Joshua 7:13

"Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

The Israelites were not to have taken anything from Jericho. The gold, silver, bronze and iron were all to go into the Lord's Treasury. These were considered devoted things. One person took some of these devoted things. Are there things in my life that should be devoted to God yet I hang on to them?

Lord, please help me to evaluate my life, to think of all my possessions and talents and make sure I am offering them all up to you for your will and your purpose. Amen

Joshua 5:13-14a

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."

I like that the commander of the army of the Lord was on neither side. He was on God's side. He was there for God's purposes, not the Israelite's or Jericho's.

Lord, no matter what the issue, I pray that I will always be on your side. Amen.

Joshua 5:11-12

The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped on the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

Finally the manna was over. They were now able to eat fresh produce and a variety of food that God had prepared for them. When the Israelites first had only the manna to eat, they complained because of the lack the variety. Now, many of these people have only had manna their whole lives. How did the people react? How would you react; celebrate or rebel at the change?

Lord, please help me to celebrate your blessings, no matter what form they come in. Amen.

Joshua 4:21-22

He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their parents, 'What do these stones mean?' Tell them 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.'

Do I have any memorials from the great moments of God in my life? That is a good question. I am going to have to think about that for a while. It's such a good idea to create or a sign or a memorial to help us remember those times when God really showed us that he was alive and working in our lives.

Lord, help me to remember to do this. Help me to look back over my life and see your work. Help me to recognize it when you are working in my life right now and help me to memorialize it so that I will remember in the future. Amen.

Joshua 3:5

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

In this story God stops the flow of the Jordan River so the Israelites can pass. I think we can apply this scripture every day. Everyday we should consecrate ourselves because every tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things.

( consecrate - to set aside or dedicate for God's use)

Lord, please help me to look for the amazing things you do every day and please help me to keep myself consecrated so that I can see them. Amen.

Joshua 2:1a

So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

Okay, so why in the world would they go into the house of a prostitute? Maybe that was a house where anyone would be welcome. Her family also live there so maybe it's not exactly a brothel. Maybe she had done things like this before, where she would hide people and help them escape the city, maybe even help them enter the city after the gates have been locked. You have to just see God here. God prepared this woman. He used her life and her skills for His purposes and then in the end she was not only saved she is named the lineage of Christ.

Lord,  I know you can use anyone or anything for your glory. Rahab was open to being used by you. Lord,  please make me open to being used by you. I want to do your will and bring you glory. Amen.

Joshua 1:16

They answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.

The Israelites trusted Joshua because they knew God was with him. It's easy to follow a leader when you know they are following God. I think that's true whether it be a parent, a spouse, or a church leader. It is harder to follow a boss or a government because it may not be clear if they are following God.

Lord, help me to always do your will. Help me to follow those who are following you. Help me to be wise in following those who may or may not be following you.  Amen.

Joshua 1:7-9

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. 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. 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.

Lord, thank you for these inspirational words. Amen.

Philippians 4:12b-13

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Wow! We have found it. The secret of being content. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Every situation means lot of different situations! From troubles at work to troubles at home, from troubles getting enough to eat to troubles eating too much, from troubles of not having enough to troubles of having too much. In all of these situations we don't have to have troubles because with God's strength, we can be content in all situations.

Lord, please make me content in all situations.  I promise to lean only on your strength. Amen.

Philippians 4:2

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.

When I am having trouble with an individual sometimes I read the Psalms and gain encouragement by the passages that talk about "my enemy". But that is harder when the person is not an evil enemy but someone who you think is also a Christian. In that situation according to the verse above we need to pray to be of the same mind.

Lord, I pray that this person and I be of the same mind in you. I think we both just want to do the right thing and bring glory to your name, we are just having trouble getting along. Help us Lord. Amen

Philippians 3:12

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

I am not 100 percent sure what this verse means. It might mean that he has not yet reached the resurrection. It may also be a testament to Paul's amazing humility. Jesus talked about that not even he considered himself equal to God. Here Paul,  a great man of God doesnt even consider himself to havr arrived at the goal. If this man of God does not boast but is humble, I must certainly be humble.

God, Humility humility humility. Over and over again you are teaching me about humility. You are teaching me about it in the world, You are teaching me about it in my life. Lord, please help me to be humble. Please help me to learn what you are trying to teach me. Amen  

Philippians 3:9

And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Paul is talking about Judaism vs following Christ, but I think it is so relevant right now to so many of us who try to gain our salvation by following all the rules. Yesterday at church we talked about doubt and Grace. One of the thoughts was about being self righteous, that checklist Christianity where we feel like we are saved because we have done all the right things, but when doubt enters that kind of Christianity one brick of our faith may fall and the whole house falls. If we put our faith in God and not in our own obedience and understanding the house will not fall.

Lord, I place my faith in you, not in my understanding and not in my obedience. Amen

Philippians 2:21

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

I think this means that Christians lookout for the interests of others. This solves so many problems. If we are looking out for the interests of others it will keep us from being selfish. We will put others needs above our own. We would never even think of cheating others or stealing their money or information to our gain. We are glad for opportunities to help others.

Lord, help me to always focus on the interests of others. Help me to know what is best for them and show me how I can be useful in their lives. Amen

Philippians 2 : 14-15

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

Wow! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have been grumbling about how my boss has been treating me. But I need to remember this is a warped and crooked generation. In order to shine among them like stars, I need to not grumble and argue so I can remain blameless and pure. My rights are not the most important thing here. I don't have to go talk to people and tell them what's going on to get sympathy, that would be the grumbling part. And I don't have to argue with my boss about what I don't agree with her about. It's more important that I am pure and blameless.

Lord, I want to shine like a star. I want to be pure and blameless. Lord, help me to endure whatever I need to endure without grumbling or complaining. I love you Lord. Thank you. Amen

Philippians 2 : 12

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

In the first part of this verse I think Paul is giving the Philippians such a compliment. The second part is something I have used so many times in so many circumstances. I have always felt like my relationship to God is something very personal. It's not just a generic rule book. Each of us has to communicate with God independently to hear His Word and do His will. I think this is what is meant by continuing to working out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Dear Lord, I intend to continue to honor you with my obedience. Lord I will daily communicate with you so that I can continue to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. Ame

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

It's humility once again. It seems like God is just constantly working on me about humility. Maybe it's just the fact that it is in the Bible so much. I didn't realize how many times humility is mentioned in the Bible. Either way it is certainly something I need to work on. I even worry that creating this blog is out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Even when I pray before I read for God to show me something in his word, it concerns me that the only reason I want him to show me something is so that I have something to share in this blog. One of my favorite parts of studying is sharing what I find. So, does that mean I am doing it out of selfish ambition or vain conceit?

Lord, I pray that my Bible study is done with pure motives. Thank you so much for all the things you show me everyday I sit down and study. Lord, I feel like you are talking directly to me. Thank you, thank you. Amen

Philippians 1 : 27a

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

This statement basically covers all situations. It's the WWJD verse. I think the way we react speaks volumes to those around us. We all encounter difficult situations . What sets Christians apart is how we react to those situations. There are always people looking to us for an example. That may be our children, friends, or others we have influence over. The way we react teaches them how to react. It may also be an opportunity to witness to others, sharing hope in a hopeless situation or providing peace where there is none.

Philippians 1: 21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

What a beautiful statement. It really boils down our entire existence. This is our purpose. If God is giving us breath, then it is our job to glorify Him. there is no other reason to live but Christ. Even when Paul makes this statement in chains, he recognizes his purpose.

Lord, help me to recognize my true purpose on this earth. I get so focused on the here and now and I forget to do the things I am meant to do. Lord, make your will and my path clear. Amen

Philippians 1:14

And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the Gospel without fear.

I guess fear of proclaiming the gospel is nothing new. Why is it that we are so scared to tell other people about Christ? My biggest fear is I just don't want to bug people. It's the same reason I could never be a good salesperson. It's the reason I have never wanted to do Mary Kay or Amway. So, I'm not sure how to sell Christ. Maybe I need to realize I'm not selling Christ.

Lord God Almighty, you are so magnificent, so amazing, so powerful. God, I just want other people to see and feel your power. Lord, I think evangelism is more about you than about me. Lord, please bring people into my life who want to know about you. Bring people into my life who need you. Bring people into my life who you have already been working on and I'm just the catalyst. Lord please use me to fulfill your will. Amen

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God every time I remember you.

This is my verse for John, my husband. I really do thank God every time I remember him. He is such a blessing in my life.

Dear God, thank you so much for John Gattis. I love him beyond anything I could ever have imagined. He is such a wonderful gift in my life. Thank you. Amen

Malachi 4:2

But for you who revere my name, The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

I love the imagery of well fed calves frolicking in the sun. As we go through life hard things will happen and the verse before this talks about the arrogant and evil doer who will be set on fire, but those who love God and revere his name have nothing to fear.

God, help me to always remember that image of the frolicking well fed calf in the sun. I trust you God. I can take comfort and peace in that trust. Lord, I revere your name. Amen

Malachi 2:7

For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.

As a Christian, I am a priest of the Lord. It is my responsibility to preserve knowledge. Like the saying goes, I may be the only Bible some people may ever read. As an example of a servant of the Lord I need to be careful what I do and say, I need to make sure everything I do and say are as the Lord would want it to be.

Holy Father, please be with me every step of the day, be with me every word I speak, be with me in everything I do. May all of it bring glory to your name. May all of it bring others to you. Amen