HILLTOP BAPTIST CHURCH
 "  Standing on the promise of God's Word "

                                                               Welcome
                                                                       TO
                                                       Hilltop Baptist Church

                                                    11269 CR. 4117 Frankston ,Texas 75763

                                                                                                                Ph.903 876 3904

                                                    Steven Palmer

1.                                                                                                               Pastor
   
                                              Serving Berryville and Lake Area
                              
                                                            Member SBTC
                                                                                                                                                                                                  http://www.sbtexas.com/about_sbtc/about_us.htm                                                            Palmer Family
   

                                   Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)
                                                                                 

 
Charolotte Miller- Secretary

                                                                                         

                                                 

 Liz Fabian- Chior Director

                                                                            
                                                        

1.                Frances West - Pianist

                                                                                            

A Fresh Encounter with the Lord 
Joshua 5:13-15

Before overcoming a challenging situation, God often brings us through a time of spiritual preparation. Such was the case prior to Israel's conquest of Canaan. As Joshua—the commander of the Hebrew army—stood near Jericho contemplating the battle ahead, God appeared to him.

Joshua's reaction to this fresh encounter with God can help us learn how we should respond when He speaks to us in our hearts through His Word and His Spirit.

• He approached the Lord in order to speak with Him. 
• He fell on his face in humility and submission to His authority. 
• He asked for further instruction—"What has my lord to say to his servant?" (v. 14). 
• He obeyed immediately. 
• He feared God and treated Him as holy.

The Lord is always waiting to meet with us, but sadly, we are often too busy to make the effort to approach Him. By neglecting His presence, we miss the opportunity to receive His encouragement, strength, and direction for our challenging situations.

Our attitude during times of Scripture reading and prayer is very important. A humble, submissive, and teachable spirit enables us to hear God, and immediate obedience to His instructions reveals our awesome respect for Him.

If you're struggling with a difficulty and wondering why the Lord hasn't intervened, maybe He's waiting for you to meet with Him and—like Joshua—to humble yourself before Him in absolute dependence. Only then will you be in a position to hear God's voice and follow His instructions.

God's Clear Instructions
Joshua 6:1-5

Joshua needed guidance as he faced one of the most crucial moments of his life. Because the Lord had promised him success in conquering Jericho, he knew the outcome of the battle, but as the day of combat approached, he needed a specific strategy for victory. What he heard the Lord say must have made his jaw drop.

Can you imagine the soldiers' thoughts as they carried out this bizarre battle strategy? In confusing times like this, it's good to remember three requirements for benefiting from God's instructions. We need:

• Faith to believe the Lord 
• Courage to obey Him 
• Patience to wait for His timing.

When God gives us clear instruction through His Word or His Spirit within us, our response shows how much we trust Him. If we truly believe Him and His promises, precise and complete obedience will follow. His victory in any area of struggle is available only to those who act upon His directions.

Submitting to the Lord's timing is also an essential part of obedience. What would have happened if the army decided to bypass God's plans for the first six days and skip straight to the seventh day's march around Jericho? They would have missed the victory.

How often do we beg the Lord for guidance, yet hesitate to obey when He finally gives it? Living by faith can seem like a huge risk when His instructions make no sense or require a lengthy wait. But knowing His eternal perspective and unlimited power can strengthen our resolve to obey.