JOSHUA 3:1-4:24
TWO CROSSINGS: RED SEA JORDAN RIVER
Escaping Occupying
Terminated bondage Initiated freedom
Performed at night Performed in broad daylight
Enemy arrogant Enemy terrified
Enemy behind in pursuit Enemy in front being pursued
Coming out of the world Entering the Kingdom of God
Baptized in water & Spirit Baptized in fire!
ARK: Is the power of God, the Holy Spirit . It led and protected and God spoke from there.
THREE THINGS KEEPING US FROM OUR INHERITANCE (THE KINGDOM):
(1) Flood waters (Josh 3:15) circumstances of life.
(2) Giants: Overwhelming or exaggerated difficulties. Impossible situations between us and our assignments.
(3) Lions and beasts: The antichristian spirit that is in the world. Anything that hinders the will of God from coming to pass.
All three things put pressure on our FLESH. As we obey and move forward, the flesh is weakened and dies.
12 BOULDERS: Represent the 12 tribes. They took the stones from the waterbed, "where the priest' feet stood firm," a memorial to the walk of faith. There were TWO,altars built: one in the waterbed (it was "buried" in water - death to old life, self, old nature), and one BESIDE the river - (resurrection to "newness of life"). Resurrection to new life in Christ is the basis for victory in the Land.
ALTAR AT GILGAL: "Gilgal" means "rolling away". It is where God rolled away the shame of their old life.
RESPONSE: The only thing standing between me and doing my assignment from God is ME! And it says that is a LONG battle! But, I have the ARK with me! The power of God in me, on me, with me, going before me, showing me the way. I also have Joshua, who is a picture of JESUS. He, too, is in me, and I am in Him. Victory is certain! All I have to do is OBEY! And remember the three rules of Scripture: (1) Never defend myself. (2) Never demand my own way. (3) And never, never, NEVER whine or complain!
LUKE 14:7-35
It all started at a luncheon at the Pharisee's house after church one Sabbath: First Jesus uncovered their hypocrisy by healing a man on the Sabbath. The man wasn't a guest; he was just dangled in front of Jesus by the Pharisees in hopes that Jesus would break the Sabbath by healing him. Jesus didn't disappoint them, but pointed out how hypocritical it is to help a farm animal, but not a human being!
A lesson on hospitality: Why not invited someone to dinner who can't pay you back? The proud and self-sufficient probably won't attend. The ones who really need Jesus, "the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind", will come. Obviously, the sick man at THIS luncheon was not really a guest, but a set-up to trick Jesus into healing him! But God is near to the broken. He pretty much told the Pharisees and lawyers at the table that none of them "shall taste my supper." So don't count your chickens until they hatch! There will be some surprises at God's dinner table! Discipleship costs all your pride and arrogance: In fact, it will cost you everything! So count the cost! By trying to come half-way, you end up on a dunghill.
RESPONSE: Don't every invite Jesus to lunch if you aren't sure you love Him! He will be a controversial Guest if you are still "sitting on the fence". He'll put His evidence slap in your face, then demand you make a decision. Especially if you are proud and unbroken. Excuses are really lies to protect yourself. Something else is just more important than your invitation from Jesus. But notice, the party goes on. It has not been delayed. The opportunity is still there. As His servants, let's go out and get the maimed (the ones the lion has been chewing on), the lame, the sick, the poor. They have nothing to lose.
PSALM 80:1-19
A CRY FOR RESTORATION: (v.2) Ephraim Benjamin and Manasseh marched together directly behind the Ark in the wilderness. They are the sons of Rachel, the favored wife of Jacob. (V.3, 7, 19) "Restore us". KJV says "Turn us". Convert us and return us to God's possession. To take us back, restore, refresh and repair, fetch home again, rescue, recover. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.."
"VISIT THIS VINE", QUICKEN US": Revive us, bring us back to life, breathe life into us again. Our vine has been ravaged and needs God's hand on it if it is going to live and produce fruit once again.
PROVERBS 12:27-28
A lazy and deceitful man will let whatever he gains slip from his hands through lack of effort and attention, but a hardworking man takes good care of his stuff. The way of the righteous not only has everlasting life at the end, but has "the Life" (John 10:10) all during. "The Life" is lived by the faith and energy of God in us, and is a life characterized by being connected in a practical way to God through Jesus. It is a life of obedience on our part, a life of pleasing God and knowing it.
RESPONSE: The "law of first useage" usually governs the way a particular word is used in the Bible. The first time the word "visit" is used is Gen 21:1. God "visited" Sarah. (He also "visited" Hannah and Mary the mother of Jesus). It means to draw near for the purpose of Divine intervention to fulfill a divine intent, usually with great intensity. It looks like divine LIFE is the result of some visitations. However, it was also called a "visitation" when God came to give out punishments too! God's will be done - that's what we want for the earth.
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