The Lord Keeps ALL His Promises - On HIS Time!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 21

While people let us down all the time, I am reminded here that God never let us down:

⁴³ So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. ⁴⁵ Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

The author here notes that God promised land to the forefathers of those who have now arrived in Canaan.  Yet even for those who arrived, they KNOW how old the promise - it is important to see how God keeps his promises and it is also important to be mindful of how God has his own timing!  In this case, the Israelites delivered from Egypt waited 40 years (and only the likes of Joshua and Caleb survived) - this of course can certainly test faith.

My Prayer: Lord, you have proven faithful to me and you have delivered to me a life transformed.  Every time I turn to you, YOU deliver!  Forgive me when I think you don't.  Help me understand and be mindful of your timing and to remain faithful and focus on your timing and your plan - help me be obedient and faithful.

Caleb: Faithful for Over 45 Years!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 14

Caleb earlier here showed his faithfulness and courage in following God and now that he has accompanied the Israelites to the promised land, he has once again demonstrated his faithfulness.  Forty-five years after the Lord promised Caleb hill country in the promised land, Caleb remains faithful that God would keep his promise and provide this land as an inheritance to him and his descendants.  Today his faithfulness is rewarded.

 ⁶ Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.'

 ¹⁰ "Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." 

 ¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. 
This is persistence and faithfulness - forty five years worth!

My Prayer: Lord, I know you have great plans for me as I have seen how you have gifted and used me for your glory.  Help me once again understand your direction for my life and help me follow your will for my life.  Help me trust you and be both obedient and faithful.

Do ALL That the Lord Commands

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 11

Here Joshua continues to defend against Israel's enemies and the Lord delivers all of them into Joshua's hands.  it is because Joshua does ALL that the Lord commands:

¹⁵ As the LORD commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. 

For me the question, AM I doing all that the Lord commands?  This is a tough question because I first need to understand God's direction for my life, and for this to happen I need to be in relationship with the Lord through study, prayer, reflection, and through other disciplines such as being in community with other believers for them to speak Truth into my life.

My Prayer: Lord, I know that your plan for me is great as I have seen your work in my life so far and it has been amazing!  Thank you for how you have blessed me beyond my imagination.  Forgive me for my neglect of you in prayer, study and reflection.  Help me draw closer to you, have a deeper desire to you, help me listen to you and discern your will for my life and then help me be obedient.

It is CLEAR the Lord is at Work!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 10

There are occasions when God  wants to make it absolutely clear who is in charge and to whom we should worship.  This is one of those occasions.  God not only wants to deliver all of Israel's enemies into Joshua's hands but He wants to do so in a way so that all around can see God's power and glory.

For example, God fights for Israel, but even stops the setting of the sun and the rise of the moon:

¹² On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:
       "O sun, stand still over Gibeon,
       O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon."

 ¹³ So the sun stood still,
       and the moon stopped,
       till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,
      as it is written in the Book of Jashar.
      The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. ¹⁴ There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! 

My Prayer: Many days I struggle to see you Lord and on these days I long to see your power and might - forgive me Lord on these days because I know you are great.  Thank you tonight for the blessing of my family, my health and time with you.  Help me draw closer to you and desire you more...help purify me, refine me and help me follow you.

We Are Called to Confront Sin of Others!

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 7

First we see great sin by Achan. 

¹ But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel.

Then, the Israelites are beaten back and suffer a heavy loss at the hands of the Amorites in Ai.  Joshua tears his clothes in anguish and moans to the Lord that the Israelites should not have been delivered so far only to be beaten back at this point - he is concerned that now the Israelites will suffer great harm from all of their enemies who might surround the Israelites.

 Yet God is impatient with Joshua and instead admonishes him and instructs him to confront the sin of Achan:

¹⁰ The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. ¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

  

¹³ "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.

So Joshua does as the Lord instructs and Achan and his family are removed and Achan is put to death.

My Prayer: Lord, You have delivered me from great difficulties and trying times and I am in awe of how You work your miracles and protect and provide for me.  I am so blessed - most importantly that You are in my life!  Thank you for your word, the church and for the brothers and sisters you have placed in my life to deliver and support me - all for your glory!  Forgive me for my neglect of my relationship with you.  Help me focus on you and not on work or other matters that are clearly not as important as you.  Help me confront sin in my own life and in the life of my family and brothers and sisters.  For sin that I see in others help me love and bring others to you so that they see the light and the truth of Jesus Christ.

Do What!? March Around the City 6 Times!? Then Blow Trumpets and Shout on the 7th Time!?

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 6

Although this is a familiar bible story, I noticed something upon reading it this time?  Is it not strange that God conquered the city of Jericho by just having Joshua's men march around the city with the ark of the covenant 6 times without saying or doing anything, then on the 7th try with trumpets blaring and with a shout, the walls of the city crumble and the city is conquered without a fight?

Yes, this is how the story goes and to me this is a great example of how God calls us out of our comfort zone to do "strange" things so that we can see how we are part of God's great design and he can use anyone and anything and any circumstance for his glory - we just need to trust and follow him.  It then becomes a matter of staying close to God so that we can notice when he is talking to us.  Ask others if they feel your conversation with God is in line with scripture and in line with how they envision God using you.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you have used me in what may seem strange circumstances for your glory.  All of this is a mystery to me but I am nonethelss in awe of how you work - you bring it all together Lord!  How awesome you are!  Forgive me for my recent neglect of you and my resulting sin which has separated me from you.  Help purify me and keep me close to you.  Thank you for your wisdom and guidance and continue to guide me as a husband, father, worker, and a leader of men.  Help me desire you more every day, help me listen to you, help me trust you, and help me obey and follow you.

God Does Use You to Demonstrate His Might and Love To Bring Others Closer to Him

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 5

I am reminded here how God uses people to demonstrate his power and love as a means to draw others closer to Him.  In this case we see:

¹ Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.  

This is a particularly tough one for me to read and to reflect upon as I played league tennis Thursday night and had the opportunity to demonstrate the power of His love and might.  Instead I behaved poorly, threw my racquet and had temper tantrums on the court - it was embarrassing.

My Prayer: Lord, your power and might IS great as I have seen transformation both in my heart and my life as a father, husband and in other places in my life.  Yet I continue to sin - please do forgive me.  Help me stay close to you and purify me Lord.

An Ongoing Visible Sign of the Lord

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 3

It is important to remind yourself of God's greatness and that He is always with you. For the Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant served as that reminder:

⁹ Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰ This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹ See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. ¹² Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. ¹³ And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD -the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap."

Dave M of my small group in Newtonville, MA shared this set of letters from Brother Lawrence with me. Today's reading reminded me of the need to feel a daily presence of the Lord and how you can achieve it through a running conversation with God.

Another great idea from Mike G is to create gratitude lists from which you can reflect and praise God for how he blesses you.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you bless me and I know you love me but sometimes - like now - I feel flat. Please help me find and implement ways in my daily life to remind me of your greatness so that I can truly worship you. Forgive me for my mood now that I am "flat".

Rahab Proves That All of Us Can Be Part of God's Plan

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 2

What's great about this story is that Rahab - a prostitute - proves that all of us, regardless of our stature in life and regardless of how we feel about ourselves and what impact we can have, can be part of God's glorious plan.

See also the widow in this story in Mark:

⁴¹Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

My Prayer: I have seen how I can be used as part of your plan Lord and I am in awe that you want me to part of your glory...and I am excited to have you reveal to me what plan you have for me and how you want me to step into the role you have for me. Help me step into this role - help me listen for your leading and give me courage, strength, determination, and persistence - all of which I know comes from you.

For Dustin AND Because of God: Be Strong and Courageous

Today's Reading
Joshua Chp 1

After Moses dies, the Lord speaks to Joshua including this:

⁹ 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.

Dustin's middle name is what it is it because Joshua as a spy scouting the promised land was courageous as was Caleb.

Now that I read this verse closely I see that this verse is meant not only for Joshua but also for all of us.

¹⁶ Then [the Israelites] answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. ¹⁷ Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"

We named Dustin so that he could be strong and courageous for himself, but we need to be mindful that we need to be strong and courageous for him, for others, AND most importantly because of God that he will never leave or forsake [us].

My Prayer: Lord, thank you for your protection and your love - it is everlasting and I know that you will never leave or forsake me. Thank you Lord. Forgive me for speaking ill will and thinking ill will of others. Help me with that. Help me continue to draw near to you and to desire you.

Thanks to God For Sending His One and Only Son

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 28

Wow....reading of this chapter (and listening to Moses) freaked me out and made me think about how great it is that God sent his one and only son Jesus so that we could have a NEW covenant with God. The old covenant clearly would not have worked. Just read some of the excerpts of this chapter:

¹ If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God".

Ok God I am with you so far...but then you start talking about what happens when I don't follow these commands so carefully:

²⁰ The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

...

and here:

⁵⁸ If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God- ⁵⁹ the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses.

God sets the bar so high that it is impossible for us to reach.

But then along comes Christ and we have freedom from the law and the vicious cycle of sin and death.

¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ²because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

My Prayer: Lord I am thankful that you sent Jesus to earth to die for my sins so that I could have freedom from sin. We are all sinful by nature but not trapped by sin because you loved us SO much that you gave up your one and only son so that we could be free - you are great and you love ME so much - AWESOME! Forgive me for sin against my wife and children and help me draw nearer to you and through this more of the husband, father and Christian man you want me to be.

Tithe as Sacred

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 26

I am aware of God's command to tithe, yet I am reminded today of how my blessings come from Him and remain his and I am only a steward of these blessings. I need to set aside the tithe as sacred.

¹² When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. ¹³ Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. ¹⁴ I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead.

I can't recall tithe being referred to as "sacred" (dictionary defines as dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of God). Regardless, with such a definition, unless I tithe I am not just holding back from God - I am STEALING what is His. This is of course entirely different. As scripture indicates, I must remove the tithe from my house and give it (back) to God.

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me financially beyond what I have imagined. Forgive me for my greed and selfishness. Help me to tithe and to also be a good steward of how you have blessed me. Help me return to you what is yours.

Do Not Be Fainthearted or Afraid, Or Give Way to Panic...

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chps 19-20

As Moses continues to give instructions to the Israelites in the ways of the Lord as they prepare to enter the promised land, he reminds the Israelites of the protection provided by the Lord in ALL things.

¹ When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. ² When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. ³ He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. ⁴ For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (Deu 20: 1-4)

Can war and battle not apply to many aspects of today's life? While I may not fight physical wars or battles, I fight emotional battles all day long and Satan is fighting for my heart and soul. I definitely seek God's protection.

My Prayer: Lord, I know you protect me from Satan and all he is doing to win my heart and soul. But I can feel your strength and it is awesome and mighty. Thank you for your protection. Forgive me for my sin - especially my neglect of quiet time with you. Help me desire you more and be more like you Jesus.

You CAN Talk to God Directly!

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chps 16-18

Here in the Old Testament, Moses reminds the Israelites of their fear of direct contact with God - this is from God appearing to the Israelites through a great fire and cloud on Mt Sinai.

"Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die." (Deuteronomy 18: 16)

So, instead God provides prophets through whom we can hear God's words.

¹⁷ The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. ¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. (verse 17-18)

In the New Testament of course we have a new covenant with the Son of God. I found this link here which is useful. One of the scriptural references provided discusses how we have direct access to Jesus and there is no need for a high priest or prophet that is among us on earth. Instead we have direct access to Jesus as the Highest of All. With Jesus, we have someone that was among us and is now above us! How great is that! He can sympathize and rule over us as God - without the need for any king or prophet.

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4: 14-16)

My Prayer: Lord, I know you that you know all of the struggles I experience and you can not only sympathize with where I am but you died for me so that I can not only be cleansed of any sin but also look forward to heaven! You are so awesome and I love you. Forgive me for my weakness and protect me as I continue to seek to do your will and draw nearer to you. Thank you for how you love me and for how you talk to me through scripture, brothers and sisters and through all of the ways you speak to me. Help me love you more and be you more.

I pray for our world
- protection of our troops in battle against terrorism and in battle throughout the world
- protection of people all over the world from terrorism
- protection of those spreading the good news all over the world
- provision for those who are hungry and in need shelter
- that missionaries we know and do not know can save the unsaved

I pray for our city
- that Southbridge and other churches can reach and save the unsaved in RDU
- that our community group can be a light with how we serve

I pray for our community group
- that those seeking other groups can be connected to people for life change
- that our community group can be led re: whether to continue or to branch out into other groups
- for PD and MD to have wisdom, discernment re: financial situation and for you to provide and encourage and strengthen, and to provide peace
- for MM for nephew's protection and for sister/brother in law and baby on way
- for MM and JM for new CG and for father's new church
- for MD/MD for connection and glory with new CG
- for SD for relief/comfort/healing
- for men's ministry and that we can reach men and glorify God

I pray my family
- that those not saved in my family can be saved; that I can be a witness to them
- that my children are saved
- that I raise my children in the ways of the Lord and not raise them harshly; give me guidance
- that I glorify you in how I treat my wife and encourage her
- protection for Dustin and success with his surgery

Am I Compassionate Enough?

Today's Reading
Deuteronomy Chp 15

While I am clear that God calls us to tithe, and to be good stewards of the blessings God provides for us, I am constantly challenged to consider whether my current lifestyle (which I believe is not high on the hog but is certainly very comfortable) should change to allow for a greater degree of giving.

⁷ If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. ⁸ Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. ⁹ Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. ¹⁰ Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.

I am particularly struck by how God considers it sinful if I have any ill will toward my needy brother.

My Prayer: Lord I know you have blessed me beyond my needs - I am thankful for your provision and I seek your wisdom for how best to be a good steward of these blessings. Forgive me if I have any ill will toward my needy brother and help me reach out and love my needy brother.