Thought for the Week

January 29, 2012 - Be Alert to the Active Enemy

When the king of Ai saw this, he and all the men of the city hurried out early in the morning to meet Israel in battle at a certain place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel let themselves be driven back before them, and they fled toward the desert. All the men of Ai were called to pursue them, and they pursued Joshua and were lured away from the city. Not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who did not go after Israel. They left the city open and went in pursuit of Israel. (Joshua 8:14-17)

At Jericho, the enemy hunkered down. They shut themselves up. Their response to Israel was one of fear (their hearts melted). They were passive. At Ai, the enemy was active. The army came out of the city and advanced on Israel. Ai responded on offense.

Satan is persistent. When one battle is won, he looks for another avenue of attack. In our spiritual journey, we need to pursue the enemy and remove him from every corner of our lives. Unfortunately, we are not always thorough in cleaning the corners where the enemy has camped.

The Lord had a strategy for dealing with passive and active enemies. When we are under attack, we need to be active in our approach. We must be persistent in our prayers. Our battles are spiritual. Jesus taught that in some cases prayer and fasting are required (Mark 9:29). The implication is serious; fervent prayer. Active confrontation may require an army, that is, people committed to accountability and bearing burdens.

The enemy attacks with many weapons: depression, despondency, defeat, fear. He comes from many directions: the world, the flesh and the devil.

Looking in: Do you see the enemy coming? Do you know the warning signs? Do you take an active approach in confronting the enemy? Are you meeting the enemy head on? Are you engaging others in the battle? Are you conscious of the fight you are in? Are you in the fight?

Looking Out: Who among your men are under attack? Where is the enemy attacking? Do you have a plan of attack? Are your men aware that they are not alone in the battle? Are you in an accountability relationship? Are you making a covenant together against sin in your lives?

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings (1 Peter 5:8-9).

A disciple is alert and active in meeting the enemy.

January 22, 2012 - Know Your Role and Responsibilities

Then Joshua sent them off, and they went to the place of ambush and lay in wait between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai-but Joshua spent that night with the people. Early the next morning Joshua mustered his men, and he and the leaders of Israel marched before them to Ai. The entire force that was with him marched up and approached the city and arrived in front of it. They set up camp north of Ai, with the valley between them and the city. Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. They had the soldiers take up their positions-all those in the camp to the north of the city and the ambush to the west of it. That night Joshua went into the valley. (Joshua 8:9-13)

The plan involved an attack force and an ambush force. The ambush force approached with stealth. The attack force was very visible and confrontational.

When planning to advance Christ's kingdom, we need to bring various spiritual gifts to bear. Some of us move out with a great sense of urgency, without clearly thinking things through. Others of us are more controlled in our approach. A ministry team needs both motivations. A ministry team must be sensitive to the gifts of its members. We need to understand both the benefits and the misunderstandings of the grace gifts.

Notice that each element of the army had a role. In battle, soldiers have different roles and therefore are equipped differently. Paul talks about the different parts of the body needed to function properly (Romans 12:4-6).

Looking In: Do you know your grace or motivational gift (Romans 12:6-8)? Are you aware of the responsibilities that go with it?

Looking Out: Do you understand how your grace gift fits with the grace gifts of other members of your team?

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts - limbs, organs, cells - but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, The Message)

A disciple understands his spiritual gifts and how they fit with the gifts of the team.

January 15, 2012 - Follow Orders

So Joshua and the whole army moved out to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand of his best fighting men and sent them out at night with these orders: "Listen carefully. You are to set an ambush behind the city. Don't go very far from it. All of you be on the alert. I and all those with me will advance on the city, and when the men come out against us, as they did before, we will flee from them. They will pursue us until we have lured them away from the city, for they will say, ‘They are running away from us as they did before.' So when we flee from them, you are to rise up from ambush and take the city. The LORD your God will give it into your hand. When you have taken the city, set it on fire. Do what the LORD has commanded. See to it; you have my orders." (Joshua 8:3-8)

God is a God of detail. Just consider His creation. Consider His instructions for building the Tabernacle and its contents (Exodus 25-27) and the Temple (1 Kings 6). He has detailed plans for us, plans to prosper us and give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). As we mature and gain experience, our natural inclination is to apply what worked in the past to the issues in front of us. The strategy and tactics at Ai were far different than those at Jericho.

Men want to fix things. Do we understand, at the action level, that the Lord wants to fix things more than we do? We must understand that He knows better than we do how to fix things. The Lord has a plan. Ask Him what it is.

Pray for vision and passion to advance Christ's kingdom. Pray for the Lord to provide a plan. Pray for discipline in preparing for and executing the plan.

Looking In: Do you stop and ask: "Lord, what is your plan for this situation?" Do you pray first? Do you rush in based on what worked in the past? Do you model the process for seeking God's plan: pray first, dialog, setting aside time to consider options, waiting on the Lord?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging your men to develop a godly planning pattern for their lives?

He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. (Ephesians 1:8-10, The Message)

A disciple seeks God's plan.

January 8, 2012 - Believe that the Lord Will Provide

...you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. (Joshua 8:2)

Having set aside the devoted things, the Lord then allowed Israel to gather things they would need in the Promised Land. It is a matter of obedience: leaving what the Lord says to leave and taking what He says to take. Now that they had given to the Lord what He commanded, the Lord was ready to provide for their needs in the Promised Land.

In the second battle of Ai, the Lord not only provided victory, He provided necessities for living. In the course of our walk with the Lord, we need to trust that He will provide as He did for Israel. In our worldly thinking we get things reversed. We give God the leftovers. What happens when there are no leftovers? The principle is to give to the Lord off of the top, the first fruits.
We need to believe that the Lord will provide: Jehovah Jireh.

A man gave his sister money to get her through a tight situation. Several years later the man had unexpected car repairs and had to dip into his vacation funds to cover the expense. His sister called to say that she was reimbursing him the funds he had sent her. The amount covered the cost of the repairs and replenished the vacation account.

A man directing hurricane relief work needed several steel doors of a specific dimension. There were no funds with which to buy them and the work needed to proceed. He went to his knees laying the need before the Lord. An hour later a truck pulled up. The driver stated that he was on his way to the dump to dispose of some doors and thought maybe the relief team could use them. The doors met the need exactly.

The Lord is the Lord of "just-in-time."

Looking In: What kind of adjustments do you make when you think that what you have is not sufficient? Are you tempted to dip into what the Lord expects you to return to Him? "Well, it's just a loan. I'll pay it back." Really? Are you that disciplined? More importantly, do you really trust that the Lord will provide?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging the men around you to trust the Lord to provide victory and the necessities for life? Is faith a matter of discussion? Do your men share testimonies about the Lord's provision.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

A disciple trusts the Lord to meet his needs.

January 1, 2012 - Claim Victory

Then the LORD said to Joshua, Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, ... (Joshua 8:1-2)

Again, as at Jericho, the Lord told Joshua that the enemy had already been defeated. Yet, the army had not even formed.

The Lord is committed to victory over sin and death. He is committed to us and to our success in the battles of life. He is committed to us because we are His children. He sacrificed His son to bring us under the cover of righteousness. We are His. He is committed to us as a father is committed to His children. He has won the battle in spite of appearances to the contrary!

Looking In: Do you understand that the Lord is committed to your victory and that He has already given you success? When going into battle, do you see victory as past tense or do you wait until the battle is over? "The righteous will live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4)

Looking Out: Do the men in your sphere of influence understand that the battle has been won? Have they moved from faith that they have been saved to faith that they have victory over the issues and challenges in their lives? Do they understand, unlike salvation, that sanctification is a journey and that the Lord is giving victory?

But Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Yes-and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over huge obstacles. This mountain, for instance, you'll tell, ‘Go jump in the lake,' and it will jump. Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God." (Matthew 22:21-22, The Message)

A disciple enters the battle claiming victory.

December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas

Muster Everything You Have

In the first battle, Joshua took a limited force against Ai. Now that communication with the Lord was restored, the Lord told him to take the entire army. In the first battle, Joshua misjudged the enemy. He advanced with what he thought, in his own wisdom, was a sufficient force.

We often forget that the battle is the Lord's. We advance on the basis of our own wisdom and strength. When we do, we tend not to bring everything into the battle that is at our disposal. The battle is the Lord's and He will provide the wisdom and strength tailored to each situation.

Looking In: When you face difficult situations, when you face the enemy, do you muster all that the Lord has given you? Do you understand that your battles are spiritual and, therefore, must be dealt with in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Looking Out: Are your men advancing with everything available to them? Are they bringing brothers into the battle with them? Are they engaging the enemy on their own? Are you encouraging them to advance together?

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18).

A disciple brings everything at his disposal into battle.

December 18 - Fear Not

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city." (Joshua 8:1-2)

Defeat brings discouragement. The Lord wants us to get back in the mix. He wants us to go at it again. Achan's sin caused a breakdown in communication with the Lord. Once Israel dealt with that sin, they were again on speaking terms with the Lord. He was again giving instructions. More importantly, He told them they would be victorious. It was not a promise; rather, it was a statement of fact. This time the Lord would be in the battle and they would win.

When we have an open channel of communication with the Lord, He will give encouragement, strength, and a strategy. When the Lord calls us to ministry, He is committed to victory. We need to be in tune with Him, with His plan, His timing, and operate under His power.

Looking In: How well connected are you with the Lord? What is in your life that is a barrier to that connection? After failure, are you ready to move forward again? Are you afraid to advance or have you put fear behind you?

Looking Out: When a man slips and falls are you quick to come alongside him and encourage him to get back in stride? Are you there to bring him back on the team? Are you prepared to take him through the steps of restoration and renewal?

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).

A disciple seeks restoration and renewal and rejoins the battle without fear.

December 11, 2011 - Establish Markers to Past Sin

Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since. (Joshua 7:26)

The Joshua narrative reports that Israel built a pile of rocks over the remains of Achan and his family and possessions. The Lord wanted people to remember Achan's disobedience. The rocks were more than a grave marker. They were a monument to God's judgment and Israel's failure.

God wanted this monument be a warning to those who followed. There is a great potential for the people to fall away from the Lord and to "do what is right in their own eyes." It starts with one person. Achan sinned, but the Lord held that sin against the entire nation.

Sin enters in insidious ways. It comes when our guard is down. It comes when we are tired or stressed out. It comes when our resistance is down. It comes when we are with the wrong crowd.

While salvation is an event, sanctification is a journey. We will sin. Once we are forgiven and repent, we need to set markers to our disobedience. We need to place warning signs.

Looking In: Do you post warning signs so that you avoid making the same mistakes again? Do you avoid situations that compromise your values? Do you post spiritual guard over relationships with female co-workers or friends? Have you devoted all of your life to the Lord? Or are there compartments that you keep hidden?

Looking Out: Are you helping the men around you to set markers in their lives as posts that warn of dangerous places along their spiritual journey? Are you encouraging your men to identify compartments of their lives that have not been devoted to the Lord?

These are all warning markers - DANGER - in our history books, written down so that we don't repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel - they at the beginning, we at the end - and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. (1 Corinthians 10:11-12, The Message)

A disciple posts warning signs in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.

December 4, 2011 - Understand the Effects of Leaven

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the LORD. Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor. Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. (Joshua 7:22-25)

Achan brought trouble to Israel. He also brought trouble to his family. The Lord made a strong statement about Achan's disobedience. He and everything he possessed as well as the booty was destroyed and his family along with it.

The Lord held Achan's sin against the entire nation. Because Achan's sin was like leaven in the camp, it had to be eliminated. Leaven can express the effect the Gospel has in working out from the heart into one's entire life and eventually the world (Matthew 13:33). However, the metaphor usually refers to negative influences in a person's life and the community.

Looking In: When you do what is right in your own eyes, do you stop to consider the effect your disobedience has on your families and on those around you?

Looking Out: Do you share with your men the damage that can result from "doing what is right in their own eyes?"

"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6)

A disciple understands that a little evil goes long way.

November 27,2011 - Recognize Temptation (All that Glitters)

Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. (Joshua 7:20-22)

The Lord commanded Israel not to take the things that were devoted to Him; the first things. He promised destruction to those who disobeyed (Joshua 6:18-19).

Achan stole what belonged to the Lord and hid the items. No amount of confession, repentance and remorse could save Achan's life. The result of his sin was very public: Israel was defeated and lives were lost. God was angry. Ananias and Sapphira lied about what they had given (devoted) to the Lord and they died (Acts 5:1-11). The Lord allowed Israel to take the fine things from Jericho but it was to be used for His glory. Achan took those things for himself.

Pastor Bill Hybels races his yacht. Pat Morley races his Porsche. A layman races his motorcycle. All use what the Lord has given them to reach other men with the gospel. What they have, they have devoted to the Lord. Achan, on the other hand, violated God's command. He hid his booty under the floor of his tent. He took what was devoted to the Lord and kept it for himself.

Looking In: Have you reached the point in your spiritual journey that you know the things God has given you that He wants devoted to Him? What about life itself. Are you devoted to the Lord?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging the man or men you are discipling to see everything they have as from the Lord? Are they aware of the danger in hording what He has given?

I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. (1 Corinthians 7:35)

A disciple applies the blessings of the Lord in ways that advance Christ's kingdom.

November 20, 2011- Be Gentle in Confrontation and Accountability

Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me." Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua 7:19-21)

Joshua focused on the Lord. The people had been consecrated (prepared) and the Lord had narrowed the search to one man. Joshua's greeting is in the name of the Lord. Joshua approached Achan with a fatherly attitude.

The Lord identified Achan as guilty. Clearly Achan's heart was softened. There was no need for Joshua to accuse Achan. Was it the consecration? Was it Joshua's greeting? Joshua was seeking a confession. When attempting to identify sin, let the Lord do the accusing. At times a person's guilt is obvious. We need to gently encourage confession.

Looking In: When you need to confront sin, do you undergo spiritual preparation (consecration)? Do you depend on the Lord to lead you in that process?

Looking Out: When confronting sin, do you approach a brother from within a relationship? Do you draw out a response (build a bridge) or do you make it an accusation (build a barrier)?

When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry but it's no concern of yours now.(Matthew 7:12-15, The Message)

A disciple is gentle in confronting sin.

November 13, 2011 - Pull the Thread

Early the next morning Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes, and Judah was taken. The clans of Judah came forward, and he took the Zerahites. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward by families, and Zimri was taken. Joshua had his family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. (Joshua 7:16-18)

Joshua, under the Lord's direction, took a very deliberate approach to find the sin that caused the problem. We need to work through our feelings, the behavior that led to those feelings, the desires that led to the behavior, and the life focus that led to the desires. Sin results from ungodly thoughts at the center of our lives. Sin occurs when the Lord is displaced from the core of our being. When Christ is not central, the distractions of the world, the ungodly desires of the flesh and the temptations of the devil move in to fill the vacuum.

Looking In: Are you in the habit of asking what (who) is at the center of your life in a situation? Is anything crowding out Christ? What is at the center of your thinking? What changes do you need to make to give Christ complete control of your life? What voice are you hearing? To whom are you listening?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging your men to take spiritual inventory? Can they, without hesitation, testify that Christ is at the center of their lives? Are the men in your fellowship moving together to listen only to the Lord?

You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it's obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. (Galatians 3:1, The Message)

A disciple keeps Christ at the center of his life.

October 30/November 6 - Make Things Right

The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction. "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it." (Joshua 7:10-13)

When Joshua finally went to the Lord, the Lord responded. He said: "I am not the problem. You are. Now get busy and sort it out!" The Lord gave very clear instructions on the finer things of Jericho. Israel (Achan) had disobeyed. Achan's sin impacted Israel and The Lord's reputation.

The Lord is the one who reveals sin in our lives (in the camp). Before that can happen, we need to prepare to meet Him. That means a conscious effort to set aside anything that will distract us from hearing God. That means carving out a "consecrated" time, a time in which we focus on listening to the Lord. We need to allow the Lord to take inventory of the compartments of our lives. We need to let Him identify the things that interfere with our effectiveness in ministry and in our relationships; even our hidden faults (Psalm 19:12).

When our actions are inappropriate, affect others, and undermine our testimony and God's reputation. We must set things right by asking God and those we have hurt to forgive us.

Looking In: When your plans do not work, do you stop and ask the Lord: "Is there sin in the camp?" Have I taken for myself, things that should be dedicated to the Lord? The Lord has a plan and a purpose for you. Do you take on God's responsibility? Do you set side (consecrate) a regular time to allow the Lord to shine His light into the dark corners of your life? Do you make such time a matter of routine?

Looking Out: As you lead men to the throne of grace, are you helping your men identify and address the sin in their camp? As you lead men into the Promised Land, are they focusing on making things right? Have you established a bond of trust that enables you to encourage action? Is there accountability?

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus. (Acts 3:19-20)

A disciple moves quickly to set things right.

October 23, 2011 - Take Responsibility

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?" The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ..." (Joshua 7:6-10)

God was absent during the first battle at Ai. At least it appeared that way. There was no communication between Joshua and the Lord prior to the battle. There were no instructions or warnings and Israel was routed. That must have meant that the Lord had let them down. He had abandoned them. It was God's fault.

The very nature of God is that He is present; He is there (Jehovah Shammah). Why are we so quick to blame God when we think that He is not present in our trials and tribulations? God permits crises in our lives for many different reasons. Among them, as in this case, is sin. It is not easy to determine what God is saying in the midst of crises or immediately after. When we think that God is out of the picture, we need to search our hearts for attitudes and behavior that stand in the way. We need to ask God to reveal those things that may be interfering in our relationship. We need to be ready to take responsibility. We need to make things right.

Looking In: What is your normal response when you feel that God has abandoned you? Do you blame God? Do you accept responsibility? In the midst of a crisis, do you ask, "What are you saying to me? What do I need to do?"

Looking Out: What crisis are you facing in your fellowship? What is the Lord saying in the crisis? Are there sin issues that need to be resolved? Is your fellowship ready to take responsibility when the Lord points to sin?

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8-10)

A disciple takes responsibility for his actions.

October 16, 2011 - Ask the Right Question

Joshua thought that the Lord had abandoned Israel at Ai and that the Canaanites would recognize the Israelites' vulnerability. Isn't Joshua saying: "Lord, you have dishonored your name?" Think about it. In spite of the miracle of the Jordan crossing and the great victory at Jericho, Joshua is saying that it would have been better to have stayed east of the Jordan. "If you are not there for us, who will give testimony to your greatness, Lord?" You have abandoned us." The Lord's reaction to Joshua's prayer indicates that he is again asking the wrong question.

Why do we frequently ask the wrong question? Recall that Joshua asked the Commander of the Lord's Army the wrong question (Joshua 5:13). Joshua's mind was focused on the battle ahead. So the question was: "Whose side are you on?" This time the army was defeated and the question was: "Why did you do this to yourself, Lord?" Joshua's question was asked out of anguish and stress. God speaks through adversity. Do we seek to understand what He is saying?

Several men were praying together. One of the men asked for prayer for pain in his back. As a teen the man had been in an auto accident and broke his leg. The leg was reset but was shorter than the other leg. Even with a lift in his shoe the short leg put stress on his back. One of the men said he would not pray for healing the back but instead prayed for the leg. The Lord restored the man's leg! Ask the right question.

Looking In: What is the first question that pops into your mind when you face adversity? Is your response a self-centered, "Why me?" Or, are you asking the Lord what He is saying through the adversity?

Looking Out: Are the men in your fellowship asking the right question? Are they listening? What is the Lord saying?

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. (Colossians 1:9, The Message)

A disciple asks the right questions.

October 9, 2011 - Do Not Enter into Presumptive Sin

All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury. ... But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel. (Joshua 6:19; 7:1)

The Lord was very clear: "All the gold, silver, bronze and iron belongs to me. All the fine things of Jericho shall go into the treasury of the Lord." Achan, however, could not resist the temptation to keep some of the finer things for himself.

The sin of presumption is willful disobedience. It is the belief that God's forgiveness becomes a license to sin. It is knowingly going against God's commands. It is placing faith in God's promises and not the promise giver, God Himself.

Willful disobedience is a major misstep. We see it all around us, even in the church. It is the belief that God wants me to be happy so I can do whatever makes me happy. It is adultery and divorce. It is drug and alcohol abuse. It is self-centeredness. It is destructive, not only to the sinner, but to those around him.

Looking In: Are you in willful disobedience? Are you rationalizing a sin in your life? Are you willing to admit it, confess it, and repent? Are you banking on God's promises and not God Himself? Are you aware of the consequences of willful disobedience?

And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, Today, saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 4:5-6)

A disciple is alert to willful disobedience.

October 2, 2011 - Establish a Godly Routine

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there." So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water. (Joshua 7:2-5)

There is a pattern here: spying out the land. Moses did it at Kadesh barnea. Joshua did it at Jericho. He did it again at Ai.

While the spies brought back a very positive report, there is no indication that there was any communication between Joshua and the Lord. This was a pattern in the Joshua narrative (Joshua 1:1; 5:13-15; and 6:2ff). There was no indication that Joshua consulted the Lord nor that the Lord had given Ai into their hands. Nor did God give them instructions on how to take Ai. Was Joshua over confident?

A disciplined Christian life includes a routine of seeking the Lord. It involves knowing God better and gaining insight into His directions.

A man learned to set spiritual goals for his quiet time. He moved from a spontaneous to an intentional and focused quiet time.

Another man changed his morning routine. Instead of having his quiet time after breakfast (and the newspaper), he put it first - even before his first cup of coffee. He reported that he has noticed a marked improvement in his joy and productivity during the day.

Looking In: When you approach obstacles in our life, do you have a godly pattern for tackling them? Do you survey the situation? Do you ask the Lord for guidance and instruction - even though the solution appears easy? Do you make sure that there is nothing in your life that will impede your progress? Do you solidly place each spiritual battle in the hands of the Lord?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging the men around you to establish and keep a godly pattern in their lives? Is there evidence that they are following that pattern? Are there testimonies of regular communication and instructions from the Lord?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

A disciple keeps a holy pattern.

September 25, 2011 - Avoid Willful Disobedience: Do Not Enter into Presumptive Sin

Willful disobedience is the sin of presumption. It is the belief that God will forgive the transgression. It is knowingly going against God's commands. It is placing faith in God's promises and not the promise giver, God Himself.

Willful disobedience is a major misstep. We see it all around us, even in the church. It is the belief that God wants me to be happy. It is adultery and divorce. It is drug and alcohol abuse. It is self-centeredness. It is destructive, not only to the sinner, but to those around him.

Looking Out: Is there a man in your sphere of influence who is being willfully disobedient? Do you have an accountability relationship? Are you gently encouraging him to address the issue? Are you leading him along the path to restoration? Is he aware of the potential consequences of his actions?
And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, Today, saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 4:5-6)

A Disciple is alert to willful disobedience.

September 18, 2011 Fourteen: Be Great in God's Eyes

So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land. (Joshua 6:27)

Joshua was the leader. He was set apart, honored, exalted. Leadership takes many forms. We are all called to be disciples. That means we all are called to lead in one form or another. God calls some to great and broad responsibilities. Others are called to singular or more narrowly focused responsibilities. Throughout the history of the church, some disciples are well known. Others, the great majority, however, were anonymous. Regardless, as disciples our focus is on others. We are all called to lead men to the throne of grace and salvation and on toward the abundant, spirit-filled life.

All of us are given spiritual gifts. All of us are given a grace gift (Romans 12:5-8). Some are given leadership gifts (Ephesians 4:6-10). That means that the Lord is with us. For some there will be fame. For most of us, however, it means living quiet lives, empowered by God and serving Him where He plants us.

Joshua achieved greatness because He listened to God and was obedient. Joshua's greatness was a mantle placed by God. Greatness is in the eyes of the Lord.

Looking In: Are you growing where God has planted you? Do you listen to the Lord? Are you in His Word routinely? Do you listen for the Lord in your quiet time? Do you hear what He is saying?

Looking Out: Are you leading others to the throne of grace? Are you encouraging the men around you to make Him the Lord of their lives? Of the men in your sphere of influence, who has not entered into the abundant life? Who is among you men is not leading a spirit-filled life?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:13-16)

A disciple is called to be great in the eyes of the Lord.

September 11, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Thirteen - Avoid What God Has Cursed

At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:
At the cost of his firstborn son
will he lay its foundations;
at the cost of his youngest
will he set up its gates. (Joshua 6:26)

When the Israelites finished crossing the Jordan, Joshua built a monument or memorial to commemorate the crossing. The victory at Jericho was great! The city and everything in it was completely destroyed. The action at Jericho ends with a curse, not a monument.

In reality, however, the rubble of the ancient city was a marker itself. The monuments that Joshua built, stone upon stone, mark great blessings from the Lord. The ruins of Jericho were the result of the tearing down of the walls and buildings of the city. The destroyed city is a testimony to the Lord's wrath. It was a tearing down, not a building up. It was a message to Israel as well as Canaan. God's judgment is final and complete. His wrath stands against those who live in a continuing state of rebellion against Him.

Joshua's curse is against those who seek to restore what the Lord has judged as immoral. It is against what has been destroyed and eliminated.

When the Lord destroys our strongholds, we need to give Him the credit. He did what we could not. Our testimony needs to clearly point back to the rubble of our past and the Lord's power in rescuing and restoring us.

Looking In: Is your former stronghold a matter of the past? Have you attempted to rebuild what the Lord has cursed? Have you allowed the Lord to build a hedge of protection to keep out the attitudes or behaviors that led to the stronghold?

Looking Out: Are you helping your men to make the distinction between what the Lord curses and blesses?

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (John 3:18)

A disciple avoids that which the Lord curses.

September 4, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Twelve - Twelve: Bring Out Those Who Belong to the Lord

But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her. So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho-and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (Joshua 6:22-25, ESV)

The removal of Rehab and her family before the Israelites burned the city is the third case where the Lord removed believers before He meted out His wrath on apostasy. The first was the removal of Noah and his family before the flood (Genesis 6-7). The second was the removal of Lot and his family before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19).

These passages tell us that God will, in the end, pour out His wrath on immorality and idolatry. He will destroy the wicked. These passages also tell us that He will remove believers before He destroys the wicked.

Consider the fact that Rahab made a covenant with the spies. It was a covenant with them because she was not familiar with the covenant of the Lord. We need to, not only bear a burden for the lost; we need to protect those who are young in their faith. It is important to note that Rahab reached out to her family; she brought them under the covenant.

Are we reaching out to our families to bring them under the covenant?

Looking Out: Do you have a burden for the lost? Are you aware that you are responsible for rescuing the lost? Are you reaching into the community of immorality and idolaters to bring out the lost? Who in your sphere of influence needs to be rescued?

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:4-7)

A disciple rescues the lost.

August 28, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Eleven - Give Your First Fruits to the Lord

All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury." ... but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD's house. (Joshua 6:19, 24)

The Lord wants the first fruits [Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 26:2, 10; Nehemiah 10:35; and Ezra 47:12]. Jericho was the first of many victories in the Promised Land. The Lord gave them the Promised Land. He gave them the victory at Jericho. He commanded that the things of great value were to go to the Lord. [Later at AI the Lord permitted the Israelites to take plunder (8:2).] Since Jericho was an important city, it was no doubt a wealthy city.

The plunder at Jericho may have been riches beyond imagination, but they belonged to the Lord. The Lord requires restraint and responsibility from those He leads into the Promised Land. These were the Lord's instructions to His people; not to pagans. This is the Lord's way. It may not make sense to us, but it is the Lord's plan.

Furthermore, many of the finer things were from pagan rituals. By setting them aside, the Lord was removing things that would tempt Israel to fall into idolatry and apostasy. Therefore, the items were to be removed from common use.

All we have the Lord has given to us. He expects us to return at least a tithe to him.

Looking In: Are you obedient in following the Lord's instructions? Do you show restraint and responsibility when the Lord blesses you materially? Do you return a portion to Him? Have you established a disciplined pattern of giving? Have you defined what tithes and offerings mean in your life? Do you really understand that all you have comes from the Lord? Do you recognize what He expects you to return to Him? What is your attitude toward what the Lord gives you in terms of time, talents and treasure?

Looking Out: Is giving a topic of discussion among your men? Do your men give testimonies about the discipline of giving in their lives?

But just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

A disciple is disciplined in giving.

August 21, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Ten - Be Thorough

Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, ... (Joshua 6:24)

There were two phases of destruction: the collapse of the walls and the burning of the city. The Lord brought the walls down. He broke through the barriers. The people burned the city.

The Lord brings the victory but we need to carry through to eliminate the remnants of the stronghold, those elements of the past life that were interfering with our relationship with the Lord and the effectiveness of our service to Him.

While on a military assignment in Taiwan, a man purchased two beautiful carved teak temple dogs. They were smaller versions of larger stone dogs positioned outside Buddhist and Taoist temples. As he matured in his faith, he was bothered by the fact that the dogs represented pagan worship. It took several years before he could bring himself to destroy the beautiful dogs. He then evaluated other Taiwan artifacts to destroy those that reflected pagan practices.

Looking In: How thorough are you in eliminating those things that undermine your walk with the Lord? Have you removed those elements that undermine your effectiveness in serving the Lord? Are there things you cherish from the past and cling to? Do you understand the risk they pose for returning to the attitudes and behaviors of the past?

Looking Out: Are you in an accountability relationship? Are you encouraging your men to be thorough in eliminating barriers to effective discipleship?

So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace, a new life in a new land! (Romans 6:1-3, The Message)

A disciple is thorough in eliminating sin.

August 14, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Nine - Destroy What the Lord Says to Destroy

And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. ... But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. ... Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. ... Then they burned the whole city and everything in it,
(Joshua 6:17-18, 21, 24, ESV)

The word devoted means to set aside. In this case set aside for destruction. Israel was an instrument of God's wrath against the Canaanites. The people of Jericho feared the God of Israel. With the exception of Rahab, all failed to place their trust Him. Moreover, the Canaanites were totally depraved. They were an anathema to the Lord. Therefore there was total destruction of the wall. Not breaches in several places; but a total collapse.

Furthermore, by eliminating everything as God commanded, the Israelites would not be tempted to fall into the pagan and depraved practices of the Canaanites.

Addictions and bondage are behavior patterns completely outside of the will of God. They must be eliminated. Purification must be thorough. The Lord's command and His warning foretell what will ultimately happen to all those who reject God and do what is right in their own eyes, not just the Canaanites. The Lord's command is to eliminate everything associated with our bondage and addictions.

Looking In: Do you still have artifacts leftover from your defeated stronghold? Have you thoroughly cleaned house? Have you asked the Lord to reveal items in your life that need to be "devoted to the Lord for destruction?"

Looking Out: Are you encouraging the men around you to evaluate their lives for vestiges of their former life? Are you making this a matter of accountability?

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

A disciple strives for purity.

August 7, 2001 - Eliminate Strongholds Eight - Live the Call Together

And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD." (Joshua 6:1-7)

Not only was the army, the priests and the Ark involved in the siege of Jericho, the people also participated.

Our tendency, particularly as men, is to go it alone. We can solve it. We do not ask for directions. Scripture urges us to come together in agreement when one of us battles a stronghold. It is not a question of just bringing God into the battle. It is a matter of engaging fellow believers. In doing so, we experience victory together.

Upon leaving a men's retreat, a man reported: "Trust and obey - the problem is in doing it. The disconnection between knowledge and practice is great. The pressure of everyday living puts more stress on me than I realize. And thank you for the conference. God is in control and I am leaving refreshed and energized by what I've heard and shared. I thank God for his salvation." The man was renewed as he came together with other men seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Bill was the only man from his church attending men's retreat. One of the groups at retreat grabbed him and said, "You're with us!" Over the course of the weekend the man observed and experienced what it was like to be with a band of brothers. When he returned to his church, he told his pastor that the church needed a men's ministry and that he was willing to lead it. Today he is taking careful steps and organizing events aimed at building relationships.

You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17, The Message). The spiritual journey is not intended as a solo venture. We are called to do it together.

Looking In: When you face strongholds, do you struggle alone? Do you engage fellow believers in coming against your strongholds? Does pride keep you from sharing your need? Are you too embarrassed to bring others into the battle? Do you operate under the mistaken impression that you can fix it alone?

Looking Out: Are you actively engaged with others who are battling sin? Are you encouraging your men to come together against the stronghold a brother may be facing?

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galations 6:2)

A Disciple encourages the unity of believers in coming against strongholds.

July 31, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Seven - Take the Initiative

And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD. When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. (Joshua 6:7-8)

First were the armed men. This was war. As we advance, we must be armed with the Word. In confronting strongholds we need to take direction from the Word.

Second were the priests announcing the presence of the Lord, warning the citizens of Jericho, and proclaiming victory. We must be prepared at the outset to declare victory.

Third was the Ark. We are to put the Lord in front. The Lord is the one who will lead this battle. We must allow the Lord to do the work in bringing down the stronghold. Unless our strongholds or bondages are removed, we cannot have rest. Surrender is not an option. Surrender takes us out of the game. God will select someone else to carry out His plan.

Taking down strongholds is spiritual warfare. We must be intentional in these battles. The command is "Advance!" We must take the initiative. We must be proactive. We must do battle or surrender. Jericho had to be conquered before the Israelites could receive rest.

A man reported: "I was a drug addict doing cocaine, pot, and drinking. I was raised in a good Christian home but did my own thing for many years. I knew Jesus Christ was the only way but did not understand how to get close to Him. I cried out to Him one day and He took everything away from me but pot. I struggled with this but he took this away too. I found out the more I pray and read and study His Word, the better life is."

Looking In: What is standing in the way of your effective service? Is it a bondage or addition such as pornography, alcohol or drugs? Is it an attitude, habit or behavior? Have you admitted that you are powerless to defeat it? Have you chosen to get rid of it? Have you taken the initiative? Have you made that decision? Do you know the scriptures concerning the battle?

Looking Out: Are you prepared to lead a man in the battle against his stronghold(s)? Are you there for him in the battle and encouraging him through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring down the walls of his stronghold?

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2, The Message)

A disciple takes the initiative in the battle against strongholds.

July 24, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Six:Announce the Victory

March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days .Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." ... The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. ... The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! (Joshua 6:3-5, 13, 16)

The trumpets or shofars (typically a ram's horn) were horns used to call the people to worship, signal victory, herald the coming of a dignitary, and warn. The trumpets preceded the ark announcing the presence of the Lord. In addition, the trumpets were a warning of the impending destruction of Jericho. They also signaled the victory of the Lord over the gods of Jericho and the defeat of the enemy. The Lord brought destruction on Jericho. It was His victory.

The city was still shut up tight. The walls of the stronghold had not been breached. The priests with the trumpets blew the trumpets each day for seven days.

In our struggles against strongholds, the Lord wants us to announce the victory and then watch the walls come down. Our problem in coming against strongholds is that we want to see the walls come down before we shout the victory.

Looking In: Do you set your mind on victory by reading the Psalms or other scriptures such as Romans 8? These scriptures proclaim the Lord's victory. After being intentional in confronting your strongholds, do you proclaim victory before the stronghold is breached?

Looking Out: Who are the men in your sphere of influence who are not receiving rest because of strongholds in their lives? Are you coming along side of them in their battles? Are you sounding the victory? Are you encouraging them to step out in faith and announce the victory?

It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's! So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. (Romans 8:11-12, The Message)

A disciple knows that the Lord will bring the victory.

July 17, 2011 -Eliminate Stongholds Five: Persist

March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. ... They did this for six days. ... On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner ... (Joshua 6:3-4, 14-15)

The Israelites marched around Jericho once a day for six days. On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times. They were persistent. They kept at it. They were determined. Why were they doing it? What was the benefit to be gained?

Eliminating strongholds requires persistence. It requires persistence in prayer. We must "march" around our strongholds on our knees. The promise of victory comes through fervent prayer. Prayer immersed in the belief that God has already brought down the walls.

The Lord was clear: Jericho was theirs. Yet they needed to persist before the promise became a reality. The Lord rewards persistence.

Looking In: Do you believe that God will give you victory over your stronghold? Are you persistent even when victory is not apparent? God is committed to victory. Are you? Are you persistent in prayer?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging a brother to be persistent in his battles? Are you pointing to the promises of victory? Are you persistent in your prayers for your brother?

I see what you've done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can't stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. (Revelation 2:2-3, The Message)

A disciple is persistent in battling strongholds.

July 10, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Four: Put the Lord on Point

So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."(Joshua 6:6-7)

As at the Jordan, the Lord directed Joshua to place the Ark in front of the people. The Ark was the presence of the Lord. It was the Lord who was laying siege to Jericho. The fear of the Lord of Israel had the people of Jericho shut up in the city.

When going against strongholds, we must put the Lord in front. It is He who will lay siege to bondage and addictions. Our efforts are weak and ineffective. Storming strongholds requires spiritual weapons. It is the Lord who has the weapons to bring down the barriers.

Looking In: Do you choose to take the Lord into your battles, or do you try to fight them with self-confidence and experience? What does it mean to put the Lord first? Have you put the Lord on point in your daily life?

Looking Out: Do you emphasize prayer in encouraging your men in their struggles? Do you model prayer before them?

Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them living and breathing God! (Romans 8:5, The Message)

A disciple puts the Lord in front of everything.

July 3, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Three: Do it God's Way

Once again, Israel was faced with the impossible. This time it was a highly fortified city. Again God's instructions did not make sense. At the Red Sea the instructions were: "Strike the water." At Marah it was: "Throw a log into the water." At Meribah it was "Strike the rock." At the Jordan River the instructions were: "Step into the water." At Jericho it was "March around the city."

Does that make sense? How will marching around the city bring victory? "My ways are not your ways, declares the Lord" (Is 55:8-9). God has a different plan. God's action in the past is not an indicator of how He will work now or in the future.

Moreover, by varying man role, He show off His power and got the credit. Why then, do we hesitate when God asks us to do a task that is beyond us? When the Lord shows us success in one area, do we assume that the same approach will work in another? When the Lord's instructions do not make sense, do we have the faith to proceed?

Looking In: Do you make it a habit to ask the Lord for direction? Do you ask even when you have done it before? Are you flexible? How do you respond when the Lord's directions do not seem to make sense?

Looking Out: In making disciples, do you think one size fits all? Are you able to be "all things to all men?" (1 Corinthians 9:22)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. (Acts 13:2)

A disciple seeks and follows the Lord's direction.

June 26, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds Two: Believe It!

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. (Joshua 6:1-2)

The Lord made it possible for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. Now Jericho stood in their way. Effort was still required. Yet, before the people approached Jericho, the Lord said: I have delivered it into your hands."

God has a plan to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11). More importantly, He wants to advance His kingdom through us. He wants to eliminate the strongholds that stand in our (His) way. Do you hear Him saying "I have given you victory over this stronghold?"
The Lord has promised to give us victory. "I have given it to you!" Do you believe it?

Looking In: Do you believe that your strongholds have been eliminated in spite of appearances to the contrary? How do you see your strongholds? Are they looming large in front of you or defeated and behind you? Have you allowed reality to overwhelm your faith? How do you approach the challenges in your lives? Do you approach them in the faith that the Lord has conquered them? Or do you see them from the perspective of your own wisdom and strength?

Looking Out: Who in your sphere of influence is battling a stronghold? Are you praying for him? Are you praying with him? Are you claiming victory together?

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:19-20)

A disciple is empowered to overcome by the Lord.

June 19, 2011 - Eliminate Strongholds: One: Break Down Barriers to Receiving Rest

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men ... " (Joshua 6:1-2)

The history of Israel is the story of spiritual battles; our spiritual battles. Our spiritual battles often involve strongholds, bondages, addictions, or persistent behavior or attitude issues.

Jericho represents a stronghold because there appears to be no possibility of victory. Just as Jericho was "tightly shut up," so it is when we begin to focus on our strongholds. They appear to be impregnable. We encounter great resistance. The result is that we try to break down barriers on our own but it does not work. As a result we live in a state of defeat.

Clearly, we need to understand that overcoming strongholds requires supernatural power. The battle is spiritual and, therefore, requires spiritual power. It is the Lord's desire that we overcome strongholds. He wants us to be free to advance His kingdom.

A man was drawn into pornography as a boy through exposure to men's magazines and sexual abuse. He knew it was wrong and prayed for forgiveness. Nothing seemed to work. Bondage to pornography eventually cost him his marriage and his relationship with his children. One day a friend suggested meeting with his pastor. This resulted in weekly breakfasts with the pastor where the pastor just listened and prayed. The man was freed from bondage and just as the pastor had done, the man seeks opportunity to minister to men in the same situation. Prayer is a spiritual weapon.

Looking In: What are the strongholds in your life? Are there things in your life that do not glorify God? Are there things that undermine or destroy your testimony? Make these a matter of persistent prayer as we study the Lord's victory at Jericho.

Looking Out: In many cases, men do not share their addictions or bondages openly. Are you building trust with another man or men where they can be open with you? Are you involved in a bible study with other men that challenge them to deal with their weaknesses?

... I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ... (2 Corinthians 10:2-5, ESV)

A disciple depends on the Lord to overcome strongholds.

June 12, 2011 - Take Your Shoes Off

The commander of the LORD'S army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:15)

Joshua formed a posture of reverence - face down. Before the commander of the Lord's army answered, he told Joshua that he was on holy ground. "Take off your sandals ..." was not the answer Joshua was looking for.

First, the Lord is meeting Joshua where Joshua was. He did the same with Jacob (Genesis 28) and Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). The message is that God is not confined to structures made by man.

Secondly, the Lord confirmed Joshua as the leader of Israel in the same way He did Moses a generation earlier. For Joshua, it was not a burning bush; it was a man with a drawn sword.
Third, this verse also teaches us about prayer. It is foolish to come to God with our problems without first acknowledging him as Lord. If God dwells in a compartment of our lives, then "taking off our sandals" needs to be an intentional effort. If, on the other hand, the Lord occupies a prominent place in our lives, we will live barefooted before Him. Jesus taught his disciples that when they prayed they were to acknowledge the Father as the God who is close by (intimate) and far away (in heaven) (Jeremiah 23:23). We are to hallow (respect) His name and understand that do not yet live in His kingdom. He commands us to meditate upon to whom it is we are praying.

Looking In: In the press of life, in facing major obstacles, do you immediately jump into your needs and requests or do you take time to acknowledge the One to whom you are praying? Do you understand that you are on holy ground; that you are entering into the presence of the Lord? Does the routine get in the way of the awesome, holy and almighty Lord? Do you confess that He is God and you are not?

Looking Out: Who in your sphere of influence needs to meet this awesome, holy, almighty Lord? Do you know men who are "at the end of their rope?" Are you encouraging them to acknowledge the Lord and relinquishing control. Is this man taking off his sandals?

... the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:10-11)

A disciple prays without ceasing.

June 5, 2011 - Ask the Right Question

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" (Joshua 5:13)

Clearly Joshua was focused on capturing Jericho. "How can we subdue the highly fortified city, this stronghold? God, tell me how we can do it."

Joshua demonstrates boldness and faith in approaching a man with a drawn sword. The man's response was blunt: "Neither." The Lord is neither for us nor against us. While scripture is filled with evidence and promises that the Lord is and will be with us, the question Joshua asks is age old, but it is the wrong question. Are we for the Lord or against Him? It is a question of submission. Are we asking God to bless our plans or are we asking God what His plans are and how we fit into those plans?

We live in a dysfunctional culture; one that has no idea how to deal with challenges or barriers to effective living. Our tendency is to ask, "Why me, Lord?" The battles we face are spiritual. We tend to take them personally. When we do, we succumb to depression, frustration, and despondency. The battle is the Lord's. The solution is submission to the Lord "Are you for us or against us, Lord?" is not a question of submission. Rather, it should be, "Lord, advance your kingdom in this situation. I surrender to you, to you will. We need to battle the forces of darkness with spiritual weapons.

Looking In: Are you asking the right question? Are you asking the Lord for His plan? Are you open to the Lord working through your challenges?

Looking Out: Are your men asking the right questions? Are your men asking the Lord to join them or are they asking to join the Lord as He carries out His plan?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

A disciple seeks the Lord in dealing with strongholds.

May 29, 2011 - Conquer Barriers to Effective Living

So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. (Joshua 10:40)

Thus far we have observed the Lord and Joshua giving guidelines for entering the Promised Land. In chapters 2-5, the narrative describes the miracle of the Jordan River crossing. The message to the Israelites was clear: I am with you and will lead you to victory.

The next seven chapters in Joshua continue to show God's awesome power in the face of overwhelming obstacles and threats. These chapters also illustrate defeat resulting from disobedience, deception and self-confidence.

Our personal spiritual journeys are ones of overcoming obstacles, and dealing with issues of willful disobedience and hidden faults. It is the continuing process of sanctification as the Lord prepares us for ever greater opportunities and challenges. As the Israelites learned on their journey, it is a matter of transferring trust to the Lord on a daily basis. The spiritual journey must be under the leadership of the Lord. It is the Lord who brings the victory.

Looking In: What are the obstacles in your life that interfere with living the victorious life? Are you actively engaged in eliminating them? Is the Lord leading your efforts or are you trying to defeat the enemy on your own?

Looking Out: How are the men in your sphere of influence doing in their battle? Are they seeing victories? Are you a source of guidance and encouragement?

Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. (Hebrews 11:33-34, The Message)

A disciple is aware of the on-going battle.

May 22, 2011 - His Provision Shall Be Seen

The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan. (Joshua 5:12)

For forty years they had existed on a diet of manna - the same thing for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was the same day after day, month after month, year after year. Now they had variety. The Lord provided the manna. Now the Lord provided them with fruit and grain. They did not plant or cultivate it. They ate off the land for a year. The Lord introduced a major change in their daily life. Their faith brought them into a richer life.

Looking In: Have you made the transition in your walk with the Lord, from milk to solid food (1 Cor 3:2; Heb 5:12-14)? Are you being fed daily from the Word? Is God opening His Word to you through your quiet time and your study with others? Are you experiencing the riches in His Word?

Looking Out: Do you know men who have not graduated to solid food? Have you built a trusting relationship with one or more of them in order to encourage them to seek a closer walk with the Lord and enjoy the richest of fare (Is 55:2)?

He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is. (Acts 17:25)

A disciple feeds daily on the Word.

May 15, 2011 -"Do this in Remembrance of Me"

On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. (Joshua 5:10)

This was the first Passover since Sinai. The celebration ceased once Israel rebelled over the challenge of entering the Promised Land. At this point the Israelites could celebrate both deliverance from judgment and access to a land flowing with milk and honey, the abundant life.
The Lord directed that the Passover be repeated annually - a reminder of what He had done. Under the new covenant, we are commanded to repeat the Lord's Supper as a reminder of what the Lord did for us; He delivered us from death.

Looking In: Is the Lord's Supper something you do because it is on the calendar? Is it something that has become vain repetition? Or is it an act that has personal significance?

Looking Out: What do your men think about the Lord's Supper? Do you discuss it? Do you understand that Christ's broken body and shed blood brings unity to the body of Christ?

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22:19-20)

A disciple grasps the personal significance of Jesus' broken body and shed blood.

May 8, 2011 - Honoring God

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the place has been called Gilgal to this day. (Joshua 5:9)

Reproach is censure, rebuke, disapproval, making failure more apparent. The reproach of Egypt was to escape from Egypt (death) only to die in the desert. Moses confronted the Lord when He was angry with Israel. If the Lord destroyed Israel, He would become the laughing stock of the Egyptians. What benefit was there in Israel being saved from death (given eternal life) but never experiencing the abundant life (the Promised Land). The Israelites had entered the Promised Land. The reproach of Egypt was cancelled. Note: the rebellious generation experienced the "reproach of Egypt." They died in the desert.

We are called to live in a way that glorifies God. Our testimony must go beyond salvation. It is to also express the joy of the abundant life. After facing death in the desert for 40 years, The Israelites placed their trust and faith in the Lord and the Lord gave them access to the Promised Land (abundant life). Finally, it was the Lord who removed the reproach of Egypt. Not the army. Not the people. The Lord moved Israel from defeat to victory.

For us, the reproach of Egypt is the failure to believe that the Lord has much more for us than salvation and like salvation, He will make the way. It is a matter of "He is no fool who gives [up] what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." (Jim Elliot) It is a matter of moving Christ from being a part of our lives to making Him the center of our lives.

Looking In: Has the Lord removed the "reproach of Egypt" from your life? Have you made the transition from believer to submitting servant?

Looking Out: Are you helping the men in your sphere of influence make the transition from salvation to the abundant life? Are you intentional in you efforts? Do you have a plan?

Let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision-you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Phil 3:15-16, The Message)

A disciple is one who has moved from accepting Jesus as savior to making Him Lord.

May 1, 2011 - Death of Unbelief

...until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord (Joshua 5:6)

The disobedience of the earlier generation was in failure to trust the Lord. As Joshua pointed out, the disobedient generation was gone. Obedience, in this case, involves allowing God to do the impossible in clean-up and empowerment. It means depending on the Lord for victory: Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah my banner.

to the Promised Land required the death of unbelief. The move from eternal life to the abundant life requires submission to the Lord. Submission to the Lord means daily self-denial. The Lord requires self-denial so that He can be glorified.

Looking In: Have you experienced the death of unbelief? Have you gotten rid of the baggage acquired in your life prior to salvation? Have you become obedient and allowed God to lead you into the abundant life? Who is in control of your life, you or the Lord?

Looking Out: Do you have a plan that intentionally moves a man from salvation to the abundant life? Do you know men who are going through the motions of belief but are not addressing the issues in their lives? Are you making disciples?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

A disciple dies to self daily.

April 24, 2011 - Weakness

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. (Joshua 5:2-3)

The act of circumcision, at Gibeath Haaraloth made the Israelite army vulnerable to attack. They were, for all practical purposes, defenseless. Circumcision not only set them apart, it was an act of complete trust in the Lord.

While the original occupants of the land may have lacked courage in the face of Israel's God, they could have observed the weakness of the army and seized the opportunity to attack. They did not. They were afraid and that fear put them into a retreat mindset. The men of Israel must have been aware that they would be vulnerable. Yet, they proceeded. They trusted the Lord who had just allowed them to cross the Jordan on dry ground to protect them.

When we submit to the Lord and are obedient, we are vulnerable. While we may not face death, we do face criticism. We are vulnerable.

Looking In: Do you trust the Lord to keep you safe? Are you certain that you will be safe? Do you place yourself in the hands of a loving and caring God? In the face of danger, do you respond with a defensive posture or on our knees?

Looking Out: Do the men in your sphere of influence understand that God is and will be there in their weakness? Are they willing to follow God's direction when it involves being vulnerable?

But he said to me, "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 Corinthians 12:9)

A disciple understands that he is under the protection of the Lord.

April 17, 2001 - Uniqueness

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth (hill of foreskins). (Joshua 5:2-3)

Circumcision was the first of two steps in preparing the men of Israel for the battles that lay ahead. It was an act binding the men into the service of the Lord and a prerequisite for the Passover. It was the physical indication of their spiritual submission. It was the mark of their submission to the covenant with the Lord. Circumcision was an act of trust in the Lord.

Circumcision made the Israelite men unique. What makes us unique? What are the indicators that we have placed our trust in the Lord?

Looking In: Do you sense your uniqueness? Do you understand that you have been set apart?

Looking Out: Does the man or men you are mentoring understand their uniqueness? What is their uniqueness? Is it in overcoming obstacles that keep them from holy living? Is it in a new understanding of what it means to be a Christian husband and father? Is it in exercising their spiritual gifts?

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, (Galatians 1:15-16)

A disciple is set apart.

April 10, 2011 - Transferring Trust

... their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (Joshua 5:1)

The reaction of the kings is another example of cultural boundaries. Like the people of Jericho, They could not think about leaving their gods who were clearly no match against the God of Israel. Unlike Rahab (Joshua 2:18-14), they were unwilling to transfer their trust to the God of Israel. They were not aware that they had a choice. In many cases man is not willing to alter convictions even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Winston Churchill said: "Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened."

Looking In: Are you prepared to alter your convictions or are you subconsciously bound to old patterns of thinking or the way our culture responds to overwhelming challenges? Transferring trust is a day to day and moment by moment, conscious decision.

Looking Out: Do you know men who are not aware that they have a choice; a choice between eternal death and eternal life or a choice between just existing and the abundant life?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

A disciple is an instrument in leading others to transfer trust to the Lord.

April 3, 2011 - Fear in the Face of God's Power

Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (Joshua 5:1)

The kings of the region feared the Israelites because of what the God of Israel did. The people of the area already knew about the Red Sea (Joshua 2:8-10). The miracle of the crossing was another example of the power of the God of Israel.

There are two types of fear: a fear that results in withdrawal and fear that brings us to our knees in reverence and obedience. Chapter five is about both types of fear. The kings of the region recoiled in terror. The Israelites responded in reverence and obedience.

Looking In: When you see the mighty hand of God in your life, does it put you on your knees?

Looking Out: Who do you know that needs to see the mighty hand of God? Are you coming alongside them to encourage, support and be there for them?

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him? (Mark 4:41)

A disciple fears the Lord.

March 27,2011 -Committing to the Lord: Spread the Word

Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (Joshua 5:1)

The word had spread. The God of Israel was awesome. He had done a mighty thing in stopping the river at flood state. Israel did not spread the word. Israel did not have contact with the occupants of the land. The occupants, however, were watching.

We, however, live among the occupants of the land. Do we spread the word about His great works - in our own lives and in the lives of others? God did the impossible. He asks the impossible of us so when we succeed, He gets the credit. He asks us to do it, not because we can do it, but because He wants to do it. As difficult as it may be, let's "just do it" and give Him the credit! He wants the credit.

Looking In: What is the Lord doing in your life? Are you aware of what He is doing? Do you give testimony about what the Lord is doing?

Looking Out: What is the Lord doing in the lives of men around you? Do you take time to share what He is doing? Do you make that a matter of routine?

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

A disciple hears, sees and shares what God is doing.

March 20, 2011 - The Second Water Crossing

"In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?' tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." (Joshua 4:21-24)

The Lord prepared Israel to enter the Promised Land at Kadesh-Barnea. There was no river to cross, nor was there a pursuing army. God intended it to be a smooth transition from two years of preparation in the desert to the Promised Land and the abundant life. However, Israel believed that the task ahead was too great. They rebelled and spent the next forty years in the desert.

In contrast, entry from Shittim required crossing a river at flood stage. Israel literally had to take a step of faith. Moreover, God had to open the way. This was a new generation; a people who, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, had not crossed the Red Sea. While God had met their needs in the desert, they had not experienced God's awesome power over nature as had the earlier generation.
Also, recall that the successful Jordan (water) crossing was a message to the inhabitants of the land that Israel had been declared innocent according to ancient tradition (page 16).

Looking In: Where have you seen God's awesome power in your life (salvation, the abundant life, healing, victories over bondage, success in an endeavor)? Where have you seen Him do the impossible?

Looking Out: Do the men in your sphere of influence understand the need to move from where they are to where God wants them to be? Do they understand that God will make a way? Have they experienced a Jordan crossing in their lives? Are you encouraging your men toward a deeper relationship with the Lord?

Without weakening in his faith, he [Abraham] faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.(Romans 4:19-21)

A disciple reflects on God's power in his life.

March 13, 2011 -On the Right Path

On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. (Joshua 4:19)

Gilgal is about three miles northeast of Jericho and several miles from the Jordan River. Jericho was the first challenge the Israelites encountered after crossing the Jordan. Joshua (the Lord) led them toward that challenge, the battle for Jericho - not away from it. Whether the Israelites were aware of it or not, they were on the path leading to the stronghold. They were on the path set by the Lord. Once before they were on God's path and they rebelled. This time they were obedient.

God's path is seldom easy. It often takes us to places we do not want to go or into situations we want to avoid. If we find life or ministry is easy, we may not be on God's path. God's plan included Jericho. Jericho was an obstacle to the occupation of the Promised Land. It was an obstacle that Israel had to overcome. So it is with our lives. There are obstacles we need to overcome. God needs us to overcome them.

Looking In: Are you on God's path? If so, He will lead you to confront the things in your life that hinder your spiritual growth and your ministry. It has been said the closer we are to Christ, the more aware we are of our sins. Are you becoming more aware of your sin?

Looking Out: What are the obstacles in our ministry? Are you moving to them intentionally or are you avoiding them?

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:4-10)

A disciple moves toward challenges.

March 6, 2011 - Reboot

On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. (Joshua 4:19)

The Israelites entered the Promised Land at the beginning of the year. The tenth day of the first month of the year was also the day that the sacrificial lamb was to be selected for the Passover (Ex 12:3). Passover was to be celebrated four days later. For the Israelites it was a new generation, a new year, a new land, a new beginning and the first Passover in 40 years (Joshua 5:10). For Israel, this was a reboot.

The first Passover preceded their escape from Egypt (death) at the Red Sea. The first Passover was an action that looked forward toward their salvation. On the tenth day of the first month, Israel began preparations for the Passover at Gilgal. It was to be a Passover looking back; looking back on their entrance into a land flowing with milk and honey. It represented the completion of the first step receiving the abundant life. God's intention is that people not only be saved, but that they also have the abundant life. The Gilgal Passover was a celebration of their new life. It was a reboot.

Re●boot - verb [trans.] boot (a computer system) again. Gilgal was a reboot for Israel. When the Lord acts in our lives, He wants us to reboot. He deals with us through miracles, His Word, and interaction with other believers. He calls us to start anew when we encounter a truth that is new to us or an application of a truth to our lives. When we reboot we need to celebrate the new work that the Lord is doing or has done. We also need to share what He is doing with others. In this sharing we are exercising an encouragement gift for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Looking In: When the Lord does a new thing in your life, do you consciously and intentionally celebrate what He has done? Do you take the time to prepare for that celebration? Do you stop to thank the Lord? Is it more than a quick, "Thank you"?

Looking Out: When the Lord does a new work in your community of believers, do you stop to consciously and intentionally celebrate what He has done?

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

A disciple takes time to reflect on God's great mercy and grace.

February 27, 2011 - In the Presence of the Lord

So they took it up and went ahead of them.(Joshua 3:6) ... Now the priests who carried the ark remained standing in the middle of the Jordan until everything the LORD had commanded Joshua was done by the people, just as Moses had directed Joshua. The people hurried over, and as soon as all of them had crossed, the ark of the LORD and the priests came to the other side while the people watched. ... Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Command the priests carrying the ark of the Testimony to come up out of the Jordan."So Joshua commanded the priests, "Come up out of the Jordan."And the priests came up out of the river carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD. No sooner had they set their feet on the dry ground than the waters of the Jordan returned to their place and ran at flood stage as before. (Joshua 4:10-11,15-18)

These verses recap, with additional details, the crossing of the Jordan. Step by step the Lord directed the crossing. Once the people had crossed, He instructed the priests carrying the ark of the covenant to move out of the river to the west bank. The ark led the way, was in the middle and then came behind. God was present at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the crossing - Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is there (Ezekiel 48:35, Psalm 23:4).

Looking In: Do you experience God's presence in all that you do? Does He lead you in your actions? Is He there in the middle? Are you aware of Him at the end? God is always at work. Have you seen Him in the rearview mirror? Are you, like Brother Lawrence, "practicing the presence of God"?

Looking Out: Do you experience God at the beginning, middle and end of your ministry endeavors and life's challenges? Are you sharing this with your men?

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

A Disciple abides in Christ.

February 20, 2011 - Explain It

Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, ... 6to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?' tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:6-7) He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?' tell them, ... (Joshua 4:21-22)

In verses 6-7, Joshua provides the rationale for establishing a memorial to the crossing. He speaks as a leader to leaders. The leadership needs to understand what must be done and why.

In verses 21-24 Joshua explains the memorial to the people. His explanation is from the present to the future. It is from the memorial itself to its meaning to future generations.

At times the Lord gives us general directions. He points us in a direction and then fills in the details as we go. At other times He gives us details at the outset. The Great Commission is general: "make disciples as you go!" Then as we go, He points us toward the people with whom He wants to deal (through us). Often, what the Lord asks us to do may not be clear to everyone at the outset.

Looking In: Do you hear God speak? What is He saying during prayer? What is He saying from His Word? What is He saying through other people? Are you listening?

Looking Out: As a ministry leader, are you careful to explain what needs to be done and why it is needed? Do those working with you understand?

Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. ... When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." (Acts 11:4-5, 18)

A disciple explains vision, insights, needs and actions.

February 13, 2011 -Marking the Victory (Remember)

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood ... " So Joshua called together the twelve men ... 5and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, ... They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, ... as the LORD had told Joshua; ... And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. (Joshua 4:1-10; 19-24)

The Lord told Joshua to build a monument to mark the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan. The stones came from the middle of the river- a reminder that the Lord had cleared a dry path. Moreover, they were to be taken from the place where the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant - the presence of the Lord.
The Lord was saying: "This is a milestone in your spiritual journey. I cleared the way for you in power and grace." The stones were a reminder and a message to "all the peoples of the earth." In future challenges and impossibilities God would make a way.

God has plans for us. He will accomplish them. And when He does, He expects us to set markers as reminders of His plan and power and as a testimony to others. God is great!

This is the first of seven memorials established by Israel during the entrance into and conquest of the Promised Land. While not a pattern in Israel's history, the markers reflect the important stages in subduing the land.

Looking In: Have you set markers in your life: salvation, making Christ the Lord of your life, physical or emotional healing, restoration of relationships, victory over bondage, success in an endeavor ... ? Do you keep reminders of these events? Have you noted them in your journal? Have you projected the experience of God's power into your present challenges?

Looking Out: What are the markers in the life of your community of believers? What has God done in your midst? Have you set "stones" as a reminder to them of God's plan and His power to accomplish it? Are you helping your men set markers in their own lives?

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)

A disciple sets spiritual markers in his life.

February 6, 2001 - Together in Faith

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:14-17)

At Kadesh-barnea the people rebelled in unity (except for Joshua and Caleb), and the Lord delayed their entry into the Promised Land. Now, together they crossed the Jordan.

The Israelites made a visual statement by moving across the Jordan. They were saying: "Together, we are advancing into the land that the Lord is giving us." And: "Together we will advance under the power of God." They knew that the journey ahead would not be easy. Many battles would be needed to clear the land of its occupants. The task would not be easy. However, they moved forward together.

While the Lord calls us to individual tasks within the body of Christ, He calls the body to advance His kingdom. We let petty differences, distractions and doubts hinder our advance as a body of believers. We are a people empowered by God to advance His kingdom.

Looking In: Do you let petty differences, doubts, and distractions keep you from being a part of the unified body of believers? Are you a part of the problem or a part of the solution?

Looking Out: Is there a lack of unity among the believers around you? What is the issue: lack of faith, personal agendas or the absence of commitment? Are you gently encouraging those who are holding back? Are you helping the men develop a dynamic relationship with the Lord?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)

A disciple seeks unity among believers.

January 30, 2011 A Different Kind of Crossing

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. (Joshua 3:14-17)

When the people crossed the Red Sea there was water on both sides and Pharaoh's pursuing army behind them. The only way to escape death was to move forward. The Lord created a path for that escape.

When the people crossed the Jordan River there was no water in sight. Death was not a factor. The people moved across voluntarily. They were not under duress! We need to learn that God does not do things the same way twice.

The Lord pushed the water back 20 miles upstream at flood stage. He did it when the priests stepped into the river. The Lord opened the way into the Promised Land. He was giving the Israelites a dramatic demonstration of His power in preparation for the battles that lay ahead. He gave them access to the abundant life.

By passing though water safely the Israelites were declared innocent according to ancient pagan traditions of judgment. This was a message to the inhabitants of the land. Moreover, Israel was absolved of the rebellion forty years earlier. They crossed on dry ground.

Looking In: Is this the God you are depending on in your personal battles? Do you believe that He can do the impossible? Do you believe that God wants the best for you? Do you believe that He is committed to advancing His kingdom through you? Are you prepared to see God work in new ways? Are you prepared to see God do great things?

Looking Out: Where are the men around you? Have they crossed the Red Sea? Have they crossed the Jordan? Have you made it a priority to encourage these men in their walk? Are you being intentional in that effort?

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31)

A disciple depends on God.

January 23, 2011 -Step Out in Faith

Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD-the Lord of all the earth-set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap." (Joshua 3:8-13)

Joshua informed the people that God, the Lord over all the earth, would be in their midst. The Lord would clear the way across the Jordan at flood stage. This was going to be a sign that He intended and was able to drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land.

But first, the priests would have to step into the river. They had to step out in faith!

Looking In: Are you facing and "impossible" task? Is that a challenge before you that discourages you from moving forward? Is it a marriage or family situation? Is it a task or relationship at work? Is it a ministry challenge? What is keeping you from stepping out in faith?

Looking Out: We are commanded to make disciples, that is, move men from the bleachers onto to the spiritual playing field. Does the task ahead seem impossible? What are the obstacles in getting started? Are you ready to step out in faith believing that the Lord will give you victory? Are you focusing on a group of men or, perhaps, just one?

... that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5)

A disciple steps out in faith.

January 16, 2011 - Lord of All the Earth

⁸Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" ⁹Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. ¹⁰This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. ¹¹See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. (Joshua 3:8-11)

The Lord of all the earth was a far different concept than that held by the occupants of Canaan. In the cultural context we saw in chapter two with Rahab, the Lord was the God of Israel and the occupants had their own gods. Israel was coming from and preparing to enter a land with people who worshiped their own gods. The Lord commanded," You shall have no other gods before (or, besides) me.".

We live in a culture with many gods. We need to be constantly reminded, constantly aware that the Lord is God of all.

Looking In: What are the things in your life that distract you from the Lord of all the earth? Are they the gods of our culture: money, power, possessions, popularity and position? Do you make it a habit of taking an inventory of the things that you pursue that take the place of the Lord of all the earth? What do you place in front of you as you proceed through each day? Is it the Lord? Or is it what our culture considers important?

Looking Out: Do you make the distractions of our culture a matter of accountability? Do you address cultural distractions when you gather with your men? Are you aware of the things the men around you consider important: money, power, possessions, popularity and position?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

A disciple has no other god than the Lord of all the earth.

January 9, 2011 - Exalted Leadership

And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses... (Joshua 3:7) That day the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses. (Joshua 4:14)

The Israelites were moving on under new leadership. Moses was gone. Joshua was now their leader. The Lord knew that the people needed confirmation that Joshua was to lead them into the Promised Land just as He had selected Moses to lead them. This was not for Joshua's benefit. It was because God would be glorified through Joshua's leadership. The message was to both Joshua (You will lead the people) and to the People (Joshua is your leader).

At the Red Sea, the Lord parted the waters when Moses lifted his staff. However, at the Jordan, the Lord would stop the water when the priests stepped into and stood in the river. Once across the Jordan, the people held Joshua in awe just as they had Moses. (Joshua 4:14) The Lord exalted Joshua in the eyes of the people because he demonstrated knowledge of God's plan and directed its execution. God demonstrated awesome power over nature because of Joshua's obedience.

Looking In: Have you experienced God anointing in leadership? Does that anointing drive you to your knees in complete submission? Are you seeing people respond to your ministry. Is the Lord using you to accomplish His mission? Are you seeing the Holy Spirit at work when you exercise your spiritual gifts?

Looking Out: What evidence do you see in leaders around you that they have been anointed by God? Is God glorified? Is the Lord doing great things through them?

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)

A disciple is exalted by the Lord.

January 2, 2011 -Moving Out in Proper Order

Joshua said to the priests, "Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people." So they took it up and went ahead of them. (Joshua 3:6) ¹²The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, armed, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. (Joshua 4:12)

Joshua instructed the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to lead in crossing the Jordan. The crossing was to start with the presence of the Lord leading the way. The Lord wants to lead the way in our lives.

The armed men of the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manaseh were instructed to follow the Ark. Those who had already been given rest were to go in front of those (the remaining nine and one half tribes) who had yet to be given rest.

We are called to position ourselves between the Lord and those we disciple. We look to the Lord as we lead others to the throne of grace and into the abundant life.

Looking In: Have you established a proper order in your life? Have you placed the Lord in front of your efforts, activities and decisions? Have you been intentional in allowing Him to lead you moment by moment, day by day?

Looking Out: Do your efforts, actions, and decisions testify that God is leading you? Do you share with the men in your sphere of influence how God is leading you? Are you encouraging your men to develop the discipline of putting the Lord first?

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

A disciple follows the Lord and leads others.

December 26, 2010 - Spiritual Prepartion

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." (Joshua 3:5)

Joshua alerted the Israelites that the Lord was going to do great things in their midst. They needed to be consecrated in preparation for what He was about to do. Consecration was needed to prepare the people to see God in action. Consecration is a matter of focus, or centering down. For Israel, it meant cleansing, washing one's clothes and abstaining from sexual relations (Exodus 19:14-1`5). It meant purification. The reason we often do not see God at work is because we are not spiritually prepared. God is always at work. "My Father works unceasingly, and so do I." (John 5:17, NTMS)

Looking In: What is God doing in your life? Are you aware that He is at work? Are you aware that He wants to do great things? Are you prepared spiritually to see what God is doing? What steps do you take to prepare yourself to see what God is doing?

Looking Out: What response do you get when you ask men what God is doing in their lives? What do they share when you ask what the Lord said to them from the Word during the past week? Are you intentional in encouraging your men to listen, watch and see God at work?

...but in your hearts consecrate Christ as Lord, being always ready to make your defence to any one who asks from you a reason for the hope which you cherish. (1 Peter 3:15 NTMS)

A disciple centers on the Lord.

December 19, 2010 - Put the Lord in Front

¹Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. ²After three days the officers went throughout the camp, ³giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. ⁴Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." (Joshua 3: 1-4)

First, the leaders instructed the people to follow the Ark of the Covenant across the river. The ark represented the presence of the Lord and was carried by Levites. It was to show the way. The Lord calls us to go where we have never been before. For some, as in this case, the move is geographical. For others it may be a new ministry in the same place.

Second, The Lord instructed Israel to put the ark in a vulnerable position. Protection for the ark was 1000 yards away. Fast forward to 2 Sam 6:6-7. Uzzah died because he tried to steady the ark. The message is this: God and God alone will protect His presence.

Third, the ark was set apart from the people. It was in clear view of the people as they crossed the river. As long as they could see the presence of the Lord, they knew they were on the right path. The Lord pointed the way.

Looking In: Do you put the Lord in front of everything you do? Do you ever get ahead of the Lord? Are you in the habit of launching before praying? When the Lord asks you to do the impossible, He does not leave you to your own devices. Do you try to help God by using your own solutions in life and ministry, or do we trust the Lord to work through the power of the Holy Spirit? Do you keep Him "in sight?" Is he visible in your plans and actions?

Looking Out: What is your testimony about prayer in your daily life? Do you make praying the first part of an accountability relationship? Do the men around you recognize the need to improve their prayer life?

⁴¹And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, ⁴²saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." ⁴³ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:41-43)

A disciple starts everything with prayer.

December 12, 2010 - Faith Joshua 2:8, 14, 24

V8 I know that the Lord has given this land to you ...

V14 When the Lord gives us the land ..

V24 The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands, ...

V8: The word traveled. The people of Jericho knew that Israel was on the march. They knew what had happened to the people who stood against them. They were fearful. They knew they were next. Rahab chose to align herself with the God of Israel. The people of Jericho refused. Rahab's statement that the Lord had given the land to Israel was certainly an encouragement to the spies.

V14: The spies' response was: "When the Lord gives us the land ..." They knew the Lord was going to give them the land. They we not waiting until they got home and put the matter to a vote by the governance authority. The spies' statement, in the context of the contract with Rahab, was an oath. It was not to be taken lightly.

V24: Unlike the spies of 40 years earlier, the spies reported that the Lord had given the land to them. Their report indicates that Israel had learned the lesson of 40 years in the desert. Did the spies know better than give a pessimistic report to Joshua, who, 40 years earlier, along with Caleb, reported that the Lord would give them the land?

Looking In: What spiritual function has the Lord assigned you?.. How are you responding to the Lord's direction? Do you believe, in spite of significant challenges, barriers and obstacles, that He will bring success? Do you believe that the Lord will give you the Promised Land?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging the men in your sphere of influence to listen and respond to God's call on their lives? Do you remind them that the Lord will give them the victory?

¹²I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

A disciple grasps the Lord's promise.

December 5, 2010 -The Scarlet Cord

¹⁷The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us ¹⁸unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. ¹⁹If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him. ²⁰But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear." ²¹"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (Joshua 2:17-21)

Protective Covering . There is a parallel between the scarlet cord and the blood placed over the doorways in Egypt (Ex 12:22-23). Both were a protective covering. If Rahab hung a scarlet cord from her window the army of Israel (certain and approaching death) would pass over her and her family. By hanging the cord she brought her family under the atoning blood of Christ.

Obedience. Rahab hung the scarlet cord in the window immediately after sending the spies on their way. She did not know when the army was going to attack. In fact, she told the spies to hide for three days. Therefore, it would be more than three days before the army attacked. She may have thought she might forget. Or, like the wise virgins waiting for the bridegroom, she wanted to be prepared. Or, it may have been a sign to the Lord of her commitment and faith in him.

Risk. Rahab had already been questioned about the spies. Now she was hanging a very obvious sign from a window in the wall of the city. There is nothing like calling attention to herself. What was she thinking?

Looking In: Have you placed yourself under the atoning blood of Jesus Christ? Are you hesitant to make a statement for Christ? Are you willing to take a risk for Christ?

Looking Out: Do you know men who hesitate to take a stand for the Lord? Are you encouraging them in their faith?

¹³When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:12)

A disciple is not afraid to make his faith obvious.

November 28, 2010 - Assurance

12Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death." ... 17The men said to her, "This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. ... 21"Agreed," she replied. "Let it be as you say." So she sent them away and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (Joshua 2:12-21)

More than a third of the narrative relating to the spies is devoted to the contract between them and Rahab. Rehab had transferred her faith from the gods of Jericho to the God of Israel. Not being an Israelite, she needed confirmation or assurance that she and her family were under the protection of the God of Israel.
The spies directed Rahab to give testimony to her conviction (the Scarlet cord). She needed to bring her family under the eternal protection of the Lord and keep them there. Finally, she was not to reveal why they had come.

Looking In: Have you received the assurance of your salvation? Do you know for certain that you are saved? Have doubts about your eternal future been eliminated?

Looking Out: Are you encouraging your family to seek salvation from the Lord? Are you leading others to the foot of the cross and then to the assurance of their salvation?

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life. I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life (1 John 5:11-13, NLT).

A disciple directs new believers to assurance in their new faith.

November 21, 2010 - Fear and Hope

Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death."(Joshua 2:8-13)

Word traveled far and fast. Rahab had accurate knowledge of the Lord's triumphs. The Israelites were victorious over Sihon and Og and she and the Canaanites knew they were next. As Rahab indicates, the Canaanites were more afraid of the God of Israel than the rag-tag army of Israel. They were aware that the Lord was behind Israel's victories. Jericho was a great fortification - yet the king and the people were in great fear.

There is a clear contradiction here. The Canaanites, Rehab included, understood that their gods were no match for the God of Israel. Yet the Canaanites were going to hold fast to their belief system in spite of the pending death and destruction. The truth was hidden from the Canaanites. The God of Israel was Lord over all. Rahab knew the truth! She made a great confession of faith. Only Rahab went over to the Lord's side and brought her family with her.

Looking In: As a disciple of the Lord, are you abandoning the belief systems of this age? Have you fully gone over to the Lord's side? Have you placed your full trust in the Lord?

Looking Out: Are the men in your sphere of influence living in hope or defeat? Do they live in fear in these times or do they look forward to the coming Kingdom of Christ? Are you encouraging them in their journey of faith?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

A disciple lives in hope, not fear.

November 14, 2010 - Rahab's Lie

But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them" (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. (Joshua 2:4-7)

Scripture stands so clearly against lying that we miss the fact that, in her lie, Rahab was repudiating her religion and her culture. She placed herself in grave danger by lying. Had the spies been discovered, Rahab would have been considered a traitor. She was harboring the enemy. Her lie illustrates her commitment to the Lord. She aligns herself with the God of Israel. She had made a commitment to the Lord before the arrival of the spies ( v8-12).

She believed that the God of Israel was more powerful than the gods of Jericho. Yet, there may have been doubt, a carryover from the inadequacy of the gods of Jericho. Clearly she doubted that the God of Israel could protect the spies. Therefore, she needed to help God by lying. She had faith, but only to a point.
In spite of her limited faith, Rahab is in the lineage of the Messiah (Matthew 1:5) is in the faith hall of fame (Hebrews 11:31) and was considered righteous (James 2:25).

Looking In: As a disciple of the Lord, what would you do if you were in Rahab's position?

Looking Out: Where are your men in their faith? Do they try to help God out when they get in a tight situation? Are you encouraging them in their faith?

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

A disciple not only believes; he knows that God will.

November 7, 2010 - A second thought on a major theme in Joshua - Obedience: Be Vigilant

Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. (Joshua 23:11) But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Joshua warned the people about apostasy. Israel was supposed to drive out the Canaanites to keep them from falling into pagan practices. Israel was commanded to remove anything that would tempt them into disobedience. Israel was to remain faithful. He made it a family matter. He drew a line in the sand. He exhorted the people and followed that by a personal commitment.

The Lord is very clear. Do not have other no God before Him, make no graven images, do not take the Lord's name in vain, and keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 20:3-8). However, Israel failed to obey these commandments. They fell into worshiping Canaanite gods and took Canaanite wives. As a result the Lord permitted Israel to suffer at the hands of its enemies.

Jesus brought the first four commandments under the new covenant when He said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) The temptations of our pagan culture surround us. The things in our environment are magnets that distract from our devotion and submission to God. God makes it clear: if we are vigilant in staying clear the unholy He will bless us. If we fail, we will fall under the curses of disobedience. We are called to be vigilant. The message is clear: God's blessings come through obedience.

Looking In: What are the distractions in your life? Do you stop periodically and take inventory? Have you cleaned house recently? Are you faithful to the Lord? Do you intentionally, or otherwise, seek comfort and "blessings" from the things of the world?

Looking Out: What are the things in the lives of your men that distract from the love of the Lord? Do you spend time with your men reviewing distractions? Are you praying together against the inroads of our culture?

Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty." (I Corinthians 6:17-18/Leviticus 26:12)

A disciple is vigilant in avoiding things that distract from the Lord.

October 31, 2010 - Here is a thought on one of the major themes in Joshua - Be Connected.

¹After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, (Joshua 1:1)

On thirteen occasions in the Book of Joshua, The Lord spoke to Joshua. On other ocassions Joshua relayed what the Lord said to him. At other times Joshua engaged the Lord. Clearly, Joshua was tuned to God's frequency.

We should not be too quick to credit Joshua with Israel's successes. We miss the point if we believe that Joshua was a great strategist or tactician. Joshua's greatest quality was his personal connection with the Lord. God called him to lead Israel into the Promised Land. He listened for the Lord. He listened to the Lord. Joshua was connected to the Lord.

It is imperative that, as disciples, we be connected to the Lord. The Lord speaks to us in different ways. He speaks through His Word; He personalizes the Word. He plants thoughts and ideas in our mind. He speaks through open or closed doors. He speaks through others.

I recall two people coming to me independently suggestion that I take on a new ministry role. Then my wife encouraged me to retire so that I had time to do that work. I also recall a time when I was in overload. I was reading in the first chapter of Mark where people were waiting to be healed. Yet, Jesus left them to go to another area. That gave me the courage to set aside a job even though there was much that needed to be done.

Looking In: Do you expect God to speak to you? Do you listen to Him during your prayer time? What is He saying to your through His word? What is He saying in your walk with Him?

Looking Out: Do you ask the men in your sphere of influence what God is doing in their lives? Do you asking them what God is saying in His word? Are you encouraging your men to listen for God; to listen to God? Do you create expectations that God speaks personally?

⁹Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9)

A disciple is connected to the Lord.

October 23, 2010 - On travel and unable to access the next Thought for the Week file.

October 17, 2010 - No Secret

The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land." (Joshua 2:2-3)

The spies entered Jericho in secret. Yet the authorities knew who they were and why they were there. The men apparently stood out from the people. The word traveled quickly, even as to where they were. Jericho understood the threat even in the form of reconnaissance.

Looking In: As a disciple of the Lord, do you stand out from the crowd?

Looking Out: Do your men stand out from the crowd or do they try to blend in?

They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13 ESV)

A disciple is not created to fit in, but to stand out. Dan Erickson

October 10, 2010 - Understanding the Challenge - Reconnaissance

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. "Go, look over the land," he said, "especially Jericho." So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. (Joshua 2:1)

The Israelites were camped at Shittim on the plains of Moab. Just as Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, Joshua needed to know what to expect when the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land. In discipling men, we need to gain insight into their belief systems and strongholds. These will be the things disciple and discipler will have to confront in advancing as a soldiers of Christ. This reconnaissance takes place in the course of building relationships with those we are discipling.

Looking In: Do you routinely stop to evaluate your own life? What are the obstacles, barriers, thought, and behavior patterns that are holding you back?

Looking Out: Have you taken the time to get to know the men you are discipling? Do you know the challenges and struggles they are facing?

For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. (2 Corinthians 2:9 ESV)

A disciple seeks to understand those whom he is called to disciple.

October 3, 2010 - Unleashing God's Power - Joshua 1:14b-15a

... You are to help your brothers 15until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. ... (Joshua 1:14b -15a)

The first chapter of Joshua focuses on the qualities of those who are being given rest. These are qualities that are important in spiritual leadership. The Lord and Joshua and the leaders address the state of mind and heart required for the abundant life and its battles. There is no discussion of strategies and tactics. It is a forward look toward the rest that will be given to the remaining nine and one-half tribes who had yet to enter the Promised Land. The next four chapters address what it takes to enter into the abundant life, i.e., enter the Promised Land. They had to:

Catch the vision,

Obey God's instructions,

Mark the miracle, and

Mark their commitment to the Lord.

These chapters are about a spiritual transition; a transition from where Israel was to where God wanted Israel to be. They are about God's powerful response to Israel's faith. They are about Israel's trust and obedience unleashing God's power over nature.

Today God wants to move us from where we are to where He wants us to be.

Looking In: Have you made the transition from where you are in your spiritual journey to where God needs you to be? Have you caught the vision? Are you moving out in obedience and faith? Do you have a testimony about the power of God in your life? What changes has He made?

Looking Out: Do you see the men around you who have not made the transition to where God wants them? Are you encouraging or exhorting your men to take a step of faith into the abundant life? Are you helping them open their lives to the power of God?

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:19-20)

A disciple knows that the Power behind him is always greater than the challenge ahead.

September 26, 2010 - Prolog to Battle: Be a Man of the Book

"... Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:6-8)

In these verses, the Lord exhorts Joshua to obey the Word (Law). At the end, Joshua prepares the leaders of Israel for his departure and repeats these words. (Joshua 23:6) These words are book ends in the Joshua narrative.

The Bible contains many more instructions on leadership. These instructions are intended to encourage, enlighten and guide. God's leaders are men of the Word.

God exhorted Joshua to be a man of the Word. He made it clear that Joshua's success was dependent on obedience to the Law. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Looking In: Are you a man of the Word? How much time have you carved out of your day to connect with the Lord through His Word? What did He say to you from His word today?

Looking Out: Have you shared what God is saying with another man? Are your men, men of the Book? Do they give testimony as to what the Lord is saying to them from His Word? Do you ask them what the Lord is saying to them? Are you setting the expectation that the Lord speaks to them personally from His Word?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Jesus answered, "It is written ..." (Matthew 4:4)

Those to whom God is giving rest must be men of the Book.

September 19, 2010 Prolog to the Battle:Be Strong and Courageous (Once Again)

Only be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:18)

This is the fourth time in 18 verses that the words "be strong and courageous" are spoken. The first three are exhortations from the Lord. In spite of the challenges that lay ahead, the Lord states that He is the one giving the Land to Israel (v2) and "the Lord your God is with you ..." (v9).

Then the men of the eastern tribes told Joshua that they would obey him, follow him willingly, and guard against those who would undermine his authority. They concluded their response with a benediction: "only be strong and courageous."

There are three types of strength: physical, mental and spiritual. Peter speaks of strength in terms of perseverance or steadfastness. (2 Peter 1:6) Our natural response to difficult situations is: "I can't do it!" or, "That's impossible!" True, we cannot. We need to rely on the Lord.

God wants us to do the impossible. It is tough to change our attitudes and behavior. It is tough to encourage men to move from where they are to where the Lord wants them. It is a matter of transferring control to the Holy Spirit. The courage we need comes from the Lord. It is not something we generate ourselves.
Joshua was going to lead Israel on a difficult journey. These men did not know exactly where they were going or how they would get there. They understood the broad objective, not the details. Yet, they made a commitment to follow Joshua. In essence, they were saying: "we are with you. Therefore, be strong and courageous!"

As a leader, it is always good to know that there are those behind us who are partners in ministry and offer encouragement.

Looking In: Do you know the objective the Lord has given you? Are you willing to follow even though you do not know the details? Are you moving forward on you own strength? Or, are you depending on the Lord to make a way? Are you aware of the Lord working through you? Are you free to be strong and courageous?

Looking Out: Do you stop to encourage your leaders? Does your leader know that you are there for him? Are you demonstrating willingness in actions as well as words? Do you understand how tough they have it? Do you stand by them? Are you following their lead willingly? Or, do you hold back? If so, why? Do your words and actions say, "be strong and courageous"?

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Those whom God is giving rest are to be strong and courageous.

September 12, 2010 Prolog to the Battle: Chain of Command

... the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, (Joshua 1:1) ... So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: ... (Joshua 1:10) ... But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, ... (Joshua 1:12)

When going into battle, there is a natural, scriptural order. When there is a breakdown in that order, disaster follows. Joshua chapter one begins with the Lord giving Joshua instructions. He, in turn, directs the officers and then the men of the eastern tribes.

Every man stands somewhere in this order. One is called to cast God's vision to those who will lead the advance. Others are called to be on the front line of the battle. Still others are called to support the advance. We have a God-given role to play, a calling.

We are called to lead. We are called to lead under the direction of Jesus Christ. We are to lead in our homes. We are to be spiritual leaders to those less mature in the faith.

At the same time we are subordinates to the Lord and the spiritual leader(s) He has placed over us.

Looking In: Is the Lord your commander-in-chief? Are you being mentored? Who is mentoring you?

Looking Out: Are you giving leadership to the man or men the Lord has placed in your charge? Are you preparing another man or men to lead others?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy my true son in the faith: ... (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

Those to whom God is giving rest need to understand the chain of command.

September 5, 2010 - Be On Guard

Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. (Joshua 1:18)

There will always be those who revolt when the going gets tough. The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh were experienced enough to know that rebellion was serious and had to be eliminated or it would undermine the effectiveness of the army. Rebels must be eliminated.

Scripture warns us to be on guard. Watchmen feature prominently in the Word. Watchmen were posted on the hills overlooking the battlefield. They were posted on the walls of the city to alert the people when an attack was eminent. Watchmen were posted in vineyards when the fruit was ripe and ready to be harvested. They guarded against those who came at night to steal the fruit.

Have you seen churches disintegrate or split because men rise up against their pastor or the leadership team or fail to stand firm when leaders are under attack? The Devil is the divider. God unities. As leaders we need to have discernment. We need to not only know when a man or men are rebelling against the leadership or direction of the church, we need to take action to remove those who are poisoning the atmosphere or are barriers to progress.

• Looking In: Do you spend time in the Word? Do you measure your own attitudes and behavior against scripture? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to keep you in check?

• Looking Out: Do you have the courage to act, to follow through when you are aware of divisive attitudes and behavior? Are you willing to stand up and commit to your leaders that you will not accept those who undermine and oppose the way the Lord is leading the body? Are you a watchman?

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! (Acts 20:30-31)

Those to whom God is giving rest must guard the truth.

August 29, 2010 - Chain of Command

We are called to lead. We are called to lead under the direction of Jesus Christ. We are to lead in our homes. We are to be spiritual leaders to those less mature in the faith.

At the same time we are subordinates to the Lord and the spiritual leader(s) He has placed over us.

Looking In: Is the Lord your commander-in-chief? Are you being mentored? Who is mentoring you?

Looking Out: Are you giving leadership to the man or men the Lord has placed in your charge? Are you preparing another man or men to lead others?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy my true son in the faith: ... (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

Those to whom God is giving rest need to understand the chain of command.

August 22, 2010 - Be On Guard

Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. (Joshua 1:18)

Looking In: Do you spend time in the Word? Do you measure your own attitudes and behavior against scripture? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to keep you in check?

Looking Out: Do you have the courage to act, to follow through when you are aware of divisive attitudes and behavior? Are you willing to stand up and commit to your leaders that you will not accept those who undermine and oppose the way the Lord is leading the body? Are you a watchman?

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! (Acts 20:30-31)

Those to whom God is giving rest must guard the truth.

August 15, 2010 - Be an Encourager

" ... Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, ... Only be strong and courageous!" (Joshua 1:17-18)

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh gave Joshua encouragement.
The men of the eastern tribes encouraged Joshua with a commitment to obey. They capped their response by reminding Joshua that he was operating under God's agenda, authority, direction and presence.

Those to whom God is giving rest he expects to be encouragers of those who have yet to receive rest. There are two forms of encouragement: words and action. Action involves working with and walking along side a brother.

In ministering to men, we face obstacles, barriers and challenges. We face the forces of darkness. Satan will actively interfere with spiritual growth. Men need to be encouraged in their walk. As leaders of men, we need to say "Be strong and courageous." We need to convey the message in both words and actions. Be transparent. Let men know that you have faced or are facing challenges. Men are encouraged when they know that others have been there or are facing challenges in their own lives.

Looking Out: Are you an encourager? Who around you needs a word of encouragement? What about your pastor or other leaders in the church? They can always use a word of encouragement. Are you using the fact that you do not have the gift of encouragement as an excuse? Have you chosen to be an encourager?

13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. ... 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 3:13; 10:23-25)

Those to whom God is giving rest He calls to be encouragers.

August 8, 2010 - Be Obedient

Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. (Joshua 1:17)

Not only were the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh willing to follow orders, they made a commitment to follow Joshua. Moses was gone. Therefore, they would follow Joshua. Obedience is a significant theme in scripture. The word "obey" appears nearly 150 times in the Bible. Obedience is the key to freedom and success. Disobedience brings captivity and defeat.

The eastern tribes must have thought it through. They would go to the battlefield once again. They had spent 40 years in the wilderness following Moses. They fought against Ammon and Bashan and subdued the land east of the Jordan. (Numbers 32) Now the time had come to conquer the land west of the Jordan under Joshua's leadership.

When we made Jesus the Lord of our lives, He asked us to set aside things that are important to us in favor of things that are important to Him. It is one thing to be willing and something else to be obedient. Obedience is putting your body and soul where your mouth and mind are. Willingness is a mental state. Obedience is a state of action.

Looking In: Have you made a personal commitment to follow your spiritual leader? Are you responding to his leadership? Is there a disconnect between willingness and obedience in your life?

Looking Out: Are you modeling obedience in your sphere of influence? Do your men understand what it means to be obedient? Are you encouraging one another to be obedient?

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (2 Corinthians 9:13)

Those to whom God is giving rest are to be obedient.

August 1, 2010 - Be Willing

Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go." (Joshua 1:16)

The Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh gave Joshua a positive response. They said, "We will!"

They were willing to be a part of the conquest of the land promised to the other tribes. They were willing to set aside their own plans and goals for the good of all Israel, for the good of those who had yet to be given rest. They were willing to set aside safety and security for battle. In spite of the challenges that lay ahead, they were willing to step out of their comfort zone. They said, "yes!" to the battle.

Ministry to men is a tug of war between doing what is easy and doing what is needed. We often set priorities on the basis of risk rather than value. We avoid those things we do not feel equipped or capable of handling. Ministry to men involves building connections with men - frequently outside of our comfort zone. It involves encouraging men to become disciples - the excuses are many ("I don't have time," or "My schedule is full."). We need to encourage men to serve, minister and support the body - leading them to hear God's call.

Looking In: Do you understand the task to which God is calling you? Are you holding back because you do not understand how your skills, gifts, and talents fit into that calling? Have you submitted to His will? Are you willing to engage in the battle? The Lord wants to do great things and He is providing you the Holy Spirit to achieve them.

Looking Out: Are you encouraging your men to listen to God's call on their lives? Are you urging them to move out of their comfort zone into the battle?

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (2 Corinthians 8:11-12.

Those to whom God is giving rest need to be willing.

July 25, 2010 -Be Persistent.

" ... until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise." (Joshua 1:15)

Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh that they needed to stay until the job is done.

The job is tough. It is challenging. There will always be a temptation to give up - to move on to something easier. Joshua urges the eastern tribes to keep at it until the land has been conquered.

Never give up. Keep on keeping on. The task of encouraging men to move from where they are to where the Lord wants them is difficult, particularly when our men resist moving out of their comfort zones. Men's ministry is like herding cats. It is draining, exhausting and discouraging. The battle for the souls of men is spiritual warfare. The enemy throws up barriers, distractions, diversions and setbacks to keep men from realizing their potential and God's plan for them.

The Lord indicates that there may be times when we need to "shake the dust from our shoes" and move on. (Matthew 10:14) When do we do that? When we get frustrated? When we just cannot stand it anymore? What if we are approaching the tipping point? Only the Lord can tell us when it is time to change our focus and redirect our energy. The battle is the Lord's. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:9) If we grow weary we have made it our battle, used our energy, and applied our wisdom and will. We have not relied on the Lord. The Lord directs us to keep at it until the land has been subdued. Retirement is not an option. The good news is that the Lord will sustain us.

Looking In: In your spiritual journey, Where is the Lord asking you to focus? What attitudes and behavior in your life do not glorify the Lord? Where is He asking you to clean up your act? Have you submitted these attitudes and behaviors to the Lord? Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit?

Looking Out: Are you discouraged and frustrated in your ministry? Are you at your wits end? Do you want to give up? Are you thinking about retiring? Are you growing weary in doing good? Are you ministering from your own wisdom and strength? Are you empowered by the Holy Spirit?

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. (Romans 2:7)

Those to whom God is giving rest He commands to be persistent.

July 18, 2010 - Be Team Players

... but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers (Joshua 1:14)

Joshua directed the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh to join and work with the other tribes of Israel, encouraging them in subduing the Promised Land. Joshua directed the fighting men to help the Israelites conquer the Promised Land.

Everyone together: those with the inheritance and those yet to receive it. They were to share the burden. Those to whom God is giving rest he expects to wage war alongside those yet to receive rest. The conquest must be undertaken by all Israel. The command was to "help your brothers."

It takes a team. We are not all wired the same way. We are called to different roles and the Holy Spirit gifts us for those roles. "Different strokes for different folks." In the course of ministering to men, we are called to connect, encourage and exhort. It is not necessary that all these functions be performed by the same man. We are to live the call together. We must grow in the Lord together. For some reason, many men think they can fight the battles of life alone. Men do not ask for directions, right? The role of those who are being given rest is to help their brothers who have yet to receive rest. The battles of life are never intended to be fought in isolation. We need each other. Ministering to men requires teamwork: teamwork in leadership, teamwork in outreach and evangelism, and teamwork in disciplemaking.

Looking In: What is your role? What is your calling? Are you a coach, a quarterback, a defensive end, a wide receiver, or .... What is your grace gift? (Romans 12:6-8) What are your body gifts? (1 Corinthians 12:28-31)

Looking Out: Who is on your team? What are their spiritual gifts? What are the misunderstandings that arise from the application of grace gifts? Are you aware of the enemy's attacks on your men? Are you teaming against those attacks in prayer, encouragement, and perhaps even exhortation?

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16)

Those to whom God is giving rest He commands to be a part of the team.

July 11, 2010 - Be Guides

Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers. (Joshua 1:14)

Joshua instructed the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh to lead Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land.

In crossing the Jordan, the army would be engaging the enemy. Since these tribes knew what it meant to be receiving rest, Joshua placed them on point, the most vulnerable position. They were to take the risk of being in front.

As leaders of men we are called to be on point. We need to lead the platoon, the company, or the battalion. We are to show the way. As a result we are visible and risk taking fire. By being in front, leaders of men protect those who follow and may not be mature enough to understand attacks and how to respond to them. Moreover, those in front frequently draw fire from opponents. We need to be intentional in our efforts to bring men before the throne of grace and encourage them to be stalwart soldiers. We must mentor our men and model behavior that invites others to join the adventure.

You are entering unknown territory. (Joshua 3:4) Guiding is not a matter of knowing where you are going but knowing that God is leading the way and will be giving rest to those who follow.

Looking In: Who is leading you? Who is mentoring and encouraging you?

Looking Out: Who are you leading into rest? Who in your sphere of influence has yet to enter the Promised Land? Leading a men's ministry is about individuals, not an organization.

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Those to whom God is giving rest He commands to lead.

July 4, 2010 - Be at Rest in the Lord

But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: ‘The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them." (Joshua 1:12-15)

Twice during this dialog Joshua uses the word rest. He describes the state of the eastern tribes as being given rest because they possessed their allotted land. Then he describes the future state of those who were yet to enter the Promised Land. Joshua tells them to stay with their brothers until they were given rest.

Rest is a common theme in the Bible. It is defined as a state of inner peace or security. The Hebrew word for rest is noah. It means the guaranteed continuance of hope and the assurance of being with the Lord in eternity. Noah is an instrument of deliverance; a place or position in which to settle down, a home. It means rest and salvation. Rest is knowing the presence of the Lord. It is, however, the Lord who gives rest. It is not something we achieve on our own (Joshua 1:15). Note that the giving of rest is a continuing process, not a one-time event. The fear of the Lord brings life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23)

The eastern tribes were being given rest. Therefore, the dialog between Joshua and these men provides insight into the qualities of those who lead their brothers into rest or the Promised Land.

Looking In: Is the Lord giving you rest? Have you entered the Promised Land and dealt with the "occupants." With the Lord's help, are you driving them out?

Looking Out: Do you know men who are not being given rest? What are their names? Are you leading them into their Promised Land?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)

God is giving rest to those who enter the Promised Land.

June 27, 2010 - Be Accountable

Joshua reminded the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh of the commitment they made to Moses when he gave them the lands east of the Jordan River. The Lord expects those faithful to him to follow through on their commitment. Follow through means obedience. Obedience means submission. We need to be reminded that submission is a moment by moment mindset. With God-given rest comes responsibility. Jesus reminded Peter that he was accountable to feed His sheep. (John 21:15-17) Joshua held the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh accountable to their promise. He reminded them.

Disciplemaking is the process of moving men from turmoil to peace and from peace to contentment (rest). First, the peace that comes through salvation and then the contentment that comes with making Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives. Those who are being given rest must assist men who have yet to receive rest. Men tend to live compartmented lives. We need to lead men to spiritual maturity. The Lord is saying, "When you make me Lord of your life, I will give you rest." And with rest comes accountability. That accountability involves modeling personal growth and leading others to rest. We are accountable to the Lord - and to the men we serve.

Looking In: What is God calling you to do? Are you in an accountability relationship? As a matter of spiritual discipline, do you review accountability questions regularly? Is your walk with God such that He alerts you to sin? "The closer to Christ we are, the more aware we are of our sin." (Ted Roberts)

Looking Out: Are you encouraging your men to be in an accountability relationship?

Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. (1 Corinthians 7:24)

Those to whom God is giving rest He holds accountable

June 20, 2010 -Be Ready

So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: "Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.'"(Joshua 1:10-11)

Then he turned his attention to the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. They were to lead Israel into the Promised Land. He selected those who were to lead. One of the great themes of scripture is "be ready." (For example: Exodus 12:11,Jeremiah 1:17, Matthew 25:10, Titus 3:1.) In this case, there is a deadline - three days. In other cases there is uncertainty over when the anticipated event will occur. Because of uncertainty, the issue is about getting ready. Being ready is a process. Our world is changing. Our culture is changing. Our environment is changing. Being ready yesterday does not necessarily mean that we are ready today. The manna was only good for one day. The Lord leads us one day at a time.

Getting supplies ready for spiritual battle involves knowing the Word, understanding the Word, and being able to apply the Word. To be ready for spiritual battle one must spend time in prayer. It means actively listening to God. Getting ready for spiritual battle must be intentional just as it was for Israel.

Looking In: Are you ready for the task the Lord has given you? Have you made preparations for what the Lord is going to do? Are your lamps filled? (Matt 25:10)

Looking Out: Are you helping others prepare for what lies ahead?

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:44)

Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible. Bill Gothard

June 13, 2010 - Be Proactive

Joshua, through his officers, instructed the people to get ready. Joshua had the blessing of the Lord. He moved forward with confidence. He did not have a clue about how Israel would cross into the Promised Land or how they would subdue the occupants.

So it is with us. The Lord gives us a task. He expects us to move out smartly; to be proactive in pursuit of that task. We should not hesitate because of uncertainty over the details in execution. Often the Lord does not reveal the how until we act on the task.The priests had to step into the water before the Lord stopped the flow of the Jordan River.

Looking In: What is the ministry the Lord has given you? Are you proactive in overcoming the challenges in your life? Do you believe that the Lord will give you victory in that ministry - even though you are uncertain on how to proceed? Do you understand, at the action level, that He will be with you? What are you waiting for?

Looking Out: Are you aware of issues in your men's lives that hold them back? Are you encouraging them in decision making and action?

Therefore, go ... (Matt 28:19) and, But you will receive power ... (Acts 1:8)

Are you looking for a blessing or an opportunity to bless.

June 6, 2010 - Be Obedient

Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (v7-8)

The Lord's command is to be obedient. He defines it as the key to successfully entering the Promised Land. God's instructions focus on the heart (spiritual preparation) and not on swords and shields. So it is in leading men. Obedience is more important than strategies and tactics. Disobedience undermines our ministry to those who follow us.

Consider the impact of Achan's disobedience. Thirty-six men were killed and the army was routed (Joshua 7:1-5). The Lord connects obedience with success when he reminds Joshua that: "... the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (v9) The history of Israel is one of moving between obedience and disobedience and, therefore, victory and defeat. Obedience invites conflict, creates barriers and limits the application of God's power.

Looking In: Are you aware of the connection between the task that the Lord has given you and your obedience? Are you encountering an issue with obedience? Is it behavior? Is it thoughts and attitudes? What are you doing about it? Are you depending on the Lord in restoring obedience? The command is "go!" The promise is "I will be with you."

Looking Out: Are you aware of someone who is having problems with obedience? Are you building a relationship with him? Are you building trust with him and encouraging him to be obedient? Are you in a position in this relationship so that you can hold him accountable?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:19-20)

Only the believer is obedient - Only the obedient believe. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

May 30, 2010 - Be Strong and Courageous

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7).

The Lord's first command is to be strong and courageous. This phrase is repeated three more times in this chapter (v8, 9 and 18). Some speculate that Joshua needed this encouragement because he was now the leader of Israel. He was filling Moses' shoes. On the other hand, the Lord knew the challenges that lay ahead: challenges that Joshua and the Israelites would face. It takes strength and courage to go into battle as the underdog, when the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of the enemy. No matter how mature we may be in our walk with the Lord, the next task He gives us will be God sized. That is why the Lord is always at our side. He will take us through the battle. In sports psychology the focus is on one's mental state with emphasis, on self-confidence. In matters of the spirit, the focus is on confidence in the Lord. We are to be strong and courageous in the Lord. We will be victorious because we are in Him.

Looking In: What are you afraid of? What internal spiritual battles do you face? What new ministry task has the Lord given you? Are these challenges beyond your capability? Are you approaching these challenges in Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit? Are you able to stand with the psalmist when he said: "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 27:7). Do you know, at the experience level, that the Lord would not have asked you if it was not something He wanted done and will empower you to do?

Looking Out: Are you aware of men who need to be reminded that the Lord is on their side? Do you need to come along side of them and encourage them to be strong and courageous?

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

You can tell how big a man is by what it takes to discourage him.

May 23, 2010 - Be a Man of Faith

No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)

The Lord's Second Promise: After casting the vision for the Israelites, God promised that He would be there for them. Do we fully understand that the Lord will be with us or do we feel we should fight the battle alone? The Lord says: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) If that is not enough, Jesus told his disciples, "... I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt hew 28:20b) Bottom line: You shall overcome! (Romans 8:37) It is said that the task ahead of us is never greater than the power behind us. Why does God have to keep reminding us that He will not leave or go away from us? "I will never leave you nor forsake you (reject or turn away)". (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8), and again: "Am I not the God who is close by?" (Jeremiah 23:23)

Looking In: What obstacle do you face in your personal spiritual journey? Do you believe that the Lord is with you? Do you have faith to overcome?

Looking Out: What obstacle do you face in ministering to men? Do you believe that the Lord is with you? Do you have faith that you will overcome?

Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21)

Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will. Ben Stein

May 16, 2010

Be a Man of Vision

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:3-5)

The Lord's First Promise: The Lord laid out a grand vision for Israel. From a geographical perspective, it must have been beyond their comprehension. They were to seize a vast territory from those who occupied it.

We have received the peace of salvation and enjoy contentment and understanding in pursuing God's call on our lives. We need to grasp the vision of reaching every man in our sphere of influence. We need to understand that the task ahead is beyond our abilities. It is God-sized. Ministering to men is tough. The battle involves snatching men from the grasp of Satan. We need to be overwhelmed. We need to have a clear picture of where the Lord is leading us and the scope of the battle ahead.

Looking In: What challenging vision has the Lord given you? What are the battles you face? What/Who are the enemies you face? Do you understand the scope of the battle?

Looking Out: What battles are the men around you facing? Do they know the enemies they face? Are you giving them a vision of what it means to enter the Promised Land?

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

Where there is no expectation, there is no faith. A.W. Tozer

May 9, 2010 - Be Ready

"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites.( Joshua 1:2)

This is a change of command. Moses was gone. The Lord placed the mantel of leadership upon Joshua. He commanded Joshua to get the people ready to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Israel is under new leadership and the new leader was given a mission.

We encounter changes in leadership in our lives. With new leadership comes new vision and energy. In this case continuing the task the Lord gave Moses. Within the church, the leadership may change but the task remains the same: advance Christ's kingdom.

Looking In: Has the Lord placed you under new leadership? Are you ready to move out under that leadership? Are you hesitating or drawing back at new direction? Are you being called out of your comfort zone?

Looking Out: Has the Lord given you a ministry, a ministry to an individual or to a group? Have you accepted that responsibility? Are you aware that success will come from the Lord?

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

It ought to be the business of everyday to prepare for our last day. Matthew Henry.

May 2, 2010

Joshua One: Be Strong and Courageous: Be Connected

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: ... (Joshua 1:1).

The old citizen's band (CB) radio jargon was, "Do you have your ears on." The above verse tells us that Joshua had his "ears on." He was connected to the Lord. He was open to what the Lord was saying. Joshua had the kind of a relationship with the Lord that enabled him to hear God when He spoke. It was not a matter of having to go find God. He was there. Jehovah Shammah - Jehovah is there. At other times in the Book of Joshua, Joshua sought the Lord (Joshua 5:13-16); but in this case, the Lord spoke and Joshua heard.

Remember God spoke to Samuel as a child. Samuel did not have the connection that Joshua had and he needed clarification as to who was calling him.

God speaks to us every second of every day. Becoming a disciple means, like Samuel, learning to hear God's voice. This is a continuing process because we live in a very noisy world. Discerning what is from the Lord and what is not is a challenge. Joshua knew the voice of the Lord.

Looking In: Do you have such a relationship with the Lord that you know that He is present? Do you hear Him when He speaks to you? Do you seek Him on a daily basis for guidance, encouragement, affirmation and accountability? Is your channel to the Lord always open? If not, what is interfering? What can you do to restore or improve communications?

Looking Out: Do you know men who are not connected to God or men who are wandering in the wilderness? Are you connecting and building relationships with them? Are you praying for them consistently? Are you encouraging them in their walk?

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

The mark of a warrior for the Lord: calluses on the knees!

April 25, 2010

Background to the Book of Joshua: The Rebellion

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." (Numbers 14:1-4)

In the journey to the Promised Land, The Israelites took a detour, a detour between salvation and sanctification. The Lord, by a powerful display of his authority over nature and man, delivered Israel from Pharaoh and Egypt. In spite of that display of power and their dependence upon God over the preceding two years, they saw the way ahead leading to death and captivity. The children of Israel did not believe that God would or could overcome the obstacles reported by the ten spies. They saw the challenge through human eyes. The risk was too great. The challenges were monumental. "We cannot do it!" This was a failure of faith. Consequently, they wandered in the desert for the next forty years; it was forty years of anguish and frustration. The people were without rest. The Promised Land was just that, a promise, not a reality. Once the faithless generation had passed away, God was ready to try again. Only when disbelief was dead could Israel subdue the Promised Land.

Ministry to men involves leading them to the throne of grace and encouraging them, and in all cases, exhorting them to establish a dynamic connection with the Lord. It means moving them to salvation and then onto sanctification.

Looking In: Are you restless in your spiritual journey? Are you still searching? Have you made the transition from salvation to the abundant life or are you still wandering in the desert?

Looking Out: Do you know believers who do not experience the abundant life: men who are restless in their spiritual journey? Is your ministry designed to take men from the desert to the Promised Land? Have you established relationships where you can lead men from the desert into the Promised Land.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest, ... (Hebrews 4:1-3)

April 18, 2010

Background to the Book of Joshua: The Preparation

The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. (Numbers 1:1)

The Lord guided Israel out of Egypt with the cloud by day and fire by night. He delivered them from Egypt (the world). Then the Lord began to affirm their identity as a people set apart. He gave them the Law and established the Levites as priests. He had them construct the Tabernacle and He established His presence in their midst. He provided them food, water and direction. They were dependent on Him for provisions and guidance. (Exodus 16 through Numbers 13)

As with Israel, new believers need to know that they are set apart. They need to understand that the Christian life is one of dependence on the Lord and that the Lord wants to be the center of their lives. New believers need to be discipled. They need to be led to know the value of and how to use the Word, who God is, the problem of sin, Jesus' role as savior, the meaning of salvation, the new life in Christ, the role of the church, and their mission as a disciple.

Looking In: Do you understand what it means to be a believer? Do you know how to lead someone through the Word and help them understand what it means to be a Christian?

Looking Out: Are you engaged in pursuing the Great Commission? Are you engaged in making disciples?

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:45-49)

We are not created to fit in. We are created to stand out. Dan Erickson

April 11, 2010

Background to the Book of Joshua: The Rescue. But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. (Exodus 14:29-30)

The Lord led the children of Israel out of captivity and across the Red Sea. He protected them from Pharaoh's pursuing army and delivered them from certain death. He saved them.

It was God's intention that the Israelites then proceed from the Red Sea into the Promised Land. If the Red Sea represents salvation, then entering the Promised Land represents sanctification.

Conquering the Promised Land was a discipling process. It involved obedience, persistence, boldness, and, most importantly, dependence on God. For us, it involves experiencing the power of God in overcoming obstacles to spiritual growth, being equipped for ministry, and living an empowered life.

Many men in our society are "dead men walking." We must build relationships with those men and lead them to Christ and to the abundant life. As men who enjoy a life of hope and peace, we are called to make disciples.

Looking In: Have you crossed the Red Sea in your spiritual journey? Have you prepared a testimony about that crossing? Do you emphasize the before and after differences?

Looking Out: Do you know men who have not crossed the Red Sea? Do you pray for them? Are you building relationships with them?

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:3-6)

One of the ways Christ calls on us to suffer is to carry in our souls the pain of a dying world. Peter Nanfelt

Resurrection Sunday, 2010

Gentlemen: Having begun these "Thoughts for the Week" at the end of my study of Joshua, you might enjoy following along as I clean up my notes from the beginning. For the next four weeks, we will look at the background for the Book of Joshua.

Introduction: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).

The first chapter of Joshua consists of four conversations:

1.   The Lord directing Joshua
2.   Joshua directing his officers
3.   Joshua directing the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh
4.   The Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh responding to Joshua

These dialogs provide twenty practical guidelines for leading men. These same qualities are threaded throughout scripture. We see them in the lives of the patriarchs, prophets, kings, apostles, and other leaders. We also see the consequences when they are ignored. As such, the Lord considers them to be very important to advancing His kingdom through men.

We need to build these qualities into our thoughts and actions. However, if we attempt this without the Holy Spirit, the result will be shallow, fragile and mechanical. When the Holy Spirit forms these qualities in us, they are deep, durable and flow naturally.

Looking In: To what degree have you submitted to the Lord? What is more important, doing work for the Lord or drawing closer to the Lord?

Looking Out: Are you leading men to a deeper relationship with Christ?
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:6-8)

Seek God, not the experience.

March 28, 2010

The End of an Era. And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, (Joshua 24:33). Joshua was dead. Joseph's bones were buried. With Eleazar's death, an age in Israel's history came to an end. The leadership of Israel was dead and buried. It was time to move on. However, in the period that followed there was no strong spiritual leadership nor consistent, committed Godly leadership. Israel failed to keep the covenant with the Lord.

When we experience the loss of a spiritual leader in our lives, it is essential to seek a new one. When we lose an accountability partner or partners, we need to establish new ones. True, the Lord is the ultimate spiritual leader. However, scripture is replete with examples of human spiritual leaders (priests, elders, disciples). The history of Israel shows the consequences when there is no strong spiritual leadership or consistent, committed Godly leaders.

Looking In: Who is your spiritual leader? Is he a man of strong Christian character? Does he exhibit the qualifications of an elder? Is he a man of vision? Is he a disciplemaker? Are you in an accountability relationship?

Looking Out: Are you a spiritual leader to those around you? Are you leading men to the throne of grace and encouraging their walk with the Lord? Are you intentional in these connections?

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:12-14)

March 21. 2010

Rest (Joshua 24:32) As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem,

Joseph's remains were buried on land bought by his father, Jacob. This is about the legacy of the patriarchs. There can be no rest for those outside of the Promised Land. Joseph's bones had been kept for more than 400 years. Now that Israel occupied the Promised Land, Joseph's remains could join those of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Israelites had kept his remains until the time they would return to the land of the patriarchs. Israel was now a nation. It enjoyed a blessed relationship with God. It had its own land. Years of slavery and wandering were over. The Lord had given the people rest. Joseph could be buried.
Looking In: Is your wandering over? Have you received spiritual renewal and restoration? Have you returned to the "land" the Lord has given you? Is the Lord giving you rest?

Looking Out: Who do you know that has yet to receive, not only eternal life, but also the abundant life? Are you helping them to make that journey?

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-29)

March 14, 2010

Generation of Service (Joshua 24:31) 31Israel served the Lord ...

This is a transition verse bridging the spiritual divide between the obedience of Israel in Joshua and the disobedience of Israel related in the Book of Judges. On the surface, it is encouraging. Yet it strongly implies that once those who "had known the work of the Lord" had passed from the scene Israel did not serve the Lord. Does that mean that the Lord stopped working for Israel? More likely, it was Israel's failure to subdue the entire land and, therefore, did not provide an avenue for the Lord to work. This verse is about leaving a legacy.

Looking In: God is always at work. What is He doing in your life? Are you taking notes? Are you giving testimony to what the Lord is doing?

Looking Out: Is your legacy going to be one of proclaiming the works of the Lord? What are you leaving for the next generation?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

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)

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