Joshua Revisited

Joshua Revisited

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Definition of Courage: the quality of mind or spirit enabling us to meet danger, opposition or the challenges of life--whatever they are--with fearlessness, calmness and firmness. It comes from facing and overcoming fear.

Enter in Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land of Canaan.

Studying the book of Joshua last Spring was--and continues to be--such a deep, inner-personal, and amazing process for me.

Reflecting on our journey to enter into the land where promises are made and fulfilled, we first learned that in entering the presence of the Lord, we must be still.
Circumcision of the heart begins.
Passover takes place.
A covenant which is made cannot be broken.
The lost were found and Gentiles entered in. 
Spiritual leaders led worship in order--in tune with the beat of the Lord--announcing his coming.
Battles belonging to the Lord were won by Faith.
We witnessed the truth that you cannot hide from the Lord.
Walls came tumbling down.
We learned disobedience has consequences, but obedience brings blessings.

We saw Joshua, as leader of the Israelites, ask God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so he and his army might continue fighting by daylight. God further assisted Joshua by calling up a powerful storm to bombard the Canaanites with rain and hailstones.

And, in Joshua 13:6, it is recorded God told Joshua to... 

"be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you."

Thus, the land was allotted. The Israelites were planted. Cities of refuge were in place. A great nation was established.

We ended up with "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." Joshua and Caleb were first to go in and spy out the land, and the last to receive their allotment.

Finally, we met back at the place of fellowship--lovely Shechem--where our friends gathered amongst family, even faithfully remembering a brother's request. Joseph's bones were brought with them from Egypt--carried throughout the wilderness wanderings--to be buried in the land of promise. Fulfilled and not forgotten. All of Israel, including Joseph, called to reside in the promises of God.

Yes, the Call is the same call to you...to me...to us. The call is the call to the first commandment...and the tenth commandment.

He is the beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega.

What he starts he finishes. He is the Author and the Perfecter of our souls.

The first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3)
And the tenth commandment: You shall not covet. (Exodus 20:17)

The first and the tenth commandment remind me of bookends. Like Joshua and Caleb, they just go together.

You see, Joshua said:

"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:14-15

Love Jehovah God and do not covet their gods...

You see, Sisters, if we truly love God with every ounce of strength and courage we have, we will want for nothing. Everything We Need Or Could Ever Want Is Fulfilled In Our God. We will have Peace And Contentment. We have no need to covet. We have the richest of richest inheritance in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! Our eyes will be looking up--not wandering.

We will want to obey and worship Him.
We will want to serve and go to work for Him.
We will want to get out of our comfort zones and go share the Good News of Salvation.
We will want to stake our claims to His Truths, His Promises and His Faithfulness.
And every one of his promises is Yes and Amen.

As Jesus revealed himself to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14: He is our Amen! He is our Truthful, Faithful God Who Is Praise Worthy. We will want to answer his call. 

So, the journey continues. We began in Canaan. Next on our journey, we are getting ready to receive Jesus The Christ. And the final leg of our promise fulfillment, we will be making our way to the Cross at Calvary.

Today, hundreds upon hundreds of years later, the very same question is being asked of us--right now and right here--Whom will you serve this day?

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

"Jesus said unto him, 'Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Mathew 22:37-40

For God so Loved the world he gave his only son Jesus and He is coming back for us.

Are you doing everything God is commanding you to do?
Are you occupying until his return...furthering his kingdom?
Are you ready?
Do you have oil in your lamp?

Look up, Sisters. Our redemption is drawing near.

And...always remember what our lord, our faithful promise keeper, has commanded to us and promised:

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

As Joshua followed Moses he learned to be a great leader. He knew the extreme importance of seeking the Lord first and then obeying his commands.

Amen And Amen!

by Peggy Carson

Meek Vs. Weak

Meek Vs. Weak

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

People sometimes confuse this verse thinking it says: "Blessed are the weak." There is a difference.

Weak - lacking physical strength and energy.  (synonyms) frail, feeble, delicate, fragile.
Meek - quiet, gentle, submissive. (synonyms) humble, yielding, unassuming.

My daughter Brianna is meek, she is gentle, humble and unassuming. She is by no means weak--she has a strong will and mind. However she is submissive to my husband and me, not because we demand it of her, but because she knows and trusts us.

Jesus Christ is our Savior. We love and follow him, but not because he demands it of us. We freely and willingly choose to submit to Jesus Christ because we trust him. The world looks at the powerful, the bold or the flashy--the ‘do it my way’ people who burn out or get depressed striving for things, power, and glory that doesn’t last. But, we look to Jesus.

"Blessed are the meek" - Their strength is in the Lord.
"Blessed are the meek" - Yielding their will to God so they will not break.
"Blessed are the meek" - Power goes before them so their witness is true and peaceable
"Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the Kingdom of heaven." - They are unafraid of the future, because it is secure.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of 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 11:28 - 30

Jesus Christ is humble, gentle...meek. As you get to know him better through his Word and prayer you will be changed. No longer will the words meek and submissive have a negative connotation. Instead you will realize the immense power that is yours through Christ.

“For I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”Jeremiah 31:25

by Eve Montano

Make Me A Sunflower

Make Me A Sunflower

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

Please God, make me a sunflower...🌻

A handful of years ago Jeje asked us, “If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be?” I responded, “I wish I were a sunflower. I’ve always loved sunflowers; but I confess that I’m more like a rose. I do have thorns that can prick at times.”

I then quietly prayed, “God make me a sunflower”. 🌻

After all, He is in the business of transforming lives.

He’s already done quite a work in my life. Yet, I know He wants me to constantly surrender those “rough edges” for His trimming.

Jesus has brought so much healing and restoration (Isaiah 61). I’m not a perfect product--that will happen in glory with Jesus. I love to look back on each year and see all that He has done and look forward to Him doing even more.

Recently we had a discipleship retreat with Cherie Fresonke. Her book, “Go In Peace,” had brought confirmation--and a great tool--to my burden to help reach other women who are broken, hurt, disappointed, dealing with anxiety or depression, or just want to know what God has purposed for them. Thank You Lord.

As a side note, God brought Cherie to Romania about 5 years ago. Lots of healing has been accomplished through her ministry. The Biblical process in the “Go In Peace” workbook has brought a lot of healing in me and I was excited to share this peace with the ladies who accompanied me to Cherie's home in Bulgaria.

As we drove from her home for a day trip to the capital city of Sofia, we saw fields and fields of glorious sunflowers.

Cherie then shared this word picture with me, relating it to making disciples. I know God wants me to share it with you. 

Did you know the sunflower is the only flower whose seed production is innumerable? The heads of the sunflower become fat and full of seeds. Those seeds can be harvested (or just drop to the ground) and be replanted. Each individual seed then produces a whole new flower. The cycle just keeps going. Isn’t that amazing?

Just like discipleship when it’s done right...

At the end of its production of all those seeds, the sunflower gracefully bows its head (like the ones in my garden) and releases its seed.

Here I am Lord, please make me a sunflower. . 🌻

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19

by Coleen Jejeran, CCEA Missionary to Romania

Serve in Anaheim

Serve in Anaheim

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

Lord, I want to serve You.  But, my way. 

God called me to be a missionary. That is my heart's passion. That is my joy. 

I've heard it all before. Serve where planted.  Make our neighborhoods, workplace, and school our mission field. Yeah, yeah, yeah.  Whatever.  What I mean to say is, I am called to be a real missionary.  You know, in other countries.

After many prayers (translation: whining and complaining) God heard my mission prayers. (Haven't you heard, persistent prayers pay off?) He responded by clearly showing me my mission field--Anaheim. 

God must have been distracted when He answered my prayers because He didn't get it quite right.

No God, You called me first to foreign missions, doncha' remember? 
Can't you see how we can serve alongside those already out in the field? We like them.  They like us.  We’d make great teams. Yes?

"Anaheim!"

How about Cuba? How about a short trip to Cuba? 
To Romania? 
How about Ireland?
Mexico? 

"Anaheim!"

Anaheim?

"Anaheim!"

Here in Downtown Anaheim we are surrounded by families who speak little to no English. Four and five-year-olds play in the streets at night, seemingly without adult supervision at times. Families often run out of their welfare funds before the end of the month. This is where the "canned food drives" are distributed.

Kids seem to like our yard.  We never lack little kids wanting to come and play. Surprisingly, many older kids also want to hang here.

OK God, if this is it, the least You can do is give me a supernatural ability to love Anaheim.

God, I complained. These kids want to come more often than I have the ability to watch them. They leave trash everywhere. They use vulgar language and are rude. I find them playing in our yard when we're not home after being asked over and over not to. 

"Teach them rules and boundaries." 

How often Lord? I repeat myself over and over and they don't show any respect. 

"Teach them only as often as I have taught you.

Oh!
Well, it's not the same! 

"It isn't?" 

No, Lord, it's not. Some of these kids are not likable.  

“Do you remember losing your temper with the cable company on the phone the other day?  How about the lady at the store that snapped at you?”

Well . . . I may not have been likable then but wasn't my response justifiable?  Okay! Maybe I’m not always likable.

"I love you, Child." 

God, they want to use the bathroom all the time...they want drinks...they want snacks.  I'm busy. My own kids need me. When was the last time I went out with my husband? And we can't afford to feed them all! 

"I gave you the house with the bathroom, money to buy the snacks, and the car to go purchase the snacks." 

That's not what I want to hear. What I want is for You to supernaturally send me the cute, polite ones. Only send me the sweet and nice ones that are easy to love and serve. Please send them when I have the house cleaned, outside work done, lemons picked for lemonade, cookies baked, and have time to sit with them at the kitchen table to lovingly share of God’s love for them.

"If you love Me, feed My sheep in Anaheim. 
Not just when you have the time.
Not just when you feel like it.
Not just the way you see fit, even if it's just to teach them boundaries." 

"Serving me doesn't mean you should say 'yes' to everything. It means spending time with me to know my heart's desire for these kids--what values I desire to instill in them to be equipped for their future. You'd be amazed what I can do with just a few minutes". 

"In the future, will these kids reflect back and remember the busy, cranky old lady? Or, will they remember the way you gave them a genuine smile and allowed them to play for 10 minutes?" 

"This is not only about them. It's also about you being blessed. It's an opportunity for you to learn wisdom, organizational skills, detect opportunities to love, when to say no or yes. It's an opportunity for you to experience my love as you learn to love the unlovable and needy Anaheim. You see, Child, I can use a donkey to accomplish my work in Anaheim but I want to bless You by you being My vessel in Anaheim." 

"Even the wicked can do good and love when all the circumstances are right. Child, don't just love with Thanksgiving Meals or occasional mission events.  Love them daily when there is an opportunity to do so. These opportunities won't always be there. Don't miss them now." 

I'll take your 'widow's mite’ of 10 minutes and do mighty things if you give with a sincere and humble heart."

"Anaheim!" 

I'm starting to get a vague idea . . . slowly understand . . . begin to recognize that maybe Anaheim is where God wants me serve Him today.

by Susan Chinn

That He May Be Known

That He May Be Known

"May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us...May your ways be known through the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you."
Psalm 67:1-3

Reading this Psalm today, it hit me. This is an Old Testament expression of Jesus' command:

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19

We know this as the Great Commission. It's God's purpose for our lives--that he would be glorified--that he would be known as Jehovah God, the only true and living God, the One who saves. 

I have to confess. I shrink back from this command. Lord, I don't have the gift of evangelism. I don't have the courage to approach strangers and ask them--"what decision have you made about Jesus?" I get nervous and tongue-tied. I say it wrong--and my voice quivers. I'm not Billy Graham or Greg Laurie!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

There were ten other apostles aside from Peter and Paul. There is scant mention of them. Yet, their witness for Jesus was powerful--where they were. Some of them were married and had families (remember Philip had four daughters who prophesied). Some of them hosted believers in their homes. In fact, homes were where the believers gathered. Formal buildings called "churches" were unknown in New Testament days. Believers are the church.

Believers shared the truth and love of God in their every day lives. Today, do we see our homes as Jerusalem? I have to ask myself, "Am I reflecting the love of Jesus to my family in the way I treat them? Do I sacrificially love them or do I selfishly love them? What is my motive? Am I encouraging them or complaining? Do they see Jesus in me?

What about our neighborhoods (Judea)? In this age of preoccupation with social media, do we even know our neighbors? Do we pray for them? They notice us.

Following the death of my husband I moved to Southern California to join households with my adult daughter and family. A month before moving we had an estate sale of the possessions I no longer needed. During that sale a neighbor (someone I only knew by sight) purposefully approached me.

"Thank you for being a good neighbor," he said. 
"I don't know you. How can you say I'm a good neighbor?"
"You always kept your place neat."

That was it? I was a good neighbor because I pulled weeds?

Our actions may be the only 'words' other people hear.

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus..." Colossians 3:17

How we treat our families, how we participate in their activities, how we perform in the workplace, how we treat the people who serve us at the market...in a restaurant--all of these are ways we 'tell' people about Jesus. Actions open the door for words to follow. Conversely, words without confirming actions are hypocrisy.

Not many of us are called to be Billy Grahams, but we are called to let the light of Jesus Christ shine in us...every day wherever we go (Samaria and the ends of the earth). Holy Spirit power is our promise to fulfill this calling. 

"May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you. Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world." Psalm 67:2-4

by Marilyn Allison