Arise and Abide

Reading Joshua 3:1-17 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Israelites crossing on dry ground, this time the Jordan River into the promised land. The miracle of dry ground is God making a way. God demonstrates His leadership as He makes the way for His people to cross the Jordan. You cannot make people know God is with you, God shows up, God moves, God lifts up the humble. Keeping our identity in the Word of God and surrendering the Holy Spirit. Getting out of the selfish mindset of what people think about you, and into thinking about what God has to say to those around us. The Living God vs lifeless idols. John 14:7, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Reading Joshua 2:1-24 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Rahab’s act of faith mentioned in the book of Hebrews and James. Her place in David’s and Jesus’ lineage. Rahab recognizing God as LORD of everything in creation. The spies return with the words of Rahab which echoed the words God had been saying through Moses. Rahab and all of Jericho had heard of all the LORD had done for Israel, they were already a testimony of God’s supremacy. Faith without works is dead, the Holy Spirit produces good work in your life when you surrender.

Reading Joshua 1:1-18 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Lord’s encouragement to Joshua to be strong and courageous, becomes a command. Versus 3-5 God’s promise, versus 6-9 God’s command. The call to be 100% focused on obeying the LORD. The word’s God spoke to others in the Bible are for you, and me. The Word is alive.  Walking by faith with His strength and courage, surrendered to God’s Holy Spirit. Wherever we set our foot, God has called us there to be a witness and He will be with us.  We are called to make disciples as we go, wherever we go. God speaks are sends confirmation.

Reading Deuteronomy 33:26-34:12 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Moses’ final words encourage Israel to not be afraid, that God is with them and all they need is God. Who else is like you? Who has a living God? The Living God has claimed us as His own.  God clears the way before His people, Psalms 50:3. Macro and Micro protection of the LORD. Moses puts his trust in God as he goes up Pisgah Peak. The people needing to put their trust in the LORD as they go into battle without Moses. God is going to be the victory for His people.    

Reading Deuteronomy 32:15-47 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Seeing God’s heart in the Old Testament. How will God teach people idols have no power over their life? By making them need healing and salvation. O, if they could only understand this. The desire of Moses for the people of Israel to listen and understand the Truth of God heart. We live in a time when we are restored to God because of Jesus. As children of God, it is part of our history too. The encouragement taken from the truth of God’s wrath.

Reading Deuteronomy 32:1-14 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The imagery of Moses teaching being absorbed, internalized, and nourished. Moses’ heart is still for the people who get it. God isn’t demanding to be pleased, but He wants your love. Perverse is anything that has deviated from the truth of God into something self-indulgent, self-gratifying. God being our Father and creator. The importance of reminding ourselves of our identity as Children of God.

Reading Psalms 58:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  Washing feet. Knowing the meaning of the word justice. The call of leaders to act justly. The dark picture of what happens when the wicked come to power. We all choose our own way, from Adam and Eve, Moses talks about the choice between life and death, the choice to follow God’s way or their own way. Changing power from one selfish leader to another until they put the LORD God as their King. Romans 7:18-25

Reading Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  God telling the people of Israel that they should read the Book of Instruction to the people regularly. The significance of reading the story of their history during the Year of Release and the Festival of Shelters. To be read to everyone, men, women, old, young, all who could understand. Revelation coming from God, there are no special insights known only by “spiritual elites”.  Remembering your roots, where you’re from, why you are the way you are, submitting it all to Jesus so He can heal, restore, and make you into the people you were created to be.

Reading Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion.  The somber yet exciting time for the Nation of Israel as Moses passes leadership to Joshua. In the call to be strong and courageous points the people to why they have a reason to be strong and courageous. The reason is that the LORD will personally go ahead of them, be with them, never fail of abandon them.  Moses seeing how the people tended to panic in the face of fear. In fear and worry we think about the what if’s, no matter what we can count on God’s promises. We cannot let the fear of failure of the fear of missing out keep us from answering the call of God on our lives. The Holy Spirit is on the move.

Reading Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. From the beginning, the way was the same, die to your selfish nature, love God and love people. Romans 8:6, letting your sinful nature control you mind leads to death, but letting the spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Not letting distractions keep you from the call of God to Love God, love people, and go make disciples. Jesus was always pointing people to the Father, and we are called to “walk in His ways”. God providing the space for repentance.  Romans 8:7, the sinful nature is hostile towards God and starts with defining right and wrong in our own terms.