145th Week, Joshua Chapters 10-14

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Click on Title for Video Introduction


Monday, Joshua Chapter 10
Joshua 10
Verse 13
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 13:  So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.

THOUGHT
I couldn’t help but think about all the times I have said that I wished time would stand still. How marvelous it would be to just let the sun stand still. Many times in our busy world we say that our day is just not long enough. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to get all our work done and then tell God to give us the night? However, me being type A, I would never have everything done. 

The Lord is one powerful God to have on your side. Look at what He can do. He was fighting for Israel and creating things that would help them out. Let’s continue to be in communion with the Lord. We want Him on our side. He helps us daily without even being asked. May you abide in Him always and ask for whatever your need is. He is the BEST team player to have on your side.

PRAYER
Father, thank You for loving us so much and for being there for us, to lead us, to grant our requests and to join us our journey as a team member. We love having You on our side. We love all the miracles that You perform for us daily. Thank You for this great example of how much You loved the Israelites. Thank You for each and every member of the Salt Shakers. What a TEAM we have!!! With Christ on our side, there is no failing.  AMEN


Tuesday, Joshua Chapter 11
Joshua 11
Verse 23b
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 22b:  Then the land had rest from war.

THOUGHT
I can’t imagine dealing with war all the time. Living it day after day and year after year has to be a tragedy.  The fighting and death had to have been hard to experience each day. However, if the cause and purpose are worth the fight, the battle is worth the winning. The Lord commanded that it all be done.  Well, success finally happened. The conquest of much of the land of Canaan actually took seven years. In our lives we want quick changes and fast fixes.  It is easy to grow impatient and feel like giving up. The Israelites were great when they listened and trusted in our God. Things went as they should for them.

Are there times in your life when you feel like you have worked, prayed and yearned for the goal that you have been seeking? Don’t give up. With the Lord all things are possible. Keep seeking, searching and living under His guidance and HOPE. For when you work hard and don’t give up, finally at the end of the battle ---- there is rest for those who believe in HIM. I can’t help but think of our service men in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. What they are doing in these countries are baby steps.  The countries are years away from accepting the help and support that we so want to give. I will look forward to His return when war will cease and PEACE will reign supreme.

PRAYER
Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and how it can apply to our current world and living situation. We think of our service men who serve our country each and every day year after year. We are so grateful for them and for the freedom we have to enjoy. Be with each of them and place angels  around them. May they know that the Salt Shakers lift each of them up as we pray today and every day.  In Your Name Jesus.  AMEN


Wednesday, Joshua Chapter 12
Joshua 12
Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT
This is a summary of the first half of the book of Joshua. It lists the kings and nations conquered by Joshua from both the east and the west of the Jordan River. As long as the people trusted and obeyed God, one evil nation after another fell into defeat. After looking at all the countries and all the kings, I am so glad that we believe in the only KING OF KINGS, God our Father who is Christ the Lord. He has conquered it all and is undefeatable.

PRAYER
Father, Our King, we ask that You guide our nation’s leaders as You did Joshua. We pray that our moves are ones directed by You. We pray that our President and all his cabinet go to You each and every day for direction and guidance. May our actions be that of a Christian nation. Please lead more Christian people in the field of government leadership. May we realize that we are nothing without Your strength, power and direction. You will reign in our hearts forever as our KING. Be with our service men as they serve our country. Help them feel the strength of our prayers. We pray all this in Your Holy Name. AMEN


Thursday, Joshua Chapter 13
Joshua 13
Verse 1
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 1:  When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, “You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.”

THOUGHT
After reading the application and my Bible reference on this chapter, my eyes went directly to this verse.  Unlike some elderly people, Joshua lived in the future and not in the past. He had a job to do, and he wanted to complete it before he died. He was not satisfied to defeat thirty-one kings. He urged the tribes to possess the land they had conquered and claim it for the Lord. No matter how much God has enabled us to accomplish in life, there is always much more land to possess and more lives to win to Christ. 

I believe this is saying that our work is not done here until we breathe our last breath. We must continue to share the love of the Lord with those who know it not. I reflect back on the book, Purpose Driven Life, by Rich Warren. We were made for a mission. Our mission is to serve believers and to save unbelievers. Rick told the story about his dad who was dying in his arms. I’m not exactly sure how the story went but his dad said as he left this world, “Save just one more for Jesus, just one more.” Salt Shakers, we must serve and not become tired. We must continue Jesus’s mission here on earth. I am honored to be a co-laborer with each of you.

PRAYER
Father in Heaven, we are blessed with work from You. We pray that You will keep us faithful to Your Word and Your mission. Help us to begin each day with the Armor of God on.  May we be proud to say we are Christians.  May we be comfortable in sharing the story of Jesus.  May we offer help to those who are not the easiest to approach.  May our actions always reflect the life of Jesus.  May we always give praise to You when we journey with an unbeliever and guide them to salvation with the help of the Holy Spirit. Help us never to grow tired or weary of this our mission.  As written in Acts 20:24, “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me.”  Just one more for Jesus, God our Father, may we save one more for You. AMEN  


Friday, Joshua Chapter 14
Joshua 14
Verse 5
Jeanie Boldt

Verse 5:  so the Israelites divided the land, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

THOUGHT
The Lord wanted 12 tribes and had them divided way before Joshua even knew about it. He had commanded it to Moses that they be made this way. Now under the leadership of Joshua, the command of the Lord is carried out. God is in control. He looks for leaders who will obey Him and follow Him.

I am a believer that the Lord will bless those who love and serve Him. It may not be today or tomorrow. We may have to wait for our reward, but IT WILL COME. We must not grow weary in our faith. WE MUST NOT REST!!’ Just look at Caleb. He was faithful, and worked hard each and every day for 45 years. The Lord rewarded him as He had promised. Heb. 6:12: "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Joshua, Caleb and all of us believers in Jesus Christ have a “Living Hope” because of our faith. I Peter 1:3:  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a LIVING HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." I am going to stay in shape for the Lord and look forward to all the Blessings that He will pass my way.

PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for not forgetting us. Thank You for forgiving us when we do wrong. Thank You for continually supporting us and giving us LIVING HOPE. Keep us strong in Your faith, energized to share Your love and mercy free of doubt and questioning. Bless each of our family members as we enjoy the weekend. Help us be nourished through the faithfulness of each member in this group.  AMEN
















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