Who reminds you of you? Do you obey the LORD wholeheartedly in the face of adversity or danger? Do you realize that whatever God calls or commands you to do that He is the power that will allow you to succeed? If you don't tithe to your local church, is it fear that keeps you holding onto "your" money? If you don't evangelize much or at all, is it because of fear? Do you really believe that Christ promised to be with you until the end of the age - or do you think that it is you that will convince people and you can't even convince yourself?
How much do you really trust in the power of God - versus how much do you depend on yourself - and how much do you fear other people? Who do you fear more - God or other people?
Are you afraid to tell your boyfriend, "No more sex!"? Are you afraid to break up with the girl that you know isn't right for you because you'll never find another woman who loves you? Is the LORD's arm too short?
Dwell on the Israelites' response at Kadesh Barnea and ask God for His power to overcome the giants in your life. Recognize that YOU CAN"T OVERCOME THEM!!!!!! But GOD CAN! See God and not the giants. Remember what gave Joshua and Caleb their courage - "The LORD is with us."
Friday, February 8, 2013
Feb 7 Numbers 9-11 Keep Your Eyes Open and Think Whole Bible
Sorry I got behind, but I had a morning to evening schedule (and lots of I 95 traffic due to construction) at a preaching conference that I attended in Philly. I read on Wed, but didn't blog - didn't do either yesterday. My advice to you is that if you miss a day or more, read the correct reading for the day and THEN go back and catch-up - in that way you won't have days of being behind and not caught up and get discouraged. STAY CURRENT as much as possible. Now to the reading...
Notice the dating provided on the left column in your reading. The Israelites finally move after almost 14 months camped at Mt. Sinai. Keep an eye on the dating throughout your reading. Also notice, this author estimates a date 1445 BC. This is called the "early dating" of the Exodus. There is a late dating that has this event about 200 years later. I am not an expert, but I teach an early dating based on my study. For us non-scholars just trying to get through a strong walk with Christ, this issue doesn't matter much.
Make note of the trumpets and their significance. Toward the end of the year, when we get in Paul's writings, trumpets will again be used by God in the end times. Come back to here and see the connections later or check out Mt. 24:31; I Cor. 14:8; 15:52; I Th. 4:16; Heb. 12:19, and in a number of places in the Book of Revelation. The trumpet signals here are "types" of trumpet blasts in the end of times - but what do both signify? Watch for the many types in the OT that prefigure what will come in greater fulfillment.
The cloud and fire (an image of God) led the people. Does God lead you in your comings and goings or do you determine your own path? Ponder the imagery and teaching that God is trying to teach us here for our use. We are to look for Christ's leading for our church. Calvary Church should follow Christ, not me, not our tradition, not what is comfortable. The Holy Spirit indwelling each of us allows us as a body to to determine Christ's leading. People are not infallible, but Christ is. Membership allows you to help us discern our way. Elders in the future will lead us on a day to day basis - after discerning Christ's direction - not theirs. The primary Christ leads us is by His Word.
Moses couldn't do it alone - he needed help. I can not lead our church alone. I need help, too - qualified and committed elders - and qualified and committed ministry leaders and small group leaders - a healthy church leadership!
On eof my favorite verses of Scripture concerning the provision of God - "Is the LORD's arm too short?" Note, when you complain about what you have, you are rejecting the LORD!
Notice the dating provided on the left column in your reading. The Israelites finally move after almost 14 months camped at Mt. Sinai. Keep an eye on the dating throughout your reading. Also notice, this author estimates a date 1445 BC. This is called the "early dating" of the Exodus. There is a late dating that has this event about 200 years later. I am not an expert, but I teach an early dating based on my study. For us non-scholars just trying to get through a strong walk with Christ, this issue doesn't matter much.
Make note of the trumpets and their significance. Toward the end of the year, when we get in Paul's writings, trumpets will again be used by God in the end times. Come back to here and see the connections later or check out Mt. 24:31; I Cor. 14:8; 15:52; I Th. 4:16; Heb. 12:19, and in a number of places in the Book of Revelation. The trumpet signals here are "types" of trumpet blasts in the end of times - but what do both signify? Watch for the many types in the OT that prefigure what will come in greater fulfillment.
The cloud and fire (an image of God) led the people. Does God lead you in your comings and goings or do you determine your own path? Ponder the imagery and teaching that God is trying to teach us here for our use. We are to look for Christ's leading for our church. Calvary Church should follow Christ, not me, not our tradition, not what is comfortable. The Holy Spirit indwelling each of us allows us as a body to to determine Christ's leading. People are not infallible, but Christ is. Membership allows you to help us discern our way. Elders in the future will lead us on a day to day basis - after discerning Christ's direction - not theirs. The primary Christ leads us is by His Word.
Moses couldn't do it alone - he needed help. I can not lead our church alone. I need help, too - qualified and committed elders - and qualified and committed ministry leaders and small group leaders - a healthy church leadership!
On eof my favorite verses of Scripture concerning the provision of God - "Is the LORD's arm too short?" Note, when you complain about what you have, you are rejecting the LORD!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Feb 6 Numbers 3-4 Set Aside to the LORD
The LORD was meticulous in setting aside specific people for specific work. It took a large team to handle all of the duties necessary in moving and operating the Tabernacle. Even today, it takes a lot of people to handle all of the work of the church. Most people don't realize all that it requires to operate a church.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Feb 5 Numbers 1-2, 9 How Does This Explain Christ and the Cross?
I have been bloviating for over a month, so now I have a question for you? Please read Luke 24:26-27. Jesus says all the Scripture speak of Him. You tell me how today's readings do that?
We should be looking for Christ throughout the OT. Can you find Him?
We should be looking for Christ throughout the OT. Can you find Him?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Feb 3 Leviticus 8-10 God Will Be Honored Before His People
Because of the proximity of the writings, it appears that Nadab and Abihu ministered in the Tabernacle drunk. Through their blatant disregard for the holiness of God, they made light of God before all the people.
At Calvary Church, we are getting more and more people involved in our Sunday Service. I have done my best to encourage people to be punctual, prepared, and passionate about their service involvement. God expects our best when we lead His people and represent Him before others.
That same attitude should carry over into all of our ministry service. God should never get our leftovers.
God's words from Leviticus 10 should be heeded:
Among those who approach Me
I will show myself holy
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.
This doesn't appear to be a negotiable point.
At Calvary Church, we are getting more and more people involved in our Sunday Service. I have done my best to encourage people to be punctual, prepared, and passionate about their service involvement. God expects our best when we lead His people and represent Him before others.
That same attitude should carry over into all of our ministry service. God should never get our leftovers.
God's words from Leviticus 10 should be heeded:
Among those who approach Me
I will show myself holy
in the sight of all the people
I will be honored.
This doesn't appear to be a negotiable point.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Feb 2 Exodus 39-40 God Dwells in the Midst of His People
The Tabernacle and the cloud representing God in the midst of His people were to be reminders of Go's presence among the people. We don't have a tabernacle nor a visible cloud, but we are to remember that God is always in our midst. He walks with us minute by minute. Praise God for His presence with us celebrating with us and bearing our disappointments. May we all be led moment by moment by our covenant God. Remember Christ promising that He would be with us to the end of the age.
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