The Deaf Devo from The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States "Old Testament (8)" Bible Reading: Joshua 22:26-29, 34 for Sunday, 2 October 2016

The Deaf Devo from The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States "Old Testament (8)" Bible Reading: Joshua 22:26-29, 34 for Sunday, 2 October 2016
Joshua 22:26 So we said, ‘Let us now make preparations and build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, 27 but as a witness between us and you, and between our generations who will come after us, so that we may perform the service for Adonai in his presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and peace offerings — so that your descendants will not say to our descendants at some future time, “You have no share in Adonai.”’ 28 For this reason we said, ‘When they accuse us or future generations in this way, we will say, “Look! Here is a replica of the altar of Adonai which our ancestors made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.”’ 29 Far be it from us that we should rebel against Adonai and turn away today from following Adonai by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings or sacrifices other than the altar of Adonai our God which stands in front of his tabernacle!”
34 The descendants of Re’uven and Gad called the altar “‘Ed [a witness]” between us that Adonai is God.
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Men from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh helped the other Israelites fight a war. When the war was over, Joshua told them to go home. He encouraged them to continue worshiping God even though they would be living far from the other tribes.
So the men from these three tribes built an altar. They explained why they built the altar, "The real reason we wanted our altar was to show our people that we worship the same God as you do. This altar will be the proof to you and us and to all our future children that we worship the Lord" (verse 27a).
It is very important that we show our children and our grandchildren what we believe. Our times of worshiping God, reading and studying the Bible, praying and fellowshiping with other Christians are good examples for our children and grandchildren.
Be an example to your children and grandchildren. Help them learn how to worship and obey God.[BC*]
"The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar
'Proof That We Believe the Lord is God.'"[Joshua 22:34]

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to show others how to worship You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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The Deaf Devo from The Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States "Old Testament (7)" Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9 for Saturday, 1 October 2016
Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moshe the servant of Adonai, Adonai said to Y’hoshua the son of Nun, Moshe’s assistant, 2 “Moshe my servant is dead. So now, get up and cross over this Yarden, you and all the people, to the land I am giving to them, the people of Isra’el. 3 I am giving you every place you will step on with the sole of your foot, as I said to Moshe. 4 All the land from the desert and the L’vanon to the great river, the Euphrates River — all the land of the Hitti — and on to the Great Sea in the west will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to withstand you as long as you live. Just as I was with Moshe, so I will be with you. I will neither fail you nor abandon you.
6 “Be strong, be bold; for you will cause this people to inherit the land I swore to their fathers I would give them. 7 Only be strong and very bold in taking care to follow all the Torah which Moshe my servant ordered you to follow; do not turn from it either to the right or to the left; then you will succeed wherever you go. 8 Yes, keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed. 9 Haven’t I ordered you, ‘Be strong, be bold’? So don’t be afraid or downhearted, because Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”
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In our Bible verses for today, God spoke to Joshua. Moses had died, and Joshua had become the leader of the Israelites. God encouraged Joshua to be strong and brave. God also reminded Joshua to study His commands and obey them.
If I read my Bible every day, I feel peace and comfort. Studying the Bible helps me to stay on the right path and not wander away from God. Reading and remembering God's words helps me to avoid doing wrong things. The more you read and study the Bible, the easier it is to obey God.
When Jesus was on earth, He encouraged His followers to obey His teachings. In John 14:23 Jesus said, "All who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them. My Father and I will come to them and live with them."
Do you really love Jesus? Then obey His Word today![RF*]
"Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do."[Joshua 1:8]

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for Your wonderful teachings. I want to obey them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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Deaf Missions
21199 Greenview Road
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503, United States
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