Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for September 12, 2006

Daily Reading: Joshua chapters 5 thru 8

Key Verse: Joshua 7:11

This is a perfect example of "Living in the Land of Deception." Achan was deceived into believing that he could fool Joshua and the people. He assumed that he could break the commandment of God and not be held accountable for his actions. He thought he was slick enough to get away with it. What he did not realize was God's command was bigger than Achan. God knows all and sees all. God also communicates to His appointed leader concerning the sins of the people. God revealed that there was theft and deception among Israel and therefore everyone suffered for the lack of obedience of one person.

Notice the steps of Achan's sin: He saw. He coveted. He took. These are the steps of the sins of the flesh. Gossip, criticism, envy and jealousy are all sins of the flesh. They cause strife and trouble. For believer's today, how are we going to overcome the sins of the flesh? We simply have to deal with sin in our lives. We want to have fellowship with God and we want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we might serve Him. In 1 John 1:5-6, John states that fellowship with God is the opposite of walking in darkness. If we say we have fellowship with God and walk in darkness, we are not fooling anyone but ourselves. This not only includes obvious sin but also includes disobedience. What has God asked of you and you willfully did not obey? True confession does not deal with generalities but specifics. If we confess our sins, God is just and faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

2006-09-12 13:45:14 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

I can definitely think of some things that God has asked me to do and I decided to do it "my way" instead, and of course, "my way" ended up causing problems for me in the long run. God revealed to me, in the reading of these chapters, that when we are disobedient to God's commands battles will be lost, just as in the battle between the children of Israel and Ai on account of Achan's disobedience. In fact, disobedience has caused me to fall prey to some temptations that I would have otherwise been able to resist had I just been obedient to God's word.
--Stephanie

2006-09-13 03:41:35 GMT

Author:Anonymous

Yea, Steph I can definitely agree with you on this one. I can think of many accounts where disobidence has lead me down the wrong path and to fall prey to temptations. I look forward to the day when I can consistently be obedient to God's word. It's a process that I am currently working on and I have no doubt that as I continue to go through this process of becoming whole, I will recognize the pitfalls set up by satan and I will prevail and be obedient to God's word.
--Amira

2006-09-14 02:35:24 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for September 12, 2006 Daily Reading: Joshua chapters 5 thru 8 Key Verse: Joshua 7:11 This is a perfect example of "Living in the Land of Deception." Achan was deceived into believing that he could fool Joshua and the people. He assumed that he could break the commandment of God and not be held accountable for his actions. He thought he was slick enough to get away with it. What he did not realize was God's command was bigger than Achan. God knows all and sees all. God also communicates to His appointed leader concerning the sins of the people. God revealed that there was theft and deception among Israel and therefore everyone suffered for the lack of obedience of one person. Notice the steps of Achan's sin: He saw. He coveted. He took. These are the steps of the sins of the flesh. Gossip, criticism, envy and jealousy are all sins of the flesh. They cause strife and trouble. For believer's today, how are we going to overcome the sins of the flesh? We simply have to deal with sin in our lives. We want to have fellowship with God and we want to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we might serve Him. In 1 John 1:5-6, John states that fellowship with God is the opposite of walking in darkness. If we say we have fellowship with God and walk in darkness, we are not fooling anyone but ourselves. This not only includes obvious sin but also includes disobedience. What has God asked of you and you willfully did not obey? True confession does not deal with generalities but specifics. If we confess our sins, God is just and faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). 2006-09-12 13:45:14 GMT Comments (2 total) Author:Anonymous I can definitely think of some things that God has asked me to do and I decided to do it "my way" instead, and of course, "my way" ended up causing problems for me in the long run. God revealed to me, in the reading of these chapters, that when we are disobedient to God's commands battles will be lost, just as in the battle between the children of Israel and Ai on account of Achan's disobedience. In fact, disobedience has caused me to fall prey to some temptations that I would have otherwise been able to resist had I just been obedient to God's word. --Stephanie 2006-09-13 03:41:35 GMT Author:Anonymous Yea, Steph I can definitely agree with you on this one. I can think of many accounts where disobidence has lead me down the wrong path and to fall prey to temptations. I look forward to the day when I can consistently be obedient to God's word. It's a process that I am currently working on and I have no doubt that as I continue to go through this process of becoming whole, I will recognize the pitfalls set up by satan and I will prevail and be obedient to God's word. --Amira 2006-09-14 02:35:24 GMT Site Home