Judges 1:1-2:29, Luke 21:9-22:13, Psalms 90:1-91:16, Proverbs 13:24-25

What God said to me – When Israel went into the promised land, I instructed them to totally destroy the people who were there and not to make any covenant with them.  I also told them to tear down all of the altars of their gods so they wouldn’t become snares for them.  Israel, however, did not obey totally, so the people and their gods became thorns in their sides and snares that trapped them.  Take heed to this example I have put before you.  When I saved you, you were born of the Spirit into a new person.  You are to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh.  You are to tear down all the sin and strongholds of the old man and follow Me wholeheartedly.  If you don’t – if you tolerate some things as “not so bad” or “it’s not hurting anyone”, or “nobody knows”, then those things will become thorns in your side and snares that will continually trap you and cause you to fall.  Time is running out so let Me teach you to number your days, so you may present to Me a heart of wisdom and a life that is pleasing to Me.

Joshua 24, Luke 21:1-28, Psalms 89:38-52, Proverbs 13: 20-23

What God said to me – Abraham lived in an idolatrous culture when I called him and promised him a land and a people if he would follow Me.  I took his descendants into Egypt, and I brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.  I sustained them for forty years during their wandering in the wilderness and brought them into the promised land.  I drove the nations out before them and gave them land on which they had not labored and cities they had not built.  As Joshua was about to die, he admonished them one more time to stay faithful to Me and he warned them of the dangers of turning away.  He told them to choose for themselves this day who they would serve, but he and his house chose to follow Me.  I admonish you with the same charge – choose today who you will serve – for it is a daily choice – a moment-by-moment decision to follow Me and to obey Me, to walk in a manner worthy of your calling.  Start each day with Me and commit to following Me and honoring Me.  As you go through your day, in everything you do and with everyone you encounter, involve Me, not just for advice and direction, but for fellowship.  Choose you this day who you will serve.

Joshua 22:21-23:16, Luke 20:27-47, Psalms 89:11-37, Proverbs 13:17-19

What God said to me – There are typically two speeds in life depending on what phase of life you are in – times where you go, go, go and feel like you meet yourself coming and going or times when things have slowed so much you sit around with not much to do.  In either case, reminders are necessary – when you are in the fast phase and you have so much to do, it is easy for something to fall through the cracks and when you are in the slow phase, it is easy to just forget because you are so chill and not used to going.  Reminders are important.  When Israel finally rested from taking the promised land and the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh went back across the Jordan to possess the land Moses had given them, they built a replica of the altar, not for worship, but to remind them of who they were, who their God was and how they were to worship.  The rest of the tribes, however, jumped to the wrong conclusion and assumed they were turning to idolatry, so they were ready to go to war over it.  For whatever reason people usually assume the worst when they see or hear something rather than taking a breath, calming down, and listening to their explanation.  Let this story about Israel be a reminder for you to stop when you see someone doing something you think is wrong, take a deep breath, and give them a chance to explain rather than assuming the worst and going off halfcocked.  Honor Me with your unity and love for one another.