XPAND YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Date: January 15, 2025

I am still basking in the awe of God from what He is saying to us.

XPAND is such a BIG word and He is entrusting it to us.

He is giving us the promise of XPANSION in every way.

I am determined to stay in place with what God has called us to do, and to stay in step with those who will go on this journey together.

It is exciting!

This is how the Israelites responded to Joshua:

Joshua 1:16-18

So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Let that be the cry of your heart also.

We will XPAND if we do ALL that He commands us to do.

We will XPAND if we go WHEREVER He leads.

This is a time for you to begin to ask God for specifics of what ALL He is awakening in your heart.

This is a time for you to plan on GOING to bring His Kingdom (His design for us) to come into perfect place.

It will start by staying together:

Joshua 1:17

“Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.”

Listen, I am not Moses or Joshua, but if you go to Liberty, I am your leader and I promise I will follow Him as He leads and I will speak as He speaks!

When I was ordained it was the same words that God spoke to Joshua that were spoken over me, so these writings are dear to my heart. I hope they will be to you also.

Then, the people also said:

Joshua 1:18

“Only be strong and of good courage.”

The very words that God spoke to Moses, to Joshua, to me, and to you are now resounding back and forth from the people to each other.

Oh, how I love Him! Oh, how I want to make Him smile as we push forward together!

There was more for them to get ready to possess the promise…

Let us notice that Joshua was immediately including others in the process.

Joshua 2:1a

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.”

He said to go, look, see, and pay particular attention to Jericho. In the land flowing with milk and honey, this was the place that was probably the most menacing looking.

It is kind of cool to start here because everyone would know it would have to be GOD for them to conquer it!

So then, what did they do?

Joshua 2:1b

So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there.

I am actually laughing again at the wonder of God. It is so like Him to lead them to a person whose lifestyle would not be approved of, yet He led His men to her heart, not to her actions. And her heart would become clear.

She would put herself at risk to help them.

Sometimes the ones we would least expect can be the most utilized to bring about the will of God.

Joshua 2:2-3

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, “Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.”
3 So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the country.”

Someone must have figured out they were in her vicinity and they were trying to intimidate her.

She could have easily exposed them.

But not this harlot! She was part of God’s plan. I want you to think about that.

Think about the harlot that was thrown at Jesus’ feet, caught in the very act of adultery. She was also chosen to remain as a believer as Jesus delivered her from her oppressors.

Consider how Rahab was courageous.

Joshua 2:4-6

4 Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.
5 And it happened as the gate was being shut, when it was dark, that the men went out. Where the men went I do not know; pursue them quickly, for you may overtake them.”
6 (But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order on the roof.)

They believed her and Joshua’s men were rescued.

Joshua 2:7

Then the men pursued them by the road to the Jordan, to the fords. And as soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate.

Now we find out what can happen when we step out to take back the territories that the enemy has taken. God has a plan and He has people in place. They are amazing people, ones that are unsuspected to be so courageous and full of faith! But they will be there to help you on your journey to your inheritance.

Listen to what Rahab has to say to the men:

Joshua 2:8-9

8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,
9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.”

How amazing that she had more faith than most of the Israelites will on this journey as they move forward!

How did she know? SHE HAD HEARD THE STORIES OF THE LORD’S FAITHFULNESS TO THE ISRAELITES AND SHE HAD BELIEVED THEM!

Joshua 2:10

For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.

SHE DESCRIBED HOW GOD MOVED IN OTHERS’ HEARTS TO MAKE THEM REALIZE THEY COULDN’T RELY ON THEIR OWN STRENGTH AGAINST SUCH A GREAT BIG GOD!

She actually declared who God is and that He was working with and for the Israelites from above and below the earth.

What amazing revelation she had!

Joshua 2:11

And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

She had certainly XPANDED in her knowledge of God and in her heart! Her heart had XPANDED so much, she had a request that would include more than just herself.

Joshua 2:12-13

12 “Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token, 13 and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”

When your heart is touched by God, He XPANDS it and you immediately want God on your side and also on the side of those you hold in your heart.

Look at the result for this wonderful harlot with the BIG heart!

Joshua 2:14-16

14 So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

(She then acted with wisdom that I am sure God gave her…)

15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall; she dwelt on the wall.
16 And she said to them, “Get to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you. Hide there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward you may go your way.”

Then, her promise came!

Joshua 2:17-18

17 So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear,
18 unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home.”

I am crying as I write this, because this next part is such a beautiful depiction that ties the promise of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, in these beautifully written scriptures.

Jesus is the scarlet cord, revealed in the New Testament that saved all like her. He saves all that move beyond what they have done, or how others see them. There is salvation for all who hear of God’s plan to rescue His people and believe He has the ability to save them and their households because of His promise!

Lord, write this message in our hearts as we go forth into unexpected places to meet unexpected people.

XPAND our thinking as to how You use those who have open hearts before You and let them enjoy Your salvation.

Joshua 2:19-21

19 “So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
20 And if you tell this business of ours, then we will be free from your oath which you made us swear.”
21 Then she said, “According to your words, so be it.” And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.

She listened to their instructions and she fastened on the scarlet cord that would bring salvation to her home.

Oh, what a woman!

Call on us, Lord, to extend love to each one, and let us extend the scarlet cord that will bring salvation to many.

PRAYER

Lord God,

We are so small minded and we repent of that. We desire to XPAND in spiritual understanding of how You view people.

Help us to lay down every piece of judgment that we may have allowed in our hearts to think you would withhold from any person that desires to be a part of what You are doing.

We cry out for changed lives, for those who are already looking for someone with salvation.

Let us be wise, and let us be those that love extravagantly. Let us include each one that stands before us in Your unfailing love.

May we represent You well.

Amen.

WORSHIP VIDEOS

Brian & Jenn Johnson – For the One

Hillsong Worship – With Everything