King James Daily Bible Study: Characteristics of Christ
Date: Monday March 21, 2011
Chapters: Joshua 22-24
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-21
Details of Today's Reading: The Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh return to their homes on the other side of the Jordan, they build an altar, Joshua speaks to the congregation, Joshua's Death, and Eleazar’s

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word character is defined as a combination of traits and qualities distinguishing the individual nature of a person. While God gives us our own unique character we really are all a collection of several people. How? We pick up ideas, thoughts, habits, and the characteristics of those we get around. The Bible says, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” - II Corinthians 3:17,18. When Christ lives in us His Spirit is in us and we begin to take on the characteristics of Him, amazingly we have never even seen Jesus face to face, yet we become a combination of His traits and qualities as we get around Him.

After all the land was divided and the Levites got their part, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh were ready to return to the land Moses promised them on the other side of the Jordan, in Gilead. When they got there they decided to build an altar as a reminder that they too are a part of Israel. However, when the other nine and a half tribes heard that they built an altar it caused so much strife that nearly a war began.

“And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to. And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them...Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,..Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.” - Joshua 22:10-12,21,26,27.

Even though the tribes were on the other side of the promised land they knew they were God's people, therefore, they knew it was important to teach their children that even though they are not living in the promised land, they are still children of God. All who accept Christ are children of God. It is important that we, be a witness to the next generations, if we do not leave them with some kind of knowledge of Jesus and what He has done for us than the next generation will not know who He is. How do you think we are becoming the minority? Individuals stop teaching Jesus to their children. Do you know how many teenagers I meet that have no idea who the Son of God is? When a person stops getting around Jesus they can forget that He is there, keep doing that generation upon generation and you have a family that believes in evolution and not Jesus. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ” - Romans 1:20-23.

Joshua was now one hundred and ten years old, he knew his time on earth was coming to an end, before he passed he gathered all the elders together for one last remembrance of the miracles, lessons, blessings, and laws given by God. First, Joshua reminded them that they are standing on the promised land because of one person and one person only, God.

“Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.” - Joshua 23:11-13.

When we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us and will always fight for those who put their faith and trust in Him. Of course, we are going to have bad days and our faith is not going to be as strong, but God knows our hearts, He knows who are His and whether He needs to give us a good kick to remind us or give someone else a good kick He will fight for us. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy...Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:12,13,16,17.

Joshua reminded, encouraged, and also warned them, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.” - Joshua 24:14,15,21-23.

An amazing thing happens when a person calls on Jesus Christ to save them, they become a witness, meaning they take on His characteristics as they live their lives with Him in it. Now, a warning comes to those who have

chosen God over their god then continue to serve their god, they will go through a great deal of suffering before God takes them home. Why? There is a difference between someone who gets saved and is sincere about it and someone who just gets saved to continue living a wicked life and not end up in hell. He will save anyone who comes to Him, but He is going to make that person suffer for a while, then when they finally get it and have had enough, that is when God will bring that person home.“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?..Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:6,7,11.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Peace Offering (22:27) Jesus offered Himself to us so that we can have peace with God. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” - Colossians 1:20.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com