Text: Joshua 18:2 - 19:20 Theme: Our part is to survey and seek; God’s part is to solidify Key verses: “So Joshua said to the Israelites: ‘How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you? Appoint 3 men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land…Then they will return to me.” (v. 3-4) “So the men left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll…and returned to Joshua…Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord, and there he distributed the land of the Israelites according to their tribal divisions. The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin…Their alloted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph…” (v. 9-11) What God said to me: Dwayne, first of all, do not think I am ok with how you conducted yourself last night. I know the evil schemes of your heart. You must keep your eyes and mind fixed on me and not on this world. You know the boundaries I have laid in your life. Do not even once cross them. Yet, that is what you did yesterday. You crossed a line. Yes, I forgave you before you even went there. You are whole in my site today because of my Son. However, I am determined you will be conformed into His image. I know how to spank my children if needed… Now concerning this passage, the truth here is a continuation of the boundaries idea from the other day. I expect you to survey every corner and area of opportunity you find. I expect you to seek out all you can discover about potential blessings and areas of ministry around you. Ask, seek, knock - first and foremost to me vertically, but then also toward others horizontally. Nonetheless, don’t forget to leave the results in my hands. Remember, the whole lot is up to me. I determine your goings in and comings out. You can and need to plan your way, but I am the Lord who determines your steps. Those Israelite scouts no doubt had their eye set on certain land more than on other portions. But the final choice for them was mine. (By the way, that’s a good thing since I’m a good God and know exactly what is best for you and want more than anything for you to have it!) What I said to God: Ok, so I get it. Here is my God holding out His hand to offer me the very best of the land, the very best of blessings simply because He loves me. So why would I get all bent out of shape when things don’t work out like I had hoped? Did I pray? Did I seek and knock fervantly and persistently and humbly? Am I walking with my God? Throwing the die and waiting on God to turn the pieces according to His will - now that’s a “gamble” I am willing to take! Thank You, holy and awesome and powerful Maker and Master. Forgive me for taking my eyes off of You if only for a few moments. I will serve You and You alone today.
Text: Joshua 18:1 Theme: God delivered on his promise to give the Israelites the promised land. Key verse: “The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control.” (v. 1) What God said to me: Dwayne, I always come through. My will and plan will not be thwarted. This single verse is so short that it is easy to run on past it and miss the awesome report it gives. There was a time years before this tiny verse that my people were slaves in a foreign land. There was a time just a few years before this when my people wandered in a desert wondering if they would ever see the “promised land” (which, in fact, that particular generation did not get to see because of their sinfulness.) There was a time some months before this when my people faced a huge rushing river that threatened their entry into their new land. There was a time only weeks earlier when my people were still fighting wicked kings and powerful enemies. Yet, now we come to this little verse that says so succinctly: “The land was brought under their control.” Dwayne, that is the miracle only I could bring to these, my precious people. You are living in your promised land. You have daily peace and joy. You are filled with my Spirit. Yet, there are still areas or inheritance that have not been brought under your control. You have not yet realized and experienced all that I have for you and your family and your ministry. Hold on. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Have faith in me. Stay faithful and humble. The day is coming when you will gather your family and friends and celebrate the awesome blessings I have given to you. You will, in essence, build a meeting and rallying place where future generations can come and discover afresh my greatness and my faithfulness to my promises. What I said to God: Holy Lord, Yahweh, my Redeemer, I love and adore You. I lay my life before You. Thank you for being a promise-keeping God. You are both able and loving enough to come through on every promise You make to Your children. Help me stay focused on the ministry You have given to me. Empower me to live every day in light of Your imminent return. I surrender my life and my will to You today and look forward to that day when all You have planned and promised us comes into full view.
Text: Joshua 17:14-18 Theme: Claiming the promised land requires our hard work and determination. Key verses: “The people of Joseph said to Joshua, ‘Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people…’ ‘If you are so numerous,’ Joshua answered, ‘and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there…” (v. 14-15) “The people of Joseph replied, ‘The hill country is not enough for us, and the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots…” (v. 16) “You are numerous and very powerful…Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.” (v. 18) What God said to me: Dwayne, my people often want the “good life,” the abundant life I offer, but without the necessary sacrifice required. Living good means working hard. The people of Joseph didn’t want to have clear off all those trees and forests in order to have a place to live there in their promised land. They would have much prefered if someone else had already done that for them. Thus, they were complaining to Joshua. Furthermore, living good means having courage and determination. The people of Joseph didn’t want to have to fight with the Canaanites and their iron chariots. They wanted the easy way to victory and abundance. But there is no easy way, Dwayne, not then and not now. I have gifted you (as I have all my people). I have provided great opportunity for you to “take the land” and the possessions I have awaiting you. However, you must be willing to work hard and smart. You must take courage in the face of daunting circumstances. You are very powerful because I am with you and in you. You have no reason or excuse to be afraid of any enemy or obstacle. Move forward, in courage, in power, in persistence and wisdom. Humbly trust me to work through you to accomplish my mission and to provide you your promised land of peace and joy and victory all the way through this life. What I said to God: Thank you, my precious Lord, for your patience and kindness with me everyday. Thank you for never giving up on me and for always speaking to my heart so clearly. You have entrusted us with a special and wonderful ministry. You have given us unique abilities and insights. Yet at times I admit I am fearful or lazy or just plain ungrateful. Forgive me, please. I will work ’til Jesus comes - hard, smart and consistently.
Text: Joshua 14-15 Theme: God gave specific boundaries to His children. Key verses: “Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan…Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the Lord had commanded through Moses.” (v. 1-2) “The allotment for the tribe of Judah, clan by clan, extended down to the territory of Edom…Their southern boundary started from the bay…(15:1-2) “The eastern boundary is the Salt Sea…The northern boundary started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. (v. 5) “The western boundary is the coastline…In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb…a portion in Judah…” (v. 12-13) What God said to me: Son, this is a very simple but profound concept. There are supernatural boundary lines that I have placed in your life and the lives of your family. This is not a popular topic. My people enjoy the thought of limitless freedom - and so they should. What they must remember at all times, however, is that their limitless freedom is confined within the barriers of obedience and surrender to me. Dwayne, pay particular attention to what I am showing you today. This is the beginning of several revelations regarding your boundary lines. I want you to write on this and teach my people the importance of the “goodly places” where your lines have fallen for you. You already have the idea for a book called, “Stay Inside Your Box.” That so-called box is where true freedom and joy is found. Yes, I expect my children to test those boundaries and survey their areas of creativity and movement. However, when I show my servants a clearly established boundary I expect them to heed it and not try to cross it. An example of a clearly laid boundary is adultery. That is a hard, dark line that you are never to cross under any circumstances. It is irrelevant whether you like such boundaries. This is my game. I make the rules. Find your lines, Dwayne and respect them. There is plenty of space inside to roam and create and frolic and prosper for a lifetime. What I said to God: Lord, thank You for speaking so clearly to my spirit today. I am getting excited about this book idea. I see now more than ever the validity and need for such teaching today. We talk so much about freedom. We want lives with no rules. But we need your rules. We had better follow your rules if we want to win at life. Forgive me, please, when I don’t want to follow or even appreciate your standards of behavior and your set areas of work and ministry for me. I long to live in your perfect and predestined will for my life - for all of my life.
Text: Joshua 14:1-15 Theme: Caleb’s determination and faithfulness to claim his land Key verses: “Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb…said to him, ‘You know what the Lord said to Moses…about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses…sent me…to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions.’ (v.6-7) ‘I, however, followed the Lord wholeheartedly.’ (v. 8b) ‘So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong…I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day…the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (v. 10b-12) What God said to me: Son, there are annuls of unwritten history about my servant, Caleb, that must be considered when you read this story. Caleb worked every morning to a discipline of healthy allegiance to me. He kept his body, his mind and his spirit in shape and in check. He both faithful and determined. He kept his eyes on his prize and never doubted he would one day claim his inheritance. You can clearly see the application here for you. What I said to God: I see. Now help me do…
Text: Joshua 13:7-33 Theme: A worship leader’s inheritance is the Lord Himself. Key verses: “But to the tribe of Levi he gave an inheritance since the offerings made by fire to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as he promised them.” (v. 14) “But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.” (v. 33) What God said to me: Son, these verses are pregnant with truth and encouragement. As my minister, you have the unique privilege of my personal provisions. While others of my children have their lands and possessions and bank accounts to depend on and call their own, you must be content only with what I give you. Mind you, it is not wrong - in fact it is advisory - to plan and want these things. However, Dwayne, you’re focus and your plans can never be on obtaining what will eventually fade away. Minister to others, in my house, to me always. Watch me provide your every need. What I said to God: Praise you, Lord, for your awesome ways. Forgive me when I think too much about what I have to gain through doing ministry. This is not about me. I know You will continue to provide abundantly for me and my family. You always have. Any prospering we do we want to do “in the Lord.” And any financial blessings You entrust to us beyond our needs, we want to put back into ministering to You and to others. Praise and thank You for being my inheritance! I love You.
Text: Joshua 13:1-6 Theme: The Promised Land still had many challenges Key verses: “When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, ‘You are very old, and there are still large areas of land to be taken over.” (v. 1) “As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions…I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes…” (v. 6-7) What God said to me: Notice that even after Joshua had invested his entire adult life in combating tribes within the promised land, there were still more enemies and problems to confront. As long as you are on this earth, there will be times and seasons of battle. There will be people and groups who reject your message, even persecute you for your faith and your stand for me. You should expect this until your dying day. From this you will never retire. Of course, I will never place on you or expect more of you than you can bear or deliver. I told Joshua I myself would drive out certain hard to reach areas. Dwayne, I will always be there to pick up your slack, to handle what you physically and spiritually cannot. Just be sure you do what I have commanded and instructed you. “Be sure,” I told Joshua. “Be sure” I am telling you today. Don’t miss your God-given responsibilities. Don’t use excuses like you’re busy or tired or overwhelmed. Finish the tasks I have placed on you. The work will never be done, but your work can be completed. That is what I will hold you accountable for. What I said to God: Lord, praise You and thank You for speaking clearly to my spirit and my heart this morning. I have noticed myself becoming more lazy and not wanting to make time for you as much lately. My zeal and passion for the lost has waned. My enthusiasm for our ministry to worship leaders and churches has suffered too. Please forgive me for losing sight of what You have called me to do. I accept that my work will continue for as long as I am on this earth. I love You. But I must love You more…
Text: Joshua 12 Theme: Joshua lists all the kings of the lands the Israelites had conquered. Key verses: “These are the kings of the land whom the Isralelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan…” (v. 1a) “Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelistes conquered them. And Moses…gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manesseh to be theri possession. These are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan…” (v. 6-7) “thirty-one kings in all.” (v. 24) What God said to me: Dwayne, first of all, welcome back. This is the place I want you to be the most - sitting at my feet, listening and meditating on my words, writing down what I show you and your response. Dwayne, you must be careful to beat your body and bring it into submission, lest after you have preached to and taught others you yourself should become a castaway of the faith. Stay with this journaling. No matter how tired or busy or uninterested or distracted or lazy you may feel, don’t let your written, ample time with me slide. Remember Matthew 6:33! Seek me in private and I will reward you in public. The principle is simple and unchanging. I will multiply your production time if you prioritize quality, expectant time with me… Now, regarding this chapter. It was important for Joshua to put in writing every single victory over every king and land. People forget quickly. Facts and details become blurred over time. For their children and their grandchildren, for both themselves and for all of us to come, Joshua knew he had to take time to get the facts straight and down on scroll. He was accurate, specific and to the point. Where is the lesson for you, my son? From time to time, it a good and healthy practice for you to write down your victories and revisit them occasionally. There would be more fearful and doubting times for the Israelites in the years to come. Imagine the encouragement they could draw from reading about these great victories of their past. So it is with you. I have brought many good days of victory to you. Write them down. Tuck them away, and pull them out on those rainy days when it seems I have forgotten you or you are feeling defeated or discouraged. What I said to God: Thank you, Father, for meeting with me this morning. Thank you for never giving up on me. Forgive me for not prioritizing my journaling. Also, I know I must deliberately witness for You every day and every week. Grant me an open door today.
It has been over two months since I last entered a journal post from my quiet times. Mind you, I’ve had some strong and connsistent times alone in God’s Word over these past several weeks. Nonetheless, there is nothing that can replace the discipline of journaling what God is teaching me. It galvanizes my mind and requires me to listen closer and think deeper. My excuse for being absent from this website visitation? My laptop, which I use when I journal, has been on the blink. Yea, I know. That isn’t much of a reason. But there it is. The inconvenience and distraction of using my work computer should not have hindered me from remaining faithful to my journaling. Yet, I allowed that very thing to happen. Well, now the laptop’s fixed and I’m back to journaling in Joshua again! Thanks to all my readers who have gently prayed and encouraged me during my absense!
Text: Joshua 11 Theme: At times the Lord leads his people to show no mercy Key verses: “So Joshua took this entire land…He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.” (v. 16-17) “Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them in battle. For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (v. 19-20) “So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war.” (v. 23) What God said to me: Dwayne, it is one thing to read and hear what I want you to do. It is quite another thing when you are in the midst of having to actually obey and carry out my orders. Imagine how difficult it must have been at times for Joshua and some of his soldiers as they had to enter houses and closets to hunt down children and families to kill. Imagine how hard it was to literally destroy everything that breathed. Try to fathom showing absolutely no mercy and realizing it was me, your God, who had commissioned such total annialation. Apparently, the God who assigned this task to them was showing no mercy either - at least, that was how it must have appeared to the Israelites. Of course, only in the annuls of eternity might they and you ever really know whether I was being merciful. You do not for a moment understand or comprehend my ways and my thoughts. No doubt every Israelite citizen bathed in the idea that I was giving them that land. Yet, when it came time to deliver on my promise, it meant them having to do some difficult and dangerous and reason-defying things. Yes, the time of such mass killing is past. No, I do not want you to go out and destroy your neighbors who do not follow me. However, Dwayne, I do want you to go out and share the good news of my Son with them. This will require some dying still. You yourself will have to be put to the sword - your old nature, that is. It will be difficult. It will require courage and determination. Then again, obeying me always has - just ask the Israelites… What I said to God: Thank You and praise You, holy and wise, almighty Lord. I love and adore You today. Spending time with You in Your Word is like taking a nice long warm bath and coming out clean and refreshed. That is how I feel right now - refreshed and more determined to reckon myself dead to me and alive in You. I choose to boldly proclaim Your Word and Your witness today to any and all I come in contact with. Send me to someone today to share You with. Show mercy on them, Lord, before the day comes when You once again decree no mercy on them.