Joshua 1-4, Mark 4, Psalm 37

The Lord commissioned Joshua after Moses died.

“Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordon, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:2-9 ESV)

The Lord was with always with Joshua and He is always with us.

“And they said to Joshua, ‘Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” (Joshua 2:24 ESV)

The scenario with Rahab hiding the spies seemed divinely ordained, and they knew it. God took care of them too.

“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But He (Jesus) was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they (the disciples) woke Him and said, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said this to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4:37-41 ESV)

Jesus took care of the disciples too. They were caught up in fear, as we all tend to do. But He, the creator of the universe, can command His creation to do as He wills. Even the wind and the sea obey Him. I find that comforting!

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 37:39-40 ESV)

Hold onto God’s promises today and remember that He holds everything and He holds you too!

~Kellie

Advertisement

Numbers 30-34 and Acts 22

“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.” (Acts 22:6-11 ESV)

Paul was giving his defense as he was arrested. He spoke from his heart as he testified about what happened to him on the road to Damascus, when God got a hold of him. In a less dramatic way, I can relate to what Paul related about a light. I had child like faith in Jesus for as long as I can remember, but when I was eleven, something was different. One evening at church, kids my age and I were praying and I felt as though I could see a bright light with my mind’s eye. It appeared to be coming in through the stained glass window, although the sun had already set. In my heart I told God over and over that I wanted to be confirmed in the Christian faith. I felt different after that prayer. I had taken the reigns of my faith in God, not just carry over from my parents faith.

“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from His mouth; for you will be a witness for Him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:12-16 ESV)

I too was baptized that week. Until I read today’s passage I had never thought about the similarities of my and Paul’s experiences. I certainly don’t put myself on the same level as him, but it was interesting to think about all the same.

Lord, I thank you for shining a light onto my heart so that I could heat the call and become Yours. Help me to never grow tired of being grateful.

~Kellie

Leviticus 24-25, Acts 12, Psalm 25-26

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:13-16 ESV)

The Lord demands our respect. Even speaking the Lord’s name improperly warrants a death sentence. This should stop us in our tracks. Watch what you say!

“On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, ‘The voice of a god, and not a man!’ Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.” (Acts 12:21-23 ESV)

The Lord deserves respect. When He does not receive it, we deserve the justice we are due. Don’t ignore His glory!

“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes; and I walk in your faithfulness.” (Psalm 26:1-3 ESV)

I will choose daily to walk with integrity, giving God the honor He deserves. I will walk in confidence of God’s faithfulness. Lord, forgive me when I mess up. I am truly thankful for your daily conviction and forgiveness. Amen.

~Kellie

Exodus 32-34; Acts 2 & Psalm 16

“When the people saw Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him ‘Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So Aaron said to them, ‘Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it.” (Exodus 32:1-5 ESV)

What in the world just happened? The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God brought on plagues to wake their captures up and parted the Red Sea to set them free. All of this just happened and now because Moses is taking a bit longer than they hoped to return from talking with God, they get impatient. They get so impatient that they seem to completely forget what just happened. They get so impatient and in need of “worshipping” something that they build an alter to a golden cow. This sounds crazy!

Looking back on their story now I want to shout “what in the world are you thinking? How forgetful can you be, not to mention ungrateful?” But then I wonder if I’m like the Israelites. I praise God when times are good and I do reflect on all the good He has blessed me with. But do I get impatient and take matters into my own hands when I don’t have an answer right now like I would prefer? Is my tendency to worry about things a flaw of mine that means I don’t trust Him as much as I should?

“And Peter said to them ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and all who are far and off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself. And with many other words He bore witness and continued saying ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:38-41 ESV)

On the day of Pentecost, it was publicly announced that salvation was open not just to the Israelites, but to Gentiles and all who call upon the name of the Lord. People from all over, heard the Good News in their language so they would have the opportunity to believe. Three thousand believed that day.

I would have loved to have been a witness to the events of Pentecost, with Peter’s sermon and thousands coming to salvation. What marvelous sights and sounds!

“I bless the Lord who gives counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:7-11 ESV)

Amen and amen.

~Kellie

Genesis 50, Exodus 1, Luke 16, Psalm 8

“So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father’s house. Joseph lived 110 years. And Joseph saw Ephraim’s children of the third generation. The children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were counted as Joseph’s own. And Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’ Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’ So Joseph died, being 110 years old. They embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50:22-26 ESV)

Joseph was a leader in his job and in his family. He left behind a legacy to continue on with the future generations. Pharoah did not want this legacy to continue, but the Hebrew midwives feared God.

“Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiprah and the other Puah, ‘When you serve as a midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.’ But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, ‘Why have you done this, and let the male children live?’ The midwives said to Pharoah, ‘Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.’ So God dealt with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong.” (Exodus 1:15-20 ESV)

No the widwives were not honest with Pharoah but they knew it was more important to serve God than to please man, especially when men are telling you to do things that you know God is against.

“And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15 ESV)

Jesus is addressing the Pharisees who revered money far too much. But this statement can apply to many things. Whatever man or “the world” worships and treasures, will likely be horrible in the eyes of God. Look to Him alone to be your moral compass.

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and starts, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8)

~Kellie