Posted by: pastorapbell | August 12, 2010

Prophetic words to live by as we seek God before making any decision

When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us” (Joshua 89:3-6 ASB).

be careful whose advice you take!

The people of Gibeon heard what God had done to those who opposed his servants and looked to save themselves by acting deceitfully. Deception is one of the most debilitating things that confront a progressive leader. Most leaders will seek God for most things most of the time. It is at these times when we rest on our laurels that the deceiver comes in and causes confusion. In every fellowship there are those people who are not with the vision nor are they with the leadership.  However they have certain skill that propels them into the forefront and once there they manipulate and scheme to derail what God has called that leader to do.

From out text we see that this is one time that neither Joshua nor his leadership team sought the Lord. It was not until they had made a commitment not to destroy the Gibeonites that they found out that they were duped.

As progressive prophetic leaders we must seek the Lord about ALL the decision we make and confirm it among the leadership. This is particularly so about who is allowed into your inner circle.

The word for today is, ask God before you ask others and then confirm it with two or three witnesses.

Read Joshua 10

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 11, 2010

Prophetic words to live by as we repent dust ourselves off take courage and begin the battle again.

Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city” (Joshua 8:1-2 NIV).

Leaders learn to listen

Today we see the virtues of listening to the Lord. Achan had brought shame and defeat on the whole congregation because of his disobedience. However the Lord revealed to Joshua a strategy of how overcome this enemy who was now strong in the belief that no one could defeat them. At first the Lord encourages Joshua, ‘do not be afraid’. I will give you a strategy that will work only obey me and ensure that everyone obeys you. So Joshua laid out the plans and then implemented it.  In this battle, only fighting men were involved. They carried out the plan exactly as instructed and AI was completely defeated and destroyed and their king made an example of.

A progressive leader who hears from God will overcome and prosper in the long run. If God is really leading you and you are following his strategy then you will be successful. For God is not like men, he never lies and always keeps his promises (Numbers 23:19). 

Joshua was a man of discipline, self-control, obedience and accountability. He was submissive to the Lord and obedient to the laws that Moses had received therefore his prophetic leadership was a great success.

Read Joshua 9

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 9, 2010

Prophetic words to live by as we listen to the command from the Lord irrespective of how crazy it sounds!

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in” (Joshua 6:1-5 NIV). 

God does the impossible

This is a very well know story about Joshua and the walls of Jericho. However on closer examination and using our spiritual insight, we notice that this is not about Joshua blowing the walls down it is about obedience to God.

God appeared to Joshua and gave him some instruction that seemed crazy. March around the thick walled city but ensure that the Priest, that is, those who are carrying the glory of the Lord are at the front. Not only did the Ark represent the glory of the Lord, it also contained the tablet of stones on which were written the commandments and Aaron’s rod that budded. Joshua was given very specific instructions; everyone should march for seven days but only the priests should make noise for the first six.

I believe that these crazy instructions which Joshua carried out to the tee, was a means of testing his obedience. Remember that for the past 40 years he had been fighting using well rehearsed strategies to overcome all the ‘ites’ that they came up against. Now God had appeared to him and he had to relay these crazy strategies to his commanding officers.

Progressive prophetic leadership is not always logical! When we are led by the Spirit of God sometimes we cannot see the end from the beginning, however we are called to walk by faith and not by sight (2Cor 5:7). When we do this amazing things will happen.

So today whatever the walls are and however high they are ask God for a strategy to bring them down and he will give you one. It may not be what you envisaged but then his ways are not our ways, nor are his thoughts our thoughts!

Read Joshua 7

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 8, 2010

Prophetic words to live by as we entertain the angels of the Lord

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. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”  “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:13&14 NIV).

Today more and more people are talking about the supernatural and ‘angelogy’ is at the forefront of this. There are many programmes on the TV and films informing us of the extra-terrestrial beings. There are many people including believers in the Lord who dismiss this as fanciful thinking and angels and different spirits are things confined to the pages of books like the bible.

For us as believers we know that there are angels and demons around us in the spiritual atmosphere. For as Joshua prepared to take on his greatest battle, not only was he ill equipped to succeed, the walls of Jericho were at least 12 feet thick. That is thick enough to drive a car on! However, the commander of the Lord’s army came to do what Joshua could not do, and went before them and destroyed the walls of city because the Lord had given it into their hands.

When God gives you a vision of where he is taking you, write it down and remember that it will come to pass and those around you will see that the angels of the Lord camps around those who trust him and are called according to his purposes!

Read Joshua 6

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 7, 2010

Prophetic words to live by for as we circumcise our minds and remember the disgrace no more!

At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. (Joshua 5:2-7a NIV).

Following God is not straight forward

One of the things that God hates among his people are those who constantly complain and moan. This mindset is one which always harps back to the past. Well it was far better for me when I was in the world; I never had to struggle like this, and so on and on…

A leader cannot work with people like this, as soon as you take one step forward they, the moaning minority, find something to complain about. It is for this reason that God allowed those who came out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. There are several lessons for us to learn here.

  1. When you come out of bondage, develop an attitude of gratitude, that is learn to give thanks whilst serving the Lord rather than complaining about the situation. God dwells in the praises of his people (Psa. 22:3).
  2. Circumcise you heart to the lord, be committed to him so that when you are going through a dry place, praise him for his promises and remind him of them. To circumcise is to be separated to! God always keeps his promises. Delay is not denial!
  3. Remember that wherever God is, is holy, even in the desert place. So revere him. 

After waiting at Gilgal until the fighting men were healed, Joshua encountered the commander of the arm of the Lord, v.13 who had come to capture Jericho for him.

Today, allow the Lord to fight your battles. Circumcise your hearts to him, trust him and he will send his angels to deliver you from all your troubles.

Read Joshua 5

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 5, 2010

as we perform our due diligence

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” (Joshua 2:1-3 NIV).

reconnaissance is a must

A progressive leader is one that leads by example and is not afraid to do what seems impossible.  As a mature man Joshua was able to use the principles that he had learned from his teacher Moses. He had learned that for you to get great success there must be great preparation. And you must do your due diligence that is, if you are going to war against your enemy, you must know his strength and weaknesses. Years before, it was Joshua who was chosen as one of the spies to do the reconnaissance. After his mission of 40 days it was he and Caleb alone who believed that they were able by the power of God to succeed. The others gave a negative report because of the physical appearance of the people they saw.

Joshua knew that once God had made a promise, he would fulfil it. The time line for the fulfilment is dependent on the state of the recipient’s mindset. Joshua knew that a rabble of 600,000 men were no match for a fortified city. He also knew that God had given him that city and all he had to do was remind those with him of that fact. So when the spies went on their mission this time they confessed to Rahab who they were. She confirmed that the king and all his subjects were cowering with fear and trepidation because of what God had done in the past.

Today, we serve the same God. What he done in Joshua’s time he will do in 21st Century Britain. He will give the wealth of the wicked to the righteous when we get in step with what he is doing among us.

Be prepared for your new season and get ready for where God wants to bring you into!

Read Joshua 4

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 4, 2010

as we obey the commands of those God places over us and follow the vision

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” (Joshua 1:16-18 NIV).

The generic nature of humanity is to be rebellious, however those who are called and come into the kingdom of God are encouraged to be obedient but also to become a critical friend. As we mature we recognise that God does speak to those he has placed in authority. This authority is not a ‘dictatorship’, therefore a leader must also be strong and courageous but one who courts counsel.

All leaders need governance and people who can reign them in should they become autocratic. Although the Lord appeared to those who were in the company of Moses in his time, he spoke to Moses directly. So the 70 elders who ate and drank in the presence of the Lord saw some of his glory but never had face to face contact with him (Ex. 24:9-11). Similarly with Joshua, God directs him about what to do which he relays to the elders who in turn relays it to the people.

without vision people fail

Progressive leadership ensures that continuity is maintained and also that the vision is fulfilled. From our reading today we see that once the vision is shared, the elders are committed to obeying what God is telling their leaders and to go where God is taking them.

Today, obedience is imperative for all those who want to fulfil the purposes of God in their lifetime. We are all called as servants so find your place and serve, but be strong and very courageous.

Read Joshua 3

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 3, 2010

as we prepare for possession

So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’”  (Joshua 1:10-11).

Progressive leaders are those who make good preparation. Unless we prepare properly, we will never succeed in our preferred aims.  Joshua was coming to the culmination of more than 500 years of promises. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would occupy their own space in the fullness of time. However, after being in slavery for over 400 years, the people needed a change in their minds to comprehend what they were now receiving tangibly.

Joshua ordered the people to prepare themselves. Get ready to cross over. Once they crossed over they would then fight off all those who are in possession of ‘their land’.

Today, prepare your mind for what God is doing in these last days. Once we are prepared, that is our minds are ready then we can take possession of what he ordained in the first place, then we can cross over.

Read Joshua 2

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 2, 2010

as we realise the promises and allow them to ‘come to pass’

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go (Joshua 1:6&7).

don't let it die, pass it on

God is a God of continuity. Having selected Joshua from a young age, the time was now right for him to fulfil his potential. God had informed Moses that he would not cross over; however, he would see the Promised Land from a mountain near his burial place (Deut. 34). So the weight of leadership was firmly placed on Joshua’s shoulders. Even though he was a mature man he still needed encouragement. God encouraged him thus: be strong and courageous (v.6) and again, be strong and very courageous (v.7 & 9).

Every leader needs encouragement, checks and balances. Although Joshua was the figurehead, Moses had setup a council of elders to ensure that the chosen leader acted with integrity and not as a tyrant. Joshua was commanded by the Lord not to neglect the ‘word’ but to meditate on it every day so that he would have great success.

So today, for any organisation or ministry to progress, it must invest in leadership at an early stage to take it to the next level. It is all about laying the foundations for success. Moses invested time and effort in Joshua and at the end of his life placed his hands on him and imparted all of his anointing to him. Joshua gained wisdom from watching Moses spending time with God and hearing the words from God. His faith was highly developed because he heard the word. Remember, faith comes from hearing the word.

Today if you are a leader or an emerging leader develop the skills to:

            Listen

            Observe and

            Emulate

Joshua was able to do what Moses did and more! So can you.

Read Joshua 1:10-18

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Posted by: pastorapbell | August 1, 2010

as we prepare to embrace the NEW!

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:1-3 NIV).

Great leaders are great followers

As we start the month of August we are going to explore the business of progressive leadership as a means of fulfilling what God has ordained. As we set the scene let us reflect on one of the greatest biblical characters, Moses. He was the one charged with leading God’s people out of bondage to a place where they could worship without the shackles of slavery and oppression. God placed Moses in the palace of Pharaoh so that 80 years later he could go and contend with him about God’s people. To develop the people of God we need to identify leaders who are available, pliable, and quick to learn and ready to serve to take the vision forward.

Moses found these qualities in Joshua and from a young age mentored and trained him for his role. As we develop this dialogue we will see how Joshua copes with this new role and what the outcome was as he obeyed and believed Yahweh, the God of all flesh.

So, today as you reflect, ask yourself this question, who is mentoring me and who am I mentoring? Keep yourself above reproach and do what God has called you to do!

Read Joshua 1

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