March 7, 2010

Faithful Obedience (Joshua 24:29-31) 31Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel.

Joshua remained faithful to the end. The elders remained faithful to the end. They saw and remembered all that the Lord had done. There followed cycles of disobedience and obedience. In spite of warnings from the Lord, the Israelites succumbed to the pagan influences of the Canaanites they allowed to persist. In spite of the memorials to the faithfulness of God and their covenant to serve the Lord, Israel forgot. God is always at work. Each generation needs to lay memorials to what the Lord has done. There need to be markers that remind us of God's faithfulness.

Looking In: Have you forgotten what the Lord has done in your life? Do you keep a journal? Do you keep your testimony fresh and current?

Looking Out: Do you build up the body, do you encourage those around you, with reports on what the Lord is doing?

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:23-24)

February 28, 2010

The Stone as a Witness (Joshua 24:25-28). "Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God."

This is the seventh monument mentioned in the book of Joshua (the crossing of the Jordan, Achan, the victory at Ai, the reminder of the Law, the victory at Gibeon, and the unity of the tribes). This monument was a reminder to Israel to serve the Lord. It was to be a permanent reminder of the Lord's command of obedience.

Looking In: Is there a strategically-placed marker in your life that reminds you to be obedient? Do you have a scripture verse on the bathroom mirror? Do you have an open Bible on your desk or near your computer? What is the message of these markers? Is it "I must be obedient?" Or, is it, "Lord, help me to be obedient?"

Looking Out: Are you assisting men in your sphere of influence to set markers in their lives? Are you helping them to understand the difference between obedience in their own strength and will or an obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit?

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58)

February 21, 2010

The People as Witnesses (Joshua 24:19-24). "You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God."

Joshua recognized that the people were committing to the Lord based on their own strength and will power. The Israelites' response is passive. Joshua urges them to action: "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, ..." He further instructs them to "incline your heart to the Lord." It needed to be a heart action not a mind action. Joshua's warning is about distractions. It is one thing to be distracted. It is something else to allow distractions to control our lives.

Looking In: What are the distractions in your life? What is keeping you from being totally sold out to the Lord? Are you relying on your own strength and will power to overcome distractions or have you made your response a matter of the heart? Have you called upon the Lord?

Looking Out: Are there men around you who are growing weary in doing good? (Gal 6:9) Are you aware of men who are subject to distraction by the world/culture? Are you coming along side these men and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord?

And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. (1 Cor 7:35 NKJV)

February 14, 2010

Commitment to Serve the Lord (Joshua 24:16-18) Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God."

Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose whom they would serve. They responded with a commitment to serve the Lord. Perhaps Israels' problem was that this was a commitment to serve, not a surrender or submission to the Lord. Their statement implies that they could do it on their own. Commitment says: "I will do it." Submission and surrender means allowing God to have control. It is impossible for us to serve the Lord. It is only with the Lord that we can be resolute in our service.

Looking In: Are you committed to the Lord or have you surrendered to Him? Have you transferred your trust to Him? Are you depending on Him for faithfulness and obedience? Are you depending on Him for empowered ministry?

Looking Out: Like Joshua, are you saying "We will serve the Lord?" Does your life say that? Do you challenge those in your sphere of influence, either actively or pssively, to submit to the Lord? Have you built a relationship with other men where you can challenge them to submit to the Lordship of Christ?

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9)

February 7, 2010

Joshua's Choice (Joshua 24:14-15): ... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua exhorted the people to serve the Lord. More importantly, he set the example. He and his family would serve the Lord. They would not serve the gods of their ancestors (in Mesopotamia and Egypt)) or the gods of the people of Canaan. For us, this is a challenging commitment. We are confronted daily with the gods of our culture or the gods of the culture of our ancestors.

Looking In: Do we recognize the gods that confront us daily? What do we serve: power, prestige, possessions, position? Do we choose each day to serve the Lord?

Looking Out: Do we model that choice in front of our families, neighbors and community? St. Francis is quoted as saying: "Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

... set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim 4:12)

February 1, 2010

Remembrance and Renewal (HIStory) - Joshua 24:1-13

... Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. (Joshua 24:3)

History is important to the Lord. Instead of a recount of man's actions, He wants man to dwell on what He has done. This is not His first call to remember, nor is it His last. He wants us to constantly be aware of what He has done. We see God most clearly in the rear view mirror, not through the windshield.

Looking In: What is your perspective on the past? Do you recount what you have done or what the Lord has done? What is your life's focus? Do you stop and take inventory of what the Lord has done? What did the Lord do in your life today?

Looking Out: Who is at the center of your testimony? Is your testimony about you or is it about the Lord? What do your life and words say to those around you?

But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. (1 Cor 12:19, The Message)