This is the conclusion to our study of the book of Joshua. Today we see Joshua blessing a nation, reminding them of the faithfulness of God and admonishing them to remain faithful. It's such a beautiful example of growing old in the Lord!

Takeaways:
1. Be strong and courageous. Keep going, trusting in God's promises. Don't turn back and don't give up. Things will be daunting at times. Life will get hard. There will sickness and serious issues. But keep going and be strong.

2. Obey: Always obey God. Obedience is the path of blessing. God's commandments are not trivial and they aren't suggestions. They are for our good and we honor him when we take them seriously.

3. What will your legacy be? How will the people around you remember you? Will they remember you as a loving parent, a faithful spouse, a godly neighbor; will they remember you loving people well and being generous? Will they remember how you noticed others and sought God instead of getting wrapped up in the world, or will they remember something very different?

Blessing and commission: May God awaken in you a warrior who goes to battle for the things of God. May he go before you, behind you and beside you and my you be strong and courageous to do the work.

As we come to the end of the book of Joshua, Joshua asks the people how long they are going to wait before they settle into the new territory. He chides them to take the land, build it up and get busy living.

We talk about the cities of refuge, the cities for the priests and Joshua meeting the complaint of the men of Ephraim who say they don't have enough land. If you don't, then go and take some more!

Our takeaways include:
1. Making a house of worship a priority. When you move to a new area, go to college or are just doing life, make having a place of worship a priority. Seek a church that teaches the Word in its truth and purity; a place where your gifts will be used, and where there is a focus to reach the unchurched.

2. Get busy living: Stop somedaying! Do what needs to be done. Fix and clean the house, garage, yard; get the will made; travel while you can; be about the Father's business because right now is when you are alive and right now is when you have the opportunity.

3. Ask God to have the same mercy and compassion that he has. He sees the big picture. He knows your heart. He sees and knows your weaknesses and fears and he's already taken them into account.

4. Thank God for godly leaders and the people who share their faith, mentor you, walk with us.

Blessing: Go and do whatever God puts on your heart with all the energy he provides. Make worship a priority and ask for a heart of compassion to bless the people God brings your way.

In this episode we're reminded first, that most of us can not pronounce the names in the bible and that's OK.

Second, Caleb went after the land and got it. Even as an old man, Caleb went into battle bravely.

Third, when it came time to give his daughter to a man in marriage, Caleb wanted his future son-in-law to be a brave man who trusted in God to bring him to victory, so he set up a challenge promising his daughter to the man who conquered a certain territory.

Fourth, Caleb's daughter reminds us that it is good and wise to ask! Don't be afraid to ask God for more.

Fifth, stand on the promises of God!

Sixth, the importance of stepping up and stepping into all God would do for us.

The takeaways include:

1. Choose your spouse wisely. And if you are married to an unbeliever, stay in the marriage, (assuming you aren't being abused and there aren't biblical reasons to leave), pray for your spouse and love them well. If you are unmarried, be very choosy about who you marry.

2. Ask! Go to God in prayer. Don't try to get through the tough stuff of life on your own!

3. Don't give up or shrink back when things get hard. Remember why you are fighting.

Blessing and commission: Keep going. Keep praying. Keep contending for what is good.