the watcher

Joshua 7:1,25 But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies. Joshua had just started his tenure, it began with the miracle of the Jordan river, which dried for the people to cross through. Then came the big victory over the great city Jericho. Then came a very small city Ai, and the Israelites were defeated. O what a disheartening situation, what a blow! Joshua 7:6-9 Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you

 Joshua 6:1-2,20 Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. As knowledge increases concerning science, philosophy of life and other intellectual understanding of how the universe works one may make the mistake of undermining the power of God and His works. God leaves the earth to run its course and allows man to live by his choice and the believe system that they create (always remember that we were created with a will, the ability to choose). So we had many nations worshipping different things as gods. It is not different today, many people worship different things consciously or unconsciously, some inherited from

1 John 2:24-27 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us. I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. Glory to God, you cannot afford to go out of Him. Listen, that is the whole target of the enemies' battle. To separate you from the Father. That is what he did in the beginning, we see it in record of scriptures, even when Christ came and even when the gospel began, he is still in the business today. John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

Joshua 5:2-6 At that time the Lord told Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise this second generation of Israelites.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the entire male population of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. Joshua had to circumcise them because all the men who were old enough to fight in battle when they left Egypt had died in the wilderness. Those who left Egypt had all been circumcised, but none of those born after the Exodus, during the years in the wilderness, had been circumcised. The Israelites had traveled in the wilderness for forty years until all the men who were old enough to fight in battle when they left Egypt had died. For they had disobeyed the Lord, and the Lord vowed he would not let them enter the land he had sworn to give us—a land flowing with milk and honey. Is there a requirement to walk with the Lord, of course there is. Everyone who walked with the Lord in the scriptures needed to fulfill the requirement.  Before Christ came it was a shadow of w

Joshua 4:6-7 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” There is need to keep a memory of the good things the Lord did in the life of our fathers. From time, parents passed down to their children by word of mouth record of happenings during their time. Not trying to fault those who yet believe in generational curses, can I ask, "What of generational blessings?" Especially in Africa there is this tendency to hold on so much on generation curses, that is the flowing down the generational lineage of the consequences of an ancestor's action.  What of the consequences of their good action, doesn't that count? Ezekiel 18:19-20 “‘What?’ you ask. ‘Doesn’t the child pay for the parent’s sins?’ No! For if

Joshua 4:23-24 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.” The miracles of God are for His glory, all His mighty works and act. It is foolishness to get carried away by being an instrument in God's hand to ascribe glory to oneself, it is calling for disaster. Remember this is the one singular act that caused Moses the opportunity to enter the promised land. Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!  I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols. To remain relevant in the things of God without being a cast away, we must recognize who has the glory. Joshua was now displayed to the people as the replacement for Moses and as God does He begins by displaying His power t

Joshua 3:5,7,9,15-16 Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. One major reason why people can be atheist and others who believe can live complacent lives is because of how the Lord designed the earth and placed humans in it. Remember that the Lord prepared the

Joshua 2: 12-13 ,21 “Now swear to me by the Lord that you will be kind to me and my family since I have helped you. Give me some guarantee that when Jericho is conquered, you will let me live, along with my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all their families.” “I accept your terms,” she replied. And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window. Do we know how to take opportunity? Rahab was able to negotiate a deal for herself and her family because she was able to identify the opportunity. I used to think back at years ago, and feel unhappy at opportunities I was not able to take advantage of, the things I ought to have learnt, the decisions I ought to have made, but you cannot go back into the past. So what do you do? Make use of the present. There is an advantage of having the Spirit of God lead you, you have an edge over your peers and even those above you, Joseph and Daniel can testify to this. Are we taking the advantage? J

Jude 1:20-23 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. As we read through the books of the Bible we learn so much about God and the plan He has for man. We see the Lord longing for man to have the purpose for which He was created. To have dominion and be God's representative on earth. This means that we have a place in heaven given report/account of how the earth is managed. We ofcourse know that man's disobedience brought about sin which brought death. Man couldn't live forever anymore and was headed for punishment. Listen, yet after this was done God

Joshua 1:8-9 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Moses had left the scene, Joshua was now to take leadership to lead the people past the Jordan into the promised land. We have seen the testimony of Moses (from our study yesterday), he had a good and great testimony. Do we also remember that their was someone in his life, through the walk through the wilderness: Exodus 17:8-10,14 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile,

Deuteronomy 34:5,7,10-12 So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land. With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel. There is nothing like a good testimony. When it is time for one to leave the earth physically, the joy is leaving with a good testimony. Remember that our time here is a limited one, after all, one will still exist the scene. Our physical stay is for a time, for even those who will be at the last call of things would only live within the limited years before Christ's second coming. Moses was declared the greatest of prophets that Israel ever had, for God spok

Deuteronomy 33:1,3,28-29 This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death: Indeed, he loves his people; all his holy ones are in his hands.  They follow in his steps and accept his teaching. So Israel will live in safety, prosperous Jacob in security,  in a land of grain and new wine, while the heavens drop down dew. How blessed you are, O Israel!  Who else is like you, a people saved by the Lord?  He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword!  Your enemies will cringe before you, and you will stomp on their backs!” I have always said it just as scripture certifies, we are blessed by default. Look at the book of Genesis: Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Every human is blessed by default. When Moses was to depart, what He did was to bless the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:20-21,37-39 He said, ‘I will abandon them; then see what becomes of them.  For they are a twisted generation, children without integrity. They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God; they have provoked my anger with their useless idols.  Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people; I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles. Then he will ask, ‘Where are their gods, the rocks they fled to for refuge? Where now are those gods, who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their offerings?  Let those gods arise and help you!  Let them provide you with shelter! Look now; I myself am he!  There is no other god but me!  I am the one who kills and gives life;  I am the one who wounds and heals; no one can be rescued from my powerful hand! The worst thing to happen to any human is to be on the wrong side of the Lord. God stretches His hands towards you but you reject Him and decide to follow the world a

Deuteronomy 32:6,15,20 Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people?  Isn’t he your Father who created you?  Has he not made you and established you? “But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed!  Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation. He said, ‘I will abandon them; then see what becomes of them.  For they are a twisted generation, children without integrity. The children of Israel were the spotlight, why? Deuteronomy 32:8-11 When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race,  he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland.  He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” How many of us are ready for the assignment? Have we been preparing ourselves for it? The wrong perspective of leadership has been what has made many fail. Leadership is a responsibility, and until it is seen as such, failure is eminent. Many look at leadership as an opportunity to take advantage, oppress or a time to relax and enjoy while others do the work but this is never so. This wrong perception by some has also eaten into the church. I remember a female pastor some years back in a small assembly telling her congregation that she has served another an

Deuteronomy 30:15,19 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Moses told the people of Israel that they had a choice - life or death. What was the package of life? Deuteronomy 30:20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” What was the package of death? Deuteronomy 30:17-18 “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life

Deuteronomy 29:29 “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. Moses was reminding the people of Israel about their covenant in the law and how it was not for them alone but also the children that will come after them. He emphasized that this included all the curses: Deuteronomy 29:12-15 You are standing here today to enter into the covenant of the Lord your God. The Lord is making this covenant, including the curses. By entering into the covenant today, he will establish you as his people and confirm that he is your God, just as he promised you and as he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “But you are not the only ones with whom I am making this covenant with its curses. I am making this covenant both with you who stand here today in the presence of the Lord our God, and also with the future gene

Deuteronomy 28:15,20,46,63 “But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you: “The Lord himself will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and abandoning me. These horrors will serve as a sign and warning among you and your descendants forever. “Just as the Lord has found great pleasure in causing you to prosper and multiply, the Lord will find pleasure in destroying you. You will be torn from the land you are about to enter and occupy. It is really difficult reading through the verses of Deuteronomy chapter 28:15-68. No wonder Jesus said: Mark 10:5 But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. I recall that those days when we quote the blessings from verses 1 -15, it was all exciting and promising however we never quoted or were compelled to q