Joshua 16

Sons of Joseph’s inheritance on east side of Jordan    verse 1- 4

 And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho

            to the water of Jericho on the east

                        to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho

throughout mount Beth-el

And goes out form Beth-el to Luz

            and pass along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth

                        and goes down westward to the coast of Japhleti

                                    to the coast of Beth-horon the nether

                        and to Gezer and the goings out thereof are at

the sea

So the children of Joseph – Manasseh and Ephraim

took their inheritance 

Inheritance of Ephraim                                                verse 5- 8 

And the border of the children of Ephraim according

to their families was thus even the border of their inheritance

on the east side was Ataroth-addar

                  to Beth-horon the upper

And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side

            and the border went about eastward to Taanath-shiloh

                        and passed by it on the east to Janohah

                                    and it went down from Janohah to Ataroth

                                                and to Naarah – and came to Jericho

                                                            and went out at Jordan

The border went out from Tappuah westward to the river Kanah

            and the goings out thereof were at the sea

This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim

by their families 

Inheritance of half tribe of Manasseh                         verse 9- 10

 And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim

were among the inheritance

of the children of Manasseh

all the cities with their villages

And they drove NOT out the Canaanites that dwelt n Gezer

but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites

to this day and serve under tribute 

COMMENTARY:               

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers 

: 1        And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, to the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel. (3318 “fell” [yatsa’] means to reach outward in space, come out, to lead out, to produce, extend, or move away)

DEVOTION:  Here we have the two sons of Joseph receiving their inheritance in the same area. Remember that it is only the half tribe of Manasseh receiving an inheritance on this side of the Jordan. The other half of the tribe was on the other side of the Jordan.

Remember that Jacob saw the ladder from heaven in Bethel. Bethel means “house of God.” So the children of Joseph received this city in their inheritance.

Today we call “churches” the house of God. The building is not where God lives but where HE is worshiped by those who believe in HIS Son Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Too many places called “church” are not presently worshiping the Son of God but man instead. They have put man over God in their worship and life. They are going through the motions by attending a place called a church but they are not there to genuinely worship the LORD of LORD and KING of KINGS.

When you go to the house of God are you there to visit with friends or play games or to honor the LORD Jesus Christ for dying for your sins and given you the gift of eternal life in heaven?

CHALLENGE: Many times, we need to receive a fresh vision of who we are worshipping each Sunday. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers 

: 4        So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. (5157 “inheritance” [nachal] means heritage, possession, or to obtain something by legal right from someone who is an heir)

DEVOTION:  The Promised Land continues to be divided between the tribes. There were lots cast for areas and now we find that the east side of the Jordan River are being distributed.

The goal of each tribe was to conquer all the people that were in the Promised Land before they arrived and to totally kill all the people because their iniquity was full in the eyes of the LORD.

As we see each tribe going into their Promised Land there was a problem they were not taking all of their territory. They were satisfied with a little of the territory. They were compromising what the LORD had commanded them to do. It was a sin that they would regret for the rest of the nation’s history.

One we are given an area to serve the LORD in we need to serve HIM with our whole heart and do what HE commands. We are commanded by Jesus Christ to occupy until HE returns. That means that we have to conquer our area for the LORD.

This is not a project of ending the life of those who are in our area but rather given them new life. We are giving life to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. They are on their way to hell and the lake of fire for eternity.

The message we have of the shed blood of Jesus Christ needs to be shared with all of those who are around us. We will be held accountable for our service to the LORD. Will HE say to us “Well done, you good and faithful servant” or will we not receive the rewards promised in the New Testament for those who are faithful.

CHALLENGE: It is my prayer that all Biblical churches are reaching their area with the message of the Gospel through any means available to them.

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: 6        And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side, and the border went about eastward to Taanath-shiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah. (1366 “border” [gabuwl] means coast, landmark, bound, space, limit, barrier, fence, territory, or region)

DEVOTION:  Shiloh is the place where the Tabernacle was set up for three hundred years before Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the place where the people came to worship the LORD.

So the children of Joseph received two every important spots where the LORD was honored. They inherited the spot where their father’s father saw a vision of heaven with angels ascending and descending. Jacob worshiped the LORD there. Now his great-grandsons were worshiping there with the Tabernacle they brought out of the wilderness.

We need to know that the LORD gives us borders to work in for HIM. We live where HE wants us to live, so that, we can reach those around us with the Word of God. We are God’s people in God’s place to reach those who are not presently HIS servants.

It is not easy to be a witness but our neighbors can observe us to see what type of people we are. If they see the LORD in your life everyday then they will understand that you are genuine follower of the LORD.
Your life speaks louder than your worlds. The children of Israel were not as faithful as they should have been with their neighbors. They took on the actions of their neighbors rather than the neighbors taking on their worship of the one true God.

This can happen to us very easy if our neighbors don’t see Christ in us on a regular basis.

CHALLENGE:  What are our neighbors seeing in you and me??? 

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 10      And they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day, and serve under tribute. (4522 “tribute” [mic] means a burden, a tax in the form of forced labor, discomfited, levy, or task)

DEVOTION:  Joseph had two sons while he was in the land of Egypt before the rest of the family joined him. These two sons received separate inheritances. The tribe of Manasseh had inheritance on both sides of the Jordan. The tribe of Ephraim had an inheritance on the east side of Jordan. This chapter describes their inheritance with Joseph’s other son. The tribe that made up the twelfth son of Jacob was Levi that didn’t receive an inheritance because God was their inheritance. So hopefully this doesn’t confuse you when both sons of Joseph are listed as inheriting separate lands.

The Hebrew word is pronounced “mic” or plural “me.” The children of Ephraim wanted money from the Canaanites. The children of Ephraim would rather have servants of the Canaanites rather than to obey God’s command to kill them all. This is what happened to all of children of Israel. They were only partially obedient. They wanted to have peace at any cost. It cost them their faithfulness to the LORD.

So often God gives a command and HIS people do not fully obey HIM. This causes them problems every time. God would like us to be completely obedient to HIM. It would save us headaches in the future.

We have an inheritance promised us by Jesus Christ. HE has gone before us to prepare a mansion for us. While we are waiting to go to be with HIM, we should be obedient. What does the LORD want us to do now? HE wants us to occupy until HE returns. HE wants us to store our treasures in heaven instead of here on this earth. HE doesn’t want money or possessions to be our god. HE doesn’t want us to sell ourselves short for popularity now. HE doesn’t want us to sell ourselves short by being workaholics to the neglect of our families and our service to HIM.

How should we occupy ourselves? HE wants us reaching our world with HIS good news. Remember our occupation is MINISTER. Our avocation is whatever we do to earn money to keep our family going. Whether we are a doctor, lawyer, or bricklayer, we are MINISTERS for HIM. Are we reaching our world for HIM?

CHALLENGE: Conquer our world with HIS good news. Share it will all those in our world. As you witness you will grow in the LORD.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY 

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone) 

SOUL 

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God) 

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group) 

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)     

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation) 

Canaanites                                                     verse 10 

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels) 

Not drive out Canaanites                             verse 10

Take tribute from Canaanites                     verse 10 

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins) 

Inheritance                                                     verse 4, 5, 8, 9 

Israel (Old Testament people of God) 

Children of Joseph’s inheritance                 verse 1-4

            Ephraim & Manasseh

Children of Ephraim’s inheritance             verse 5- 8

Children of Manasseh’s inheritance           verse 9- 10               

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

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DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org  Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method.  Thank you.

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FROM MY READING: 

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

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NO GOD BUT GOD by Os Guinness & John Seel 

There is no name-calling in these pages and the attacks are never on people, only on trends. We are well aware that the ultimate idol factory is the human heart. (p.28)

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There can be no believing communities without an unswerving eye to the detection and destruction of idols. (p. 28)

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Adam and Eve rebel against their Creator.

INSIGHT

You may have heard the old saying, “For want of a nail, the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe, the horse is lost; for want of a horse, the king is lost; and for want of a king, the kingdom is lost.” It is a clever way of saying that little things matter. Little things lead to larger things–often with disastrous consequences.

We see the first example of this in Genesis 3:6. First, Eve “saw” the forbidden fruit. No transgression yet. Then she “desired.” Still no transgression–but a step closer. Finally, she “took and ate.” Transgression.

The “look” seemed harmless. It was a small thing, but it led to “eating.” Are there things in your life that you are “looking” at? They seem harmless now, but they lead to larger things. Spare yourself–give them up now. “For want of a nail . . . the kingdom is lost.”

                        (Quiet Walk)

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WHY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLED HOLY?

But ye have an unction from the Holy One.  1 John 2:20
Why is the Holy Spirit called holy? Surely, the explanation is that it is His special work to produce holiness and order in all that He does in the application of Christ’s work of salvation. His objective is to produce holiness, and He does that in nature and creation, as well as in human beings. But His ultimate work is to make us a holy people, holy as the children of God. It is also probable that He is described as the Holy Spirit in order to differentiate Him from the other spirits—the evil spirits. That is why we are told to test the spirits and to prove them and to know whether they are of God or not (1 John 4:1).
Then the next great question is the personality or the personhood of the Spirit. The personhood of the Holy Spirit is not only forgotten by those whom we describe as liberals or modernists in their theology, but we ourselves are often guilty of precisely the same thing. I have heard most orthodox people referring to the Holy Spirit and His work as “it” and “its” influence and so on, as if the Holy Spirit were nothing but an influence or a power. And hymns, too, frequently make the same mistake. There is a confusion about the Holy Spirit, and I am sure there is a sense in which many of us find it a little more difficult to conceive of the third person in the blessed Holy Trinity than to conceive of the Father or the Son.
Why is there this tendency to think of Him as a force or an influence or an emanation? There are a number of answers to that question, but they are not good reasons. His work seems to be impersonal because it is a kind of mystical and secret work. He produces graces and fruits; He gives us gifts, and He gives us various powers. And because of that, we tend to think of Him as if He were some influence. I am sure that this is a great part of the explanation.
A Thought to Ponder: His special work is to produce holiness.
         (From God the Holy Spirit, p. 8, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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The Golden Rule
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
This command of Christ is the famous so-called Golden Rule of conduct. As He said, it succinctly summarizes and crystallizes all the instructions given in the Old Testament Scriptures dealing with human interrelationships. In fact, somewhat similar guidelines can be found even in certain ancient extra-biblical writings.
It should be stressed, however, that this maxim is not meant to be a prerequisite for salvation. No mere human being ever obeys this rule perfectly, any more than one can keep perfectly the Ten Commandments.
It was included by Christ as a part of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, which the Bible clearly states was a series of instructions given only to believers—that is, to people already saved through personal faith in Christ. At the very beginning of this “sermon,” it says clearly that “seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them” (Matthew 5:1-2).
Thus, the Golden Rule is only for Christian believers. It is a standard by which we should seek to order our personal lives, not to be saved, but because we are saved. “Be ye therefore perfect,” said the Lord, “even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). No one—except Christ Himself, in His humanity—has ever perfectly kept the Golden Rule or been sinlessly perfect (note 1 John 1:8, 10). Nevertheless, our standard can be nothing less. “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,” said the apostle Paul: “but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). And so should we.

               (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

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Franklin Graham writes: In this day and age when far too many pastors shy away from speaking Biblical truth to culture, I am grateful for the courage of a group of pastors and spiritual leaders who spoke truth in love in a letter to pastor and Georgia senate candidate Raphael Warnock for his unbiblical position of supporting abortion and campaigning on his pro-abortion stance. When a church leader calls evil good and good evil, he confuses and misleads the flock. This is nothing less than false teaching warned of in 2nd Peter. The womb is sacred. Forming of life is a miracle! In the Book of Luke, John the Baptist from his mother’s womb recognized the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Meaning, life and purpose were already set in place. It should break our hearts that any pastor would promote a procedure intended to end in the death of a child. Abortion is ending a life—abortion is murder. Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Bishop Flynn Johnson pointed out the disproportionate and devastating toll that abortion is having on the black community. Join me in thanking these pastors for having the courage to represent truth.

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