I'm Following Jesus – Page 1490 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2020
Chapters: Joshua 12-15
Message: Your Inheritance Is Awaiting

Hello My Friend,

Uncertainties, that is all we hear these days as our towns close down one by one in an attempt to stop a virus from taking over the entire nation. My county goes on lockdown tonight, we will not be able to go outside unless it is for what they deem as essential. All the while people are coming into the state to escape the lockdown in their own areas, which is why we are dealing with an outbreak here. I am aggravated at the selfish people who have no concern for anyone who are buying out essential items as though there is no tomorrow. I am aggravated at the people who have no concern about the safety of anyone, walking around infecting so many people, some on purpose. I am aggravated at the media for creating a panic. I am aggravated at the carelessness of people who are making a joke out of all this. I am aggravated at our Congress and Senate who are turning this into a political agenda. I am thinking of things like the Holocaust, 911, Venezuela, and the Great Depression, and it saddens me that we are headed for repeats of these things. No matter what happens, there is one thing that I am certain of, God has my back, He will not leave nor forsake me, and if I left this earth today, I know I have an inheritance awaiting me, one that no one can take from me.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1:3-5.

I am not going to lie, I have been very uneasy this morning, I slept in, been distracted, trying to find alternate ways in which I can use these amazing skills God gave me so that I have a backup plan in case my job is at stake. Then God reminded me that everything is going to be just fine, not to worry or get into a panic, just trust Him. When God gave Canaan to the Israelites, it had nothing to do with how good they were, in fact, they were kind of stiffnecked and stubborn about following His commands. He gave it to them because of the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). When you think about it, it took over four hundred years for God to lead them back to the promise land from Egypt. Remember, they went to Egypt because there was a severe famine in the land, and Joseph was governor there. Once they go into the promised land, it was their duty to drive out the people who lived there. Why? They were idol worshipers, if they remained the Israelites would be sure to turn to them and forget God. The Israelites were successful in conquering thirty-one cities, God reminds Joshua that there was still much land to get, but it was time to divide the land and give it to the Israelites. He reminded them that the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh already received theirs.

“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them; Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them. And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families.” – Joshua 13:1,7-8,13-15.

“which Moses gave them,” God is quick to remind them that it was Moses that gave them that land, and not Him. You see, it is one thing to receive what the world has, it is another to receive what God has given us. Right now, Congress is passing a bill that is said to help out every American who makes under $99,000 dollars a year by giving them money for a few months. Yes, this all seems right and helpful, but what freedoms to do we lose for them giving us this money. And who gets to decide how much we get? The ones who do not have to worry about how much money they get as they get the same, even if they are not working. As someone who God sees fit to give each day their daily bread, I have learned the importance of limited government, and trusting that while I do my part, God is doing His. As long as we do the work God gives us, whether they be His work, or secular work, He will supply our every need, and then give us exactly what we ask for (within reason). As Joshua was dividing the land, Caleb came up to him with a request.

“Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” – Joshua 14:6-8,11-14.

“but I wholly followed the LORD my God.” It is okay to say that we have been faithful to God, and it is okay to say that even when others forsook Him we were faithful. God loves to hear us tell these stories. Why? Because it gives the world hope. While the world is in a panic right now, this is the time we need to be saying, “They are the ones who did not trust God, and I am in the midst of all this because of them, but I wholly follow the LORD my God, and He will deliver me.” (Luke 12:29-31).

“Now therefore give me this mountain,” Caleb did not just ask for whatever he could get, he asked for the best part of the land, and he got it. How? “because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” You see, if we want the best, it is not required to be perfect, God knows we are not. It is required that we be faithful, and if we have erred, then we need to come to Him confessing our sin. Obeying God’s includes following the law of the land, unless those laws go against His Word. Closing the church building is not going against God’s Word. We must remember, that God is not in the church building, we do not have to assemble in a building to feel God’s presence, for He dwells in us. We must serve God as He sees fit, and right now, that means we most likely do that from where we are. As long as we are faithful, He is faithful to us. “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” – Colossians 3:22-25.

God really does want to give us more than the little bit that we ask for, while it is the little bit that increases our faith to ask Him for much bigger things, it is our confidence in getting them that keeps us reaching for more. Let me tell you, there is a difference between being content where we are, and settling, to settle means to place in a permanent condition after wandering, in other words, we have been searching all over, and instead of going that extra mile we settle. Again, God does not want us to settle, He wants us to go out and get the things that one, He promises us, and two, the things we desire as well. Caleb did as he said, Judah drove out the majority of the people that were on the land they inherited, an account is given of what land they inherited.

“This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast. And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher. And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.” – Joshua 1,14-19.

“And he gave her the upper springs,” I was thinking as I was reading the chapters for today how much we settle for what we have, and while we ought to be thankful and grateful for every bit of it, we are to never settle. God has much more to give us than we have in front of us, and as long as we are faithful to Him, and wait patiently for it, He will give it to us. Oh, and there is one other thing we must do, ask Him for it. God does not just give us everything on our own, our salvation only comes by His grace through our faith in Jesus Christ upon our asking Him for it. He is actually the springs of living water that we need for our soul. We will overcome this, for we who have received Christ as Saviour will inherit all things. “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” – Revelation 21:6-7.

Today’s Prayer: God, I hate to admit it, but I know I have settled more times than I care to admit, instead of going in and getting the things You actually desire for me, I waved the white flag in defeat, just took what was handed to me. Oh, I know that my salvation is bought and paid for with my Saviour, and that I could never do anything to repay You for that, but also know that without works faith is dead. If I want the things You promise me I must fight for it, I must remove anything that is blocking my way, and I must let You lead me in the battle. I want that mountain, and by Your power, might, mercy, grace, will, and strength I know I will get it, because I know with You, all things are possible, with You, I can do anything, with You, I will receive my inheritance, and with You, nothing or no one can stop me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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