TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 23-24 & John 3

Old Testament: Numbers 23- Different Point Of View

Numbers 23:21
“He has not observed iniquity in Jacob,
Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.
The Lord his God is with him,
And the shout of a King is among them.”

Balaam is an enigma. While he is clearly a false prophet who does great harm to the people of God, he is also responsible for some of the greatest Old Testament sermonettes. Here, he is taking a second look at the camp of Israel, attempting to find a way for Balak, king of Moab, to overthrow Israel. Instead, he learns… Read More

Numbers 24- Victory

Numbers 24:17
“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.”

The final prophecy from Balaam, regarding Israel, declares God will defeat all their enemies. The nations that surrounded Israel, as well as those who lived within its borders, would be brought under the mighty… Read More

New Testament: John 3-Heaven

John 3:13
“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”

I remember as a sixteen year old asking myself, “What happens when we die?” Then just as quickly I answered, “We go to Heaven.” Then I asked, “What is Heaven?” Again I answered, “Heaven is doing whatever you like to do forever.” Then I asked “Who gets to go to Heaven?” And again I had an answer. “Those who are good.” Finally… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 21-22 & John 2

Old Testament: Numbers 21- Look At That

Numbers 21:8
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’”

The sins of the people put them under the curse. One by one, they watched as their loved ones fell ill and died. At some point, they realized there is no cure for the plague and they beseech Moses to seek God for the solution. As Moses cries out to the Lord, he is instructed to forge a brass serpent on a pole. Any who look upon the serpent will be healed. One only need use a little imagination to understand the joy which filled the hearts of all who would look upon the pole. Instantly, the effects… Read More

Numbers 22- Distorted View

Numbers 22:4
“So Moab said to the elders of Midian, ‘Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.’ And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.”

The Moabites were descendants of Lot and ancient ancestors like Israel. They inhabited the land east of the Jordan and south of the Dead Sea. As a result, they were not under the same curse as the Canaanites, and they occupied an area of land that was not given to Israel. In God’s economy they were to be neighbors and allies with Israel. Isn’t it sad that they had established such a distorted view of what would happen to them if they submitted to the will of God and allowed… Read More

New Testament: John 2- Beginning Of Miracles

John 2:11
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”

John tells us, the miracle of turning the water into wine was the first of Jesus’ miracles, and its purpose was to make His glory known. The word “glory” is used synonymously in the Bible with the word “name” and speaks of a person’s character. When Moses longed to know God more, he asked God to “Please, show me Your glory.” (Exodus 33:18) God responded, saying, “I will cause My goodness to pass before you and declare My name.” It is in that passage we learn much of the merciful and gracious character of God. Here, at this wedding feast, John tells us that we are to learn something about the character of Christ.

John also tells us, this was the first… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 19-20 & John 1

Old Testament: Numbers 19- Sacrifice

Numbers 19:2
“This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come.’”

A heifer is a cow. One that is entirely red in color would be extremely rare, and as a result quite valuable. As part of Israel’s purification process they were to take a red heifer and offer it outside the city. Once it’s blood was symbolically sprinkled on behalf of the people, the priests were to wash with water and stay away from things that would defile them, making them unfit for service. Anyone who became defiled would need to go through a purification… Read More

Numbers 20- Striking The Rock

Numbers 20:11
“Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

‘The end justifies the means’ is the governing principle in the life of many. The implication is very clear, it does not matter how something is done, as long as positive results are reached. However, Moses would learn, though this is a common principle among men, it is not a principle for ministry… Read More

New Testament: John 1- The Light

John 1:4
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Jesus was magnetic! People from all walks of life were drawn to Him. Lepers, paralytics, rich men, beggars, fishermen, and even Pharisees were drawn to Jesus; to meet Him, hear Him speak, and be touched by Him. At times, we read of massive crowds that gave up all other pursuits, to listen for hours as He spoke about the Kingdom of God. What was it that drew people to Him? John tells… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 17-18 & Luke 24

Old Testament: Numbers 17- Miracles

Numbers 17:8
“Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.”

A miracle is defined as an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God. In other words, it is something that could not happen if God did not infuse His power into the situation. That is exactly what transpired here. To determine the validity of Aaron’s calling and ministry, God infused His power and made something that was incapable of bearing fruit, become fruitful. Aaron’s rod, which was nothing
more than an old tree… Read More

Numbers 18- Behind The Scenes

Numbers 18:7
“Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve…”

While it is clear Moses is being instructed regarding the role of the priests who would care for the articles within the Tabernacle, this statement is also a beautiful picture of the ministry of Jesus. He takes care of everything that happens behind the veil. Just as the curtain would serve as a divider between… Read More

New Testament: Luke 24- Seek Him

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 15-16 & Luke 23

Old Testament: Numbers 15- Oops, I Did It Again!

Numbers 15:22-24
‘If you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments which the Lord has spoken to Moses— all that the Lord has commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the day the Lord gave commandment and onward throughout your generations— then it will be, if it is unintentionally committed, without the knowledge of the congregation, that the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one kid of the goats as a sin offering.”

Unintentional sin is sin committed simply because we’re sinners. The term “sin” is an interesting word. It actually means “to miss the mark.” The sport of archery is a good illustration of missing the mark. A few years ago, I took a group of high School students to a summer camp where, along with Bible studies and worship, they had… Read More

Numbers 16- Small Things

Numbers 16:9
“Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them?”

Korah and his disgruntled ministry team were upset with the leadership of Moses, and discontent with the opportunities they were given to serve the Lord. They soon formed a club and brought their complaints to Moses. They were hoping he would allow them to wear the priestly garments  and enter the… Read More

New Testament: Luke 23- The Veil Was Torn

Luke 23:45
“The veil of the temple was torn in two.”

The veil of the Temple was designed by God; and it was beautiful. Moses describes it for us in Exodus 26:31

“You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim.”

As beautiful as this curtain was, its beauty… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 13-14 & Luke 22

Old Testament: Numbers 13- Follow The Leader

Numbers 13:2-3
“. . . you shall send a man, every one a leader among them. So Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.”

When Moses chose the men to spy out the land, he chose the leaders. Sadly, we know how that turned out. These supposed leaders, came back with an evil report, and stirred the hearts of the people against the mind of the Lord. I think there is a danger for someone who is naturally a leader; that danger is when they are not subject… Read More

Numbers 14- Rejection God’s Plan

Numbers 14:44-45
“But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop. Nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the Lord nor Moses departed from the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah.”

Israel’s history is marked with amazing victories and crippling defeats. A careful study of their victories will reveal that their strength was directly connected with their willingness to obey and follow God. The passage before us illustrates that vividly. After rejecting the plan of God and refusing to enter Canaan the people decided to try to attack the enemy on their… Read More

New Testament: Luke 22- In Remembrance

Luke 22:19
“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Everything in the life of Christ was working toward His final hour. A moment in time when He, through His death, would provide life for all who believe. Prior to the events of the cross unfolding, Jesus took time to have a last meal with … Read More

Numbers 14:44-45
“But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop. Nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the Lord nor Moses departed from the camp. Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah.”

Israel’s history is marked with amazing victories and crippling defeats. A careful study of their victories will reveal that their strength was directly connected with their willingness to obey and follow God. The passage before us illustrates that vividly. After rejecting the plan of God and refusing to enter Canaan the people decided to try to attack the enemy on their own apart from the direction, guidance and assistance of God. The results were tragic. Israel was defeated and driven back. Their story serves as a helpful guide for each of us as we seek to follow and serve Christ.

One lesson we learn from this passage is that victory will be secured when we follow the Lord, not when we seek to have Him bless our battles. It is common in Christianity today to develop dreams, goals and strategies then to seek to find a way to have God bless them. We learn to do things like think positively or to use faith words or to never give up on our dream. Sadly, life teaches us that there are obstacles greater than we can overcome and we are often left defeated and scarred. Biblically speaking we are not supposed to develop dreams and ask God to bless them, instead we are to seek God for His direction and trust that He will enable us to do whatever He asks of us regardless of the opposition we face.

Had Israel obeyed God and entered Canaan when they were asked, no enemy could have defeated them or held them back from what God had for them. However, once they chose to walk there own path instead of following the Lord they would be met with constant challenges and defeats that were never part of the plan of God.

Be sure today that you are submitted to and walking after the ways of God.

Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 11-12  & Luke 21

Old Testament: Numbers 11- Living In The Outskirts

Numbers 11:1
“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.”

As the cloud begins to move, the Children of Israel take their first steps toward the Promised Land. It does not take long before they begin to complain about their circumstances. In response to their complaints, God sends a burning fire upon some who dwelt in the outskirts of the camp. Why is God so upset… Read More

Numbers 12- Personal Conflict

Numbers 12:2
“So they said, ‘Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’ And the Lord heard it.”

During football season in America, homes are filled with people who can do a better job coaching and playing than the professionals that enter the field. We call these guys “Arm-chair Quarterbacks.” They are notorious for thinking they know more and can do better than those who are in charge of the teams. This same attitude… Read More

New Testament: Luke 21- Speak Up

Luke 21:13 
“But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.”

As the world approaches the end times, difficulties will increase. The believer is reminded that these difficult situations are the perfect backdrop in which to share Christ with the world. This is a principle to live by. We do not need to wait until the end to have an impact upon the lives around us. The present circumstances which you face have been designed by God as the best … Read More

Numbers 12:2
“So they said, ‘Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?’ And the Lord heard it.”

During football season in America, homes are filled with people who can do a better job coaching and playing than the professionals that enter the field. We call these guys “Arm-chair Quarterbacks.” They are notorious for thinking they know more and can do better than those who are in charge of the teams. This same attitude is common in the church and is often exacerbated  by personal issues between a person and the leadership. When we have a personality conflict with a leader we tend to turn it into a spiritual issue and not only bring unwarranted accusations against an elder but may even leave the church rather than allowing the Lord to deal with our flesh which needs to be cut away. That is what is happening in Numbers 12. Aaron and Miriam question the leadership of Moses, not because of his calling, anointing or gifting but because they had a problem with a personal decision he made. Moses married an Ethiopian woman and they had an issue with it.

It is important that we be honest regarding any conflicts we have with those in positions of authority in the church. We need to be careful not to accuse a leader of wrongdoing just because our personalities conflict with theirs. In 1Timothy 3, Paul gave a clear list of qualifications for those serving in pastoral ministry. If you have a problem with someone in leadership at your church the first step is to go to the list and be sure they are actually at fault. Remember, even those who are serving Christ are still being conformed into the image of Christ.

Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 9-10 & Luke 20

Old Testament: Numbers 9- Being Led By God

Numbers 9:17
“Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents.”

God established a pretty clear method of directing Israel through the wilderness. They were traveling roads they had never been on, through obstacles they had never faced before, to a destination none of them had ever seen. In order to ensure they arrived safely, God chose… Read More

Numbers 10- Reach Out

Numbers 10:29
“Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite . . .”

Hobab is the father-in-law of Moses. Notice, we are told that he is a Midianite, not an Israelite. Listen to what Moses says to him:

“We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has promised good… Read More

New Testament: Luke 20- They Marveled

Luke 20:26
“And they marveled at His answer and kept silent.”

We are introduced to a group of men who are examining Jesus. They have taken the time to carefully observe Him in action, dissect His teachings, and even quiz Him on a variety of difficult subjects. Their conclusion is worth noting. We read, “they marveled.” The word “marveled” means to be amazed by, and even to admire. It is a word that … Read More