Month: February 2019

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Morning and Evening…CONTINUALLY

How do you begin and end your day? Is every day the same? If not, how do you keep each day fresh?

Numbers 28 “Morning and Evening, continually”

Some practical advice: quiet time2a dan-kiefer

Continually. When you read that word what comes to mind? What do we do continually? We eat, drink and work continually but do we set aside a time when we come quietly in prayer to seek God and His direction continually?

The Israelites were given a manual as to how and when they were to offer sacrifices not for just special days but for each morning and evening. As NT believers we no longer follow the sacrificial system but we are encouraged to have a system of a quiet time both in the morning and the evening. The psalmist, Daniel, and Paul all had a quiet time when they came to meet God. Like them, we can use these times to thank Him for his provisions, protection and offer our petitions.

Hebrews reminds us that we are to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,  that is the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. Romans reminds us that we to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, alive, holy and pleasing to God which is our reasonable service. The psalmist said he came to God to present his case “in the morning.” Again the psalmist said our prayers are like incense in the evening offering.

Do you have that special time with God each day? Share with us your thoughts and ideas.

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If at first, you don’t succeed, try try again

Yesterday we started the story of the false prophet, Balaam. Now for the rest of the story.

Numbers 25 “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again” We often hear this quote when others are failing and we want to encourage them but not so fast! In today’s episode, we find that King Balak was not one to give up and Balaam also was one who attempted to straddle the fence and other writers fill in the blank of what took place. Unable to succeed in cursing Israel, Balaam instructed Balak how to snare the Israelites through sexual immorality.

“the king of Moab, (Balak) launched an attack against Israel. He summoned Balaam son of Beor to call down judgment on you.” [Joshua recalling the history]

“they (Moabites) had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them…” [Nehemiah and Moses]

“they followed the way of Balaam son of Bosor who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” [Peter]

Speaking to the church in Pergamum we learn that the teachings of Balaam had infiltrated the church with the snare of food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. [Rev 2]

These verses fill in the missing pieces of Satan’s work in our story which now brings us back to Numbers where we find that all of what other writers had noted actually happened. Yes, the Israelites were guilty but Satan was behind it all. That is why we must be careful of his traps.

Satan does not give up. If he fails one time, he will just come back again another way. Be on your guard! Satan may set up the trap but we are the ones who suffer the consequence. In this case, 24,000 died.

God Word james-coleman2a-

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. That is why God says to us: 

Know the law, Know the Word so this question will not be asked of you:

What will be the consequence of your sin?  

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The Cat and Mouse Game of Balaam

Have you ever watched a cat as he plays with a mouse? Balaam, a diviner, played that game. Wonder who won, the cat or the mouse?

numbers balaam cat and mouse2a

Numbers 22 and 23 “The Cat and Mouse Game of Balaam”

The story of Balaam brings the question to mind; did he “know” God; that is, did he have a personal relationship with God or he just “knew” God but not personally. We struggle with those who spout that they “know” God but their lives don’t match up with their words. Take for example Simon in the city of Samaria that heard the gospel preached and Luke records that he believed and he followed Philip constantly. However, later on, Peter rebuked him because Simon thought he could acquire the Holy Spirit’s power by money. Peter said you are bitterly envious and in bondage to sin. Did he “know” God or just know of God? That is the perplexing problem of Balaam especially when we see him talking to God and God responding to him. Balaam seemed to like the cat and mouse game of testing Balak. And then there is God responding “if the men have come to call you, get up and go with them.” However, Balaam didn’t wait but got up and saddled his donkey and set off with the princes of Moab. And then God gives us the humorous story of the talking donkey!

 These are the kind of stories that leave us scratching our heads for answers.  

So what is our takeaway? There are probably more lessons than we can write about here. One of the most prominent lessons is that Satan will use the glitter of money to test men’s resolve to obedience to God. Peter said to be aware of his tools for he seeks to find us and destroy us as he did Balaam in the end.

Stay tuned tomorrow as Paul Harvey said for the rest of the story.

 

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“I’ll Run the Risk”

What does God think about presumption?

Scripture: Numbers 15 – 17 

There is a story told about a young man who inherited an estate from an uncle. He was exhorted to seek Christ and said, I will do as soon as I pay off the debts of the estate. “Young man,” said the pastor, “beware: you may never see that day: whilst you are gaining the world you may lose your soul.” The young heir said, “I’ll run the risk.” He went into the woods and was engaged in felling a tree when a falling limb caused his instant death within a few hours of his bold presumption.”

That is the scene we find in these chapters. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram assumed that challenging the leadership of Moses would gain them the leadership they coveted. Like one person told me some time ago when confronted with his sin; “God will understand.” God did understand but not to his liking for God stripped him of his family and position. Be sure your sin will find you out. [Num 32:23]

Like the young man in the story, these three said: “we’ll run the risk.” Moses warning fell on deaf ears and in the end, all three were swallowed up by the earth as evidence they had presumed wrongly that Moses was not God’s chosen leader. God is serious about presuming wrongly. Perhaps that is one reason David prayed earnestly and we should as well: “Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless and I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”[Ps 19:13]

ps 19 aaron-burden2a-

[story courtesy of biblehub.com]

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Conquering the Spirit of Fear

What strikes fear in your heart? Is it circumstances, people, the dark?

fear num 14 prov 29a

Numbers 14 What does Satan send your way that sends you into a tailspin? The most destructive tool he has in his arsenal is that of fear. Of what are we fearful? After hearing the report of the 12 spies the Israelites, one by one, dismissed the words that the land before them was flowing with milk and honey; even after seeing the cluster of grapes carried on a staff between two men. It was when they heard about the strong inhabitants and the fortified cities they lost all courage. Over their cries, Caleb and Joshua cried out: “If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us.” Yet one cry led to another and then another and finally, the cries of fear rose above Caleb and Joshua’s testimony.

Satan used the words: the land devours its inhabitants, the people are of great stature, and we seemed like grasshoppers both to ourselves and to them. Solomon was right; The fear of people becomes a snare,…[Prov 29:25] and Satan uses that fear to trap us.

Where does Satan have you in his grip of fear? Remember this truth: If God is for us, who can be against us?[Rom 8:31 ] and this: “whoever trusts in the Lord shall be exalted” [Prov 29:25]

May it be said you as God said of Caleb:

“he has a different spirit and has followed me fully,”

 

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What About Retirement?

Was retirement one of the topics you discussed when dating? Doesn’t seem an apropos topic for a date, does it  But then did you know God did?

Ps 78 sahring wisdoma

Numbers 8:23-26 There is no retirement in the Bible, right? When you are dating did you talk about this subject? Probably not but then again there are some who are forward thinkers and were thinking about that subject. Even God thought about retirement. In Num 8 he provided retirement for the Levites after the age of 50. Simply they were to retire from performing the work of carrying the tent materials.

How does one prepare for that stage of life? The psalmist [Ps 71] looked back and noted “that he had leaned upon God since birth” so he knew that God would sustain him in his old age when his strength failed. He and God were close friends. They walked and talked together each day much like Enoch. Like the retired Levites we are to share our wisdom with the younger generation. [Psalm 78] Are you developing the habit of teaching the younger generation about God? As a retired person are you looking for ways to mentor the next generation—even if you don’t have grandchildren!

How’s your attitude? They say if you are a grumbler in your younger days you will be a grumbler in your old age. Start now to develop an attitude of gratitude now so you will be a joy in your old age.

May I ask: Do you know God like that? Check out David Austin’s blog post on this topic: https://blogs.bible.org/director/david_austin/retirement_whats_next

 

 

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A Letter from God to You

Are you feeling blessed today? God has written a love letter to you:

num 6 aaronic blessinga skyler-gerald-

Numbers 6:24-27 The Aaronic Blessing

“The Lord bless you and protect you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;  The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’

Within this beautiful blessing prayer, the name of Yahweh was prominently displayed as coming from Him, not a person. The words bless, keep, gracious, countenance and peace are sent from heaven upon His people. These are the words that God desires to bestow upon His people. Later Jeremiah reminded the Israelites in captivity of God’s love. “I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.” [Jer 31:3]

So how does that translate to NT believers who are Gentiles? We were a wild olive shoot but are grafted in among the Israelites. This blessing is for us as well.

Today as you go about your daily routine stop and pray this blessing this way:  Father, bless me and protect me, make your face shine upon me and be gracious to me; lift up your face upon me and give me peace. Claim this promise from Jeremiah and make it personal. Father, I know you have loved me with your everlasting love and you have been faithful to me. With this upon our mind step forth into your work with His blessing upon you because you are His child!

What’s a letter without a signature? God adds his:

I will put my name upon you and bless you.

 

 

 

 

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God is a God of Order

Numbers 1 to 3 ‘God is a God of Order’1cor 14 33

The theme of Leviticus is holiness; the theme of Numbers is obedience. The study note in the NET Bible study tool says: “It provides a record of the experience of the Israelites during the wilderness wanderings, and records the laws for the camp as they traveled from place to place. The book focuses on the difficulties of the Israelites due to their lack of faith, rebellion, and apostasy. It also records God’s protection of his people from opposition from without. The book makes a fitting contribution to the collection of holy writings as it shows the spiritual and physical progression of the company of the redeemed toward the promised land.” And so we begin our journey with them today.

These first three chapters guide us to see the order that God required of the infant nation of Israel because they had just come from servitude in Egypt. Therefore, God instructed Moses to do such and such. The end of each chapter reads:  They did all that God commanded Moses; that is what they did.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians he told them:   These things…were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.[ 1Co 10:11] And again he wrote:  for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace [1Co 14:33]

The God who is not the author of confusion wants to be your God as well. He wants to guide you and bless you. Do you know Him?

Thanks to Pinterest for this photo.

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Filled & Fed

Lev 24 “Lessons from the Tabernacle”

lev 24 menora2a

The Bible is replete with word pictures like the two pieces of furniture in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Each has a profound lesson about light and provision. The lessons should not be lost on us for us who are NT believers for each pictures Christ in His work.

The Menorah, a huge candelabra made of pure beaten gold, symbolized the Messiah. It was from this piece that branches, as pictured in John 15, must never be uncoupled from the center lamp. The cups were to be filled continually morning and night with pure beaten olive oil symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The shamesh, the center lamp, represents Christ as He illumines His church and His flock. It was never to be extinguished but filled regularly just as we once filled at salvation only need refreshing daily. Just as the priest was to fill each lamp daily, so Christ our High Priest should be filling us daily.  Be ye filled [Eph 5:18]

The table of showbread was filled weekly with 12 loaves of bread. The loaves of bread represent not just the 12 tribes of Israel but for the NT believer represent Christ as the Bread of Life, the Manna, the Bread of Heaven. We are to feed upon Him in His word for He is our provision.

Are we being filled daily as well as weekly? Tomorrow, as we begin our journey into Numbers, remember to be in His Word so we may be illumined and fed.

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