06.30.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 11:01 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 10:28-43 Theme: God’s methods can be very hard to understand Key verses: “Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it and its king with the edge of the sword. He utterly destroyed them - all the people who were in it.” (v. 28) “…they fought against Libnah. And the Lord delivered it and its king into the hand of Israel…all the people…with the edge of the sword…” (v.29-30) “…and the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel…all the people…with the edge of the sword…” (v. 32) “Then Horam, king of Gezer, came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people…” (v. 33) “…Joshua passed to Eglon, and all Israel with him…all the people who were in it he utterly destroyed…” (v. 34-35) “…to Hebron…And they took it and struck it with the edge of the sword…he left none remaining…” (v. 36-37) (v. 36-37) “…to Debir…they struck them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed all the people who were in it…” (v. 38-39) “So Joshua conquered all the land…he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded…All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.” (v. 40-42) What God said to me: My son, where is that “God is love” caricature that so many view me as? How could I decree such brutal and horrible tactics? How could I stand back while “my people” pierce their swords through innocent women and children, little babies? Moreover, how could the writer of this book of Joshua credit/blame such cruelty on this loving and kind God? Am I a schizophrenic deity? Could there really be another side to me or even another God altogether that somehow siezed my throne and took control somewhere between the testaments? No, a thousand times no. Dwayne, my love is defined by my justice. You must set this series of annihilations in their proper context. Notice how verse 42 reads, “All these kings and lands Joshua took…” Rather than blaming me for their destruction, the focus should be on their leaders, those corrupt kings who chose to ignore me and instead follow hard after false gods and godless lifestyles. In order to keep their corruption and their influence from infecting my people, total destruction was inevitable. Furthermore, I had given that land to my people. Had the children of those pagans been allowed to live and grow, they would have later tried to lay claim again to “their” land. Rest assured that those in those pagan camps who had not yet reached the age of accountability received proper mercy on the other side of death. I am the one God of love. There is no other. My character does not contradict itself. I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. That is my perogative. Your task is to obey me and not ask questions about my reasoning. What I said to God: Lord, once again, I am bowed over by Your indescribable and fascinatingly confusing ways. I choose to trust You that You are both a God of Justice and a God of Mercy because You are ultimately the God of Love. Praise You, Father, for such knowledge! Praise You for taking time to care for one such as me and for speaking to my heart. You are under no obligation to explain anything to me about why You do what You do; yet today You have granted me a little better picture of the depth of Your attributes and the mystery of Your ways. I am humbled by Your greatness; awed by Your majesty; amazed by Your wisdom and silenced by Your unfathomable sovereignty.
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06.27.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 7:09 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 10:16-28 Theme: God’s gives complete and thorough victory to His children. Key verses: “Joshua and the Israelites destroyed them completely - almost to a man…The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.” (v. 20-21) “Joshua said, ‘Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out of the cave…he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him. ‘Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.’ So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.’ Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung them on five trees…” What God said to me: Dwayne, some would look at this scene and say that Joshua should have shown mercy on these kings. Afterall they were now helpless without their armies. Yet, to not destroy them would have meant disobeying me and not finishing their task. Those kings represented the very evil and wickedness I was determined to stamp out as my people moved into their new land I had given them. Joshua took advantage of that moment to encourage his commanders and expand their vision for what was to come. As long as I gave the go-ahead and assured the victory, there was no one who could stand in their way of complete victory. Mercy? Showing mercy is determined by me and given through me. Your job is to follow my command and finish each step of my plan. What I said to God: Thank You, Lord, for this time of vacationing relaxation with my family. I praise You for Your Word and Your voice to me today. I am not sure how what I’ve read today should be applied. But I want to be faithful and read and listen. One thing I can glean from this scene is the importance of finishing my job and doing what You have assigned to me - even if that task seems cruel and disagreeable. Help me not let my guard down while I’m in this relaxed, vacationing mode. My commitment to You never takes a vacation!
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06.23.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 7:39 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 10:1-15 Theme: God’s power to save is revealed through man’s privilege to pray Key verses: “Then the five kings of the Amorites…joined forces. They…took positions against Gibeon and attacked it.” (v. 5) “So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army…The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.’” (v. 7-8) “The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in great victory at Gibeon.” (v. 10) “As they fled…the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky…” (v. 11) “…Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: ‘O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon…The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 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!” (v. 12-14) What God said to me: Dwayne, my son, I am always ready and wanting to fight for you. I so desire for you to simply acknowledge your dependance on me for everything you are and need. Joshua didn’t fail to seek my face after the debacle at Ai. Joshua had learned his lesson the extremely difficult way, through crushing defeat and tragedy. Now see his resolve and faith in prayer: He clearly makes time to come to me and inquire of me. And I honored his searching request. When he saw some who might escape, Joshua remembered my promise to him that not one would withstand or survive. That simple but profound statement from me was his impedance to call even upon the sun and moon to coorperate. Why not? They are my creations too. They are under my command to do what is needed to accomplish my purposes. Joshua understood this. And Joshua trusted me emphatically and thoroughly. Remember my words through Paul, “Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, what the Lord has in store for those who love him.” Dwayne, if you can dream it for my glory I can fulfill it for your faith. And things your mind can never dream up I will do for and through you as well. But never forget, Joshua first of all humbled himself and sought me - that’s your key to success. What I said to God: Thank You, my Lord and God, for teaching me through Your Word this morning. Thank You for the privilege and power and provision of prayer. Forgive me for the many times I fail to first pray before I rush headlong into situations of which I have no control or understanding. Lest tradegy strikes, may I always look to You and live. I look to You now and Your glory and beauty are beyond my imagination…
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06.19.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 9:17 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 9 Theme: God honors us keeping even unwise promises to others Key verses: “However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to a ruse…: (v. 4) “…they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him…’We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.’” (v. 6) “The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them…” (v. 14-16) “…the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.” (v. 18) “So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water-carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord…And that is what they are to this day.” (v. 26-27) What God said to me: It would have been much better if my people had taken time to pray and seek my direction before they went and promised not to destroy the Gibeonites. Furthermore, they already had clear direction from me to destroy everything and everyone. Yet, despite all that, I allowed and honored their decision and their promise. Dwayne, that is how serious I take vows and commitments. Even when those vows aren’t in your best interest, once you make them I expect you to keep them. Only when your vow is to Satan and means breaking my law and dishonoring me by sin should you not keep a promise. Otherwise, you are bound to it even as you are bound to me. Now imagine this: If I so strongly expect you to keep your promises to others, how much more serious am I about your promises and vows made to me? What I said to God: Holy God, I humble myself before You now. You know that even in the past few days I have broken promises made to You. You know my heart, how it is deceptively wicked all the time. I thank You for the new heart and the new nature You have placed in me. That new nature wants only to please and honor You. That new nature is a promise-keeper. My tendency is as Joshua’s: not to seek You first but rather to follow my instincts. I know how ridiculous and dangerous such a practice is. Thank You that You protect us even in our moments of stupidity. Thank You that You are able to work even ill-advised words and actions toward our ultimate good and Your ultimate glory. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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06.13.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 6:11 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 8:30-35 Theme: Joshua read and renewed the whole law to the whole assembly Key verses: “Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel…He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses…On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings…” (v. 30-31) “There in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua copied on stones the law of Moses, which he had written.” (v. 32) “Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law - the blessings and the curses - just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not one word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.” (v. 34-35) What God said to me: Dwayne, I’m glad you made time for me and my Word early this morning. Joshua made time for my Word in this passage. He prioritized and renewed that which is most important. Notice the emphasis here on exactness and wholeness or completeness. Joshua made sure they did everything exactly as Moses had commanded during this assembly. He built an altar, and he built it according to the divine specifications laid out in my Law. He copied every word exactly as it was in the Law of Moses. Then Joshua read the whole law to the whole assembly. Every person in Israel heard the entire law that day. They heard the blessings and cursings which I spoke through Moses. Even and especially the children and aliens heard my covenant renewed and repeated for my people to understand and heed. Dwayne, what they did - in standing there while Joshua copied the law, then standing there while he read the law - took a lot of time. This was a major commitment of time and energy. But that is really the point: There is no other undertaking as important and life-rewarding as focusing on and prioritizing my Word in your life. Yes, I’m glad you rose early and met with me. But you should be even more glad and thankful and humbled that you have my Word to rise to and read. Now, don’t just hear it, do it. What I said to God: Lord God of my fathers, God in heaven come down to earth, both Jehovah and El Elyon, I give You praise and thanksgiving today. I am indeed humbled that You would make time to meet with me and show me amazing insights from Your Word. You are Faithful God! Forgive me for the many days when I don’t make reading and meditating on Your Word the priority of my day. Forgive me when I don’t live out these precepts and teach them to my children and family. Thank You a thousand times for Your Word and for making it available to us. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who reveals to us and illuminates our minds to the truths You want us to see and grasp in the Bible. May I/we be faithful to do all that is written therein.
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06.12.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:04 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 8:1-29 Theme: Every successful spiritual battle has a God-directed strategy. Key verses: “Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘…Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You sahll od to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its kings, excerpt that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.’” (v. 1-2) “They will pursue us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are running away from us as they did before.’ So when we flee from them, you are to rise up from ambush and take the city…Do what the Lord has commanded.” (v. 6-8) “Then the Lord said, ‘Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city.’ So Joshua held out his javelin toward Ai. As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly…and captured it.” (v. 18-19) “Twelve thousand men and women fell that day - all the people of Ai. For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai. But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the Lord had instructed Joshua.” (v. 25-27) What God said to me: Dwayne, pay close attention to this passage today. Don’t assume that what you see at face value is all I have for you today. The greater lesson to be learned here is the spiritual side to this battle. I was involved and dictating every decision and moment throughout the battle. Joshua was giving orders that I, the true commander, was handing down to him. That is how you must live your life, Dwayne. You must never go into your day (which is yet another potential spiritual encounter with the dark side) without my leadership. You will be routed every time, just as was Israel the first time they attempted - on their own - to take Ai. Yet, when I gave to word to go up against them, when I promised ultimate victory, when the plan was executed according to my commands, the victory was complete and perfect. The enemy was played for fools. They were taken totally off guard, following my preconcieved lure. (That reminds me of a little situation my defeated foe found himself in 3 days after he had put my only and precious Son on a cross to die…) And yes, the javelin in the hand put forth hold great significance for you as well. Your family and those you help lead will need at times to see the javelin. They need to know and be assured you are leading them with confidence and toward victory. They need a clear sign about what to do and where to go. Be clear and direct. Be humble and seeking. Be victorious in the end, my son - for I am with you through life’s every battle. What I said to God: Thank You, my mighty Warrior and King. I so love sitting with You and listening at Your feet as You speak to me through Your written Word. What battles lie ahead today? Whatever they are, I know they are ultimately spiritual and that I and my family will win, if we listen and carefully obey our Commander in Chief, Jesus Christ.
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06.11.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 7:04 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 7:14-26 Theme: God’s wrath comes on those who willfully disobey Key verses: In the morning present yourselves…and the family that the Lord takes shall come forward man by man. He who is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the Lord…” (v. 14-15) “Then Joshua said to Achan, ’My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done…Achan replied, ‘It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel…’” (v. 19-20) “Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan…and all that he had to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, ‘Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.’” Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them…” (v. 22-25) What God said to me: Son, there are many hidden nuances in this passage regarding my character, my judgment and my expectations from my people. You will need to read and dig much more than you will do during this devotion time in order to grasp many of the deeper insights. However, there are a couple important truths I want you to grasp today. First, I take sin and its results on my people very, very seriously. Achan willfully ignored my edict and gave in to his greed and selfishness. It cost Israel 36 lives in battle and a stinging defeat. I do not turn my head from such rebellion and darkly hidden sin. Had Achan repented, things might have gone a bit easier for him and better for the people of Israel. But Achan had to be singled out. His sin “found him out.” He did not choose to dig up those devoted articles and present them himself. Further, even when he was caught and encouraged to give praise to me, he never uttered one word of worship. He never said he was sorry for what he had done; only that he had indeed sinned. What else was he to say? He had had a miserable morning of watching tribe after tribe, clan after clan, family after family be whittled away until he himself was standing before Joshua. Achan was caught red-handed. The other great truth I want you to see today is the effect of Achan’s sin on his family. Everyone else had to die as well. They all suffered the consequences of Achan’s rebellion. Cruel of me, you say? Why would I demand that such henious punishment come on his “innocent” family? Dwayne, you will never fully understand my purposes in that. However, know this: When cancer is removed, it must be completely eradicated. Unfortunately the organs affected must also be removed. His family had been influenced by him. His possessions had his marks and strings attached to them as a future reminder of his accomplishments and presence. My goal is to wipe clean any hint of sin from among my people. I will not tolerate disobedience period. And I will not allow anyone to hurt my people, lest they face the worse kind of punishment. What I said to God: Thank you, holy and awesome Lord, for speaking to me this morning. I am amazed at Your complex character. I do not claim to be able to comprehend Your ways. But this I do most assuredly grasp: You hate sin. My only response to my sin is to fall at Your feet in repentance and turn from my wicked ways. Please, O God, do not allow me to fall into such rebellion as would adversely affect my family and those You died for. I plead Your mercy and trust Your grace and power. Praise You for being the holy and righteous Father and Creator that You are.
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06.06.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:27 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 7:6-13 Theme: God will not bless or protect us if we do not destroy what He has deemed devoted. Key verses: “Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord, remaining there until evening. The elders did the same…” (v. 6) “‘O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?’” (v. 8) “What then will you do for your own great name?’ The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned…They have taken some of the devoted things…they have put them with their own possessions.” (v. 9-11) “…I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.” (v. 12) “…You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.” (v. 13) What God said to me: Son, once again, this is not a particularly difficult passage to understand. The idea should be clear: There are certain items and issues in the lives of my people that I will not tolerate. I have chosen those things and devoted them to be destroyed among you. They can become idols to you. More importantly, they bear my mark for destruction, and keeping them around - even if they are hidden from human site - pits those “little budhas” between you and me. Holding on to them, whatever your motives may be, is in direct violation of my will and commands. Thus, I will not bless those; I will not protect or use those children who protect and use that which I have said must be eradicated from their homes, minds and lives. Don’t pull a Joshua, Dwayne. Don’t assume your family, your church, and you yourself aren’t hiding any devoted pieces. Ask me, seek me and I will reveal anything in your life that doesn’t please me. I want to bless and use you, if only you will humbly bow and surrender the “devoted” things to me. What I said to God: Thank you, El Elyon, You are the majestic and powerful God of the heavens. Be God to me. Please show me anything I or my family or church is doing or not doing that You are displeased with. We cannot bear the thought of not having Your hand on us! Please, please help us to turn our eyes away from beholding vain things. May we be forever devoted to You and determined to destroy any potential idols in our lives that You have earmarked for destruction.
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06.04.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 10:32 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 7:1-5 Theme: God’s anger was burning but noone was noticing Key verses: “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan…took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai…So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, ‘Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it…So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them…At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.” (v. 1-5) What God said to me: Dwayne, this is a very pointed message today: Never take our fellowship for granted. Never assume everything is fine between us. And never go a day without checking in with me to be sure you are fully obeying me. What is important and vital to note about this passage is not so much what is written here, but rather what is not written. Joshua was basking in his success and new fame. Life was good. Some trusted spies came and told him news he liked to hear. Why bother asking me about their advice? Had he and Israel not just taken the most fortified city in that region? Their confidence level was very high. They could take these measley Ai people - or so they thought. You see, my son, they failed to check with me first. My anger was already burning against them, and they didn’t even realize it. That is because they had stopped seeking me. Not once since their great victory at Jericho had they sought me or come before me to offer thanks and sacrifice. I would have gladly warned them and told them not to go and fight until the problem in their camp was resolved. But they never asked. More specifically, Joshua, the leader, never asked. And ultimately it was his responsibility. Need I point out the incredible applications these truths have for you and your leadership? What I said to God: Holy God, You have nailed me this morning. You know I had a wonderful time of victory just yesterday at a worship weekend. The enemy was routed within that church. Yet this morning, already I have been tempted to ignore my quiet time and to let down the guard on my heart. Please forgive me for my apathy and spiritual pride! I want to know when Your anger is burning against my unconfessed sins! I want to be aware of moments when Your hand has been removed from my labors and from those I help lead. I want to know when there is “sin in the camp.” And I know You will show me if I will pray without ceasing and humbly seek Your face. Thank You for this incredible warning and word today. Praise You!
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06.01.07
Posted in Thoughts on Joshua at 8:06 am by Administrator
Text: Joshua 6:22-27 Theme: The Lord honors those who faithfully honor and obey Him. Key verses: “They burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the Lord’s house. But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute…” (v. 24-25a) “So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.” What God said to me: Dwayne, today’s message to you is very clear and simple: Follow me and obey me and in due time I will exalt you. I will make your judgment shine like the noonday. I will prosper you and use you for my glory. Joshua was simply a man who chose to do what I said, how and when I said to do it. He kept his promises to others and honored those who loved me. He finished the tasks I assigned to him, not leaving anyone behind and carefully devoting the spoils to me. The key to Joshua’s success is found in the one brief statement, “So the Lord was with Joshua.” Make sure I am with you, by making sure you listen and obey my every command today. What I said to God: Thank you my Lord and Savior, for speaking to me this morning. Forgive my sleepiness! I truly do want to honor You with my life, my actions and my thoughts today. How you spread my “fame” is unimportant to me. My only concern is that I spread Yours! I love and adore You, most holy and awesome Jehovah! You are Life and Breath and Truth and Light and Food and Drink and the very Air I breath. You are my Vine, my Shepherd, my King, my Master, my Redeemer, my Friend, my Father, my Counselor, my All in All. How could I not love You?
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