Ask, Believe, and Work

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Ask, Believe, and Work Date: Friday March 09, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 17-19

Hello My Friend,

The word content means to be satisfied with what one is or has, not wanting more or anything else. The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content...Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - 1 Timothy 6:6-8,17-19.

The key to being content and seeing God give us all things richly through it, is following His commands. Think about it. A person is hired for a job and gets paid minimum wage, at first they are content with making minimum wage, but after a while they get tired of it and want more. If they want to advance they must make an effort to show they are ready to do the labor needed. This does three things, it shows the employer that they are a hard worker to keep what they already have, they are willing to work more to advance, and shows that they can be trusted with more responsibility. God rewards us the same way if we have faith that He can provide for us. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

The children of Israel were on the promised land, each of the nine tribes was given a part of the land, which was divided by how many people were in the tribe. What the tribes did not account for was the people already dwelling in the land, not God or Joshua, the people. The command from God was to drive them out as Israel was told not to dwell with the Canaanites. However, many of the tribes did not want to fight and were content to live among them, which caused problems for the smaller tribes. The children of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) came to Joshua complaining that they were not given enough land for all their people. Joshua's response, go get it.

“And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only: But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” -Joshua 17:15-18.Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, but was far from supporting the demands of his kinsmen, he tells them that they were given enough of the land to share amongst them, plenty of it, and if they fought for it like they were told to do then they would see that. God has much more to give us, but we must show Him that we are content and thankful with what we have first and follow through with what He asks us to do. We can do anything that God asks us to do, He never gives us anything that we cannot handle, above all He strengthens us through Christ to be able to accomplish it.”Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you... But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:9,19. 

In the midst of the division all of Israel came together to set up the Tabernacle. “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?” - Joshua 18:1-3.

God has much to give us, but we must go get it, quite often we do not receive the things we really want because we do not want to work for it. I am one to admit that I have forfeited some things that I could have had over the years because I did not want to have to start all over again. The truth is, with every door that closes a new one opens, but we must walk through it to receive what is waiting for us, yes, it's like starting over again, but imagine the possibilities. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” - Revelation 3:20.

The setting up of the Tabernacle in Shiloh gives a hint of the coming Shiloh (Christ) of whom Jacob had spoken. “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” - Genesis 49:10. Jesus is coming again and when He returns, all who are His will gather together, Jew and Gentile will become one nation lead by the only King of kings. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

After Joshua got all the tribes situated it was time to receive his inheritance, he did not just receive any land, he received the land he asked for. “When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein. These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.” - Joshua 19:49-51.

I witnessed to a 9 year old boy last night, I told him about heaven, how it was full of everything he ever wanted and more. His eyes lit up and he could wait to ask Jesus to come into his heart just to be able to see what would be waiting for him when he gets to heaven. It's that childlike faith that we never need to let cease, our eyes should light up at the thought of what we, who have received Christ, will inherit when we leave earth to receive our promised land. We do not have to wait to get to heaven to see God give is things, we can get them now, we just need to have faith and keep serving God the best we can. He knows what we are doing, He feels our pains and sorrows, and as we endure them He will reveal great things to us. All we have to do to receive is ask and believe. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Matthew 21:22.Today's Psalm: 21:4 - “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.”

Today's Proverb: 4:10 - “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.”

Today's Prayer: God, I know that You have many things that You want to give me, things that not only supply me with what I need, but also with what I desire. You are willing to give me anything I ask for as long as I ask believing, of course, I must be willing to show You that I can do the work necessary to get them and that it will not hinder my relationship with You. Lord, help me to learn and understand what I need to do to receive the things I am asking besides having faith and give me the ability to wait for You to give them to me when I am ready to handle receiving them. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
ChristinaAre You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
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God's Promises

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Promises
Date: Thursday March 08, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 14-16

Hello My Friend,

While our works do not save us and take us to heaven, the work we do after we are saved not only determines the inheritance we receive in the Kingdom of God, but what we will receive here on earth as well. When we are serving God He pays attention and whatever we ask of Him He will give it to us, oh, He may give us a different version of what we anticipate, but it's often even better, but He never goes back on His Word and always keeps His promises. As we allow Christ to live in and through us He transforms us into His likeness and the closer we get to Him the more fruitful we become.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2 Peter 1:3-8.
The time had come for the children of Israel to receive the land promised to them, the amount given had nothing to do with how much they had done for God, it was given according to the number of people in each tribe, with one exception, Caleb.

“Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” - Joshua 14:7-13.

Caleb was one of two men, along with Joshua, that came from the first generation of Israel to come out of Egypt. Forty-five years earlier Moses sent twelve men by God's command to search the land of Canaan all, but Caleb and Joshua gave an evil report because they feared the size of the people and did not want to fight them. Even though Caleb and Joshua stood by their faith and assured them that God would help them through it the people had so much anger toward God that God said no one from that generation would step foot on the promised land, except for Caleb and Joshua. “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it...Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.” - Numbers 14:22-24,30.

Caleb asked for the mountain that God promised Him for following Him wholly and he got it. God will give us everything He promises us, the key to receiving it is having faith in Him, learning to wait on His timing, and wholly following Him. When we wholly follow God we are more likely to be obedient to Him, conforming into the likeness of His Son. We will never be Jesus, but we can become more like Him and the result is receiving more than the promises He made to us. “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” - 1 Peter 1:2-4.

You are the elect, God has chosen you. Why? You put your faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ and are only trusting in Him for eternal life. That alone is cause for receiving God's promise of eternal life in the Kngdom of God. God may call you to do only one thing in your life time for Him here on earth, but that one thing is very important to Him and should be honored because He chose you to do it. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:16. Praise God!

Caleb shows how he values the promise and insists on the mountain God had spoken of. The man of faith values that which is given by promise far above that given by providence only. We too are to value the promise, while all who call on Jesus to save them are saved, God has much more to give those who are content just to walk in the door. The key to receiving Jesus Christ. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep...And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” - John 10:9-11,28.
Today's Psalm: 16:5 - “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.”

Today's Proverb: 8:21 - “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.”

Today's Prayer: God, You are the the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, as we hold tightly to the hope we have in You we will not be pulled to the right nor to the left when circumstances come our way. You will keep us on course as You go before us instructing, inspiring, and empowering us to keep going for You who never goes back on His promises. May we keep a tight grip to Your hand that holds us when we stumble, keeping us from being cast down. We thank You for Jesus who keeps a firm grip on us, allowing no enemy to snatch us out of His hand. We hold unswervingly to You, the faithful One. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Much More

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Much More
Date: Wednesday March 07, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 11-13

Hello My Friend,

Sometimes it seems as though burdens just pour out like water, no sooner than you deal with one here comes another, sometimes several at one time. It can be overwhelming and quite deafening to the spirit, especially when you are not quite through with some of them and others keep coming. However, we can get through them, I imagine how fast we do depends upon who we are putting our faith and trust in to get us through them. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. The key to keeping our spirits up and finding peace and joy through our burdens is Jesus Christ, when we attach ourselves to Him and walk with Him, we cannot lose.
Now that Israel was on the promised land the task of possessing the land was at hand, this was not an easy task since every bit of it, except where they were camped, was possessed by the Canaanites. The command from God and Moses, destroy them all and possess the land. What a command? Can you imagine the burden? Nations began joining with each other in huge numbers to defeat Israel. However, they failed to realize that no amount of the most skilled fighters can defeat God, but God assured Joshua that He was with them and that He will help them win the war.

“And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining...And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe. As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.” - Joshua 11:5-814,15.

Sometimes the things that God calls us to do can be overwhelming and fearful, but when we live in obedience to His commands there is nothing He will not do for us. He will give us the strength, no matter how overwhelming the task, to not only do what He commands, but see victory. God never gives us a task or burden that we cannot handle. The only way we can be defeated is by detaching ourselves from Him. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it...Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:12,13,31. 
With God on their side Joshua lead the Israelites to defeat thirty-one kings and possess the land they possessed. It was time for a rest from battle, during that time Joshua began dividing up the land as God commanded. However, God reminded Joshua that there was still a lot of land to be possessed. “So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.” - Joshua 11:23. “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed...These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward. But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.” - Joshua 13:1,32,33.

God reminds us not to be content with what we have, oh, it's great to enjoy it, but there is much more to possess.

The Levites were not given a part of the land to possess, each tribe was to give them a portion of what they possessed. Why? Their inheritance was God and He would bless them with provisions by serving Him. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me...But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:12,13,19.
Remember, yesterday's lesson, being a child of God means that you are His and He is yours? When you call on Christ to save you, you receive God, I mean you literally inherit God and everything He has. You not only get on God's side, you get eternal life with Him, and the Kingdom of God too. What better possession is that? Praise God! “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” - Colossians 3:22-24. 
We have so much waiting for God to reveal to us, we are going to be burdened, but as long as we stand side by side with Jesus we will see the victory. We should really be grateful for the burdens. Why? The more burdens we carry means the closer we are to God, and the closer we are to God the more He will reveal to us. While the greatest blessings in the Kingdom of God are waiting for us, God has much more to give us here as well. We will overcome because we possess something that can never be taken away from us and that is God. He is our inheritance. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing...Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:2-4,12. Praise God!

Today's Psalm: 16:11 - “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Today's Proverb: 4:18 - “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for the joys and sorrows of life, for they truly define me and shape me into the likeness of You. While I do not always understand why You place some of the challenges You give me in my life, I do understand that You are always with me and as long as I stick close to You it will all work out in the end. Lord, give me Your power to endure all my challenges and see victory, like You have done before. I know there is nothing impossible with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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It's God's Fight

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: It's God's Fight
Date: Tuesday March 06, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 8-10

Hello My Friend,

If you have accepted and received Jesus Christ as your Savior and are only trusting in His to take you to heaven than you are a child of God. As a child of God you have one thing going for you that not even Satan himself can take from you and that is God. You are His and He is yours and nothing, not even turning your back on God, can separate you from Him. Oh, a person can get caught up in sin and when that happens it may appear that God has turned His back on them, He hates sin, but He loves the sinner, He died for sinners. God never forgets who are His and He will do whatever it takes to get us to realize that He is still with us, even if we mess up. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?..For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:35,38,39.

After Israels deadly defeat to Ai and Achan and the accursed things were removed from among the congregation it was back to business, God was with them to help them defeat Ai. After their victory, Joshua wrote a copy of the law of Moses, then gathered all the people together, even the stranger, and read it before them. He read it word for word, leaving nothing out.
“Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” - Joshua 8:30-35. 
As children of God it is important that we read every Word of God, it may seem repetitious sometimes or that it has nothing to do with us, but it all has everything to do with us. God gave us an example through Israel, how we are to live, things we are to avoid, the consequences of not avoiding them, and to prove that a nation under the living God is a powerful one. Satan has no problem with people believing in God and His Son, He knows they exist, but if he can get one person to alter God's Word, or eliminate just a little bit of it than he has done what he came here to do. Why do you think there are so many versions of the Bible? I hate those parallel Bibles, I saw one that had four different versions together in one book. These are not Bibles, these are confusion and deceitfulness and anyone who insists that you need several versions to understand God really needs to open their heart to the Holy Spirit. He is the only one that can help you understand. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9,10. 

After the Israel defeated Jericho and Ai the surrounding cities were scared, they knew that God's people were coming to get them. They were so scared that five kings, normally enemies, joined in alliance together to get Israel to join an alliance with them. However, Gibeon had their own plans.

“And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us...And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them...But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.” - Joshua 9:3-6,14-16,19.

The mistake here is that Joshua made a league with them before consulting with God about it, these were actually Canaanites, people that God commanded to be destroyed. It was not until after making peace with them that Joshua found out who they were. However, once he made a league with them under God he could not go back on his word. Since you are a child of God, believe it or not, the world fears you. When God's people show up that means God is around, they might tell you that they do not want anything to do with God, but deep down they know that God is powerful and if they mess with you, they mess with God and are in big trouble. With that said, you can expect a lot of sweet talkers and charmers coming your way to try and make an alliance with you. We must be careful who we align ourselves with, while nothing can separate us from God, it can prove harmful later on, especially if they have no intention of becoming a Christian.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - II Corinthians 6:14-18.

After all the chaos with Gibeon here come the rest of the kings, first, to make war with Gibeon for joining in with the Israel. This time Joshua consulted with God and got the okay to join the Gibeon in battle, they not only defeated and killed the five kings, they destroyed their towns, and everyone in them, they took on seven more as well. “So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah...So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” - Joshua 10:7-10,40-42.

The Lord fought for His people, it is amazing how God will take a failure and turn it into a victory. While the Israelites did err in aligning themselves with the Gibeon without consulting God, that err proved beneficial when Joshua turned to God. Only by his turning to God did God give them the victory, we only win when we let God fight for us. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - I Corinthians 15:57,58.
Today's Psalm: 140:7 - “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”

Today's Proverb: 21:31 - “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.”

Today's Prayer: God, I want to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. It is my Guiding Light so that as I live by faith I will triumph over evil. Help me to rebuke the devil’s temptations with Scripture, I may be weak, but Your Word is powerful to help me fight this battle to reassure me that You are always with me. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to listen and hear for your instruction so that I am always ready and prepared for this war of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Draw Near To God

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Draw Near To God
Date: Monday March 05, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 5-7

Hello My Friend,

The word accursed means doomed to destruction or misery, people who live a sinful life are accursed, more often they bring it upon innocent people who seem to always get caught in the middle and suffer the most. While we do not always understand some of the things that God allows to happen to innocent people we can understand that something good will come out of it if we draw near to God. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters...Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:12-15,19.

After Israel's miraculous cross through the Jordan river on dry land word got out real quick that they were coming to take the land God promised them. The kings of the Amorites and Caananites joined forces to build a huge wall around Jericho to keep them out, but little did they know, nothing can keep God out, God gave Joshua instructions on what to do. “And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.” - Joshua 6:2-5.

This was probably the strangest sight people have ever seen, a bunch of men marching around a wall, what possibly could come of that, but that is how God proves that He is the Almighty and with all who have faith in Him.
“And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city...And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” -Joshua 6:16-20,25.

Remember Rehab? Just as promised, her, her family, and all that remained in her house were saved, everyone else was accursed, destroyed. Interestingly enough, Rehab turned from her false gods, left her life as a prostitute, and trusted in the mercy of the One True God, she married into the tribe of Judah, becoming an ancestor of King David, which would be the lineage from where Jesus would descend from. God can and does change the lives of every person that trusts in His mercy and grace, but unless they personally accept the invitation to be saved they will be accursed. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.

No sooner than God gave the command for them not to take any accursed things out of the city we learn of one man, Achan who not only caused himself to be accursed, but all of Israel as well. “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying,..And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!” - Joshua 7:1,2,5-7. 

Thirty-six men lost their lives that day in what should have been an easy takeover. Just like every other person, Joshua questioned why God allowed the destruction of innocent people. Here is God's answer,“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” - Joshua 7:10-13.

There was something sinful among the people that would destroy them if it remained among them, even though they had no idea it was among them, they were to search it out and get rid of it. If we draw near to God He will give us the answers to our questions, even difficult questions. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10. 

I was teaching my Sunday school class yesterday about people who talk themselves into thinking that something they are doing wrong is good so they do not have to feel bad about what they are doing. A person talking themselves into believing wrong is right is still going to face consequences for their actions, sadly, they take along everyone else around them as well. It is important, as Christians, that we search out and remove the accursed things from our lives, if we do not, we and everyone else around us will face much tribulation. However, through every trial, Christ strengthens us as we draw near Him and do not worry, He will get the vengeance for you. “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
Today's Psalm: 73:28 - “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.”

Today's Proverb: 13:21 - “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.”

Today's Prayer: God, I will admit that there are some things that I just do not understand, but I am trusting You to reveal them to me when You see fit as I draw near to You. Lord, my heart feels broken, my soul feels crushed, and my body feels out of sorts, comfort me, give me peace, mend the wounds, and awaken my spirit. Help me to overcome the fiery trial before me as I draw nigh to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Strength And Courage

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Strength And Courage 
Date: Sunday March 04, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 1-4

Hello My Friend,

The word strong is defined as having physical passive power or having the ability to bear or endure. The word courage is defined as that quality of mind which enables man to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of the spirits. Quite often in the Bible you will see the words strong and courage nestled somewhere together, while God does not promise to remove the challenges of life He does promise to give us strength and courage to endure them. The key to enduring all obstacles, Jesus Christ. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the book is Joshua and it was written to Israel, the time line for these events is approximately between 1451 BC and 1427 BC. The purpose of the book was to record the details on how the successor of Moses, Joshua, led the people of Israel into the promised land of Canaan and explains the military campaigns and the division of the land among the tribes. What we are to learn from the book is that no moral or spiritual battles are won without God, He gives victory to all who let Him lead them. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” - Joshua 1:5. 

The time had finally come, Israel was about to cross over the Jordan to enter the promised land, God gave Joshua some advice before they made the journey. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” - Joshua 1:5-9.

Joshua is to make the law of God, which is His Word, his ruler, he is charged to meditate there upon the law day and night, that he might understand it and follow it. Interestingly, God commands Joshua to be strong and of a good courage, whatever challenges we face, we must not forget the one thing needed to give us the strength and courage to face them, the Word of God. God's Word is powerful, without it we are left to fend for ourselves and if we choose to handle things on our own we might not like the outcome. God is always with us, but if we truly want to see Him show Himself mighty then it is important to learn and do what He wants us to do if we truly want to see a successful outcome. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15.

After God spoke to Joshua it was time for them to pass over into the promised land, first Joshua sent two spies over into Jericho to search it out, just to see what they were up against. Word had already gotten out that the people of Israel were about to come in and siege the land so when people found out that Israelites were there already they searched all over to capture them and kill them. However, the spies met a woman, a harlot, named Rahab, she asked them one thing before she led them down the scarlet thread down her window.

“Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee...Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.” - Joshua 2:12-14,18,19.

This is a great illustration of salvation, just one thread of Christ's blood is all we need to be saved from death, the death of our souls, but we must grab it to be saved. Those who reject Christ have the blood of their own heads upon them and will face the consequences on their own, there is nothing that anyone, not even God can do to save them. However, those who receive Christ have His blood upon their heads, that means Christ is responsible for them and their salvation. Yesterday we had a women's prayer breakfast at my church, one of the ladies asked prayer for a man that his family had been trying to get saved for forty years, a devout Catholic, he refused once again, just as she was speaking we were told that he in fact, died that night. We cannot force anyone to receive Christ, those who refuse Him have no one to blame, but themselves for the consequences they face. “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.” - Deuteronomy 24:26.

The spies returned, Joshua gathered all the congregation together to make the trip over the Jordan, first he instructed the Levites to go ahead of everyone else while the rest stood and waited. “And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you...And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” - Joshua 3:3-5,7.

Probably the hardest thing for them to do was stand there and wait as they watched the one tribe that had no inheritance of the land cross over the Jordan first. However, as they were waiting, God was right there paving the way for them to enter and show Himself mighty and alive. Quite often, the waiting is the hardest part, but during the waiting that is when God is preparing for His greatest miracle yet. God is not down with You, He has much more to prove Himself mighty and alive to you too and He will as long as you are willing to wait. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” - Hebrews 10:35-39.
Today's Psalm: 31:24 - “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Today's Proverb: 14:26 - “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”

Today's Prayer: (Taken from Psalm 31) God, In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Ohhow great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! In Jesus' name. Amen. 
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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