She Laughs. She Prays.

Be ready. (Exodus 17:10)

In our first introduction to Joshua, Moses and Aaron stood on top of a mountain and Moses sent Joshua out to fight the Amalekites. Joshua was ready to direct this battle. With the Lord's help, Israel won.

Be teachable. (Exodus 24:13)

After this, Joshua is called to be Moses' assistant. He helps Moses as he leads. We learn that Joshua did not stay behind with those who committed the sin of the golden calf (Exodus 32), instead Joseph went up the mountain with Moses. He was nearby when Moses received the Ten Commandments. He followed the teaching of Moses.

Be optimistic. (Joshua 2)

Joshua sent the spies in to test the land. He believed the ones with the good report. Joshua leaders learn that there may be a lot of negativities. There are late adopters who want to squelch a new idea. When you lead in a difficult situation, lean towards the early adopters with the good report.

Be bold. (Joshua 1:6, Joshua 3)

As a Christian, we enter new places and beginning knew ideas with confidence, knowing God has given us the land. Be bold. Be strong. God has given you the victory.

Be honest. (Joshua 9:1)

Three cities and their Kings were afraid of the people of Israel who had entered near their land. They knew the Israelites' God was upholding the Israelites' right to the land in battle. So, these three cities sent a group of people to prepare a truce or bargain for peace saying they were from a distant land. They deceived Joshua. But out of a heart of integrity, Joshua did not go against his promise for peaceful co-existence. One deception does not breed another.

Be vulnerable before God. (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua needed God to tell him often-Fear not. Why? Because Joshua had his share of fears and doubts. Yet, he leaned on the words of Adonai. "Adonai, your God, is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Our One Year Bibles finally arrived at Bristol Bay Church, Dillingham, AK. We have decided to start on March 17, 2024, which means it will take until next March 17, 2025, to finish reading all the way through. If you asked for a soft cover copy or would like one, please see me on anytime this week or on Sunday. I have about 10 of these. You can also purchase the electronic copy on Christianbook.com The One Year Chronological Bible NLT - eBook: 9781414361628 - Christianbook.com I will have a few journals and notebooks as well in case you want one to keep your answers in to the questions below in a notebook. And/or send them to me and we can stay in contact: pastorval@bristolbay.church

For those who want to read along in your own Bible, I will publish the passages for the week in a special column to check off. I look forward to reading with you. Each week I will also send some study questions to go with your reading if you choose to use them. Reply with questions and answers. I look forward to reading God's Word with you daily.

March 23
Joshua 3:1-6:27
March 24
Joshua 7:1 & I Chronicles 2:7
Joshua 7:2-9:27

March 25

Joshua 10:1-12:6

March 26

Joshua 12:7-15:19

March 27

Joshua 15:20-17:18

March 28

Joshua 18:1-19:48

March 29

Joshua 19:49-21:45

I Chronicles 6:54-81

March 30

Joshua 22:1-24:33

March 31

Judges 1:1-3:30

March 23
1) In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua is confronted by who? What does Joshua do? 2) Have you ever felt you were standing on holy ground before God? Do you have to be confronted by an angel to know you are in the presence of God? 3) How is being in God's presence now different from Joshua's time and why? What does Ephesians 3:12 tell us?

4) Joshua 6:26 says that no one should rebuild Jericho. Is Jericho a real city now? Is there a difference between ancient Jericho and contemporary Jericho?
March 24
1) What does I Chronicles 2:7 tell us about Joshua 7 and the man named Achan?

2) How were the Israelites and Joshua deceived? What did the Israelites do? Is this an example for us? Why or why not?

March 25

1) What miracle takes place in Joshua 10:12? How and why would some Alaskans have difficulty understanding this as a miracle?

2) How does Joshua 11:23 end?

March 26

1) Online search for a biblical map and highlight the areas of the Kings listed in Joshua 12: 9-24. Compare this to a modern day map.

2) Online find a biblical map that shows the distribution of lands to the 12 tribes. Consider this carefully and think about the placements.

March 27

1) Continue looking at the map of the 12 tribes and consider coloring it. Make any references to reasons why each group were given the specific lands.

2) What two tribes are the descendants of Joseph listed (see Joshua 17:17)? Why did Joseph's family get split into two tribes instead of one like all the other brothers? Use the internet to find this answer.

March 28

1) Make more notes on the land given to the 12 tribes as listed in these chapters.

2) Is there one significant note that you made?

March 29

1) Who are the Levites? You may need to use the internet for the questions today.

2) How did God give land to the Levites and why was this done differently than the other tribes?

March 30

1) What can we learn from the Eastern Tribes (Joshua 22:1-6)?

2) Reread Joshua 23:1-16. Then choose and summarize the important words applicable to us today.

March 17

1) What is a Chronological Reading Schedule? It is a reading plan that introduces the major people and events of the Bible in timeline order, beginning with Creation, moving through the birth and history of the Israel nation, and finishing with Revelation's prophetic words. So you will read the Bible in the order it historically portrays.

2) What is one benefit of reading the Bible chronologically? This allows you to get a better understanding of the Bible by seeing how it relates to various parts by introducing relationships of people and places together as they were contemporaries meaning their lives intersected or happened at the same time.

This study immediately starts with the laws God set for the good of his people. 3) Can you relate to one law and understand why it might be good? I like Deuteronomy 20: 1 Because it reminds me not to be afraid, and how spiritual leaders-worship leaders, pastors and others need to remind each other that God will fight for us against our enemies. There are many other comparisons. Please send me a few answers. 4) Do you see any relationship to how some of our laws and court systems might have been set up? Deuteronomy 19:15 emphasizes the use of 2-3 witnesses to convict someone of a crime. There are other examples. Please send me your answers.

March 18

1) Consider verses Deuteronomy 21:18-21. This is a harsh perspective on sin. What happened, as described in John 3:16, that changed our physical death for certain sins to the need for mercy and forgiveness? This passage speaks of stoning someone for the sin of drinking and gluttony. John 3:16 sent Jesus to die on the cross and have his blood cover a multitude of sins.

2) How, since John 3:16, does God view and judge the sexual sin described in Deuteronomy 22:13-30? Consider I Thessalonians 4:1-8. Again Jesus' death on the cross covers the sins of believers who confess and want to follow the ways of God. In I Thessalonians 4:6-8, it says God avenges sins, not man. "The Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. 8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

March 19

1) In Deuteronomy 26:1-11, We read about giving the first fruits of our labor to God. How do we do this today? I like the Alaska Native Community that gives the first fruits to their elders. I think this honors God as elders are often the ones who teach the younger generations about God, and the Bible speaks of helping those in need. We also are called to give to the church in the way of tithe.

2) Deuteronomy 26:12 mentions the word "tithe." What does this mean? "The giving of one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the Church and clergy." Dictionary of Oxford Languages. Tithing is mentioned 32 times in the Bible.

3) Read Deuteronomy 26:16-19 out loud. Read it a second time replacing every you with your name (i.e. "Today the Lord your God has commanded Valerie") What does this mean to you? Be sure to read the blessings for obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. I hope you did this and believed God for it.

March 20

1) Why does God want us to obey the Bible? Read Deuteronomy 29:9 and Deuteronomy 30:10 for your answer. You will prosper in all that you do and the Lord will delight in being good to you. Obedience provides many blessings.

2) What happens in Deuteronomy 31:1-8? Moses established Joshua as the next leader of the Israelites.

3) Read Deuteronomy 31:6-8 and list the promises that apply to you today. God will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never fail or abandon you.

March 21

1) What happens between Deuteronomy 31: 14 and 31:15? What changes and how? God spoke to Moses that he would soon die, and that Joshua needed to be commissioned by Him/God. God appeared in a cloud and spoke to the people.

2) Read Psalm 90. Who was it written by and at what point in this person's life? Although David wrote the majority of Psalms, he did include other songs and prayers written by various people. Moses was a gifted leader, prophet, and writer who served God faithfully. Scholars recognize Moses as having written the first five books of the Bible, Genesis-Deuteronomy. Psalm 90 was written by Moses at the end of his life.

March 22

1) Highlight the names of the tribes of Israel that Moses blesses. There should be 11 tribes highlighted: Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher.

2) How many are there? Which one of the 12 tribes is missing? Eleven tribes listed with Simeon missing.

3) Use the internet to come up with reasons the tribe of Simeon may or may not be included? Some think Simeon's tribe did something to anger God and his tribe was dying out. But there are other times when Simeon is mentioned. So we may not know why his tribe was left out.

March 23

1) Why are we studying Joshua now? There could be two reasons. First, we are studying the books of the Bible in Chronological order. So Joshua is next in the timeline, but it's also next in the normal Bible order.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

Ephesians 3:12

Above is the Christian Church in Port Heiden that is out of use because of mold and other issues. Since this picture was taken, wind blew the cross down. I am praying for the rebuilding of the Christian community here. There is a Russian Orthodox Church in use with a priest who visits for funerals and other needs. This community needs a regular presence of the gospel. Maybe a Christian teacher would here the call. The Christian presence here was started by two Christian teachers who have since gone to heaven, Rev. Elmer and Pauline Kee.