{"id":695,"date":"2023-08-09T13:49:18","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T13:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=695"},"modified":"2023-08-09T13:49:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T13:49:18","slug":"living-for-gods-glory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/living-for-gods-glory\/","title":{"rendered":"LIVING FOR GOD&#8217;S GLORY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LIVING FOR GOD\u2019S GLORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Joshua 8:30-35&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have you ever noticed how <strong>some places take on a greater significance <\/strong>to us than others?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maybe it\u2019s a <strong>place<\/strong> you\u2019ve <strong>vacationed<\/strong> to \u2014 and really enjoyed.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or maybe it\u2019s the <strong>town<\/strong> <strong>you<\/strong> <strong>grew<\/strong> <strong>up<\/strong> <strong>in<\/strong> \u2014 and have so many fond memories.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maybe it\u2019s<strong> the place where you met your spouse<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>or had your first child<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or if your a <strong>sports<\/strong> <strong>fan<\/strong>&#8230;maybe it\u2019s a <strong>ballpark<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For <strong>Cubs<\/strong> fans \u2014 it would be <strong>Wriggle<\/strong> <strong>Field<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For <strong>Golf<\/strong> fans \u2014 it might be <strong>Augusta National <\/strong>(where the <strong>Masters <\/strong>will be held later this month).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For <strong>New York <\/strong>sports fans \u2014 it\u2019s <strong>Madison<\/strong> <strong>Square<\/strong> <strong>Garden<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I know for <strong>Tampa<\/strong> fans (in case you were wondering) \u2014 its <strong>Raymond<\/strong> <strong>James<\/strong> <strong>Stadium<\/strong> (where this year\u2019s <strong>Super Bowl<\/strong> will be held).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My point is simply that places can hold meaning and become significant to us.\u00a0In this morning\u2019s text\u2014we discover that the people of Israel also have a place that holds special meaning to them. And that\u2019s because it was a place where they met with God, and learned to worship Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we pick up this story of Joshua today \u2014 we find that he and his army have defeated two major cities (<strong>Jericho<\/strong> and <strong>Ai<\/strong>). And as they prepared to <strong>con<\/strong>quer the rest of the Promised Land. However, instead of marching south (which you\u2019d expect) \u2014 they instead turn north and march 30 miles on a spiritual pilgrimage specifically to<strong> <\/strong>worship God.<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And their journey took them to a place called Shechem. A city located at the base of two important mountains. Shechem was a city that served as the Northern entrance to the Promised Land. It was flanked by two mountains were Mt Ebal (on the right) and Mt Gerizim (on the left). This was a special city and an important stop for all who wanted to enter Canaan.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you may recall the city of Shechem. Because it was often spoken of in the Old Testament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 It was here that God appeared to Abraham when he first entered the promised land centuries earlier. It was here that he built his first altar to the Lord\u2026so he could worship God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 It was also here that Jacob settled after escaping from Laban.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 And it was here in Shechem that Jacob built a well\u2026that same well where many centuries later,<strong> Jesus would meet a Samaritan woman.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 And it was here that Joseph\u2019s bones would later be buried after the conquest of the land was complete (Josh 24:32)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s interesting how some places take on a greater significance than others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, it was this place \u2014 this city called Shechem, at the base of these two mountains<strong> (Gerizim and Ebal) that Joshua <\/strong>marched his army and all his people to carry out the final instructions that Moses had given him.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was here in Shechem that the nation of Israel renewed their promise to live for God\u2019s glory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As was recorded in the book of Deuteronomy\u2014Moses\u2026gave the people of Israel a warning \u2014 to keep the covenant they had made with <strong>God <\/strong>and to renew that covenant just outside of Shechem. And so, that\u2019s what they did. Joshua led the people to Shechem and they renewed their promise to serve the Lord and receive the promised blessings in their lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, if you have your Bible \u2014 look with me at this story found in Joshua 8:30-35. Here we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>30\u00a0<\/strong>Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, <strong>31<\/strong>\u00a0as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses\u2014an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. <strong>32<\/strong>\u00a0There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses.\u00a0<strong>33\u00a0<\/strong>All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel. <strong>34\u00a0<\/strong>Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law\u2014the blessings and the curses\u2014just as it is written in the Book of the Law. <strong>35\u00a0<\/strong>There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.<\/em> &#8212; <strong>Joshua 8:30-35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, before you get lost in the details \u2014 and fail to see the heart of this text, let me share it with you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a story, first and foremost about <strong>Joshua\u2019s<\/strong> effort to remind his people, and all those who would read this story later \u2014 that there are two ways we can live our lives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One is to <strong>honor and<\/strong> <strong>glorify God <\/strong>\u2014 the other is <strong>to glorify ourselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, when it comes to living a life of blessing, the choice is up to you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, if your life seems to have veered off track, or maybe you seem to wandered outside of the blessings of God. Sometimes getting back on track (spiritually speaking) is as simple as just listening to God and doing what we know is right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s avoiding sin, and rejecting the enemy\u2019s temptations. And it\u2019s just being faithful to do the small things that we know are right\u2026Living in compliance with <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>call<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doing things like \u2014 <strong>worshiping Him<\/strong>, and <strong>trusting in Him<\/strong>, and <strong>honoring His Word<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This really is a great story \u2014 because it teaches us that the only way to really<strong> live for God\u2019s glory,<\/strong> and thus receive <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>blessings<\/strong> \u2014 is to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. CONTINUOUSLY WORSHIP GOD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we\u2019ve been studying this great book for several weeks now, I\u2019ve become more and more aware that conquering the land of <strong>Canaan<\/strong> was more spiritual than it was physical for <strong>Joshua<\/strong> and his nation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And no act was stronger in the <strong>Old Testament<\/strong> for declaring one\u2019s commitment to God and worship Him \u2014 than building an altar and making sacrifices to God. In fact, in the <strong>OT<\/strong>, <strong>altars<\/strong> were often built as a direct result of someone having an direct encounter with <strong>God<\/strong>. And so, as <strong>Joshua<\/strong> and the people began to possess more of the land, it was <strong>time to give credit to Him<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>verse 30<\/strong> it says <em>&#8220;Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was important to <strong>Joshua<\/strong> that his nation honor <strong>worship<\/strong> <strong>God<\/strong>. And so, like a father teaching his family how to worship \u2014 <strong>Joshua<\/strong> taught his nation. But, if the people were going to learn the importance of <strong>HONORING GOD,<\/strong> then it would require <strong>Joshua<\/strong> to first surrender his plans to <strong>God<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about it. After <strong>Israel<\/strong> had defeated <strong>Jericho<\/strong> and <strong>Ai<\/strong>, they controlled the <strong>eastern and western routes of Canaan.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And from a military perspective, the next logical step would have been to press south and conquer the fortified cities in the mountains below them. But instead, <strong>Joshua<\/strong> takes his people north. <strong>30 miles<\/strong> north to <strong>Shechem<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was a <strong>counterintuitive<\/strong> <strong>move<\/strong>, but it <strong>illustrates<\/strong> the <strong>principle<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>\u201cFirst Things First!<\/strong><strong>\u201d<\/strong> Our <strong>human capacities<\/strong> for success and victory will always first be subject to our <strong>spiritual capacities<\/strong> of faith \u2014 and our willingness to honor <strong>God<\/strong>. And that\u2019s what <strong>WORSHIP<\/strong> does!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It orients our hearts and minds towards <strong>God<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But <strong>WORSHIP<\/strong> doesn\u2019t just happen once \u2014 and it doesn\u2019t just happen here at church. <strong>WORSHIP<\/strong>, genuine worship should be an <strong>ongoing<\/strong> <strong>daily<\/strong> <strong>practice<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD<\/strong> with our <strong>words<\/strong>. And with our <strong>deeds<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD <\/strong>when we <strong>sing<\/strong> and when we <strong>praise<\/strong>, when we<strong> raise our hands, <\/strong>and<strong> lift our voices<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD<\/strong> when we<strong> use our skills and talents to serve others,<\/strong> and when we <strong>give Him glory for our good deeds<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We<strong> WORSHIP GOD<\/strong> when we <strong>live righteously, <\/strong>and <strong>reject the temptation to sin.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD <\/strong>when we treat others with <strong>kindness<\/strong> and <strong>gentleness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD <\/strong>when we are <strong>generous<\/strong> and <strong>compassionate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We <strong>WORSHIP GOD<\/strong> when we <strong>sacrifice<\/strong> <strong>our<\/strong> <strong>will<\/strong> to <strong>accomplish<\/strong> <strong>His<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This and so much more become our acts of worship when we do them to <strong>honor<\/strong> <strong>God <\/strong>and<strong> put Him first<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But these things aren\u2019t things to do and be done. These are ways of life. The acts of worship should be our ongoing daily practices. We must learn to worship <strong>God continuously<\/strong>. It\u2019s an ongoing, lifelong commitment. If you want to experience God\u2019s blessings, then worship must be <strong>the touch point<\/strong> of our lives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it happens best when we lay down our agenda and we take up His.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As I said earlier, this is a great story \u2014 because it teaches us that the only way to really receive <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>best<\/strong> and experience <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>blessings<\/strong> in life is to\u2026<strong>CONTINUOUSLY WORSHIP<\/strong> <strong>GOD<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how are you doing with this? Is <strong>WORSHIP<\/strong> on your agenda?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If so, then\u2026let me also encourage you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. CONSISTENTLY KEEP GOD AT THE CENTER.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the <strong>Israelites<\/strong> took the <strong>30-mile walk<\/strong> to <strong>Shechem, <\/strong>they found themselves in the beautiful valley between these two great mountains. This valley is about two miles wide. And on either side of it stood the rugged, rocky mountain of<strong> Ebal<\/strong>and the green and lush mountain of<strong> Gerizim.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, on that day \u2014 <strong>God<\/strong> reminded the people that He had placed before them two distinctly different options. As <strong>Deuteronomy 11:26 <\/strong>tells us, <strong>God<\/strong> said:&nbsp; <em>\u201cSee, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse\u201d <\/em>(Deut. 11:26).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, the one option was a life of blessing (if they followed the ways of the Lord); and the other option was a life of hardship and curse, (if they turned to their own paths of rebellion).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think visual illustrations are always helpful. I appreciate pictures and demonstrations to clarify concepts. And that\u2019s what <strong>God<\/strong> provided them with here. Because sitting between these two mountains (of blessing and curse) was the <strong>Ark of the Covenant.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>33&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it\u2026Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the picture was clear \u2014 at the center of their lives between the options of blessings or curses sat the <strong>Ark of the Covenant <\/strong>\u2014 <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>presence<\/strong>. And what they did with God\u2019s presence in their lives would determine their future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And here\u2019s the point I want to make\u2026the only thing standing between <strong>life\u2019s blessings<\/strong> and<strong> life\u2019s curses<\/strong> is the <strong>presence<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>God<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What we do with the <strong>presence of God <\/strong>will determine our <strong>future<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It reminds of a story I once heard about a <strong>small<\/strong> <strong>turtle<\/strong> that wanted to spend the <strong>winter<\/strong> <strong>in<\/strong> <strong>Florida<\/strong>, but he knew he could never walk that far. So he convinced a couple of <strong>geese<\/strong> to help him, each would take one end of a piece of rope, while he clamped his vise-like jaws in the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They took off and all was going great until someone spotted the turtle\u2019s flight (from the ground). In admiration they asked, \u201cI wonder who came up with that great idea?\u201d But unable to resist the temptation to take credit for his success, the turtle opened his mouth to shout, &#8220;I diiiidddd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And here\u2019s the thing. When we become the center of our world. The center of our lives. The center of our thoughts \u2014 we are destined for failure. But if we consistently make <strong>God<\/strong> the center of our lives, then like <strong>Joshua<\/strong> we will experience <strong>God\u2019s blessings. <\/strong>And no where is this better demonstrated than when we <strong>trust in Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong>Jeremiah 17:7<\/strong> says, <em>7 \u201cBlessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, the question is \u2014<strong> are you keeping God at the center of your life?<\/strong> Is your hope in Him \u2014 and Him alone? Have you given Him the place of command in your life? Do you make your decisions by looking first to Him? <strong>Are you living your days and your ways for Him? <\/strong>If not, then do that today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And just a side note. Notice again which side of life the altar was placed. It was established on Mt. <strong>Ebal<\/strong>, which represented the curse (or sinfulness). And that\u2019s because, God always meets us where we are.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He does not expect us to<strong> GET RIGHT,<\/strong> or <strong>MAKE THINGS RIGHT<\/strong>, or <strong>BECOME HOLY<\/strong> <strong>FIRST<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, He enters into our space, and our sinfulness, and shame, and our waywardness \u2014 and He offers us the opportunity to trust Him. <strong>He welcomes our worship<\/strong> \u2014 and allows us to cross over from cursing to blessing\u2026but only through Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That only happens when we put Him at the center of our lives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s a daily decision. It doesn\u2019t just happen once and then done. It\u2019s about daily choosing to honor God. <strong>Daily<\/strong> choosing to serve Him. Daily and continuously allowing Him to take charge and be the center of our lives.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a great story \u2014 and it teaches us that the only way to receive God\u2019s best and experience His blessings is to: WORSHIP GOD, KEEP HIM AT THE CENTER,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, how are you doing with this? Who\u2019s at the center of your life? Is it you \u2014 or is it God?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make it God!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And\u2026let me also encourage you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. CONSTANTLY RELY UPON GOD\u2019S WORD.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Verse 34<\/strong> tells us that it was the <strong>Word of God<\/strong> that was proclaimed on that day. It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>34&nbsp;<\/strong>Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law\u2014the blessings and the curses\u2014just as it is written in the Book of the Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the people listened, <strong>Joshua<\/strong> took them back to the foundation of <strong>God\u2019s Word<\/strong>. He reminded them that their success in life would be expressly connected to their willingness to learn, live by, and love the <strong>Word of God.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the silent <strong>pagan<\/strong> <strong>god\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>of<\/strong> <strong>Canaan<\/strong> \u2014 their <strong>God<\/strong> (<strong>Jehovah<\/strong>) spoke to them. But He required that they be <strong>respect<\/strong>, <strong>receive<\/strong> and <strong>respond<\/strong> to <strong>His Word<\/strong>. And so, <strong>Joshua<\/strong> made it clear on that day \u2014 that his nation would <strong>make the Word of God their standard!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What about you? Have you made <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>Word<\/strong> your standard?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen, we are so blessed to live at a time when <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>Word<\/strong> is so readily available to us. Think about it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It\u2019s in print.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s on your computer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s on your phone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You have apps for it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can read it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can listen to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can carry it with you everywhere you go.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>There are really only four ways people tend to respond to God\u2019s Word:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(1) Some people <strong>trivialize<\/strong> the <strong>Word of God<\/strong> by denying its inspiration and rejecting its authority. They reduce it to little more than a human collection of merely human ideas about human religious experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are those who profess to be Christians who still tend to view Scripture like they do the <strong>Queen of England<\/strong>: Simply as someone who holds the top position, but doesn\u2019t really have any power. <strong>Some trivialize God\u2019s Word \u2014 we must not!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(2) Others seem to <strong>trifle<\/strong> with <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>Word<\/strong>. They acknowledge that the <strong>Word<\/strong> is inspired but they don\u2019t take it seriously. They pick and choose what they want to believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, for many, the <strong>Word<\/strong> <strong>of God <\/strong>has no power in their lives. Because they trifle with it. And so, the <strong>Bible<\/strong> becomes more a symbol than a standard. But it was never meant to simply decorate your coffee table or be held under your arm at church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(3) Still others tend to <strong>tamper<\/strong> with <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>Word<\/strong>. That is to say, they change it, and reshape it, and make it say what they want it to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(4) But <strong>God<\/strong> calls us to be those who <strong>tremble<\/strong> at His Word. As <strong>God<\/strong> states in <strong>Isaiah 66:2,&nbsp; <\/strong><em>\u201cI will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.\u201d<\/em> (NLT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To <strong>tremble<\/strong> at God\u2019s Word means to be reverently responsive to it. To honor it. To trust it. And to obey it. <strong>Joshua<\/strong> was a man who <strong>trembled<\/strong> at <strong>God\u2019s Word. <\/strong>May we be like<strong> Joshua<\/strong> and <strong>constantly rely upon God\u2019s Word!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Word of God was written because of what it can do in our lives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2 Tim. 3:16-17<\/strong> tells us that <em>&#8220;All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So trust in God\u2019s Word. And Rely upon God\u2019s Word. For it must be the authority over every area of your life. And just in case you were wondering \u2014 <strong>the Bible holds supreme authority<\/strong> by virtue of its <strong>Author<\/strong>, the one who is <strong>the King of creation<\/strong> and <strong>Ruler over heaven and earth.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So rely upon God\u2019s Word. Because it was given for you!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But not just you \u2014 for all people.<\/strong> That\u2019s why we preach <strong>His Word<\/strong> here in this church and beyond our borders to the ends of the earth. Even today\u2019s passage teaches us that <strong>God\u2019s Word is for all people.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just notice who was there listening on that day that Joshua spoke. It was more than just the <strong>leaders<\/strong>, the <strong>elders<\/strong>, the <strong>priests<\/strong>, the <strong>army<\/strong>, the <strong>heads<\/strong> of households, and the <strong>people of God<\/strong>. It was also others who had become a part of their <strong>community<\/strong> \u2014 and those living near <strong>Shechem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On that day, <strong>God\u2019s Word became <\/strong>a new standard for the people\u2019s surrounding them. It revealed to all that <strong>God<\/strong> was in charge\u2026and that God\u2019s promises were for all who would trust in Him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Verse 35<\/strong> says, <strong><em>35&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>There was not a word of all that <\/em><strong><em>Moses<\/em><\/strong><em> had commanded that <\/em><strong><em>Joshua<\/em><\/strong><em> did not read to the whole assembly of <\/em><strong><em>Israel<\/em><\/strong><em>, including the women and children, <\/em><em>and the foreigners who lived among them<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did you catch that. Right at the end of that verse there\u2019s a little note\u2026it says, <strong>Joshua<\/strong> read the <strong>Word of God<\/strong> to everyone \u2014 including<em> \u201cthe foreigners who lived among them.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You see, the <strong>Word of God<\/strong> wasn\u2019t just for the elite, or the spiritual, or the powerful \u2014 it was for everyone. Including those outside of <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But their exposure to <strong>His Word<\/strong> was (in many ways) the beginning of their journey into <strong>God\u2019s promises<\/strong>. It was through the Word that they would be introduced to the life-changing power of <strong>God\u2019s love<\/strong>, His care, His holiness, and His call to them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So rely upon God\u2019s Word. <\/strong>More than just information \u2014 it offers your life transformation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So turn to it, trust in it, and rely upon it!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How are you doing with this? Do you take time daily to read and meditate upon God\u2019s Word. If not, start today. Read it when you get up, and read it when you lie down at night.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about it, chew one it. And value the <strong>Word of God<\/strong> above all things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, this is a great story \u2014 and it teaches us that the only way to receive God\u2019s best in life is to: <strong>WORSHIP GOD<\/strong>, <strong>KEEP HIM AT THE CENTER<\/strong>, and\u2026<strong>CONSTANTLY RELY UPON HIS WORD!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LIVING FOR GOD\u2019S GLORY! Joshua 8:30-35&nbsp; INTRODUCTION Have you ever noticed how some places take on a greater significance to us than others?\u00a0 My point &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-695","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/695\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":697,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/695\/revisions\/697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}