3/6 It's God's Fight



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

Hello My Friend,

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

After Israels deadly defeat to Ai and Achan and the accursed things were removed from among the congregation it was back to business, God was with them to help them defeat Ai
. After their victory, Joshua wrote a copy of the law of Moses, then gathered all the people together, even the stranger, and read it before them. He read it word for word, leaving nothing out. Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” - Joshua 8:30-35.

As children of God it is important that we read every Word of God, it may seem repetitious sometimes or that it has nothing to do with us, but it all has everything to do with us. God gave us an example through Israel, how we are to live, things we are to avoid, the consequences of not avoiding them, and to prove that a nation under the living God is a powerful one. Satan has no problem with people believing in God and His Son, He knows they exist, but if he can get one person to alter God's Word, or eliminate just a little bit of it than he has done what he came here to do. Why do you think there are so many versions of the Bible? I hate those parallel Bibles, I saw one that had four different versions together in one book. These are not Bibles, these are confusion and deceitfulness and anyone who insists that you need several versions to understand God really needs to open their heart to the Holy Spirit. He is the only one that can help you understand. “
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.

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

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

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

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

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

The Lord fought for His people, it is amazing how God will take a failure and turn it into a victory. While the Israelites did err in aligning themselves with the Gibeon without consulting God, that err proved beneficial when Joshua turned to God. Only by his turning to God did God give them the victory, w
e only win when we let God fight for us. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - I Corinthians 15:57,58.
Today's Psalm
: 140:7 - “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
Today's Proverb: 21:31 - “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Today's Prayer: God, I want to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. It is my Guiding Light so that as I live by faith I will triumph over evil. Help me to rebuke the devil’s temptations with Scripture, I may be weak, but Your Word is powerful to help me fight this battle to reassure me that You are always with me. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to listen and hear for your instruction so that I am always ready and prepared for this war of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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3/5 Fundamental Thoughts


Brotherly Love

Romans 12:9-13  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  (10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;  (11)  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  (12)  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  (13)  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

            As a boy growing up, I can never remember my Dad or my Mother ever telling me that they loved me.  They may have, but I just don’t remember.  (But, I know they both loved me.  I also believe it was a love “without dissimulation.”  ([D]issimulation is defined as “without hypocrisy” and hypocrisy is defined as “without a false love.”)
            I know the “love” that Paul is referring to isn’t a paternal nor a maternal love.  This is a love that is brotherly love, or a love of the brethren.  Within the realm of this “love,” we are to “Abhor [detest; hate] that which is evil.” 

1 John 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

As Christians, we are not to be hypocritical.  Our “love” is to be a pure and intentional “love.”

Hebrews 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

We may feel incapable of having a “true heart.”  Yet, we know we are to walk in “faith” with our minds clear of evil thoughts.  (Albeit we know, we cannot always be what we ought to be.)

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We all fall short of God’s expectations, (but we can’t allow this to become our excuse for not trying.)  We as Christians must have the “love,” the intent, and resolve to do the best we can.  (God has never expected perfection from imperfect beings.  He knows our capabilities and our limitations.)
            So, “Christian how strong is your “brotherly love?   Are you “kindly affectioned” to the brethren?”  We as Christians must endeavor to be our best and as we serve God and His Son Jesus, we will become stronger Christians. 
            In our work for The Lord, we will have tribulations (problems) and some may be mighty, (yet we must remain strong in Him.  We are to rejoice in what God has done for others and for ourselves.)
            The question remains, “How do we show this love?”  (I believe it is like the “love” that was shown me by my Dad and Mother.  It wasn’t an outward showing, it was an inward knowing.)    Our “love” for God and the brethren is the same kind of love.  (It is a love of association) as we love to honour our brethren by being in their presence.  We serve God along side one another, as we prefer to be with Christians than with worldly religious people.  It isn’t a “love” that must be announced, but a love of rejoicing with friends who “love” us in a like manner.
            So, “Christian, what kind of “love” emanates from your heart?  Is it a Christian “love” or a hypocritical worldly love with no emotion, just words?”
            “Reader, if you have never accepted Jesus as your Saviour, He is waiting for your heart.  He wants you, and you need Him. ” 

Acts 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Call on His Name today.

Bro John R. E Chastain
Retired Pastor
Wylie, Texas

fundamentalthoughts-preacher.blogspot.com   Fundamental Thoughts

Fundamental Thoughts: Jesus Is Our Hope

Fundamental Thoughts: Jesus Is Our Hope: Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. ...

3/05 Draw Near To God


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

Hello My Friend,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I was teaching my Sunday school class yesterday about people who talk themselves into thinking that something they are doing wrong is good so they do not have to feel bad about what they are doing. A person talking themselves into believing wrong is right is still going to face consequences for their actions, sadly, they take along everyone else around them as well. It is important, as Christians, that we search out and remove the accursed things from our lives, if we do not, we and everyone else around us will face much tribulation. However, through every trial, Christ strengthens us as we draw near Him and do not worry, He will get the vengeance for you.
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” - 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
Today's Psalm: 73:28 - “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Today's Proverb: 13:21 - “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
Today's Prayer: God, I will admit that there are some things that I just do not understand, but I am trusting You to reveal them to me when You see fit as I draw near to You. Lord, my heart feels broken, my soul feels crushed, and my body feels out of sorts, comfort me, give me peace, mend the wounds, and awaken my spirit. Help me to overcome the fiery trial before me as I draw nigh to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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