Commissioned

Joshua’s challenge question to the Unknown Warrior with drawn sword was, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' The Unknown Warrior is believed to be the commander of the army of the LORD. The Commander is none other than the God himself. He came to see about His servant. He is the Commander and sides with no one. We on the other hand must chose to be on His side. His is infallible. We can never go wrong, be misled when we're on His side. We can trust Him for the victory. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord I am on the Lord's side and daily place my entire being and trust in Him. Thank you Lord. An encounter with Him require us to humble ourselves because we're in the presence of holiness, the God of the universe; omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, no other is His equal. The Sovereign Lord! It so hard to submit ourselves to God when we are not in right relationship with Him. When we linger and continue to trust the arm of flesh, we have not given ourselves completely to trusting God.

The manna cease at this time it did because the people needed to begin to plant, raise cattle and provide for their families. In our lives, God allow us to experience times of manna to bring us into dependency upon Him and to experience His power to supply our needs. In my own life I am in times of manna and of planting seeds for a future crop.

Joshua had men from each tribe stack river boulders for a monument to represent each of the tribes as they erected a memorial to thank God and to establish for future generations what God had done for His people. As future generations saw the erected stones they reflected on the blessings of God upon the Israelites. Faith monuments in our day should point the observers to God and His mighty works. The danger is to have memorials erected and they take the place of the one to be worshiped. My church does not have any elaborate monuments that can be considered a rival of God's present day working.

Joshua was able to announce the miracle of Jordan stopping its flow ahead of the event because he was communicating with God. Because he had seen prior miracles that God had performed, his faith was steady and he did what God had asked him to do. As he followed and obeyed God, the miracle that happened proved to the people that their leader was hearing from God even as Moses did.

The Israelites needed to consecrate themselves because they were about to embark on a holy mission and of such they were to be set aside for the work of God. Even though the battle is the Lord's, He used the Israelites to accomplish it. As I embark on the ministry of the proclamation of God's Holy Word, I too must reconsecrate. To do this I'd need to set aside the day to fasting and communing with God. As a congregation, they too need to fast and pray; positioning themselves to hear from God and move out into the work of Ministry.

They were taken out of complacency and moved to a position where they would be able to resume the journey to possess the promised land. Comfortable routine. Confirm what I think I am hearing and that it is his leading.

Rahab is honored not for lying to the king's men but for her faith in God. One could say that Rahab's lying is justified in this case because she prevented the death of the men. There might be times when lying might be permissible if it leads to saving a person's life? Maybe. Or, we could tell the truth and allow to supernaturally intervene if He desires.

The spies were sent to probe Jericho and the surrounding area to gather intelligence concerning the topography and roads of the surrounding, also to ascertain the weaknesses in the city's defenses that could be exploited in the campaign to take the city. I believe they lodge with the prostitute to be inconspicuous. Being there they would blend in with the clients of the house. I have no doubt that their going to this house was of God. He knew that Rahab would be in the ancestry of King David and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It was Providence.

To meditate on the Word means to give attention to God's Word by seeking full understanding and revelation of what is being said so that our mind is renewed by it. The difference between Christian meditation and Eastern meditation is our seeking God's revelation of Himself through His word so that we become like Him. God work through his Word to renew our minds by giving us revelation into His mind.

The kinds of things that Joshua might be tempted to fear if he were to allow himself to dwell on his anxieties are fear of being overthrown by the people, fear of the armies of the surrounding nations to enslave them, fear of not being like Moses, etc. To “be strong and very courageous” means to cast away fear and fully trust that in God's providence you will be successful in all that you do. The distinction between weakness and strength in Joshua’s situation is trusting in self versus trusting in God. The relationship between fear and faith is unbelief. You cannot be courageous and still be fearful. Being fearful strips away courage little by little until you are so fearful that you don't even try.

God’s promise to be always with Joshua was so important to him because it boosted his confidence that in this new position as lead of so many people, the God who was with them and brought them from Egypt to the present is still with them and they continued the journey. For me and every other Believer this promise is very important in every situation. Knowing that God is with us takes away the feeling that you have to depend on yourself, "the arm of flesh" and leaves you always in doubt of being successful. Knowing that God is with you, your limitations is begins where you do not trust Him to be Sovereign God.

The promise to Joshua, "I will give you every place where you set your foot," is a conditional promise in that they must follow the Lord wholeheartedly. It is in their obeying God's instructions and putting away unbelief that they will inherit the promise. The same it true for Believers today. The promises of God exist for all who put their faith and trust in Him and are walking according to His will, being active in His plans and purposes. The faith that consists primarily of the philosophy: “If God wants me to have it he will give it to me” is faulty because God cannot reverse His promises. When we don't receive or see the manifestation of the promise we must examine ourself and trust that our faithful God will direct us to the right path so that we can live the abundant life for His glory. In my journey I must continuously seek to walk in obedience and know that God's word never fails, people do; but not God. If I am to succeed I must submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, "trust in the Lord at all times".

Q1. (3:13) How can the past get in the way of our quest to know Christ? What do you need to "forget" so that you may focus on Christ today and tomorrow? Is there forgiving you need to do so you can grow in Christ? The past can get in the way of our quest to know Christ when we remain in the company of others who themselves are reaching for things other than seeking to know Christ more. You begin to be influenced by their lack of spirituality for the status quo or seeking the material. To focus more on Christ today nd tomorrow I would need to "forget" that it's not about me or those around me; but rather it's all about Him. I need to forgive myself and move into the realm of seeking Him more.

Q4. (3:8-10) What does it mean to "know" Christ? Does this mean to have faith? Or to have a personal relationship? Is it possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith? Is it possible to have faith without a personal relationship? Where are you on your quest to know Christ?​ To "know" Christ comes with a personal relationship with Him. Having a personal relationship with Christ brings you to trusting and having faith in Him, because you know Him and your fellowship with Him causes you to mature in your total dependence on Him and more and more your faith is exercised naturally. It is possible to have faith without a personal relationship with Christ because that is the starting point for salvation. However as you continue in the journey of walking according to His Word (in obedience), your hunger and thirst for Him (to "know" Him) will enlarge your relationship and you will live in the flow naturally. Praise God!

Q3. (3:9) How does righteousness obtained through faith differ from righteousness obtained through law observance? How seriously does righteousness by law observance infect your congregation? Society's view of Christianity in general? Why is this concept of justification or righteousness by faith so difficult to grasp?​ Righteousness obtained through faith differ from righteousness obtained through the law observance because it is based on tradition; a person's action based on obedience to what is the tradition of his community rather than believing and living by the Word of God, who will declare the person righteous because of their belief. Many more will be saved in our society when they see by the demonstration of faith and belief in God, the wonderful miracles that He will do. When we crucify the flesh and let o and let God, we will begin the process of trusting fully on the Only Eternal, All Powerful Alpha nd Omega whose arm is extended to receive us always.

Q2. (3:2-6) Why isn't Paul merely neutral about his religious pedigree? Why does he consider it loss, dung, an obstacle? In what way could your religious background be an impediment to your faith? Paul is neutral about his religious pedigree because in light of that which is eternal it means nothing. Paul considers it loss, dung and an obstacle because such knowledge and status can stand in the way of one seeking to be humble and seeking to know God, who He is and by the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The obstacle that Paul faced is the same in this age. If we are not careful and allow the order of the day to influence us we too would fall to the spirit of pride and thus lose a humble standing with God. ​

Q1. (3:2-6) How does "confidence in the flesh" show up in your congregation? Have you ever struggled with it? "confidence in the flesh" shows up in the reports from so many suffering from sicknesses and diseases; from poverty and lack, from weaknesses and yielding to temptation. There is always a struggle to crucify the flesh and yield to the Holy Spirit. "confidence in the flesh" is overcome by transformation and the renewing of the mind by the power of the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem? From what I’ve read in Philippians so far, it seems the Philippian church's chief problem was of pride in position. The Apostle Paul’s description of Timothy’s character was instructive of how to serve while holding an honored position in the church. Calling them to also honor men like Epaphroditus solidifies what he had been saying to them all along, ‘in the service of the kingdom all are “slaves” of Christ and should be given due respect.

Q3. (2:22) What is the significance of serving Jesus as a "slave" as opposed to serving him as a preference? What does it say about the quality of our service? Of our commitment? What is wrong with leaders who serve out of preference? To serve Jesus as a slave as opposed to as preference says that you humbly serve Jesus and you do so with utmost joy. As a “slave” serving a Master who has from eternity bought my salvation I am so, so grateful; and I will serve Him with everything in me. When one serves out of preference, there is always a chance of switching between alternatives.

Q3. (2:22) What is the significance of serving Jesus as a "slave" as opposed to serving him as a preference? What does it say about the quality of our service? Of our commitment? What is wrong with leaders who serve out of preference? To serve Jesus as a slave as opposed to as preference says that you humbly serve Jesus and you do so with utmost joy. As a “slave” serving a Master who has from eternity bought my salvation I am so, so grateful; and I will serve Him with everything in me. When one serves out of preference, there is always a chance of switching between alternatives.

Q2. (2:22) Who has come alongside you to teach you? What potential leader in your church needs someone to come alongside them? Do you have a person or two that you are mentoring "as a son with a father" or "a daughter with a mother"? I have had many senior men and women come along side to help me along in my spiritual walk. I also position myself ​to be a mentor to those who can benefit from my experiences. ​

Q1. (2:19-21) Why was Timothy's selfless concern so rare among church leaders? Rather than pointing the finger at others in your church, consider yourself. What things has Jesus had to deal with in your life that has helped you to become genuinely selfless and focused on the concerns of others? How has he refined you? (Of course, he is still at work in us!) Timothy's selfless concern was so rare among church leaders because there were not many willing to take genuine interest in the need of others. Paul saw them as being selfish and not of a giving nature in meeting the needs of others. Yes, Jesus is still refining me, but, when I encounter genuine a need; depending on the support that is needed I avail myself. ​

Q7. (Isaiah 44:7b) In what sense does God "bring prosperity and create disaster"? Is God the source of evil? Of trouble? Of prosperity? Of poverty? In what sense is he responsible for these? In what sense are we responsible for these things? Since we know that God is the source of both prosperity and disaster, what should we be doing? ​God "bring prosperity and create disaster" to accomplish His plans. God is not the source of evil or of trouble as man see or interpret evil and trouble; God allows evil and trouble to bring man back to Him and to bring man back to the path that he is destined. The same is true of prosperity and poverty. In some instance a person who seeks materialism and forgets God will lose it all and still goes into eternity without what he fought to have here on earth and without God. When we put our trust in God and walk in obedience to His Holy Word he will provide for us what we need.

Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? In what sense is Cyrus “anointed” by God? How can an unbeliever accomplish God’s purposes? What does this tell us about God? About being humble in our judgments of others?​ Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born because God know the end from the beginning. He sees, knows what will be and re3vals it to His servant. Cyrus is “anointed” by God because God uses his to accomplish His will. An unbeliever can accomplish God’s purposes by obeying God's commandments found in His Holy Word. God will use anyone to accomplish His plans. Because God can use anyone, we should be careful in our judgments of others.

Q5. (Isaiah 43) This chapter tells us specific purposes that God’s people have been created for. How can you fulfill your purpose to show God’s glory (verse 7)? To be his witness (verses 10, 12)? To proclaim his praise (verse 21)? What are the obstacles you are facing in fulfilling these purposes? How do you benefit from fulfilling God’s purpose for you?​ I can fulfill my purpose to show God’s glory by faithfully walking in obedience to His Word. As I gain knowledge of Him, I can share that knowledge with others and be a witness of Christ living in me. I proclaim His praise privately and publicly, not ashamed to let the world know that Jesus is Lord. Not fully answering the call to ministry hinders my purposes. I benefit from fulfilling God’s purpose because I bring Him glory when I do. He is exalted. I'm allowing Him to work through me, to reach others.​