DECEPTION

#454
(Transcribed from actual tape) June 16, 1985 - AM




DECEPTION

Joshua 9:3-27


We continue to study the book of Joshua. I hope you'll open your Bibles

this morning to Joshua, Chapter Number 9, as we bow in prayer together,


"Father, we thank You for the beauty and the joy of worship, for the high

privilege that is ours to be in this place with our brothers and sisters

in Christ. We're thankful that You have a way to meet our deepest needs

when we gather around Thee. Some here are lost, others confused. Some

fearful and doubtful. Some wrestling with indecision. Some caught in the

tentacles of a besetting sin. Some whose minds are dull, whose vocational

security is challenged. Some need healing. Some need simply to be loved.

Lord, we're thankful that all the diversification that you find here, that

Thou doest have a way, a divine way of meeting, yea, our deepest longings

and needs. Those puffed up with pride, oh, Lord, bring them down to their

faces. Others already in the valley of despondency and depression, lift

them up, yea, on that higher ground. Lord, You speak. Let me get out of

the way so that Thy word, and Thy holy and divine message might not only be

heard, but may it be received and understood and incorporated into our life-

styles. For we make this prayer in the strong, holy, saving name of our

living Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen."


Many an athletic contest has been lost when the team that was ahead at half-

time celebrated victory too soon. This is also true on the battlefield.

-2-


Sometimes an army will win a battle and they'll say, "We've won the war.

The war's over!" But only to discover later on they celebrated far, far too

soon. Now, the reverse of this is also true. Sometimes when defeat com ...

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