Jim Gallagher

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

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 7-8 & Luke 19

Old Testament: Numbers 7- The Right Way

Numbers 7:9
“But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders.”

About 600 years after these events somebody got it into his head that it would be a great idea to take the Ark of the Covenant into battle. He had lost sight of who God was and thought the Ark of the Covenant was the presence of God. So, seizing the Ark, the army marched into battle, assuming it would ensure… Read More

Numbers 8- Cleansing 

Numbers 8:6
“Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially.”

There are times in life when there is nothing so refreshing as a shower. Standing under the flow seems to refresh and invigorate, and at times, helps me even to forget whatever things are pressing in upon me. Sometimes the only reason I step away is the hot water has run cold. As refreshing as that might be, it cannot compare to how refreshing it is to stand under the flow where our sins… Read More

New Testament: Luke 19- Here Comes The King

Luke 19:11
“He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.”

Jesus rebuked the leaders of His day for being able to discern weather patterns, yet failing to recognize the signs of the times. He also exhorted His followers to carefully observe the condition of the world, and to live in anticipation of His soon return.

Today, it is not difficult to ignore the similarities between… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 5-6 & Luke 18

Old Testament: Numbers 5- Marriage Problems

Numbers 5:14
“If the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, who has defiled herself; or if the spirit of jealousy comes upon him and he becomes jealous of his wife, although she has not defiled herself”

This section addresses the subject of marital problems; specifically that of jealousy. If a husband suspects his wife of cheating on him, but has no evidence, only suspicion; or if she hasn’t cheated, but he becomes jealous of her, this is what they are to do. The man is to bring his wife before the priest, and the priest is to make a concoction for her to drink (holy water, dirt and dried ink). Then, if she cheated on her husband, when she drinks it, her thigh will rot and her belly will swell. What’s… Read More

Numbers 6- Blessing

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, “This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make His face shine upon you,  and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.'” … Read More

New Testament: Luke 18- Man-Made Religion

Luke 18:9
 “He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others . . .”

The chief trait of this Pharisee was the idea that he did not need God. A modern equivalent would be the person who, with his imagination and personal experience, has fabricated both a god and a religious system by which he is acceptable to his god. The Pharisees did just that. They picked out… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 3-4 & Luke 17

Old Testament: Numbers 3- Faithful In Little

Numbers 3:17
“These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.”

After erecting the Tabernacle in he center of the camp, the Levites were divided into three groups each with important roles as it related to the ministry. Gershon was posted in the south, Kohath in the west, Merari in the north, and Moses and the priests were in the east at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Each family had different, yet equally as important roles. Gershon’s role was to carry the exterior coverings of the tabernacle. Kohath’s was to carry… Read More
Numbers 4- Service

Numbers 4:4
“This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things:”

The Levites are divided into 3 groups, with each group having a role in serving around the Tabernacle. Gershon’s role was to carry the exterior coverings of the Tabernacle. Kohath‘s role was to carry the utensils, the Ark, the table of showbread, the lamp stand, etc. Merari’s responsibility was to carry all the heavy stuff; the silver blocks, the gold plated walls…those were all carried by… Read More

New Testament: Luke 17- Lot’s Wife

Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s wife.”

Lot and his family represent the Christian. Jesus tells us, if we want to save our lives, we must lose them. In other words, life, true life, abundant life, will not be found in holding things back from the Lord, but by giving up all to follow the Lord. Matthew modeled that idea when he left his tax table, Peter and John when they left the fishing business, and you and I when we leave behind our past life, and seek to live for Christ. Unfortunately, even after we determine to follow Christ, we face temptation to return to the things from which we were… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: Numbers 1-2  & Luke 16

Old Testament: Numbers 1- Dry Times

Numbers 1

The book of Numbers receives its name from the numbering of the people that occurred in Chapter 1 and again in Chapter 26. In Chapter 1, those who came out of Egypt were numbered. In Chapter 26, 40 years later, at the end of their wilderness journey, they are numbered again. A careful look will reveal, some of the tribes… Read More

 

Numbers 2- Family

Numbers 2:2
“Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting.”

God organized the campsite of Israel. The center of the camp was the tabernacle with the tribes encamped around it. Two basic principles governed setting up camp. First, the Lord was the central focus, every family was to camp within sight of the Tabernacle. They could hear the events transpire, smell the sacrifices and easily be part of what… Read More
New Testament: Luke 16- The Great Gulf

Luke 16:26
“There is a great gulf fixed . . .”

Between man and God there is a great gulf of separation. This gap is caused by sin, and makes it impossible for us to have fellowship with God. This is precisely the reason Jesus came. He bled and died on Calvary’s cross to bridge the gap; to make it possible for us to know God now, and spend eternity… Read More