When they try to trick you
Gregory Bishop
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: In Joshua chapter 9, the Israelites were living in victory after conquering Jericho and Ai. However, they were deceived by a group of neighboring tribes who came pretending to be ambassadors and offering a peace alliance. The Israelites had a healthy suspicion but were deceived by the clever lies and appearance of the tribes. They did not consult God before making an alliance with them and faced consequences later. The lesson is to always be alert and have our spiritual antenna up, not to be carried away by appearances or clever lies. We must consult God before making important decisions.
The speaker reflects on why the Israelites did not consult God before making an alliance with a pagan nation. They may have thought they didn't need to ask God for advice, acted based on emotion, or simply forgot to pray. The speaker reminds the audience that our hearts can deceive us, and it's important to stay connected to Jesus through spiritual disciplines such as prayer and planning. They encourage using an agenda to plan important things such as prayer time and suggest finding a specific place for prayer. Staying connected to Jesus is essential, as apart from Him, we can do nothing.
The speaker encourages the audience to set aside time for prayer and to use an agenda to plan important things in life, including time with God. He suggests finding a separate place to pray, such as early in the morning or during a lunch break, and not relying on emotions during prayer time. He also encourages trying fasting and attending vigils to deepen one's relationship with God. The speaker reminds the audience that walking in the spirit and being connected to the vine is a daily decision and not to neglect simple disciplines. He ends with a prayer asking for God's guidance in seeking a closer relationship with Him.
The speaker reflects on why the Israelites did not consult God before making an alliance with a pagan nation. They may have thought they didn't need to ask God for advice, acted based on emotion, or simply forgot to pray. The speaker reminds the audience that our hearts can deceive us, and it's important to stay connected to Jesus through spiritual disciplines such as prayer and planning. They encourage using an agenda to plan important things such as prayer time and suggest finding a specific place for prayer. Staying connected to Jesus is essential, as apart from Him, we can do nothing.
The speaker encourages the audience to set aside time for prayer and to use an agenda to plan important things in life, including time with God. He suggests finding a separate place to pray, such as early in the morning or during a lunch break, and not relying on emotions during prayer time. He also encourages trying fasting and attending vigils to deepen one's relationship with God. The speaker reminds the audience that walking in the spirit and being connected to the vine is a daily decision and not to neglect simple disciplines. He ends with a prayer asking for God's guidance in seeking a closer relationship with Him.
Chapter 9, Joshua chapter 9, and before getting into the word, I want to share a testimony or rather maybe a confession depending on how you look at it.
But a story from the first summer (thank you), thank you, my first summer as a pastor here at the church in the year, I don't know what, 98 there. And I was here in the church, on the second floor, at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon from what I understand, we didn't even have a secretary at that time, I was here alone and a lady came in, a lady came in sweaty, crying, tired, a serious lady. She had her doctor or nurse vest on, I don't know what, I knew she worked in the hospital, right? She was a health professional. She came in all excited, sweaty, crying and telling me that she had left work at the hospital and they had assaulted her, mind you, and they had taken her wallet and she was without anything, all anxious about what had happened, so I eat a good Young pastor, I took time to calm her down, to take time with her, to pray with her and all that.
But a story from the first summer (thank you), thank you, my first summer as a pastor here at the church in the year, I don't know what, 98 there. And I was here in the church, on the second floor, at about 2 or 3 in the afternoon from what I understand, we didn't even have a secretary at that time, I was here alone and a lady came in, a lady came in sweaty, crying, tired, a serious lady. She had her doctor or nurse vest on, I don't know what, I knew she worked in the hospital, right? She was a health professional. She came in all excited, sweaty, crying and telling me that she had left work at the hospital and they had assaulted her, mind you, and they had taken her wallet and she was without anything, all anxious about what had happened, so I eat a good Young pastor, I took time to calm her down, to take time with her, to pray with her and all that.
