Tag: Joshua

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Joshua, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

The Secret to Success

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Based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w3d5

Read: Joshua 1:1-9 (soap vs 7); 2:1-5 (For further reading: Josh 2:6-24 and Josh 6

After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:1-9

We are traveling through some sad but exciting territory today, but rest assured, God was not surprised by any of the events. He knew the day and the hour of Moses’ death, and He knew and had been preparing Joshua to lead His people. From the death of Moses to Joshua receiving God’s call to lead Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. The call of Joshua came with a promise that just as He had been with Moses, God would now be with Joshua. No one would be able to stand against him as long as he lived, because God would not fail him or abandon him.

With this promise comes instructions that read like a secret to success.

  • Be strong and courageous.
  • Be careful to obey all of the instructions Moses gave you.
  • Do not turn away from them.
    • Then you will be successful in everything you do.
  • Study the Book of Instruction continually.
  • Meditate on the book, day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
    • Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Following Moses’ death and Joshua’s call to lead, I encourage you to journey a little further in the story. It is here you will find the two men that Joshua sent in to spy out the land that they were to enter. This is also the story of Rahab the prostitute, one of the most beautiful stories in the BIble, a story of faith and salvation, a story of love and God’s faithful provision and miraculous victory for His people as we travel just a little further and watch as the walls of Jericho fall – giving Israel entrance into the city.

God may be calling you to something that seems impossible. Know that nothing is impossible with God. He is at work in all the details and will be with you through it all. You only need to trust Him.

From the Beginning to Forever/journal p111
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Making God’s Word A Priority

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based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living a Life for God’s Glory / w1d1

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 / SOAP Joshua 1:8

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. – Joshua 1:8

The passage makes it clear that we cannot begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ if we:

  • do not have a relationship with Him
  • are walking in weakness (on our own)
  • do not know and obey His Word
  • do not believe His promises

However, the passage also makes it clear how we can begin to live “Set-Apart” for Christ. God says that if we walk in His ways, “not swerving to the right or the left,” in other words not veering off His righteous path, we will prosper and know success (7). The question is how do we do this effectively while living in a world that pulls us in every direction? God makes it clear to Joshua in verse eight that the answer lies in knowing His Word, actually – he uses the phrase “meditate on it day and night.” The idea is to, as the NET version translates, “memorize” the Word – which of course means ‘to know it.’ David believed that doing this would help him not sin against God, (Ps 119:11). Paul taught the same principle to Timothy, when he encouraged him to know God’s Word so that he would be ready to use it correctly and not be swayed by false teaching, (2 Tim 2:15). If we are to obey God’s Word and correctly share God’s Word with others we must be more than familiar with it, we must know and progressively grow in our understanding of It – otherwise we will fall prey to ways that do not align with the Word of God.

I love the Old Testament passages that teach this so clearly, such as Psalm 119:9-11 and proverbs 4:20-22. These are two of the passages that reignited in me a pursuit of memorizing God’s Word more than three decades ago. As I find myself forgetting more and more these days – one of my frequent prayers has become for God to guard His Word that is hidden in my heart so that even if I forget everything and everyone else I know – I will never forget His Word – for it is my/our life-line, my/our peace and strength and hope – it is the light that guides me/us in God’s way – and it is my/our defense against sin.

Today’s Prayer

Father, without You – without Your promises or knowledge of Your faithfulness we have nothing and we are hopeless. However, with You and through You we have hope and strength and peace to live the lives You have called us to. We may not lead a nation, like Joshua – but You have called us to be salt and light – to be bold with the Gospel – to make disciples – to love as You loved and serve as Christ served. Help us to walk and talk with You daily and help us to know Your Word so that we can trust Your heart. Help us to be strong and brave so that we do not turn away from Your Word and Your calling to walk in all Your ways. – In Jesus’ Name, amen!

Reflections of the Journey

How does saturating our hearts and minds with God’s Word help us live a set apart life and remain anchored to truth?

What are some steps you can/will take to hiding God’s Word in your heart?

The More You Know

Today’s LGG Blog

Memorization tools and techniques:

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior I invite you to visit the following link

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Meditate On It

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Based on Joshua 1:6-9

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Father, You are good. You are good to encourage us with Your Word – good to guide us by It – to equip us and empower us with It. Blessed are we when we meditate in It day and night – that we may observe to do all that is written in It. For then will our way be made prosperous and we will, by It, have good success. – Yes Father God – You are good! 💜

Posted in Uncategorized

How Do We Choose?

Posted on by MaryEllen

I am currently doing the Love God Greatly study on Joshua. This morning’s scripture was from Joshua 13:1-8 and Isaiah 66:3-4 and lead me to these thoughts …

  • Our choices matter to Him
  • We put ourselves and our relationship with Him in great jeopardy when we choose our own ways over His
  • The same is true when we attempt to align His will with ours or come up with a combination of the two instead of fully aligning our will with His
  • When He calls He wants us to answer
  • When He speaks He wants us to listen

My child pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to My words. Don’t lose sight of them for they bring life to those who find them … Proverbs 4:20-22

In this world we will face situations everyday where we must choose our way or His. The question is how do we consistently make the right choice?

As children of God and joint-heirs with Christ we must be careful and intentional with our choices. We must strive to faithfully make God – His Word and Spirit – our guide and priority over what we see and feel and desire.

His will, His pleasure, His ways … should be our utmost criteria.

cri·te·ri·on

noun

plural noun: criteria – a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.

From the InsideOut 💕

Borderline Believers

Posted in Bible study, Joshua

Do Not Be Afraid! The Freedom of God’s Promises and Presence

Posted on by MaryEllen

We read in Joshua 10:42 that Joshua and his army had defeated all the kings and their lands in one campaign because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. It’s a beautiful and awe-inspiring story that plays out through the entirety of chapter 10, a sequel to the preceding chapters of the book and a set-up for what happens in chapter 11. 

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:42

Chapter 11 opens with King Jabin hearing of this and sending word to the kings throughout the land.  It tells of all the Kings joining forces, of their troops and a large number of horses and chariots – describing them as a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Joshua gets wind of this and is once again reminded by God to not be afraid.

“Do not be afraid of them because by this time tomorrow I will hand them over to Israel, slain.” Joshua 11:6

Joshua trusted the LORD and called his army into battle once again. 

And the LORD gave them into the hands of Israel. Joshua 11:8

There is truly one amazing story after another in these chapters of Joshua where we read of God continually calling His people to not be afraid. Though they had plenty of reasons to fear He had commanded them to be strong and courageous. He also Infused them with the very courage He had commanded by promising His presence with them and often telling them what He would do for them.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Complying with the command meant trusting and obeying, but their obedience led to success in their battles and victory over their enemies just as God had promised. 

His call and promised victories are the same for us today. As His children, we are to be strong and courageous as we live in obedience to Him, infused with the promise that He is with us we are to stand firm in the battle,  and claim the victory promised in Jesus’ Name. 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ . 1 Corinthians 15:57

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

As He told Joshua, He also tells us in Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. He infuses us with courage by allowing and calling us to put on His full armor so that we can take our stand against the schemes of our enemy. He reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

I’m guessing He knew how terrifying that would sound because He follows it up with another reminder to put on His full armor, so that when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand our ground. In addition to this promise He prepares us for the battle by teaching us about the armor: 

  • the belt of truth – buckled around your waist
  • the breastplate of righteousness – in place
  • feet fitted with the readiness – that comes from the gospel of peace
  • the shield of faith – with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
  • the helmet of salvation
  • the sword of the Spirit – which is the word of God
  • and prayer in the Spirit – on all occasions with all kinds of prayers

There will be times that the battles and the enemy seems more than we can bear – perhaps – as with Joshua and his enemy, even “more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore” – but we are assured that He is with us wherever we go.

 “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. … You know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

 This world is full of evil and it will call to us and seek to overcome us – for the enemy seeks to steel, kill and destroy – but we can live free of its fear because Christ has already won the battle – and God has given us the victory through Him!

You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is living in you is greater than the one who is living in the world. 1 John 4:4

As God spoke to Joshua, He speaks to us through the the words of Christ … 

“… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Me – from the Insideout💕