JOSHUA

A nice quiet morning, and a clear day outside..  I'm looking forward to what the Lord has for this day.  I'm looking to Him for His strength and guidance to face each challenge.  I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me.  I'm in Joshua today and my what a wonderful book of the Bible.  Here are a few thoughts: 1) WHAT A PROMISE- In Joshua 1:5 it says:  "as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:  I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."  God was really "with" Moses, and now He extends that same promise to Joshua.  Here is something better.... He extends that same promise to us!  Yes, Jesus said: "And lo, I am with thee alway, even until the end of the earth."  But what speaks to my heart this morning, is not the Promise to be with us, but the Passion of that Promise.... "as I was with Moses".  You see they were really close... I mean they spoke "face to face".  It was unique... until God made Joshua that same promise..... until God made us that same promise!   I can enjoy the closeness to God that Moses enjoyed!  WOW!  Praise God!!  Lord, I'm looking forward to walking with You throughout this day.... I'm looking forward to our "face to face" conversations.  I'm panting after you like the deer after the waterbrooks.... You are my God, and You love me like you loved Moses!  Thank you Jesus.... Amen! and Amen. 2) IT HAS BOTH- In Joshua 8:34, it reads: "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."  We forget that the Word of God has blessings and ...... cursings.  It has both.  So many Christians flippantly act as though they can live without the blessings of God on their lives, so they avoid church, avoid the Bible, avoid praying.... as though they will just skip out on God's blessings and make it fine all by themselves.... BUT, it just isn't so.  When we ignore the blessings.... the curses kick in.  Now we are not only "not blessed", but we are dealing with the "curses" and things start to go horribly wrong... in our marriage, our children, our business, our employment, our life!  It is not just the blessings missed, it is the curses joined.  If a person doesn't tithe, they miss the blessings, but the Bible also says, they are cursed with a curse.  Now folks, that's Bible!  I know we are under Grace, but that is for Salvation!  He saves us "in that while we were yet sinners"; but, after Salvation, God deals with us as sons!  Obedient or Disobedient, He deals with us as sons! (and daughters of course.).  I want to avoid the curses and enjoy the blessings!  Life is a challenge because of sins curse on this earth without adding curses to it.  It had both, and still does today! 3) TESTIMONY TIME- In Joshua 14:8, Caleb gives his testimony:  "but I wholly followed the LORD my God."  Man oh man, I sure wish I could say that!  I wish my testimony is that I have always followed my God wholly in everything.... but I cannot.  How about you?  We fail.... a sad truth.  But, what an example Caleb gives us.  What a goal for one's life.  Lord, help me to "wholly follow you.... today".  I may not make it a week or a month, but I want to wholly follow you today.  Help me Lord to look to You and find the strength you give to do so.  Amen. Have a blessed day in the LORD!  Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor