The Joshua Journals – Introduction

Strong and Courageous -31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles

Can there be lessons learned from Joshua’s battles and victories found in the Book of Joshua? Joshua battled and claimed victory in the lands and territories of thirty-one different kingdoms.

Struggling with the battles and direction in my days, I couldn’t help wondering if there were insights on how to successfully look for and be forewarned of the little kings or enemies.  Those unexpected distractions diverting my attention and depleting my strength fighting battles throughout my day. How could I be more like Joshua and walk in the land God had promised and assured Joshua belong to him.

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” Joshua 1:3 NKJV

In the following days, I invite you to share in fresh daily insights and reflections of the past two years of traversing the battles and more importantly the victories found in Joshua.

I thank you for joining me and pray you are empowered to live victorious daily in Strong and Courageous – 31 Days of Victory Through Joshua’s Battles.

Denise

“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

From The Joshua Journals by denisebalog©2020

Photo by denisebalog©2020

Harvest White

“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, 

For they are already white for harvest!”

John 4:35

 

Photo captured by denisebalogc2020

Early morning frost on our field in Oklahoma. 

 

 

 

While it was still dark

“…they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.” Luke 24:2

Bridal View

Reservations cancelled and scheduled for another time and season.

In the midst of this storm we ride out together there is hope in our future.

 

“Today I thought Your plan involved a wedding in Virginia.

Family gathered, hugs and kisses, future commitment.

Instead You’ve revealed Yourself so clear.

“Draw into My Presence”

For I Am Your shelter, joy, and wedding feast,

Hope unlimited.”

 

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God.

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So, the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth

Before all the nations.”

Isaiah 61:10-11 NKJV

 

Poem by dbalog©2020

Photos by dbalog©2020

 

 

Cat’s View

“Cats at the window

Bird’s in view.

Sunshine on the feeder,

Coffee in the brew.

 

Oh, I’ve enjoyed the season; rest and family time.

Open up the year LORD,

Direct my steps according to Thine.”

 

“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself…”Psalm 84:3 NKJV

 

“…make His footsteps out pathway.” Psalm 85:13 NKJV

 

Enjoying the last day before heading back to work.

Denise

Poem by denisebalogc2020

Photos captured from my “quiet time” space. dbdancingfreec2020

I AM the Light – Come See

“I Am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

“The Word forms,

My eyes see.

Sparkling in Your Beauty

Your Peace enlightens me.”

 

“One thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 NKJV

 

Poem by denisebalogc2020

Photo by dbalogc2019

The First Thing

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 NIV

“Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.” Proverbs 16:3 The Message

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” Proverbs 16:1 ESV

 

Final Days of Hanukkah – A Light has Shined

 

“By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

In Galilee of the Gentiles.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;

Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,

Upon them a Light has shined.” Isaiah 9:2 NKJV

 

Photo captured by dbalog©2011 Sea of Galilee...by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan.

Hanukkah – Day 8 – The Dedication

Lighting the candlestick in honor and celebration of Hanukkah through the eyes of a follower of Jesus Christ.

“And when eight days were complete…His name was called JESUS. (Yeshua). Luke 2:21NJKV

The eighth candle, the final candle of celebration and remembrance of God’s miracle in the Temple in Jerusalem.

“They brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord” Luke 2:22 NKJV

The Dedication.

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name means Simeon. (One who hears) “So he came by the Spirit…and he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

Lord…

my eyes have seen Your salvation (Yeshua) which You have prepared before the face of all the peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 1:22-32 NJKV

The miracle of the Light,

The wonder of each night.

Generations came,

Voices gathered in one proclaim,

“Holy, Holy, Holy!

All honor due His Saving Might!

Holy, Holy, Holy!

Praise His Wonderous Light!

I pray you have been blessed as the Holy Spirit has led through this season of honor, remembrance and celebration of Hanukkah through the revelation of His Light and Grace.

 

Poem by denisebalog©2019

Photos captured by dbalog©2014

Featured photo of Judean desert looking towards Jerusalem.

The Wailing Wall or Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Hanukkah – Day 7 – I AM all you need

Lighting the candlestick in honor and celebration of Hanukkah through the eyes of a follower of Jesus Christ.

Rain begins the morning,

Dark and grey to stay.

Lighting the seventh candle, remembering Jesus,

I AM

All you need in any situation,

I AM providing the way.

 

Lighting the seventh candle brings my heart and mind to the beloved Gospel of John. John highlights seven miracles performed by Jesus. John also shares the seven times Jesus gave the people a visual of Who He is in the I AM statements.

John who rested his head on Jesus’ chest, who heard Jesus’ heartbeat knew…Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 is all we need in life.

 

I AM the Bread of life                                                    John 6:35

I AM the Light of life.                                                    John 8:12

I AM the Door of life.                                                    John 10:9

I AM the Good Shepherd.                                            John 10:14

I AM the resurrection and the life.                            John 11:25

I AM the way, truth and the life.                                John 14:6

I AM the true Vine.                                                        John 15:1

 

Poem by denisebalog©2019

Photo captured by dbalog©2014 Jerusalem 2014 of a seven candlestick Menorah

 

– Hanukkah – Day Six – It Was Winter

“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch.” John 10:22 & 23 NKJV

According to history, the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah – is the commemoration of the dedication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus was in December 165 B.C.  (The Message, pg 2113)

It was winter…this verse warms my heart in a personal way. Knowing Jesus, Himself the Light of the World, walked the cold stone pavement of Solomon’s porch in Jerusalem. To think, He left His place of glory to walk the earth as we do. Season after season, warm breezes of summer, cold blowing chilled winds, …it was winter.

Lighting the sixth candle and the number six reflecting man’s work, brings my thoughts to Jesus Himself. God in the flesh Who “dwelt among us…”John 1:14 NKJV  Jesus felt the cold as we do. His body had to work to keep warm.

It was winter … Clothed in my western mind set and everything warm packed from my suitcase, (never thinking the Middle East could get this cold)  I walked the streets of Jerusalem thinking of the One Who “dwelt among us” and continues to work and walk this path with me in Day Six of Hanukkah.

 

Lighting the candlestick in honor and celebration of Hanukkah through the eyes of a follower of Jesus Christ.

Poem by denisebalog©2019

Photo captured in Jerusalem in the winter January 2018

 

Hanukkah – Day Two – The Gift of Nine

Why the nine candles? Each candle represents a miracle of God. When the Temple was reclaimed there was only enough oil to light the candlesticks on (the Menorah) for one day. Through God’s gracious hand the oil last nine days.

My heart delights to see the oil of the nine found in Nine Gifts of the Spirit the Apostle Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 12:10 & 11 NKJV

“Now concerning spiritual gifts.. the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

The word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge… to another faith… to another gifts of healings…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He Will’s.”

May the nine lights of Hanukkah cause us to remember the miracle of oil in the nine gifts of the Spirit residing in each as He wills in the second light of Hanukkah this day.