Saturday, March 14, 2020

March 14

When we moved some of our things from Little Gasparilla, we came home with more than we had packed. Although the island is paradise, it is a hot bed for scorpions, and one of those creatures came home with us, and I found it inside my house! I freaked out, and he ended up taking a flume ride down the sewer pipes.

I can’t make this stuff up, I’m not that good. I’m slowly reading through the Old Testament, and studying it briefly as I go, with no particular reading plan. Today, it speaks of the people complaining about leaving Egypt again, with me not being in their shoes, I wondered why they complained so much. The land that they were passing through had scorpions and serpents, with a burning sting. I may have complained too. However, because of their complaints, and unbelief, God allowed those fiery serpents to kill the people. Moses prayed, and God told him to make the image of a fiery serpent and whoever looked at it would live. 

Today, if you’re complaining about services being interrupted, no sports, becoming anxious, overreacting, or discontent with the interruption of your happy life, you better stop now! There is salvation in a troubled time, but you have to look to Jesus, he is the only way to get to our happy place; all other ways lead to a dead end. You don’t want to end up dead in the desert just before entering the promised land, do you?

Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” Numbers 21:6-8

Friday, March 13, 2020

March 13

We are different. We do not fear as the world fears. We do not worry because we have the peace given to us by Jesus. During a plague that broke out in the camp of the Israelites, Moses instructed Aaron to take a censer full of fire, and incense, and go among the people to stop the plague. Aaron stood between the dead and the people who were still alive; his offering was accepted by God, and the plague stopped. Isn’t this our job as believers, to stand between the people and God, and make and offering before the Lord, as his royal priesthood? We do not have to offer a censer full of fire and incense, because Jesus is a pleasing aroma to the Father, and his one time offering has covered all of our iniquities, but we must pray to him, that he intercedes on our behalf, for the people who are suffering. If we freak out like everyone else, aren’t we showing the world our lack of faith in God? For the sake of those watching you, especially those of you who are worriers, put on the full armor of God, and become the warrior that God intended you to be, and offer prayer for those who may be affected by sickness. Stand in the gap!!

So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Numbers 16:47-48

Thursday, March 12, 2020

March 12

How soon do we forget how great God is? God takes us out of Egypt without a scratch, does miracles in the desert, but when things get scary, we shrink back, as he tells us to move forward to conquer the land. “Didn’t you see those giants Lord? We can’t overcome them!” Where is Caleb when we come up against the whispers of the enemy? Today, I am your Caleb! Do not hesitate, move in and conquer the land that God has set before you. 

One interesting thing I noticed as I was reading the account of the spies sent into the promised land, they were all leaders of their tribes. Instead of being strong and courageous, they were scared, even though God was the one who told them to go. When you feel weak, and can not do it on your own, give it to God, and let him be your strength. Just imagine the doors that will be opened because God is the one delivering you. Besides, you don’t want God giving your promise to someone else, do you?

Listen to this: But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30

Don’t listen to this: Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” Numbers 13:31

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

March 11

Gossiping doesn’t seem like such a big deal, and hardly seems like a sin. What harm can it do when it’s spoken of in private? The truth is, it’s not in private; God hears every word, and to speak disparagingly about any of his beloveds, is like spitting in his face. How much do you really know about a person and their plight, that you should make a judgement upon them through negative talk? Why is someone else the topic of your conversation? Shouldn’t you be more concerned with your own issues? 

Miriam spoke to Aaron about Moses in a negative way because of who he chose to marry, and God heard her! She may have also been a bit jealous of his personal relationship with God, because he met him face to face, and not in dreams and visions as with others. God called Miriam, Aaron, and Moses together and confronted them; he also admonished Aaron, who was the hearer, but Miriam was given leprosy and had to be quarantined for seven days outside of the camp. God embarrassed her because of her loose tongue. This is a very good lesson against gossip, we would all do well to heed God’s warning.

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. Numbers 12:9-10

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

March 10

There are times we just want peace, so we try to stay under the radar, hoping not to be noticed by Satan, so he doesn’t bring on trials and tribulation. Unfortunately, that doesn’t last, because when you stay in the word, and do your part in the kingdom of God, you can’t stay under the radar, it’s impossible. Realizing that God is in control, and the devil is under the control of God, you must contend with whatever stirs up the atmosphere, and realize that our peace comes from knowing Jesus, and the trials of this world are only temporary. Stand strong in Jesus, because our weakness is what gives him strength. Give up and turn everything over to him, and watch as he handles your situation. Whether the outcome seems good or bad, know that the big picture, the things we don’t see happening, will be as he wants it. Remember, say, “your will be done.” Stay in continuous contact with him; as anxiety begins to creep in, turn to him and ask him to calm your nerves, and he will return your peace. Things happen for a reason, even though we don’t understand why. Remember, God is in control, and our peace lies with Jesus.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”" John 16:33

Monday, March 9, 2020

March 9

I’m taking a break from writing about the Old Testament today; mostly because I need to remind myself that I am hidden in Jesus. My fear of God is growing because I know that he never changes, and his reaction to sin is humanly destructive. I’m reminded that if I truly love him, I will obey his commands, but I’m not sure if I always do!  

If you are at a point that you are trembling in fear, remember Jesus; we are safe from God’s wrath because of him. We are dearly loved by God because of Jesus; we are his friend, he is our Father, though also our King. We can walk with confidence, knowing that we are safe, and that he has snatched us from the fire. Above all things in heaven and on earth, he loves us. Rest in confidence knowing this is true.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Sunday, March 8, 2020

March 8

Take every thought captive! Have you ever had a bad thought and received immediate discipline for having it? I was grilling some steaks, and was annoyed at a few things going on around me, and a thought passed through my head that I shouldn’t have had. Just as soon as I had the thought, I grabbed the top of the grill cover, instead of the handle, and burned my hand! It was very painful, but as soon as it happened, I knew why. The thought was unloving. When you are set apart by God, which we who are redeemed are, his standard for you is set higher, so all of your actions, and thoughts are closely monitored by him. 

The Levites were set apart as a holy priesthood, and were set up to camp around the tabernacle as guards. They didn’t have to go to war, but were to protect God’s holy sanctuary. His standard for them was set higher. When two of Aarons sons introduced strange fire before God, they were killed immediately. Thankfully, I merely received a slap on the hand for introducing such a thought into my temple, which houses the Holy Spirit. Mind your thoughts, and actions because your body is a temple.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19