Sunday Words of Encouragement July 22, 2012

I'm late posting today as we went to eat after church with some church members. Then we got home and our daughter's family was here enjoying the pool. We visited a bit and then I took a nap.

Our Pastor's sermon was good. He pointed out three battles we should not lose.When Joshua moved into the promised land he did all that the Lord promised. The Israelites were to inhabit all the lands described in Joshua 1:2-4.  But Joshua defeated all the land but left three cities, Gaza, Ashdod and Gath.

1. Gaza represents the Pleasures of the World. Samson was blinded, bound and buried because he sought the pleasure of a foreign woman. Judges 14:16. We must be careful not to be pulled in by
2. Ashdod represents the Treasures of the World, a city of defilement. God will not take second place to anything and He does not live in symbols (like the arc) but His presence is in the personal relationship. . 1 Samuel 4–5:2.
3. Gath represents Judging by the World's Measure. Young David was only a kid but he was willing to face a giant who frightened all the Israelite warriors. He was able to beat Goliath because of his perspective - he came in the name of the Almighty Lord. 1 Samuel 17.

We must be careful to protect ourselves from sliding, inch by inch, into the ways of the world. Be careful not to let the devil keep you from listening to God and completing your commitments to Him.  Man will always reap what he sows: friendship and blessings or greed and evil.

This was one of our praise songs this morning. 
It always touches my heart to sing this.

Verse for Today:

1 Samuel 17:45

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

My Prayer today: Lord, help me to keep my focus fixed on you. Help me to be obedient and faithful in my commitments.