Josh, Judg, Ruth, & Ps

We were blessed with JD Goding’s teachings this week, a former marine to give us insight on Joshua who was a military general. A military mindset is to hear a command and obey. The people of Joshua’s time during the battles were the most obedient in Israel's history. Their kids in Judges were rotten. We learn from these books that when God steps in, anything is possible. (Josh 1:7) What does it mean to be strong and courageous? Rahab was a prostitute in Jerico, beaten and poor, but when the spies came to her house to hide, she showed faith in their God and in the end her Lord saves her. She and her family were the only survivors from Jericho and she only knew what God had done for Israel, nothing else (Josh 2). Sex is abused in the Old Testament as well as in the modern day and with that comes heartache, pain, etc but God does not hate sex. It is a blessing for us under the consecration of marriage (1 Cor 7).

When someone freaks out over something that doesn’t match the level of freakout it means there’s something deeper going on that’s being triggered. Where have you felt that way before? Anger covers up and protects an underlying emotion that if you don’t deal with it, it will rot. It’s not unreasonable to be angry, but is there any resistance or hesitancy to give that anger to Jesus? You have to WANT to get better. Are you too stubborn to receive peace? Amidst tragedy don’t try to be the savior, be the friend.

In Joshua, we see a 99.9% success rate with God but it fails because of one small mistake. The one mistake in the Book of Joshua should have been prevented if Joshua had checked in with God. In all decisions, converse with God on it, and pray about it. In everything you do, coveting should never be a part of it (coveting; consumed with desire for). Hold things with an open hand and you will have more. Hold onto things too tightly and you will have less. How do you beat coveting? You kill it with generosity (Acts 20:35). You’re more blessed to give than receive. This could be a lifetime of watching God provide. Generosity shows appreciation for God’s provision (Luke 6:38). You can never outgive God (2 Cor 9:6-8).

The people of Joshua knew tragedy, but their kids in Judges were spoiled rotten. Samson fell for something fake named Delilah. How often does this happen in today’s world? God shows mercy time and time again. When the world is getting darker, you get brighter, which makes you attractive but also a target. (Isaiah 53:2) Jesus was described as ugly so why did people want to hang out with Him? Because He was holy. Holiness is attractive but society wants to tell you that it’s about how you look. It’s a lie. Understand that the world is going to lie to you and you need to be aware of your worldview. I would say base your worldview on the Bible. I believe that’s the only truth if you're looking for what’s real and what will help you succeed in finding yourself.

Learn from other people’s mistakes, that is how we are supposed to read the Bible. See how it went wrong for them and live your life differently. What is your Baal? When Israel went to a new place they would see how the people of that land would get their crops to grow and worship whatever god forgetting that their God is the giver of all things. They would be cursed until they repent of their ways and turn back to their one true God. This happens time and time again. What is that one thing you fall back on when you enter a new season without God?

God hates when His people mock their enemies. (Matthew 14:30-33) Any time you take your eyes off of Jesus, you will sink. Don’t get distracted by the problems around you. When you deter from the path just a little bit and don’t correct yourself you can get so far off so quickly. When you mess up, own it and repent. Even if you have to do this a hundred times a day. All of these stories in the Book of Judges emphasize the overbearing need for a perfect judge, a perfect savior, and a perfect sacrifice. All of these imperfect people couldn’t do it on their own.

God is a radical healer, I have so many stories that I’ve witnessed to prove it, so why do people still die? Well then the next question you have to ask yourself is do you want Jesus or do you just want His stuff? Jesus comes with healing, provision, guidance, etc, but without all that would you still love Him? That is the real gut check. The world is full of death and destruction, and Jesus is capable of bringing miracles and He will I know that, but if He doesn’t, if He sees the bigger picture and says no after many prayers, does that derail me? If so then I got to seriously check myself and my faith (2 Sam 12:16-20).

Don’t head down the road of dating someone if you don’t know where they stand with Jesus! Guard your heart and pray for a Godly spouse. The way the world works is because of Genesis 3. Men in power will oppress women, what a sucker punch when God’s intention was for men to thrive in leadership and LOVE their wives. If everything looks right in your eyes, everything can be justified unless you are held to a Godly standard!