Joshua 5

5 As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.

² At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel a second time.” ³ So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.^[a] 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: all the males of the people who came out of Egypt, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way after they had come out of Egypt. ⁵ Though all the people who came out had been circumcised, yet all the people who were born on the way in the wilderness after they had come out of Egypt had not been circumcised. ⁶ For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. ⁷ So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.

⁸ When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. ⁹ And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal^[b] to this day.

First Passover in Canaan

¹⁰ While the people of Israel were encamped at Gilgal, they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho. ¹¹ And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. ¹² And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

The Commander of the Lord’s Army

¹³ When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” ¹⁴ And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped^[c] and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” ¹⁵ And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

As I read Joshua 5 there are a few things that really stick out to me.

• The Israelites did not run directly to Jericho to take the city after seeing the sea split. They waited on the Lord.
• The Kings of the Amorites where stricken with fear and had no spirit within them before the Israelites had even marched for battle.
• The people where circumcised as adults and God gave them time to heal.
• The people celebrated passover before they even entered the promise land.
• The mana stopped once they had eaten of the land.
• The commander of the Lord did not come until after they where circumcised and had celebrated the Passover.

Ephesians 4

Lord I ask you to help me build up the body of Christ. Please help renew my mind so I can speak the truth in love. I pray to see the gifts that each member possesses and the courage to encourage them. Help me to stay out of the futility of my mind and constantly in your word. I thank you for the Holy Spirits guidance and am assured you will guid me.

My Prayer

Lord I ask you to open my ears to hear as those who are taught by you so I can sustain with a word those who are weary. That I may be a light in their darkness; a guiding light to your Joy and Peace that surpasses all understanding.

My Confession

I confess that the Spirit of the living God resides in me. As a result I can be assured that he will open my ears to hear. I will not be rebellious I will not turn backwards. God will give me a tongue as those who are taught so I may sustain those who are weary. I do not need to be anxious about what to say, but the Holy Spirit will teach me in the very hour what I ought to say.

Verses

Isaiah 50:4-5 Proverbs 13:7 Luke 12:11-12 Philippians 4:7

3 cups cooked quinoa

1 lb sausage

1 zucchini

1 cup frozen onions and peppers mix

Salt and pepper

I like to use leftover quinoa for this recipe. If you don’t have leftover cook 1 1/2 cups quinoa according to package instructions.

Start to brown one lb ground sausage in large skillet.

While sausage is browning chop one zucchini.

Add Zucchini to ground sausage when sausage is almost done, cook for about 2 minutes . If there is more than a few TBLS of grease in the pan drain off excess grease.

Add 1 cup frozen onion and pepper mix to pan with zucchini and sausage. Cover and let simmer for about 2 minutes.

Add 3 cups cooked quinoa to pan add salt and pepper to taste. Stir all ingredients together and serve warm.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. For we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of the darkness into his marvelous light. We will work willingly at whatever we do, as though we are working for the Lord rather than people. We will do all things without grumbling or disputing. We will be obedient to the Lord and those he has placed over us. We will strive to let no corrupt talk come out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. We understand that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, including us. We will give grace to ourself and others. We will be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgave us. Because we understand that people and the things they do and say are never our enemy or the real problem. We know that there will be hard times, but we will trust that all things will work together for good for those who love God and we will love our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We will also love our neighbor as ourselves. We trust that the plans God has for us are good and we will choose to live by faith. As faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen and we know that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. We will not grow weary in doing good, for we know that in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he as sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of theLord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities the devastations of may generations. (Isaiah 61:1-4)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no Male and female, for you are all one in christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will form the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7-9)

Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your fathers desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the trough why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the word of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. (John 8:43-47)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic power over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces or evil in the heavenly places. Therefor take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:12)

Let no one decide you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness. but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:7-11)

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:17)

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on theLord from a pure heart. Having nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servants must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. But understand this, that the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying it power. (2 Timothy 2:22-3:5)

The way for the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (Proverb 4:19)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: Sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you to once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk form your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image fo its creator. Here there is not greek and jew, circumsied and uncircumsised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as Gods chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these things put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing palms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in words or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in sprit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not cures them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap being coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 9:9-21)

You then, my child, be strengthend by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard form me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1-7)

Prayer

Heavenly Father thank you for reminding me that my fight is not with other people, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic power over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. I ask you to please help me to renew my mind with your word, so through your grace I can withstand the plans of the devil. I ask you to unite your church; to remind us all that in you we are a new creation. We no longer hold the labels of Greek or Jew, black or white, rich or poor. We are children of God, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possessions, that may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once we were not a people, but now we are God’s people; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. Father I pray for the people who are in darkness now, Lord I ask you to open their eyes so they can see. I pray they feel your power and presence around them. Please place people in their lives that can help guide them to grow in knowledge of your grace and goodness. For I know that all thinks work together for good for those who love God that the plans you have for them are for good and not for evil, to give them a future and hope. I pray this in Jesuses name.

Aditonal Verses: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 2:9

Look carefully then how you walk not as unwise by as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the spirit, addressing one another in palms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, going thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:5-20)

Prayer

Lord please help me to make the best use of my time. I pray you will fill me with the Holy Spirit so I am overflowing. I pray my sole will be burdend with your purposes and direction, so much so that my feet run to your will. Let my light shine so those around me want to run to you.

Confession

I confess that the Lord has given me the Holy Spirit, with the Spirits help I can discern my path and make the best use of my time. When I am unsure of the big steps God want me to make I will choose to obey God in the small things. Being: when I am feeling depleted choosing to come to christ for replenishment not outside sources, by giving thanks in all circumstances, and by addressing those around my with a joyful heart and praise.