Author: trevongross

Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23

Joshua’s days are numbered and he is giving his parting words to Israel. He calls on them to make a choice whom they will serve. It is important to note that by making a choice to serve God, we are also making a choice to reject idols and false gods.

In our age, we would never knowingly serve an idol. However, if we are not careful, we will allow idols into our lives and they will threaten our obedience to God. As Joshua spoke to Israel, he told them to “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:23)

Are there things, activities, or people who threaten your relationship with God? Are there idols that you should destroy so you do not jeopardize your walk with God? When the Bible talks of God being jealous, it does not mean that He is consumed with jealousy as in a competition. God is saying that He wanted nothing to come between you and Him.

Start today by renouncing any idol and accept the lordship of Jesus in that area.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25

Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19

Israel finally had rest from all their wars. Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had returned home and built an altar. It caused a great conflict because the rest of Israel thought they had committed a serious sin. All the other tribes assembled together to go to war. Thankfully, the tribes on the East of the Jordan explained that their altar was only a memorial so that future generations would know that even though they did not live in Canaan, they still had a claim to the promises of God!

You see, these 3 tribes knew something very powerful. The further we get from the miraculous works of God, the more prone we are to forget all that God has done. They neither wanted their descendants to forget nor the other Israelites to forget the role that God played in using them to help secure the Promised Land.

A season of rest is important for all of us! It is in the time of rest that we reconnect to God, remind ourselves of His goodness and restore ourselves. If you have been in battles, you have to know that a time of rest must follow the battle. Even our trained military gets time off after a tour of duty.

Put together a journal of all that God has done so that when you get tired and feel like quitting, you can remind yourself of all that God has done!!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23

Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16

We serve a God who really does keep His promises. When everyone was settled in their land, the Bible says, “ Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45)

God remains true to His promises. He will not let even one of His promises go unfulfilled. In fact, God will do whatever is necessary to keep His Word to His people. When opposition arose against Israel, they could rest in God’s promises. When it looked like they were outnumbered, they knew God would not go back on His promises.

How about this one: Even when they rebelled and went against God’s plan, He never revoked the promises He made to Israel. He planned to get them to the Promised Land and He did. When Israel repented, God moved them one step closer to receiving the promise.

So, why have you given up on your dreams and plans? God hasn’t changed His mind at all. His promises are “yes and amen.” Since God made you a promise, He will not back away from it. He is standing ready to make it happen for you. Trust His promises because God is thoroughly reliable!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19

Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14

Once all the land was divided, there was one more land designation that God wanted to make. It was the creation of cities of refuge. These cities were safe places to go in case someone had made an accidental mistake and they needed a fresh start.

Because the ruling law was “an eye for an eye”, even though someone made a mistake and took another person’s life, they were liable to die unless they made it to the city of refuge. This City of Refuge was a safe place and a new beginning for the person. They would remain there in the city of refuge until the priest died. Once the priest died, all former judgments were cancelled.

God cared enough about His people that He did not leave them to die when they made mistakes. This is an act of love and this was in the Old Testament. So, if God could handle people’s mistakes under the Old Covenant, how much more does God have a city of refuge for you in this New Covenant?

In Christ, all of your mistakes, failings and failures, are all forgiven and you have a fresh start. Thank God today that Jesus is your refuge. He keeps you safe from the penalty of your sins!

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16

Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11

You would think that after Israel spent 400 years in slavery that God would just give them the Promised Land. But, all He gave them was a promise. They had to wage war to possess what God had promised. There were 7 tribes that had yet to possess their land. Was it because God had changed His mind? No, because they had not fought to claim the land.

It is in the process of fighting that we get a real appreciation of the value of the inheritance that we’ve been given. For the Israelites, they had to fight to possess the land, so that they could survey it and then it was apportioned. For all that God has in store for you, are you willing to fight for it in order to see how big and precious it is?

You are a partner with God in claiming your inheritance. You have been given the tools right now to discover your inheritance. The question is, are you using what God has given you effectively?  This is what we see in the Parable of the Talents. Each servant was given enough to show their faithfulness and good stewardship. Two used theirs well and one did not.

Will you be counted among those who fought to possess God’s promises or those who just stopped short and never entered in? Fight for your right to possess God’s inheritance for you. What does the fight look like? Standing firm against the temptations of the devil and standing firm in faith. Your destiny is waiting on you!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14

Joshua 15:1-63; Luke 18:18-43; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10

God’s got a blessing with your name on it! As you read through this entire list, you see that everyone’s name is on it. Every inch of the Promised Land was allotted. It makes you wonder, “What inheritance that was designated for me has gone unclaimed?”

Often we disqualify ourselves from receiving our inheritance. We feel that we don’t deserve certain blessings because of our past (or even our present). Think of your family line. How many generations have served God? Are you the first? Or, are you in a long line of believers?  Either way, there is a godly inheritance that God has reserved for you. It’s yours for the claiming.

They have services that search through public records to see if there is any unclaimed money for you. Well, as a Believer, if you are not living in the abundance of God in every area of your life, you still have unclaimed blessings. If previous generations of believers did not walk in this abundance, it is waiting on you to receive it.

Purpose in your heart today that you will not let any inheritance go unclaimed for another day. Receive it all today and remain in expectation that every spiritual and natural blessing will manifest and expand in your generation!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11

Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8

God has said, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'” (Jeremiah 29:11). God has plans for you! Good plans for you! God has a strategic plan for your life that will cause you to smile!!

When we try to create our own plan, we fall very short of God’s real plan. He is the only one who has the power to bring to pass His big plan for our lives. As you read the story of Israel and the dividing of the land, it becomes very clear that God had already thought out who would get what and when. He knew who was where and who needed to be moved out of the way so that His people could take possession of their inheritance.

No one was left out. Everyone received their portion to be a perpetual blessing to their family. So you think that God has only done this for Israel? Certainly not! God knows exactly what He has in store for you and your family. He has blessings with your name on them. They are reserved and set aside just for you. All God wants you to do is trust Him enough to execute His plans for your life. In the end, you will see the wisdom of His plan and you will most certainly enjoy the blessings of the plan. You have an inheritance that is waiting for you. Will you claim it today?

Tomorrow’s Reading:  Joshua 15:1-63; Luke 18:18-43; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

Are there things that frighten you? How about being challenged by every nation in a 100 mile radius? How about all your enemies joining forces to defeat you and shame you? This is what Israel was up against. These kings had trained armies and the most sophisticated fighting machines of the time. They had horses, chariots, armor and weapons.

Israel had spent 40 years in the wilderness and all the people who were knowledgeable about war had died. Israel had the numbers but they did not have the experience to defeat these foreign armies. It would have been a challenge to beat over 30 nations individually, but almost impossible all at once. They really needed a supernatural victory!

Well thank God, that is the kind of God He is! He will take what seemingly appears impossible and with Him it becomes possible. When all these nations rallied against Israel they were certain Israel would fall. But what they didn’t realize was that they made God’s job easier. Rather than fighting them one at a time, they were able to topple over a dozen at one time. Don’t you ever fear when enemies or challenges rise up against you!

Your God is The Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Lord Sabaoth). He knows how to fight and win! He has marshaled all the forces of heaven to fight on your behalf. When your enemy comes against you one way, they will flee seven different ways. God will not leave you alone when your persecutors unite against you. He will defend you!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8

Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4

It is not a small thing to listen to the Lord’s leading. God gave Joshua very specific instructions to clear out all the people in the land so that Israel could live in peace and prosperity. A group from Gibeon was afraid that they would be destroyed so they launched a deceptive plan to sign a treaty with Joshua to save their lives.

The Gibeonites played their part well and Joshua fell for it! Only after the Israelites gave their word that the Gibeonites were safe did Joshua and the leaders learn that these strangers were not from a distant country. How were they able to be so easily tricked? Here is the answer: “they did not consult the Lord.” (Joshua 9:14). Joshua and the leaders did not do what God told them to do.

The greatest asset you have as you interact with the world and people whose intentions are not pure, is to let God lead you. God knows the hearts of people and He searches out their hearts. He knows things that you cannot know and God sees things that you cannot see. Why would you launch out without His leading? Only trouble can arise from self-reliance! Purpose in your heart today to let Jesus lead you every moment of every day. When you do this, you will never be tricked or taken advantage of.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

Today, we see an Old Testament reality of disobedience to God’s command. It cost Achan and his whole family their lives. What was it that Achan did that was so wrong? After all, he had fought in the battle and shouldn’t he be able to enjoy the spoils of war?

Under normal conditions, yes, Achan would have been able to enjoy the spoils. But, before they went into battle, God was clear that everything was to be destroyed because it was dedicated to Him. This seems strange because as soon as they go to fight Ai, God tells Joshua that the people can enjoy the spoils. Why couldn’t Achan enjoy the spoils of Jericho?

The biggest challenge for us as humans is to put God first in everything. Our desires usually win out so that God is last on our list– if He is on the list at all! God wanted the spoils from Jericho because it was the first city that they conquered (In fact, they didn’t do anything but walk around and shout). So, as an act of humility and to show God that He was more valuable than the treasures, they were to destroy it all.

Have you ever noticed how “things” distract us? Our never-ending drive to have more (which is covetousness and materialism) pollutes us and causes us to put the gifts before the giver. God wants you to enjoy the best of everything–He really does! But, it cannot come through disobedience and materialism. Give God your first and best in every area (time, talent and treasure) and then He will make certain that the rest is blessed!

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4