Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wise words from Joshua 23

In Bible times we can see quite often how great leaders gave a final speech that included blessings, guidelines to live by, and reminders of great events so younger generations wouldn’t forget how things were ought to be.  This was Joshua case; after years leading God’s people and the Lord had given them rest from all their enemies Joshua decides to get things in order to depart from this earth. He decides to leave them some wise guidelines and some reminder of the accomplishments God did thru him. 
Today, sometimes when people feel is on their last moments of their lives, and probably after not seeing loved ones the doctors call everyone in, to give them a chance to say goodbye while these are still alive.  Sad but true story is that at times, we have not talked in ages with that one who’s about to enter their final rest, and at that moment although lots of thing can be said due to the circumstances little words can be and are expressed.  

This is why these words of Joshua are also for us, because we might have forgotten what the Lord did for our ancestors who lived for God. Maybe our closest relatives, parents or grandparents never talked to us about the great things God did for their grandparents. Maybe those who raised us didn’t walk so closed to the Lord or even served God at all; and why talking about something unknown?  

Guidelines:

·         Be very strong.
·         Be careful to love THE LORD YOUR GOD.
·         Obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses.
·         Do not turning aside to the right or to the left.
·         Do not associate with these nations that remain among you.
·         Do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them.
·         Do not serve them.
·         Do not bow down to them.
·         HOLD FAST TO THE LORD YOUR GOD.

Reminders:

·         THE LORD HAS driven out before you great and powerful nations.
·         To this day no one has been able to withstand you.
·         One of you routs a thousand, because THE LORD YOUR GOD FIGHTS FOR YOU, as He promised.
·         IF you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations (you’ve been save from)
·         IF you intermarry with them (the survivors of the nations you’ve been save from) and
·         Associate with them (the survivors of the nations you’ve been save from).
·         God will no longer drive out these nations before you.
·         They will become snares and traps for you,
·         Will be like whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes,
·         You’ll perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.
·         Know with all your heart and soul that NOT ONE of all the good promises THE LORD YOUR GOD GAVE you have failed.
·         Every PROMISE has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
·         But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you,
·         He will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened.
·         If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you,
·         If you go and serve other gods and
·         If you bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you,
·         And you will quickly perish from the good land He has given you.”

Watch out my friends! God DID NOT CAME to eradicate us, BUT TO SAVE us! The one who came to rob, kill and destroy was the thief (Satan), but GOD CAME TO GIVE US LIFE AND LIFE IN ABUNDANCE![1]

Therefore is important for us to follow HIS commands and regulations for our life to be lived to the fullest. The “secret” for us to have success is in Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed IN ALL you do.”

I pray you meditate on this and take it to heart, for these are God’s, not mine; and I pray for the glory of God who gives me a chance to share them with you, and I pray, in Jesus name, AMEN!

Have a great day in the Lord!!!





[1] John 10:10b

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