Eternal Growth Group, Inc.

Beloved, in the old testament, they had to do much work and sacrificing physically to sanctify themselves. We have Christ, our Lord JESUS, who sanctifies us. In the old testament, they had to wait for the ark of the covenant to be moved by the Priest before they did anything. We have God’s Holy Spirit living in us and don’t need a Priest to lead us, instead we have a direct relationship with the Holy Spirit. How truly blessed are we? And we have more amazing benefits because of these 2 truths.

Joshua 3:5-6
5 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 

6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.”

Hebrews 2:11a
11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

Beloved, for the things we have never done or places we have never gone, wouldn’t it be wise to wait on God and follow HIS leading? The Holy Spirit lives in us and will lead us to all truth. We are indeed in a better covenant where we can all go to God anytime and remain in HIS presence for as long as we desire which is way better than how it was in the old covenant.

Joshua 3:1-4
1Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 
2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 
3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”

John 16:13
13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Beloved, are you doing all you can to protect your own home? Take a cue from Rahab, she saw an opportunity to bring in all her family into her home to protect them from the onslaught outside and took it. I pray we all follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and discern when to keep our families in house for safety reasons in JESUS name, Ameeeeeen.

Joshua 2:17-20
17 So the men said to her: “We will beblameless[d] of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, 
18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you [e]bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. 
19 So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 
20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”

Beloved, our God commands us to be kind to others and that means anyone. Kindness is linked to mercy as we see from our Father’s example when HE showed mercy to us evident through HIS loving-kindness. So why do we act and speak to others with no respect, or are harsh and mean to folks around us. Do we not know that kindness motivates others to be kind to us? How can we as leaders show kindness to others? Can our kindness save lives of people who put their trust in us? Vice versa, can our unkindness lead others to death or unsafe conditions. Examine your heart, think through all scenarios, could your choice possibly lead others around you to an unsafe state? Rahab’s life depended on Joshua’s men keeping their words. They had to chose to save her life and her family because she was kind to them. What is your choice and how will it affect those around you?

Joshua 2:12-14
12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me [c]a true token,13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”
14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

Titus 3:3-6
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Zechariah 7:9
9 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.

Beloved, so do people know and fear the God you serve? What evidence or events in your life has wowed them to fear or stand in awe of your God? Do they see God working or fighting for you and bringing you victories? Why not if not? I pray that we all live lives that demonstrate and proclaim how great and powerful our God is so that the world around you fear and reverence HIM in JESUS name, Amen!

Joshua 2:1-11 (Emphasis 10-11)
10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 
11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 

Beloved I pray you are well. Don’t we all want to have and follow good leaders like Moses and Joshua? God sets great leaders for HIS people to follow like our Lord JESUS and the Holy Spirit and if we follow their leads, we find life and peace. But, ungodly leaders direct us to death and chaos. Here’s the proof, if you walk in the steps of a leader and the steps lead to life and godliness great, but if they lead to death, confusions, uncertainty and fears then you better run and ask God for a new leader. Same chaos was found in the life of King Saul who chose to do his own thing and brought failure and devastation to Israel and eventually his own death in 1 Samuel 31 (Read all of 1 Samuel). I pray we heed the voice of our true leader and Lord JESUS, Amen!

Joshua 1:16-18
16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 
17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lordyour God be with you, as He was with Moses.
18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”

John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 
30 I and My Father are one.”

Beloved, so now that you are blessed, received Christ, assured of salvation and an eternal walk with The Blessed Trinity, your spouse and children seemingly thriving, your bills getting paid cause you still have a job and there’s food on your table and a home to live in. Is that all there is? What about others around you? Would you, in so many words, fight for them or help them to achieve their own salvation and blessings too? I pray for God to help us, give us grace and strength to do what we can to help others receive their blessings and promises in JESUS name, Ameeeeeeeeeeen!

Joshua 1:12-15
12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying,
13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.’ 
14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 
15 until the Lord has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”

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Beloved, what is the next “Faith” step you need to take? What challenge is before you that has forced you to stand still? Don’t let what you see discourage you. You will overcome only through Christ and in God. Before you move, re-focus on God and hear HIS clear direction, then move boldly forward. Take that next “Faith” step

Joshua 1:10-11
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 
11 “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”

2 Corinthians 5:7
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

1 John 5:4
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.

Psalm 37:23
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.

My Beloved,

I WILL not allow my fears of things, people, or fear of what might be cripple me, stiffle me or hold me back from giving my best or doing my best. I will meditate in God’s words and truths, i will believe what HIS words say of me and to me, I will do God’s will, I will be strong and courageous, I will stand up, take off all weights, and I will move forward in God. I will choose to walk with God and HE will carry me if need be and pick me up if I fall. But, I will do what I know brings pleasure to my God. The rest, benefits, success, victories, will follow in JESUS name, Amen! WILL you rise up and walk/live for God?

Joshua 1:8-9
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.