Joshua: A Time Of Rest

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, March 11, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 21-23
Message: Joshua: A Time Of Rest

Hello My Friend,

Over the years we go through a lot of trials and tribulation, but those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ know they will have an end to all suffering when they get to heaven. Knowing Christ as your Saviour is one thing, walking with Him is another. To truly understand and see God bless our lives no matter what the circumstance, we need a relationship with Christ, after all, He is the only way to God, and when we are faithful to God, we realize that He never fails us. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 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.” - Matthew 11:27-29.

“and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Rest, To lean; to trust; to rely; as, to rest on a man's promise. Jesus has a promise to all who believe in and trust Him as their Saviour, eternal life and that is rest for every soul bound for hell. When we rest in Him we will also find rest from every test. God gave the Israelites rest from war while the land was being divided, the Levites waited until all the tribes got their inheritance before they asked for the cities promised to them from each tribe, all in total they received forty-eight including suburbs for their cattle.
“All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs. These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities. And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” - Joshua 21:41-45.

“all came to pass.” Everything God says comes to pass, all of His promises, and all of His warnings. When we are faithful to Him He will never fail to provide for and take care of us. Trials come and go, but when we remain faithful to God through them, there is nothing He will not do for us. “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5.

Now that everything was settled in Canaan, Joshua thought it was time for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh to return to the land Moses promised them on the other side of the Jordan, in Gilead. Joshua blessed them, but reminded them to be diligent in their walk with God.
“And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you: Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God. And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan. But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.” - Joshua 22:2-6.

“and to cleave unto him,” Even though the tribes were on the other side of the promised land they knew they were God's people, they knew it was important to teach their children that even though they were not living in the promised land, they were still God's people. All who accept Christ are God's people, the only way our children can know Christ is to walk with Him and be a witness to them. If we do not leave them knowing what He has done for them than the next generation will not know Him, and this is why evolution is taking dominance over God. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” - Romans 1:20-23.
When we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us and will always fight for those who put their faith and trust in Him. Joshua was a hundred and ten years old, he knew his time on earth was coming to an end, he gathered all the elders together for one last remembrance of the miracles, lessons, blessings, and laws given by God.
“And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age: And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.” - Joshua 23:1-3,11-13.

“but they shall be snares and traps unto you,” The fastest way to lose that rest we have in Christ is to stop walking with Him. Believe it or not, walking away from Christ does not happen in an instant, it is gradual and it causes a lot more problems than we ever got by being faithful in our walk. Of course, we are going to have bad days and our faith is not going to be as strong all the time, but He knows our heart, He knows who are His, and if He needs to give us a good kick in the pants to remind us He will do it. Once saved, always saved, but that does not mean we will not get a chastening from God while we are here if we turn away from Him. “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. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:12,13,16,17.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed as the LORD who gives us rest from our enemies, and is our peace offering. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” - Colossians 1:20.

Today's Prayer: God, It is comforting to know that even if I mess up you will not disown me, but I do not want to be a child that just gets to receive Your inheritance because I am one of Yours. I want to prove myself to You, to show You how much I do love you, and to thank You for the sacrifice You made for me. While I know it is only by Your grace that I am saved and that nothing I do earns my salvation, I am willing to be the witness that so many can find rest through their trials with Your Son. Lord, help me to be reminded that You are my rest, and peace through my trials as well, and that all things work out together for good. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Joshua: According To God's Purpose

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 18-20
Message: Joshua: According To God's Purpose

Hello My Friend,

Lot, The part, division or fate which falls to one by chance. How often does something amazing happen and we are told we just got lucky? While most people think that anything good or miraculous happening is by chance, any faithful Christian will tell you that nothing is by chance, that everything that happens for a reason and is under the hand of God. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.
“according to his purpose.” There are things that we do for our own purpose and things that God does in us for His purpose. Of course, we know we ought to be living our lives according to His purpose, but since we have this flesh that does not always happen. While God has much to give and show us, we must learn what His purpose is, the best way we can do that is by letting Him direct us through His word and prayer, as we do these things the Holy Spirit will reveal God's purpose for our lives. Now, as the Israelites were settling in their new land, many of the tribes still had not taken possession of their portion of land. Joshua gathered everyone together where the tabernacle was being set up and fusses at them for not going to get their land.

“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? Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.” - Joshua 18:1-4,8.

“that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.” Cast lots, a small stone cast on the ground as a method for determining divine (God's) will. Nothing is by chance, we all make decisions in hope that it will be the right choice. Our way of determining God's will for our lives is first knowing Christ as our Saviour, that is God's will for every soul. As we all know not everyone follows His will, and sadly millions of people will die and end up in hell because they never followed God's purpose to receive His Son before their life ended. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9,10.
Many times God's purpose for allowing things in our lives is to prove our faithfulness, are we willing to do the things He asks to receive them. Now, we must understand that God will never get us to do anything that goes against His word, so keep that in mind if you think God is trying to get you to do something that is not biblical.

Joshua waited until all the tribes got their part of the inheritance before he received his, he did not just receive any land, he received exactly what he asked for.
“And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father. 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 19:47-51.

“According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked,” God gives us everything according to His word. Sometimes we just do not understand God's purpose, when that happens all we can do is trust Him, get in His word, and pray. The Holy Spirit will direct us on what it is that we need to do, many times all God is looking for is faith and faithfulness. Are we always going to be in the will of God? No. But that is what His grace is for, it enables us to stay faithful to Him, even when we have bad days. “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” - Psalms 84:11.

I was watching this show and a girl who was a Christian was so angry when she found out her father was a drug dealer and mother lied to her that she immediately lost faith in God and immediately turned on Him. As much as we would like to believe that every person who “is a Christian” lives a godly life, they do not. We cannot blame God when something bad happens because not everything that happens came from God. He will never mess with anyone's free will to choose the things they do, even if we are saved, but He will use every situation to make something good out of it if we trust Him. Death, people die every day, and it is not always murder, now that Joshua appointed land to all the tribes, and received his own, God commanded that each tribe have cities of refuge for anyone in danger of their lives who may have killed someone by accident.
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.” - Joshua 20:2-9.

“and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.” Who is the true avenger of blood? Satan, he cannot stand that Jesus broke his curse of death and hell when He was on the cross, in the grave, and came out of it alive. Satan will do anything to get a person to turn on God, but he forgets that all who believe in and receive His Son find refuge in Him. Yes, Satan can tempt and try us, and will do many things to get us to think that God has forsaken us, but once saved, always saved, even if we get angry and forsake Him ourselves. Why and how? Once Christ enters our soul He cannot leave, it is the emotions and pride of the flesh that forsakes God, not the soul that is redeemed by His blood. Remember, it is not by our righteousness that we are saved, but by Christ's.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Shiloh and the cities of refuge. Shiloh is the name of this city that Jacob prophesied of the Messiah. “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.

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, and be willing to show You that I can do the work necessary to get them and will not You from doing Your work. 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 them. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Joshua: Take Your Inheritance

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, March 09, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 15-17
Message: Joshua: Take Your Inheritance

Hello My Friend,

You know, with all the uncertainties of life, as born again believers we know one thing is certain, when this part of life is over we will be in the presence of our King. We have great things awaiting us, Jesus is preparing a place for us. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - John 1:1-3.

As born again believers we inherit something that no person who knows Christ will ever get, the Kingdom of God. How much we receive is determined by what we do for God after we are saved. Yes, while our salvation has nothing to do with our works, it is our works after we are saved that do give us more of that inheritance. Now,

Joshua continues to distribute the amount of land given to the Israelites as God commanded. He begins with the tribe of Judah, Caleb being part of Judah, distributes his inheritance to all his kin. Each tribe was told to drive out the Canaanites already residing there, Caleb gets right to work and was able to drive out quite a few, he decided to have a contest, the man who takeovers the city of Kirjathsepher gets his daughter to wife.

“And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families. And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.” - Joshua 15:12-19.

“Give me a blessing;” Did you know that you do not have to wait to be in the presence of Jesus to receive His blessings? Anything you ask in the name of Jesus you will receive? The key, believe. We are to live our lives as if the thing we are asking has already come to pass, so, if you pray believing and in the name of Jesus, it will surely come. When and how, that is for God to decide, but as long as we believe we will receive it. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:12-14.

You know, the things we inherit have nothing to do with our worth, abilities, or works, but everything to do with who we came from. Since all who are saved and born again become heirs with Christ that means we receive part of His inheritance. Now, it was time for Joseph's tribe to receive their inheritance, since they were made up of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, they got two separate areas.

“So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper; And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah; And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan. And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.” - Joshua 16:4-7,10.

“took their inheritance.” Are you ready to take your inheritance? If you believe in Jesus and have received Him as your Saviour, your inheritance is waiting for you. You know, God has so much room in His Kingdom that He has enough for every single person born, the sad thing is that many will not take it. Interestingly, what one has lost, it will be given to another. “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 25:29,30.

Now, the tribe of Joseph got their inheritance, but since they did not drive out any of the people they had problems. They came to Joshua demanding more land because they were overcrowded and scared of the Canaanites. Joshua was himself of the tribe of Ephraim, but was not going to support their demands.

“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.

“Thou art a great people,” Since we are children of God, we are a great people, and we have the power to drive the world out of our space. God has much more to give us, but we must show Him that we are first, thankful with what we have, and second, follow through with what He asks us to do to obtain it. We can do anything that God asks us to do, He never gives us anything that we can not handle, and above our strength comes through Christ. ”Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” - Psalms 144:1,2.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through the springs that Caleb gave his daughter, Jesus us gives us springs of living water when we believe in and receive Him as our Saviour. “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” - John 7:38.

Today's Prayer: God, Our inheritance into Your Kingdom is not dependent upon our earthly parents, but by Your Son Jesus, who's finished work on the cross makes it possible. The second we believe in and receive Jesus as our Saviour, we are more than just saved, we are born again, sons and daughter of Yours, and joint heirs with Your Son. Thank You for the great sacrifice that You made so that I can become one of Your children, and thank You for an amazing inheritance awaiting me as You prepare Your Kingdom for all of Your children. Father, lead me and guide me, give me Your power and strength to complete the tasks that You have for me, let me not be afraid, give me the courage to walk by faith, and remove any disbelief that I have. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Joshua: I Want That Mountain

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, March 08, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 12-14
Message: Joshua: I Want That Mountain

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, we learn to be content with the things God has blessed us with, and while we are to never covet the things of the world because our treasures are in heaven, God wants us to know that He has much to give us. It often takes hard work to obtain the things God has to give us, but just like He rested after created the world in six days, He gives us rest as well. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1,11-14.

“whatsoever God doeth,” We may not always understand God's purpose for the things He allows or commands, but we can understand that He is on our side. If we have trusted His Son, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and are only trusting in Him for our salvation than He is always on our side, and He has good reason for what He does.

With God on their side, Joshua lead the Israelites to defeat thirty-one kings, and now it was time for rest, during that time God gave Joshua the instructions on who was to get what portion of land.

“Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east: Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:” - Joshua 12:1,2,6-8.

“which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;” While we are given a choice in what we possess, it is God who decides if we are to receive it. Think about it, the things God gives us really has nothing to do with the work we do, it is what we do when we are at rest, if we rest too much we can become idle and will be good for nothing. “Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” - Proverbs 19:15.

“and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.” Idle, Not employed; unoccupied with business; inactive; doing nothing. Did you ever notice that the more you have nothing to do the more tired you get? Our bodies were not designed to be inactive all the time, they just become weak and unproductive are a while. Well over the age of eighty, God reminds Joshua that their work was not over yet, there was much land to still be possessed. “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. This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri, From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites: Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them;” - Joshua 13:1-3,7,8.

“and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” God reminds us that while rest is good, we have much more work to do. God always wants to give us much more than what we have, while contentment is very good, hard work supplies us with much more. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:11,12,19.

The time had come for the Israelites 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, whom beside Joshua was the only one to enter the promised land from the original tribe.

“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.

“Now therefore give me this mountain,” Tired of things the way they are? Want God to bless you with more than what you have become use to? Just remain faithful and wholly follow Him. We have much more waiting for us beyond this side of the Kingdom of God, but God still wants to bless us with so much more than we are settling for. You want that mountain? Go get it. With a little hard work and a lot of faith, God will give us more than a mountain. “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” - James 2:15-18.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Moses, who was the servant of the LORD. Jesus gave up His throne and became a servant so that He could be the example for us to follow.

Today's Prayer: God, It gives me joy to have a time of rest, but I have sen what happens when we are content with what we think is best for us. I am ready to get out of my comfort zone and move forward in whatever it is that You have for me. Lord, fill me with Your power, prepare me, and give me the strength I need to follow Your will and see the best that You have for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Joshua: Seeking Counsel From God

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, March 07, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 9-11
Message: Joshua: Seeking Counsel From God

Hello My Friend,

We must admit it, even as Christians, we have made some decisions that we wish we could take back because the repercussions of doing so caused more harm for us than good. Nevertheless, God can always turn every bad decision we make into something good if we turn to God and ask Him how to handle it. “For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” - 1 Corinthians 4:4,5.

We must realize something as Christians, when God's people are around that means God is around, the world might tell you they do not want anything to do with God, but they know that God is powerful and if they mess with you, they mess with God. With that said, you can expect a lot of sweet talkers trying and make an alliance with you. Now, after the Israelites powerful defeat over Jericho and Ai you can imagine that the the surrounding cities were fearing for their lives. They were so scared that five kings, normally enemies, aligned themselves to to see what they could do to defeat Israel. They came up with a deceitful plan to make and alliance with them instead. The mistake here was that Joshua believed they were from another land and made an alliance with them before consulting with God about it, these were Canaanites, people that God commanded to be destroyed.

“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. And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 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. And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.” - Joshua 9:14-19,27.

“and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.” How many things are we having to deal with because we did not ask God if we should do them first? Marriages and contracts, these are things that we must be careful who we align ourselves with, while nothing can separate us from God, it can prove harmful later on, especially if the people we are dealing with are not saved. “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,” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

We get into this habit of thinking that every time we mess up or make a wrong decision that God is going to punish us, this is putting us back under the law of works and not grace. While sin that is not confessed brings chastening, we must remind ourselves that we are not under the law. With that said, bad decisions while not necessarily sin, can cause a disruption in our lives, but God can turn any bad decision into something good. Now, when the news that the Israelites aligned themselves with Gibeon got out more kings joined together to try to defeat them because Gibeon had a strong army. With God's help they defeated all of them.

“Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. 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. Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.” - Joshua 10:1,2,8,12-14.

“for the LORD fought for Israel.” God fights for His people. It is amazing how God will take a complete blunder and turn it into a victory. Only by turning to God can we have victory through every battle we face. It is seldom that our every step is taken in faith and dependent upon God, we are going to make decisions without consulting Him, even major decisions, and once we make them there is no turning back. However, God can turn any mess into a power message when we turn to Him. “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” - 2 Corinthians 4:15-17.

You know, God giving us victories over bad decisions are cause to make sure we seek His counsel in all the decisions we make. As long as we ask God we have nothing to fear, and we save ourselves some suffering. Now, as you can imagine with the Israelites overtaking Canaan the surviving were going to do anything they could to try to stop them. However, Joshua had God, and they were unstoppable as long as they sought Him.

“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. 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. So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;” - Joshua 11:5-8,15,16.
“he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.” Bad decisions can cause us to get out of the will of God, but they can also get us right with God as He rekindles our faith and trust in Him. You know, we really need to ask God counsel on everything we do, the clothes we buy, the food we eat, the people we fellowship with, they are all something we need to ask God whether or not we ought to be doing. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” - Psalms 1:1,2.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed as the One who fought for Israel and the One who delivered the enemy into their hands. Jesus fought for us when He went to the cross for us, now, everyone who believes in and receives Him has victory over death and hell, and we have power to defeat the enemy, Satan, who will one day be delivered and destroyed himself.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for all the things You do and allow in my life, even when I do not always ask You what to do. While I do not always make the right decisions, I know 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 as long as I turn to You that nothing impossible with You. In You name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Joshua: Remove The Accursed Things

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Sunday, March 05, 2016
Chapters: Joshua 6-8
Message: Joshua: Remove The Accursed Things

Hello My Friend,

There are days in our Christian walk that we conquer anything, we truly feel the power of God upon us and get things done. Then there are days when we feel defeated, it is as if the whole world is against us, including God. You know, the world will always be against us because we will never fit in with them, but we do have God, and He is never against us. We are going to face some suffering, even without doing anything wrong, but we cannot let it defeat us, we must get up, with the strength of Christ, and we must keep going. “But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” - 1 Peter 3:14,15.

Accursed, To devote to destruction; to imprecate misery or evil upon. No one who walks with Christ wants to do anything to bring a curse upon them, but believe it or not, people and things around them can, and they may not even know it. Now, Joshua prepares the army for their first battle, they were in Jericho, which had a huge wall built around the city, no one could get in or out. They were instructed by God to walk around the wall with the Ark, seven priests, and trumpets. For six days they marched around the wall once and on the seventh day, they were to march seven times. Upon the seventh time, the trumpets blew, the wall fell, and the battle began.

“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.

“in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing,” So many people reject God because of the things they read or heard about in the Bible relating to people being killed for what seems like no good reason. God always has a reason for allowing destruction, while innocent people do die, many evil generations can cause more harm than good if they remained alive. Destruction always comes to those who rebel against God. “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;” - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

No sooner than God gave the command for them not to take anything out of the city except for cattle and gold, one man, Achan not only caused himself and his family to be destroyed, but thirty-six innocent lives as well. Trying to take on the small nation of Ai, the men lost their lives in what should have been an easy takeover.
“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! 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.” - Joshua 7:5-7,10-12.

“Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?” I will never forget the day that God told me to get up. I was laying in my bed so sick and my life was such a mess, that was the day He told me ton get up because He did not bring me here to die like that. At that moment, I truly understood how much I needed Christ to be LORD of my life all the time and to get rid of the one guy who was bring the curse upon me. Until we remove the cursed things from our lives we are going to suffer more than we need to. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” - Proverbs 4:14-18.

After Israels deadly defeat to Ai and the accursed things were removed from among the congregation it was time to get back to business, God was with them this tome 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.

“And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. 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. 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 8:10,18,19,30-32,35.

“for I will give it into thine hand.” We must not forget that God loves us, even when He allows bad things to happen to us. Once we get past the shock and focus on what is really going on we can learn, grow, and win this battle. We must always remember that we can only do so much in our own strength, it is Christ who gives us the strength to win. “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.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57,58.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Jesus is revealed through the Ark, who is to lead the way in every battle, the spear that gives us victory through every battle, and the uncut stones at the altar, who is our Cornerstone.

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, fill in the broken pieces with Your glue, mend the wounds with Your touch, and awaken my spirit to enjoy the life You have given me. Help me to overcome this fiery trial that is before me as I draw closer to You, and let me put away anything that is cursing me. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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