Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 10—Four Stumbling Blocks to Avoid

How often following a great victory given to us by God, do we as Christians find ourselves most vulnerable to a disastrous failure? The same was true of the children of Israel as we read chapter 7 of Joshua. I do urge that you go and read the chapter in its entirety. They had been victorious against the city of Jericho by God’s battle plan. They had been commanded not to keep anything from that city except the Gold and Silver were to be tithed 100% to God. God was the victory and God was to receive all the spoils. He was providing for the nation all they needed and this was important that they not desire the wrong things nor forget that it is truly all about God first. So, here they stood fresh upon their victory over Jericho and they are ready to continue on and take the next area. They fail and they lose the battle against Ai. Why? I propose that there are four main pitfalls that the Children of Israel fell into which caused them to fail in their initial battle against Ai.

picture courtesy of @istockphoto.com

The four stumbling blocks which often become our pitfalls following a season of victory are: Arrogance, Self-reliance, Self-pity, and Indifference to “little sins”. We must be very aware of the devastating effects of these four pitfalls in our own Christian Pilgrimage, as they also are the stumbling blocks we face particularly following a great victory.

Continue reading Four Stumbling Blocks to Avoid →

Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 9—Destroying Satan’s Strongholds

The people in the city of Jericho had heard of the things that God had done in Egypt and had heard that the children of Israel had crossed the river of Jordan on dry land. They sealed themselves behind the walls surrounding their city, securing the gates. They had somewhere in time built this stronghold.  Behind these walls they could close in their ideas and keep out all others. They believed it could protect them, somehow. Despite their fearing the God of the Israelites; they did not see God as Glorious nor did they desire to worship Him. Many today like the people of Jericho believe in His existence and His power; but, do not worship Him as King of their lives. Joshua instructed the people as God had commanded them for this battle. They were to march around the city every day for 6 days with the warriors in front, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant surrounded by other priests carrying horns and then the remainder of the people behind. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. They were then to blow the horns and everyone shout—an act of faith and praise to God. The walls then all fell down. God crumbled the walls with one command from Him.

picture courtesy of @istockphoto.com

What walls or strongholds are you facing today? Are they strongholds of unbelievers that you have been witnessing to day after day with no results and you are discouraged over your ministry? Or are they strongholds that are even more personal within your own heart? Are there areas of fear, doubt, and discouragement because you feel so inadequate everyday as a Christian? You wish you had said the right thing or you wish you had shown the love of Christ in your actions or you just wish you could learn to keep your mouth shut sometimes? What is that stronghold of doubt and defeat which Satan chips away at every day of your life?

Continue reading Destroying Satan’s Strongholds →

Time and Space Encircling Me

By Effie Darlene Barba

Time and space encircling me

You came to save and set me free

That I might find eternity

Forever there your glory see

Guide me Lord within this life

To lay aside all doubt and strife

That I might live eternity

Fix my eyes your face to see

You came to earth to bear my pain

To wash away my sin laid stain

My hope now based eternity

Forever there Your love to see

Teach me Lord, draw me near

That I proclaim for all to hear

The Joy you share, eternity

Salvation’s song of love for me.

©2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 8— It’s Not About Me

Joshua 5: (NIV)^”13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand.

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

“Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”¹⁴ “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord^[e]have for his servant?”

¹⁵ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

So who was this man standing there with his sword in hand?

Continue reading It’s Not About Me →

Victory’s Battle Cry—A Study in Joshua Part 7—A Matter of the Heart

So, the children of Israel had crossed over Jordan and were going to take possession of the land that God had promised to Abraham so many years before. Imagine their excitement and the eagerness they must have been feeling to move on further; yet, they waited calmly at their first destination. There was no mention of grumbling, impatience or fear among these who had been chosen. In fact, you may find it strange that there they stopped and Joshua circumcised the people before they moved any further. They then tarried there until all were healed. This was an act of surrendering faith born from hearts that loved, feared, and awed at who God had proven Himself to be. They knew that the armies of the land which had caused their parents to tremble and doubt, could easily come and attack while they were all weakened from the surgery; yet, there was no doubt here. Everyone surrendered to the knife cutting away their flesh. The circumcision was not what would save them any more than the law had been able to cause them to be victorious. It was merely symbolic of the circumcision that had already occurred in their heart. They were willing to sit and wait for God to say “Go”.

art is courtesy of istockphoto.com

They had glimpsed at God’s Glory and they desired to be a people who worshipped God. They had been captivated by His Glory, His Beauty, His Honesty, His Power, and His Abiding Love. Their hearts had been transformed into hearts that sought after God and that loved God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.

They had learned that the letter of the law could not save them; but, it would have

Continue reading A Matter of the Heart →