A Word of Encouragement

April 10, 2026

Missoula, MT - Jan 2014

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

As the Children of Israel began the conquest of the promised land, two and a half tribes were allocated land east of the Jordan river. They were allowed to leave their families there as long as their fighting men accompanied the rest of the tribes across the Jordan to possess the rest of the land. (Numbers 32)

After all the land had been possessed and divided among the remaining tribes, Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh that their duties had been fulfilled and to return across the Jordan to their families and land. When they came to the Jordan, they built a large altar on the west bank of the Jordan. (Joshua 22:1-10)

When the others heard about the altar, they immediately got together to go to war with the two and a half tribes. (Vs 11-12) But first, they sent a group of leaders to speak with the two and a half tribes, accusing them of abandoning God by building their own altar. (Vs. 13-20) You can read their response - verses 21-25 - but this incident brings up a good question. "When we hear reports that someone has abandoned their faith - because they do not worship God the way we think they should - do we immediately consider them to be 'the enemy'?"

Paul tells us our opponent is not people.

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
	Ephesians 6:12

It is not our role to fight God's battles for Him.  Our role is to obey God ourselves - defending ourselves against Satan's influence in our own lives. (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Jesus said, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained (or won back) your brother." (Matthew 18:15)

If they do not listen to us, or to the church, have nothing to do with them - do not go to war against them! God can handle them just like He can handle our own errors. As John wrote,

Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
	2 John 9-11

Eloah Selichot - God of Forgiveness - I make enough mistakes of my own. Help me obey You.

This is what the Lord says to you: "Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s."
	2 Chronicles 20:15c-e

Focus on obeying God, yourself,