It’s ironic in a way, my favorite verse in the whole Book of Joshua is right here in its first chapter!

In the introduction, nonetheless!

Let me show you what I mean. (By the way, sometimes my favorite “passage” changes as I proceed through a Book! Joshua’s last chapter has a “golden jewel” too!)

“¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, ² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. ⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:1-9, read it all, if you possibly can, have the time.

First notice how clearly Joshua is written as an “extension” of the Pentateuch, of the five Books of Moses. It’s merely Deuteronomy continued!

Moses is gone.

Joshua is here.

The transition is smooth!

“Moses my servant is dead; now therefore (Joshua) arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.” (Verse 2)

Joshua had been in training for a long time now, anyway.

And most importantly, God’s Word is still in effect! (As in “This Book of the Law!” Verse 8, but we will get there in a minute.)

Then see in verses 3 and 4 that God’s Promises are still empowered, too! What God told Moses … He will do in regard to Joshua as well, especially the land grant, the Promised Land!  “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.” (Verses 3 and 4, a lot of real estate!)

I’m learning as I study for our Joshua Lessons that the old-fashioned Jews to this day love the Book of Joshua, particularly as their very “Deed Book” to the Holy Land!

Wow!

God to Joshua, how encouraging: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” (Verse 5) Reminds me of the old  question, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:14) Like … “Where is the Lord God of Moses?” And the rejoinder … “He is with Joshua!”

The Lord says things like this to Joshua so often … I am wondering if Joshua (still relatively young) might have needed such bolstering in his faith! “Be thou strong and very courageous.”  (Verse 7, the second time in the opening paragraph similar words have been spoken, with a third time still coming in verse 9.)

Then my favorite verse, number 8, almost a life verse. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Linkage to Deuteronomy, “THE Book of the Law!”

God’s “Story” continues! The “Metanarrative” they call it these days. Joshua’s material is NOT an addendum, but a  continuation! Not a Postscript … but the next Chapter!

But look in verse 8 at the (two great) benefits of obeying God’s Word! “This book of the law (the Bible) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate (ponder it, talk it in your heart) therein day and night (constantly), that thou mayest observe to do (obey) according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt (#1) make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt (#2) have good success.”

Two clear blessings, all inclusive!

Then that third “challenge to be bold!” Verse 9: ““Have not I (the Lord) commanded thee (Joshua)? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

What a beginning!

Surely enough “meat” to eat today, this (last) Tuesday in August, 2017.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Verse 9 alone has enough “power” to fuel a lifetime!

 

The Lord willing, we shall study the Book of Joshua next. (After having looked, in some detail, at both Deuteronomy and Ezekiel! Those lessons all being archived here for you, on the website.)

I want to survey the Book, chapter by chapter, Joshua.

Then study the “Types of Christ” housed therein, in Joshua’s 24 chapters.

Then maybe some “interesting viewpoints” of the Book, having already seen several of these as I’ve studied for these Bible-centered Articles.

Yes … 24 chapters with 658 verses!

All beginning, the Lord willing, tomorrow morning.

I’m excited!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Last night’s parking, part of it … New Hope Baptist Church

I’m writing this from a motel room in Roanoke, Virginia. I could not get an early morning flight home. But that afternoon flight is sounding pretty good right now! Debbie is packing, even as I write … so we can leave for next week’s Revival! She will meet me at the airport (Chattanooga) and we’ll soon be “on our way!”

And yet (this being Saturday) I’ve just been thinking of the dozens and dozens of men (Pastors) with whom I work every year. God’s men, each leading a “flock” of sheep, spiritually speaking. In the photo you see one such Brother … Pastor David McNeill, Pastor of New Hope Baptist here in Roanoke. He sure has been sweet to me the past two years! I made the picture in the vestibule of the Church last night after the Meeting ended.

Yes … there’s a “point” to my deliberations this morning!

I am trusting that each of you our “readers” (our “friends” I might add) today has such a Pastor. A Spirit-led man who feeds you the Word of God, faithfully so. One whose life exemplifies our Lord and Saviour, best a human can anyway.

IF SO … would you take some time and pray for him today, your Pastor? That God will help him with the heavy “load” he often carries. That he will be clearly led of the Lord … about the Sermons tomorrow, the Text. That the Godhead will meet that “unknown” need in his life.

After all, “Pastors” are God’s “gift” to His Church! In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul is telling us some things the resurrected Jesus has done. “And He (Jesus) GAVE some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, PASTORS and TEACHERS.” Verse 11, where it appears (grammatically) that the two nouns “pastors” and “teachers” have linkage, “go together.” In other words, a good Pastor is also a good “teacher.” At least he is Biblically charged with both duties!

Oh, by the way, God gave “evangelists” to the Church also! But they are not the subject of today’s lesson. And let me say this to all the Pastors who may read this little article today, we HONOR you for what you do for Jesus! Where would we evangelists be … were it not for Pastors who trust us enough to put us in their pulpits? Debbie and I pray for Pastors every day we live. The picture? I don’t what got “into” me, but last night before the Service I made this myself! The camera in the cellphone somehow has this little indicator you can tap and it will make the picture in reverse! Wow, technology! (The black car behind my shoulder, called an “outback,” is what I drove these two days in Virginia! It belongs to the Pastor’s Wife, I understand. What hospitality!)

Remember, pray for him sometime today, your Pastor.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Yes, I will soon be writing our verse-by-verse lessons again. I’m just praying and waiting on a clear leading from the Lord. Our last two “projects, journeys” have focused on Deuteronomy … then Ezekiel! Massive Books of Scripture! I’ve just taken a little break.

 

I saw this sign in an airport yesterday morning. Early … me being in a hurry to rush to security as well! But I just HAD to stop a second, grab my cellphone and make this snapshot!

Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words!

Or a picture being worth a whole Sermon, well not literally!

A rather BAD sermon, too!

In fact, I’d like to respond.

With one verse of Scripture.

“But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

This verse says to me that if a man or woman loves JESUS, if one makes CHRIST the “center” of his life … everything else “falls into place!”

Yes, Jesus can make you a “whole human being,” to quote the sign (in the middle of that busy airport lobby) … where everyone could see it!

When in love with Jesus … career becomes more meaningful!

Songs sweeter to sing!

People more valuable!

Poems more understandable and applicable!

Beliefs truth-centered rather than feeling-centered!

(I’m going down the list … from that silly sign.)

And the sun? Oh yes, Psalm 19 pictures the “sun” as a type of Jesus, like a strong man running a race! Or a bridegroom going for his bride!

Yes!

Give Jesus the preeminence in all things!

Colossians 1:18 says it best: “And He is the Head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”

Amen!

Whom do you love, most of all, today?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Any “input” today, “feedback” from a reader? A comment or two? My text number is 770-844-7627. I’d enjoy hearing from someone.

 

I don’t often fly to the Revivals any more.

But this morning I am doing exactly that.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee to Charlotte, North Carolina to Roanoke, Virginia. (Though we live in Tunnel Hill, Georgia!)

I am going (the Lord willing) to preach two nights for Pastor David McNeill and his people at the sweet New Hope Baptist Church there in Roanoke.

Pray for me please.

I’ll write again later today or tomorrow morning.

Thanks,

Dr. Mike Bagwell