Do not fear or be discouraged

H- ^[X] 18. Joshua 8: ¹ Now the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.

19. Joshua 10:8,25… ⁸ The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” ²⁵ Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.” Fear not series #18,#19, #20

E- Joshua had seen all the victories of God over nature and enemies of all kinds. After the defeat of Jericho following God’s instructions carefully that came to AI. And Joshua decided they were so wise that they could make up their own battle plan and were defeated horribly. In Joshua 8:1 the LORD ^[O] encouraged Joshua with the simple statement “do not fear or be dismayed.” They followed the Lord’s instruction and secured a great victory just as promised.

You would have thought that Joshua had learned his lesson but when the Gibeon came with old clothes and wore out equipment, they accepted the fact that they from they were far off and made a covenant with them. Shortly they found out their error; they were close by neighbors and now they were stuck with having to defend them against their enemies. In chapter 10 five kings attack Gibeon and therefore Joshua and the Israelites had to go to battle. Joshua 10:8 is a promise of the LORD for victory Joshua and then in the verse 25 Joshua repeats the promise “do not fear or be discouraged” to the people. They were victorious after the LORD stopped the sun and moon until the battle was over [Joshua 10:12-14].

I believe there are 5 times recorded that Israel doubted the LORD in the wilderness. Now we see Joshua and the nation exercising their own judgment rather than asking for the LORD’s leadership.

A-This sounds like us today, we have the whole Bible and our personal experiences in depending on God. Yet, we don’t seek his wisdom on a daily, hourly, and momentary basis. ^[A]

H- Oh God please forgive us and help us continually accept the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Henry Luke – To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email. Enter Romans by Henry Luke and Major Ellison in Amazon or Google to review our book.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y] click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; O- Jehovah – LORD – God of promise, presence, accessibility, near to those who call on Him for deliverance [Psalm 107:13], forgiveness [Psalm 25:11] and guidance [Psalm 31:3].  [In Bibles the “ord” in LORD is in small caps but WordPress does not support small caps], Lord Jesus in the New Testament is Jehovah; U- I normally do not capitalize the “S” in satan; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z- For the name, I normally use for the Lord Jesus Christ, click here.

The Rich and Poor!

H- ^[X] Proverbs 22:2 — The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD ^[O] is the maker of them all. #19 in Creation series

E- The Lord is the Maker of all people since Adam and Eve, including the rich and poor. “The rich and the poor have this in common” Jesus died on the cross for the sins of everyone who ever lives on earth. Jesus  “Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” [1 John 2:2 NLT] But the sacrifice is not effective until a person believes in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 NASB] ^[A]

John Phillips said “The rich and poor are brought together in the Bible. Their meeting is occasioned by sovereign God to give both of them an opportunity to develop character. The rich man is given a chance to develop compassion and the poor man is given a chance to develop commitment” ^[Z1]

Nathans parable describes a rich person who was unconcerned about a poor person [2 Samuel 12:1-9] Luke told the story of the rich man and poor man [Lazarus] [Luke 16:19-31]. The rich person had a vastly different view of Lazarus when he died and went to hell and saw Lazarus the poor person in heaven, but it was too late to change eternal positions. James describes a sinful church that gives preferential treatment to a rich person [James 2:19]. James speaks in chapter 5:1-8 toward the end of the age. Disciples are to be patient because the rich people who have abused the poor will receive the judgment of God.

Peter said: “³⁴ I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality.” [Acts 10:34]

A-The Lord is the maker of all people and wants all people to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

H- O God help me to reveal your glory to people everywhere and Your desire for them to know You as Savior.

Henry Luke – To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email. Enter Romans by Henry Luke and Major Ellison in Amazon or Google to review our book.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y] click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; O- Jehovah – LORD – God of promise, presence, accessibility, near to those who call on Him for deliverance [Psalm 107:13], forgiveness [Psalm 25:11] and guidance [Psalm 31:3].  [In Bibles the “ord” in LORD is in small caps but WordPress does not support small caps], Lord Jesus in the New Testament is Jehovah; U- I normally do not capitalize the “S” in satan; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z1- John Phillips Commentary on Proverbs;

They did not ask for the counsel of the LORD

H- ^[X] Joshua 10:8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you. #19 in the Fear not series

E- Deception of the Gibeonites – [Joshua 9:3-21] The Gibeonites lied to Joshua and Israel by saying we are from a far country please make a covenant with us. One of  the saddest verses is v.14b, they “did not ask for the counsel of the LORD ^[O]”. Joshua and the leaders made a covenant with Gibeon without asking the LORD. Three days later Joshua discovered the Gibeonites were their neighbors and had lied to them. Joshua could not destroy them because of the covenant, but they made them slaves forever.

Five kings attack Gibeon – [Joshua 10:1-25] Five kings became very fearful of Israel and banded together to defeat them. They began by attacking Gibeon which Israel was committed to defend.  “⁸ The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you. The LORD was merciful to Joshua and Israel despite their sin by not asking for His council.

Direction today – How many times have we been in the place of Joshua and made decisions without asking our Omnipresent and Omnisapient God for His wisdom and direction in decision making? Maybe every day in small and large decisions. As I look back over my life there are many bad decisions based on my finite wisdom. All I can do now is ask for God’s forgiveness, mercy, change my ways, and fear not. Where do you stand on seeking God’s wisdom and direction?

A- God’s wisdom and guidance is available to His family members ^[A]!

R- O God help me be directed by Your Spirit at all times.

Henry Luke – To receive my daily blog posts scroll to “Follow” and add your email. Enter Romans by Henry Luke and Major Ellison in Amazon or Google to review our book.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from Word Press.

Notes: A– [A1- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y] click here, A2- for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, A3 for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here]; O- Jehovah – LORD – God of promise, presence, accessibility, near to those who call on Him for deliverance [Psalm 107:13], forgiveness [Psalm 25:11] and guidance [Psalm 31:3].  [In Bibles the “ord” in LORD is in small caps but WordPress does not support small caps], Lord Jesus in the New Testament is Jehovah; U- I normally do not capitalize the “S” in satan; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?; Z- For the name, I normally use for the Lord Jesus Christ, click here.

“You have been my God” 5 Word Prayer

H- ^X Psalms 22:10b You have been My God from the moment I was born. NLT       #19 – “You have been my God” 5 Word Prayers –   ^[U] 

          E- Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm that paints a vivid picture of Jesus on the cross. At Noon on crucifixion day darkness came over the whole land for 3 hours. Jesus was being punished for the wrath of God for every person who has and will live on earth. At about 3 pm Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me?” [Matthew 27:45 quoting Psalm 22:1a NLT]  See Messianic Psalms 22.

V.10b “from the moment I was born”. “Jesus’ miraculous conception and birth were unique among people. He did not need to be converted to God sometime after He was born, like other people with inherited sin-natures.” [Defenders Study Bible note]

 

V.10a “You have been My God” for the Disciple ^[A] today means from the time of being born again as a child of God. At the new birth the Disciple becomes a child of God and co-heir with our brother Jesus to the glory of God now and forever.

Jesus knows His sheep ^[B] totally and infinitely, everything we know or think or say. He is looking out for us to keep us out of trouble and encourage and comfort us in trouble.

Jesus loves His sheep and gave His love for us. What are we to do out of love and thankfulness. Jesus answered in John 14:15 If you love Me keep My commandments. [NASB]  Then He promised: For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, [1 John 5:3 CSB]

Jesus gives His glory to His sheep!!! John 17:22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given them,” with this object, “that they may be one, even as We are one.”   The Present Glory Jesus gives to His followers

A- ^X “You have been My God” since being born again, praise the name of Jesus and filled by the Spirit may I keep Your commandments.

         R- O God help to be prepared to share Your Word of salvation, comfort, and encouragement.

Q- Are you an encourager in season and out of season?

Henry Luke             To receive all my blog posts scroll all the way down to Follow and add your email.

 

Notes: A- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^[Y] click here, for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here; B- John 10:1-18;

T- Help from [1]  Warren Wiersbe Bible Exposition Commentary or  [2] Austin Commentaries by Book or [3]  BibleHub Commentaries; [4]  Blue Letter Bible;  U- Lisa Whittle, the author of 5-Word Prayers; X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?;  Z- For the name, I normally use for the Lord Jesus Christ, click here;

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from WordPress.

Eternal Life is in Jesus! MVM

H- ^X 1 John 5:11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. NLT    MVM – Monday Verse to Memorize #19 ^U

E-God has testified –  The entire Bible is inspired by God and is a testimony from Him about His creation, redemption by Jesus ^Z and the ultimate end forever to those who accept Jesus and those who reject Him.

Steven Cole – “God’s gift is eternal life. Nothing could be a greater gift! Because of our sins, we were spiritually dead, alienated from the life of God.  Jesus promised that if we believe in Him, we shall live even if we die and that everyone who lives and believes in Him their spirit will never die.”

Eternal is an adjective which means existing at all times, perpetual, pertaining to an unlimited duration of time. Without end, never to cease, everlasting.

Life in Scripture is used (1) to refer to physical life but more often (2) to supernatural life in contrast to life subject to eternal death. The only life that can be classified as the blessed life, the joyful life, the meaningful life is eternal life. ^ZZ

Since we as Disciples ^A have eternal life by the work of the Holy Spirit in us, let us live out the new life by the power of the same Spirit not by trying to keep a set of rules but because we love Jesus and desire to be conformed to His image. ^T2

Review – Monday Verses to Memorize [MVM] each day of the month ^U

A- ^X The promise in 1 John 5:11 reminds me of one of my favorite verses: “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” [Romans 8:10 NASB] Freedom from the penalty and power of sin.

R- Father thank You that my immaterial self, spirit, and soul are eternally alive forever.

Q- Have you claimed this promise of Jesus?

Henry Luke

Notes: A- For how to have peace with God and become a Disciple ^Y click here, for how to have the peace of God and grow as a Disciple click here, for how to teach Disciples to be Disciple-makers click here; 

T- Help from [1] Warren Wiersbe Bible Exposition Commentary or [2]  Austin Commentaries by Book or [3] BibleHub Commentaries; U- Most of the list from 100 verses everyone should memorize by Robert Morgan, X- 4 steps in The H.E.A.R method of Bible study and worship; Y- “Disciples” or “Christians”?;  Z- For the name I normally use for the Lord Jesus Christ, click here; ZZ- This life is in His Son – a few cross-references to ponder our life in Jesus… 1 John 1:1, 1:2, 2:16, 2:25, 3:14, 15, 16, 5:11, 12, 13, 16, 20 NLT

1Jn 5:12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

1Jn 5:20– And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

1Jn 4:9 – By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

Jn 20:31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His Name.

Colossians 3:3-4 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Disclaimer: My Personal Journey by Henry Luke has no control over any advertising that may appear on this blog post and receives no payment for it. Ads & their links come from WordPress.