Luke 7-
7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."
Robby was just talking last night about God thing 1's and God thing 2 that Pastor Mike has taught on. Instant miracles performed through God just speaking a word. This man understood the power Jesus had!
21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Here Jesus claims that He fulfills the O.T. Law and tells the men to testify to John what they've seen with their own eyes.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
OH the pride the Pharisees had! The woman is a sinner! We are ALL sinners!!! To have been in the presence of Jesus, knowing the miracles He performed and power He had, and the Pharisees still scoffed and questioned His authority!
Deut. 13-
1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, 2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you. 6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods" (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), 8 do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. 9 You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. 10 Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Just like we studied in 2 Peter at WBS, false prophets and false teachers are present and are looking to sway our beliefs and take the focus away from God! We need to KNOW the truth in our hearts by reading and memorizing scripture, fully understanding it so when someone brings it into question or says something false, we'll be able to call them out on it!!! We're also not allowed to make excuses for the false prophets! "Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him." Purse the evil from among you. God says here in this passage, I don't care if it's your child, your spouse, your sibling, if they tell you to worship someone other than Me, kill them! God has no tolerance for idol worship! Verse 2 says God tests us to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It's God I must always follow, Him I must revere, his commands I'm to obey, and He is the only one I'm to serve and hold fast to!
16 Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt. 17 None of those condemned things shall be found in your hands, so that the LORD will turn from his fierce anger; he will show you mercy, have compassion on you, and increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your forefathers, 18 because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes. 18 because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.
Here, God warns us to not hold on to things He's condemned! There are unholy things in this world and God wants us to have NOTHING to do with them! Burn it!
God help me to always examine myself for anything I might have put before you! Help me to make wise use of my time here on earth. Search me God, find whatever you don't want in my life, convict me of it God so I can purge it from me!
Deuteronomy 14
1 You are the children of the LORD your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead,
2 for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.
I just marvel at the creations of God! He's made animals all unique! Some have split hoofs, some don't. Some animals chew cud, some don't. GOd had a plan for EVERYTHING He's created on this earth!
6 You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud. 7 However, of those that chew the cud or that have a split hoof completely divided you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the coney. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a split hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you. 8 The pig is also unclean; although it has a split hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.
Here in the O.T. we are reminded to tithe, bringing a tenth of what we've earned and giving it to God because He's blessed us!
29 ...so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
God, we want to live life so we will be blessed, whether it's in this life or the next life! Thank you for calling me your child!
March 25th
Luke 9-
Deuteronomy 17-18
2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.
Jesus tells His disciples to go out into the world and to take NOTHING with them. What an act of faith, trusting that the Lord will provide food, shelter and clothing for them on their journey!
16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people.
17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
God thing 1's! Jesus is able to multiply fish and bread for thousands!
At the end of the chapter, 3 men come to Jesus and say they want to follow Him yet give 3 different reasons why they can't follow right away! He then says vs 62 "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kindgom of God." Jesus doesn't want our excuses, He wants us to follow Him like the disciples did, ready to leave everything behind!
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels
Vs 23, daily is the key word here to me...some days are tougher days than others but we can't use that as an excuse, we must strive daily to glorify Him! There are people in this world who are perishing, we can't be worried what people will say if we share the gospel! We can't be ashamed of the Bible!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Luke 6- Deut. 11-12
7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there. 9Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" 10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Here Jesus had the opportunity to heal the mans hand in private but instead He was bold and spoke out in front of everyone and healed the man! Jesus didn't care what the Pharisees thought of Him, He wasn't worried what they'd scheme and do to Him, He wanted to demonstrate the power of God through Himself and wasn't ashamed to do so!
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Here we see Jesus about to make a MAJOR decision in His life, He was choosing His 12 disciples. What example does he give? He spent the night in prayer. When we have choices in front of us, we should always be following Jesus' example, pray!
22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
God, you are ALL powerful! You spoke words and people were healed! I can't wait to see your great power face to face someday!!!
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.
45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
Lord, what great words of wisdom. God, I want to be a student of your Word so that as I grow, I can help teach others! Thank you for giving me opportunities to teach now in the lives of my two children. Lord, I want to apply your words in my life, putting them into practice daily! I want to produce good fruit and store good in my heart. Help me to love those who persecute me. Help me to be vulnerable towards non Christians God and bold to speak your truth so they may hear and respond! Help me to give when others ask God or when they're in need.
Deuteronomy 11
Here God tells us what He expects from us, obedience and wholeheartedly serving Him!
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul-
22 If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to him-
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
I like these visual reminders! Keep things in front of you, keep God continually on our mind!
We as parents are given a HUGE responsibility to teach our children! We want our kids to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven someday and hold God's truth in their souls!
19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
God can either bless or curse us! We can follow and obey His commands or disregard them.
26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-
27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;
28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
He also gives us a warning about worshiping other gods.
16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.
Deuteronomy 12
12:23
23 But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
This verse reminds me of what Pastor Mike said, the first death in the Bible was after Adam and Eve sinned and God covered them with animal skin. Blood is the life and through death of Jesus on the cross, our sin has been covered.
Talking about idol worship
4 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.
5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;
6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
8 You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit,
9 since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you.
13 Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please.
14 Offer them only at the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribes, and there observe everything I command you.
18 Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to.
31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
These verses made me think about 1) where we worship 2) what we devote our time to and
I know this passage is talking about idol worshipers and we're not to follow their example for worship.
This passage makes me think about where I go to serve the Lord. I'm so thankful for a church that preaches truth from the Bible! The warning in verse 8 made me think about what "society" finds acceptable and how Christians are not of this world and live to please God, not man. And, verse 14 made me think about how I need to really consider what I do, when I do it and who do I do things for! I should do ALL things for the glory of God, verse 7 & 18 (rejoice in everything you put your hand to) but I should also be sure I'm serving my church body, not just the PTA or local Mom's group but prioritizing God's service above all else!
As for worship, don't worship in their way, God really points out the importance of WHO we worship and HOW we worship. Again, reviewing the chapter, it should be wholehearted, genuine, from the heart, in full service to God! We bring all of ourselves to worship, our best, our tithes, our full attention...time with God should be taken seriously and not lightly. We come to church to learn and grow but also to worship a holy God who deserves praise and adoration!
Here Jesus had the opportunity to heal the mans hand in private but instead He was bold and spoke out in front of everyone and healed the man! Jesus didn't care what the Pharisees thought of Him, He wasn't worried what they'd scheme and do to Him, He wanted to demonstrate the power of God through Himself and wasn't ashamed to do so!
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
Here we see Jesus about to make a MAJOR decision in His life, He was choosing His 12 disciples. What example does he give? He spent the night in prayer. When we have choices in front of us, we should always be following Jesus' example, pray!
22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
19and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
God, you are ALL powerful! You spoke words and people were healed! I can't wait to see your great power face to face someday!!!
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.
45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
Lord, what great words of wisdom. God, I want to be a student of your Word so that as I grow, I can help teach others! Thank you for giving me opportunities to teach now in the lives of my two children. Lord, I want to apply your words in my life, putting them into practice daily! I want to produce good fruit and store good in my heart. Help me to love those who persecute me. Help me to be vulnerable towards non Christians God and bold to speak your truth so they may hear and respond! Help me to give when others ask God or when they're in need.
Deuteronomy 11
Here God tells us what He expects from us, obedience and wholeheartedly serving Him!
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul-
22 If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to hold fast to him-
18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
I like these visual reminders! Keep things in front of you, keep God continually on our mind!
We as parents are given a HUGE responsibility to teach our children! We want our kids to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven someday and hold God's truth in their souls!
19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,
God can either bless or curse us! We can follow and obey His commands or disregard them.
26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse-
27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;
28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.
He also gives us a warning about worshiping other gods.
16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.
Deuteronomy 12
12:23
23 But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
This verse reminds me of what Pastor Mike said, the first death in the Bible was after Adam and Eve sinned and God covered them with animal skin. Blood is the life and through death of Jesus on the cross, our sin has been covered.
Talking about idol worship
4 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way.
5 But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go;
6 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
7 There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.
8 You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit,
9 since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the LORD your God is giving you.
13 Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please.
14 Offer them only at the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribes, and there observe everything I command you.
18 Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to.
31 You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.
32 See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
These verses made me think about 1) where we worship 2) what we devote our time to and
I know this passage is talking about idol worshipers and we're not to follow their example for worship.
This passage makes me think about where I go to serve the Lord. I'm so thankful for a church that preaches truth from the Bible! The warning in verse 8 made me think about what "society" finds acceptable and how Christians are not of this world and live to please God, not man. And, verse 14 made me think about how I need to really consider what I do, when I do it and who do I do things for! I should do ALL things for the glory of God, verse 7 & 18 (rejoice in everything you put your hand to) but I should also be sure I'm serving my church body, not just the PTA or local Mom's group but prioritizing God's service above all else!
As for worship, don't worship in their way, God really points out the importance of WHO we worship and HOW we worship. Again, reviewing the chapter, it should be wholehearted, genuine, from the heart, in full service to God! We bring all of ourselves to worship, our best, our tithes, our full attention...time with God should be taken seriously and not lightly. We come to church to learn and grow but also to worship a holy God who deserves praise and adoration!
Luke 5- Deut. 9-10
Luke 5-
Peter (Simon) was always willing to be the one to step out in faith...here he tells Jesus we haven't caught anything but because you say so...! They catch an astonishing number of fish (vs 8) and Peter realizes with God, all things are possible and realizes his sin. (vs 8)
Lord, let me always be willing to leave everything so I can follow and serve you. Peter had a boat, Levi had a home and banquet! You spoke and they got up!
11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him. 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
If Jesus went away by himself to pray, we TOO must NEED this in our life!
Jesus is SO powerful, He knew the THOUGHTS of the Pharisees. (vs 22) 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. He also heals a man with leprosy in this chapter. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
Love vs 31Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Deut. 9-10
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.
But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
29 But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm."
SIN!
4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness." No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you.
5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
23 you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him.
24 You have been rebellious against the LORD ever since I have known you.
27 Overlook the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin.
Despite our sins, our stubbornness, God still forgives! He's chosen people to love! It's not because of our righteousness that He saves us!
GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS AND THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the LORD listened to me.
26 I prayed to the LORD and said, "O Sovereign LORD, do not destroy your people, your own inheritance that you redeemed by your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
20 And the LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too.
10 Now I had stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time, and the LORD listened to me at this time also. It was not his will to destroy you.
HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND!
12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
The Lord is our inheritance, just as it was the Levites inheritance.
HOW WE SHOULD LIVE!
19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.
20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?
14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.
17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.
21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
22 Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Peter (Simon) was always willing to be the one to step out in faith...here he tells Jesus we haven't caught anything but because you say so...! They catch an astonishing number of fish (vs 8) and Peter realizes with God, all things are possible and realizes his sin. (vs 8)
Lord, let me always be willing to leave everything so I can follow and serve you. Peter had a boat, Levi had a home and banquet! You spoke and they got up!
11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him. 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
If Jesus went away by himself to pray, we TOO must NEED this in our life!
Jesus is SO powerful, He knew the THOUGHTS of the Pharisees. (vs 22) 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. He also heals a man with leprosy in this chapter. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
Love vs 31Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Deut. 9-10
GOD'S FAITHFULNESS.
But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.
29 But they are your people, your inheritance that you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm."
SIN!
4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, "The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness." No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you.
5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
23 you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him.
24 You have been rebellious against the LORD ever since I have known you.
27 Overlook the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin.
Despite our sins, our stubbornness, God still forgives! He's chosen people to love! It's not because of our righteousness that He saves us!
GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS AND THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the LORD listened to me.
26 I prayed to the LORD and said, "O Sovereign LORD, do not destroy your people, your own inheritance that you redeemed by your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
20 And the LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too.
10 Now I had stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time, and the LORD listened to me at this time also. It was not his will to destroy you.
HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND!
12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
The Lord is our inheritance, just as it was the Levites inheritance.
HOW WE SHOULD LIVE!
19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.
20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?
14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.
17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.
21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
22 Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Luke 4-
Jesus tempted.
Lord, help me to remember that when I'm tempted to sin, I can stand strong and refuse my urge to sin!
Vs 8 "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
God, as this verse states, we're only to worship you! Help me remember that I live for your glory and not the glory of others.
Vs 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
I wonder what this means? Does this mean he felt so encouraged by triumphing over sin? That's how I think I'd feel if I resisted temptation, empowered in the Spirit!
Wow, to hear scripture read from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah then for Jesus to say "today it's fulfilled!" I think too how, just as Isaiah wrote, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news..." We too have been given God's truth and have been called to share the good news with others!
Seeing the power and authority Jesus has over demons. (vs 34, 41). The demons possessed people and knew who Jesus was and had to obey Him!
From this passage too we learn that Simon was married (at one point) an because he had a mother in law who was ill. (vs 38-39). Thinking of all the service Simon did for Jesus, having had a wife and possible family at home too...good reminder how Peter's service was also his wife's service. (Pastor Mike did a sermon on that in 08!).
Vs 42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. 2 things here for me to remember, Jesus went out at daybreak (the time in the morning when light first appears) AND went to a solitary place (separated from or unfrequented by others; remote or secluded; lonely place)
Deut. 7-8
God tells the Israelites He's going to conquer 7 nations that are larger and stronger them the Israelites and is going to deliver them over. They needed to be destroyed, and not to marry into their families because they'd start to serve other gods and that'd make God angry!
6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. 10 But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. 11 Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today. 2 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.
TO be called "his treasured possession." The Lord loved these people. How hard to see the people He loved the most, sin against Him. Thank you God for being a faithful God, for loving us despite our sin, forgiving us.
18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.
21 Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.
23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
God warns the Israelites not to bring idols, silver or gold into their houses...this is also how we should view sin, it's detestable to the LORD your God. 26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.
He didn't ask for much. Don't take part in idolatry, don't fear just trust the Lord. Verse 21 God WHO IS AMONG YOU is a GREAT and AWESOME GOD! Amen!!!
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
The love God had for the Israelites- Bless you, increase your #'s, fruit of your womb, crops, grain, wine, calves, no disease. Everything!
God, as I read this passage, a family has been brought to mind who's struggling to provide food. I pray God that they'll cling to you during this trial and that you'll enable me to help them during this tough time.
Lord, I know that even if we didn't have food, your word alone is enough! Luke 4 said Jesus went 40 days without food!
5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Thank you God for disciplining me. It shows you love me and that you're refining me to who you want me to be! Help me too to discipline my children the right way, so they know that you love us too much to let them continue in their sin.
This passage, God tells the people about the good land He's going to bring them in to after all these 40 years of testing and hardship. This reminds me to of our promise of heaven!
9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing!
10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. When we've been blessed 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who gives you the ability to produce wealth"
God, help me to never forget that You alone are the provider of every good thing in my life! Thank you for giving Robby the ability to provide for our family and God that we've never gone a day without a roof over our head and food in our stomachs! Let us not be proud God but always say that You God gave us everything.
Chiara posted a great comment-
Luke 4: 13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
This passage struck me because I thought about how Satan did not waste time tempting or ridiculing Christ unless it was a good time–such as Christ hungry in the desert or before His crucifixion. This reminded me that spiritual warfare is much more intense and effective when I create “opportune times” for temptation and sin–I might skip being in the Word that day, I might shortchange my prayer time, or I might be gratifying my sinful nature that day by choice. Whatever the reason, spiritual warfare can be more easily fought when I have been growing in my knowledge of God, when I am choosing obedience and when I am being consistent in my spiritual disciplines.
God, when I am weak, that's when Satan wants to swoop in and tempt me! Help me to stand strong against the devil!
Jesus tempted.
Lord, help me to remember that when I'm tempted to sin, I can stand strong and refuse my urge to sin!
Vs 8 "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only."
God, as this verse states, we're only to worship you! Help me remember that I live for your glory and not the glory of others.
Vs 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
I wonder what this means? Does this mean he felt so encouraged by triumphing over sin? That's how I think I'd feel if I resisted temptation, empowered in the Spirit!
Wow, to hear scripture read from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah then for Jesus to say "today it's fulfilled!" I think too how, just as Isaiah wrote, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news..." We too have been given God's truth and have been called to share the good news with others!
Seeing the power and authority Jesus has over demons. (vs 34, 41). The demons possessed people and knew who Jesus was and had to obey Him!
From this passage too we learn that Simon was married (at one point) an because he had a mother in law who was ill. (vs 38-39). Thinking of all the service Simon did for Jesus, having had a wife and possible family at home too...good reminder how Peter's service was also his wife's service. (Pastor Mike did a sermon on that in 08!).
Vs 42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. 2 things here for me to remember, Jesus went out at daybreak (the time in the morning when light first appears) AND went to a solitary place (separated from or unfrequented by others; remote or secluded; lonely place)
Deut. 7-8
God tells the Israelites He's going to conquer 7 nations that are larger and stronger them the Israelites and is going to deliver them over. They needed to be destroyed, and not to marry into their families because they'd start to serve other gods and that'd make God angry!
6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. 10 But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. 11 Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today. 2 If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers.
TO be called "his treasured possession." The Lord loved these people. How hard to see the people He loved the most, sin against Him. Thank you God for being a faithful God, for loving us despite our sin, forgiving us.
18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.
21 Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.
23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
God warns the Israelites not to bring idols, silver or gold into their houses...this is also how we should view sin, it's detestable to the LORD your God. 26 Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.
He didn't ask for much. Don't take part in idolatry, don't fear just trust the Lord. Verse 21 God WHO IS AMONG YOU is a GREAT and AWESOME GOD! Amen!!!
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
The love God had for the Israelites- Bless you, increase your #'s, fruit of your womb, crops, grain, wine, calves, no disease. Everything!
God, as I read this passage, a family has been brought to mind who's struggling to provide food. I pray God that they'll cling to you during this trial and that you'll enable me to help them during this tough time.
Lord, I know that even if we didn't have food, your word alone is enough! Luke 4 said Jesus went 40 days without food!
5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Thank you God for disciplining me. It shows you love me and that you're refining me to who you want me to be! Help me too to discipline my children the right way, so they know that you love us too much to let them continue in their sin.
This passage, God tells the people about the good land He's going to bring them in to after all these 40 years of testing and hardship. This reminds me to of our promise of heaven!
9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing!
10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. When we've been blessed 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who gives you the ability to produce wealth"
God, help me to never forget that You alone are the provider of every good thing in my life! Thank you for giving Robby the ability to provide for our family and God that we've never gone a day without a roof over our head and food in our stomachs! Let us not be proud God but always say that You God gave us everything.
Chiara posted a great comment-
Luke 4: 13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
This passage struck me because I thought about how Satan did not waste time tempting or ridiculing Christ unless it was a good time–such as Christ hungry in the desert or before His crucifixion. This reminded me that spiritual warfare is much more intense and effective when I create “opportune times” for temptation and sin–I might skip being in the Word that day, I might shortchange my prayer time, or I might be gratifying my sinful nature that day by choice. Whatever the reason, spiritual warfare can be more easily fought when I have been growing in my knowledge of God, when I am choosing obedience and when I am being consistent in my spiritual disciplines.
God, when I am weak, that's when Satan wants to swoop in and tempt me! Help me to stand strong against the devil!
Luke 3- Deut. 5-6
Luke 3-
2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.
3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
This is a little off topic but, here John has been given the task of preparing the way for the Lord, informing others of His coming. I also think about how WE prepare the way for others, if we use every opportunity to talk to people, we don't know where that leads. Planting seeds.....
vs 5 The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
Crooked road will become straight, rough ways smooth. Complicated will become simple! We'll be able to know the way, God's laid it out for us!
8"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 7His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
God, help us to examine our lives to see if we're bearing good fruit! The warning here is bad trees are cut down and burned.
18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. Exhorted: To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal.
John rebuked Herod because of his sin and evil things he'd done and was locked in prison and eventually beheaded for speaking the truth! (vs 19-20) Do I rebuke people when they're doing wrong? I should!
Reading vs 21-22 Jesus prayed and the heavens opened up and the holy spirit descended on him. What a great visual to think about when we pray! All distractions are gone and we have direct communication with God!
Vs 22 To have your heavenly father say "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
I want to hear these words too someday, well done good and faithful servant, child who I love, I am well pleased!
Jesus was on this earth for 33 years. I'm 28. How much work have I done for the Kingdom in my time here??? Verse 23 says he was 30 years old when he began his ministry.
It's so neat to read the line of Jesus through Joseph going all the way back to Shem (son of Noah) to Seth (son of Adam)!
Deut 5-6
1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.
We can't just KNOW the Laws, we have to learn them, study them, memorize them.
10 Commandments Vs 7-22
Vs 15 Mighty hand and an outstretched arm. What a visual! God brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand an and outstretched arm!
God I pray that you will help my children to honor and obey me as I tried to honor and obey my parents!!! (vs 16)
29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
Lord, help me to fear you and to teach others to fear you as well! You are a JUST God, who punishes for sin!
32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Help me Lord to walk in the way you want me to!
2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.
3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
This is a little off topic but, here John has been given the task of preparing the way for the Lord, informing others of His coming. I also think about how WE prepare the way for others, if we use every opportunity to talk to people, we don't know where that leads. Planting seeds.....
vs 5 The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6And all mankind will see God's salvation.' "
Crooked road will become straight, rough ways smooth. Complicated will become simple! We'll be able to know the way, God's laid it out for us!
8"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." 9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." 7His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
God, help us to examine our lives to see if we're bearing good fruit! The warning here is bad trees are cut down and burned.
18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. Exhorted: To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal.
John rebuked Herod because of his sin and evil things he'd done and was locked in prison and eventually beheaded for speaking the truth! (vs 19-20) Do I rebuke people when they're doing wrong? I should!
Reading vs 21-22 Jesus prayed and the heavens opened up and the holy spirit descended on him. What a great visual to think about when we pray! All distractions are gone and we have direct communication with God!
Vs 22 To have your heavenly father say "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
I want to hear these words too someday, well done good and faithful servant, child who I love, I am well pleased!
Jesus was on this earth for 33 years. I'm 28. How much work have I done for the Kingdom in my time here??? Verse 23 says he was 30 years old when he began his ministry.
It's so neat to read the line of Jesus through Joseph going all the way back to Shem (son of Noah) to Seth (son of Adam)!
Deut 5-6
1 Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.
We can't just KNOW the Laws, we have to learn them, study them, memorize them.
10 Commandments Vs 7-22
Vs 15 Mighty hand and an outstretched arm. What a visual! God brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand an and outstretched arm!
God I pray that you will help my children to honor and obey me as I tried to honor and obey my parents!!! (vs 16)
29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
Lord, help me to fear you and to teach others to fear you as well! You are a JUST God, who punishes for sin!
32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
Help me Lord to walk in the way you want me to!
Luke 2- Deut. 3-4
Luke 2-
This first part of the chapter talking about Jesus' birth and the angels appearing to the shepherds and singing. What a breathtaking site to have been able to see that!
29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation"
To have been this man Simeon, who'd waited his whole life to see Jesus then to say he was ready to die, I've seen salvation!
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
I love how verse 51 said that Jesus was obedient to his parents. This is definitely the hardest thing to get my children to do right now :) For Jesus to have grown in wisdom, he'd need instruction, which is a great reminder and encouragement to me to continue teaching my children what the Bible says!
52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
51 But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
I need to sometimes sit as Mary did and just take in and ponder all the good things God has blessed me with and treasure them in my heart!
Deut 3-4
2 The LORD said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."
3 So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors.
Despite all obstacles the Israelites faced, they triumphed! God was faithful! I'm sure they were afraid but God said, "don't be afraid"! High walls, gates, bars, men who were LARGE! Vs 11 says King Og's bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide! That's a LARGE man!
21 At that time I commanded Joshua: "You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. 22 Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."
God is so assuring with his words, I WILL fight for you! (vs 22)
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere (respect) me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children."
Lord, help me to teach the children you've blessed me with about You! They need to learn about your saving grace, your love and also to fear You and hate sin!
Vs 4"but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today." God spared the people who didn't worship idols! 15 Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,
18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below.
19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. 24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Help me Lord to not make anything an idol above you! My children, my spouse, my home, I know they are all gifts from you God and I don't ever want to hold them higher than You! Worshiping an idol is (vs 25) doing evil in the eyes of the Lord and provokes him to anger!
Talking about idols, God will drive them away from the Jordan if they worship idols. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
God still says that if we turn and worship idols, if we seek Him with our whole heart, we'll find Him and can return to obey Him! I LOVE verse 31, God is a merciful God.
35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. 39 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
There is NO other God! These things were shown that we might KNOW that the Lord is God. Amen!
This first part of the chapter talking about Jesus' birth and the angels appearing to the shepherds and singing. What a breathtaking site to have been able to see that!
29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30For my eyes have seen your salvation"
To have been this man Simeon, who'd waited his whole life to see Jesus then to say he was ready to die, I've seen salvation!
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
I love how verse 51 said that Jesus was obedient to his parents. This is definitely the hardest thing to get my children to do right now :) For Jesus to have grown in wisdom, he'd need instruction, which is a great reminder and encouragement to me to continue teaching my children what the Bible says!
52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
51 But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
I need to sometimes sit as Mary did and just take in and ponder all the good things God has blessed me with and treasure them in my heart!
Deut 3-4
2 The LORD said to me, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."
3 So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors.
Despite all obstacles the Israelites faced, they triumphed! God was faithful! I'm sure they were afraid but God said, "don't be afraid"! High walls, gates, bars, men who were LARGE! Vs 11 says King Og's bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide! That's a LARGE man!
21 At that time I commanded Joshua: "You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. 22 Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."
God is so assuring with his words, I WILL fight for you! (vs 22)
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, "Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere (respect) me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children."
Lord, help me to teach the children you've blessed me with about You! They need to learn about your saving grace, your love and also to fear You and hate sin!
Vs 4"but all of you who held fast to the LORD your God are still alive today." God spared the people who didn't worship idols! 15 Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air,
18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below.
19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden. 24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Help me Lord to not make anything an idol above you! My children, my spouse, my home, I know they are all gifts from you God and I don't ever want to hold them higher than You! Worshiping an idol is (vs 25) doing evil in the eyes of the Lord and provokes him to anger!
Talking about idols, God will drive them away from the Jordan if they worship idols. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. 31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
God still says that if we turn and worship idols, if we seek Him with our whole heart, we'll find Him and can return to obey Him! I LOVE verse 31, God is a merciful God.
35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. 39 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
There is NO other God! These things were shown that we might KNOW that the Lord is God. Amen!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Deuteronomy 1-2, Luke 1-
Deuteronomy 1-2
8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them." 21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, "It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us." 26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.' "29 Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.
30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
(Caleb) vs 36 he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."
39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.
Everyone under age 20 was allowed to enter the Promised Land.
2:7 The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
God was SO faithful to the Israelites, giving them everything they needed for 40 years, leading them despite their grumbling and sin, their lack of trust and belief.
So often, I think HOW could the Israelites ignore God when He's hovering as a cloud in front of their eyes? HOW can the Israelites ignore God when DAILY they'd go out and find food just laying on the ground for them. The words He uses to describe all He's done, He carried them (31), He fought for them (29).
God, help me to constantly remember you are present in my daily life, even though I don't have an obvious cloud or manna on my lawn! Thank you God for being with me and, for making sure we haven't lacked anything. Lord, help me to follow you and serve you wholeheartedly.
Luke 1-
13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
I thank you God that you hear our prayers! Sometimes God you don't answer how MY will would be but you have a plan!
17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Lord, we don't know the day of your return but you've called us to help make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (vs 17)
An angel of God appears to Zechariah, he's afraid. The angel speaks to him and Zechariah ends up questioning the angel, how can this prophesy happen?! The angel punished Zechariaih's unbelief by making him unable to speak till the baby arrived!
What an honor for an angel of God to come to you and say "You have found favor with God (vs 30). Vs 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Then, to see Mary's response in vs 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. The humble spirit, ready to do God's will. I'm sure Mary was ridiculed for being pregnant before being married but, it didn't matter to her, she was doing God's will!
51 he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. God KNOWS our inmost thoughts, He knows what we're thinking even when we don't express them!
37For nothing is impossible with God." This is the MOST powerful verse in the chapter! So true! Nothing is impossible with God! I thank you God that you are in control of everything and that nothing is impossible for you!
8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them." 21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, "It is a good land that the LORD our God is giving us." 26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, 'The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.' "29 Then I said to you, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them.
30 The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
(Caleb) vs 36 he followed the LORD wholeheartedly."
39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it.
Everyone under age 20 was allowed to enter the Promised Land.
2:7 The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
God was SO faithful to the Israelites, giving them everything they needed for 40 years, leading them despite their grumbling and sin, their lack of trust and belief.
So often, I think HOW could the Israelites ignore God when He's hovering as a cloud in front of their eyes? HOW can the Israelites ignore God when DAILY they'd go out and find food just laying on the ground for them. The words He uses to describe all He's done, He carried them (31), He fought for them (29).
God, help me to constantly remember you are present in my daily life, even though I don't have an obvious cloud or manna on my lawn! Thank you God for being with me and, for making sure we haven't lacked anything. Lord, help me to follow you and serve you wholeheartedly.
Luke 1-
13But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.
I thank you God that you hear our prayers! Sometimes God you don't answer how MY will would be but you have a plan!
17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Lord, we don't know the day of your return but you've called us to help make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (vs 17)
An angel of God appears to Zechariah, he's afraid. The angel speaks to him and Zechariah ends up questioning the angel, how can this prophesy happen?! The angel punished Zechariaih's unbelief by making him unable to speak till the baby arrived!
What an honor for an angel of God to come to you and say "You have found favor with God (vs 30). Vs 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Then, to see Mary's response in vs 38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. The humble spirit, ready to do God's will. I'm sure Mary was ridiculed for being pregnant before being married but, it didn't matter to her, she was doing God's will!
51 he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. God KNOWS our inmost thoughts, He knows what we're thinking even when we don't express them!
37For nothing is impossible with God." This is the MOST powerful verse in the chapter! So true! Nothing is impossible with God! I thank you God that you are in control of everything and that nothing is impossible for you!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Proverbs 31-
Proverbs 31-
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
The Proverbs 31 wife :)
My parents gave me a ruby purity ring after having me study this chapter in High School. I still have it :) It was a gift to remind me what kind of woman God wanted me to be! I'm still working on it!!!! Oh this is going to be tough, seeing what areas I'm lacking!
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
I pray that I can be this wife to my spouse, bringing him good and not harm but know sometimes I fail at this.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
Eager hands. Sets about her work vigorously. (vs 17) Remembering the work I do is done for the glory of God does help me to set about my tasks with a better attitude!
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. Yikes! Still having a tough time with this one! I like vs 18 "her lamp does not go out at night!" Getting up before my family is up is on my "to do" list! I'm usually up before the kids but Robby's usually up before me!
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (I have no earnings!)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. I'm not always laughing at the future but memorizing scripture from Matthew 6 definitely has helped me worry less and laugh more!
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Need to work on!
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Lord, most of all, I want my children to grow up knowing you, loving you and serving you. You've put this great task on my heart and I pray Lord you help give me the patience to instill in my children these important virtues!
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
The Proverbs 31 wife :)
My parents gave me a ruby purity ring after having me study this chapter in High School. I still have it :) It was a gift to remind me what kind of woman God wanted me to be! I'm still working on it!!!! Oh this is going to be tough, seeing what areas I'm lacking!
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
I pray that I can be this wife to my spouse, bringing him good and not harm but know sometimes I fail at this.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
Eager hands. Sets about her work vigorously. (vs 17) Remembering the work I do is done for the glory of God does help me to set about my tasks with a better attitude!
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. Yikes! Still having a tough time with this one! I like vs 18 "her lamp does not go out at night!" Getting up before my family is up is on my "to do" list! I'm usually up before the kids but Robby's usually up before me!
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (I have no earnings!)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. I'm not always laughing at the future but memorizing scripture from Matthew 6 definitely has helped me worry less and laugh more!
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Need to work on!
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Lord, most of all, I want my children to grow up knowing you, loving you and serving you. You've put this great task on my heart and I pray Lord you help give me the patience to instill in my children these important virtues!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Proverbs 30- Numbers 34-35
Numbers 24-25
God clearly marked out the boundaries of the promised land to Israel.
Vs 12 "This will be your land, with its boundaries on every side.'"
Chapter 35 is all about murderers and refuge. There were 6 cities set apart for people who've killed someone accidentally can flee to. (vs 6)
Vs 12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that a person accused of murder may not die before he stands trial before the assembly.
(Pastor Bobby today just mentioned how God is the great avenger, He's the punisher for sins!)
If you strike someone with an iron object, a stone, a wooden object or with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies, or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
On the other than, (vs 22) "if without hostility someone suddenly shoves another or throws something at him unintentionally or, without seeing him, drops a stone on him that could kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him, the assembly must judge between him and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.
Vs 32 Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. (have to have multiple witnesses to convict)
31 " 'Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. He must surely be put to death. (don't accept bribes!)
34 Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.' "
The Lord DWELLED among the Israelites!
Proverbs 30-
"4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!"
Who has established all the ends of the earth? Just reading about how magnificent our God is just amazes me! That's right, He's established EVERYTHING!
5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Every word of God is flawless, don't add to his words! We need nothing more. He's given us EVERYTHING for life and Godliness in His book!
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;
Todays sermon was so great! Pastor Bobby speaking on adultery and also how spouses should love their spouses (just as Jesus loved us)! Let our spouses love how we're to be loved so that no one will choose adultery. 20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.' 23 an unloved woman who is married.
32 "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! 33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife." What visual on verse 33 twisting the nose produces blood! Ouch.
Lord, I am guilty of stirring up anger and strife at times! God, keep my eyes from being haughty and full of distain, my heart is convicted of this also. I confess, Forgive me.
Thank you Lord for always giving our family just what we need. We're not in poverty or rich but you've always provided our daily bread and I thank you!
God clearly marked out the boundaries of the promised land to Israel.
Vs 12 "This will be your land, with its boundaries on every side.'"
Chapter 35 is all about murderers and refuge. There were 6 cities set apart for people who've killed someone accidentally can flee to. (vs 6)
Vs 12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that a person accused of murder may not die before he stands trial before the assembly.
(Pastor Bobby today just mentioned how God is the great avenger, He's the punisher for sins!)
If you strike someone with an iron object, a stone, a wooden object or with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies, or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
On the other than, (vs 22) "if without hostility someone suddenly shoves another or throws something at him unintentionally or, without seeing him, drops a stone on him that could kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him, the assembly must judge between him and the avenger of blood according to these regulations.
Vs 32 Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. (have to have multiple witnesses to convict)
31 " 'Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. He must surely be put to death. (don't accept bribes!)
34 Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.' "
The Lord DWELLED among the Israelites!
Proverbs 30-
"4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!"
Who has established all the ends of the earth? Just reading about how magnificent our God is just amazes me! That's right, He's established EVERYTHING!
5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Every word of God is flawless, don't add to his words! We need nothing more. He's given us EVERYTHING for life and Godliness in His book!
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
12 those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;
Todays sermon was so great! Pastor Bobby speaking on adultery and also how spouses should love their spouses (just as Jesus loved us)! Let our spouses love how we're to be loved so that no one will choose adultery. 20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, 'I've done nothing wrong.' 23 an unloved woman who is married.
32 "If you have played the fool and exalted yourself, or if you have planned evil, clap your hand over your mouth! 33 For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife." What visual on verse 33 twisting the nose produces blood! Ouch.
Lord, I am guilty of stirring up anger and strife at times! God, keep my eyes from being haughty and full of distain, my heart is convicted of this also. I confess, Forgive me.
Thank you Lord for always giving our family just what we need. We're not in poverty or rich but you've always provided our daily bread and I thank you!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Provebrs 29- Numbers 30 31, 32-33
Numbers 30-31
This chapter speaks of the responsibility husbands have over their wives and fathers over their young daughters. A great reminder that we're to be subject to our spouses!
Numbers 31
God has Moses send 12,000 men to take vengeance on the Midianites. Here Balaam son of Beor was killed. (talking donkey, man who wouldn't take a bribe from Balak or curse God)
Numbers 32-33-
3 The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone. To think of all the generations that have passed since Moses' day and to think how many have done evil in his sight.
14 "And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the LORD even more angry with Israel. As our Fathers and Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers did, we still continue to sin! Lord, help us to strive for holiness!
23 "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. God, you know my sins and thank you for your forgiveness for them as I try to be who you want me to be.
Numbers 33-
The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out boldly in full view of all the Egyptians,
They marched out BOLDLY...after seeing God display His power through the 10 plagues, I can imagine they were walking boldly out of the city. It's when the tough times come that prove true faith!
Aaron was told by God to go up to the mountain and die! He wondered the desert with Moses for a full 40 years! 38 At the LORD's command Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor, where he died on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. 39 Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, 51 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 55 " 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. God warns the Israelites "if they don't obey vs 56 "And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.' "
When God tells us to do something, we'd better be quick to obey, wholeheartedly and with the right attitude!
Proverbs 29
Again, this Proverb is about anger and discipline!
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people
10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
People of this world WILL hate us and this verse says seek to kill us!
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. groan.
Lord, let the righteous THRIVE, let us know be stiff-necked and refusing to take rebuke from others. Help me not to VENT but to be self controlled (so hard!).
God thank you for trusting us with two little souls to help raise up in your word. Help me not to take my responsibility as a parent lightly or for granted.
This chapter speaks of the responsibility husbands have over their wives and fathers over their young daughters. A great reminder that we're to be subject to our spouses!
Numbers 31
God has Moses send 12,000 men to take vengeance on the Midianites. Here Balaam son of Beor was killed. (talking donkey, man who wouldn't take a bribe from Balak or curse God)
Numbers 32-33-
3 The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the desert forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone. To think of all the generations that have passed since Moses' day and to think how many have done evil in his sight.
14 "And here you are, a brood of sinners, standing in the place of your fathers and making the LORD even more angry with Israel. As our Fathers and Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers did, we still continue to sin! Lord, help us to strive for holiness!
23 "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. God, you know my sins and thank you for your forgiveness for them as I try to be who you want me to be.
Numbers 33-
The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out boldly in full view of all the Egyptians,
They marched out BOLDLY...after seeing God display His power through the 10 plagues, I can imagine they were walking boldly out of the city. It's when the tough times come that prove true faith!
Aaron was told by God to go up to the mountain and die! He wondered the desert with Moses for a full 40 years! 38 At the LORD's command Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor, where he died on the first day of the fifth month of the fortieth year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. 39 Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, 51 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 55 " 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. God warns the Israelites "if they don't obey vs 56 "And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.' "
When God tells us to do something, we'd better be quick to obey, wholeheartedly and with the right attitude!
Proverbs 29
Again, this Proverb is about anger and discipline!
1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. 2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people
10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.
People of this world WILL hate us and this verse says seek to kill us!
11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall.
15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. groan.
Lord, let the righteous THRIVE, let us know be stiff-necked and refusing to take rebuke from others. Help me not to VENT but to be self controlled (so hard!).
God thank you for trusting us with two little souls to help raise up in your word. Help me not to take my responsibility as a parent lightly or for granted.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Proverbs 28- Numbers 28-29
Numbers 28-29
To see the amount of animals used as an atonement, I think how the Lord provided all these animals to the Israelites and it was up to them to obey and sacrifice to make atonement for their sins. These animals were to be the best animals, without defect (vs 31).
How much do we sacrifice to the Lord? Are we serving the Lord with our time? Are we giving the Lord tithes off of the good He's blessed us with?
It's also mentioned over and over in this passage how the people were to deny themselves and do no work. Do we dedicate our schedule to the Lord? Do we prioritize our Sunday as the Lord's day? Are we regularly committed to our small group or just a casual attender? God commanded the Israelites not to work! Vs 40 says Moses told the Israelites all that the LORD commanded him.
Proverbs 27-
1 The righteous are as bold as a lion.
3 those who keep the law resist wicked
5 Those who seek the Lord understand justice fully
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Help me God to speak out against wrongdoing, to not ignore people who need help, to have a soft heart, to be bold with my faith, to obey your laws God and most importantly to confess my sins Lord so I may continually find your mercy!
To see the amount of animals used as an atonement, I think how the Lord provided all these animals to the Israelites and it was up to them to obey and sacrifice to make atonement for their sins. These animals were to be the best animals, without defect (vs 31).
How much do we sacrifice to the Lord? Are we serving the Lord with our time? Are we giving the Lord tithes off of the good He's blessed us with?
It's also mentioned over and over in this passage how the people were to deny themselves and do no work. Do we dedicate our schedule to the Lord? Do we prioritize our Sunday as the Lord's day? Are we regularly committed to our small group or just a casual attender? God commanded the Israelites not to work! Vs 40 says Moses told the Israelites all that the LORD commanded him.
Proverbs 27-
1 The righteous are as bold as a lion.
3 those who keep the law resist wicked
5 Those who seek the Lord understand justice fully
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.
Help me God to speak out against wrongdoing, to not ignore people who need help, to have a soft heart, to be bold with my faith, to obey your laws God and most importantly to confess my sins Lord so I may continually find your mercy!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Proverbs 26- Numbers 26-27
March 11-
Numbers 26-27
Men who rebelled against the Lord were swallowed by the earth and devoured by fire! 250 men! (vs 10) "They served as a warning sign."
The total number of the men of Israel over 20 and able to fight was 601,730. All the male Levites a month old or more numbered 23,000. That's a LOT of people!!! God cared for each of their needs too! Food for their livestock and manna for the people. Of all the men over 20, only Joshua and Caleb would live to see the promised land.
The 5 daughters of Zelophehad came to Moses and asked for property because their father didn't have any sons. 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter then to his brother then his father's brothers. give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites. I love that the women had value then! Give them their inheritance!
Because Moses didn't honor and obey God at the rock with the water, he wasn't allowed to enter the promised land. Joshua was appointed leader by God so the people of Israel wouldn't be sheep without a shepherd.
Proverbs 26-
is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
This reminds me of when you say something mean and then try and cover it up by saying you were joking! That's still a lie!!!
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Lord, help me not to give wood to the fire so that quarrels and gossip end with me.
Numbers 26-27
Men who rebelled against the Lord were swallowed by the earth and devoured by fire! 250 men! (vs 10) "They served as a warning sign."
The total number of the men of Israel over 20 and able to fight was 601,730. All the male Levites a month old or more numbered 23,000. That's a LOT of people!!! God cared for each of their needs too! Food for their livestock and manna for the people. Of all the men over 20, only Joshua and Caleb would live to see the promised land.
The 5 daughters of Zelophehad came to Moses and asked for property because their father didn't have any sons. 'If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter then to his brother then his father's brothers. give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites. I love that the women had value then! Give them their inheritance!
Because Moses didn't honor and obey God at the rock with the water, he wasn't allowed to enter the promised land. Joshua was appointed leader by God so the people of Israel wouldn't be sheep without a shepherd.
Proverbs 26-
is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
This reminds me of when you say something mean and then try and cover it up by saying you were joking! That's still a lie!!!
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.
Lord, help me not to give wood to the fire so that quarrels and gossip end with me.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Numbers 24-25 Proverbs 25-
Numbers 24-25
Balaam blesses the Lord vs 9 "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" and Balak sends him home saying vs 11 "I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." Balaam's response is vs 13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says'?
Numbers 25-
The people of Israel started to sin against the Lord by indulging in sexual immorality and sacrificing to other gods. (vs 1 and 3) vs And the LORD's anger burned against them.
God had no tolerance for sin! He told Moses vs 5 "Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor." A plague hit Israel and vs 9 those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
Proverbs 25-
Neighbors and enemies...
8 Don't be quick to take your neighbor to court.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and he will hate you.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Lord, help me to be self controlled and not quarrelsome. Help me to be patient.
Balaam blesses the Lord vs 9 "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!" and Balak sends him home saying vs 11 "I would reward you handsomely, but the LORD has kept you from being rewarded." Balaam's response is vs 13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD -and I must say only what the LORD says'?
Numbers 25-
The people of Israel started to sin against the Lord by indulging in sexual immorality and sacrificing to other gods. (vs 1 and 3) vs And the LORD's anger burned against them.
God had no tolerance for sin! He told Moses vs 5 "Each of you must put to death those of your men who have joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor." A plague hit Israel and vs 9 those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
Proverbs 25-
Neighbors and enemies...
8 Don't be quick to take your neighbor to court.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house— too much of you, and he will hate you.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Lord, help me to be self controlled and not quarrelsome. Help me to be patient.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Proverbs 24- Numbers 22-23
Men can ask us to do things that are wrong, against God. Here's the response that Balaam said to Balak: But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 21:8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?" Even when offered great riches, he said he couldn't go against God!
This chapter has the talking donkey in it too :) Chapter 21- The donkey spoke and Balaam spoke right back to the donkey!
Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" 29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Great verse! God doesn't lie, He doesn't change Him mind, He fulfills promises!!!
Proverbs-
10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
I LOVE this VERSE! If I falter in times of trouble, how small is my strength??? God is able to give me the strength to accomplish what's been put in front of me. Help me to remember this and not to falter when things are tough!
12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
God knows my life! He knows what I've done and will do. Thank you God for loving me and caring about me and hearing me when I call out to you!
17Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
We're not to fear man and what they can do to us, God will judge. Matthew 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
The Bible has called us to work and to do our best with the work we've been given! If we rest and discard the work we've been given, we're sure to have poverty! We're to prepare and ready ourselves for whatever work God is calling us to do.
This chapter has the talking donkey in it too :) Chapter 21- The donkey spoke and Balaam spoke right back to the donkey!
Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?" 29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now." 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No," he said. 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Great verse! God doesn't lie, He doesn't change Him mind, He fulfills promises!!!
Proverbs-
10 If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!
I LOVE this VERSE! If I falter in times of trouble, how small is my strength??? God is able to give me the strength to accomplish what's been put in front of me. Help me to remember this and not to falter when things are tough!
12 If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?
God knows my life! He knows what I've done and will do. Thank you God for loving me and caring about me and hearing me when I call out to you!
17Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of the wicked, 20 for the evil man has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
We're not to fear man and what they can do to us, God will judge. Matthew 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
The Bible has called us to work and to do our best with the work we've been given! If we rest and discard the work we've been given, we're sure to have poverty! We're to prepare and ready ourselves for whatever work God is calling us to do.
Proverbs 23- Numbers 20-21
Numbers 20-21
2 times in these 2 chapters the Israelites complain spoke out against the Lord! t seems that all the Israelites did was complain! He provided water when there wasn't any and He saved them from the venomous snakes by saying all you have to do is look at the serpent on the staff!
Vs 16 and vs 21:3 both talk about how the Lord heard their cry and the Lord heard their plea. God thank you that you hear our prayers! 20:6 "but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt, 21:3 The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them
God, vs 21:5 talks about how they grew impatient on the way. Lord, I too become impatient but know you want to reform my character and grow in patience!
Moses lost both of his siblings in this passage. God also explained that because Moses didn't follow his instructions 100%, that he wouldn't be allowed to enter into the promised land.
Proverbs 23-
2 put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Oh Lord, lately I've been so discouraged about food. I do crave certain delicacies. Help us to be responsible with our eating habits!!!
9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
This verse is SO true. I've spoken with fools and have been scorned by them!
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. 25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
God, help Robby and I to discipline our children so they may be spared from spiritual death!!! Help guide their hearts and guide us as parents as we try to mold them into who you want them to be.
2 times in these 2 chapters the Israelites complain spoke out against the Lord! t seems that all the Israelites did was complain! He provided water when there wasn't any and He saved them from the venomous snakes by saying all you have to do is look at the serpent on the staff!
Vs 16 and vs 21:3 both talk about how the Lord heard their cry and the Lord heard their plea. God thank you that you hear our prayers! 20:6 "but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt, 21:3 The LORD listened to Israel's plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them
God, vs 21:5 talks about how they grew impatient on the way. Lord, I too become impatient but know you want to reform my character and grow in patience!
Moses lost both of his siblings in this passage. God also explained that because Moses didn't follow his instructions 100%, that he wouldn't be allowed to enter into the promised land.
Proverbs 23-
2 put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
Oh Lord, lately I've been so discouraged about food. I do crave certain delicacies. Help us to be responsible with our eating habits!!!
9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.
This verse is SO true. I've spoken with fools and have been scorned by them!
13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death. 22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. 25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
God, help Robby and I to discipline our children so they may be spared from spiritual death!!! Help guide their hearts and guide us as parents as we try to mold them into who you want them to be.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Proverbs 17- Numbers 7-8
March 2-
Numbers 7-8
It's hard to picture this many sacrificial animals!!! 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.
"Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses." Whatever God said to Moses and Aaron to do, they did it! They purified the Levites, washing and shaving them, giving their firstborns to God, without complaint in this chapter.
Men over 25 were to help serve and men over 50 needed to retire from service and assist the younger men in doing the work. This is how to assign the responsibilities. (Vs 26) This reminds me of Titus where the older women have been instructed to teach the younger!
Proverbs 17-
What great reminders from Proverbs!
13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. and (vs 19) He who loves a quarrel loves sin. 27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. My Bible said a "Joyful" heart :)
Lord, help me not to be quarrelsome and to restrain my words! Help me to always be cheerful! :)
Numbers 7-8
It's hard to picture this many sacrificial animals!!! 88 The total number of animals for the sacrifice of the fellowship offering came to twenty-four oxen, sixty rams, sixty male goats and sixty male lambs a year old. These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.
"Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses." Whatever God said to Moses and Aaron to do, they did it! They purified the Levites, washing and shaving them, giving their firstborns to God, without complaint in this chapter.
Men over 25 were to help serve and men over 50 needed to retire from service and assist the younger men in doing the work. This is how to assign the responsibilities. (Vs 26) This reminds me of Titus where the older women have been instructed to teach the younger!
Proverbs 17-
What great reminders from Proverbs!
13 If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. and (vs 19) He who loves a quarrel loves sin. 27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.
22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. My Bible said a "Joyful" heart :)
Lord, help me not to be quarrelsome and to restrain my words! Help me to always be cheerful! :)
Numbers 11-12 Proverbs 19-
Numbers 11-12
"Now the people complained about their hardships". The Lord heard the people complaining and it made him angry. God then consumed some of the outskirts of the camp, the people cried out to Moses, Moses prayed and the fire died down.
When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna came down. The Lord was faithful DAILY to provide food for the people. The rabble began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said if only we had meat to eat." Moses would hear them wailing then would tell complain to the Lord about his troubles which made Him angry.
15 Moses said "If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin." God responded "Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, "If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!" Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" ' "
When God's said people will have meat, Moses questions where it will come from? (Vs 23) The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." God help me not to question you or doubt what you say!
The Lord sent quail into the town and it was flying as low as three feet from the ground! While the meat was still in their teeth and before it'd been consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people and he struck them with a severe plague. They buried the people who had craved other food.
Vs. 25-26 says that the Holy spirit came down on to the elders to help carry Moses burdens and they prophesied (only once).
Aaron and Miriam spoke out against Moses. The Lord heard and struck Miriam with leprosy! Moses then cried out for he Lord to heal her.
Proverbs 19-
A prudent wife is from the Lord (vs 14)
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope, do not be a willing party to his death. (vs 18)
Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise. (vs 21)
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (vs 22) Help us to know God what YOUR plans are for our lives.
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (vs 27) Keep me continually under instruction so I'll never stray from growing in knowledge.
Help me not to have a hot-temper (vs 19) I don't want to be a sluggard (vs 24). Help me gain knowledge through your word and gain patience. Help me not be a quarrelsome wife and a constant drip (vs 13). Help me not be lazy (vs 15).
"Now the people complained about their hardships". The Lord heard the people complaining and it made him angry. God then consumed some of the outskirts of the camp, the people cried out to Moses, Moses prayed and the fire died down.
When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna came down. The Lord was faithful DAILY to provide food for the people. The rabble began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said if only we had meat to eat." Moses would hear them wailing then would tell complain to the Lord about his troubles which made Him angry.
15 Moses said "If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin." God responded "Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, "If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!" Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, "Why did we ever leave Egypt?" ' "
When God's said people will have meat, Moses questions where it will come from? (Vs 23) The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." God help me not to question you or doubt what you say!
The Lord sent quail into the town and it was flying as low as three feet from the ground! While the meat was still in their teeth and before it'd been consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people and he struck them with a severe plague. They buried the people who had craved other food.
Vs. 25-26 says that the Holy spirit came down on to the elders to help carry Moses burdens and they prophesied (only once).
Aaron and Miriam spoke out against Moses. The Lord heard and struck Miriam with leprosy! Moses then cried out for he Lord to heal her.
Proverbs 19-
A prudent wife is from the Lord (vs 14)
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope, do not be a willing party to his death. (vs 18)
Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise. (vs 21)
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (vs 22) Help us to know God what YOUR plans are for our lives.
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. (vs 27) Keep me continually under instruction so I'll never stray from growing in knowledge.
Help me not to have a hot-temper (vs 19) I don't want to be a sluggard (vs 24). Help me gain knowledge through your word and gain patience. Help me not be a quarrelsome wife and a constant drip (vs 13). Help me not be lazy (vs 15).
Friday, March 6, 2009
Numbers 15, 16, 17 Proverbs 21-
Numbers 15, 16, 17
'But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. 31 Because he has despised the LORD's word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.' 9 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.
God, I am guilty of defiantly sinning. Continue Lord to work in my heart, conform me more to whom you want me to be. I want to keep your commands! I want to obey and remember what you've commanded, not going after the desires I might have in my life that aren't pleasing to you. Consecrate me, sanctify me.
41 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' " God you are ALL powerful. Thank you for creating us in your own image and help us to remember who's in charge. Not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42
16:1- became insolent and rose up against Moses., well known community leaders who had been appointed members of council.
It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?"
These were leaders, well known people of their community who rose up against Moses. God help us to call out false teachers and people who have their own selfish motives rather than desiring what you want from their lives.
God you took the lives of men who spoke out against Moses! Keep me fearful of you.
30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt." 31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah's men and all their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. This is a reminder that sin has consequences.
38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.
The sin these men committed cost them their lives. God, thank you for forgiveness of sin. Help keep me from sinning, for you've commanded
Go and sin no more"! John 8:11
Proverbs 21-
Lord, help guide my paths, help me to do what is right, help me not to have a proud heart because it's sin God. Help me to be purposeful with the time you've given me, to plan and be diligent!
.
Vs 2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Vs 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Vs 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
Vs 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Vs 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
Help me God to only speak the truth, even when it might seem to cost me something, knowing that you reward truth and not lies! Help me not to compare ourselves to others who seem to have prospered by lies God, knowing their punishment awaits because God hates lying lips. Proverbs 6:17 Proverbs 12:22
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
Help me God to not refuse what is right. James 4:17 For him to know to do good and not do it, to him it is sin.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
God help me to be a good wife to my husband that you've blessed me with. Keep me from being quarrelsome with him but to talk to him with reverence and respect. I looked up ill tempered and it says annoyed, irritable, crabbed. God, work in my heart, help me not to be annoyed by things or have a temper towards my spouse.
Vs 13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
Help me to hear the cries of people in need, give me a spirit filled with compassion.
21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Help me God to pursue righteousness with my whole heart! Let everything in me be well pleasing to you!
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Help me to think before I speak, to watch what I say Lord.
25-26 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
I want to deny my sluggish side, deny the sinful cravings within and instead make the best use of my time.
28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.
Lord, help me to remember that people who distort your word will be punished and destroyed and held accountable for what they teach and we'll be held accountable to what good bereans we are. Help me to study your word because your word is truth John 17:17.
'But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. 31 Because he has despised the LORD's word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.' 9 You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 40 Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.
God, I am guilty of defiantly sinning. Continue Lord to work in my heart, conform me more to whom you want me to be. I want to keep your commands! I want to obey and remember what you've commanded, not going after the desires I might have in my life that aren't pleasing to you. Consecrate me, sanctify me.
41 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' " God you are ALL powerful. Thank you for creating us in your own image and help us to remember who's in charge. Not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42
16:1- became insolent and rose up against Moses., well known community leaders who had been appointed members of council.
It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?"
These were leaders, well known people of their community who rose up against Moses. God help us to call out false teachers and people who have their own selfish motives rather than desiring what you want from their lives.
God you took the lives of men who spoke out against Moses! Keep me fearful of you.
30 But if the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt." 31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah's men and all their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the grave, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. This is a reminder that sin has consequences.
38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.
The sin these men committed cost them their lives. God, thank you for forgiveness of sin. Help keep me from sinning, for you've commanded
Go and sin no more"! John 8:11
Proverbs 21-
Lord, help guide my paths, help me to do what is right, help me not to have a proud heart because it's sin God. Help me to be purposeful with the time you've given me, to plan and be diligent!
.
Vs 2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Vs 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Vs 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
Vs 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Vs 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
Help me God to only speak the truth, even when it might seem to cost me something, knowing that you reward truth and not lies! Help me not to compare ourselves to others who seem to have prospered by lies God, knowing their punishment awaits because God hates lying lips. Proverbs 6:17 Proverbs 12:22
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
Help me God to not refuse what is right. James 4:17 For him to know to do good and not do it, to him it is sin.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
God help me to be a good wife to my husband that you've blessed me with. Keep me from being quarrelsome with him but to talk to him with reverence and respect. I looked up ill tempered and it says annoyed, irritable, crabbed. God, work in my heart, help me not to be annoyed by things or have a temper towards my spouse.
Vs 13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
Help me to hear the cries of people in need, give me a spirit filled with compassion.
21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Help me God to pursue righteousness with my whole heart! Let everything in me be well pleasing to you!
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Help me to think before I speak, to watch what I say Lord.
25-26 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
I want to deny my sluggish side, deny the sinful cravings within and instead make the best use of my time.
28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.
Lord, help me to remember that people who distort your word will be punished and destroyed and held accountable for what they teach and we'll be held accountable to what good bereans we are. Help me to study your word because your word is truth John 17:17.
Numbers 13-14 Proverbs 20-
Numbers 13-14
Moses gave specific instructions to his spies. The men came back saying the men there were too powerful. The Israelites also claimed that the people of great size were descendants of the Nephilim vs 33 (Genesis 6:4: The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them.) Stephanie Schwartz did a great message on remembering the days of Noah, and taught about the Nephilim in WBS.
Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
The people were weeping, saying they should have stayed in Egypt. Seeing how Joshua and Caleb spoke against the people and rebuked them saying not to rebel against God! I love seeing how these 2 men had faith that God would would lead them in to the land (vs 8). The people then spoke of stoning Joshua and Caleb!!! God had to come down and speak with Moses about the people! Chapter 14 is such a great chapter!
God is so angry with the people, He says that only Joshua and Caleb and the people under 20 years old will enter in to the promised land. They had to wait 40 years and for each person who wasn't allowed to enter, to die in the desert.
Vs 22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-
23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.
Here are the pleas made by Joshua to the Lord-
18 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now." 20 The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked.
Then, the people said, we've sinned, we'll go take the land! Moses warns them, I am not with you, don't go up, you'll be defeated! Still, they rejected His word and attacked and were beaten back!
Proverbs 20-
To sum up Proverbs, I'd say a lot of it is about watching what you say and don't be lazy!!
Vs 3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Great verses against laziness!
Vs 4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Vs 13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
This verse reminds me how God is in control, not me :) Vs 24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD!
God, thank you for for your love, for forgiving my sins and for being slow to anger with me as I strive daily to become more of who you want me to be. Help me to know You are in control of ALL things and that I count on you ONLY and not myself or others! Give me energy throughout my days so I won't love sleep or be a sluggard!
Moses gave specific instructions to his spies. The men came back saying the men there were too powerful. The Israelites also claimed that the people of great size were descendants of the Nephilim vs 33 (Genesis 6:4: The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them.) Stephanie Schwartz did a great message on remembering the days of Noah, and taught about the Nephilim in WBS.
Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
The people were weeping, saying they should have stayed in Egypt. Seeing how Joshua and Caleb spoke against the people and rebuked them saying not to rebel against God! I love seeing how these 2 men had faith that God would would lead them in to the land (vs 8). The people then spoke of stoning Joshua and Caleb!!! God had to come down and speak with Moses about the people! Chapter 14 is such a great chapter!
God is so angry with the people, He says that only Joshua and Caleb and the people under 20 years old will enter in to the promised land. They had to wait 40 years and for each person who wasn't allowed to enter, to die in the desert.
Vs 22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-
23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.
Here are the pleas made by Joshua to the Lord-
18 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' 19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now." 20 The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked.
Then, the people said, we've sinned, we'll go take the land! Moses warns them, I am not with you, don't go up, you'll be defeated! Still, they rejected His word and attacked and were beaten back!
Proverbs 20-
To sum up Proverbs, I'd say a lot of it is about watching what you say and don't be lazy!!
Vs 3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.
Great verses against laziness!
Vs 4 A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.
Vs 13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.
This verse reminds me how God is in control, not me :) Vs 24 A man's steps are directed by the LORD!
God, thank you for for your love, for forgiving my sins and for being slow to anger with me as I strive daily to become more of who you want me to be. Help me to know You are in control of ALL things and that I count on you ONLY and not myself or others! Give me energy throughout my days so I won't love sleep or be a sluggard!
Numbers 9-10 Proverbs 18-
Numbers 9-10.
"That man will bear the consequences of his sin." Thank you God for bearing the consequences of MY sin on the Cross.
21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order.
What an awesome site to have seen a cloud leading you through a desert by day and a pillar of fire by night. Wherever the cloud went, they followed! Waking up daily, trusting that the cloud would be there to show the way :)
Trumpets sounded, this was a sign to the Israelites they were to start moving. This reminds me how in the New Testament Jesus will come back with the trumpets sounding and we'll all get moving! :)
Thank you God for the promise that Jesus will come back!
Proverbs 18-
I love Proverbs! There are so many great illustrations on things we should do and shouldn't do!
Don't have- Selfish ends, defy sound judgment, airing own opinions, take no pleasure in understanding, have a proud heart, not listen.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Lord, help me not to be proud, to make sure I listen rather than speak, knowing that the tongue is such a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil! Thank you for being the strong tower I can run to and take refuge in!
"That man will bear the consequences of his sin." Thank you God for bearing the consequences of MY sin on the Cross.
21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order.
What an awesome site to have seen a cloud leading you through a desert by day and a pillar of fire by night. Wherever the cloud went, they followed! Waking up daily, trusting that the cloud would be there to show the way :)
Trumpets sounded, this was a sign to the Israelites they were to start moving. This reminds me how in the New Testament Jesus will come back with the trumpets sounding and we'll all get moving! :)
Thank you God for the promise that Jesus will come back!
Proverbs 18-
I love Proverbs! There are so many great illustrations on things we should do and shouldn't do!
Don't have- Selfish ends, defy sound judgment, airing own opinions, take no pleasure in understanding, have a proud heart, not listen.
12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
13 He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame.
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Lord, help me not to be proud, to make sure I listen rather than speak, knowing that the tongue is such a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil! Thank you for being the strong tower I can run to and take refuge in!
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