JOSHUA & JUDGES

Last night I again went to hear Dr. Jack Schaap preach at Timberline Baptist Church in Sherwood, OR.  It was a blessing to hear him preach and meet all of the other preachers around the area as well.  What a blessing to be with God's people.  As we ride the buss back to church, we sing all the way and it was a blessing.  Today, we begin our missions conference.  It will be an exciting time!  Two more missionaries arrive today and that makes five we have for the conference, with their families.  It is an exciting time for everyone!  Today, I've got my first cup of coffee, and I'm ready for another.  But let me tell you some things I've found in God's Word first: 1) A GOD OF HIS WORD- Joshua 21:45 reminds us that God keeps His Word: "There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass."  We can trust God and we can trust His precious Word.  It is inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and perfectly preserved.  All of this God has for us!  Praise God! 2) WHAT "ED" SAID- In Joshua 22, the two and a half tribes erect an altar on the east side of the river Jordan.  They called this altar "ED".  They almost got in a lot of trouble for doing so because the other tribes raised up to go and destroy them for erecting another altar.  God wanted one in Jerusalem, but not any where else!  So when they come upon the tribes that put up "ED", they are about to go to war when the tribe of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, say time out!  They then explain that "ED" means "witness", and it is meant to mean that "it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.  Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you."  (22:27-28)  and in verse 30 the answer "pleaded them", so the battle was called off.  NOW... what are your "witnesses" that you belong to God???  WE don't erect altars at our home but let me ask you this.... Are there Bibles around the house in a visible place?  Do you have a scripture verse on the wall?  Is there anything that says "we are a Christian family"?  If we are not careful, we will become so secular that there is no difference in our lives and in our homes..... Change that.  Let us remember what "ED" said, and let there be some "ED's" around our place as well! 3) A MOTHER AROSE- One of the most interesting events is the rule of the judges and one woman named Deborah in chapter four and five.  Some judges have only one verse that tell about them, and Deborah has two whole chapters!  Amazing woman?  Yes!  All of that, but here is what she said about herself:  Judges 5:7 "I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel."  She was a mother who arose to stand up for God!!!!!!! WOW!!  Dear lady, how we need mothers to once again arise for God.  The liberal ladies don't mind standing up across our nation, but how we need godly mothers to arise in our homes, in our churches, and in our country.  Not seeking office... but seeking God and His blessings upon our homes, our churches, and our country.  Dear God in Heaven.... give us such mothers across our land.  Well, so much for today.  God bless you!  I'm looking for another cup of coffee.  See you tomorrow!  Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor and Friend