Pastor Baker's Blog

Entry for September 26, 2006

Daily Reading: Joshua chapters 13-16

Key Verses: Joshua 14:7-9

Caleb is known as the one who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Caleb means "bold, wholehearted, impetuous, hearty." In all of Caleb's actions, he stood boldly on God's word and was able to see through the eyes of faith. Because he wholeheartedly believed the promise of God concerning their possession of the land, Caleb was encouraged in his forty years in the wilderness even though others did not believe. He was able to spy out the land through the eyes of God. Giants in the land did not discourage him because he served a mighty God.

Forty-five years later, he stands apart from the tribes and reminds Joshua of the Lord's promise to give him his inheritance. Once again in his boldness, he asked for what was his and declared that at eighty-five he was still strong enough in the Lord to fight off whoever was on his property.

Caleb shows us that the one who wholeheartedly serves God never retires from God or from the gifts of God. Caleb could have quit at sixty-five, but his faith continued. His faith also blessed future generations. He blessed his daughter and his nephew/son-in-law, Othniel, who later became the first judge of Israel.

According to Ephesians 1:3, we are blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." What does that mean to you?

2006-09-26 15:07:10 GMT

Comments (2 total)

Author:Anonymous

As I grow in grace, I am more inclined to accept the spiritual blessings. I am thankful for the great discovery of the gift of the cross and the gift of the Spirit. I understood the cross from the basis of my salvation, but it was not until I discovered everything that happened as a result of Jesus' sacrifice that I truly began to walk in my beliefs. If at all possible, I began to love Jesus more. He truly is the name above all names to me. I seek to follow him wholeheartedly just as Caleb did. Because I love Jesus so much, I keep John 14:15 at the forefront of my mind.
--Aundrea

2006-09-26 15:14:07 GMT

Author:Anonymous

Being blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" means that we already have everything we'll ever need. When I pondered on this scripture today, I came to the realization that the "things" that we acquire while on earth are so insignificant when you look at the whole picture. Everything that we strive for that has nothing to do with the kingdom of God (i.e. money, status, power) is only temporal and will perish. However, we know that the things we do for Christ will last for an eternity. So the next time I wonder why I'm not as well off as I would like to be financially or why I don't have all the "things" that I desire, I'll really think about the fact that when I leave this earth I won't be able to take any of those things with me; and, I already have every spiritual blessing known to heaven in Christ. Moreover, what I really need to be focused on is following Christ with my whole heart and doing the things that are in His will for me to do.
--Stephanie

2006-09-26 19:46:58 GMT

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		Pastor Baker's Daily Devotional

		Entry for September 26, 2006 Daily Reading: Joshua chapters 13-16 Key Verses: Joshua 14:7-9 Caleb is known as the one who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. Caleb means "bold, wholehearted, impetuous, hearty." In all of Caleb's actions, he stood boldly on God's word and was able to see through the eyes of faith. Because he wholeheartedly believed the promise of God concerning their possession of the land, Caleb was encouraged in his forty years in the wilderness even though others did not believe. He was able to spy out the land through the eyes of God. Giants in the land did not discourage him because he served a mighty God. Forty-five years later, he stands apart from the tribes and reminds Joshua of the Lord's promise to give him his inheritance. Once again in his boldness, he asked for what was his and declared that at eighty-five he was still strong enough in the Lord to fight off whoever was on his property. Caleb shows us that the one who wholeheartedly serves God never retires from God or from the gifts of God. Caleb could have quit at sixty-five, but his faith continued. His faith also blessed future generations. He blessed his daughter and his nephew/son-in-law, Othniel, who later became the first judge of Israel. According to Ephesians 1:3, we are blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." What does that mean to you? 2006-09-26 15:07:10 GMT Comments (2 total) Author:Anonymous As I grow in grace, I am more inclined to accept the spiritual blessings. I am thankful for the great discovery of the gift of the cross and the gift of the Spirit. I understood the cross from the basis of my salvation, but it was not until I discovered everything that happened as a result of Jesus' sacrifice that I truly began to walk in my beliefs. If at all possible, I began to love Jesus more. He truly is the name above all names to me. I seek to follow him wholeheartedly just as Caleb did. Because I love Jesus so much, I keep John 14:15 at the forefront of my mind. --Aundrea 2006-09-26 15:14:07 GMT Author:Anonymous Being blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" means that we already have everything we'll ever need. When I pondered on this scripture today, I came to the realization that the "things" that we acquire while on earth are so insignificant when you look at the whole picture. Everything that we strive for that has nothing to do with the kingdom of God (i.e. money, status, power) is only temporal and will perish. However, we know that the things we do for Christ will last for an eternity. So the next time I wonder why I'm not as well off as I would like to be financially or why I don't have all the "things" that I desire, I'll really think about the fact that when I leave this earth I won't be able to take any of those things with me; and, I already have every spiritual blessing known to heaven in Christ. Moreover, what I really need to be focused on is following Christ with my whole heart and doing the things that are in His will for me to do. --Stephanie 2006-09-26 19:46:58 GMT Site Home