Comments on: Joshua 24 (NIV) http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/ yielding fruit and witherproof leaves Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:11:48 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: anakainosis http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-157 anakainosis Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:45:25 +0000 http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-157 wow. that's just really intense. wow. that’s just really intense.

]]> By: jlimgarfield http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-156 jlimgarfield Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:33:27 +0000 http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-156 ***still shocked about news I heard recently about an incident that happened last year. I learned that an acquaintance I knew was removed from a ministry because she had been involved with a married guy (also in that ministry team). without going into detail, several close friends and spiritual leaders strongly advised them to stop the relationship and get counseling, but they refused and came up with excuse after excuse. finally, the pastor removed them from their ministry positions, and the two ended up leaving church altogether, now with the guy refusing to work out his own marriage and considering a divorce lots of shock ('cuz I know one of the involved) and dismay at how this could all have happened. one encouragement that I do admire though: another friend of mine (her roomate) confronted her on some of the shenanigans going on with the guy under their own roof, and uncharacteristically but boldly rebuked the girl and demanded that she stop: [paraphrased] Acquaintance: "you don't understand the situation! it may look bad but it really isn't wrong! WHY DO YOU CARE MORE ABOUT PRINCIPLES THAN THE PERSON?!?" Roommate: "I DO care more about the person than the principle! That's why I'm doing this!" God sets the principles because He knows that they are best for us, even if we don't understand completely. He cares THAT much more than we realize ourselves. He loves us MUCH more than we could ever love ourselves. Principles from today's reading? I see some basic guidlines here to keep me out of such a shocking and sad situation: v.1-13 each day, remember who God is and His past faithfulness each day V.14-27 each day, commit to following God, and obey "all the words the LORD has said to us" v.19-20 sin will ALWAYS have adverse effects on peoples hearts, no matter how "small" or how supposedly "gray" (in a black & white analogy) or how "tolerated" ***still shocked about news I heard recently about an incident that happened last year. I learned that an acquaintance I knew was removed from a ministry because she had been involved with a married guy (also in that ministry team). without going into detail, several close friends and spiritual leaders strongly advised them to stop the relationship and get counseling, but they refused and came up with excuse after excuse. finally, the pastor removed them from their ministry positions, and the two ended up leaving church altogether, now with the guy refusing to work out his own marriage and considering a divorce

lots of shock (‘cuz I know one of the involved) and dismay at how this could all have happened. one encouragement that I do admire though: another friend of mine (her roomate) confronted her on some of the shenanigans going on with the guy under their own roof, and uncharacteristically but boldly rebuked the girl and demanded that she stop:

[paraphrased]
Acquaintance: “you don’t understand the situation! it may look bad but it really isn’t wrong! WHY DO YOU CARE MORE ABOUT PRINCIPLES THAN THE PERSON?!?”

Roommate: “I DO care more about the person than the principle! That’s why I’m doing this!”

God sets the principles because He knows that they are best for us, even if we don’t understand completely. He cares THAT much more than we realize ourselves. He loves us MUCH more than we could ever love ourselves.

Principles from today’s reading? I see some basic guidlines here to keep me out of such a shocking and sad situation:

v.1-13 each day, remember who God is and His past faithfulness each day

V.14-27 each day, commit to following God, and obey “all the words the LORD has said to us”

v.19-20 sin will ALWAYS have adverse effects on peoples hearts, no matter how “small” or how supposedly “gray” (in a black & white analogy) or how “tolerated”

]]> By: anakainosis http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-155 anakainosis Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:52:38 +0000 http://plantedtrees.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/joshua-24-niv/#comment-155 v. 1-13: Mission accomplished! And it was AAAAAALLL GOD. v. 14-15: What amazing verses these are! I used to say that every single day. This day, am I going to choose the gods and idols of the world that I live in, or will me and my household choose the Lord? Can I choose this day who I will follow? v. 16-24: God wrote the story, the people accepted the truth. I wonder how many standing before Joshua that day would eventually turn their faces away from the Lord. Joshua probably wondered the same thing, which is why he claimed that they could NOT serve the Lord. But they chose to commit to that covenant anyway. v. 27: this was the memorial they set up. Yet another reminder to fill my life with flags that remind me of His great presence. v. 1-13: Mission accomplished! And it was AAAAAALLL GOD.

v. 14-15: What amazing verses these are! I used to say that every single day. This day, am I going to choose the gods and idols of the world that I live in, or will me and my household choose the Lord? Can I choose this day who I will follow?

v. 16-24: God wrote the story, the people accepted the truth. I wonder how many standing before Joshua that day would eventually turn their faces away from the Lord. Joshua probably wondered the same thing, which is why he claimed that they could NOT serve the Lord. But they chose to commit to that covenant anyway.

v. 27: this was the memorial they set up. Yet another reminder to fill my life with flags that remind me of His great presence.

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