Crossing Over Reaching Neighborhoods and Nations ~ Joshua 3:17 Devotional Guide
The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. Joshua 3:17 2
Dear NVC Family, I cannot wait to see what God is going to do through our Crossing Over Reaching Neighborhoods and Nations stewardship campaign! I know God is going to bless you and your family as we step out in faith to inherit the land that God has promised us and find a place that we can call home. It is my hope that this devotional guide will serve you and will move us together as one toward our common goal. Cherlyn Munn and I have mapped out twenty-five days in total five days each week over a series of five weeks. Our intent is to help bring out the book of Joshua and apply it to your life as well as to the life of our church during these next weeks. Each week focuses on a few chapters of Joshua, with each day developing these chapters in more detail. The chapters you will be studying each week will give you a leg up on what I will be preaching on each Sunday during our time in Joshua. Each day has been designed to give you personal time with God, and to let Him speak to you through His word. You won t want to miss one day of this devotional. Let us all commit to spending time with God and praying and meditating on His Word together. I know that as we do this God is going to do amazing things as He leads us to a place that we can call home. With great appreciation for you, Jim 3
Week # 1 October 11-15 15 Reading: Joshua 1 5:1 This week you will read about how God used the leadership of Joshua to demonstrate strength and courage as he led God s people to step out in faith to cross the Jordan River while it was at flood stage. This section of Joshua is a physical manifestation of what God did in the spiritual hearts of his people to lead them into the land that He had promised them a land of blessing, abundance and a place for them to call home. 4
Monday Everything Starts With Prayer Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Prayer is the breath and life blood of every endeavor. Prophetic Word given to NVC on 6/27/10: I am giving you the land. Robby Dawkins I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I have promised Moses. Joshua 1:3 Believe in God for amazing things. Do not worry how God will accomplish the impossible, but pray that He will accomplish what he said he would do. Pray that God will do a miracle in your heart as He leads us to the land he has promised us. Have faith and a level of excitement to see God move in ways you would never imagine. Pray for an increased faith to see God move. Increase your devotion of God as you wait for Him 5
Tuesday Do Not Depart From My Word 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage. 7 Only be strong and very courageous that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses, my servant, commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:5-8 Be deliberate and devote yourself to the Word of God. Take time to soak in it and let God speak to you through it. When you do there is a guarantee of success because of His presence and His help. Ask God to strengthen you with His word on a daily basis. Let him do the work all you have to do is show up and spend time with him like any good friend. 6
Wednesday Be Prepared for God to Move Go through the camp and tell the people, Get your provisions 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 1:11 What is weighing you down and preventing you from crossing the Jordan? Believe God for the possession of our (your) promised land? We are called to possess the land. Our promised land is a place of God s blessing, to the obedient; a place of abiding in Christ s love, living in His presence; a place where God brings a great harvest. It is a conquest. We are called to intentionally go and take the land; to bring the good news of Christ s gospel. To set the captives free and mend the broken hearted. Pray through any places in your heart of unforgiveness or bitterness that may be a hindrance to you crossing over the river with God. Allow him to highlight those areas of your life where He wants you to give and receive forgiveness. Let his unconditional love wash over you as He sets you free and releases you from those items that are weighing you down. 7
Thursday THINK, LIVE, and PRAY The Great Commission 18 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age, Amen. Matt. 28:18-20 THINK about the authority Jesus has given to you to be an ambassador of His love to your family, friends and to the world. LIVE your life as a testimony to others and let it demonstrate His transformational love in your life. PRAY for neighborhoods and nations to come to hear, follow and obey God. Ask God to increase your vision to see those that do not know Him. Ask God to bring someone to you today that needs to hear or see the love of God. 8
Friday Remember God s Faithfulness 19 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. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 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 4:19-24 God commanded his people to remember the crossing of the Jordan by stacking 12 stones as a landmark to commemorate God s power and faithfulness and provision to His people. Write down how God has been faithful to you in the past. Thank God for the His faithfulness to you and your family. Ask God to increase your expectancy of His faithfulness to you, your family, and the church during the coming weeks of this stewardship campaign. 9
Week #2 October 18-22 Reading: Joshua 5:2 6:27 This week you will read about the first act of God s people as they occupy their new land. Watch how God provided a commander of the army of the Lord to give His people victory as they begin. Notice how God used his power to bring down the daunting walls of Jericho to bless His people. 10
Monday You Are God s Chosen People But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Peter 2:9 You have been chosen by God for His plan and purpose in the world. You have been called to love and serve Him and Him alone. This call demands a personal response of devotion and service to Him with your life. Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Joshua 3:5 Prepare your heart today to receive all that God wants to do in you. Make room in your life for God to fill you and equip you as His precious son or daughter. 11
Tuesday Silencing Disbelief What Will You Choose? Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, none came in. See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. Joshua 6:1-2 Joshua was a mighty warrior, a battle strategist and a worshiper. Can you imagine what Joshua thought when God told him the strategy for the battle of Jericho? This battle would be won not by might by faith to be precise a shout of faith, having also spent significant time waiting on God, trusting Him and walking in silence. Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34 Just as God gave Jericho to the Israelites, believe that He will fulfill His promise to give us the land. How deep is your faith? Do you suppose that Joshua might have struggled to see victory? Joshua was human, just as we are. Certainly, he had to rebuke fear and insecurity, and keep his mind focused on God s words. Joshua commanded the children of Israel to stay silent as they walked around the city, why? Maybe to keep disbelief and doubt silence? We must fix our hearts, minds, and eyes on the spiritual things of God. We must allow ourselves to be lead by the Holy Spirit. Ask God to reveal disbelief or doubt, in order for you to rebuke it. Praise His name and thank Him for His grace and mercy to remain obedient and follow His leading into your promised land, then take it! 12
Wednesday Miracles at Hand He did this [stopped the river Jordan] 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 4:24 William Carey, once said, Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. The key to a successful life is hearing from God, seeking reconfirmation if necessary, and then whole heartedly persevering in what we believe. Seek God. What great things are you expecting God to do through our church during these next weeks? List these things and ask God how you can play a part in what He wants to do. 13
Thursday Breaking Away From The Past 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. 9 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 5:8-9 Before the people took the city of Jericho, Joshua made time to bring the people back under the covenant covering of God by circumcising the men. For forty years the parents of this new generation did not follow God s command. After the people had broken away from the past sins of their fathers they were prepared to do battle and occupy the land. What area of the past has hindered you from receiving all that God has for you and your family? Take time to break off any area of compromise in your life so God can fully use you for His plan and purpose. 14
Friday Shout to the Lord! The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Joshua 6:16-17a For six days the people marched around the city following the ark with blaring trumpets but no voices or shouting. It was not until the seventh day that the Lord used the shouts of his people to bring down the walls of Jericho. This brought a total destruction of the wall and the city was devoted to God. Let your voice be heard for God today. Allow God s heart of compassion to be expressed in words today to bring down strongholds in this city. Let our voices of prayer and worship lead the way as God delivers our city to us. 15
Week # 3 October 25-29 29 Reading: Joshua 7-11 This section of Joshua is all about contrasting the mistakes and disobedience of God s people with the mighty hand of God giving victory despite overwhelming odds. God demands obedience from his people to protect them and give them the full experience of the blessing of the land. Read these passages in light of the fact that the destroyed nations were against God and did not want to follow Him. God s intent in annihilating these people was ultimately to spare His people from the potential influence of idolatry and affection for other gods. 16
Monday Achan s Sin 1 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, 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... 3 Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there. 4 So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 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 in fear and became like water. Joshua 7:1, 3b-5 Achan had disobeyed the ban and taken some of the plunder at the battle of Jericho. For this reason the Lord s anger burned against Israel. God dealt with the nation as a whole more than He did with individuals. We would never think that our sin would effect whole other groups of people but our sin does effect those around us. Take time to confess any sin before God today. Let him come and forgive you and empower you with his unconditional love. If there is anyone that you need to reconcile with make every effort to do so. Remember: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 17
Tuesday Do Not Forget What I Have Commanded You There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. Joshua 8:35 Joshua renews his covenant with the Lord by reminding the people of God s word for them. After their disobedience God filled them up with his word that speaks directly to them and keeps them in close relationship with Him. Meditate on God s word today and take in what he wants to teach you. Try meditating on: 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. Psalm 119:104-106 18
Wednesday Believe the Unbelievable 13 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! Joshua 10:13b-14 Chapter 10 demonstrates the power of God which stands in contrast to Israel s weakness from chapters 7-9. Staying obedient to God and asking Him for direction is the way to enact the impossible in your life. Joshua has learned his lesson and inquires of the Lord (see 8:7-8) before he sets out for battle. Victory is assured with God on his side. In what areas have you gone ahead of God and experienced a defeat in your life? Seek God and follow His lead and He will do remarkable miracles in your life. 19
Thursday Persevering In Our Commitment to God Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 As the people set out to cross the Jordan, they probably had fears, doubts, and nagging thoughts of unbelief. The Lord used Joshua to encourage them - that He would not forsake them. Encouraging them to be strong and of great courage. Not just in themselves, but in knowing the one and only God whom they are serving. What Giants need to be conquered in your promised land: fear, doubt, past failures, loneliness, difficulties in marriage, insecurity, addiction? Confess them to God, give them over to Him. God knows no fear; He will be faithful to deliver you from all your enemies. 20
Friday Accepted in the Beloved 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6 As God s chosen people He loved you from the beginning of time and calls you his beloved son or daughter. Drink in the reality that the God of the universe has given you room to be an integral part of his family. Let the reality of that love of the Father help you to live a life pleasing to Him. Pray and ask God for spiritual wisdom and understanding to know His plan and purpose for your life. 21
Week #4 November 1-5 Reading Joshua 12-21 After the victories of chapters 1-12, one would assume that chapter 13 would begin with a victory celebration followed by the parceling out of land. What is fascinating is that this section starts with the announcement that there is much more land yet to be taken.. 22
Monday Caleb s Reward Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Joshua 14:13-14 In chapter 14:6-15 we see Caleb finally receive his allotment of land from Joshua because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Caleb was faithful and courageous to believe that God would give the land to his people despite overwhelming odds (see Numbers 13:26-33). In what area of your life is God asking you to be faithful and courageous? How is the Crossing Over Reaching Neighborhoods and Nations campaign stretching you to believe the impossible? 23
Tuesday Wholly Follow the Lord Your God 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is true worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 We have God s assurance of victory. We know Satan wages war against those moving forward in Christ, so what now? We push forward in action to take possession of the land that has been promised. Continually give yourselves over to the Lord first, go against the flow of the culture today. Offer your body as a living sacrifice today to God. What is God calling you to do, to be? How is God working in your life and NVC right now? How can you give yourself more fully to God? Begin asking God these questions and how to be a good steward of the gifts and resources He has given to you. 24
Wednesday Commitment, Covenant, and Gratitude 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:4-6 Remain in Him continually devote yourself completely to the Lord Live holy lives. Live unto Him and apart from the world. Our failure to live in holiness can have great consequences. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy." I Peter 1:14-16 25
Thursday What is God asking of you? Work? Finances? Surrender to His Call No, He wants you, your heart, your authenticity, affection, love, devotion, worship He wants to be Lord of your life. What, who, where is your treasure? Ask God to reveal idols/worldly treasures in your life. Give of yourself. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 26
Friday Hold Fast, Fight for the Promise Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said. Joshua 14:12 Caleb when he received his land he was eighty-five years old, still following the Lord wholeheartedly. He knew that even though the land that he had waited for was now his he still needed to contend for it with the God s help. We too must contend for God s eternal plan and purpose in our lives. Pray to be strengthened in His presence and work. Are you willing to contend for your faith, your promised land? God promises the victory for such faith and sometimes we have to fight to possess what has been promised. 27
Week #5 November 8-12 Reading: Joshua 22-24 The eastern tribes of Israel return home after helping the western tribes inhabit the land. These tribes that are split by the Jordan River avert a misunderstanding and Joshua renews the covenant of God with his people. Joshua then gives a farewell to his leaders, dies, and is buried in the promised land. 28
Monday Staying Close to God But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul. Joshua 22:5 These are the words that Joshua said as the eastern tribes of Israel were ready to return home after making good on their promise to help the western tribes subdue their land. Joshua was very concerned with the fighting over and the goal having been reached, the Israelites would revert to their old ways, turn from God, and worshiping the idols of those that remained in the land. Vulnerability to attack from the enemy usually comes after significant victory has recently been achieved. Joshua is warning against this potential let down in the people. Consistency in our walk with the Lord is the key to spiritual success. What have you learned these last weeks about maintaining a devotional life? How will you continue to grow in this area long after this campaign is over? 29
Tuesday Giving 19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 The subject of giving of our resources in living Godly lives is so important to God that it is mentioned 2,162 times in scripture. Compared to believing 275 times, praying 381 times, and love 714 times, it is plain to see that giving is of significant importance to God. Jesus knows that our treasure and our heart are very closely linked. He also knows that dealing with our treasure is where the practicality of our faith is tested. Talking about treasure reaches deep and reveals more accurately about the allegiance of our heart. Read the story of Zaccheus in Luke 19. Only Jesus and Zaccheus know the depth of what was discussed, but the outcome was a changed heart. Salvation came to his house and Jesus revealed to him what treasures he had stored up for himself. Zaccheus gave away over half of what he possessed, because his heart was now and forever changed. He became a generous and cheerful giver, as God wants all of us to be. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 Remind yourself that you cannot out give God. 30
Wednesday Marked As Christ s Own 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 When you came to Christ and entered into God s family you were sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as His own. This inheritance is not something that only payable upon your death when you go to heaven but is applicable to you today. The mark of the Holy Spirit in your life is to be seen by all. Pray Come Holy Spirit into my life today and allow me to be seen as your son or daughter by others. Open my eyes to see myself as your precious child. 31
Thursday Christ is Our Model For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that you through His poverty might become rich. II Corinthians 8:9 Let us lay every hindrance aside and the sin that keeps us a let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 Our life is a gift to be given back to God. Let us allow Him to finish what He began in us. What is your purpose? What gifts have you been entrusted with? For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. II Corinthians 8:12 Live with a purpose! Live with intention! For Him, His kingdom, and to prosper the Good News! 32
Friday Joshua s Farewell But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 Joshua s farewell messages to the children of Israel were instructions to observe God s word, carefully. He called them to be obedient and reminded them of what God had done and admonished them to be faithful - to hold fast to the Lord God, Almighty. The challenge has been set to fear the lord, serve Him in reverence and in truth, and to put away false gods and idols. Choose for yourself, today, whom you will serve. Serve the one and only living and true God, creator of heaven and earth, who is the author and finisher of all that he has created. 33
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The Neighborhood Vineyard Church P.O. Box 67 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 909-646-8860 www.nvcfamily.org 40