Before You Act
In this message, Pastor DaVon recounts how Joshua fell victim to a scam found in Joshua 9. Despite being a man of God, Joshua was deceived by thieves who took advantage of his trust. However, Pastor DaVon highlights a crucial action that Joshua failed to take, which could have prevented the scam. Join us to discover this vital lesson from Joshua's experience.
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Notes
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Satan is trying to steal from you what Jesus has already given you
Robber – a person who attempts to take anything by force
Thief - a person who steals secretly, by trickery or deceit
Steal – to take without permission
Jesus uses the word "thief" to let you know that the devil is very cunning in the way he steals from you.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Wiles – scams, schemes, strategies, tactics, tricks, cons
II Corinthians 2:11
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
“According to the Federal Trade Commission, people in the US reported losing more than $10 billion to scams in 2023. That's over a billion dollars more than the year before.”
To give you some perspective, according to the most recent valuations from Forbes, the Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable NFL franchise at $9 billion.
Raise your hand if you’re under 60—the most targeted group for scams.
Younger generations fall prey to this kind of thing at higher rates than their elders.
Over 60 fall prey to larger amounts of money.
Everyone who falls victim to a scam often believes, "It won't happen to me."
What typically happens is you were:
Too eager, too trusting, feel too invincible
Money is transferred through trust
What should you learn?
Use wisdom when engaging in financial transactions with individuals you have yet to meet face-to-face. (Wise as serpents)
What emotions do you experience after falling victim to a scam?
Embarrassed, angry, disappointed, hesitant, uncertain, unsure, shame
Joshua 9:1-26
They were scam artists.
You can tell Joshua didn’t feel right about those conversations.
He kept asking questions. “Tell me again where you’re from…”
Verse 14 - but he did not inquire of the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Trusting God simply believes that He loves you.
The more you realize how much He loves you, the more your trust in Him increases
Trust - to rely confidently on Him; to lean on, rely on; be confident; to not worry; to recline; to rest in Gods love.
Four points of Proverbs 3:5-6:
Rest in Gods Love
Do not depend on You
Put God first in your life
He will guide you.
Direct - to guide, instruct, manage, supervise
Path - a route, course, a course of action
He will supervise your course of action
In all your ways - In all your days
Acknowledge - Incline, ask
Direct your paths - straighten out, the course of action
2 Chronicles 26:5 NLT
Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.