"Come"

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

“COME”

Josh 19:17-39

17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, clan by clan. 18 Their territory included: Jezreel, Kesulloth, Shunem, 19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21 Remeth, En Gannim, En Haddah and Beth Pazzez. 22 The boundary touched Tabor, Shahazumah and Beth Shemesh, and ended at the Jordan. There were sixteen towns and their villages. 23 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Issachar, clan by clan.

24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of Asher, clan by clan. 25 Their territory included: Helkath, Hali, Beten, Acshaph, 26 Allammelech, Amad and Mishal. On the west the boundary touched Carmel and Shihor Libnath. 27 It then turned east toward Beth Dagon, touched Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtah El, and went north to Beth Emek and Neiel, passing Cabul on the left. 28 It went to Abdon, Rehob, Hammon and Kanah, as far as Greater Sidon. 29 The boundary then turned back toward Ramah and went to the fortified city of Tyre, turned toward Hosah and came out at the sea in the region of Aczib, 30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob. There were twenty-two towns and their villages. 31 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Asher, clan by clan.

32 The sixth lot came out for Naphtali, clan by clan: 33 Their boundary went from Heleph and the large tree in Zaanannim, passing Adami Nekeb and Jabneel to Lakkum and ending at the Jordan. 34 The boundary ran west through Aznoth Tabor and came out at Hukkok. It touched Zebulun on the south, Asher on the west and the Jordan on the east. 35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Kinnereth, 36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor, 37 Kedesh, Edrei, En Hazor, 38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem, Beth Anath and Beth Shemesh. There were nineteen towns and their villages. 39 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali, clan by clan.

NIV

We are taking three tribes at once because nothing of note is said about Issachar or Asher, but when it comes to Naphtali, although nothing of note is said about its boundaries either, except its boundaries include all of the western and northern sides of the Sea of Galilee. Here is where Jesus spent so much of his time on earth. Here is where he called Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him and that he would make them fishers of men. Capernaum lies on the eastern border of Naphtali, right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Within Naphtali, just to the north of the Sea are the slopes of the Golan hills, where Jesus delivered the beatitudes and so much more that we call the sermon of the mount. From this area of Naphtali, Jesus told his disciples to cross over to the other side, once it was while he was with them and calmed the storm, once it was when he walked out to them, and Peter walked on the water, until he realized where he was and went from faith to fact. This is where we pick up our story for today. It doesn't have much to do with Issachar and Asher, but our example happened in the Sea, just off the coast of Naphtali. It is in Peter’s reasoning of faith losing out to fact, and when he lost sight of faith, Jesus was right there to lift him up. How many times do we lose sight of faith because we hold on to some fact that is disrupting our lives? Peter asked Jesus to tell him to come to him on the water, and Jesus said one word, “Come,” and that was all it took for Peter to step out of the boat and walk on the water. Then fear took over, fact took over Peter’s faith, and he began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me”. Of course, Jesus did, but he asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?”.  We may look too much at the facts in front of us, the real pain we feel in our body, or the real circumstance we may be experiencing at the moment. We might be too focused on ourselves, as Peter took his focus off of Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, on his own situation. Maybe we are simply too focused on ourselves and not enough on Jesus. Could we be living with more faith? Could we live better if our faith was greater than our sight? Peter’s sight took over his faith, and he sank. Could it be that we are sinking without realizing it because our sight has overtaken our faith? Maybe we could never walk on water, but we could walk in faith, believing in the power of Jesus. Have we spent too much time focusing on our own reality rather than on the reality of Jesus? However, we need to respond when we hear Jesus calling out to us, “Come”. 

Everlasting Promised Land

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

EVERLASTING PROMISED LAND

 

Josh 19:10-16

10 The third lot came up for Zebulun, clan by clan: The boundary of their inheritance went as far as Sarid. 11 Going west it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and extended to the ravine near Jokneam. 12 It turned east from Sarid toward the sunrise to the territory of Kisloth Tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia. 13 Then it continued eastward to Gath Hepher and Eth Kazin; it came out at Rimmon and turned toward Neah. 14 There the boundary went around on the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah El. 15 Included were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem. There were twelve towns and their villages. 16 These towns and their villages were the inheritance of Zebulun, clan by clan.

NIV

We know that this portion of land was in the northern part of the land of promise, which later became known as the kingdom of Israel, while the southern part was known as the kingdom of Judah. Although the tribe of Zebulun was the fourth in the number of fighting men out of twelve, its territory was not the fourth largest, but about the eighth largest. All ten tribes to the north would become the nation of Israel. This brings us to our place in the land of promise, although it is a new and eternal land of promise. The state of Irael had been taken from them as they began to follow other gods, leaving the LORD, and thus he had them taken away by other nations. It was not until nineteen-hundred and forty-eight that they were able to become a nation of Israel having some of the original promised land. It has always been theirs, and it is an everlasting promised land for Israel, as long as the current earth is here.  However, they are no longer divided by tribal territories. What does this have to do with us today? All we can remember is that the scripture says that all Israel will be saved, yet as we recall from being there, the majority of the Israelis are secular, still not accepting Jesus as the Messiah. They have a strong sense of national pride but are not serving God. We know that Paul made it clear who the true Jew is, and it is not one who has the outward sign of circumcision, but the true Jew is the one whose heart has been circumcised by the Lord. Therefore, we believe that if we allow God to circumcise our heart, that is, cut away the covering, exposing the most sensitive part of our heart to him, we are the true Jews, and all who undergo this circumcision of the heart will be saved. We are the true tribe of Israel, the real Israel, the chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God. Zebulun’s territory was outlined with a border, but the promised land we will be given has no borders, no boundaries, for we will have access to the whole of creation. We will not be confined to an area based on the number of fighting men, but the whole of creation by the blood of Jesus. Let us live fully confident of our place in the kingdom of God, our inheritance in the new city of Jerusalem, which we cannot even imagine the enormity or immenseness and majestic qualities of the city of God, our everlasting promised land. 

Out of Abundance

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

OUT OF ABUNDANCE

Josh 19:1-9

19:1 The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah. 2 It included: Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah, 3 Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem, 4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah, 6 Beth Lebaoth and Sharuhen — thirteen towns and their villages; 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether and Ashan — four towns and their villages— 8 and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev). This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Simeonites, clan by clan. 9 The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah's portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.

NIV

Now we come to the chapter where the inheritance was given to the rest of the tribes, with the first going to the tribe of Simeon. Their land included the city of Beersheba, which is mentioned thirty-nine times in the Old Testament. The most memorable thing is that Abraham dug a well there and made a treaty with Abimelech, and then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree and called upon the name of the Lord. There was also the time when Jacob reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. So Simeon received this historic city within his territory. This is our first lesson of the day. We have the most ancient of history within our souls, for the eternal God, the Spirit who brooded over the waters of the deep before the six days of creation, dwells within us. Our history also includes our inheritance of eternal life with our Lord Jesus, in the place within the new city of Jerusalem, which is the territory of God. Our second lesson for today comes from the fact that Simeon received their inheritance in the middle of the land given to Judah because Judah had received more than they needed. There are two ways we can approach this truth. First, we can see that we have been given our physical inheritance, that is, the blessings of the Lord in all that we have right out of the hand of God. Sure, some have been given more, and some have been given less than we have, but all we have has been given from the hand of God. In fact, when upon life’s billows we are tempest tossed, when we are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count our many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise us what the Lord has done. Count our blessings, name them one by one, and see what God has done. When we look at others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised us his wealth untold. Count our many blessings. Money cannot buy our reward in heaven, nor our home on high, so we count our many blessings and we name them one by one for they have all been given by hand of God. Secondly, because Judah had so much, Simeon received their inheritance right out of the abundance of Judah. We know we tithe from our abundance, giving back to God, or the work of God, from what he has given us. However, we wonder if someone might need some portion from our abundance. We may need to ponder on that and be sensitive to the Spirit when he inspires us in that area. Let us always be thankful for our inheritance from the abundance of our Lord, and be aware when the Spirit may want us to give a portion of our abundance, which could be the abundance of life, or wealth. 

Jerusalem

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

JERUSALEM

Josh 18:11-28

11 The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph: 12 On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan, passed the northern slope of Jericho and headed west into the hill country, coming out at the desert of Beth Aven. 13 From there it crossed to the south slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth Addar on the hill south of Lower Beth Horon. 14 From the hill facing Beth Horon on the south the boundary turned south along the western side and came out at Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), a town of the people of Judah. This was the western side. 15 The southern side began at the outskirts of Kiriath Jearim on the west, and the boundary came out at the spring of the waters of Nephtoah. 16 The boundary went down to the foot of the hill facing the Valley of Ben Hinnom, north of the Valley of Rephaim. It continued down the Hinnom Valley along the southern slope of the Jebusite city and so to En Rogel. 17 It then curved north, went to En Shemesh, continued to Geliloth, which faces the Pass of Adummim, and ran down to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. 18 It continued to the northern slope of Beth Arabah and on down into the Arabah. 19 It then went to the northern slope of Beth Hoglah and came out at the northern bay of the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan in the south. This was the southern boundary. 20 The Jordan formed the boundary on the eastern side. These were the boundaries that marked out the inheritance of the clans of Benjamin on all sides. 21 The tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, had the following cities: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz, 22 Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, 23 Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, 24 Kephar Ammoni, Ophni and Geba — twelve towns and their villages. 25 Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, 26 Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah, 27 Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, 28 Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath — fourteen towns and their villages. This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans.

NIV

This is the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin. What is interesting here is that only the tribe of Manasseh had a little more people than the tribe of Benjamin. Yet, Benjamin received both the cities of Jericho and Jerusalem within its boundaries. Of course, there was not much left of Jericho, for the walls came tumbling down after all of Israel marched around it and shouted at the command of Joshua. But Jerusalem, the great city where everything important comes to pass. Yet Bethlehem, the city of David, where Jesus came into the world, is within Judah, which is why Jesus is referred to as the Lion of Judah. However, Jerusalem is the city where our salvation was secured. Jerusalem, within the tribe of Benjamin, was the last son of Jacob, who had the same mother, Rachel, as Joseph. Joseph resided over Egypt, only after Pharaoh, but Benjamin now resides over Jerusalem. Here is where God wanted his temple to be, where He would reside with His people, or at least, the symbol of His presence with His people. Of course, there is no physical building like the temple in Jerusalem, however, Jesus promised that if the temple were destroyed, he would rebuild it in three days. Of course, Jesus was speaking of his body as the temple of God. Still, we now have become the temple of the Holy Spirit, which happened because Jesus was raised up after three days and spent forty days showing himself to many before he ascended back to the Father so He could send the Spirit to reside within his people. We now represent the great temple of God, where everything important happens. God is transforming us into His likeness. Jerusalem is where Jesus paid the price for our sins, but this temple, this city of God, does not have to pay the price, and someday, because of Jesus, and what he did in Jerusalem, we will one day live in the new city of Jerusalem with our Lord Jesus, our Father, and the Spirit. Even though Benjamin was a small tribe, it played a significant role in the history of the people. Although we are but one small person,  one of lowly position, we play a significant role in the plan of God, as he has led us to the exact place we are for His exact purpose. Thank you, Lord, for using Benjamin giving him Jerusalem, and thank you, Lord, for using us and giving us the new Jerusalem. 

The Lord is Present

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

THE LORD IS PRESENT

Josh 18:1-10

18:1 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control, 2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. 3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? 4 Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me. 5 You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the house of Joseph in its territory on the north. 6 After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the LORD our God. 7 The Levites, however, do not get a portion among you, because the priestly service of the LORD is their inheritance. And Gad, Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Moses the servant of the LORD gave it to them." 8 As the men started on their way to map out the land, Joshua instructed them, "Go and make a survey of the land and write a description of it. Then return to me, and I will cast lots for you here at Shiloh in the presence of the LORD." 9 So the men left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll, town by town, in seven parts, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh. 10 Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions.

NIV

There are now seven tribes that have yet to take possession of their inheritance, which means they are all still hanging around together as a great nation. However, they are now a settlement camped around the tent of meeting, by tribe. Joshua told them it was time to move and take possession of their inheritance. There might be a story about the three men from each tribe who were sent to write down a description of each territory so that Joshua would then cast lots and each tribe would have a portion of the land. The story is centered on the casting of lots, for that was done in the presence of the LORD their God. What this tells us is the LORD their God was going to have an influence in Joshua as he cast the lots. There is no record as to how the lots were cast, yet we mind imagine it might be like putting all the names in a hat and drawing them out one by one. Yet, this was not done in the flesh alone, for the presence of the LORD God was there with Joshua as he assigned by lot each of the seven tribes their inheritance. This should give us a clue about how we go about living until we receive our eternal inheritance. We each have a place in the new city of Jerusalem that Jesus went to prepare for us. We each have an assigned aboding place, a room in our Father's house. Of course, the songwriter has given the idea that we all have a mansion just over the hilltop, and perhaps that mansion is our Father’s house, the new city of Jerusalem where we each have a place. However wonderful all that will be when our Jesus we will see, when we look upon his face, the one who saved us by his grace, we still need to live out our physical lives upon this earth. Just as Joshua cast lots in the presence of the LORD God, we live now, in this life, in the presence of our Lord. We have the promise of Jesus telling us that he will not leave us nor forsake us. We are always walking in the presence of our Lord. As the LORD God influenced the lots cast for each tribe, assuring each one received the right inheritance he had determined, he also influences our lives. We are not where we are by chance but by the hand of God at work within us. Now, it is possible that we may want to make our own choices in life, even as one who professes to be a Christian. We do have the ability to choose our own paths, but how do we know we have made the right choice? It would behoove us to always be listening to the still small voice within leading us to that green pasture, that perfect place in life where our Lord has chosen for us, so that we might be where we are supposed to be and doing that which he has called us to do. We do not have to cast lots to know where we are to be, for the Spirit will always lead us into all truth. First and foremost, we are being transformed into his likeness, reflecting his glory in ever-increasing glory. Secondly, we are to be a benefit to the rest of the body of Christ. Of course, some of the responsibility is placed on the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service. This is so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Jesus. The result will be all of us becoming mature believers who attain the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus. Still, we all have the calling to encourage one another and build each other up. We do all this as we walk in the presence of our Lord, being influenced by the power of the Spirit within us, showing us the way in our lives. Let us always, first, listen for his voice; second, go where he instructs us; and third, do what he has called us to do. No casting lots are needed, only his presence.

The Overcomers

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

THE OVERCOMERS

Josh 17

17:1 This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh's firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. 2 So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh — the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans. 3 Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 4 They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the LORD's command. 5 Manasseh's share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, 6 because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. 7 The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Micmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. 8(Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) 9 Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the sea. 10 On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east. 11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth). 12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. 13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. 14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the LORD has blessed us abundantly." 15 "If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites." 16 The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel." 17 But Joshua said to the house of Joseph — to Ephraim and Manasseh — "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

NIV

We are still in the allotment of land by tribe and within the tribe, clan by clan. Two points draw our attention as we observe each section of land and its boundaries. First, we see an example of equal rights for women as the five daughters of Zelophehad who had no sons wanted their fair share. Therefore, Manasseh had an inheritance in the land of Gilead. It is all too often said those days were very patriarchic, with women not having their own identities. It has been told they were either the daughter of wife or mother of, but never have their own possessions. However, we see God does not show favoritism, even to man over woman, as these daughters by name were given their own lands, just as all the other tribes, clan by clan, were. Some limitations still are in force today, such as women not being permitted to exercise authority over men in the church. That does not mean women cannot serve in the church, just not be the senior pastors, at least according to scripture. The second point is the last verse where Joshua tells the house of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, that it does not matter how strong they think the enemy in the hill country is, even those with iron chariots, the house of Joseph, which included the daughters of Zelophehad of the house of Manasseh, can drive them out. In John’s gospel, we are told that everyone who is born of God overcomes the world; then, in the revelation given to John, we are told in the letters to the churches, he who overcomes seven times and the rewards that follow. As followers of Jesus, we are meant to overcome the world, to conquer the world’s way of life. No matter how strong the world is and its attempt to draw us into its darkness, its false ideologies, we can overcome it and drive its darkness out of our lives because we have the Spirit living in us, with all His power and might at our disposal. In fact, because we remain in Christ, He remains in us, and we can do all things through Jesus who strengthens us. We are overcomers, all of us, men and women alike, all having the right to be called children of God. Let us live as who we are, overcomers. 

Need to Dislodge

 DEVOTION

JOSHUA

NEED TO DISLODGE

Josh 16

16:1 The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan of Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel. 2 It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth, 3 descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the sea. 4 So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance. 5 This was the territory of Ephraim, clan by clan: The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon 6 and continued to the sea. From Micmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east. 7 Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan. 8 From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, clan by clan. 9 It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites. 10 They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.

NIV

We remember the sons of Joseph when it was time for Jacob to bless his sons. As he was in the last days of his life, he took both Manasseh and Ephraim and made them his own. Therefore, they were allotted lands as a tribe of Israel. There is not much we can use as a lesson for our lives in this narrative, although there are some interesting facts, such as the Canaanites. Archeologists and geneticists have researched the history of these people and found Canaanite DNA in Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. This is possibly because the Ephraimites did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer, which is in the foothills of the Judean mountains and present day is an Israeli national park. However fascinating all that is, what we can learn is there is a reason the Canaanites should have been dislodged. The pure strain of the Israeli people has been deluded as the DNA of the Israeli people are mixed with those who are the descendants of the Canaanites. The purity of true Israel is not the same as before they entered the land of their inheritance. They failed to obey the command of God and drive out all foreign people and their foreign gods. We can see evidence that many of the Israeli people today are secular rather than following the ways of God. Of course, there are still the orthodox Jews, but they are in the minority, who still celebrate Shabbat. What we learn is that as followers of Jesus Christ, there was a moment in our lives that we had to rid ourselves of those things or ways we used to follow. The instructions of the New Covenant, or New Testament, have many ways we should rid ourselves of. We are to rid ourselves of the old yeast of malice and wickedness and be the bread with new yeast of sincerity and truth. We are told to rid ourselves of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander which can be seen as gossip, and every form of malice (which is ill will or the desire to injure, as in gossip). The point is that there can be foreign thoughts we have not dislodged from our land, or hearts and minds, and they can become a permanent part of our acceptable lives. Let us always make every effort, with the help of the Lord, and the power of the Spirit, to drive out, rid ourselves of all foreign thinking, instead thinking about what is pure, holy, right, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, remaining in Christ and He remains in us. Let us dislodge whatever should not be in our lives.