Today's Passage - Joshua 8:32

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Joshua 8:32   There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses.   After the Israelites did their offerings on Mount Ebal, they kept on waiting before God. At that time, Spirit of God prompted Joshua to copy the law of Moses onto the stone. This is an important reminder for us. On the one hands, offerings and worship are important, for they can elevate our souls and submit ourselves to God. We've heard people ask this: If God is self-sufficient, why does He need us to worship Him? Actually, we are not worshipping for the sake of God, but rather for ourselves, because we need to worship God. Very often people come before God, but their hearts are left behind. Through worship, our hearts can turn back to God and we can submit ourselves to Him once again, and we can also find true meaning of life through worship and offering sacrifices. On the other hand, we don't come before God just to praise and worship Him, but we must also receive His word. In order for the Israelites to once again value God's word, Joshua wrote the law of Moses to the stone.   There are two reasons why Joshua did this: First, he wanted to remind the Israelites to remember God's word. Second, he openly demonstrated his determination to follow God's word in public. Isn't this what you and I need to do? First, we must remember God's word daily, and let us live in an environment filled with God's word. Why is it so hard for God's word to enter into the hearts of the believers? Main reason is that we are not filling our environment with God's word. Look at your home, office and room; is God's word there? No wonder that when you are helpless, you look up and only see the ceiling. If you home is filled with God's word, when you lift your eyes you will see "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Halleluiah! Also, we must learn to memorize the word of God inside our hearts. When temptation comes, you can immediately use God's word to defend yourself against it, just like how Jesus used God's word to reject the devil in the desert.   In addition, we must have the determination to follow God's word openly. We need to join services with brothers and sisters, learn to tithe, and to love one another in cell group life. Don't ever be afraid to move forward or try to avoid it altogether because of the price that you might need to pay or your fear! Your life will become mature only through growing up in maturity along with other brothers and sisters. May God help us by putting such aspiration in our hearts!      Pray with Pastor Tong       Lord, I once again bring all the brothers and sisters before you, and ask that the Lord help them to learn to create an environment filled with your word. May the Lord also give them courage to take a step forward; not to fight the war alone, but to grow in maturity with fellow brothers and sisters. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!