VERSE:Philemon 1:8-9a–Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you.TRUTH:Have we tried to order our Christian brothers and sisters to do something? Paul, the famed apostle, had more right to be able to order people to obey than anyone, yet he appealed to Philemon’s love of Christ. Do we order or encourage people in the way that is right and pleasing to the Lord?RESPONSE:Lord, help me learn to encourage others in You and not just order people to obey You.

VERSE:Joshua 24:24–The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.”TRUTH:In his final address, Joshua challenged the people to follow God, serve Him, and love Him. The people responded with the above declaration. Have we made a conscious decision to follow God no matter what? Have we declared it to everyone?RESPONSE:Lord, I will serve You. I will obey You. I will love You! I share with the whole world my devotion to You!

VERSE:Joshua 23:8–But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.TRUTH:Joshua is giving his farewell address as Israel’s leader. He reminds them that the way to succeed is by clinging to God. Do we cling to God? Do our daily actions and attitudes demonstrate a desperate dependance on God?RESPONSE:Lord, I need You! I want to cling to You and only You in all areas of my life!

VERSE:Joshua 22:3–You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.TRUTH:All the tribes had supported one another. They fought alongside one another, even when some of them really didn’t need to. However, God commands us to do it. Do we go that extra step to help and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ?RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for the encouragement we receive from having us all walk together in everything the Lord has for us. Help me be an encouragement to others today!

VERSE:Joshua 21:45–Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.TRUTH:The Lord is faithful. He brings about His promises. The Lord does not fail to carry through on all that He plans to do in and through us. We can place our faith and trust in Him.RESPONSE:Lord, You are amazing and trustworthy. You make promises and You keep them!

VERSE:Joshua 20:9–These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation.TRUTH:The cities of refuge were to be a place where justice and mercy met. People who had unintentionally killed could go and seek refuge there until they had a chance to plead their case. God provided a way for all guilty to have refuge through His Son Jesus Christ. Have we run to Him?RESPONSE:Lord, Your justice and Your mercy are amazing. Thank You for being…

VERSE:Joshua 19:49–When they finished apportioning the land for inheritance by its borders, the sons of Israel gave an inheritance in their midst to Joshua the son of Nun.TRUTH:Joshua had led them and the people were now showing their gratitude. Leadership can be difficult and lonely. Do we find ways to thank those people who take the time to lead us in obedience to God? Who do we need to thank today?RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for the wonderful leaders you have placed in my life. I pray You will give each of them a special and blessed day.

VERSE:Joshua 18:6–You shall describe the land in seven dimensions, and bring the descriptions here to me. I will cast lots for you here before the Lord our God.TRUTH:The people were procrastinating going out and conquering the rest of the land. Joshua reminded them of their need to be obedient to God, and gave them another way to help them fulfill God’s plan. Even when we fall short of God’s plan, God gives us second chances.RESPONSE:Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy and for helping us to be obedient even when we procrastinate.

VERSE:Joshua 17:14–Then the sons of Joseph spoke to Joshua saying, “Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the Lord has thus far blessed?”TRUTH:In the verse before, they had just said they hadn’t taken control of the entire land they were given, yet now they are asking for more. Do we shy away from the difficult things and ask God for the easy things instead?RESPONSE:God, please help me to be obedient, not just ask for the easy things to be given to me.

VERSE:Joshua 16:4–The sons of Joseph, Manassah and Ephraim received their inheritance.TRUTH:Centuries earlier, Jacob promised his son Joseph that the sons born to Joseph, Manassah and Ephraim, would be considered Jacob’s sons and would receive an inheritance along with the others. Even though so much time had passed, the promise was remembered and fulfilled.RESPONSE:Lord, the promises You make are always fulfilled, even if centuries pass before we see it. Lord help me to have faith in Your promises now even when they are to be fulfilled later.