When We Have It All Wrong

When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a large altar in appearance. Joshua 22:10 (New American Standard Bible)

When the children of Israel had settled in the Promised Land, two and half tribes were allowed to return to the other side of the Jordan River. Their first act was to build an altar and thus an incredible account of false accusations and assumptions nearly led to war. The children of Israel assumed the altar had been built out of rebellion when in fact it was built for future generations to see that they were a part of God’s chosen people. When the truth was heard, the people were pleased and the thought of war was destroyed instead of lives. The altar itself came to be called Witness because it was a witness between them that the LORD is God.

Have you ever assumed the wrong thing about another person and were ready to take action based on those wrong assumptions? If so, you and I can relate with each other. It happens to me many times this and this account in Joshua 22:10-34 is a glaring spot light on this issue for me. I have come to call it having a spirit of suspicion and I can attest to how much damage it will cause if left unchecked, unchallenged, and unreceptive to the truth.

I will not list specifics here but let me suffice to say this spirit of suspicion is usually awakened in me when I don’t get what I want, hear what I want, or possess what I want. It usually has to do with relationships and although I do not position myself for war I do yield to the temptation of retreat and shutting down my heart. Surely the enemy of my soul delights when I have put myself and another person in the worst possible light. Not a pretty picture and not one I enjoy admitting to others, but transparency is a necessity in my walk of faith. Others will allow the truths of their heart to surface if I dare to admit my own. Too many have commented on this for me to think otherwise.

So what am I learning? That my false assumptions are usually based on my own insecurities and wounded places within me. It is imperative that I hold off personal judgments until I know the truth. I have delighted in the times I have told myself, “Your thoughts and feelings are not based on truth,” and then within a day or two the truth is revealed. It is helping me to hold off my self imposed retreats. May God continue to grow me up in this area through His Word and His Spirit!

Father, I praise You for showing me the basis and harm of my own suspicions. Help me to be discerning and teachable at all times. Amen.

Draw Me Close - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgQJVfUQLho

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What I Do and Don't Know

Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Joshua 23:14 (New King James Version)
　
Joshua’s words to the children of Israel as he came to the close of being their leader, are words full of assurance for me. They are reminders to me of the faithfulness of God. I need those reminders as a close friend of mine goes through some foreboding circumstances in her life. As she shared those circumstances with me I found myself becoming fearful for her and deeply concerned. It didn’t take long for the “what if’s” to start cropping up in my mind. That is when I had to begin acknowledging what I did and didn’t know.

I don’t know how her story will end. I don’t know what her future looks like. But I do know what God has spoken concerning her and I know not one word of His promises will fail. What has He spoken? He has promised to meet all her needs, to never leave her, to guard and guide her, to fulfill His purposes for her, to glorify Himself in everything that transpires in her life, to uphold her with His grace, to strengthen her, to protect her, to give her beauty for her ashes, to be her constant companion and wise counselor, to equip her for what is ahead, to establish her goings, to do a good work in her, and to hold her in His arms like no person is able to do. God knows her story from beginning to end and this is simply a chapter in comparison to the whole.

I know too that He loves her deeply and has not allowed anything into her life that has not first passed through His hands. Her circumstance took her by surprise but it was no surprise to God. Although people were involved in the process God has been and will continue to be in control.

These are the truths I will ponder in the weeks and months ahead. They are the truths I will continually share with my friend. They are the truths I will voice in prayer on her behalf. And they are the truths I will let sink deep into my bedrock of thoughts in preparation for the day I face circumstances that cause me to press in harder on God.

Father, keep reminding me and my friend of the kind of God You are and the kind of promises You have made. Amen.

Still - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXywFuTf65I&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What To Do and How To Do It

Be strong and of a good courage. Joshua 1:6

Three times God speaks this phrase to Joshua in the first chapter of the Old Testament book that bears his name. Moses had died and Joshua assumed the position of leader to the nation of Israel. As he was given the monumental task of leading them across the Jordan River to take possession of the promise land, he was not only told to be strong and have courage but he was told the basis for that strength and courage.

Right from the start God assured him of His presence, provision, and power. Then He told him to meditate on His Word and to obey His commands. These were the conditions upon which success and prosperity lay. Without an awareness of God’s presence and a reliance upon His direction there would be no victory.

Whatever task or trial lies before me today, next week, next month, or next year, I must realize these same truths apply to me. I must not only live with an awareness of God’s presence, but I must abide in it. God must be my primary source for direction, protection, and provision. I must know the truth of His character, heart, and mind. That can only be found in His Word. As I spend time in His Word and meditate upon it through out the day, I am brought into an awareness of His step by step direction for me. His Word not only has commands to follow, but promises to claim, instructions to heed, and wisdom to glean. It is alive and applicable to me.

God wants me to hear the same thing Joshua needed to hear. I am to keep my eyes and my mind on Him. What or who I choose to look at and follow and what I choose to think on will have profound effects on my actions. They will set the direction for my entire day. When I am focused on listening to Him, He speaks. When I am determined to obey Him, He leads. When I choose to stay close to Him, He astounds me with His presence. The amazing thing is that He willingly gives me the desire and ability to do all of this and more. None of this is simply my own self effort and behavior modification. It is brought about by His Spirit working in me as I cooperate with Him. The internal changes that lead to external changes are the results of living in relationship with Him.

Father, You have told me what to do and how to do it. I look to You for the ability to follow and listen to You. I don’t want to miss a thing! At the end of the day may I realize the victories that were mine! Amen.

All to Jesus I Surrender - Robin Mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO3BouKCtDs

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

That Which Hinders Change

The people answered and said, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods.” Joshua 24:16 (New American Standard Bible)

This was Israel’s answer to Joshua’s challenge to choose between following the Lord or following other gods and their words astound me. Why? Because throughout the first six books of the Bible that which they state to Joshua is not what was lived out in their lives. Theirs was a constant forsaking of the Lord to serve other gods. As a matter of fact, after their professed choosing of God, Joshua tells them in verse 23 to put away the foreign gods that are among them. I know that the next book, Judges, is filled with the sad statements of the children of Israel doing evil in the sight of the Lord, forsaking the Lord, and serving other Gods. Theirs was a continual forsaking of the Lord and a continual serving of other gods.

What I see lacking in their statement to Joshua is confession….honest confession of what has been a pattern for them. It would have been encouraging to hear them say, “Yes, we have forsaken the Lord many times and, yes, we have served other gods. We acknowledge that and ask God’s forgiveness and from this point on determine and choose to serve Him and Him alone.” But no such declaration is made. What they failed to admit continued to be a problem and a stronghold to them.

It is no different for you and me today. God calls each of us to a place of confession , transparency, and repentance. That call requires that we get very honest with ourselves, with God, and with others. What we refuse to talk about, admit, and bring to the surface will remain a snare to us. Will it be comfortable? Not really. Will it ever be embarrassing or cause us to squirm? Most likely. But when we give voice to what we would rather deny or hide, several things take place. We become empowered to no longer live in our rut of choice. We lighten ourselves of the load of secrets and guilt we have carried. We take responsibility for our actions and attitudes. We take steps toward the freedom that we are meant to have. We garner the prayer support of those who finally see the truth about us instead of the image we have so persistently crafted and displayed in the past.

The Israelites were experts at saying what they felt sounded good but their lifestyles exposed the truth. Joshua saw this and admonished them to have heart changes. God sees the contrast of what we are saying and what we are doing and He too longs for us have heart changes.

Father, I have tasted the bitter fruit of living in denial and I have feasted on the rich reward of acknowledging and agreeing with You on the condition of my heart. Continue to bring me to the place of crystal, clear transparency at all times. Amen.

Change My Heart, oh God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjUvoynGMM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Joshua Moments

And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all---to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!” Joshua 7:7 (New King James Version)

Following an extraordinary victory at Jericho, the children of Israel are defeated at Ai. The confusion and fear of the moment caused words to tumble out of Joshua’s mouth that mirrored the responses he heard for years in the wilderness wanderings under Moses’ leadership. I am not sure if he ever voiced them at that time, but he now voices a prayer filled with suspicion and accusation against God. He has no idea Achan has sinned and brought this defeat upon Israel. Joshua is simply looking at a tragedy and in his mind he draws only one conclusion….and a wrong one at that! Never mind that God promised victory and demanded obedience for that victory to occur. Joshua has had his utopia shattered and his faith shaken. He is now faced with the reality that defeat is possible even in the midst of victories.

God is gracious. He listens as Joshua gives voice to the thoughts and intents of his heart and then God sets the record straight. He explains the reason for defeat and the conditions for victory. What follows is an immediate correction and Ai’s astounding defeat! I believe when it was all said and done, Joshua took away a valuable lesson from the entire experience. Who God is and what God does cannot be interpreted by the things we see, hear, feel, and experience. God is to be trusted not accused. He is to be held in awe not in suspicion. God’s blessings accompany obedience and painful consequences accompany disobedience. We are given the same opportunity to take away valuable lessons from our moments of hardship, fear, and failure. May we do so!

I praise God that Scripture is filled with human frailties, because my life is filled with them as well. There are moments I get it right and do it right. To God be the glory! But there are also moments when I blow it. Times when the circumstances of life send me reeling and I forget the very truths I stood in just prior to stumbling. I have laughed at the number of times I have read a previous devotional I have written and wished I were THAT person! Times when the words that flowed so easily and with confidence seem so far away. Times when I question God, despise myself, and wrongly judge others. The enemy would taunt me with feelings of failure and hypocrisy. But God is gracious. He calls me what I am…a human in continual need of His grace and mercy. With each “Joshua” moment He will meet me and change me. Praise Him!

Father, in the midst of my tears, doubts, and fears You remain faithful and loving. And in the midst of joy, faith, and courage You are still faithful and loving. I praise Your sameness! Amen.

You're the Heart of Me - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjXjOndUS7A&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Fully Passing Over

When all the nation had fully passed over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, Joshua 4:1 (Amplified Bible)

There is a scene from the movie, Titanic, that grips me each time I witness it. It takes place after the Titanic has gone down and the two main characters are clinging to each other. Rose is on a trunk and Jack is in the water. There comes a point when Rose realizes Jack is dead and although she doesn’t want to let go of him, she does. She knows from that point on her life will never be the same but there is a life she must choose to live. That is her “fully passing over” moment. Letting go of what was to take hold of what is to be.

Each of us are on a journey with God and within that journey are times when we must also let go of what we want to hold on to in order to embrace what lies ahead. Until we do that, we remain frozen in a place in which we are not meant to stay. The children of Israel were meant to fully pass over the Jordan River. They were not destined to camp there! It would separate them from the only past they had known. God’s intent was to not only free them from their past but to free them from the pull of their past.

Some of us have yet to fully pass over our Jordan to a new aspect of the Christian life. It may be a former job we hold on to in our mind. A former relationship. A former possession. A former dwelling place. A former church. A former way that God worked in our life. Whatever it is that we are holding on to, God is speaking to us the words of Isaiah 43:19, Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

How do we begin to see and experience the new thing God is referring to? By letting go of our desire for the past to still be a part of our present and by choosing the new over the old. It may require repentance and confession on our part for wanting our way rather than God’s way and to accept the forgiveness God will extend to us. Those are the keys to freedom that God offers each one of us.

For me, I am picturing myself on Rose’s trunk, letting go of the ones from my past that I want to hold on to. Seeing the death of what was and turning toward the life God is offering me. He has finally helped me to come to the point of wanting the new thing He is doing. Oddly enough, there is no sorrow now but rather peace and anticipation.

Father, it has taken several years to come to this point. Thank you for persistently working to bring me to this place. It is new and it is of You. Amen.

Painting Pictures of Egypt - Sara Groves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcIA4Cnj6j4

This blog site now houses 900 former devotionals with the theme and book of the Bible at the end of each. Click on to the theme or book and you will then see every devotional written on that theme or from that book. Or click on to the date at the left and see what was shared a month ago or several years ago. Enjoy!

Personalizing His Words

Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:5,6 (New American Standard Bible)

Scripture is meant to be read and taken personally. I must allow the words to be spoken as directly to me as they were to the individuals God first spoke them to. What God told Joshua at the start of the book that bares his name, God is saying to me as well……..every day! I can slip many Bible names into this verse and it is still true. As God was with Moses, David, Gideon, Ruth, Esther, Paul, Daniel, Martha, Mary, the disciples, Timothy, Isaiah, and even Jesus, He will be with me. Never failing me. Never forsaking me. Because of that I can stand with strength and courage no matter what.

Just as He had plans for their lives, He has a plan for mine. Just as He caused the lines to fall in pleasant places in their lives, He will cause the lines to fall in pleasant places in mine. Just as He disciplined them when they went astray and brought them back to Himself, He will discipline and bring me back to Himself as well. Just as He enabled them to do what He called them to do, He will enable me to do what He has called me to do. His words of love, correction, direction, and encouragement are for me and to me just as much as they were for each of my spiritual ancestors of the Bible.

God’s Word has engaged my heart this morning and I am drinking my fill of it. Gone are the thoughts that weighed heavy on my mind and heart into the night hours. Gone are the feelings of insignificance and aloneness. Gone are the desires that crave anything or anyone that is not a part of His unique plan and purpose for me. The God of the universe has once again intersected my life with Himself. His Word has come alive to me and is quickly making its way into the driest of dry places that I have been living out of for a time.

I am waving the white flag of surrender as I bow my knees to the One who is faithfully working in me all that He desires and wills for my life. He has shown me once again that He loves me too much to give me less than His best. His no’s have not wavered nor have His extended offers and invitations to join Him on the unique path He has meant for me before the foundation of the world.

Father, I give up my childish ways in order to delight myself in You. Thank you for loving me the way that You do! Amen.

Give You Glory - Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-IHvnsQVIY

Fight For Me

Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it. He captured it and its king and all its cities, and they struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed every person who was in it. He left no survivor. Joshua 10:38,39 (New American Standard Bible)

The phrases stood out to me like bright, flashing neon lights. Throughout the tenth chapter of Joshua I see the repeated message….fought against, captured, struck down, utterly destroyed, no survivor. Taking possession of the promised land entailed many battles but none were fought and won without the instructions, direction, assistance, and partnership of God. Not once were they left on their own to defeat the enemies. A few times, God did all the fighting for them but many times they were called upon to enter the battle and wield the swords. City after city fell to complete annihilation. I want such victory!

This morning I am voicing but one request to God, “Fight for me. Destroy the enemy within me.” The very thing that keeps cropping up in my life is what I want to see put to death and I am desiring that God does that for me. Some would say I must do it myself. Their words would feel like I am being sent to the battlefield of my soul on my own. I need God to help me do what I am struggling to do. I am asking Him to help me conquer and defeat the very thing I am holding on to. To help me open my hands in release. To help me let go from my heart. To kill what I have kept alive.

There was a time in my Christian life when I had no idea I could bring such a request to God. I felt He wouldn’t hear or help. But He has shown me His heart and in seeing that, I have learned to be honest and transparent before Him. His Word assures me of the perfection and display of His strength in my weakness. His hope in my hopelessness. His willingness to fight for me when I am over whelmed and over run. I am not giving up. I am simply asking Him to carry me until His courage infuses me once again. I want to embrace the journey He has for me and allow Him to bring in and take out of my life all that entails. My unwillingness in certain areas of submission and trust is the backdrop for my cry for help to Him. I am in need of Him to put to death in me the desire that still pulsates with life until it is no longer breathing (Joshua 11:14). I am asking Him to put within me the desire to fight. To release what needs to be released and embrace what needs to be embraced. To hunger for Him and His will above my own. He knows the heart behind my words as well as the places of fear. He knows I can’t see beyond right now and that my faith is shaky. And He reminds me that He is not only my Rock but my Shepherd. He will supply what I lack.

Father, You fought some of the battles in their entirety for the children of Israel. I call upon You to do the same for me now. Amen.

Help for the Fearful

Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (New American Standard Bible)

What do you do when you are afraid? I use to call or email a friend or two and depend on them to put my mind at ease. I waited for them to speak just the right words, give me assurance and a guarantee that everything would be okay, and build up my courage. I looked to them to verbally put their arms around me, draw me close, and tell me things to make me feel safe, secure, and cared for. If it worked, it was only temporary and not the best option.

My Father is growing me up in my faith. He keeps saying, “Come to me and I will give you rest. Learn from Me. Listen to Me. Lean on Me. Go to my servants in the Bible and they will whisper my words of courage and assurance to you. Look to Me for the assurance you seek.” What an invitation! And when I take Him up on it I find more than I ever imagined possible. There is something about going directly to God for help that goes deeper and is more lasting than the experience I will have with even the best of wise, caring, and loving people.

Trust me, it has taken a long time and numerous disappointments for me to finally see this. God is presently walking me through the process of taking my fears to Him and I would like to share with you what I have discovered so far.

I am learning there are steps to take in order to experience the words of Joshua 1:9. First, I must recognize that I am fearful. My fear may range anywhere from uneasiness to terror. But big or small it is fear. Then I must acknowledge it to God and ask Him to reveal to me what exactly I am fearful of. It may be a task I feel ill equipped to handle, a danger I am facing, a disappointment I am anticipating, or a request I fear He will deny. Joyce Meyer said, “Fear is simply faith in what Satan says.” Today I say, “Faith is simply believing what God says!” So my next step is to take in Scripture that reassures and calms me. I typed out a page of rich verses that I plan to make my companions today! Every time I read them and own them, my courage will grow and my belief in the right One will be strengthened. Is it working? Absolutely!

Father, today it is You who has calmed my fears. With verses in hand, I step into a new day with courage and strength. Amen.

A Call to Stand Still

So the priests who bore the ark stood in the midst of the Jordan until everything was finished that the LORD had commanded Joshua to speak to the people, according to all that Moses had commanded Joshua; and the people hurried and crossed over. Joshua 4:10 (New King James Version)

I find it interesting that for a while the priests were called to stand still! The duration of their “stand” was until everything God commanded was finished. It wasn’t finished when the entire nation of Israel crossed over the Jordan River on dry land. It was finished when twelve individuals had removed twelve stones for memorials from the river bed and Joshua had set up twelve stones as a memorial in the river bed. Once all of that was accomplished, the priests were allowed to move forward.

To me, standing still is always more difficult than moving forward. It doesn’t seem natural or necessary from my perspective. But I am quickly learning (and relearning) that MY perspective is not the issue….God’s perspective is! I often feel like the student at the back of room who is wildly waving her hand in hopes of being “chosen” for something! And yet over my restlessness and enthusiasm God seems to be saying, “Stand here until I have finished some things in you and some things in others.” He can tell by my slumped shoulders and confused look that I do not understand His command.

While He has not shown me all the reasons or the full picture for this stand still moment, He has let me know what it does NOT mean and what I am to be doing during this time. It does not mean He doesn’t care or is uninvolved in my life. It does not mean I am insignificant or unusable. Nor does it mean there aren’t future plans and purposes for my life. Those are the interpretations the enemy delights in whispering to me. Those are the lies I must counter with biblical truth. I must poise myself to hear God say, “I care about you and you are My precious child. I know the plans I have for you…they are good plans. In My time and in My way I will unfold those plans to you. Rest in Me. You are right where I want you…for now.”

With that said, I see things God wants to accomplish in me at this time. Drawing closer to Him and developing a dependency upon Him is primary! He is still fixing the false concepts and perceptions I have of Him. He is also walking me through the huge issue of emotional dependency. Two powerful tools He is giving me are books and crossing my path with individuals who have walked this road before me. Seeing just those two areas is enough to convince me that standing still is an excellent idea after all!

Father, there is no such thing as wasted time when it is of You. I choose to stand in this place until You have finished all that You desire to do at this time. I leave the timing and the commanding to You. Amen.

The Effects of Our Choices

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi….took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. Joshua 7:1 (KJV)

This verse follows Israel’s victory over the city of Jericho. But before that victory ever took place Joshua gave very clear instructions to the people not to take anything out of the city unto themselves because it was all to be consecrated to God. Along with the instructions, a warning was given. Joshua told them if they took items for themselves they would make themselves accursed as well as make the nation a curse and they would bring trouble upon it.

So here is what becomes clear to me about Achan. He KNEW he was taking something God had forbidden him to take. And what a load of forbidden goods he took and hid in his tent! A Babylonish garment, silver, and gold. As he collected and carried the items to his tent, he KNEW he was being disobedient and defiant toward God. But he also KNEW his actions would bring trouble upon his people (the nation of Israel). The consequences of his sin would fall to many others. God’s presence and protection were removed, they were not able to stand up against the city of Ai, thirty-six men died during the retreat, and the confidence of Israel drained out of them. As Achan saw this come about he KNEW he was the cause of it all.

It is easy for me to sit in wonder and judgment of Achan. I can detect his sin and the painful consequences that followed. But how good am I at recognizing my own sin and the consequences that would fall to me and other people in my life? Let’s face it, my sin whether in word, deed, or thought will affect more than just myself. But the effects can be broken if I bring them to the cross and allow Jesus to cleanse me. I don’t want to be like Achan and attempt to keep things well hidden in my life. After all, God sees everything I do, hears every word I speak, and is aware of every thought and motive I have. He knows when I have grabbed a hold of anything He has forbidden and His invitation to me is to come to Him for forgiveness, healing, and restoration. I accept His offer!

Father, I don’t want to bring trouble to others because of the effects of unconfessed sin in my own life. Help me to daily bring to You the sins of my words, actions, and thoughts. I receive the cleansing You offer. Amen.