Victory Belongs To All God's Faithful Servants

Joshua 22:7b-8---And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them, And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

The tribes of Gad, Rueben, and half of Manasseh had done their duty. They stayed the extra 5 plus years fighting alongside their brothers to secure a place for them. Because of their integrity in keeping their word they were rewarded with their portion of the spoil from the enemies. They were not going back empty-handed. Those that stayed behind to watch out for their territory and protect the women and children were to receive their share of the spoils of war. They hadn't risked their lives to capture it, but they did the job assigned to them. I imagine the soldiers returned to homes that were in better condition than before because of those who stayed behind. Not everyone is called to go out on the field and win the masses. We are all called to be a witness. We are all called to be servants. Some are called to stay by the stuff and keep the home fires burning. Will they receive any less than those who risked their lives for the sake of the Gospel? Not if that was their calling. If they were obedient to God where they were, they will share in the spoils of war. They will receive their portion. It is not the role you fill but your faithfulness in doing what you are called to do. Remember, Christ, says, "Well done good and FAITHFUL servant.

The Preacher’s Wife

The preacher's wife, many times this is the label that is put on a Pastor's wife. She in her humble fashion just lets it go in one ear and out the other knowing that many don't even know her name. No one really knows how important this special precious woman is. Not only does she live with the preacher but she listens to his sermons over and over again. I looked in my wife's Bible just the other day at a Scripture that she calls her favorite sermon that I preach and it was dated over twenty times. She has been faithful to hear me preach that one sermon more than twenty times. The truth be known she could probably preach it better than me. 
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to say a few words over a Pastor's wife, Mrs. Faye Cadwell and the gift of that journey inspires me to write this. I watched as Pastor Gary Cadwell said his goodbye to the woman who gave him children, sat by his bedside when he was ill, picked him up when he had been slammed by other Christian's and the list could go on and on. This faithful man of God like many of the rest of us knows the importance of the preacher's wife. Through this experience, I have learned to have a new respect for my wife. I sat and considered and asked myself this question, "Who is my pastor?" The one who lives with me and supports me the most is the preacher's wife. Thank you, Brother Gary, for allowing me to be a part of your wife's service yesterday because it has awakened a deeply rooted respect for the preacher's wife that I needed. I want to say God bless you Marta Ray and thank you for being a pastor to the pastor, I could not do what I do without your support. You encourage me to keep going when many times I feel like walking away. You like the Lord have never forsaken me and for the times when I was stubborn and didn't listen I say to you, I am so sorry. I have found myself in situations that if I had just listened things would have been better. Marta, Jesus is the power that holds our Ministry together but you are the glue that keeps this preacher from falling apart. I LOVE YOU!
Danny V. Ray

The LORD Rewards Those Who Follow Him With Their Whole Heart

Joshua 14:13-14---And Joshua blessed him and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron, therefore, became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

Caleb reminisced about spying out the Promised Land some 45 years earlier with Joshua. He reminded Joshua about how faithful he was to report that they could take the land because he had godly convictions. Then he reminded Joshua about the promise Moses had made to him. He could have whatever land he walked on. Caleb picked the Hebron area. There were still fortified cities with giants in them, but Caleb knew the LORD was with him. He felt as strong at 85 as he did at 40. Joshua blessed Caleb and honored Moses promise because Caleb wholeheartedly followed the God of Israel. It sounds like Caleb was going to take the area with his own clan, without the assistance of the other tribes. What a guy! 85 and he's ready to take on giants and start a new homestead. What was Caleb's secret? He wholeheartedly followed the God of Israel. He stuck with his convictions in spite of what the majority said. He did not fear but recognized the hand of God was with him, no rationalization, no justification, just convictions backed up by action.

God Can Turn Mistakes Into Victory

Joshua 10:12-13---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.

Kings of the land gathered to attack the Hivites who had made peace with Israel. Joshua was a man of integrity. He honored the treaty with the Hivites even though it had been made through deceit. The LORD encouraged Joshua to attack the kings and not be afraid. God even caused hailstones to take out the fleeing armies of the kings. There were so many soldiers that were confused that Joshua asked God to give him more time. God answered that prayer by almost doubling the hours in that day. This was not a natural phenomenon, and it just cannot be explained. It was miraculous. It was God doing what He had promised to do. It was not as though the Israelites had been perfect. This whole battle was due to not consulting the LORD. But their heart was right with God. They recognized their mistake and were obedient. This time God's instruction was to go and defeat the enemy. God took a bad situation and used it to give them a one-day victory over five kings, expediting their victory over the land. Because you made a mistake in the past that has consequences today does not mean the LORD can't use it for your good. Listen to Him today. Obey Him today and watch what looks like a problem turn into a blessing when God fights for you.

Am I Trusting God, Or My Senses

Joshua 9:14-15---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.

After Israel conquered Ai, the Hivites that occupied nearby towns concocted a deception to save their lives. They sent a group of men that pretended they had come on a long journey. They had bags of moldy bread and looked travel weary. Actually, they were the next towns that Israel would battle. The leaders of Israel saw the dry wineskins, the patched sandals, and the worn bags with moldy bread and believed their story. Besides, it was kind of uplifting to hear how people in far-off lands had heard the testimony of what God was doing for them. Great testimony wasn't it? They ate together and made a treaty with these deceivers. They had believed what their eyes had seen instead of consulting with the LORD. Now there was nothing they could do but put those people to work serving Israel. They could not take their lands as God had purposed for them. Satan is the Great Deceiver. He often brings in subtle lies that make you feel good about yourself. It may even look like it is giving glory to God. We must consult the LORD. We must ask God to lead and not be led by our natural senses. We are easily tricked, but God is never deceived. He will always give us the best advice. It may not be a total loss, but it is not the highest and best that God had planned for us. Consult God in His Word, in prayer, through godly counsel and walk by faith, not by sight.

Have I Done Something That Would Stop The Blessing Of God?

Joshua 7:1, 4-5---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. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 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.

Everything in Jericho belonged to the LORD. He gave the victory, and as a sign of faith that the LORD would deliver the rest of their enemies into their hands, they were to give everything to God. One man, Achan, kept some of the spoils of war. He buried it under his tent. He must have thought that no one would ever know the difference. When Israel went to the next battle, they chose a small city named Ai. They sent just 3,000 soldiers, for they thought the size of the city would warrant no more than that. To their surprise, they were defeated and lost 36 men. Why? After such a miraculous victory over a much larger city, what went wrong? Joshua fell on his face and cried out to God. God told him to get up and deal with the sin of Israel. There is a principle here that relates to us today. Because God is holy, He does not bless hidden sin. He cannot overlook rebellion. Achan was just one man, but he held up the whole nation. His actions indirectly caused the death of those 36 men. God said Israel had sinned, when in fact it was one man. Until that sin was dealt with God would not bless their actions. The same can be true in our life. One area cannot slide by in rebellion and we still have the blessing of God. It is true for our families, for our churches, our cities, and our nation. We need to allow God to expose the sin so that we can forsake it, find forgiveness, and be blessed. ¹He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.  Proverbs 28:13 

Getting Your Battle Plans From The Right Source

Joshua 6:16-17---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.

What an unconventional battle plan the Commander gave to Joshua! We need to get our battle plans from the Lord. He knows how to go about it in a way that will bring Him all the glory. You know that when other people heard of how God brought victory over Jericho, in future wars, Israel had the psychological advantage. In Israel's case, it was an expression of praise to God. In the battle Gideon led, they shouted, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon." They probably shouted something similar here. When they did the walls fell inward and the army marched straight in. Since this was the first city (firstfruits), and God was giving the victory, everything in it was to be dedicated to God. The gold and silver were to go into the treasury and everything else was to be burned. The promise of the spies to Rahab was carefully kept. When you go into battle be sure and get your battle plans from the Commander. Give Him the praise and the glory for the victory. The honor is due Him. His way is the best way. Keep those promises you made along the way to the battle. Give to God what is God's.

Lord, What Is Your Message To Me?

Joshua 5:13-14---And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

Joshua was ready to go to war, but He needed direction from His commander in chief. As he approached Jericho, he saw this great warrior with sword drawn. "Whose side are you on?" he asked. "Neither!" came the reply. This is none other than Jesus. He appears a number of times in the Old Testament. These appearances are referred to as Christophanies. Notice that in the following verses He told Joshua that he was on Holy Ground, just as the I Am told Moses at the burning bush. Whose side is Jesus on? Jew or Gentile? Neither! He is not willing that any should perish. The Canaanites would die because of their iniquity and the devastating pain they were inflicting on one another and their own souls. Their cup of iniquity was full. That does not mean that God did not desire for them to repent, or that He is only for Israel. Rahab and her family were about to be spared. They were the only ones that were receptive to the God of Israel. This Warrior is on her side. He is on the side of anyone of any nationality, in any place and any time, who is willing to receive the truth.

I'm On My Way To Something Better

Joshua 5:11-12---And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more, but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

Israel celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land. As soon as they ate the food of that land, the manna stopped. I wonder if the next morning they got up by habit to go out and collect it. For forty years God had provided angels' food for them on a daily basis Now that they are home, they can eat of the good of the land that God has given them. God provides for us. He is Jehovah Jireh, "the LORD provides". He won't give us too much, but He will give us enough to sustain us. As we travel through this life, as long as we have a need, the LORD will provide. We can count on our daily manna. As long as we go out to gather it and don't try to keep it overnight, we will always be able to fill our jars. We will have just enough. But that land to which we are going will have an abundance and variety. The Lord is still our portion and our cup, but instead of coming from above, He will be all around us. One day, the angel of the second death will pass over us because of what Jesus did in our place. Then we will be home and eat freely of the abundance of the land.

God May Take You Into Precarious Situations To Teach You To Trust Him

Joshua 5:8-9---And it came to pass when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

Upon crossing the Jordan, Joshua was commanded to circumcise all the males, all those who crossed the Jordan that had been born during the wanderings in the wilderness. For some reason, they waited until they arrived in the Promised Land to be circumcised. This was a great act of faith. They are in their enemies' territory, and the pain makes them unable to fight. All 40,000 armed men would be lying helpless until they healed. They knew the story of their forefathers who had slaughtered a village that was unable to fight because all of their men had just been circumcised. But in their present situation, God was ordering them to be circumcised. By faith, they obeyed and trusted God to protect them. I think the Lord does something similar with us, asking us to make ourselves vulnerable to our enemies, and yet trust Him to keep us safe. All through this wilderness wandering, we had heard whining about how good they had it in Egypt. There were numerous plans to return. Once they even had a vote to elect someone to guide them back. God had taken them out of Egypt but would not get Egypt out of their hearts. They needed to cooperate but would not. Now that that generation had died and the new generation was circumcised to God, the reproach of Egypt was finally gone. Egypt was finally out of their hearts. Is the world out of you? Gilgal sounds like the Hebrew word for "roll". Let God roll Egypt out of your life so that all your desire is toward Him.

Lord, Help Us Not To Deny You!

Mark 14:70-72---And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Peter, bold, blustery, confident Peter didn't run like most of the disciples. He followed Jesus to the home of Caiaphas. John was there too. John was known by the priestly family and not under the threat that the other disciples would have been. As Peter warmed himself by the fire, he could probably hear talk of taking this prisoner to Pilate for permission for execution. That was a dangerous place to be. Execution Roman style meant unspeakable pain, the most excruciating death imaginable. To sit there by that fire in the enemy's courtyard was really taking a chance. Peter had promised he would not leave Jesus alone, but then he was spotted. "Aren't you one of them? You have a Galilean accent." The third denial came with curses, anything to get out of being caught right there and then. He denied any knowledge of Jesus. Then the rooster crowed just as Jesus had predicted. Luke wrote that at that moment Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter. Peter broke down. He was not as strong as he believed himself to be. Neither am I. Neither are you. Without Him, we can do nothing. We can make all the oaths we want, but without His power, we will never keep one of them. Have you sat in that "courtyard"? I have. As I waited on a customer, they began to speak about being "born-again". Would I remain silent and deny that I knew Him to remain in this person's favor? Silence is denial. When I stand to pray at the graduation, will I say the name of my Savior or give in to the demands that I use the generic "god". JESUS! What a name! It brings division. It stirs up emotions. If I remain silent, I should weep with Peter. The Lord turns to look at you and me also. Don't deny that you know Him. I hope our lives are a dead give away that we are one of His disciples. I hope there is enough evidence to convict us of being His.

Lord, Use Me As You will

Joshua 3:5---And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Moses died. Now the Children of Israel stood where they stood 38 years earlier. The generation that refused to go in is now dead, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb. Joshua tells them to get ready to see God at work. Sanctify, dedicate yourselves wholly. If we are about to see God at work we had better be right with Him. The people had heard of how God had met with them in power and might on the mountain. They could not stand to hear the voice of God and asked Moses to talk with God for them. They had a healthy fear of God. If God is going to work with us, all compromise must end. We need to make sure there is nothing that will cause us to be judged as unfit. Then God is free to do what He desires. We can only see the hand of God work in all its glory when we consecrate ourselves without reservation to Him. Then you will see amazing things. Do you expect God to work in the place where you fellowship? Do you expect this Sunday to see God do amazing things among you? Then get prepared by consecrating your life, by seeing that there is nothing between you and God. When a congregation does this in unity, prepare to see God move. He comes when He is invited by sincere consecrated hearts. Yes, He is always here, but if you want to see amazing things, like changed lives, consecrate yourselves

Help The Testimony Of My Life Lead People To Christ

Joshua 2:10-11---For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

Of all the people in this city, this harlot named Rahab was the one who wanted the true God. They all heard the stories of how God had been with Israel, and they were all fearful, but only Rahab had the sense to align herself with that God. Your testimony is one of your most powerful witnesses that your God is God in heaven above and earth below. Perhaps you do not have amazing stories like the Israelites did, but a godly life is an amazing story in itself. The fruits of the Spirit have their own attractive testimony. Honest people know they are evidence of God! If you have an impressive story of deliverance tell it. Don't underestimate the testimony of a godly life. There are Rahabs out there in the world watching and discerning. We should watch for them also so that we can tell them the wonder of the God who delivered us and goes before us through life. The Spirit of God goes before us, preparing hearts to be receptive. Rahab became a part of the lineage of Jesus. You never know how your testimony will affect lives. The ramifications are usually much wider than we can imagine.

Seeing With Eyes Of Faith

Joshua 1:9---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.

Two times in this chapter and once from the mouth of Moses, Joshua has heard, "Be strong and courageous". See yesterday's morning devotional and Deut 31:23 Sometimes we need to hear it from God personally to really have faith. What a word this is for us when there is a change in leadership or we begin to be called to lead. Why should we never be terrified or discouraged? The LORD our God is with us wherever we are. Here we see two tools of the enemy, fear or terror, and discouragement. Today we often label discouragement as depression. If Satan can get you to forget about God's omnipotence and omnipresence, then he has a position from which he can resist God in you. When we realize that is a lie, our faith in who God has been and is today, enables God in us to be Satan's worse nightmare, an unbeatable foe. It takes faith in God to receive the enabling. Discouragement is a tough battle to fight. Moses succumbed to it at times. Joshua would surely face situations that on the surface would look discouraging. Certainly, every one of us does. We need to respond with eyes that see the spiritual realm. There, all things work together for good, and even the defeats are steps forward. Only eyes of faith that see God with us, working through the difficulty, can claim this positive attitude that keeps us strong and courageous. Are you faced with discouragement? Open your spiritual eyes and see past the difficulty to God in you working good things into your life.

The Christian Answer To Worry, Matthew 6:25-34

What Is God Saying To You?

Joshua 1:7-8---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.

The Law was to guide the new nation in the ways of God. Joshua, as their commander, was told to be careful to obey it all. If leaders do not follow after God, they lead the people astray. But if they follow hard after God through obedience to His word, many will be challenged to do the same. Joshua was encouraged to meditate on the words of the Law. He was supposed to talk about it all the time. Most of all, he was told to be careful to live it. We can talk about it and study it, but if that does not translate into living it then our words are misunderstood by the message we preach with our actions. If he would do these things, he was twice promised that he would be successful, and even prosperous. I don't think the principle has changed. If we will do the same thing, we will have the same results. Meditation upon the word is a holy habit that is not much employed today. Most mature Christians will spend time reading the word, speaking of the word, and applying it to their lives, but few meditate upon the passages they read. This often involves memorization. Take time to let the word you read speak to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive and apply it to your daily situations. The quantity of Scripture read is not as important as seeing the application to your life. Look for God's eternal truth.

Meditate On The Attributes Of God

Deuteronomy 32:3-4---Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

The name of the LORD is the sum of His attributes. Notice that when Moses says He will proclaim the name of the LORD, he proclaims the character of God. Whenever we read of 'the name of the LORD' we should see this implied. He is great! His greatness should be praised. Because He is all-powerful, He never lacks the ability to carry out His decrees. The goodness He has planned will be brought to pass, for He has the power to make it happen. He is a rock. Theologians call this immutability. The world is ever changing. Our great hope is that we do change, but with God, there has never been and never will be a change. He is always the same perfect God He has been and will be. Because He is outside of time and the Creator of time, time never affects Him, the Ancient of Days. You can count on Him to always be the same loving God that keeps His promises. His works are perfect. A perfect God acts perfectly. He makes no mistakes. In spite of our limited perception of things, one day you will see all His actions are perfect. All His ways are just. He is a holy God. It is impossible for Him to be unjust. His justice is beyond question for He is truly the very standard of justice. He is faithful. He will keep His promises. He promised to complete the work He started in you. Because He has always been faithful and can never change, you will see He'll be faithful to transform you into His likeness.

Jesus Is Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20---I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Blessings and life or curses and death, those are our choices. There is no middle ground. We must choose one or the other. Heaven and earth will bear witness to the choice we make. Our choice is visible to all created realms. It is a wonder that Almighty God gives us such a privilege. Considering the horrible consequences to others if we make the wrong choice. It is a wonder that we get to choose at all. But God is not after robots. He wants relational, volitional creatures. He is looking for those who will desire Him and His goodness of their own free will. In these verses, we find that the choice of life that we make effects our children, our love for God, our ability to hear His voice, and our endurance in the faith. It affects the length of our lives. When the choice is laid out so clearly, and the consequences made so plain, who would choose to be cursed and death? Sadly many still do. It is easy to believe the lie those other things can deliver these benefits to our lives when that choice lines up with our fleshly desire. The LORD is our life. We may think our life is wrapped up in things and family and friends, but all those are from the LORD. He is life itself. He breathed into us the breath of life.

Let God Do A Deeper Work In You

Deuteronomy 30:6--And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

In Deuteronomy 10:16 the Lord commanded us to circumcise our hearts. Here, He says that He will circumcise their hearts and that of their descendants. This expression comes after the Lord promised to return them from the lands to which they were driven. I believe we have yet to see this fulfilled. We have not seen an Israel sensitive to God, but one over whose faces a veil has been placed. But in our day we have seen another return to the Land. Are the time approaching in which the times of the Gentiles will be over and the time for the Jewish people to have their hearts circumcised by God to begin? As we wait and watch, we should allow God to do that work in our hearts. He will make us ever more sensitive to Him if we allow it. That is His desire. He will not do so against our wishes. He waits for our permission to do a deeper work in each of us. It is a deeply personal relationship that is willing to have a love that feels the joys and pains of another. Are you willing to share God's burdens? He shares yours. Are you willing to rejoice at the things that rejoice His heart? If you have His Spirit residing in you, then you already do. Still, you can be increasingly sensitive to His heart.

We Must Listen To Jesus

Deuteronomy 18:14-15---For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him, ye shall hearken;

The world seeks to know of the spiritual through the evil side. That way they are able to be 'spiritual' and yet indulge their evil nature. It is the same with New Age. There is no demand from a holy God to give up their immorality. There is no standard of a righteous God to which they must conform. God told the Israelites through Moses that we were not to be like them. Instead, they were to watch for the prophet that God was going to raise up. This prophet was going to show us truth of the spiritual realm without compromising with evil. This prophet would be like Moses. Moses was a deliverer. Moses was meek. Moses heard from God and brought God's word to the people. God raised up that prophet, Jesus, from the Jewish nation. We must listen to Him. He has the words of eternal life. But unlike the worldly spiritual ways of self-indulgence, He says we must take up our cross daily and follow Him. He tells us that if we try to save our life we will lose it. No wonder people flock to other ways, ways that lead to death. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the prophet that Moses said God would bring. We must listen to Him. His way is death to self that leads to life. The way of the sorcerer and diviner promises life, encourages indulgence in what it calls 'life', but leads to death.

Lord Keep Evil Influences Away

Deuteronomy 18:10-11---There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

All these actions are trying to find out the things of the spiritual world without going through God. The demonic realm loves to take the place of God. They are real and they are cunning. They will sometimes tell the truth, but for the purpose of deceiving you in the end. The goal is to tell you what you want to hear to lead you down a road of destruction. The ruinous path of evil is well documented. The people of God were to have nothing to do with these ways. Most religions of that ancient time have died out, but these demonic counterfeits continue just as they did millennia ago. They can still be found in almost every city in the world. Avoid them like the plague. Pray them out of your city. Warn your friends that dabble in them. The only source of truth about the spiritual realm that is healthy and whole is the Holy Spirit through God's word. It is good to do an inventory and see that none of these things have invaded your home. Warn your children when they are mature enough to understand. As the world comes closer to the end of days, we will see these more blatantly expressed and will be ridiculed for speaking against them. It is not the person we condemn but the power that uses them and the deception that is spoken. Be sure and read tomorrow's devotion that follows up on this line of thought.

Can I Know That I Am Saved

If You Apply It To Others, It Applies To You

Deuteronomy 17:18-20---And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

God did not intend for the people to choose a king, but He knew they would. That is why He gave them guidelines for this king to follow. The first was that the LORD pick the man, not the people. There were other guidelines for the king, but the one quoted above stands out. The king was to have a personal copy of the Law. In other words, he needs to have his own copy of the Bible. It is supposed to be with him, not just somewhere in the palace. It is supposed to be read every day by the king. The reason God asks for this to be done is spelled out for us. It is so the king will revere God. When we read of God's instruction, of His character, of His awesome works, we should respond with reverence for God. How was the king to lead His people in the ways of God if he did not read them himself? He was not to consider himself above the law, but subject to it like everyone else. In Christ, God has made us kings and priests to Himself according to Revelation 1:6. Since God calls us kings, we need to do the same as the kings of old. Keep a copy of the Word. Read it daily. Revere God and follow carefully the words written there. Don't think the word does not apply to you as well.

Laying Up Treasure In The Right Place

Deuteronomy 15:1, 7-8---At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.  If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

The Jewish faith was intensely practical. Anyone may fall on hard times and need assistance. This was to be a nation where they generously helped one another. The Kingdom of God is such a place. If you have extra, it is to share with those who have a need so that you both will be blessed. If he can't repay after a period of time, forgive the debt. Don't hold it against him. Is it more blessed to give than receive? It is, only if you can do it with a generous spirit thanking the Lord. The Law put them under compulsion to do this, and at many times in Israel's history, they disregarded the Law. The Spirit puts us under compulsion too but asks us to have a willing heart. All we need to do is yield to the Spirit and He will give us that kind of a generous heart that is the heart of our Lord. Is there a person in your fellowship with a need? Lend freely in an open-handed way. Our New Testament faith should be very practical also. The world should see a testimony of how we care for one another. If you've done it to your brother, you have done it to Christ.

Enduring Friction That You Might Be Changed

Deuteronomy 12:5, 8---But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.

Where has the Lord placed His name today? It is on you, Christian. There is a large portion of the body of Christ that does as they see fit. Instead of joining together with those upon whom God has placed His name, they worship alone. It is much easier to worship alone, to not join with a body of believers. People create problems. The thing we must realize is, I am one! I am part of the problem. Isolating myself will not help. The problems arise when we worship together because we are not yet perfect. Those problems are there so that I may learn and grow. They give me the opportunity to be gracious and demonstrate love and mercy. The problems demonstrate my weaknesses and need for continued growth and fellowship. It is much more comfortable to not be shown my weaknesses through conflict with my brothers and sisters. It is easier to not have to demonstrate mercy and grace. Remember, though, that Jesus said the world would know we are Christians by our love. This love shows the life of Christ when it forgives and is gracious in the face of offenses, not when everyone just gets along. So it is your choice, Christian. You can do as the LORD has directed us in not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together or go the easy route. The easy route is doing as you see fit. The friction in the body is the grinding of the living stones so that they fit into place in the Temple of God.

He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions

Matthew 27:28-30---And they stripped him and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Once the Roman governor, Pilate, pronounced the sentence, the soldiers had their fun with Jesus. I'm sure they would rather have worked over Barabbas, the zealot, but this Jewish teacher would have to do. The charge was that He claimed to be king, so they put a robe of regal red on him and made Him a crown out of thorns. The plant they most likely used is called "Crown of Thorns" today. Its spikes are two to three inches in length. As the first couple was being expelled from the Garden of Eden, God told Adam that thorns would come up from the ground, making his efforts to till the soil difficult. In our passage today, the second Adam is taking the curse of the thorns on His head. He is taking the curse of sin upon Himself that we might be free of it. Jesus had already been beaten and spit upon by the religious leaders. Now it was the secular government's turn. After the scourging, He would have had no strength to resist. They put a stick in His hand pretending it to be a staff of authority and bowed in mockery. Then they would wrench the stick from Him and beat Him over the head again and again. This is the Lord of glory that formed them and gave them life. He knows their lineage back to Adam. He knows the number of hairs on their head. He is about to pay for their sins with His own death that they might have a chance to live. When the soldiers had grown tired of their game of mockery, they placed a beam on His torn shoulders and tied His arms to it. A rope was probably placed about His waist, with a soldier at the other end, leading Him to the place of execution. We wonder how a man can be so cold, so heartless. Jesus would soon say they did not know what they were doing. If Jesus can overlook such abuse, knowing that man is ignorant, how much more should we overlook words and actions that offend us? He did nothing to deserve the abuse. But oh how many times we have. He has been so gracious to forgive our ignorance. Let us forgive others for theirs.

How Far Are You From God

Deuteronomy 11:18-19---Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

The Jews took this quite literally. Even today at the Western Wall you can see them fix the Scripture Boxes (phylacteries) to their foreheads and wrap their arms. Almost every home has a Scripture container on the doorframe. There was a time in the USA when people included portions of Scripture in their daily conversation. The Bible was read daily by many, and many of our old expressions come from Scripture. That trend has all but died out. We rarely speak in the expressions of the Bible and are even mocked when we quote Scripture. That shouldn't bother us though. The word of God is powerful and living and will accomplish God's purposes. If we speak the Scripture that God lays on our heart during a conversation, it will surely do its work. For the Holy Spirit to bring it to memory, we should be reading it daily. We should be taking unhurried time to dwell on a passage. We should be memorizing it. Then it can be brought to our minds to be effective for us and for those with whom we communicate. We have a duty to model this for our children and teach them to do the same. The passage here is a good pointer for morning and evening devotions. The word should start and end our day. It should also be a topic during the day.

Difficulty Can Be An Expression Of Grace

Deuteronomy 11:13-14---And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Many of the promises of God are conditional. There is an "if you..." and a "then I will..." In this passage, God tells the Children of Israel that their economy is dependent on their obedience. God did give them certain laws that would make their agrarian lifestyle more productive. He also brought them to a land that was dependent on seasonal rains. Farmers throughout the ages have had to depend on the Weather Maker. It was an incentive to obey God. When they turned from God and had a drought, they tried other gods that claimed to bring rain, like Baal. At the moment of writing this, the place I am living is experiencing extreme drought. The government of the area recently repealed what they called 'antiquated laws', laws that had to do with sexual morality. "Those came from the Bible and we don't all believe in the Bible anymore," they say. But that is not true. All western law is Biblically based. Society has just chosen to pick and choose the laws they will enforce. That does not change the promises of God. In this drought with devastating forest fires, I have not heard one person say there is a need for us to repent. I hear, "Pray for rain." That is general enough so as to offend no one. We have forgotten that God is the Weather Maker and that many of His promises are conditional.

God Set His Heart On Me

Deuteronomy 10:15-16---Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

I love this expression, "set his affection". Not only has God set His affection on our forefathers in the faith, but He has set His affection on us. It was not anything good that we did. He sovereignly chose to set His affection on you! He loved you and chose you. So what should be your response? Circumcise your hearts. Abraham had been given the ritual of circumcision confirming the covenant between God and himself. It was a physical illustration of an inner transformation that was to take place. This transformation is an act God is requesting us to do. "Make your heart tender toward me," God asks us. "Don't act like you don't hear when I call." If we allow our hearts to be tender toward God, one word from Him and we will be at His feet waiting to hear what He has to speak to us. "Samuel, Samuel," God called out. Little Samuel had a circumcised heart. He heard. He responded. When God calls your name do you respond? Do you even hear Him call? Once we have received His affection set upon us, realized His love and calling to us, we must respond by making our heart tender toward Him. We must respond by yielding our ear, by being quick to hear and respond. We can no longer go the way of our own choosing.

Teach Me O Lord To Obey

Deuteronomy 10:12-13---And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

God only asks us that which is for our good. In this passage, He asks us five things for our good. The first is to fear the LORD our God. The fear of the LORD causes us to distance ourselves from evil. To fear God means to know He is just and will punish all rebellion against His goodness. Then He asks us to walk in His ways. What are the ways of God? His attributes define the ways of God: justice, mercy, truth, righteousness, grace, love, holiness, and goodness. When we walk in His ways, we are in His likeness. Walking in His ways has lasting results. It is the best for us and for those whom we come in contact. Next is to love Him. We love Him because He first loved us. When that is done, all is done. To love Him means the other instructions are carried out as well. God wants a loving relationship with you, not just obedience to rituals. Fourth is to serve the LORD our God with all our heart and soul. If we love Him we will want to express that love. Love that is not expressed in service is insincere. Does your wholehearted service express your love relationship with God? Last is to observe His commands. It's not because God is a dictator, but because His commands are instructions of love that show you the best way to go. The two great commands are to love God with our all, and our neighbor as our self.