Joshua 22, Proverbs 6, 1 Timothy 5

Well-meaning intentions can easily be taken the wrong way. Caution on both sides is advised. The Israelites became so agitated over what they perceived as the motivation for the actions of the two-and-a-half tribes that they prepared for war. The two-and-a-half tribes should have stopped to think how their actions might be interpreted by the rest of the nation. A little communication before the deed would have gone a long way. If our actions might be seen as something sinful, it might be best to back up and trust God to take care of the situation. When we try to "help" God it can make His job caring for us more difficult!

Stop to think about the consequences of your actions before you act. Or in the case of the "sluggard," consider what will happen if you stay lazy. Every action does have a consequence. Satan's favorite ploy is to blind us to the truth by dangling pleasure before our eyes. Wise people see around the pretties to what lurks behind.

Actions have consequences. The church was charged with caring for "real" widows: those who had no husband or living children, who were over the age of sixty. Why the rules? Because of the sinful actions of some. Paul also gave more cautionary instructions about accusing an elder. Stop. Think.

If we will always follow this exhortation to stop and think before we act or speak, we'll avoid much heartache and make God's job easier!

Joshua 15, Psalm 149, 2 Thessalonians 1

Joshua 15 details the borders, and cities within them, that outlined the land Judah would inherit. This was a huge area and included the city of Jerusalem. It was up to the people to take the land for themselves. Caleb's land lay in part of this area and he drove out three real giants. He put muscle where his mouth was. He acted on the faith he had already verbalized. Faith is only as good as the actions based on it. Faith is the glove on the hand.

Judah was not able to drive out the inhabitants of Jerusalem with the result that they had to share space. The Bible gives no reason for this failure, nor does it outline specific, serious consequences. The situation apparently was simply not as ideal as it could have been. The Judah-ites may never have known what could have been. When we fail to act in full faith, we miss opportunity and may never even realize it. But that doesn't excuse our failure or negate it. God knows.

Psalm 149 describes the pairing of faith with action a little bit differently. When the people are full of praise and worship, when their joy overflows, then they are prepared to go out with the sword. "This honor have all His saints." This verse (9) refers to us even now. Verse 3 describes being filled up completely with praise; our bodies overflow with it in dance and song. Only at this point do we have what we need to fight and win. I believe this describes the filling of the Holy Spirit and the power He provides.

Here is another example of faith and working power. The Thessalonian Christians suffered persecution, but Paul reminds them of the power of God  to overcome and destroy enemies. It is Jesus Christ who actually does it for us. We just have to engage.

Verse 11: " . . . That our God would . . . fulfill . . . the work of faith with power."