"As For Me And My House" is a FVChurch Summer 2024 series about how to lead our households toward Jesus in a world full of idolatry. It’s my prayer that we can take up the mantle of leadership in our households, and accept that we are called to live SET APART and obedient (to Jesus) lifestyles, so that our children and our children’s children can enjoy the blessings and freedom of Jesus!
Joshua 9:1-21
vs. 14 “So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.”
We have to consult the Lord, and we have to teach our children how to consult the Lord!!
Because the deception of this world is wildly effective.
This is a major tactic that the enemy uses here in the western world, he wants you to believe that you have to SEE it, to believe it. That you need your eyes to SEE the truth, personally. You have to see the SCIENCE, and see the data, etc, but the problem is that the other side has data and science too. Everyone can back up their opinion to a certain degree. Some of us better than others, but we all think we’re on the better side.
Our culture is so FULL of lies right now, and the lies are SO LOUD. And so convincing.
Disney tells you to follow your heart, the BIBLE tells you your heart is endlessly wicked, who can trust it?!
Don’t follow your heart, follow His WORD.
Luke 9:24, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
You can’t know what God WOULD say, if you don’t know what He HAS said.
The Israelites assumed too much. It showed their hearts. Too quick to say yes.
“The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” (Gen 19 - Sodom & Gomorrah)
We can trust Him.
We have to learn to listen! Even to the whispers. We have to learn to QUIET all the other things, and just listen.
Dallas Willard said, the biggest advice he has for anyone wanting to grow spiritually…is to RUTHLESSLY eliminate hurry from your life.
When we’re in a hurry, we miss things, and we miss people. The story of the Good Samaritan is an example of this. He STOPPED. He put value on a man in a ditch because he stopped for long enough to see him, help him, take care of him. We have to learn to listen.
One other thing that I think played into their participation with deception here.
I don’t think the Israelites were yet used to being a power.
They weren’t used to wielding and holding power yet.
We have a new identity.
Matthew 5:33-37 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Luke 14:28…who sets out intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it
James 1:5,”If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”