After the land had been allocated and settled, the eastern tribes (on the other side of the Jordan) were worried that the others would eventually forsake their unity. So they built an alter, a memorial reminder to the unity that all the tribes shared. Our unity can be easily forgotten or forsaken, too. And it's the alter of sacrifice, the cross of Jesus, that reminds us of our unity in Him.

The Gibeonites feared being destroyed by Israel, so they tried to deceive Israel into a treaty. Israel's error was that they did not consult God. They trusted what they saw and do not gain God's perspective on the situation. Like them, we are vulnerable to deception if we don't gain God's perspective.

Immediately after their first victory, the Israelites make two mistakes. Individually, a man named Achan keeps something that belongs to God. Collectively, they enter into their next battle confident in themselves. Not until they have repented to do they experience victory. Our sin, hidden or public, will keep us from all that God wants to give us. We must eradicate our sin so that we can experience His life.

Jericho was the first battle the Israelites faced in the new land. It was an imposing city. However, God's instructions to Israel demonstrate one very important thing -- their success will be entirely dependent not on their strength but on their surrender to Him. Likewise, in our lives, we experience life and victory not through our own strength but in surrendering to God so His power works in us.

God's path into the Promise Land begins with a remarkable step of faith--into the flooded waters of the Jordan River. God acts, but not until Israel steps. Our life with God is a series of steps that show our trust in God to do what He promises, including the first step of believing in Jesus and passing through the waters of baptism.

Through faith, all people have access to the life that God has promised.

On the edge of the Promise Land once again, Israel must have faith that God will keep His promises and give them this new land (and life). Just what is the life that God offers us? And how can we have faith in God to do what we cannot?

When life goes well for us, there is the temptation to believe that we have all that we need…that we can be self-reliant and independent. This mindset stands in direct opposition to the Gospel, which demands that we recognize our weakness and reliance on Jesus. Jesus calls for repentance in order to reestablish a relationship with Him.

In light of recent events and an outcry of injustice, brokenness, and pain in our nation, BridgePointe made space to cry out to God in prayer and worship. In his message, Jared looks to the Gospel to find unity and points to the source of our healing and change.

When life hurts, it's hard to hang on. Jesus Himself has suffered and overcome. For those who are hurting, weary, wondering if it's worth it, Jesus calls us to find strength, rest, and hope in Him. He is all we need and He promises that a better day is coming.