Victorious Living| Praveen Darole

This message was preached by Praveen Darole at Word of Grace Church on the 30th of August 2015. To listen/download the audio please click here

Today we will look at Joshua 10 where the sun stands still. What a miracle! Joshua is about to enter into the promises of God. The Nation of Israel was taken out of bondage to step into His promises. God has not only brought us out of darkness but has also brought us into his promises. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can live for him.

As a church we don’t stand in front of the red sea but at the river Jordan. It was always God’s plan for us to enter into his promises. In the wilderness there was manna, water, their clothes and footwear did not wear off, and when they grumbled, they even got quail. 

God’s provision in the wilderness is his grace, but he doesn’t want us to stay in the wilderness. He wants us to be in the land filled with milk and honey.

The promise land is the heavenly kingdom, but it is not only that. His promises are for here and now. In Joshua 10:1-26, Joshua and the people of Israel are taking ground. In this, we see the following things:

1.      Entering the promises of God is not without challenges: Jesus said, “ In this world, you will have trouble”. In this passage, we see 5 kings coming against Joshua- 5 powerful armies. Sometimes, life can be like that when everything is coming to you at once. Where there is a challenge after challenge without a period of rest. Let’s not be thrown back when things come against us. Take heart. If you are serious about entering the promises of God, you’ve got to be prepared to face challenges.

2.      Greater the challenge, greater the promise: As Joshua is going into battle, God promises him, “Do not be afraid of them, I’ve given them into your hands...” In the time of challenges, remind yourself of God’s greater promises. His promises are an amazing assurance.

3.      Greater the promises, greater the prayer: Joshua prays an extraordinary prayer. He is willing to make these prayers because he knows God can do great things. It says in verse 14 that there has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. It is time for us to make great prayers, that have never been made before, that are worthy of a great God. Let’s make prayers that only God can answer.

4.      Greater the prayers, greater the miracles: There were great miracles that took place in this chapter as Joshua made these great prayers-

a.      Even before the fight began, there is confusion in the enemy camp

b.     There are hailstorms which only kill the enemy soldiers.

c.      The sun itself stands still and delayed going down by a full day.

People want explanations for everything. God is a miracle working God. Don’t fall into the deception that there needs to be an explanation for it.

Q. What are the steps of faith that God is calling you to take?

5.      Finally, greater the miracles, greater the victory: God is about a great victory- in your life, city and nation. Believe it. We want to see miracles we’ve never seen before.  Be reminded of the greater Joshua. The one who comes to our rescue when we call out to him. It is in him that these promises are yes and amen. The one true miracle working God who won a great victory on the cross. His name is Jesus. I pray you will believe and make great prayers.  

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.

Joshua Part 5 - Being a cross over people.

Joshua Part 5

This message which is Part 5 of the series on Joshua  was preached at Word of Grace church  by Colin D Cruz on the  26th of August 2012. You can listen or download  to the Audio recording  of the message by clicking here 

To follow the whole series click here

God wants to bless you. He has plans to bless you more than you can ask or imagine!  Scripture is full of instances of God wanting to bless people. Some references are:

Jer 29: 11 ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 Eph 2:10 ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 As believers it’s not just about salvation but God has good works for us to do. It’s not just about heaven but here on earth, God has a plan for you. He plans to reward us as we faith fully serve Him.  But in our Christian life often we will hit obstacles". The least quoted verse in the Bible I think is :” In this world you will have many troubles” John 16:33. We all face trails, troubles and difficulties.

Today we will look at the Old Testament and look at the people of Israel and the challenges they faced and how they overcame it. The tile of my message today is ,” being a cross over people”.

Joshua Chapter 3

The Israelites have spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness and now Moses is dead and they are going to enter the promise land under a new leader Joshua. But it’s not easy to enter – there are many challenges ahead. There are enemies that they have to battle, but even before they do that, they have  to take the walled city of Jericho and even before that there is the river Jordan that they have to cross.

God has spoken to Joshua  and the people of Israel and He has assured them that that they were going to possesses it. The promises are there.  But there are obstacles to be overcome and there are some things the people have to do and there are some thing s God said He would do.

So here are 2 million people that need to cross over a river that is in flood. The river Jordan in flood is said to be a mile wide. In Josh 2 we see how 2 spies got across the river to spy on Jericho. Taking 2 million across is another story!

1 God allows challenges to come into our lives and sometimes they are for His glory. Eg) Lazarus, David and Goliath, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Daniel, feeding the 5000. The Bible is full of example of people who faced insurmountable challenges.

Think about some of the challenges you are facing today. We live in a fallen world with all kinds of problems: illness, finance, relationship issues etc. The challenge Israel faced was the river Jordan. Joshua 3:15 How do two million people cross a river that is in flood?

2. How did they get comforted in their midst of their challenges?

They were comforted by the promises and the presence of God. Josh 1:2, 3, 11. Chap 3:5 the Lord will do amazing things among you. We need to remind ourselves of the promises of God when we are faced with problems.

What are some of the promises? Rom 8:28, Phil 4:19. 2Cor 12:9. Heb 13:5, Is 43:2

Speak to one another about the promises to one another.

They were comforted by the presence of God. Chp 3:6 the strategy was not to build a boat or a bridge to cross the river but to tell the priests to carry the Ark of the covenant and step into the river.

v12 the break through comes. The water stands in a heap. The presence of God was ( Exodus 25 ) represented by the Ark.

The Ark was not a religious charm. Today people have all sorts of religious charms that they have in their homes, ties on themselves etc.

The Ark was not like that.  1Sam- The Philistines had captured the art and as a result they were cursed with all kinds of boils etc. When the Ark was with the Israelites, there was blessing upon them.

1Cor 6:19 Where is the presence of God today? First of all the presence of God is in us and as a people . When we come together I worship God’s presence is there. Let’s be a people who value the presence of God by spending time with Him alone and together.

Spend time with god daily. As disciples of Jesus we need to worship individually and corporately. Do not neglect it. Life Groups, Sunday worship are also a means of grace.

3. Consecrate –

They were told to consecrate themselves i.e be set apart. We are called to be set apart. How did they do this. Josh 5:2. For the Israelites circumcision was an external sign. Today the external sign is water baptism. In the OT an 8 day old baby boy was circumcised. In the new Testament spiritual babies were baptized.

Have you been consecrated? Jesus command was to go and make disciple and baptized them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Putting aside sin  – Achin’s sin. The whole family perished. Acts 5 – Annanias and Saphira were struck dead. Sin can destroy you. We need to put aside the deeds of the flesh.

Col 3:9-10 Lets be ones who speak the truth- no cover up or modifying the truth. Sometimes we need to put aside seemingly good things as well if they are coming in the way of you getting your spiritual inheritance. Viz.  overly absorbed with your career, a hobby, and relationships. We need to get the balance right.

2Tim2:20 Articles of noble and ignoble use. We are not to be pre occupied with sin but when it come up we deal with it and move on.

  Sometime What God ask us to do may not make sense  eg) the 5 loaves and 2 fish- God may ask you to do something that is not logical but we need to trust God in it. What steps of faith do you need to take today? As you do that , God’s power is released. Josh 3:16

God want s to do amazing things in your life – take the challenge and allow  the promises of God to work in your life. Pray the promises of God in the Word. As we do that we will see God come in.

How does  God come in ?

1Miracle – a supernatural intervention of God.

2 Providence – come into our situation through natural means. Sometimes a break through does not come quickly but He gives us the grace to see us through and to persevere.

What situation are challenges for you today?

Is there a consecration that is requires? Do you need more of the presence of God. Do you need to take a step of faith?

If that is you I want tot pray for God's grace upon you and  that His Spirit can work in that situation. Amen!

Colin D Cruz

August 2012 

The Plot - Joshua Part 4

Joshua Part 4

This message was preached at Word of Grace church  by Colin D Cruz on the  29th of July 2012. You can listen or download  to the Audio recording  of the message by clicking here

How many of us like movies? We all like different kinds of movies. Some of us like spy thrillers where someone goes undercover, there is danger and suspense.

This morning we are going to look at a similar kind of story in the Bible where there is adventure, suspense, danger, spies and the good guys win in the end.

 Joshua Chapter 2

This morning we are going to look at a famous personality in the bible –she is known as the prostitute, Rehab.

The Israelites are on the east of the river and are about to inherit the Promise Land. It was now Joshua’s responsibility to lead the people.

Here is his strategy. Joshua sends in two spies secretly. The question to ask is secretly from whom? From the Israelites. Joshua remembered the last time 12 spies were sent, 10 came back and spread a bad report and it had a devastating effect on the people. They landed up wandering in the dessert for 40 years because of the unbelief that got sown. So this time he was careful.

The  river was in flood. The spies must have had to find a way to get across. Spies are supposed to blend into the community so that they are not spotted – so they ought to dress like the local, speak like them. The spies arrive at the city and book into an Inn. In those days Inns of this sort were of ill repute – there was a lot of prostitution that was practiced there. The bible makes it a point to highlight Rehab’s reputation. Five times in scripture she is referred to as Rehab the prostitute. No sooner did these spies arrive in Jericho that they were spotted – so much blending happened – maybe their clothes or their accent gave them away. They were found out. Rehab hides them. What made her do that? If you are caught hiding spies – punishment was death because it was high treason. So why did she do this? Verse 4-6 tells us she sends the Kings messengers on a wild goose chase. She has hidden them on the terrace under the flax and helped them escape.

Verse8 gives us a clue – “I know the Lord…” Somewhere in the past Rehab the prostitute had become Rehab the believer. Verse 10 tells us of how she had heard about the parting of the Red Sea. This had happened 40 years ago! People were still talking about it. Maybe she may have overheard some discussion about it and somehow faith rose in her heart. God can use any situation to spread is word. And His word  will never return empty.

Verse12 – She pleads for her family. She was an amazing lady of amazing faith. Jericho was a city that was a 1000 years old. The walls were several feet thick. But she knows that God would accomplish his purposes. She did not just care for her life but for her family as well. Maybe we have family members who are not saved- lets be like Rehab who wanted her family saved. We need to cry out for our family.

Verse14 The spies responded – “our lives for your lives” these spies had faith and confessed faith.

Chapter 6 we see that Jericho is destroyed and in verse verse20-22 we see Rehab was saved because of her faith and the scarlet cord.

What can we learn ?

1.       1.God chose Rehab the prostitute. No one is beyond the grace of God. God’s grace is bigger than our sin

2.       2. Why did God destroy everything? Verse 26. Let’s look at Gen15:16 Abraham was in Canaan. In the 4^th generation your descendants will come back here ( verse 12-13)which refers to Egypt. This was 470 years ago  that Abraham was told that his descendants would get this land because God is gracious upon the nation s of the earth he did not destroy them immediately. Finally he is going to bring judgment. This is a picture of how God will judge the human race. Acts 17:29-31

3.How does one get saved from judgments? The scarlet cord – it requires great faith. Her house was on the wall! And the wall came tumbling down. They could have moved house saying it was not safe there.. The scarlet cord represents salvation in the blood of Jesus. Today if you don’t know whether you are saved, get hold of the blood of Jesus. Act on your faith – she did something . You need to act on your faith – baptism is the first step.

Rehab must have also heard of God’s promises. Gen12 :3 perhaps she heard the promise somewhere . She was blessed – she and her family were saved. Rehab married ( Matt1:5) Salmon the father of Boaz who was the father of Obed who was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David who is a part of  Jesus ‘ lineage. So we see grace upon grace being demonstrated here.

Through the blood of Jesus we are blessed. It does not end here. Heb11:31 By faith Rehab…We see how from the hall of shame Rehab is lifted to the hall of fame, how from a common harlot she becomes a courageous heroine, from a zero to a hero from the gutter to glory.

So whatever your sin, God can take away the shame and put you in his hall of fame. This is God’s abundant life transforming grace that is available for each one of us.

Colin DCruz

August 2012

Joshua Part 3 - Possessing the promises

Joshua Part 3 Possessing the promises

This message was preached at Word of Grace church  by Colin D Cruz on the  29th of July 2012. You can listen or download  to the Audio recording  of the message by clicking here

Rom15:4  tells us why the Old Testament was written.  To teach us so that we might have hope. How many are aware that the Olympics are on? Imagine If you got a call from our Olympic committee asking you to represent our boxer because he is unable to participate for some reason. How would you feel? Would you be game to go?

 When we go to the book of Joshua we see this situation. Moses was the man of God who met with God face to face and had amazing encounters with God. Joshua was only Moses’ assistant. And now in Josh1, Moses has died and God is speaking to Joshua and charging him with the responsibility of leading these 2 million people into the promise Land. It’s an overwhelming situation for him.

We will look at Joshua’s life and how it applies to us. He had an overwhelming situation, overwhelming promises and overwhelming challenges. How does he handle it?

1 Moses is dead – but God’s promises continue. God appoints Joshua. What do we learn from this? No one is indispensible – God’s purpose will go on with or without you. Moses was preparing God’s people to enter the Promise Land. God is now reminding Joshua of an old promise. This promise was not just given to Moses. Let’s look at Deut 34:4 – IT began with Abraham. See Gen13:14. This promise has been passed on from one generation to another. What are the other promises besides the land?

Verse5 – Joshua is promised victory – God has promised success to Joshua

V4. This was a huge portion of land but the sad thing is that they actually possessed very little.

They were promised God’s presence – Not just land, victory but God’s very presence. God promised to be with them.

“Be strong and courageous” was repeated many times. There must have been something out there for God to repeat is so many times. There were challenges, no doubt.

Numbers 13 tells us what the land was like. Two men had to carry a single cluster of grapes. This must have been a massive cluster. This land was prosperous and fruitful and the people were huge as well!

V7-8 Joshua was instructed to obey the Word of the Lord and meditate on it. This is what Joshua did – they battled 28 Kings and took over the land. What does Joshua’s battle have to do with me?

Rom 6:20 We were slaves to sin.  There is so much sin in the world because of this sinful tendency of mankind. The Israelites were saved by the blood on the doorpost of their houses . The angel of death passed them by. Then they passed through the Red Sea. They were saved out of Egypt to go into the Promise Land. God has saved us through the sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of His blood. We have been saved from hell to heaven but before that there are promises that we have to possess.

God has given us amazing promises for those who have been saved. The Bible is full of promises. Joshua had promises. Many times God said “I am going to give you this land” If Joshua just sat there he would have to nothing. He had to possess it.

As Christian we are saved , we have heard of the promise but we don’t know how to possess it. IT s not about heaven – it’s about an inheritance. Many of us have received prophetic words of over our lives, we have received prophetic words as a church – what you do with it is important. WE have to act upon it. There is a battle to inherit it – it will come with sweat, blood and tears like it did for Joshua.

First of all you have to believe. The first generation of Israelites had fear, not faith, therefore they lost out. We have an inheritance here and in heaven.

There are promises for us to possess corporately as a church. Here are some of the prophetic words we received as a church at our 10 th year celebration.

• ·       Ps 103 - Expect God to use us for healing.( Nigel Pereira)
• ·       Is 40:4-5 God will go before us and smoothen our path.( Vinu Paul)
• ·       There is a shift in gears - things are going to move at a much faster pace , so get ready. Desiree Pereira)
• ·       Saw Colin blowing a whistle and people from all over Pune gathering to him ( Pas. Raju Thomas)
• ·       Saw Colin writing a list on a blank slate. Felt God saying make a list of things you want, and I will grant it. ( Steve Oliver)
• ·       The past 10 years you (Colin) did what God wanted of you, now ask me and I will do what you desire. ( Pravin Darole)
• ·       Is 54:14-15 In righteousness your throne will be established.. (Jaya P)
• ·       God is taking us to a new level of faith. ( Austin)
• ·       New books are being opened. The old has gone. It's a new beginning . Deut 1:6-8 has fresh application. ( Navaz)

V10 – We have to get ready. It will require preparation – single mindedness, putting aside distractions. The promises are limitless and as flowers of Christ there are all ours to possess. Don’t spend your time wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites wandered for 40 years and died without inheriting the promises. Through faith and perseverance we will inherit.

What are the giants?

The biggest giant is your self – we are our own greatest weakness. Ask God to help you. 2 Cor 12:9 when we are weak , He is strong. Remember God is for you. What are some of the tests? Health, finance etc. When you read your Bible read the promises God has given you. Jn14:13, Matt21:22. God is for you. Look at the number of time God said to them I am with you, every where you put your feet I will give it to you.

God could have just given them the land but they had to fight a battle. To build them up. Abraham was tested with the challenge of sacrificing his son. We will face opposition. Jesus reminds us that when we are persecuted, great is our reward in heaven.

 So remember all the promises in scripture. God has a great plan for your life, he has given you many promises, let’s take hold of the promises as we remember that God’s presence is with us. Let’s obey God’s commands.

Colin D Cruz

July2012

Joshua Part 2 From Slave to Supreme Commander

Part 2 - From Slave to Supreme Commander.

This message was preached at Word of Grace church  by Colin D Cruz on the 15th of July 2012. You can listen or download  to the Audio recording  of the message by clicking here

Part 2 – From Slave to Supreme Commander!

We have all heard of many Rags to Riches stories and many names come to mind like the Ambanis etc. Today we are going to look at the life of one man that underwent amazing transformation where he became God’s Supreme Commander – from a slave in Egypt to the supreme Commander who led 2 million people into the Promise land. His name is Joshua.

What was in his life that made him into what he was? He started his life as a slave in Egypt, he fought against the Amalakites. How do we know this?  He was a young man.

We know that from Exodus 17:9. Joshua was asked to lead the battle. He was a fighter and he was Moses assistant as a young man. Read Numbers 11:28 :- “ since his youth…”

Joshua also has the honour of having the first book of the Bible named after an individual. 

 We think of Moses as a great leader. Moses led a few battles.  But Joshua had 31 victories in Canaan besides the ones he fought along with Moses

Joshua was selected to lead the people into the promise land, conquer it, to divide it among the Israelite s.

There are great lessons of leadership to be learned from the life of Joshua.

Joshua’s service to God for many years transformed him into a capable leader.

In Numbers chapters 12 and 13 – we read that twelve spies were sent to spy the land but only two came back with a good report and one of them was Joshua. So he was truly 1 in a million! Out of 2 1/2 million who came out of slavery only Josh and Caleb entered the Promise Land.

We are going to look at 6 qualities in the life of Joshua and see what we can learn from it.

What can we learn from his life?

1.   1. He was a Captain not a consultant. He got his hands and feet wet. He actually did the job. He knew about stuff because he actually did it.

 Joshua had seen all the miracles and he had been part of the men that crossed from Egypt through the Red Sea. Now they face the first challenge the Amalekites. Moses told him to go and fightwhile Moses prayed. Amazing strategy. Ex17:9, 12:37.13,16, 17:9-10 – Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses ordered and he overcame them with the sword. It was a unique battle. As long as Moses’ hands were lifted, Joshua won the battle.

We see that victory come s from the Lord and not an individual’s courage, strength or ingenuity. It’s God. Ps127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house the laborers labor in vain.

This is an important lesson to learn to be dependent on the Lord.

You may have heard of arm chair critics. In a church we can have arm chair critics consultants who tell you how to get the job done. The question is have you got your hands dirty and are you speaking from live experience? Joshua was a captain not a consultant.

2.   2. Joshua was an assistant before he was a leader. Ex24:13 Moses, set out with his aide i.e Joshua. Today people like titles – everyone is an Executive, a Manager, a CEO.

How would you like to be known as someone’s aide/assistant/helper. Four times he is referred to as Moses aide and he was happy and content to serve Moses. Ex31:18 Joshua was there when God gave Moses the 2 Tablets with the Ten Commandments.

We see many such example of serving aides in the Bible that God used powerfully for His glory. Elijah/Elisha. Paul/Timothy, Jesus had his disciples.  We see that these great men of God started off by serving another man, yes they served God , but they also served another 2 Kings 3:1.

In the Christian life we should be ones willing and eager to serve, not looking for a title and a position but asking “how can I serve”. Some serve with the agenda of wanting a promotion. Joshua served for 40 years before he was promoted.

Are you serving somebody? I remember when I left my jet set job with as an international computer trainer and consultant to be David Fernandes “aide”. I often had to the airport at 2 or 3 am in the morning to received our people. There was a time people would come to receive me at the airport now the roles were reversed. I would be standing amongst taxi drivers with a sign board waiting to receive our foreign guest. Remember Serving God is always a privilege. Serving builds character, tests motives, but most importantly we are following Jesus our Saviour.

While everything we do is as unto the Lord the question also arises “Whom are you serving?”  Recognition may or may not come  but in His time He will do it. Our job is to be faithful.

3.   3.Joshua was a man of prayer and desired the presence of God.

Ex24:13 Joshua went with Moses to God’s mountain

Ex 33:7-11 – Joshua did not leave the tent. What a place to be at, God’s presence coming down and the only person with Moses at that time was Joshua.

Numbers 27:18 – He was full of the Holy Spirit. The time came for Joshua to be commissioned, not because he was he was a good fighter but because he was a man “in whom was the Spirit”

Deut 34:9 He was filled with the Spirit because Moses laid his hand son them. In the Old Testament very few received this but in the New Testament this is for all of us. Joel says “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh”. We need to be a people filled with the Holy Spirit . Are you a person who yearns for the Holy Spirit? We need to spend time in God’s presence and being filled with the Spirit.

Joshua was filled with the Spirit because Moses laid his hands o him. Desire the ministry of the laying on of hands. Desire, for someone to lay hand s on you so that the Spirit of God may come upon you. Timothy received his gift when the body of elders laid hands on him. Throughout the New Testament Paul would lay his hands on people and the Sprit of God would come upon them.

4.   4. He was loyal to Moses.

Numbers 11: 14,28 . Moses has to sort out 2 2/1 million‘s people’s problems. It was too much for him. The Spirit came upon the 70 elders. Two who were not among them also prophesied. Joshua is upset for Moses’ sake. He got it wrong here but he was loyal to Moses.

 Are you committed to your pastor, leader, Life Group Leaders, Serving Team Leader, Boss at work? We need to develop the quality of loyalty. That’s what God wants of us.

5.   5. Joshua was faith filled, obedient and courageous.

Numbers 13:16   The Is have just come out of Egypt ,Moses is at Mt. Sinai, they have received the laws. This is just a pit stop not the destination. They sent 12 spies to explore the land. Ten spies did not have faith. Joshua and Caleb were full of faith. The other 10 turned the hearts of the people.  So Joshua and Caleb were sent to explain and convince people that they could do it. They stood up and followed the Lord whole heartedly. As a result of the people disbelief (those 20 years and older) they wandered for 40 years in the dessert till every one of them died. Only Joshua and Caleb from that generation saw the Promise Land.

 The majority are not always right. Whom are you listening to? The result of all this is that Joshua got the privilege of leading the people into the Promise Land. A whole generation died in the dessert, only two got a chance to enter the promise land.

6.    6. He was Word based.

 Josh 1:8. Joshua had to use the written word. Moses heard God.  Four things here.

He did not allow the Word to depart from his mouth, He meditated on it, he obeyed it and the fruit of it was he saw much success and prosperity in his lifetime.

At the end we see Joshua was victorious. That same truth holds for us. Joshua had giants to face, battles to fight but he was victorious because he had these 6 qualities in him. God will use us in amazing ways no matter how big the obstacles are and we will enter into the promises God has for us.

Colin D Cruz

Joshua - Two in a million!

Introduction - 2 in a million!

This message was preached at Word of Grace church  by Colin D Cruz on the 8th of July 2012. You can listen or download  to the Audio recording  of the message by clicking here

Introduction.

Many Christian are very familiar with the New Testament and not so much with the Old. Today, I am going to start a new series from a book in the Old Testament, the book of Joshua.  God is speaking to us prophetically from this book.

Why is the Old Testament important? I Cor.10:11- These things happened to them as examples for us to follow, and warnings for us to avoid. Examples of lives we need to study and follow. Warnings: We see a “warning “on every cigarette packet today. The Bible also records the failings of God’s people and the bad situations they came into as a result of not obeying God’s laws, as warnings fro us to heed.

Some say I can’t understand all these killings, conquering etc. I only like the Psalms! The other books are too tedious. Let’s see what Jesus has to say. Luke 24:27- Jesus meets the disciples on the Road to Emmaus and opened up the scriptures and explained everything from the time of Moses,  and what it had to say about him. The Old Testament was a shadow of Jesus – e.g. the Passover. It was made clear in the New Testament. Hebrews tells us this.

 Who is Joshua? Have you heard the phrase 1 in a million? Well he was 2 in a million! Joshua began his life in Egypt.  God delivered them from Egypt, performed great signs and wonders, miraculously provided food for them, but then they disobeyed God and God said that they would perish in the dessert. All  those 20 years and above would die in the dessert. 

Now Moses has commissioned Joshua to be is aide and Moses dies and its up to Joshua to take the people onto the Promise Land. So it’s not a new book, but a new beginning.

So that takes us to Joshua Chapter 1.

Josh1:1 -After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates —all the Hittitecountry—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against youall the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 In these few verses God does 4 things.

1.   Reminds Joshua of the Promises. Right in Gen 12 God had Called Abraham and promised him the land of Canaan. Hundreds of years later Joshua was to be the unique leader that would take this generation of Israelites in to the Promise Land. That promise was repeated several times since Abraham. In Numbers 13:1 the promise is repeated before the disaster of the 12 spies.

God has promises – for you as an individual, for us as a Church, for us as a movement of Churches. This is a prophetic book of promises. The promises made to Abraham are your promises. Gen 12:2-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

² “I will make you into a great nation, 
    and I will bless you; 
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse; 
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you. ”

It’s our job to claim the promises. Some may say “Am I worthy?” Friends it’s not about whether you are worthy or not. These promises given to Abraham are your inheritance. You can do and have nothing to deserve it. It is  because of what Jesus has done for you.

The reason God wants to bless you is because he wants you to be a blessing. We are like Pipes, not a vessel. A Vessel can only contain a certain amount of water. Whereas, a Pipe can have millions of gallons of water flow through it. How much blessing do you want? If you are willing to be a Pipe and allow blessing to flow through you , you will be blessed. But if you choose to be a vessel, you will be able to contain only a limited amount of blessing.

So here is a great promise and anointing. God is saying “If anyone messes with you they are messing with me”

What is your vision for your life? God’s purpose is that all nations will be blessed through you. Joshua must have been thinking “ I am a slave in Egypt, how can the nations  be blessed through me?”. God took him from being a slave in Egypt to becoming the leader of a few million people and he took them into the Promise Land.

Joshua was 2 in a million, and he believed in the promises of God. Get hold of all the promises of God, not just material,  but blessings for Pune and the nations of the world.

Colin D Cruz

July 2012