Today I start with a big question: Will you be a Joshua?
Will you accept the challenge of following God into the battles of our times?
WELCOME
Welcome to the COME AS A CHILD WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY. We hold this bible study every Thursday and we are currently studying the book of Joshua. Our progression has us beginning chapters ten through thirteen today. We are looking and reflecting on the characteristics of Joshua.
GOD'S GENEROUS MIRACLES
So far in this bible study, we have seen many miracles from God concerning the progression of the People in obtaining the Promised Land.
First; we noted how Joshua met a mysterious stranger who claimed to be The Commander of God's Army.
Have you met this mysterious stranger yet?
I believe this stranger who helped Joshua was Jesus (before the Incarnation.) He is the one who will also supernaturally lead us in the battles of the last days. This supernatural leader takes no sides with the people in general; He only helps those who are being loyal to God and following His ways, no matter their nation, origin or race.
ARE YOU AT A CROSSING IN LIFE?
We also saw the miracle of the Jordan River standing still while the people crossed over into the land. God's power was the power that held it back.
There are other crossings that must be made in the world of today. We are all living in places with crossings. Moving from one side to another changes our lives. If we are moving in God's will; He will show us how to get across the turbulence; just as He showed Joshua.
Where there is no way; God will make a way.
Have the faith of Joshua and just keep on walking.
ARE YOU FACING UNSURMOUNTABLE WALLS?
Next; we heard how the walls of Jericho come tumbling down all by themselves. God made this happen in order to allow His people entrance into Jericho.
Are you bumping into walls that are keeping you from moving ahead in God's will for the purposes of your life?
God will help you just as he helped Joshua. He has the power to knock down any wall. Pray and fast and ask. You will see your own life's walls supernaturally being torn down.
MAKE GOD YOUR TIME-MANAGER
By way of a miracle from Heaven; we heard how the sun actually stood still in the sky so that Joshua would have time to see the battle to the end.
Are you having trouble having enough time to do those things that God has commanded you to do each day?
Ask Him to give you more time.
God invented time just for us and He has ways for us to manage time to our own advantage. Follow God's calendar. Stay on His clock and keep the Sabbath. Pray that He will show you how to work things out so that the priorities of God's Kingdom aren't overshadowed and outweighed by the struggles of the day-to-day parts of life.
You will be surprised at how things will work out if you only are obedient enough to trust God for your help.
LEARN HOW TO CONQUER THE ENEMY
God and this mighty Commander of God's Army advised Joshua in the best ways to led the new nation of Israel to conquer thirty-one Kings.
This opened up the land of Canaan to the Israelites. Over and over God helped and allowed these Israelites to have victory over their enemies. Each victory fulfilled His promises to Abraham. Those promises had proclaimed that Abraham's descendants would one day come to possess the land. After 500 years of waiting, the nation of Israel was seeing how this promise to Father Abraham was beginning to come true.
DO YOU HAVE KINGS TO CONQUER?
Joshua was getting old now; but there was still more work to do. Age is not a factor where God is concerned. He will show you how to move ahead; even when you are not as strong or sure as you used to be.
God told Joshua to move ahead and begin to distribute the property to the people. Two- and one-half tribes had already claimed their land before the battles had begun across the river Jordan deep into the land of Canaan. The on-going and continuous battles had lasted for seven long, hard years.
Those who already had been given their inheritance on the other side of Jordan had left their families back home to tend their properties while they went ahead to fight with the other tribes so they could possess their inheritances too.
The nine- and one-half other tribes would now be given their distributions.
LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR CITIES
In Joshua Chapters 13 – 22 we will see how the land was sectioned off into cities and given to the proper tribes to inhabit forever. The former slaves turned vagabonds now had to learn how to manage and take care of their inheritance.
How are things being managed in your own life? Are you managing what God has blessed you with and leaving a legacy for others?
As their inheritances began to happen, the Israelites were still operating under the choices that Moses had left to them before He died. Moses said they could either obey God's ways and enjoy great benefits, or they could abandon the ways of God and suffer the consequences of losing His protection and His land.
KNOW HOW TO KEEP COVENANT WITH GOD
God was faithful to Joshua and all of those who kept His covenant.
Obedience and loyalty were the values that God loved and rewarded.
All of his days Joshua stayed focused on his purpose and calling from God.
Is God calling out to any Joshua's today?
Do you feel the call to help God's people reclaim their lands?
Is God asking you to stand up and lead His people of today through some very hard battles for keeping the lands that were once originally dedicated to God and His purpose and His work?
TAKE JOSHUA'S TOOLS WITH YOU
Those two keys that worked for Joshua, obedience and loyalty, can be your greatest tools for success.
Joshua had to be patient and wait on God's timing. He had the discernment to know when to step forward and make a difference.
Every day of Joshua's life called for courage. He never allowed fear to take him over.
Joshua spoke truth in love. He didn't candy-coat reality or hide behind the trends of the culture. This man of faith trusted God with everything that he did. Joshua glorified God in every situation and circumstance. He never gave up. All of his days he followed the word of God given to Moses. He taught the People of Israel to do the same. Joshua meditated on this law night and day and this was a huge factor in his success.
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE JOSHUAS
These characteristics of Joshua are the things we must continue to lead with today. They matter and are very important if we want to help the people of our own nation.
Today we are in dire need of more Joshua's.
These are men who will not cave in to the culture but will remain true to God in every circumstance could be the key to changing the world.
If you are called to such a mission; I charge you to stay strong and courageous like Joshua. Take the necessary steps to stand against a culture of ungodliness.
Be a Joshua!
God will go with you.
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