We recently learned about our godly inheritance and the fact that a life of righteousness helps to protect our inheritance from being stolen by satan. Today, we return to the story of the Gibeonite Deception to learn another key lesson in not squandering one's godly inheritance.
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan to Canaan, the Lord told them He'd given them a wide swathe of land stretching from the Wadi of Egypt all the way to the Euphrates (Genesis 15:18-21). This land already had several inhabitants in it. Yet, He took them through the process of claiming this territory one city and kingdom at a time.
At some point, an entourage of people came from the land of Gibeon (Joshua 9). They came seeking a treaty to keep Joshua from destroying them and claiming the land they lived on. They created a sophisticated lie, manufacturing evidence to suggest they'd come from a place too far to be part of the land the Lord had given unto His people.
Sadly, the Israelites believed this falsehood and agreed to become allies of the Gibeonites. Specifically, we are told in Joshua 9:15 that they failed to ask God for His direction before entering this covenant. Once the Lord revealed they'd been deceived, Joshua was upset and placed a curse on them. A curse that had interesting consequences for the Israelites centuries later.
One lesson to learn from this story is that because they fell for the Gibeonite Deception, the Israelites entered into a covenant that essentially prevented them from claiming part of the inheritance that was originally theirs.
The devil is constantly looking to have us agree with it in order to steal our inheritance from right under our noses. Just as the Gibeonites did to Joshua and the Israelites, satan is creating elaborate schemes to convince us to squander part (if not all) of our godly inheritance. It wants us to agree that we will be forever sick or poor or underemployed or ignored so we never realize that our godly inheritance means we are much more than even we realize. The devil wants to convince us that we can't carry God's glory and so it wants us not to bother trying to live righteously.
The only question is will you agree with satan and give up what God has promised to you? Will you listen to the devil and leave behind what is rightfully yours as a child of the Lord? If you agree with satan and fail to resist the Gibeonite Deceptions it has laid as a trap for you, then your godly inheritance will be lost.
To prevent this, you again must be mindful to live a righteous life. Such righteousness is not measured by worldly understanding. You need to study God's word to gain insight into this way of living. Studying God's word will also teach you how to distinguish how satan speaks as opposed to how God speaks to you. In addition, you also have to give your life to Christ and become born again so that you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who is tasked with reminding believers what God has taught and what they are to do or not do in every situation. If only Joshua had gone to God, He would have known the Gibeonites were liars intent on doing satan's work - depriving them of their rightful inheritance and causing them to disobey the Lord's instruction. That shall not be your portion, in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Your godly inheritance is the key to a life filled with the fullness of God's goodness. It is also crucial to receive His wisdom which He has promised will bring health, power, long life, and wealth to name but a few benefits.
Again, the choice remains the same - will you walk in righteousness or will you agree with satan's plans to steal your godly inheritance?
I pray you will submit to the choice that will lead you into God's promises and blessings for yourself, your generations to come, plus the brothers and sisters in Christ you are to impact now and in the future. See you at Noon EST for fellowship.
For more on the How satan speaks series, please consider the following:
FINAL MESSAGE
(originally shared on July 14, 2023)
Back in April of 2022, I remember the Lord clearly telling me to mention to all of us that there was a need to pray for our mothers. I would regularly put our mothers in prayer and call on God for His mercy and grace.
I got a similar message on Tuesday this week (July 11, 2023) but with everything going on, I neglected to share it. Lord, please forgive me because a couple of things have happened this week to Peppers that reminded me of the need to not just share this message to individuals but with the entire group.
Ladies and gents, the Lord wants us to seat ourselves by the well of living water so that when the dry season arrives we are already well-positioned to draw and drink. What does this mean? If you are already in right-relationship with Jesus, then when the challenges of life come, you are well-positioned to lean on Him for the solutions.
If, however, our walk with the Lord is lax, then when the problems arrive, we start scrambling to get right with God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We start listening to the devil's lie that 'it's been so long since you took the Lord seriously so He won't take you seriously.'
Such lies are immediately eradicated and powerless if we are already walking with God and going to Him daily, doing the things He wants us to do. If we are spending time in His word and being intentional to create time to hear Him speak to us. Not just talking at Him all the time. I mean think about it? Who likes that person who's always talking at them but never slows down to ask and hear what you think or want to say?
Let's get into the habit of investing in a relationship with God so we're not scrambling when the storms of life hit us.
That said, I praise God that He is happy that you come to Him period. Be it before or after the issues arise. He will help you. Nevertheless, it is always best to be prepared than to have to react to things. God is happy to give us that opportunity so let's take advantage of it.
God bless you!!! If you've got questions on how to achieve this, please don't hesitate to ask. No inquiry is stupid - we are all at different stages in our walk with the Lord and we need one another to grow. Even the newest member of the Holy Household might have the wisdom you need for an issue. Remember, we do not war alone.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father! I thank You for Your grace and mercy. Praise be onto You, great and holy King.
I pray for all Your P&P children that in all things, they will experience the goodness of the Lord. That Your favor will find them. That their needs shall be supplied and that they in turn will be of godly help to others. Cover them in Your grace and favor all to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
I pray for the expansion of their relationship with You and that You will be forever glorified in their lives, IJMN, Amen. Thank You, Lord for bringing us together to fellowship at Your feet. Hallelujah!
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for widows and widowers that you will help them process the loss of their spouses. I pray that you will strengthen them as they navigate life on their own terms. I pray that you will bless them, their kids, their families and their jobs/businesses. I pray that you will accept their spouses in your loving arms and I pray this gives them peace beyond their understanding IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for destroying cycle of infertility in marriages. Thank you for the beautiful and healthy babies that will be born this year to couples. Thank you for putting an end to miscarriages, failed IVFs and adoption processes. This is the year of kingdom babies by your grace. Thank you Faithful Father! Amen!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let us pray on this issue of not squandering our godly inheritance as a result of the devil's deception.
Lord God, thank You for this kind understanding. God, close our ears to the enemy's voice. For we are Your sheep and Christ declared that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Grant us wisdom so we are aware of how the enemy wants to cause us to lose any part of our godly inheritance. Please Father, only You can protect us and only You can help us to not squander what You have given. Help us to not squander intentionally or unintentionally. Please teach us timeless lessons on how to not only preserve what You've given but to also expand our boundaries for future generations all by Your grace and to Your glory IJMN Amen.
From CX - Jehovah Jireh, I want to lift up the cries of all those facing unemployment, Father God. I especially want to bring @sundaybest’s prayers to your altar. In this very arid job market, it is so easy to lose hope. Please remain closer than a brother to those who are in desperate need of provision, Abba. You can make a way where there is no way, God of loving devotion. Lead them to a job that will bring good income and allow them to faithfully steward the gifts you have used to bless them. I praise You because I know you will do this. I will rejoice and be glad in Your gracious miracle, God of provision. In your Powerful and Mighty name I pray and declare. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I lift up my endeavor to you. As I have finished things up and work towards completion. I pray that you take control of the process. The outcome is in your hands Faithful Father, cover up my errors and bring out my strength Father. I pray for your divine favor and mercy to speak for me as I submit. Thank you Father as I ask that your will be done IJMN Amen
God, this year, there were accidents that never happened. Disasters that You averted. Threats from the devil that You exposed as the fallacies they truly were. Gibeonite Deceptions You instructed me to ignore.
God. You are the living God and I bless Your Holy Name.
You have shown goodness, mercy, and great kindness. You have exemplified love and patience that I cannot explain. Thank You for being my everything. From day to day, You hold my hand. You lead me toward the destination You have designated. You carefully orchestrate events and interactions that show that Your mighty hand is hard at work.
I give You all the glory and the praise, my Father! I place the rest of the year in Your mighty hands. You alone shall be worshiped and adored in my life. IJN, Amen.
Almighty God, I pray for anyone who is facing a Gibeonite Deception. King of glory, You made them for Your good works and Your perfect plan (Jer 29:11). Please rebuke satan who is trying to derail Your children from Your perfect will. Let Your Spirit speak to their feet so they make their path straight and keep their head facing straight ahead towards Your throne (Prov 4:27, Heb 12:13).
Prov 4:27 -- do not turn to the right or the left; keep your feet from evil
Heb 12:13 -- and make straight paths for your feet
Lord have compassion on Your sheep and keep them on Your path. The Bible promises that You will keep them blameless till the end. You are their only source of help, please show mercy and let them walk clearly with more discernment. Amen in Jesus name.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that your peace overpowers and dismantles every cycle of bloodshed, warfare and insecurity across the world. When you created this world, you created this world for peace to be fostered. Father I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of leaders, individuals and institutions to broker peace in countries, communities, families and across the world IJMN. I pray Abba father you expose and disgrace every element of chaos, warfare and instability in nations across the world IJMN Amen
God, You are the Mighty Man of War!
There is mounting violence and insecurity in the nation of Nigeria and we bring that country and its people before You.
Father, the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:26 - for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
1 Timothy 4:4 - For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
Indeed, in the beginning, You looked at the world You made and said it was very good. Genesis 1:31 - God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.
Lord, my understanding is that that nation is still good no matter how much chaos the devil creates in it. As such, Father, do not forget that You once looked at that spot on the earth and surely all of creation and noted it was good. Bring stability to that country. Not because of anything other than the fact that Your name must not be profaned. Your purpose cannot be thwarted and Your gifts and callings are irrevocable.
Let that nation experience a miracle. Make it good. One that can only be attributed to You. IJMN, Amen.
Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. We call out for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Your children. That Lord, Your people will have a more intimate relationship with You. You promised in Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Father put Your Spirit in people. Let them know You love them enough to want to be with them always. We await Your word in Isaiah 45:8 for these times - "You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
Your righteousness and salvation are the heritage of Your people. We cry out for more, God, IJMN, Amen.
From C23 -
Sometimes you just want to cry out to God. Thank you Abba Father, I would be nowhere without you.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray that you will supply all of their needs according to your word in Phillipians 4:19. I pray that you destroy every cycle of lack and scarcity in their lives. I pray that you will direct them to life changing opportunities and wonderful communities that will uplift them and change their lives for better IJMN Amen
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for every orphan and foster kid around the world. Thank you for parenting them and filling that void in their lives. I pray that you surround them with genuine people that will envelop them with love, warmth, affection and support. I pray that you will equally help them grow to become healthy, active, godly and wonderful parents to their own. IJMN Amen
God almighty, You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Father God, I pray for the nation of Kenya. I heard news of some political instability over there.
Lord God of hosts, please send help from your sanctuary to intervene and cause Your will to be done. You are the one who puts leaders in place because You use them for Your will in a country. Uproot any hindrances to justice and establish a leader that is in Your hand. "Weather they believe or not, God cannot deny Himself". Be exalted as God in Kenya's political situation, amen, in Jesus' name
From CX -
Lord, thank You for being the God of all flesh. Because of this, we know that nothing is difficult for You (Jeremiah 32:27). You are the God who can do all things and does all things as He wills because Your dominion is everlasting and Your authority cannot be contested.
Father, I lift up those who will be experiencing surgery soon.
God Your word states that nothing is difficult. Even Jesus taught us that with You, all things are possible. As such, we know that for those who will go into surgery soon, You will usher them in and bring them out successfully. The doctors and nurses shall be Your hands here on earth, bringing healing to bodies. All by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
Thank You, oh mighty God. Our Jehovah Rapha. Thank You for using doctors and medicine to heal, IJMN, Amen.
From N1KM28 - Thank you again for including me in this. I definitely feel lighter listening to worship music during the time! Thank you God for this day and I pray for everyone in this thread, I don’t know their needs but you do. May they be protected wherever they are, we are never alone we always have you. In Jesus Name, Amen!
From JIR - Please bless those who are struggling with something in their lives. Please bless them to be strong and pray to You, Lord, steadfast. Please bless them to not lose hope and humbly come to You for help. Please bless them with strength, comfort, peace and protection. Please bless them to know that You love them, You are there for them and You are working things out for them. Please pull them out of whatever is troubling them and bless them to recover and bounce back. Please bless their faith to strengthen in You, Lord and to completely submit their lives to You and realize that nothing is made possible unless You are in the midst. IJMN. Amen.