In this series, we are studying the Old Testament book of Joshua.

· It teaches us how to live once we’ve place our faith in Jesus the Savior.
· It shows, through the examples of others, how to possess what God has promised us.
· It demonstrates the blessings of obedience and the price of stubborn disobedience.
· It illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the danger of compromise.
· It challenges us to be decisive, determined, and devoted.

We are now in the second third of the book.
The first 8 chapters dealt with:
-The transitions from Moses to Joshua and from Wanderers to Warriors
-The crossing of the River and the construction of the Reminders
-The defeat of the city of Jericho and the deliverance of Rahab and family
-The lesson of Achan’s sin, the defeat and subsequent victory at Ai.

This morning we'll look at 3 words and their meanings that we shouldn't confuse as being the same.

First - Mishap
A mishap is an unlucky, minor problem, or something that goes wrong.

Second - Mistake
A mistake is any wrong action or a misjudgment that ends up in an undesired result. The word has a general sense to it and indicates that you sincerely thought something was different from what it was and then acted according to that notion.

Third - Misstep/Blunder
A blunder is an action or thought caused by one’s carelessness, thoughtlessness, hastiness, or forgetfulness.

As we come to our text today, Joshua 9-10:28, we see a classic case of a BLUNDER. The leadership of Israel really messes up --- but then recognizes what they have done. So they begin to do damage control.
And with God’s grace they recovered from their BLUNDER … and were the recipients of a number of BLESSINGS.

Here in our text we learn God …
-Brings His children out so He can bring them in to something else.
-Understands what we are but is more concerned with who we will become.
-Finishes what He starts.
-Shows us that the Promised Land is a Problem Land that must be worked for.
-Turns our Blunders into Blessings when we repent and live obediently.

Joshua 9 & 10 deals with the conquest of Canaan.
After gaining a foothold at Gilgal, Jericho, and Ai the Israelites set out to claim their inheritance.

God wants us to know...

1. We are engaged in WARFARE.
Joshua 9:1-2

2. We are expected to keep His and our WORD.
Joshua 9:3-27

3. We can be assured He will provide a WAY.
Joshua 10:1-15

4. We will be used by Him, if we maintain a faithful WALK.
Joshua 10:16-28

H.O.M.E. Group Discussion Questions:

1. Think back over your life and describe a few times when you have had a mishap, made a mistake, or suffered a misstep or blunder. What happened, how did you respond, and what did you learn from the situation?

2. Read Joshua 9. What insights and questions come to mind from the story of the Gibeonites?

3. Read Joshua 10:1-28. How do you see God providing a way of protection and provision for the children of Israel? What insights and questions come to minds from these stories?

4. In what areas of your life do you need to make the strongest improvement?

· Standing up against those who mock and ridicule God and the Christian faith.
· Being less gullible and more discerning
· Rooting out areas of compromise.
· Telling the truth.
· Keeping my promises.
· Overcoming areas of compromise in my life.
· Becoming more proactive and responsible for my spiritual life.

This week's missionary highlight:

Mark & Karen Edwards
Latin America
Giving website: www.give.onecollective.org/
Email: mark.edwards@onecollective.org
karen.edwards@onecollective.org

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Wednesday, February 26 - Ardie Reid, James Wiser