Daily Devo 2/13/13

“Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people” (Deuteronomy 9:6).

Moses believed in telling it like it is. He reminds the children of Israel that God was not giving them the Promised Land because they were such a good people and deserved it. Their righteousness certainly didn’t “measure up”. He calls them a “stiff-necked people”. He then goes on to remind the Israelites of their great failure when while he, Moses, was up on Mt. Sinai receiving the law, they were down at the base of the mountain worshipping the golden calf (Deuteronomy 9:7-21).

Moses was not telling them these things to lay some kind of a “guilt trip” on them. He was simply helping them to understand their own weaknesses and how easy it had been for them to forsake God in the past. As he continues to speak to them, He reminds them that God loves them in spite of their weaknesses: “The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15). Moses then encourages them to strive to keep their hearts soft towards God even though they have a tendency to struggle with being “stiff-necked”: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer” (Deuteronomy 10:16).

Today, our society seems so concerned with everyone having a “positive self-image” that we are afraid to take an honest inventory of ourselves. It is good to have a healthy self-esteem. However, are afraid to look inward and see that often we do struggle with evil thoughts or that we at other times act out in rebellion towards God and His Word? I am concerned that sometimes we are afraid to call our evil actions “sin”. Instead, we cover them up with euphemisms such as saying we made a “mistake” or we “fell short”.

God is not afraid to say we have sinned! All of us have (Romans 3:23). Actually, there is something liberating when I acknowledge that I do struggle with sin. Certainly at different times in my Christian life I have felt a desire to rebel against God. I have been “stiff-necked”!

This does not condone my sin. I am not encouraging us to be “stiff-necked”. I am only encouraging us to take an honest inventory of ourselves. As we do so we must remember the important truth, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God loves me anyway! God understands I am not justified by my own righteousness. My own righteousness looks like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). I am justified by Christ. Praise God that God is able to save a stiff-necked soul like me through His precious Son Jesus Christ!

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).

Daily Devo 2/12/13

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

As Moses continues his farewell speech to those of the children of Israel who are about to enter the Promised Land, he reminds them of the importance of their loving God with all their being. Moses was concerned that once they entered the Promised Land, the children of Israel would forget it was God who brought them there (Deuteronomy 6:12), that they would no longer fear God (Deuteronomy 6:13), and that they hearts would be led astray and begin going after the gods of the nations they had conquered (Deuteronomy 6:14). Sadly, when one studies the history of God’s people following the conquering of the Promised Land, this is exactly what happened. They went astray from God.

Although future generations of the children of Israel failed to heed this message of Moses, there are some important insights for us to glean here. God’s people were to make a FOCUSED EFFORT to LOVE GOD. After Moses tells them to love God with all their being (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), notice what he instructs them to do: He says, “"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). He adds that they were to put God’s Word’s on the clothing they wore (i.e. “bind them as a sign on your hand”, “frontlets between your eyes”, Deuteronomy 6:8) and they were to write them around their houses (i.e. “doorposts” and “gates”, Deuteronomy 6:9).

We should not view this as just some ritualistic exercise that God wanted them to perform. The picture we should take away from this is they were to be continually expressing the love they had for God by speaking of Him throughout the day and having His Word’s all around them as reminders of His love for them. God wanted all this to be done for the future welfare of His people: “And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land of which the Lord swore to your fathers” (Deuteronomy 6:18).

As Christians, Jesus tells us, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Again, Jesus doesn’t tell us this as some kind of a ritualistic exercise or an attempt to “earn our salvation”. He loves us so much He gave His life for us (John 3:16). Jesus knows that if we want to have a great relationship with Him it involves not only Him showing love for us, but our showing love for Him! We do this by keeping His commandments which are for our own welfare.

As with the children of Israel of old, so it is with us today: It takes a focused effort on our parts to love God. There are many things which distract us from loving God and which compete for our love. This is why it is important for us to study God’s Word daily and for us to speak of our love for God and how He has blessed us throughout each day of our lives. Sharing the good news of Christ not only benefits those lost souls we are trying to reach for Christ, but it also benefits us by helping us to keep our minds focused on God’s love. Today, I will celebrate God’s great love for me and focus my mind on showing my love for God by striving to keep His commandments!

“I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life” (Psalm 119:93)

2/11/13

“But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the Lord said to me: 'Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter’” (Deuteronomy 3:25).

As Moses recounts to the Israelites their history since they left Egyptian bondage and the various wilderness wanderings of their forefathers, he reminds them of the incident which he committed which will keep himself from entering the Promised Land. Following the Israelites once again complaining of no water to drink, God told Moses to SPEAK to the rock and the rock would bring forth water (Numbers 20:1-8). Instead, in his anger towards God’s people Moses STRUCK the rock and instead of glorifying God, he and his brother Aaron, directed glory to themselves by saying to the people, “Hear now, you rebels! Must WE bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10) God's judgment on Moses for failing to give God glory in this matter was that Moses would not be allowed to lead God’s people to the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12).

God forgave Moses of this sin. God still loved Moses and appreciated his service to Him. However, Moses would still have to bear the consequences of his sin by not be allowed to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. Moses had difficulty in accepting God’s answer regarding the consequences of his Moses’ sin. Moses says he pleaded with God saying, “I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon” (Deuteronomy 3:24). In His response to Moses, God says, “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter” (Deuteronomy 3;25).

Sometimes God says “No” in answer to our prayer request. For example, He told Paul that he would not remove the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). In His response to Paul the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My Strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God even told his own Son Jesus, “No” in answer to Jesus’ request that the cup of suffering might pass from Him and that He would not have to experience the suffering of the cross (Matthew 26:36-46). God knew there was no way to save the world from sin without the death of His only Son to satisfy the justice of God (John 3:16).

Do you have difficulty in accepting when God apparently says, “No” to your prayer request? At times,  I do. But I have to remember that God has His own reasons for saying, “No” to my prayer request. He may say “No” because what I am praying for may not be what is best for me. He may say, “No” to give me an opportunity to rely more on His grace and His strength. He may say, “No” to give me an opportunity to glorify Him by my life as a go through a particular trial.

I can either fight God when He says “No” to me or I can embrace God’s answer of “No” to my prayer request and accept and trust that God’s reasons for saying “No” to me are far above my ability to comprehend. Part of living the life of faith in God is learning to accept His answer of “No”. Today, I will strive to learn to accept when God says “No” to me. I am thankful that I serve a God who understands so much more than I do!

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Daily Devo 2/10/13

“And the Lord spoke to me, saying: 'You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward’” (Deuteronomy 2:2-3).

Moses is recounting to the next generation of the children of Israel the events of the past 40 years of the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness. As he begins, Moses mentions what God had told their forefathers. Moses says, "The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain’” (Deuteronomy 1:6). It was time for them to leave the comfort of Mount Horeb and journey to the Promised Land.

As he moves along with his farewell speech to this next generation, Moses reminds them of the failures of their forefathers and their lack of faith in God. He particularly points out the failure following the spies bad report following their spying of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:19-46). As a result of this failure their punishment was to wander in the wilderness for 40 years.

Now as Moses continues his farewell speech, he mentions what the Lord told the current generation of Israelites at the end of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. God says the time for wandering was over. Now it is time to go and conquer the Promised land. The Lord say, “turn northward” (Deuteronomy 2:3)!

Do you ever feel like your wandering in a spiritual wilderness? I know at times I do. It is easy to get stuck in a spiritual rut. This is why were are admonished, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth’ (Colossians 3:1-2).

As Christians, it is important for us to “turn northward” and be about the work and mission that God has set before us and not fall into the trap of wandering in the wilderness. Today, I will celebrate God’s guidance and direction in my life and “turn northward” and be about doing His Work. Have a blessed day in service to Christ!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Daily Devo 2/9/13

“These six cities shall be for refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there” (Numbers 35:15).

As God gives commands to the children of Israel regarding the inheritance to be divided, He commands that 6 cities be set up as “cities of refuge” where someone who had accidently killed someone else (i.e. a manslayer) could flee until justice could be determined (Numbers 35:9-12). While God did command that those who were guilty of murder would have to make atonement by the shedding of their own blood as they were to be put to death (Numbers 35:30-34), God did not want innocent blood to be shed in the Promised Land. He did not want the relative of the person who had accidently been killed (i.e. the avenger of blood) to act hastily and kill the manslayer before proper judgment could be determined (Numbers 35:22-24). If it was determined that the person killed another by accident then that person would have to remain in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest at which time he could return to his own land (Numbers 35:25, 28). If that person went outside the city of refuge before this, the avenger of blood could put him to death without being guilty (Number 35:26-28).

It is interesting that these cities are described as “cities of REFUGE”. Webster’s defines “refuge” as a “shelter or protection from danger or distress”. The manslayer was to flee to one of these 6 refuge cities for shelter and protection. Today, we think of refugees fleeing a war zone looking for shelter and protection from the danger and distress of war.

For the follower of Christ, God is described throughout the Scriptures as our “Refuge”. Life can beat us up at times. Sometimes we get scared at the circumstances we face. Notice how King David felt in his distress, “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed” (Psalm 143:3-4). However, in this same Psalm David took time to remember that God was his Refuge, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land” (Psalm 143:5-6).

It is comforting to know that God is there to provide us with shelter and protection. When we feel scared, anxious, and concerned about the challenges and trials that lay before us, it is important for us to remember His Presence. Today, I will celebrate that God is my Refuge!

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Daily Devo 2/8/13

“Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel, and say to them, “My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time”’” (Numbers 28:1-2).

In chapters 28-29 of the book of Numbers God gives detailed instructions of how he wanted the Israelites to worship Him and when He wanted such worship to occur. There were daily offerings to be made, special sacrifices for each Sabbath day, prescribed manners of worship at the beginning of each month and certain feasts such as the Passover, the celebration of first-fruits, the holy convocation of the blowing of Trumpets, and the Feast of Tabernacles that were to be observed as worship unto God (Numbers 28:1-29:40).

Israel was to be “careful” to worship God at these appointed times. When they did this and worshipped God the way He prescribed, God says this was like a “sweet aroma” to Him.

Today, many worship God the way they want. They add all kinds of things to how God has prescribed in the New Testament how He wants to be worshipped. Those who do this want to make worship “more exciting” or so that they can “get more out of worship”. The basic problem is that it takes the focus of where our worship is to be directed. It is to be directed towards God and pleasing Him, not on pleasing ourselves.

I have been married for over 24 years now. I have learned that I need to love my wife the way she wants to be loved. I used to spend a lot of time trying to show her love by DOING things for her or BUYING things for her. Yet, he she did not feel loved by these actions of mine. She wanted me to show her love by simply LISTENING to her and TALKING with her. I have learned and am still learning over the course of these 24 years to love her the way she wants to be loved.

The same is true regarding our worship to God. We are not to worship to God in the way we want, but rather in the way He wants. When we worship God the way He has prescribed He views this as a “sweet aroma”. Isn’t that wonderful! I know my sin stinks. But, as I worship God the way, He has directed I am able to give to God something that He enjoys. He describes it as a “sweet aroma”. I will worship God as He wants so that my worship may please Him!

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand…” (Psalm 95:6-7).

Daily Devo 2/7/13

“Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel” (Numbers 25:1-3)

To gain a better understanding of why Israel did this one needs to look at the rest of the Bible and what it says about the prophet Balaam whom Balek, king of Moab, had hired to curse God’s people. While with Balek, God had insisted that Balaam only speak the words God instructed to him (Numbers 22:35). As a result, Balaam blessed God’s people instead of cursing them (Numbers 23:7-10, 18-24; 24:3-9, 17-24). Balaam then departs from Balak (Numbers 24:25). From reading these chapters 22-24 of the book of Numbers one might think this is all there was to the story. However, the rest of the Scriptures shed great light on Balaam’s motives and actions.

Balak had promised Balaam great wealth (Numbers 22:15-17). Balaam was willing to curse God’s people because he was motivated by greed (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11). Furthermore, it was Balaam who “taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” (Revelation 2:14). The reason Israel committed harlotry with the women of Moab (Numbers 25:1) was because Balaam counseled him to do this. Balaam was unable to curse God’s people himself, but he taught Balak how to get God’s people to bring trouble upon themselves by falling into sin.

Balaam DID a lot of things which appear to be right. He did speak God’s Word to Balak. Time and time again, he pronounced God’s blessings upon Israel and refused to curse God’s people as Balak had wanted. He told Balak, "Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak" (Numbers 23:38). He also told the king of Moab, “…Let me die the death of the righteous, And let my end be like his!" (Numbers 24:10)

Appearances can be deceiving. While Balaam appeared to DO and SAY the right things, these actions came from an evil heart motivated by greed (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11). In an efforts to get financial gain he finally counsels Balak to get God’s people to curse themselves by engaging in harlotry (Revelations 2:14; Numbers 25:1-3).

As I consider this, I am reminded I can DO and SAY many things which appear to be right. But if my motivation for doing these things is evil (e.g. hate instead of love, pride instead of humility, greed instead of sacrifice, etc.), then although my actions may appear right, they are wrong in the eyes of God. God knows my heart.

On the other hand, I may be struggling with a trial or a sin. I may fail time and time again. Each time I fail, I may reach up and grab God’s hand and ask for His help to continue. Those around me may just see my failure and think I am not really trying to serve God. But God knows my heart. Today, I will live striving to serve God out of a pure heart. Have a blessed day!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Daily Devo 2/6/13

"How shall I curse whom God has not cursed? And how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” (Numbers 23:8)

In their journey through the wilderness Israel had now settled in the plains of Moab on the east side of the Jordan River across from Jericho (Numbers 22:1). They are getting ready to enter the Promised Land. However, Balak the king of Moab is very afraid of Israel and has hired Balaam to come and curse Israel so that he might be able to defeat Israel and drive them out of his land (Numbers 22:2-6). However, instead of cursing God’s people Balaam blesses them as the above verse indicates.

In fact later, notice what God says through Balaam as Balak again attempts to get Balaam to curse God’s people: “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him…” (Numbers 23:21). God says He has not “observed iniquity in Jacob” or “seen wickedness in Israel”.

However, in the preceding chapters we see many failures of Israel (e.g. the evil report of the 12 spies, Numbers 13:26-33; Korah leading a rebellion along with 250 other leaders of Israel against Moses’ and Aaron’s authority from God, Numbers 16:1-40; the people complaining about lack of water and Moses’ failure to glorify God when he disobey God’s command to speak to the rock, Numbers 20:1-13). Why does God, through Balaam, say to Balak, “I have not observed iniquity in Jacob?”

The answer lies in understanding the power of God’s forgiveness and His great desire to bless His people. Although Israel still bore the consequences of their sin and had to continue on their wilderness journey, God had forgiven them. God had great purposes for Israel and He didn’t allow their failures to cause Him not to fulfill those purposes. His desire to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for Israel to inherit the Promised Land and through their descendants to send His Son to save the world (Genesis 12:1-3) was far greater than His disappointment with them regarding their sin.

As Christians, this gives us great encouragement. God loves His people. He loves us so much He gave His Son to die for us (John 3:16). Yes, God is disappointed when we stumble and sin. But, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins as Christians (1 John 1:7-9). After we have repented or our sins, He doesn’t dwell on our failures. He focuses on how to bless us as we continue to walk with Him. Today, I will not dwell on my failures, but I will rejoice in God’s desire to bless me!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1)

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Daily Devo 2/5/13

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them’" (Numbers 20:12).

As the Israelites continue their 40 years journey in the wilderness, they began to complain again about not having enough water (Numbers 20:1-5). God instructs Moses to speak to the rock and the rock will bring forth water for the people and their animals (Numbers 20:6-8). However, Moses is angry with this people. He is getting sick and tired of their rebellion. In his anger and rage he does not speak to the rock; instead, he strikes the rock and says, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10)

Water flows from the rock and the people’s thirst is satisfied (Numbers 20:11). However, Moses has failed to glorify God and “hallow God in the eyes of the children of Israel” (Number 20:12). As a result Moses will not be allowed to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land.

As I read this I can appreciate how frustrated Moses must have been with this people who were always complaining about something. I can also relate to how tempting it is to take my eyes of God when dealing with such people and look to myself to solve the problems and say, “Must I solve this for you!” I can also appreciate the challenge that leaders in the church have to continue to strive to maintain a reverence for God and keep Him hallowed in the eyes of the people of God when many times Christians in the church complain about things which they ought not.

This sin of Moses kept him from leading God’s people into the Promised Land. However, God did forgive Moses and let Moses continue to lead God’s people through the wilderness. In fact, in His mercy and grace, God would let Moses go up to the top of Mount Nebo and view the Promised Land before God took Moses to his heavenly reward (Deuteronomy 34:1-7).

As a Christian, I need to keep my eyes on God. I must be careful about trusting in myself when dealing with difficult situations or with difficult people. It is during such times that I can often fail to give God the glory which He deserves and end up trying to glorify myself to my own shame. Today, may God bless you as you strive to glorify Him and keep Him hallowed in the eyes of those around you!

“I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore” (Psalm 86:12).

Daily Devo 2/4/13

“They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?’" (Numbers 16:3).

Following their spies evil report about the Promised Land and their own lack of faith in God’s promises, Israel begins their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33-34). Some among them begin to blame Moses’ leadership instead of their own lack of faith for their having not reached the Promised Land. Korah leads a group of 250 other leaders in Israel and they begin to challenge the authority of Moses as the above verse shows (Number 16:1-3). God did not take this matter lightly.

In fact, God will have each of these 250 men bring a censer filled with fire and incense and come before the Lord at the tabernacle of meeting. Korah and his family are swallowed up by the earth and the 250 men who participated in the rebellion with Korah are devoured by fire (Numbers 16:23-35). God has Eleazar the priest take the bronze censers that these men had used and hammers them out as a covering for the altar to serve as a memorial. Every time an Israelite came to the tabernacle and saw the altar of burnt offering outside the tabernacle, they would be reminded of the importance of respecting God’s authority and those whom God has placed in positions of authority (Numbers 16:36-40).

As Americans we have difficulty wanting to respect authority. One of our founding fathers Thomas Jefferson said, “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing…” However, it is fundamental for us as Christians to learn to live within the boundaries God has set for us. We are told to submit to God so that the devil may flee from us (James 4:7). At times, in my own Christian life I have brought a lot of misery upon myself by trying to fight against God’s authority and questioning why He commands certain things. This has made me feel resentful towards Him and at odds with those who teach and preach His Word.

I need to remember that God is God, not me. My life is much more peaceful when I accept that God has all authority and I don’t need to “question” his authority. I just need to accept it. I need to have the attitude of Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears” (I Samuel 3:9). Today, rejoice in God’s authority as He guides you in your walk with Him!

“Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes” (Psalm 119:135)

Daily Devo 2/3/13

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.’”(Numbers 13:30)

Caleb went with Joshua and 10 other leaders in Israel to spy out the Promised Land. They saw its abundant fruit and that it was a land that flowed with milk and honey (Numbers 13:26-27). They also saw its defenses and that it was inhabited by strong and powerful people including giants (Numbers 13:28-29). Along with Joshua, Caleb believed Israel was “well able to overcome it”. “But 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’”(Numbers 13:31).

All the spies saw the same circumstances that they faced: an abundant land for them to enjoy, but that was well defended. Most of the spies limited themselves to looking at only their own ability to conquer the land. They said, “We are not able to go up against this people, for they are stronger than we”. They were intimidated by the giants and this made them feel like grasshoppers compared to these giants (Numbers 13:33).

But as Joshua and Caleb looked at these same challenging circumstances, they did not limit themselves by only looking at themselves and their own ability to conquer the land. Instead, they looked up. They looked up in faith and placed their faith in God’s ability to conquer the land, “and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: ‘The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey'” (Numbers 14:8-9).

As Christians we face the same challenges in life that other people face (e.g. problems at work, challenges in our families, financial concerns, etc.). I often fail to look up and look at myself and think, “How am I going to solve this problem I face?” When I do this I come away discouraged feeling like a grasshopper trying to solve my problems.

When I face these same problems by remembering God’s power to act in my life and relying on his ability to lead me through these circumstances, my heart is lifted up and my life is filled with peace, joy, and love even though I am facing the same circumstances. I am trusting in His power even though I don’t know how He is going to solve everything. I only know that He can and He will.

Today is the Lord’s Day! As we worship Him, let us praise Him for His power to act in our lives and lift us up from feeling like grasshoppers and making us conquerors!

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Daily Devo 2/2/13

“Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: ‘Who will give us meat to eat?’” (Numbers 11:4)

The children of Israel had begun their journey from Mount Sinai and were headed to the Promised Land. God had provided them with food to eat by giving them manna from heaven each day (Exodus 16:4-36). They could visibly see that God was leading them by the cloud that led them by day (Numbers 10:34).

However, when they left Egypt not only did the children of Israel depart but a “mixed multitude” (which probably included some God-fearing Egyptians) went with them (Exodus 12:38). Now that “mixed multitude” was no longer content with the manna God had provided for them to eat. They give in to an “intense desire” to have meat. As a result the children of Israel also become discontent with the manna God has provided and also ask for meat to eat (Numbers 11:4).

As I read this I can’t help but ask myself, “How often do I fail to be content with what God has provided for me?” Like the “mixed multitude” it is so easy for me to take my eye off rejoicing in the things which God has given to me (e.g. my family, my relationship with Him, my job, my health, my daily food, etc.) and begin to become discontent by moaning over the things which He has not chosen to give me (e.g. excessive wealth, perfect health, the “perfect” family). Like Israel, I often times listen to those around me (e.g. TV commercials, my peers, etc.) instead of listening to God and this breeds discontentment in my heart and I make myself miserable.

As Christians it is vitally important that we “learn” contentment. We all have desires that we struggle with that can lead to sin (James 1:14-15). The key is to not let these desires become “intense desires” by dwelling on these desires instead of on God and submitting ourselves to His Will. God has provided us with so many blessings! I will take time today to rejoice in what God has given me and work on not letting Satan lead my heart astray through discontentment.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11)

Daily Devo 2/1/13

"The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

These were the words God instructed the priests of Israel to say when they blessed the children of Israel. The surrounding chapters of this chapter of the book of Numbers are filled with commands that God expected His people to follow. However, while keeping God’s laws are very important, following God is not just about keeping commandments. Following God also involves be recipients of His blessings. By blessing the people with the above words, God said, “"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27).

As one who preaches to God’s people, I know I often instruct my brethren in God’s laws and challenge their commitment to Christ. I want them to grow and mature as followers of Christ. This is necessary. Preachers are to convince, rebuke and exhort (2 Timothy 4:2). Part of exhorting is to bless and encourage my brethren in Christ. It is a challenge to live the Christian life and sometimes Christians need to be reminded that God is eager to bless them!

As Christians, sometimes we focus too much on each other’s shortcomings and weaknesses. Instead of encouraging each other we discourage each other. Instead of blessing each other, we curse each other (James 3:10). It is interesting that the apostle Paul could strongly rebuke a church like the church at Corinth which struggled with many sins and still called on God to bless them. Remember that your brethren in Christ are a blessing and put God’s name on them to bless them.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Daily Devo 1/31/13

“According to the commandment of the Lord they were numbered by the hand of Moses, each according to his service and according to his task; thus were they numbered by him, as the Lord commanded Moses” (Numbers 4:49)

This verse comes at the conclusion of a chapter in which God has given specific instructions to the sons of Levi and what their service was to be in the tabernacle. Those of the sons of Levi who were of the family of the Gershon were responsible for carrying the coverings of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:25-26). Those of the sons of Levi who were of the family of Kohath were responsible for the holy things of the tabernacle such as the ark, the table, and the lampstand (Numbers 3:30-31). Those of the sons of Levi who were of the family of Merari were in charge of the framework of the tabernacle such as the boards, bars, and pillars (Numbers 3:36-37). Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was to oversee all of this (Numbers 3:32). Everyone had a particular way in which he was to serve for the overall good of the nation of Israel.

Today, the church is described as the “body of Christ” in which each Christian is described as a member of that body with a particular function regarding how they are to serve for the overall benefit of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-26). However, God does not tell each of us as Christians exactly how He wants us to serve in His church. He has given us the liberty of discover our own ability and use that ability for the building up of His body, the church, to His glory.

As Christians, we are so blessed when we use the unique abilities that God has given us and minister to others. Christ said such an attitude is necessary for us to achieve all that God wants us to be in Christ. Today, use your unique abilities to build up the body of Christ, the church, to God’s glory!

“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:26-28).

Daily Devo 1/30/13

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright” (Leviticus 26:13)

Leviticus 26 is a chapter that describes God’s blessings upon Israel if they walk within the confines of His commandments (Leviticus 26:3-13) and God’s chastening of them if they choose to not follow His laws (Leviticus 26:14-39). As you can see from the amount of verses warning of God’s chastening versus the amount of verses speaking of God’s blessing, God wanted Israel to fear God and keep His commandments. Yet, if Israel disobeyed God, God would forgive them once they confessed their sins, repented, and sought to return to Him (Leviticus 26:40-45).

God did not want His people to return to the bondage of sin. He would do all that was in His power including chastening His people to prevent this from happening. When we read a chapter like Leviticus 26, we can choose to think how harsh God is to His people because He chastens them for their sins.

I would encourage us not to do this. It is because of God’s great love for His people that He chastens them. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

As a Christian, I am not perfect. I sometimes take my eye off God. Sometimes, I am able to recognize the error of my ways and repent of it. At other times, God needs to chasten me so I will “come to my senses” and recognize the error of my ways and repent. Part of my maturing as a Christian is to embrace the fact that God loves me enough to chasten me so that I will continue to “walk uprightly” and not fall back under the bondage of sin. Praise God that He loves me enough to chasten me!

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19)

Daily Devo 1/29/13

“And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family” (Leviticus 25:10).

The year of Jubiliee was observed in Israel every 50 years. It was a time for the people who had been sold into servitude to be made free. It was a time for those who had sold their land in order to pay off debts to be able to reclaim it back. They were not to sow nor reap during this year (Leviticus 25:11). In fact, they would not have sown nor reaped the year prior to this (Leviticus 25:3-4, 8-9).

Yet God made sure the Israelites were provided for. “And if you say, ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?’ Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years.” (Leviticus 25:20-21).

The year of Jubiliee was a to be a time of the freeing of the captives. It was a time of reflection for how God had blessed them. It was a time to remember that their trust needed to be in God. It was a time of celebration over God’s care for them.

As Christians, we need to take time to reflect on God’s blessings on us. We need to remember that our trust is in Him. We need to celebrate that He has freed us from the bondage of sin. Take time today to reflect on God’s care for you!

“I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6)

Daily Devo 1/28/13

“And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them” (Leviticus 20:23)

In the context of this passage, God had described a long list of sexual sins that the nations that were currently in the Promised Land, which Israel was about to inherit, had committed. These sexual sins included adultery (Leviticus 20:10), incest (Leviticus 20:11), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), and  bestiality (Leviticus 20:15-16) among others. Because these nations had committed these sexual sins, among other sins, God was casting them out of the land and was going to let Israel inherit it. The iniquity of the Amorites was complete (Genesis 15:16).

We live in an age where sexual immorality is rampant. We are bombarded with commercials that exploit people’s weaknesses to give into sexual lusts. Society has taken what God has said he abhors (e.g. adultery and homosexuality) and not only tolerates it, but promotes it!

It is a challenge to strive to live a Christian life in such an environment and not allow this to weigh you down. Sometimes the tendency as a Christian is just to focus on condemning the world for practicing these things. The result is we come across as being judgmental and this doesn’t exactly attract people to want to follow Christ.

The truth of the matter is these sins are just among many sins with which mankind struggles. While these sexual sins are sins which God abhors, God abhors the sins against which we all struggle. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).

I thank God that He has provided a way through His Son to know His truth, have the opportunity to repent, and be forgiven of my sin (John 14:6). I am also thankful for my brethren who strive to live godly lives in a world where we are constantly bombarded by ungodliness. As long as we are in the world, we will live in the midst of ungodliness. Don’t let the ungodliness around you to diminish your ability to be a light for God to show others who struggle with sin the blessings Christ has brought into your life. May God bless you as you strive to live for him today!

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

Daily Devo 1/27/13

“Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people” (Leviticus 17:3-4).

This verse is not speaking about the killing of an animal for food purposes, but the killing of an animal as a sacrifice to God. God did not want such animal sacrifices to be made just anywhere, but insisted that such animal sacrifices be brought to the tabernacle of meeting (Leviticus 17:5). Notice what God would impute to the person who failed to obey this command of God: God would impute to them the “guilt of bloodshed” (Leviticus 17:4).

God considered the death of an animal as a sacrifice to Him as a serious and solemn matter: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). God said that He had given the animal’s blood to make atonement for the soul of the Israelite.

As Christians, we do not offer animal sacrifices today. This is because the blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ was shed for our sins to make atonement for our souls (1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 5:11). However, today is the Lord’s Day. We should gather today with our fellow Christians to remember the death of His Son whose blood was shed for our sins. Worship is a serious and solemn matter. This does not mean we should be sullen. We celebrate the love, mercy and grace God has shown to us as we worship Him together in the place where He has chosen for us to gather together to worship Him, His church.

“Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1)

Daily Devo 1/26/13

“Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness” (Leviticus 16:8-10)

In ancient Israel, the sins of the Israelites were daily transferred as they made their sin offerings. However, once a year, on the 10th day of the 7th month, the Day of Atonement, the High Priest sacrificed a bull as a sin offering for his own sins. After this, he took 2 goats and presented them at the door of the tabernacle with a view of dealing with the sins of God’s people as a whole. One goat would be slain as a sin offering for the people and its blood be brought into the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16:15-19). This was necessary so that God’s tabernacle, which represented God’s presence among the Israelites, could remain among God’s people.

The other goat, the scapegoat, was then presented before God at the tabernacle of meeting. The High Priest would confess over this goat the sins of the children of Israel. It would then be sent far away and released in the wilderness, thus to bear the sins of Israel far from the presence of God (Leviticus 16:20-22). Thus God’s presence could continue to be among the Israelites because their sins had been atoned for and their sins had been removed far away from the tabernacle of meeting.

As I read this, I marvel at the mercy, grace, and justice of God. He made these provisions for Israel looking forward to the time when Christ would come and be sacrificed for the sins of all mankind to satisfy the justice of God. He bore our iniquities upon Himself. May all of us rejoice that God has provided a way for each of us to have our sins atoned for by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. He has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all!

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Daily Devo 1/25/13

“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”

Immediately preceding these events Aaron and his sons (including Nadab and Abihu) had been consecrated to the Lord’s service as priests and HAD WITNESSED THE GLORY OF GOD as fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering they had made upon the altar (Leviticus 9:24). In fact, so near were these events that there were still portions of the sacrifices that had been offered during the consecration ceremony that were to have been eaten by Aaron and his sons which had not been eaten as of yet (Leviticus 10:12-20). Now, another fire came out from before the Lord and devoured Nadab and Abihu because they offered profane fire before the Lord. Moses then tells Aaron, “"This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' " (Leviticus 10:3).

As I read these events, I am amazed at how quickly as humans we can witness the great glory of God and IMMEDIATELY FORGET IT! Nadab and Abihu had witnessed the glory of God as God consumed the sacrifices on the altar, but then immediately went and offered profane fire before God and did not regard God as holy! It is hard to believe how they could have done such a thing.

But before I get on my “high horse” all I have to do is consider myself and how often I can see the glory of God as I behold a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a precious baby taking his or her first steps, or the majesty of a horse in the pasture and seconds later grumble or curse because someone has cut in front of me as I am driving or I see some politician on TV that says something that upsets me. I need to work on not forgetting to remember that God is holy and He must be continually glorified by me!

“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 147:11)