Joshua 21-23

Another busy day filled with reminders of God's goodness and Grace.  I will attend the funeral of Dale Ek, Tim's Dad, to celebrate the promise of God of eternity and then to Strasburg Union Church where a 90th birthday party will be going on for Marjorie Dillon, one of my childhood Sunday School teachers.  She is, was and will be a Saint in God's army.

Just a few things about today's reading.  In 21:45 we are reminded of God's faithfulness when the author of this book says, "not one of all the Lord's good promises failed."  That is an important piece of theology to remember.  God is faithful and can be trusted in every situation.  times might be tough, but our God is tougher.  Search the scriptures for his promises.  Pray those promises and claim them for your own.  remember that in their difficulty, Israel cried out to God and he heard their cries and came to deliver them from their oppressors.  God is the original Promise Keeper!!!

Just got a phone call from Lisa Limberg, Secretary to the Supt. of Schools in Grain Valley.  Patty Moss, wife of Dr. Moss, Supt. of Schools is on her way to KU Med and may have suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.  They are great Christian people.  Please keep them in your prayers today.

Joshua sends the tribes of Rueben, Gad and Manasseh back to the land that they have been promised on the other side of the Jordan.  Joshua thanks them for their faithfulness to their brothers and sisters.  This reminds us to our obligation to our Christian family.  We may have received the blessing of security in this world, but we are called to work for liberty, justice and sufficiency for all of the family of God.  If one of our brothers suffers in Algerian, the Sudan, or India.....we have a responsibility to work on their behalf.  resting is not what God calls us to until all are in the fold.

Joshua is near the end of his journey.  He reminds Israel that it was God who fought for you.  Never forget!!!  Be strong and obey and God will continue to bless and protect.  Do not become as those who lived in this land.  This is the same warning that Paul gives to the New Testament Church, "be in the world but not of the world."  We are called to a higher standard of righteousness.  The world wants us to become like them, but we are to be salt and light.....setting an example of God's call. 

So live righteously today and every day.  Be faithful in your prayers.  Honor God with all that you do and then be ready to see his mighty hand at work in and around you.  God bless you....hope to see you tomorrow as we practice Sabbath.