord came from Mount Sinai and dawned upon us from Mount Seir”

Dawn……..a new beginning, each day filled with endless possibilities and promise.  That is the Lord’s daily and never ending promise for our lives.  He sees in us “a clean heart”, and He is there with encouragement, cheering us onward as we navigate life’s daily challenges.  He is in our corner and constantly within our reach for guidance and counsel through the Holy Spirit and His word.  

This also led me to remember what I read on the eighth day of every month in Proverbs - “Wisdoms Call -Proverbs 8:30-31 tells us -  “Then I was the craftsman at his side.  I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind”.  There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs- read one each day of the week for great wisdom in dealing with the daily obstacles of life. 
Enjoy this day, and delight in His presence – a new day has dawned.

Have a blessed weekend - Larry

Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52, Psalm 90

Moses has obeyed the Lord and has blessed and commissioned Joshua.  The baton has been passed and now Moses in his final days recites the song that God had given him to teach to the Israelites.

God pulls no punches in the lyrics of the song that focuses on the hearts of God’s chosen people. He confronts the Israelites, (31:5) “But they acted corruptly toward him; when they act so perversely, are they really his children?”  In verse 6, God asks the question, “Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people?”

Even in His admonishment God reminds the Israelites of His love for them, as seen in verse 9, as God calls Israel “his special possession.” But no matter how much God loves Israel there is still a consequence to their rebellious hearts and that they will suffer defeats.

But then God lets them know that He is there when they repent and He will draw them back to Himself.

It’s easy to look at the Israelites and say; you had all the insight. You saw all the miracles and yet you didn’t obey.  Now let us look at ourselves in the mirror.  Haven’t we seen God’s hand in our lives? Seen His miracles? What’s our excuse?

God has demonstrated His love for us, and has provided a way out of the grip of death.  Yet we continue to choose our life over His, our desires over the desires of His heart.  We too are perverse and need to repent and be drawn back to God.  The answer is found in the 26 words of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In those 26 words is the message of the Gospel, God’s simple plan of salvation.  God loved. God gave. We believe. We live.   

Let’s start living today!  God bless........Art



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As Moses prepares to pass the baton of leadership to Joshua he reviews the covenant. Moses starts out reminding Israel  how far God has brought them and says the Lord has not given them “minds that understand, nor eyes that see, nor ears that hear!”( Deut 29:4). I find it interesting that the understanding, the sight, and the hearing is enabled by the Lord. My prayer is that God will sharpen our senses through the Holy
Spirit.     

In his review of the covenant Moses included not only the current generation but future generations to come (Duet 29:15). Whenever future generations are included in a prayer, prophesy, or promise, you can make it personal by substituting your name. Notice that God’s grace doesn’t hold us accountable for our ignorance (Deut 29:29). But we bring harsh judgment for ignoring what we know to be righteous (Deut 29:20-21).

 Just as Christ gives everyone the opportunity to accept or reject salvation, Moses gives Israel a “choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster…between blessings and curses””
(Deut 30:15, 19).

 Moses accepts the fact that he will not crossover into the Promised Land; but reminds everyone that the battle ahead is the Lord’s. So they should not be “afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead” of them (Deut 31:8). How confident they should have felt following God into battle! It amazes me that God is faithful to his word knowing the disobedience to come (Deut 31:16-18). Israel was doom to be defeated by idolatry (Deut 31:19-21). Today it seems like if our pride isn’t keeping God off of the throne of our lives, idolatry is there to usurp his authority. So as we present ourselves as living sacrifices, we need to stay on the altar.