The Israelites, God's chosen people are grumbling against God yet again. In Numbers 21 we come upon them grumbling about the Manna (Manna is the bread of life God rained down on them to supply them with food) and for making them wonder in the wilderness. I can understand why they were grumbling because come on, it's been close to 40 years and that's all they've eaten besides quail. How many different ways can you cook the stuff? BUT, one must remember this is from God and given as a life source. If you grumble against it you are grumbling against God. Numbers 21:5 says that they "loathe this miserable food." My study notes say that their impatience had led them to blaspheme God, reject His servant Moses and despise the bread from heaven. In fact it says that out of the several attacks upon the manna that this was the most bitter and more serious then you'd think. By rejecting the heavenly manna they were spurning God's grace. John 6:32 & 35 says, "Truly truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven . . . . . I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
God brought fiery serpents down upon the people and some were bitten and died. At this point their eyes were opened to their sin and they cried out for Moses to intercede for them with the Lord. Numbers 21:8 says, "Then the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live." Those who were bitten and looked at the serpent on the pole lived. Those who didn't died.
This is a foreshadowing of Christ dying on the cross for our us. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so much the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14-16
I pray that we will continue to lift our eyes up to Jesus and keep Him forever before us. To do so even in difficult times when it feels like we have fiery serpents coming after us and biting us. Let us not allow sin to continue but once we are made aware of it, to confess it to Jesus and look to Him to forgive us as He already has. He already has because Jesus died on the cross for that sin.
I can also imagine but it's not indicated, that many who looked at the serpent on the pole and were healed probably encouraged their loved ones to do the same. It reminds me that we too have looked to the Jesus and have been healed. Now, we are responsible to help others to look to Jesus so they too can be healed and have eternal life.
Krista Jone
2.29.08
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Vision
"Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." Exodus 33:18
O Lord, I need you to know that you are you!
I need to have a glorious God in view;
To see your plans, so infinite and wise,
I need a mighty God before my eyes.
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.
So often, when I face which way to go
The problems seem to multiply and grow;
I do not see you standing, waiting, there,
So full of power for me, to do, to dare!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.
O God, I know that in my present state
I could not stand the sight of you, so great;
Yet even now, the smallest glimpse is bright
Enough to bathe my soul in dazzling light!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open my eyes of faith to you.
Anne Ortlund, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
O Lord, I need you to know that you are you!
I need to have a glorious God in view;
To see your plans, so infinite and wise,
I need a mighty God before my eyes.
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.
So often, when I face which way to go
The problems seem to multiply and grow;
I do not see you standing, waiting, there,
So full of power for me, to do, to dare!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open up my eyes of faith to you.
O God, I know that in my present state
I could not stand the sight of you, so great;
Yet even now, the smallest glimpse is bright
Enough to bathe my soul in dazzling light!
Show me your glory! Show yourself anew;
Lord, open my eyes of faith to you.
Anne Ortlund, taken from "Women's Devotional Bible 1"
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Where's Our Battleground?
"Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world." Ephesians 6:12
Where's our battleground in life? Is our battle against our neighbor? Is our battle against our family? No. The battle is with the invisible forces of darkness, the evil one who has invaded the earth, whose goal is to win the battle within every Christian. Satan failed in his desire to control God, and it's only with God's help that we can defeat him.
By Max Lucado, "Walking with the Savior"
Where's our battleground in life? Is our battle against our neighbor? Is our battle against our family? No. The battle is with the invisible forces of darkness, the evil one who has invaded the earth, whose goal is to win the battle within every Christian. Satan failed in his desire to control God, and it's only with God's help that we can defeat him.
By Max Lucado, "Walking with the Savior"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Telling The Truth
"Sanctify them in the truth." John 17:17
Part of coming to know God intimately is hearing the truth about ourselves. We need someone who will tell us the truth.
We don't do that with each other. We don't tell people the truth because we don't want to offend them or make them mad at us. Besides, all of us like being lied to occasionally. No woman wants to ask, "How do you like my new dress?" and hear, "Worst thing I ever saw in my life."
No one wants to hear that! And even though we may think a piece of clothing or a hairstyle is the worst we have sever seen, we aren't about to say so because people don't' want the truth. Therefore, our relationships are often shallow and never get to where they are supposed to be.
You don't have that problem with God. God calls it as He sees it. He's not going to tell you, "I'm okay, you're okay." He's going to tell you, "You are dead in your trespasses and in your sins." He's not going to make it comfortable or convenient for you. When God begins to unveil who He is, it also unveils who we are.
That's the problem Peter had when he ran into Jesus Christ at the lake and found out who he was. Peter fell on his face and said, "I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8).
The Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord and cried out, "Woe is me!" (Isaiah 6:5). Why? Because if you want the real deal with God, you are going to get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and some of it's not going to be pleasant.
But God doesn't tell you the truth about yourself and then leave you where you are. Like a good doctor, He tells you you're sick so you will get the proper treatment. The proper treatment for sin is salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, who provided forgiveness for our sins by His death on the cross.
You can never know God until you are properly related to Him through Christ. If you have never come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, today would be a great day to do that.
Think about it: Have you ever thanked God for telling you the truth about yourself?
By Tony Evans, taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Part of coming to know God intimately is hearing the truth about ourselves. We need someone who will tell us the truth.
We don't do that with each other. We don't tell people the truth because we don't want to offend them or make them mad at us. Besides, all of us like being lied to occasionally. No woman wants to ask, "How do you like my new dress?" and hear, "Worst thing I ever saw in my life."
No one wants to hear that! And even though we may think a piece of clothing or a hairstyle is the worst we have sever seen, we aren't about to say so because people don't' want the truth. Therefore, our relationships are often shallow and never get to where they are supposed to be.
You don't have that problem with God. God calls it as He sees it. He's not going to tell you, "I'm okay, you're okay." He's going to tell you, "You are dead in your trespasses and in your sins." He's not going to make it comfortable or convenient for you. When God begins to unveil who He is, it also unveils who we are.
That's the problem Peter had when he ran into Jesus Christ at the lake and found out who he was. Peter fell on his face and said, "I am a sinful man." (Luke 5:8).
The Prophet Isaiah saw the Lord and cried out, "Woe is me!" (Isaiah 6:5). Why? Because if you want the real deal with God, you are going to get the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and some of it's not going to be pleasant.
But God doesn't tell you the truth about yourself and then leave you where you are. Like a good doctor, He tells you you're sick so you will get the proper treatment. The proper treatment for sin is salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, who provided forgiveness for our sins by His death on the cross.
You can never know God until you are properly related to Him through Christ. If you have never come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, today would be a great day to do that.
Think about it: Have you ever thanked God for telling you the truth about yourself?
By Tony Evans, taken from "Time to Get Serious"
Monday, August 25, 2008
Have You Ever Been Speechless with Sorrow?
"When he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich." Luke 18:23
The rich young ruler went away from Jesus speechless with sorrow, having nothing to say in response to Jesus’ words. He had no doubt about what Jesus had said or what it meant, and it produced in him a sorrow with no words with which to respond. Have you ever been there? Has God’s Word ever come to you, pointing out an area of your life, requiring you to yield it to Him? Maybe He has pointed out certain personal qualities, desires, and interests, or possibly relationships of your heart and mind. If so, then you have often been speechless with sorrow. The Lord will not go after you, and He will not plead with you. But every time He meets you at the place where He has pointed, He will simply repeat His words, saying, "If you really mean what you say, these are the conditions."
"Sell all that you have . . ." ( Luke 18:22 ). In other words, rid yourself before God of everything that might be considered a possession until you are a mere conscious human being standing before Him, and then give God that. That is where the battle is truly fought— in the realm of your will before God. Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Jesus Himself? If so, you are likely to hear one of His harsh and unyielding statements that will produce sorrow in you. What Jesus says is difficult— it is only easy when it is heard by those who have His nature in them. Beware of allowing anything to soften the hard words of Jesus Christ.
I can be so rich in my own poverty, or in the awareness of the fact that I am nobody, that I will never be a disciple of Jesus. Or I can be so rich in the awareness that I am somebody that I will never be a disciple. Am I willing to be destitute and poor even in my sense of awareness of my destitution and poverty? If not, that is why I become discouraged. Discouragement is disillusioned self-love, and self-love may be love for my devotion to Jesus— not love for Jesus Himself.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Highest"
The rich young ruler went away from Jesus speechless with sorrow, having nothing to say in response to Jesus’ words. He had no doubt about what Jesus had said or what it meant, and it produced in him a sorrow with no words with which to respond. Have you ever been there? Has God’s Word ever come to you, pointing out an area of your life, requiring you to yield it to Him? Maybe He has pointed out certain personal qualities, desires, and interests, or possibly relationships of your heart and mind. If so, then you have often been speechless with sorrow. The Lord will not go after you, and He will not plead with you. But every time He meets you at the place where He has pointed, He will simply repeat His words, saying, "If you really mean what you say, these are the conditions."
"Sell all that you have . . ." ( Luke 18:22 ). In other words, rid yourself before God of everything that might be considered a possession until you are a mere conscious human being standing before Him, and then give God that. That is where the battle is truly fought— in the realm of your will before God. Are you more devoted to your idea of what Jesus wants than to Jesus Himself? If so, you are likely to hear one of His harsh and unyielding statements that will produce sorrow in you. What Jesus says is difficult— it is only easy when it is heard by those who have His nature in them. Beware of allowing anything to soften the hard words of Jesus Christ.
I can be so rich in my own poverty, or in the awareness of the fact that I am nobody, that I will never be a disciple of Jesus. Or I can be so rich in the awareness that I am somebody that I will never be a disciple. Am I willing to be destitute and poor even in my sense of awareness of my destitution and poverty? If not, that is why I become discouraged. Discouragement is disillusioned self-love, and self-love may be love for my devotion to Jesus— not love for Jesus Himself.
By Oswald Chambers, taken from "My Utmost For His Highest"
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Importance of Water
As I continue reading through the book of Numbers I come to Chapter 20 where the children of those who rebelled earlier are complaining against God and Moses. And just like their parents, they are sorry they left Egypt because there was no water to drink. Here God tells Moses that He would provide water for them. All Moses had to do was take his rod and go and speak to the rock and water would come out of it. But instead, out of his frustration Moses struck the rock twice and disobeyed God.
Now I can related to his frustrations. He has spent over 40 years leading a group of complaining people. And now the children of the original complainers have seemed to learned the art of complaining from their parents. Ultimately, what Moses' disobedience did was show his lack of trust in God and did not show proper deference to God's presences thus offending God's holiness (Num. 20:12). Because of the one act Moses and Aaron were not allowed to enter the promised land and Aaron died shortly thereafter.
I'm reminded about how important water is from this passage. Our bodies need it to survive. In fact, our bodies are made up of water: lean muscle tissue contains about 75% water; blood 83%; body fat 25% and bone 22%. I love what Psalm 42:1-2 says about water, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?" Water not only satisfies our physical needs but also our spiritual needs. The Israelites yearned for water that satisfied their thirst and God provided it. Like us, a deer pants for water because it depends on it. It especially depends on it when it's being pursued by hunters.
But spiritual water is different because it satisfies us forever. Physical water only satisfies us for the moment and we need to drink it again when we become thirsty. Jesus is our living water and He has given it to us freely, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14). When we drink of the living water we will never thirst again. "They will not hunger or thirst. Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them. And will guide them to springs of water." Isaiah 49:13
I pray that we will find our satisfaction from the water of life that Jesus offers. That we'll pant for it like the deer pants for water. We need that deep yearning for the Lord like the Psalmist says in Psalm 63:1, "O God, You are my God; I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for you."
Krista Jones
2.19.08
Now I can related to his frustrations. He has spent over 40 years leading a group of complaining people. And now the children of the original complainers have seemed to learned the art of complaining from their parents. Ultimately, what Moses' disobedience did was show his lack of trust in God and did not show proper deference to God's presences thus offending God's holiness (Num. 20:12). Because of the one act Moses and Aaron were not allowed to enter the promised land and Aaron died shortly thereafter.
I'm reminded about how important water is from this passage. Our bodies need it to survive. In fact, our bodies are made up of water: lean muscle tissue contains about 75% water; blood 83%; body fat 25% and bone 22%. I love what Psalm 42:1-2 says about water, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?" Water not only satisfies our physical needs but also our spiritual needs. The Israelites yearned for water that satisfied their thirst and God provided it. Like us, a deer pants for water because it depends on it. It especially depends on it when it's being pursued by hunters.
But spiritual water is different because it satisfies us forever. Physical water only satisfies us for the moment and we need to drink it again when we become thirsty. Jesus is our living water and He has given it to us freely, "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14). When we drink of the living water we will never thirst again. "They will not hunger or thirst. Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them. And will guide them to springs of water." Isaiah 49:13
I pray that we will find our satisfaction from the water of life that Jesus offers. That we'll pant for it like the deer pants for water. We need that deep yearning for the Lord like the Psalmist says in Psalm 63:1, "O God, You are my God; I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for you."
Krista Jones
2.19.08
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Another Chance
"[You] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." Colossians 3:10
For almost 100 years, a huge piece of flawed Carrara marble lay in the courtyard of a cathedral in Florence, Italy. Then, in 1501, a young sculptor was asked to do something with it. He measured the block and noted its imperfections. In his mind, he envisioned a young shepherd boy.
For 3 years, he chiseled and shaped the marble skillfully. Finally, when the 18-foot towering figure of David was unveiled, his student exclaimed to Michelangelo, “Master, it lacks only one thing—speech!”
Onesimus was like that flawed marble. He was an unfaithful servant when he fled from his master Philemon. But while on the run he came to know the Master Sculptor. As a changed man, he served God faithfully and was invaluable to Paul’s ministry. When Paul sent him back to Philemon, he commended him as one “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (1:11). He asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother (v.16).
Paul knew what it meant to be given another chance after past wrongs (Acts 9:26-28). He knew personally the transformation God can accomplish. Now he saw it in the life of Onesimus. The Lord can chisel His image on our flawed lives and make us beautiful and useful too. — Albert Lee
Christ takes each sin, each pain, each loss,
And by the power of His cross
Transforms our brokenness and shame
So that our lives exalt His name. —D. De Haan
Our rough edges must be chipped away to bring out the image of Christ.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
For almost 100 years, a huge piece of flawed Carrara marble lay in the courtyard of a cathedral in Florence, Italy. Then, in 1501, a young sculptor was asked to do something with it. He measured the block and noted its imperfections. In his mind, he envisioned a young shepherd boy.
For 3 years, he chiseled and shaped the marble skillfully. Finally, when the 18-foot towering figure of David was unveiled, his student exclaimed to Michelangelo, “Master, it lacks only one thing—speech!”
Onesimus was like that flawed marble. He was an unfaithful servant when he fled from his master Philemon. But while on the run he came to know the Master Sculptor. As a changed man, he served God faithfully and was invaluable to Paul’s ministry. When Paul sent him back to Philemon, he commended him as one “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (1:11). He asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother (v.16).
Paul knew what it meant to be given another chance after past wrongs (Acts 9:26-28). He knew personally the transformation God can accomplish. Now he saw it in the life of Onesimus. The Lord can chisel His image on our flawed lives and make us beautiful and useful too. — Albert Lee
Christ takes each sin, each pain, each loss,
And by the power of His cross
Transforms our brokenness and shame
So that our lives exalt His name. —D. De Haan
Our rough edges must be chipped away to bring out the image of Christ.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Seekers, Finders
"If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee" (1 Chronicles 28:9).
We need our God; He is to be had for the seeking, and He will not deny Himself to any one of us if we personally seek His face. It is not if thou deserve Him, or purchase His favor, but merely if thou "seek" Him. Those who already know the LORD must go on seeking His face by prayer, by diligent service, and by holy gratitude: to such He will not refuse His favor and fellowship. Those who, as yet, have not known Him to their souls' rest should at once commence seeking and never cease till they find Him as their Savior, their Friend, their Father, and their God. What strong assurance this promise gives to the seeker! "He that seeketh findeth." You, yes you, if you seek your God shall find Him. When you find Him you have found life, pardon, sanctification, preservation, and glory. Will you not seek, and seek on, since you shall not seek in vain' Dear friend, seek the LORD at once. Here is the place, and now is the time. Bend that stiff knee; yes, bend that stiffer neck, and cry out for God, for the living God. In the name of Jesus, seek cleansing and justification. You shall not be refused. Here is David's testimony to his son Solomon, and it is the writer's personal witness to the reader. Believe it and act upon it, for Christ's sake.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
We need our God; He is to be had for the seeking, and He will not deny Himself to any one of us if we personally seek His face. It is not if thou deserve Him, or purchase His favor, but merely if thou "seek" Him. Those who already know the LORD must go on seeking His face by prayer, by diligent service, and by holy gratitude: to such He will not refuse His favor and fellowship. Those who, as yet, have not known Him to their souls' rest should at once commence seeking and never cease till they find Him as their Savior, their Friend, their Father, and their God. What strong assurance this promise gives to the seeker! "He that seeketh findeth." You, yes you, if you seek your God shall find Him. When you find Him you have found life, pardon, sanctification, preservation, and glory. Will you not seek, and seek on, since you shall not seek in vain' Dear friend, seek the LORD at once. Here is the place, and now is the time. Bend that stiff knee; yes, bend that stiffer neck, and cry out for God, for the living God. In the name of Jesus, seek cleansing and justification. You shall not be refused. Here is David's testimony to his son Solomon, and it is the writer's personal witness to the reader. Believe it and act upon it, for Christ's sake.
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Glory of God
"Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness." PSALMS 65:8,11
"He loveth righteousness and justice: the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord." PSALMS 33:5 (R. V.)
I SING because Thy works are fair,
Thy glory makes me glad,
The garments bright of praise I wear,
For Thou art brightly clad.
Full triumph doth my soul possess,
Because Thy ways are right;
The glory of Thy righteousness
Maketh my dear delight.
- THOMAS H. GILL
THE fulness of joy is to behold God in all; for by the same blessed might, wisdom, and love, that He made all things, to the same end our good Lord leadeth it continually, and there to Himself shall bring it, and, when it is time, we shall see it. - MOTHER JULIANA
God gives us richly all things to enjoy, while He Himself is His own best gift, and to be enjoyed not in a way of duty, but in the simple, natural realizing aright of what we possess in Him. - JOHN MCLEOD CAMPBELL
Compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston, taken from "Joy and Strength"
"He loveth righteousness and justice: the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord." PSALMS 33:5 (R. V.)
I SING because Thy works are fair,
Thy glory makes me glad,
The garments bright of praise I wear,
For Thou art brightly clad.
Full triumph doth my soul possess,
Because Thy ways are right;
The glory of Thy righteousness
Maketh my dear delight.
- THOMAS H. GILL
THE fulness of joy is to behold God in all; for by the same blessed might, wisdom, and love, that He made all things, to the same end our good Lord leadeth it continually, and there to Himself shall bring it, and, when it is time, we shall see it. - MOTHER JULIANA
God gives us richly all things to enjoy, while He Himself is His own best gift, and to be enjoyed not in a way of duty, but in the simple, natural realizing aright of what we possess in Him. - JOHN MCLEOD CAMPBELL
Compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston, taken from "Joy and Strength"
Monday, August 18, 2008
Feed My Sheep
"Do you love Me? . . . Feed My sheep." John 21:17
Just before Jesus left this earth, He instructed Simon Peter to care for the dearest object of His love—His sheep. How could anyone care for them as Jesus cares? Only out of love for Him. There is no other way.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Each time, Jesus answered, “Feed My sheep.”
Was Jesus unaware of Peter’s love? Of course not. His threefold question was not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to underscore the essential truth that only love for Christ would sustain Peter in the work that lay ahead—that arduous, demanding work of caring for people’s souls—perhaps the hardest work of all.
Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God’s people in itself will not sustain us. His sheep can be unresponsive, unappreciative, and harshly critical of our efforts to love and to serve them. In the end, we will find ourselves defeated and discouraged.
The “love of Christ”—our love for Him—is the only sufficient motivation that will enable us to stay the course, to continue to feed the flock of God. Thus Jesus asks you and me, “Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.” — David H. Roper
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me. —Hewitt
It is love for Christ that will enable us to love His children.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Just before Jesus left this earth, He instructed Simon Peter to care for the dearest object of His love—His sheep. How could anyone care for them as Jesus cares? Only out of love for Him. There is no other way.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Each time, Jesus answered, “Feed My sheep.”
Was Jesus unaware of Peter’s love? Of course not. His threefold question was not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to underscore the essential truth that only love for Christ would sustain Peter in the work that lay ahead—that arduous, demanding work of caring for people’s souls—perhaps the hardest work of all.
Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God’s people in itself will not sustain us. His sheep can be unresponsive, unappreciative, and harshly critical of our efforts to love and to serve them. In the end, we will find ourselves defeated and discouraged.
The “love of Christ”—our love for Him—is the only sufficient motivation that will enable us to stay the course, to continue to feed the flock of God. Thus Jesus asks you and me, “Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.” — David H. Roper
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me. —Hewitt
It is love for Christ that will enable us to love His children.
Taken from "Our Daily Bread"
Friday, August 15, 2008
Consequences
This morning I read about Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16. He and two hundred others from the tribe of Levi decided to assemble against Moses and Aaron (vs. 3). Poor Moses pleaded with them to turn away from the direction they were going. But they refused to listen and discuss the matter. We get down to the real issue in verses 13-14, "Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also lord it over us? Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!"
Alas, the truth of their rebellion comes to light. After all is said and done, they can't accept the fact that they were put through some major trials and because of their sin and lack of trust they are refused access to God's promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. It seems like they were throwing a tantrum over the fact that they had to live with the result of their sinning. Their rebellion ran thick in their blood and they refused to turn back to God. Instead, they continued to stir up trouble. Proverbs 15:18 says, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute." These men had a choice. They could have realize that their sin changed the course of their future and live with it. By doing so they would have ended their current dispute. But they chose another direction and became embittered by what their sin did to their future. As we continue through chapter 16 we find Korah continuing to stir up the people causing them to sin even further. The result - they all died.
Sin hurts especially when you realize you've sinned and have repented yet have to live with the consequences. You're forgiven and it feels so good that you want everything to go back to normal. But some sin has dire consequences that can't be turned back to normal. They will be played out. We are like Korah in the fact that we had the same choices he had. I love what I John 1:9 has to say about our choices, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I pray that we choose to follow the Lord and trust that He will guide us through the difficult times. Even the difficult times that we've brought upon ourselves by whatever sin we chose to fall into. No matter what, there is a lesson to be learned and growth to take place.
Malachi 3:3 says, "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness." Being molded is painful. Sometimes it takes a long time to be molded and sometimes the molding process is quicker. It depends upon how willing we are to be molded. We are being refined and purified so that we can be presented to the Lord spotless and unblemished, "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:27). Again, I pray that we would allow the Lord to purify us through the consequences of our sin so that we could be made into His image. To not turn away from him like Korah did. Let us learn from our mistakes and move forward so that we can serve the Lord to the fullest!
My life was like an uncut gem
All rough and angles sharp,
Its brilliance dimmed as by a veil
No gleam or sheen, all dark.
But the Master's hand worked miracles,
Each pain and woe or trial or test
A facet cut upon my soul,
He watched the work and blest,
And even when it seemed to me
No other facet could He add
That pain and suffering had wrought
A gleam and sheen that made Him glad.
Still other processes there were
To polish, and the gem to set,
For now become a gleaming Jewel rare,
I must be made ready for His service yet.
- Mabel M. Brown
Krista Jones
2.18.08
Alas, the truth of their rebellion comes to light. After all is said and done, they can't accept the fact that they were put through some major trials and because of their sin and lack of trust they are refused access to God's promise to bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey. It seems like they were throwing a tantrum over the fact that they had to live with the result of their sinning. Their rebellion ran thick in their blood and they refused to turn back to God. Instead, they continued to stir up trouble. Proverbs 15:18 says, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute." These men had a choice. They could have realize that their sin changed the course of their future and live with it. By doing so they would have ended their current dispute. But they chose another direction and became embittered by what their sin did to their future. As we continue through chapter 16 we find Korah continuing to stir up the people causing them to sin even further. The result - they all died.
Sin hurts especially when you realize you've sinned and have repented yet have to live with the consequences. You're forgiven and it feels so good that you want everything to go back to normal. But some sin has dire consequences that can't be turned back to normal. They will be played out. We are like Korah in the fact that we had the same choices he had. I love what I John 1:9 has to say about our choices, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I pray that we choose to follow the Lord and trust that He will guide us through the difficult times. Even the difficult times that we've brought upon ourselves by whatever sin we chose to fall into. No matter what, there is a lesson to be learned and growth to take place.
Malachi 3:3 says, "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness." Being molded is painful. Sometimes it takes a long time to be molded and sometimes the molding process is quicker. It depends upon how willing we are to be molded. We are being refined and purified so that we can be presented to the Lord spotless and unblemished, "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:27). Again, I pray that we would allow the Lord to purify us through the consequences of our sin so that we could be made into His image. To not turn away from him like Korah did. Let us learn from our mistakes and move forward so that we can serve the Lord to the fullest!
My life was like an uncut gem
All rough and angles sharp,
Its brilliance dimmed as by a veil
No gleam or sheen, all dark.
But the Master's hand worked miracles,
Each pain and woe or trial or test
A facet cut upon my soul,
He watched the work and blest,
And even when it seemed to me
No other facet could He add
That pain and suffering had wrought
A gleam and sheen that made Him glad.
Still other processes there were
To polish, and the gem to set,
For now become a gleaming Jewel rare,
I must be made ready for His service yet.
- Mabel M. Brown
Krista Jones
2.18.08
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Increase and Abound in Love
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." - JOHN 13:34.
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love, one toward another, and toward all men." - I THESS. 3:12.
Let love through all my conduct shine,
An image fair, though faint, of Thine;
Thus let me His disciple prove,
Who came to manifest Thy love.
Simon Browne.
We should arrive at a fulness of love extending to the whole creation, a desire to impart, to pour out in full and copious streams the love and goodness we bear to all around us. - J. P. GREAVES.
Goodness and love mould the form into their own image, and cause the joy and beauty of love to shine forth from every part of the face. When this form of love is seen, it appears ineffably beautiful, and affects with delight the inmost life of the soul. - E. SWEDENBORG.
The soul within had so often lighted up her countenance with its own full happiness and joy, that something of a permanent radiance remained upon it. - SARAH W. STEPHEN
Compiled by Mary W. Tileston, taken from "Daily Strength for Daily Needs"
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love, one toward another, and toward all men." - I THESS. 3:12.
Let love through all my conduct shine,
An image fair, though faint, of Thine;
Thus let me His disciple prove,
Who came to manifest Thy love.
Simon Browne.
We should arrive at a fulness of love extending to the whole creation, a desire to impart, to pour out in full and copious streams the love and goodness we bear to all around us. - J. P. GREAVES.
Goodness and love mould the form into their own image, and cause the joy and beauty of love to shine forth from every part of the face. When this form of love is seen, it appears ineffably beautiful, and affects with delight the inmost life of the soul. - E. SWEDENBORG.
The soul within had so often lighted up her countenance with its own full happiness and joy, that something of a permanent radiance remained upon it. - SARAH W. STEPHEN
Compiled by Mary W. Tileston, taken from "Daily Strength for Daily Needs"
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wilderness Communion
"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her" (Hosea 2:14).
The goodness of God sees us allured by sin, and it resolves to try upon us the more powerful allurements of love. Do we not remember when the Lover of our souls first cast a spell upon us and charmed us away from the fascinations of the world! He will do this again and again whenever He sees us likely to be ensnared by evil.
He promises to draw us apart, for there He can best deal with us, and this separated place is not to be a paradise, but a wilderness, since in such a place there will be nothing to take of our attention from our God. In the deserts of affliction the presence of the LORD becomes everything to us, and we prize His company beyond any value which we set upon it when we sat under our own vine and fig tree in the society of our fellows. Solitude and affliction bring more to themselves and to their heavenly Father than any other means.
When thus allured and secluded the LORD has choice things to say to us for our comfort. He "speaks to our heart," as the original has it. Oh, that at this we may have this promise explained in our experience! Allured by love, separated by trial, and comforted by the Spirit of truth, may we know the LORD and sing for joy!
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
The goodness of God sees us allured by sin, and it resolves to try upon us the more powerful allurements of love. Do we not remember when the Lover of our souls first cast a spell upon us and charmed us away from the fascinations of the world! He will do this again and again whenever He sees us likely to be ensnared by evil.
He promises to draw us apart, for there He can best deal with us, and this separated place is not to be a paradise, but a wilderness, since in such a place there will be nothing to take of our attention from our God. In the deserts of affliction the presence of the LORD becomes everything to us, and we prize His company beyond any value which we set upon it when we sat under our own vine and fig tree in the society of our fellows. Solitude and affliction bring more to themselves and to their heavenly Father than any other means.
When thus allured and secluded the LORD has choice things to say to us for our comfort. He "speaks to our heart," as the original has it. Oh, that at this we may have this promise explained in our experience! Allured by love, separated by trial, and comforted by the Spirit of truth, may we know the LORD and sing for joy!
By C.H. Spurgeon, taken from "Faith's Checkbook"
Monday, August 11, 2008
Guard your Attitude
"May our lOrd Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say." 2 Thessalonians 2:16
"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work?" Luke 11:40 . . .
Martha's life was cluttered. She needed a break. "Martha, martha, you are worried and upset about many things," the Master explained to her. "Only one ting is important. Mary has chosen (it)". Luke 11:41-42
What had Mary chosen? She had chosen to sit at the feet of Christ. God is more pleased with the quiet attention of a sincere servant than the noisy service of a sour one . . .
What maters more than the type of service is the heart behind the service. A bad attitude spoils the gift we leave on the alter for God. - He Still Moves Stones
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work?" Luke 11:40 . . .
Martha's life was cluttered. She needed a break. "Martha, martha, you are worried and upset about many things," the Master explained to her. "Only one ting is important. Mary has chosen (it)". Luke 11:41-42
What had Mary chosen? She had chosen to sit at the feet of Christ. God is more pleased with the quiet attention of a sincere servant than the noisy service of a sour one . . .
What maters more than the type of service is the heart behind the service. A bad attitude spoils the gift we leave on the alter for God. - He Still Moves Stones
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Open the Trenches
"Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hands" (2 Kings 3:16-18).
To human thinking it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God. Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom. Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God. The great victory of faith is to stand before some impassable Red Sea, and hear the Master say, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," and "Go forward!" As we step out without any sign or sound--not a wave-splash--and wetting our very feet as we take the first step into its waters, still marching on we shall see the sea divide and the pathway open through the very midst of the waters.
If we have seen the miraculous workings of God in some marvelous case of healing or some extraordinary providential deliverance, I am sure the thing that has impressed us most has been the quietness with which it was all done, the absence of everything spectacular and sensational, and the utter sense of nothingness which came to us as we stood in the presence of this mighty God and felt how easy, it was for Him to do it all without the faintest effort on His part or the slightest help on ours.
It is not the part of faith to question, but to obey. The ditches were made, and the water came pouring in from some supernatural source. What a lesson for our faith!
Are you craving a spiritual blessing? Open the trenches, and God will fill them. And this, too, in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways.
Oh, for that faith that can act by faith and not by sight, and expect God to work although we see no wind or rain. --A. B. Simpson
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
To human thinking it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God. Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom. Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God. The great victory of faith is to stand before some impassable Red Sea, and hear the Master say, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," and "Go forward!" As we step out without any sign or sound--not a wave-splash--and wetting our very feet as we take the first step into its waters, still marching on we shall see the sea divide and the pathway open through the very midst of the waters.
If we have seen the miraculous workings of God in some marvelous case of healing or some extraordinary providential deliverance, I am sure the thing that has impressed us most has been the quietness with which it was all done, the absence of everything spectacular and sensational, and the utter sense of nothingness which came to us as we stood in the presence of this mighty God and felt how easy, it was for Him to do it all without the faintest effort on His part or the slightest help on ours.
It is not the part of faith to question, but to obey. The ditches were made, and the water came pouring in from some supernatural source. What a lesson for our faith!
Are you craving a spiritual blessing? Open the trenches, and God will fill them. And this, too, in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways.
Oh, for that faith that can act by faith and not by sight, and expect God to work although we see no wind or rain. --A. B. Simpson
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Friday, August 08, 2008
Confessing your Sin
This morning I read about how the Israelites reacted to the report the spies gave about the promised land. All but two spies gave a bad report that struck the Israelites with fear and doubt. Instead of trusting that God would bring about what He promised they turned their eyes off of Him and grumbled. In Numbers 15 the Lord's anger was against them and after Moses' pleas He decided to allow them to live but not allow them to enter the promised land. Only Caleb and Joshua and the younger generation would be allowed to enter and take possession of it. Those who grumbled were to wander the wilderness for 40 years until they all died off.
At this point the Israelites realized they made a big mistake and took matters into their own hands. Numbers 15:39-45 tells of how they decided to take over the promised land on their own. Vs. 39-40 says, "When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people morned greatly. In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the lord has promised." In the end, the listened neither to God's commands nor Moses' pleas to not do this because God was not with them and they wouldn't succeed. Vs. 43 says, "For the Amalekites and the Canannites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the Lord. And the Lord will not be with you." By the end of the chapter we read that they were cut down and their mission was unsuccessful.
This chapter reminds me of how we reap what we sow. It says in Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Our sins will be forgiven if we confess them before the Lord, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9. We will be forgiven but that may not change the course of your sinful actions. Do not allow your circumstances to cloud your eyesight but continue to keep your eyes on Jesus and His promises to take care of you. Do not be like the Israelites who decided to forge ahead without the Lord going before them and suffered because of it.
Krista Jones
2.17.08
At this point the Israelites realized they made a big mistake and took matters into their own hands. Numbers 15:39-45 tells of how they decided to take over the promised land on their own. Vs. 39-40 says, "When Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people morned greatly. In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the lord has promised." In the end, the listened neither to God's commands nor Moses' pleas to not do this because God was not with them and they wouldn't succeed. Vs. 43 says, "For the Amalekites and the Canannites will be there in front of you, and you will fall by the sword, inasmuch as you have turned back from following the Lord. And the Lord will not be with you." By the end of the chapter we read that they were cut down and their mission was unsuccessful.
This chapter reminds me of how we reap what we sow. It says in Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Our sins will be forgiven if we confess them before the Lord, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9. We will be forgiven but that may not change the course of your sinful actions. Do not allow your circumstances to cloud your eyesight but continue to keep your eyes on Jesus and His promises to take care of you. Do not be like the Israelites who decided to forge ahead without the Lord going before them and suffered because of it.
Krista Jones
2.17.08
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Celebrating Laughter
"All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
Laughter is a gift of God that brightens our good times and lightens the rough ones. Laughter even has a healing quality to it. People have recovered from serious diseases by learning to laugh each day. Even more people have regained the courage to go on in painful circumstances when they were able to laugh.
Proverbs 17:22 says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter can draw others to you and lighten your load in life. "When you begin to laugh at life and at yourself you gain new perspective on your struggles. You begin to see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.
A life without laughter quickly becomes a breading ground for depression, physical illness and critical spirit. But a laughter-filled life unleashes the spirit of celebration.
So cultivate the spirit of celebration in your life by making room for laughter. Deliberately seek it out. Begin today as you smile at someone and find something worth laughing about. As the laughter permeates your life, the spirit of celebration will take root in your heart and you will discover the meaning of another proverb: "The cheerful heart has a continual feast." (vs 15).
By Emilie Barnes, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
Laughter is a gift of God that brightens our good times and lightens the rough ones. Laughter even has a healing quality to it. People have recovered from serious diseases by learning to laugh each day. Even more people have regained the courage to go on in painful circumstances when they were able to laugh.
Proverbs 17:22 says that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Laughter can draw others to you and lighten your load in life. "When you begin to laugh at life and at yourself you gain new perspective on your struggles. You begin to see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.
A life without laughter quickly becomes a breading ground for depression, physical illness and critical spirit. But a laughter-filled life unleashes the spirit of celebration.
So cultivate the spirit of celebration in your life by making room for laughter. Deliberately seek it out. Begin today as you smile at someone and find something worth laughing about. As the laughter permeates your life, the spirit of celebration will take root in your heart and you will discover the meaning of another proverb: "The cheerful heart has a continual feast." (vs 15).
By Emilie Barnes, taken from Women's Devotional Bible 1
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Please the Lord Now
"For to-day the Lord will appear unto you." LEVITICUS 9:4
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2
DO not let your growth in holiness depend upon surrounding circumstances, but rather constrain those circumstances to minister to your growth. Beware of looking onward, or out of the present in any way, for the sanctification of your life. The only thing you can really control is the present--the actual moment that is passing by. Sanctify that from hour to hour, and you sanctify your whole life; but brood over the past, or project yourself into the future, and you will lose all. The little act of obedience, love, self-restraint, meekness, patience, devotion, offered to you actually, is all you can do now, and if you neglect that to fret about something else at a distance, you lose your real opportunity of serving God. A moment's silence, when some irritating words are said by another, may stem a very small thing; yet at that moment it is your one duty, your one way of serving and pleasing God, and if you break it, you have lost your opportunity. - H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
Compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2
DO not let your growth in holiness depend upon surrounding circumstances, but rather constrain those circumstances to minister to your growth. Beware of looking onward, or out of the present in any way, for the sanctification of your life. The only thing you can really control is the present--the actual moment that is passing by. Sanctify that from hour to hour, and you sanctify your whole life; but brood over the past, or project yourself into the future, and you will lose all. The little act of obedience, love, self-restraint, meekness, patience, devotion, offered to you actually, is all you can do now, and if you neglect that to fret about something else at a distance, you lose your real opportunity of serving God. A moment's silence, when some irritating words are said by another, may stem a very small thing; yet at that moment it is your one duty, your one way of serving and pleasing God, and if you break it, you have lost your opportunity. - H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
Compiled by Mary Wilder Tileston
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Adopted by God
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16
When we come to Christ, God not only forgives us, He also adopts us. Through a dramatic series of events, we go from condemned orphans with no hope to adopted children with no fear. Here is how it happens. You come before the judgement seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of His justice He cannot dismiss your sin, but because of His love He cannot dimiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, He punished Himself on the cross for your sins. God's justice and love are equally honored. And you, God's creation, are forgiven. But the story doesn't end with God's forgiveness . . . .
It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but He does more. He gives you His name. - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
When we come to Christ, God not only forgives us, He also adopts us. Through a dramatic series of events, we go from condemned orphans with no hope to adopted children with no fear. Here is how it happens. You come before the judgement seat of God full of rebellion and mistakes. Because of His justice He cannot dismiss your sin, but because of His love He cannot dimiss you. So, in an act which stunned the heavens, He punished Himself on the cross for your sins. God's justice and love are equally honored. And you, God's creation, are forgiven. But the story doesn't end with God's forgiveness . . . .
It would be enough if God just cleansed your name, but He does more. He gives you His name. - The Great House of God
By Max Lucado, taken from "Grace for the Moment"
Monday, August 04, 2008
Heart set on Jesus
"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chron. 16:9).
God is looking for a man, or woman, whose heart will be always set on Him, and who will trust Him for all He desires to do. God is eager to work more mightily now than He ever has through any soul. The clock of the centuries points to the eleventh hour.
"The world is waiting yet to see what God can do through a consecrated soul." Not the world alone, but God Himself is waiting for one, who will be more fully devoted to Him than any who have ever lived; who will be willing to be nothing that Christ may be all; who will grasp God's own purposes; and taking His humility and His faith, His love and His power, will, without hindering, continue to let God do exploits. - C. H. P.
"There is no limit to what God can do with a man, providing he will not touch the glory."
In an address given to ministers and workers after his ninetieth birthday, George Mueller spoke thus of himself: "I was converted in November, 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July, 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you are taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the Scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!' - Selected
I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian. - Whitefield.
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
God is looking for a man, or woman, whose heart will be always set on Him, and who will trust Him for all He desires to do. God is eager to work more mightily now than He ever has through any soul. The clock of the centuries points to the eleventh hour.
"The world is waiting yet to see what God can do through a consecrated soul." Not the world alone, but God Himself is waiting for one, who will be more fully devoted to Him than any who have ever lived; who will be willing to be nothing that Christ may be all; who will grasp God's own purposes; and taking His humility and His faith, His love and His power, will, without hindering, continue to let God do exploits. - C. H. P.
"There is no limit to what God can do with a man, providing he will not touch the glory."
In an address given to ministers and workers after his ninetieth birthday, George Mueller spoke thus of himself: "I was converted in November, 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July, 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you are taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the Scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!' - Selected
I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian. - Whitefield.
Compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, taken from "Streams in the Desert"
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Man Who Was Humble
I came upon a few verses in Number 3 when Aaron and Miriam had spoken against Moses out of what looks like jealousy. And jealousy that comes from the encouragement of Aaron's Cushite wife. It seems that they saw Moses as having all the power and they wanted it too. Verse 3 says, "Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth." To me this says that although Moses was in a powerful position that he didn't abuse it. He was more humble than anyone on the face of the earth. And because of this, I think God was able to speak to him face to face.
Within the same chapter God calls Moses, Aaron and Miriam together and tells Aaron and Miriam how He feels about Moses, "He said, "Hear now My words; if there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?" (vs. 6-8). My notes say that sometimes the prophets didn't always understand what the Lord was revealing to them. Yet with Moses, the Lord chose to speak to him with clarity. He fully understood what the Lord was saying.
Here is Moses, a humble man who spoke face to face with the Lord and lived. He not only lived but he was given clear instruction as to how to lead God's people. I wonder what God's voice sounded like to Moses? Psalm 29:3-9 gives many descriptions of what His voice sounds like: it is upon, over and thunders the waters; it is powerful; majestic; breaks the cedars (as of Lebanon which was the most powerful tree); it hews out flames of fire; shakes the wilderness; makes the deer to calve; stripes the forests bare; and everything says, "glory" to Him. WOW! Here is a powerful voice that can do anything when it speaks. Yet, God was gracious and loving enough to take this powerful voice and gently speak to Moses.
Moses was humble and willing to follow the Lord no matter what. At this point, he didn't abuse the powerful position that was given to him. May we learn from Moses' example!
Krista Jones
2.16.08
Within the same chapter God calls Moses, Aaron and Miriam together and tells Aaron and Miriam how He feels about Moses, "He said, "Hear now My words; if there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream. Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?" (vs. 6-8). My notes say that sometimes the prophets didn't always understand what the Lord was revealing to them. Yet with Moses, the Lord chose to speak to him with clarity. He fully understood what the Lord was saying.
Here is Moses, a humble man who spoke face to face with the Lord and lived. He not only lived but he was given clear instruction as to how to lead God's people. I wonder what God's voice sounded like to Moses? Psalm 29:3-9 gives many descriptions of what His voice sounds like: it is upon, over and thunders the waters; it is powerful; majestic; breaks the cedars (as of Lebanon which was the most powerful tree); it hews out flames of fire; shakes the wilderness; makes the deer to calve; stripes the forests bare; and everything says, "glory" to Him. WOW! Here is a powerful voice that can do anything when it speaks. Yet, God was gracious and loving enough to take this powerful voice and gently speak to Moses.
Moses was humble and willing to follow the Lord no matter what. At this point, he didn't abuse the powerful position that was given to him. May we learn from Moses' example!
Krista Jones
2.16.08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
