Rev. Robert M. Celeste MCAC
Today's thought
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Daily Christian thoughts for the months of March and April 2002 starting with the most recent and running back thru 3-1-2002
Tuesday April 30th, 2002
Have you ever wondered to yourself why so many of the world's people so hate the word of God, the Holy Scriptures? Well, here in Joshua chapter twelve, we will get an idea of why all of the world governments except the jews, hate His word, for the jews, it is simply a matter of hating His Word.
As you read Joshua twelve, you will see well defined borders of what God gave to the Israelites, these borders are clear and the word of God makes it clear that they are the borders of the people of Israel, not the people of perdition, the arabs. If the UN, the European Union, the Arabs and the pope believed in or gave any credence to the word of God, they would be supporting Israel and the jews in their struggle against the unholy, heathen muslims. For within the word of God are found the borders and the title to the land given them by God Almighty. While this is not the only reason, it is not even the best reason, it does go to show why it is so important for those of the world, to despise and do everything in their power to turn people from the Word of God and His word.
Joshua Chapter Twelve
1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon.
3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea (Dead Sea)on the east, the way (road) to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under (south of) Ashdothpisgah:
4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, 5 and reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; 8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
9 The king of Jericho, one;
the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
10 The king of Jerusalem, one;
the king of Hebron, one;
11 The king of Jarmuth, one;
the king of Lachish, one;
12 The king of Eglon, one;
the king of Gezer, one;
13 The king of Debir, one;
the king of Geder, one;
14 The king of Hormah, one;
the king of Arad, one;
15 The king of Libnah, one;
the king of Adullam, one;
16 The king of Makkedah, one;
the king of Bethel, one;
17 The king of Tappuah, one;
the king of Hepher, one;
18 The king of Aphek, one;
the king of Lasharon, one;
19 The king of Madon, one;
the king of Hazor, one;
20 The king of Shimronmeron, one;
the king of Achshaph, one;
21 The king of Taanach, one;
the king of Megiddo, one;
22 The king of Kedesh, one;
the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one;
the king of the nations of Gilgal, one;
24 The king of Tirzah, one:
all the kings thirty and one. (Joshua 12 1-24 ACP/KJV)
Do you ever wonder why God went to all the trouble of having His words and thoughts published in the book we call the Bible, when the vast majority of the world and worlds religions ignore, despise and contradict it? Why do the jews of all people, refuse to read it? Why do the ignore their own prophets? How is it that they can be so stupid as to not see the Messiah? How is it?
Well, the answer to that is really quite simple when you think about it, just go take a look at who Jesus prayed for in John chapter seventeen. Then ask yourself this, would God the Holy Spirit ignore the prayer of God the Son and open the eyes of those He did not pray for and explicitly said He was not praying for? No, He would not, for God the Father, God the Son and God the holy ghost are one and the same and within them is no disharmony r contradiction.
The Lord be with you all.
Amen.
While this weekend's primary reading is Joshua eleven, we are also going to look at John fourteen. Many of you, like me and like all other Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Born Again Christians, are at times troubled, or even persecuted. And as a result, we at times seem to be almost in a quandary about what to do.
As we have seen, over the last week, the books of the Old Testament are not only still very valid today, but also excellent places for us to turn in times of trouble. One of the ways to know you are looking in the right place is to find the teachings of the Lord verifying and strengthening it in the New Testament. Such is what we will look at this weekend.
Joshua chapter Eleven
1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2 and to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, 3 and to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough (cut the hamstrings on) their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. 8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. 9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king (Jabin) thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. 11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. 12 And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. 14 And all the spoil of these cities (all but Hazor), and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe. 15 As the LORD commanded Moses His servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.
16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; 17 Even from
the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir,
even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon:
and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. 20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that He (God) might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he (Joshua and his army being used as the forces of the Lord) might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. (Joshua chapter Eleven ACP/KJV)
As a homeshooling parent, do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you ever get tired of the state and the local school departments looking down on you, and the teachers unions and stores like Pennys making fun of you? "Be not afraid because of them for whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do "
Turn to Joshua eleven and see what God will do for you and read John fourteen to see how to get God's help.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14 ACP/KJV)
As a chaste teen, trying desperately to do what is right in the sight of the Lord and not in the sight of Britney Spears, do you ever get just a bit depressed? Do you ever get the feeling that you are standing all alone? Do you ever feel like throwing in the towel the next time you hear "If you loved me you would"? Is your strength being sapped? Your feelings becoming mixed? Turn to Jesus, turn to the Lord, look at His promise to you, me and every other child of God. "Be not afraid because of them for whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do"
As a dad, trying desperately to raise your family as the Lord commands, do you ever just shake your head, look to heaven and say "How Lord? How?" Do you wonder if you should burn the TV, cook the radios, burn the magazines, drop the newspapers and move your family into the middle of the Rocky Mountains? I know the feeling, as does God, so, "Be not afraid because of them for whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do"
Dads, moms, kids and pastors, don't try and do it on your own, you can't. The battle rages around us, we have the nightly news corrupting on the left, the US, state, county, and local governments corrupting on the right, we have the clothing and music corrupting in front of us and the leftist satan worshiping liberal churches, synagogues and mosque attacking us from the rear. You and I are surrounded, we are little islands standing neck deep in the septic waste of society, we need a life boat and that life boat is only a shout, a cry away. For we are promised by God Himself: "Be not afraid because of them for whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do"
Way back in Genesis, satan teaches us a very important lesson. This lesson is reinforced again as we read about the encounter of satan himself and the Lord, after the Lord has been in the desert fasting and praying for 40 days and 40 nights. And that lesson is that satan, lies. He twist scripture to make his lies palatable to the gullible. Adam and Eve were gullible, Jesus was not. Adam and Eve fell for the lies and the Scripture twistings of satan, Jesus did not, the Lord not only didn't fall for satan,s lies, He corrected him. And not in a politically correct manner either.
The media, the governments, the entertainment industry and the churches that preach commentary instead of God's word have all become satan's newest and most deadly twisters of Scripture. You can be like Adam and Eve or you can be like Jesus. The choice is yours. What is the difference? Jesus knew Scripture and rebuked satan with it. Adam and Eve did not turn to the lord, but tried to out fox satan on their own. They failed and as a result, you and I are reaping the consequences of their folly.
But you can have a way out, all you need do is call upon the Lord, rebuke satan by knowing Scripture as it is written, not how some satan worshiping theological expert knows it should have been written.
Remember this:
Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough (cut the hamstrings on) their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.
The Lord our God, Messiah Yeshua, be with you all, may He bless you and yours, keeping you safe from satan, his minions, his ilk and those who serve him both knowingly and unknowingly.
Amen.
Friday April 26th, 2002
Why is it that so many call themselves Calvinists or Armenians, or Lutherans or whatever? Was it Calvin that went up on the cross? Was it Luther whose shed blood cleanses?
he that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21
Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:26
Then Paul answered, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Corinthans 1:10
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1Corinthans 1:13
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Corinthans 5:4
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1Corinthans 6:11
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 2:10
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: James 5:14
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. 1Peter 4:14
And this is His (God the Father) commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He (God the Son) gave us commandment. 1John 3:23
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1Jo 5:13
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name. Revelation 3:12
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10-12
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Thessolonians 5:9
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: Revelation 19:1
Yes, one name, one God. And salvation by none other. You can call Him Jeshua, Yeshua, Jesus, Wonderful, Lamb of God, Mighty Councillor. You can call Him Jehovah or Yahweh, as long as you understand that there is but one in all the heavens and on earth that you can be saved by, and that one is God. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Three faces of God, but only one God.
Think about this, He knew your sins before He left heaven, came to earth as a speck in Mary's womb, grew, preached, was sacrificed, cast into hell for three days and arose. And even knowing your sins, He still came. And some of you still claim allegiance to a denomination or a theory, putting things created ahead of the Creator.
Some of you still adhere to the teachings and idiolatry of the Roman Catholics Church. Some of you still pray to saints, priest, dead parents and children. Some of you are still reading commentary instead of the word of God, the Holy Bible. What is the matter? Why do you have such a hard time turning to Him who created you? Do you really enjoy your sins that much? Do you really prefer going to hell over going to heaven?
Father in heaven, Jeshua, please open their eyes.
Amen.
Before you read today's Scripture, I would like you to take just a moment and ponder the question in the title today. Just what is it about the old Testament that still makes it so important, even after 3500 years? For it was indeed 3500 years ago that Moses recorded in writing the words dictated to Him by God.
Yesterday, both a man and a woman, on two separate occasions and in two completely separate and distinct settings, pretty much made the same statement/question to me. Both were under the impression that Christ' coming and passion, put and end to the Old testament. To both, I asked this one question, "So, according to your teachings, the Ten Commandments are now null and void?" Both replied saying no, and that their preacher(s) even preached the ten commandments on occasion.
My next question to them was, "So, the Ten Commandments are still valid, but the rest of the old Testament is null and void?" When they hesitated at that, I asked them "If God might now think that bestiality and incest were ok and no longer sins?" Both again said, "No of course not, is that in the Old Testament?" And I told them that yes it was, in Leviticus, the book that makes homosexuality a crime punishable by death.
Then, I told them that some of the Old Testament was made finished by the coming by, life of, death of, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the Christ. And that Jesus Himself tells us just what is finished and what is not. And He tells us in the New Testament, in the gospel of Matthew. This seemed to take them both totally by surprise, and I can not help but wonder how many of you it is taking by surprise as well.
Now, let us look at the Scripture, the words of the Lord Jesus Himself and see what is and what isn't over and done with in the Old Testament.
As Jesus spoke, delivering His sermon on the Mount, He said: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17&18)
" Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:" So, obviously, He did not come to make the Old Testament null and void.
"I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Fulfil what? Why the prophecies concerning the first coming of the Messiah of course, the coming not as the Warrior King, but as the perfect, stainless sacrifice, the Sacrificial Lamb, the perfect sacrifice with neither spot not blemish, to wash away the sins of the world. So everything in the Old Testament that prophesied the first coming of the Lord, everything that describes the perfectness, by God, of the Sacrificial Lamb, is fulfilled. That is why it is so important never ever to cease insisting that the Word of God, the Holy Bible is 100% accurate and correct. For to waiver, on say the virginity of Mary, is to say that the Word of God is a lie.
The Lord then goes on and tells us when all will be fulfilled, " For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." And when is that? When is all things prophesied fulfilled? Well not at least until the end of the thousand year reign of the Lord, for in the Book of Revelation we see the end coming for satan, his minions, his ilk and those who serve or served him, knowingly and unknowingly, as satan is cast into the lake of fire as is everyone other than those whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life.
So, why is the Old Testament so important? Well, does not the Lord tell us so when He says, " For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."?
The Lord be with you all, and may you search the Scriptures, studying and learning, for it is only in Scripture, Old and New Testaments, that we find the truth. For the truth is not found in a court that says abortion is a mothers right, or a court that tells us that child pornography that does not use real children but instead computer generated images of children is legal and constitutionally protected.
My God forgive this nation and may He open the eyes of the courts, the administration, the men, and the congress of this land.
Amen.
Have you ever taken the time to think about how much God must love us? Oh, I don't mean just thinking about it, I mean really pondering it. Let me give you something to think about, in order for us to even start to comprehend how great the Lord's love of us is, we must first understand or have an idea of how wonderful heaven is and how horrible hell is.
For, God so loves us that He left His throne in heaven, came to earth as the infant in the womb of a human woman named Mary, spent three and a half years preaching, allowed Himself to be captured, spit on, beat up, bound, scourged till He had no skin left covering His flesh, brutally nailed to a cross, hung hanging from nails in His wrist and through His two ankles, insulted, forced to have placed in his mouth bile, viciously stabbed in the side with a spear, leaving a hole large enough for a man to put his fist in, and then spent three days in hell. All for us. All for lousy sinful, deceitful, corrupt, perverted, vile, hateful, idol worshiping, infant hating us.
Jesus left heaven, want an idea of how glorious His home in heaven is?
Revelation Chapter Four
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold,
a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were *seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before(infront) and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10 the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation chapter four ACP/KJV)
*vs 5 seven lamps are the seven Spirits of God. In Revelation 1:20, we read The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.
Jesus left heaven and for our sake was so beaten that He, the most perfect man to ever walk the earth, a man without any blemishes, without a hair out of place, with perfect teeth, perfect hair, perfect health, perfect complection, a man with neither blemish not fault, was so beat that the prophet Isaiah describes him like this:
For He (Jeshua) shall grow up before Him (Yahweh) as a tender plant (tender young plants are the most tender, tasty and perfect of plants),
and as a root out of a dry ground (a land spiritually dry, Israel had become a spiritual desert by this time, a country more interested in studying and fulfilling commentary than the word of God.):
He (Jesus) hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. (Isaiah 53: 2&3)
Jesus, was so beautiful as a child and man before the romans and the jews got their hands on Him, that Isaiah refers to Him as a tender plant. But, after the beating, the torture, the crucifixion, the Lord was so beat up and ugly, that no one could even bear to look at Him, He had been so disfigured, that no one could be drawn to him. And He did it out of love for you and me. And it gets worse, for after all that, God allowed Himself to be placed in hell with the evil one, his minions, and his ilk, for three days.
How bad is hell? Well, remember, it is not yet the lake of fire, it is now hell:
In Matthew we get a little idea of how horrible hell is:
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(Matthew 25:30)
Outer darkness, I can not even begin to imagine what that must be like, but not only can Jesus imagine it, He knows, for He not only created it as a holding place for the evil one, He allowed Himself to be cast there for three days. And for what? For us! Jesus allowed this to happen to Himself, not for selfish reasons, but out of pure love for you, me and every other man, woman and child to walk the earth since He did. But how few accept Him.
How He must cry looking down and seeing us celebrate His birthday on CHRISTmas, yet excluding Him from the celebration, not only excluding Him, but degrading Him to the point where some won't even refer to Him by His name but instead by calling Him "X".
How it must grief Him as He looks down upon us and sees His gift to parents, little babies, being destroyed while trapped in the place they should be the safest, the womb. How He must cry as He sees men and women training their children to carry bombs into crowded areas, just to kill, not unlike what was done in Vietnam and is now bing done by arab fanatic muslims in Israel and throughout the world.
How He must cry as He listens to rabbis and left wing extremist preachers, preaching doubt about His divinity, His virgin birth and placing His mother on the same plan as Him.
How He must wail as He watches church leaders teaching men and women to ignore Him and instead pray to idols, so called saints, and men and women long dead in the grave.
How He must feel the sting of humiliation and pain all over again as He watches man after man, woman after woman, child after child go into a little dark closet, kneel down and ask a man dressed in a black robe for forgiveness, not only calling him father, but giving him the reverence reserved for God.
How it must cause Him pain to see jew after jew cast into this outer darkness waiting for the final judgement where they will be cast into the lake of fire, along with those who so hate them, the arab muslim extremist suicide homicidal maniac bombers.
And what makes it all the more amazing, what makes His love even so much greater, is that He knew it was going to happen, He knows that most will reject Him and worship satan, and He still left His throne, came to earth, was tortured, beat, whipped, spit on, stabbed and crucified, and then cast into hell, for us.
That is love.
What about you? Are you giving the Lord reason to smile? Or are you one more causing Him great sorrow?
Oh Lord, you know what is on my heart, but Your will be done Lord, not mine, but Thine.
Amen.
This coming Saturday, it appears that I may be invited to an Orthodox Jewish Synagogue, as a result, we are going to leave the book of Joshua for the week and continue our study of the proofs that Jesus is the Christ. This is my way of preparing for the weekend, in the event that I am invited and the Lord opens a door for me to speak to one or many.
As most of you know, I find the slaughter of the baby in the womb, one of the most horrific of all crimes, a crime punishable by death, a crime that I am not sure can be forgiven. Many a jew today, looks forward to the time when not only babies in the womb, but those out of the womb are slaughtered, for they know that on that day, or so they suppose, the Messiah will come. It is sad that they are unaware that, that already happened. There has already been a time when the innocent ones in and out of the womb were slaughtered.
In the Book of Jeremiah, we read the prophecy that makes this a requirement:
Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth His flock.
For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness. saith the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. (Jeremiah 31:10-17 ACP/KJV)
Let us look again at the verses we are focusing on this morning, Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Now let us look and see that not only does secular history record this event, filling the prophesy, but so does the word of God.
When they (the three wise men) had heard the king (Herod), they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the Young Child (Jeshua) was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the Young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, and take the Young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the Young Child to destroy Him."
When he arose, he took the Young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, OUT OF EGYPT HAVE I CALLED MY SON (Hosea 11-1).
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, IN RAMA WAS THERE A VOICE HEARD, LAMENTATION, AND WEEPING, AND GREAT MOURNING, RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN, AND WOULD NOT BE COMFORTED, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT. (Matthew 2:9-18 SCP/KJV)
Think about it for a moment, the year was 1 or 2 BC, Jesus was maybe two years old, way too young to have rigged this event, yet, in fulfillment of prophecy, every boy baby 2 years old and younger, was killed. Secular history tells us that babies in the womb were killed as well, just incase. They were killed by Roman legionnaires, the same legionnaires who 31 or so years later would finish the job they had started that day, by spitting on, slapping, beating, whipping, torturing, scourging and crucifying the Lord, Messiah Jeshua.
You might notice that not just Jeremiah's prophecy was fulfilled in those few verses from Matthew, but one by Hosea as well: When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)
May the Lord our God, Jesus, the Christ be with you all and may this week's study reassure you that it is God you worship when you come to the Lord Jesus on bended knees, broken and giving yourself to Him.
Amen.
A couple of nights ago, three of God's warriors got together and prayed. One of the things we prayed for is the youngsters who are muslims that are becoming homicide bombers. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20 ACP/KJV)
Why, you might ask, are we so concerned about the muslim hordes? I want you to take a moment and read this report by Matt Drudge. Now while I have removed the link to Matt's news site from the church's links page, that does not alter the fact that his does do excellent investigative reporting. The link was removed, not due to Matt's reporting, but because of the choices of wording that he at times uses in his headlines. That said, read this:
WOULD-BE SUICIDE BOMBER SAYS SHE WOULD CONSIDER NOT BECOMING A MARTYR IF ARAFAT
WERE TO SPEAK AGAINST SUICIDE BOMBINGS
Fri Apr 12 2002 18:19:52 ET
NEW YORK -- A young Palestinian mother, arrested by the Israelis for attempting
to become a suicide bomber, tells correspondent Elizabeth Palmer she and other
suicide bombers would consider halting their activities if Yasir Arafat denounced
such actions. Her interview will be broadcast tonight (12) on the CBS EVENING
NEWS WITH DAN RATHER.
A TRANSCRIPT OF THE INTERVIEW FOLLOWS:
ELIZABETH PALMER NARRATION: On the surface Shifa Adnan Kodsi had a lot to live
for.. She worked in a beauty parlor, she was young and attractive - and had a 7-year-old daughter. But when Israel invaded the west bank this young woman decided
she had to act.
No matter the cost to her family and daughter.
...Her answer was to become a suicide bomber:
(SOT VOICE OF TRANSLATOR)
THE IDEA OCCURRED TO ME A WEEK AGO WHEN I SAW THE MASSACRES WHICH WERE OCCURRING
- ON TELEVISION - THE MASSACRES IN RAMALLAH. 1221
PALMER: Kodsi was arrested two days ago at her parents house in the West Bank -
after a tipoff to Israeli intelligence forces. She won't admit any affiliation
to any radical Palestinian organization - but does say she reveres Yassir Arafat
Kodsi: I DID IT FOR HIM ...BECAUSE OF THE HUMILIATION AND EMBARASSMENT THAT HE
WAS EXPOSED TO EVEN THOUGH HE IS A HEAD OF STATE.
Although Arafat claims he has fulfilled Israeli and Western demands to denounce
suicide bombings...it's not a message that ever reached Kodsi.
Kodsi: IF HE EVER DID MAKE SUCH A REQUEST - WE WOULD THINK OF STOPPING...BECAUSE
AFTER ALL HE IS OUR PRESIDENT AND HE IS OUR LEADER.
PALMER: Although she is obviously proud of her seven-year-old daughter -
(NAT SOT) - she is very beautiful...
PALMER: Kodsi believed her martyrdom in the name of Palestinian revenge was more
important than her responsibility as a mother.
Kodsi: SHE IS NOT THE FIRST NOR THE LAST TO BE AN ORPHAN. LOTS OF OTHER CHILDREN
HAVE LOST BOTH MOTHER AND FATHER.
- more -
PALMER: The Israeli invasion of the west bank - according to Kodsi - left her
very few choices. In despair, having witnessed so much random killing.... she
believed that becoming a suicide bomber - as a political act would at least give
her own death some meaning....Her message for the parents of today's suicide
bomber... I congratulate them 1000 times.
END
Last week, the remains of a ten year old were identified, the remains were those of a ten year old boy. He had lured eighteen Israeli soldiers into a building, set off the bomb he was carrying and then snipers killed all but five of the soldiers that had survived the blast.
These muslims cowards, cowards like osama bin laden and arafat, are not putting their own lives on the line, they are recruiting silly girls and little boys, sending them straight to meet their god, satan.
The Apostle Paul has taught us in his first letter to Timothy: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 ACP/KJV)
Yes, my brothers, we need to find a bit of time each dat to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, we need to pray that the Lord will raise up a Paul for the muslim hordes. For while the news and the unsaved pagans of th world will give praise to any number of politicians and arafat may just get a second Nobel Peace prize, you and I, along with the rest of the Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Born Again Christian community, will give the praise, the glory and thanks to the Lord God above, the Creator of all things, Messiah Jeshua.
If we don't pray, who will? Do you think God the Son hears the prayers of those who are not His? Those who turn from Him? Do you think God hears the prayers of those praying to satan under the name of alla? Do you think He hears those who call themselves jews but are not, but are liars and belong to the synagogue of satan? God hears the prayers of only those who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, who have believed on Him and become His, those who have used their free will to become His.
With the exception of the sinners prayer, God hears only the prayers of those who are Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians! And no others!!!
No one but God will resolve what is going on in Israel, and no one but us can go to God and ask His help. If not for an end to the violence at least in opening the eyes of parents who train and send their little sons and daughters straight to hell as blood sacrifices to satan in the form of homicide bombers, a phrase not coined by the president, but by our own Mac Maguire.
The Lord God be with you all, and first thank Him for letting you be born here and then ask His intervention to prevent one child from becoming a martyr for satan by serving allah.
Amen.
Pray for The salvation and healing of Jack Wear. The health of the baby in the wombs of: Theresa, Kirsten, the Lt.'s wife, Rick and Katies daughter-in-law. And any and all other troubled pregnancies.
Pray for the children of divorces, the children whose mothers have fallen to the lies about being able to raise their children without a father in the house or that a step dad is as good as a dad when the natural dad is alive.
The children of families in Iraq, where the government is now offering the families $25,000 if they will offer up one of their children as a suicide bomber and that child is successful.
Just about every day, I e-mail to the president of these United States, the daily Christian Thought. I do this because, way back in 1993, a member of the staff of one of Maine's congressional delegations, a staffer who is still there, told me that, due to my intimate relationship with Maine State Militia, everything that I sent to the president was read and researched carefully to assure themselves that I was not threatening the president or the government. Since then, I have found that as much as one third of our daily hits come from federal sites in the DC area. Praise GOD!!!
Is the president reading the daily thought? I don't know, I do know that Clinton while he was President wasn't. But as for this President, President Bush the second, I don't know. I see in his comments at times, shades of what was sent to him, but not enough to say he is reading them.
But, this I do know, someone in the bowels of the White house, someone in the FBI, and others in the security apparatus of the myriad of secret federal police agencies are reading them. And that is what this is all about, getting the word of God out to the heathens, the pagans, the unsaved, the damned. Now it is up to the Holy Spirit to open their collective or individual eyes and ears, soften their hearts and give them a salvation understanding of what they are reading.
As we go through the Book of Joshua, I wish there were a way of getting Prime Minister Sharon to read them as well, for if only Israel would turn to Yeshua, they would have peace, if not in their country, at least in their hearts. For now they tremble, they look to the US for help, and shortly they will turn to satan himself for the promise of the peace they so desperately want. A peace that can only be gained with the knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the word of God and the Word of God, Messiah Yeshua. Man would I love to get a look at Colin Powell's scalp.
Now, let us read very carefully the word of the Lord, the book of Joshua, chapter ten, for in it we will see how the Lord God Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Creator of you, me and all things in and on the earth and throughout the heavens, Messiah Jeshua, will fight for and give victory to those whom He claims as His and who worship and trust on Him.
Joshua Chapter Ten
1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of *Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; 2 That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. 3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 "come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel."
5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites,
the king of Jerusalem,
the king of Hebron,
the king of Jarmuth,
the king of Lachish,
the king of Eglon,
gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, "Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us." 7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. 8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. 11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died:
they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon." 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?
So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
15 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. 16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, "The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah." 18 And Joshua said, "Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: 19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand."
20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. 21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. 22 Then said Joshua, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave." 23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him; "Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings." And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. 25 And Joshua said unto them, "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."
26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. 27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day. 28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah: 30 And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as e did unto the king of Jericho.
31 And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it: 32 And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that He had done to Libnah. 33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. 34 And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:
35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish. 36 And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it: 37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: 39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. 41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. 42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.(Joshua 10 ACP/KJV)
Notes: *Jerusalem was once called Salem, And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and He was the priest of the most high God. And He blessed him(Abram), and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he (Abram) gave Him(Melchizeddek, Jesus) tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18-20 ACP/KJV)
Oh how I wish there where a way to get Israel today to read the wonders of what God would do for them, if only they would get their heads out of cess poll of commentary written by those who while claiming to be jews are but liars and are really the members and leaders of the synagogue of satan. If only they would turn to Him who created them, Him who cries as He watches them blunder through life, searching, waiting for and serving satan.
May the Lord our God, Messiah Jeshua, be with you all, may He help you through these times and may He protect you and yours as the suicide bombers move to the USA. Evangelize now my brothers, for the time is short, and the people are hungry. If we don't reach them for the Lord, others will reach them for satan, for their hunger will lead them to one or the other. They will serve and worship the Lord our God, Jesus, or they will be won over by the forces of evil with their cry of "eat drink and be merry for you only go this way one time".
I pray God's blessing and protection upon all of you who reach out to the heathens, for as He has kept me safe from the dozens of federal secret police agencies that would like to see me either in jail or dead, He will protect you too, if you will only reach out to do His will.
Amen.
So, "what's a little disobedience" you ask? Today we will see what happens when there is but a little disobedience on the part of God's people. The jews back 3400 years ago in the time of Joshua, and we Born Again Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians, today.
After you read today's Scripture, I'll tell you something interesting.
Joshua Chapter Nine
1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea (the Mediterranean) over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; 2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 4 they did work wilily (sneakily and deceptively), and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; 5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. 6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel; "We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us."
7 And the men (elders, also referred to as princes) of Israel said unto the Hivites, "Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?" 8 And they said unto Joshua, "We are thy servants." And Joshua said unto them, "Who are ye? and from whence come ye?" 9 And they said unto him; "From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of Him, and all that He did in Egypt, 10 And all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond (across the river) Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, 'take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.'
12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: 13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey."
14 And the men (the elders or princes of Israel) took of (looked at or inspected) their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. 16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. 18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. 19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, "We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them."
21 And the princes said unto them, "Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them."
22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, "Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, 'We are very far from you'; when ye dwell among us? 23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God." 24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of (for) our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do."
26 And so did he (Joshua) unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. 27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose. (Joshua Chapter Nine ACP/KJV)
Now the original question was, "So, 'what's a little disobedience' you ask?" When Joshua and the elders or princes of Israel cut a deal with the Hivites, they forgot to ask God what He thought about it. But they did make the deal with an oath by invoking God's name. As a result, the Israelites were forced to not kill the Hivites, therefore going against God's orders.
So, you ask, what's the big deal? They killed everyone else didn't they. Mostly, but this set a dangerous precedent, later when we get to the Book of Samuel, you will see Saul doing the same thing. Not following God's orders and allowing some of whom God had condemned to death, to live. With Joshua it was the Hivites, with Saul it was the Amalekites. Both are the direct forefathers of today's Palestinians, Arafat and his the PLO.
So, what's a little disobedience? God tells girls to remain virgins till marriage, when they disobey, they get diseases, get pregnant and kill their babies. God condemns adultery and tells us not to do it, when we disobey, families are destroyed, children are cast as objects of barter and lies are told that scar for years to come. God condemns that act of homosexuality, a little disobedience leads to one of the most horrible deaths imaginable, death by AIDS.
So, what's a little disobedience, well, look at the results of the actions of a few Hivites on September 11th, 2001, at the actions of a few more in Israel, look no further than your own neighborhood to see the results of adultery, ask someone in the medical profession about AIDS and the scores of other sexuality transmitted diseases.
What's a little disobedience, go back to Genesis the third chapter and read for yourself, the results of a little disobedience.
Jesus, help us to be obedient, help us to understand that as Born Again Christians, we have given up our free will to serve You, help us to be obedient Lord, help us to be obedient. And Lord help us to remember to pray for our children daily, to pray for our wives daily as well, to pray for our president and our nation, for peace in Jerusalem and Lord help us to choose one child of unsaved parents and pray diligently for that child daily as well, let him or her be an adopted child to us for the purpose of praying for his or here salvation. And hear oh Lord my prayer for Josh, for his health, and his salvation and my blessings on his mom for having him
Amen.
As we have looked at the previous chapters of Joshua, we can not help but notice that Joshua was, as it were, the president. But, he is also the head of one household, one family, he is a dad a grandad, a great granddad. And as such he is the head of one family.
Now, take a moment, before you read todays scripture to think about the type of father Joshua must have been. Do you think Joshua would have been un-judgmental when his son or daughter brought home a friend? Do you think Joshua would have deferred to his wife and her feelings when one of his children or one of their friends did something that brought the police to the door? Do you think Joshua would have sent his eight or nine year old into the public school system in the US saying "I'm letting them be missionaries" or "This is so that they can be a light to the rest of the class"?
Do you think that Joshua would have done business with an abortionist? Do you think he would have let his wife or daughter go to an obgyn that did abortionist or even referred women to an abortionist? Do you think Joshua would have voted for and defended the republican party of susan collins, olympia snowe and the log cabin homosexuals? Or if you life in Madison, Indiana the democratic party, the party with the sign on their door boasting 'family values'?
Joshua Chapter Eight
1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: 2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night. 4 And he commanded them, saying, "Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready: 5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, 6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, 'They flee before us, as at the first:' therefore we will flee before them.
7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. 8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you."
9 Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people. 10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. 11 And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai. 12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 13 And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.
15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
16 And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. 17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. 18 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand.
And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. 19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire. 20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. 21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. 22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.
23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. 24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. 25 And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. 26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which He commanded Joshua. 28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day. 29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, 31 as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them. (Joshua 7: ACP/KJV)
Well? What do you think?
Do you think Joshua would have been un-judgmental when his son or daughter brought home a friend? Do you think Joshua would have deferred to his wife and her feelings when one of his children or one of their friends did something that brought the police to the door? Do you think Joshua would have sent his eight or nine year old into the public school system in the US saying "I'm letting them be missionaries" or "This is so that they can be a light to the rest of the class"?
Do you think that Joshua would have done business with an abortionist? Do you think he would have let his wife or daughter go to an obgyn that did abortionist or even referred women to an abortionist? Do you think Joshua would have voted for and defended the republican party of susan collins, olympia snowe and the log cabin homosexuals? Or if you life in Madison, Indiana the democratic party, the party with the sign on their door boasting 'family values'?
Look again at verses 23-29:
23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. 24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. 25 And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. 26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which He commanded Joshua. 28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day. 29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
Take a moment, look in the mirror and ask yourself, "am I more like a Joshua or are you more like aa Bill Clinton?" Do you utterly want to destroy evil or are you willing to compromise with it? Do you allow your children to buy from Abrocombie and Finch? Do you allow the A&F magazine, they call it a catalogue, in your home?
On this coming Thursday night I want you to join with us, I want you to get prayers warriors into your home or your church and join with us:
Please join us.
On Thursday Evening April 11th, 2002, at 7:30 PM
We at Faith Community Church of Lovell, Maine will be joining with other parents and grandparents in raising our voices together asking our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to help us and guide us in raising our children.
Route 5A Lovell, Maine
turn up the hill between Dutton Real Estate and Center Lovell Store
We have come to realize that in this time of peer pleasures and morals, that not only make it difficult for our children and grandchildren to grow and mature in the knowledge and word of our Lord, it is only with His help that we and they can hope to succeed.
We invite all parents and grandparents who are unafraid to ask for God's help, to join with us.
For further information please call:
Rev. Warren Feustal 928-2961
Join with us and pray not only for your kids and grandkids, but for those children of unsaved parents, and not just little ones, pray for these as well:
The salvation and healing of Daniel Simms and Jack Wear. The health of the baby in the wombs of: Theresa, Kirsten, the Lt.'s wife, Rick and Katies daughter-in-law. And any and all other troubled pregnancies.
Pray for the children of divorces, the children whose mothers have fallen to the lies about being able to raise their children without a father in the house or that a step dad is as good as a dad when the natural dad is alive.
The children of families in Iraq, where the government is now offering the families $25,000 if they will offer up one of their children as a suicide bomber and that child is successful.
And most of all men, pray for yourselves, pray that God will move you closer to being a Joshua and less like a Clinton.
Amen.
On Friday, we looked at what the Lord will do for you and a nation that abides by His commandment, that listens to Him and obeys Him. Now let us look at what happens when you anger the Lord by disobedience. Even when one of yours that is pledged to the Lord disobeys. How the Lord will punish, discipline and hold responsible those who disobey and or steal from Him.
Friday, in Joshua Chapter Six, we saw how the Lord did the impossible, how He simply collapsed the walls of Jericho to the sound of clapping and shouting on the part of the Israelites and how with no casualties on the side of the Israelites, all of Jericho were slaughtered, all except those who were of the family of the father of Rahab the harlot. And how the Lord did this just as He had said He would, because Joshua and all Israel did just as the Lord God Creator of the Universe had commanded.
Today, we will trace the steps of one who brought destruction down on Israel by his disobedience.
Joshua Chapter Seven
1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing:
for Achan,
the son of Carmi,
the son of Zabdi,
the son of Zerah,
of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing (Jericao): and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, "Go up and view the country." And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, "Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few."
4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 5 And the men of Ai smote (killed) of them about thirty and six men: for they (the men of Ai) chased them (the Israelite warriors) from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down (while the Israelites retreated): wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
6 And Joshua rent (ripped) his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would (I wish) to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! 8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt Thou do unto Thy great name?"
10 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up! Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
14 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man. 15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.'
16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
17 And he brought the family of Judah;
and he took the family of the Zarhites:
and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man;
and Zabdi was taken: 18 And he brought his household man by man;
and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
19 And Joshua said unto Achan, "My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto Him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."
20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, "Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: 21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it."
22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it. 23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. 24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
25 And Joshua said, "Why hast thou troubled us? The LORD shall trouble thee this day."
And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. 26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. (Joshua 7: ACP/KJV)
As we go through the Old Testament, we see God asking men to really rely upon Him. We saw Him in Joshua 6, telling the children of Israel: "And ye shall compass (go all the way around) the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him." (Joshua 6:3-5 ACP/KJV)
Imagine God telling one of us to do something like this today. Telling one of us to get twenty solid Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians together, and telling them that God had told you to get them together and for the next 6 days, they were to march around the city of Washington, DC, they were to say nothing, but three of them were to play harmonicas. And then on Sunday, the seventh day they were to march around it seven times and on the seventh time they were to all shout at once and all of the abortion clinics and places doing and referring abortions in the city would totally collapse, killing every abortionist and all of their helpers and those having abortions.
Well, thank God, He doesn't make demands like this on us any more, seems the Lord learned about the strength and ability of His people, His children, the Born Again Christian community way back 1970 years ago.
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down (stepped) out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, "Lord, save me." And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14: 28-31 ACP/KJV)
So, today the Lord no longer says tells us things that would really require a show of faith, today He simply commands us to:
A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another.
As I have loved you, that ye also love one another. (John 13:34) Love one another, as I have loved you. Love the other Born Again washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians, as I have loved you. Isn't that what Jesus is telling us? Yet how many of us put secular world people ahead of others who are Born Again washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians?
And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Looking at how little the Lord asks us to do today, and how few of us do even one of these three things, how do you think the folks in your church would react if you tried to get 20 of them to march around Washington? How about ten? Could you get ten? Six? Well how about three? Could you at least get the three harmonica players?
I didn't think so, but don't feel bad, I doubt I could either.
Oh Lord God above, Creator of all things, thank You for knowing us well enough to not ask of us the things You asked of Old Testament Saints, for we are not only a stiff necked lot, we are a weak and scared lot as well. Thank You for coming to earth and shedding your blood, giving us an easy way out of the eternal damnation we so completely deserve.
Amen.
3,409 years ago there was a man. His name was Joshua, and he listened to God. Not only did Joshua listen, he did what God told him to do, even when what God told him to do sounded absolutely absurd. Yet, Joshua listened and did as he was told and city after city, kingdom after kingdom fell to Joshua and the men he led, with few if any casualties on the side of the Israelites. It was only when God was disobeyed that death occurred or defeat resulted on the side of the Israelites.
Let's take a few minutes to read how God responds when we just follow His orders.
Joshua Chapter Six
1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua,
See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. 3 And ye shall compass (go all the way around) the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
7 And he said unto the people, "Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD."
8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. 9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. 10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."
11 So the ark of the LORD compassed (went around) the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp. 12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. 14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. 16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, "Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. 17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."
20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. 21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, "Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her." 23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without (outside) the camp of Israel.
24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD. 25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. (He who builds Jerico will have his eldest son die when he starts building and his youngest son die when he puts the gates in place C- 1 Kings 16:34)
27 So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country. (Joshua 6 ACP/KJV)
You know, I have no doubts that God talks to George Bush, what I doubt is that the president listens. Maybe it is because the Lord tells the president to do things that sounds as outlandish, as God telling Joshua; "And ye shall compass (go all the way around) the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat"
But, maybe if the president would listen, well, who knows.
Keep the president in your prayers my brothers, keep him in your prayers, for with the troubles going on in Israel, he may very will be our last hope before the Lord shouts. And pray not just for him, but pray for every evangelist out there, and pray for those who these brave men and women worldwide are talking to. Pray that the Holy Spirit will protect His evangelists and open the eyes, hearts, ears and souls of every man woman and child they talk to.
The Lord our God, the Creator of all things, Messiah Yeshua be with you all.
Amen.
In every life, there comes a time when we are overwhelmed by the size and or power of our adversaries. It is those times when we need to turn to the Lord, for it is those times when we need God's help the most. It is those times when I do, what I call, desperation praying.
We too, like the Israelites can be a stiff necked people. As a matter of fact, we, the Born Again Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians are probably even more stiff necked than the Jews ever thought of being. For they know not to whom they pray, but we do know He to whom we pray. Once we give our lives to the Lord, from that instant on, we know Him and He hears our every word and plea. Yet, we seem to be desperate before many of us will turn to Him. We, like the Israelites of 4500 years ago, want to do it on our own. We would rather wander in the desert taking tidbits from the Lord, than cast ourselves upon His shoulders completely.
Today, as we look at Joshua chapter five, we will see that the Lord is near, very near, and that all we need do is ask and like a loving bigger older brother, He is always willing to rescue us from our dilemmas.
Joshua Chapter Five
1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. 2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise:
All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that He would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that He would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
7 And their children, whom He raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.
8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. 9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you (the Israelites). Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.
10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. 11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. 12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a Man over against him with His sword drawn in His hand: and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" 14 And He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto Him, What saith my Lord unto His servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so. (Joshua Chapter Five ACP/KJV)
Even after forty years of wandering in the desert, all it took was one true prayer warrior for the Lord to come and rescue His people. He didn't come as a Lamb to be led to slaughter, that would be later, no, He came as the Warrior King to conquer His children's enemies clearly, decisively and completely. We too have been wandering in a desert, we have spent forty years wandering in the desert of deceit, lies, corruption, abortion and murder. It has now been forty years since the United States Supreme Court took the side of satan and ruled against the Lord our God in the public place.
Is it not time for us to be circumcised? Not of the flesh, but truly of the heart? Is it not time for us as a nation to have one lead us that turns not to man but God? Is it not time for us to have one who will look for the Angel of the Lord, God's Warrior, Messiah Yeshua. Pray this day, pray for our nation, pray that the Lord will come and lead us in battle. Lead us in battle against the modern Jericho, the Supreme Court, the Congress, the various law enforcement agencies like the BATF and the FBI, agencies that have become so corrupt that like our former president, don't seem capable of either telling the truth or doing what is right.
Be a Joshua, pray in desperation for the baby trapped in the womb. For the fathers of those babies have become like grass before a fire storm, they have no courage to stand against the tide of offering their child to satan as a blood sacrifice and instead hide and laugh as their child is slaughtered. For if not the Lord, who will rescue that baby? Who but God can stand up to the abortionist and the courts, police, governments, and parents who support and protect them.
Amen.
Today, we are going to leave the study of Joshua, for today we are going to look at the satan inhabited slave of evil called the anti-Christ. Why are we doing this? What is so important about the anti-Christ that we would take valuable time away from our study of the man of God called Joshua?
Two things, first, for those of us who are Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians, the ones who will be the bride of the Lamb, we won't be here when this vilest of all humans comes on the scene, for we will have already have been raptured, we will meet the Lord in the air and watch from the comfort of heaven as this lying homosexual egotist spreads satan's venom throughout the world. So, the first reason is that we, as Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians, who while not knowing the exact day and minute of the Lord's return, but who can read the signs of the times, will know this evil creature when he first rears his ugly head. Letting us know that the time is very very short and we need to redouble and triple our efforts with our loved ones, our kin, our friends, neighbors and those of the church of Laodicea.
The second reason is this, many on Christian radio, and I do not disagree with them, are looking at Arafat and his arab muslim minions, and Israel and are coming to the conclusion that they are in a quagmire that can only be resolved by someone with the earthly powers of satan who is fulfilling prophecy and as a result doing God's work. They and I feel that since the troubles in the Mideast are so serious and the sides so solidified against little Israel, that the time is ripe for this lying homosexual to make his appearance saying "peace peace" and guaranteeing Israel seven years of peace.
So, how do we identify this slime ball? Well, the book of Daniel written around 2500 years ago, in the neighborhood of 540 or so BC. Daniel saw and wrote of a vison in chapters 10,11 and 12, this vison was of the last days and includes in it a great description of the anti-Christ in chapters 11 verse 21.
Let's look, so that when a new world leader comes on the scene, we will be able to know if he is the pond scum satan has been waiting for or not. For I and many others are all but convinced that this man is alive now, and all that is waiting is for the middle east to get worse and the Lord to mount His white steed (c-Revelation 6:1) and call us from the clouds to escort us home to His kingdom.
Let us go to Daniel.
And in his estate (former world leader, maybe todays un leader) shall stand up a vile person (anti-Christ), to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. And after the league made with him (7 year peace guarantee for Israel) he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people (from a small country, not a super power like the US, so it is not Bush, Powell or Clinton).
He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time (while he comes from a line of satan worshipers, this would be any religion other than Born Again Christians, he will do things much more disgusting than any of his lineage ever dreamed of doing, even though he is the decedent of leaders of the country from which he comes. This would seem to eliminate the king of Jordan, since he is only the second generation of Jordanian leadership, before his father, Jordan was under the King of England.). (Daniel 11:21-24 ACP/KJV)
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things (the worst things ever uttered) against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers (While his father, grandfather and great grandfather worshipped a god, they thought they were worshiping God, so they are probably either jews, muslims or one of the church of Laodicea that prays not to Jesus but to a saint or Mary.), nor the desire of women (The anti-Christ is either a homosexual or asexual, but more than likely a homosexual), nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the god of forces (satan): and a god whom his fathers knew not (His fathers thought they were worshiping the God of creation, but really some satan derivative like allah) shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. (Daniel 11:36-38 ACP/KJV)
So, there you have the best description of the anti-Christ available, now his barber knows who he is because the number 666 is under his hairline on his head. But there is no Scripture to indicate that the barber is about to tell anyone. So, keep your eyes open for the one who fills the bill of the vilest man to ever walk the earth as described in Daniel, for when you see him, you know the anti-Christ is here. Or just get 'crackin' and evangelize as many as you can today, for how much worse can things get in Israel?
Lord thank You for Your guarentee that we won't be here when this lying vile homosexual takes over.
Amen.
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002
As you read today's scripture, you might just wonder to yourself if maybe George Washington shouldn't have taken thirteen stones out of the Delaware River and built a memorial so that when we, hundreds of years later might have been graphically reminded of what men did to secure our freedom and how they trusted in the Lord to win against overwhelming odds
Joshua Chapter Four
1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying: 2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, 3 and comma