2007
FEBRUARY ARCHIVES
February 1st
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Exodus 40:36-38 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Building something can be exciting. And building something with a group of friends can be even more exciting. As you work day by day on your part of the project you get an overwhelming sense of satisfaction in the fact that what you are doing is making a difference not only for you, but also for those you are working with. While building there will be times you get together with the other workers and each of you asks the other how you are coming. Then the glow begins. Each one so happy and proud of the contribution they are making. Finally comes the day. All the projects come together and you look and see that the entire project is great because of the sum of all the parts. No way could you imagine the overall view of this project by looking at your part alone. But working together with others and a plan for completion your contribution has now clearly made a difference in the outcome. So it was with the Children of Israel. Each had been working on a specific area of the temple. Many different people doing different jobs but all working with one goal at heart. To obey God, have a place He would reside forever and a place where they could come and worship Him. And when the work was done their vision was fulfilled. God dwelt there. Could you imagine every time they looked at the presence of God hovering over this creation how their mind went back to the one part they worked on. And God blessed it by being there. How rewarding to have a part in it. How humbling to know you’re only a part of it. A common vision with many parts. That’s what life is about. Whether church relationships, family relationships or corporate ventures, it must be a common vision made up of many parts. But with no vision, direction or goals, we wander aimlessly with no hope. That was never God’s intention for Israel or for you today.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Think today, where am I going in life? And more importantly, is God truly leading me. Ask yourself, have I built something God would dwell in? It may be time to clean the temple and get our eyes focused again on the true leader of our life. Jesus.
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February 2nd
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Leviticus 5:7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Twice in Chapter 5 of Leviticus we read the phrase “if he be not able to bring.” We find here as with all things that God does, there is no one left out. God wants everyone to have equal access to Him and to His loving forgiveness. The wealthier were required to bring a Lamb. If that were beyond their abilities they were told to bring Turtledoves and Pigeons. But if that was still too much for them they could bring about 3 quarts of flour for this offering. But notice this; no one was excused from bringing anything. There is not a place where anyone was told you do not have to sacrifice. No matter where they were economically God expected them to do their part. What did they get in return? The promises of God. There are promises in the Bible that we have nothing to do with and God will fulfill them. Such as the return of Christ. We can not speed it up, slow it down or stop it. Only God knows when that will happen. But it is a promise that will happen. But there are lots of things that God has asked us to a part of in order for Him to fulfill His promises. God asks us to be witnesses to those that are lost so He can save their souls. God tells us to pray that He may be able to answer our prayers. God tells us to fellowship as a church so He can show His love for each of us through us. God tells us to give that He may be able to bless us and use what we give to bless others also. God expects everyone to be involved in the body of Christ. Not to do more than our part, but defiantly to do our part. And when we do, we open up an avenue in which God can send His blessings.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Doing our part for the kingdom of God can at times be a sacrifice. But not doing our part is always a sacrifice. We sacrifice the joy of serving God. We sacrifice the ability to see God’s love work through us. And we often sacrifice the blessing God had in store for us. Blessing that would far out weigh any earthly sacrifice we make. So ask yourself today “am I making a willing sacrifice out of what God has given me already to the Lord of my time, talents and treasures? Or am I unwittingly sacrificing more than I can ever possibly imagine by not? It’s always easier to joyfully serve God.
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February 3rd
R – Relationships and Romance
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Leviticus 8:18, 19
And he brought the ram for the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid
their hands upon the head of the ram. And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled
the blood upon the altar round about.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
When an animal was
sacrificed for price of another’s deeds it was not a mindless act of just
killing animals. The animals were selected carefully. Often the best of what a
man owned was required. It was then brought before the priest to be killed.
But before it shed its innocent blood for the offense of this person, the one
that brought it would have to lay his hand upon the head of the animal and the
priest would lay his hand on theirs. Then when the priest would take the life
of this animal the person bringing the sacrifice could feel the pain through
the skull of the sacrifice. He could hear the wailing sounds and feel the life
as it left the animal which gave its life to pay for the wrong in life that
the offered had done. It was meant to be emotional and hard to do. It may be
what would cause them to think before doing this again. In the Church today we
take Communion. It is to remind us also of what Christ did for us on the cross
of Calvary. Jesus said, while sharing the meaning of this ordinance with the
disciples, the items used represent my flesh and blood so as often as you take
communion “this do in remembrance of me.” We should remember that He loved us
with such a perfect love that He gave His life for us. Causing us to remember
the words from the cross until the last when He said “it is finished,” the
price had been paid. The perfect Lamb of God sacrificed at the hands of man
was now able to remove the sins of the world. Can you sense in your heart the
love He must have had for an imperfect human such as yourself? That no matter
your past, no matter your sin, and no matter the cost to Him, He would forgive
it all if you trust in Him. Oh what love.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Oh that we might understand just a small bit of that perfect love of Christ. Giving ourselves for another shows the greatest love of all. And unselfish love often produces unselfish love. Now that’s a web we should desire to be caught in. A web of love tying together two hearts and woven by God.
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February 4th
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February 5th
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February 6th
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February 7th
E – Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD
Leviticus 18:3-5
After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye
dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I
bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye
shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the
LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if
a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
The old saying, “you can’t change where you come from” is not always true. While it is important to know the background and history of the one that you desire to spend the rest of your life with, it does not mean that you can not change things for the better. What it must mean is that you are willing to totally separate yourself from the bad things in the past. And that you will devote yourselves to the good things from the past. In our verse today, God warns the children of Israel not to follow the idolatress life that was in Egypt where they had lived for over 400 years. That is 400 years of history that God is saying to turn your backs on. But not all of it. He has reminded them time and again to remember Him bringing them out. Remember the Passover. Remember the plagues He used that set them free. But He is saying forget the Idol worship of the Egyptians. Forget the sinful and perverted lifestyles they witnessed. Turn your back on sin. But this is not just a warning of the past, but of the future as well. God says do not follow the wicked life of those that are in the land where you are going. Watch out for the future. Guard your heart against the lust of the flesh. Watch out for Satan’s ploys to entrap you in subtle lies that will enslave and destroy your lives. And how were they to be able to do that? Funny you should ask because he tells them and you how that can be done. By following precisely what God had said. Setting our heart on living as God has prescribed. And if we do, we are given a promise of real life. Your past and heritage is important. But if it’s more important than God’s word you are in for trouble. Knowing how your partner feels about this is so important in building a life together. You must be willing to commit to each other that you will live as God has prescribed day by day. Live for God today and purpose in your hearts to do it everyday. Live and love one day at a time as God designed.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
We can’t change our past. But we can erect a great heritage for those that come after us. Let’s leave less in our lives that people would need to forsake in the future.
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February 8th
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
What do I want to be when I grow up? A question that children have been answering for decades. Some may say fireman, policeman or ballerina. Have any ever answered HOLY! Probably not. In fact it’s something we hardly ever think of. But God thought it to be very important. He was determined to share with the children of Israel that they were to be Holy because He is Holy. Not only did God want individuals to be holy, but also to keep their home and family Holy. OK so now I have you thinking about it, you may be asking now how do you do it? How do you make yourself Holy? Even more daunting, how do I keep my family and home Holy? God told the children of Israel a number of things they needed to do to remain Holy. He said He separated them to be a people just of His own. So is the answer obeying all the details that the children of Israel had? Well probably not completely. In fact I doubt any of you are considering marrying a Canaanite spouse. In fact you probably could not find one if you wanted to. So how do I make myself Holy you might be asking? The answer is in God’s statement. Here is what He said. “Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” Did you see it? It’s in the last part of the statement. Here it is. “I the LORD your God am holy.” So what is the only way to make you Holy? Place yourself In the LORD. Only in Christ will you be made righteous and therefore presented to God as Holy. Does this eliminate your responsibility to do as God has directed you? By no means. In fact if you have placed your entire life in Christ, doing what God desires becomes your desire and so much easier. Why? Because not only are you in Him, but the Holy Spirit is also in you. So you’re surrounded by God. Inside and out. Now onto the home. How do you make it holy? Same way! Have a Godly home. Give it completely over to Him. If you want your future to be bright, invite the SON in today.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
The desire for our
future to be all that it can be is first wrapped up in your decisions today.
You can be Holy. In fact if you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour whether
you believe it or not, you are Holy. He made you right with God. It’s not
about what you do; it’s about what you did. Trust in the Lord and
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February 9th
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Leviticus 22:19 & 20 Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
We are coming very close to a day on the calendar called Valentines Day. It has historically been a time when men and women try to show that special someone that they love them. It’s done with cards, flowers, poems, and songs just to name a few. A hand written valentine quickly made with crayons on craft paper from a child is a treasure that’s often kept for years. The hand drawn heart may not be perfect; in fact it may not even look like a heart to some people. The words inside might be just as hard to read. But somehow we make out the phrase I love you mommy or I love you daddy in all the clutter of scribbled color. Our heart swells with adoration and love for this tiny heart that took time to say I love you. Now let a 40 year old successful business man on his way home from work grab a quick piece of paper and hurriedly scribble love you and draw a heart. Does it seem to carry the same heart warming feelings as the one done by the child? The heart drawn may look better and more in proportion than that of a child. The words are legible and written correctly. But what seems to be missing is the heart that it was written with. Don’t get me wrong, personal gifts are great if someone can see that you really put your heart into it. But a quick note on a piece of paper does not say I have taken time and thought of you. It does not relate that you hold them in high esteem and feel fortunate to be their special someone. What was the difference between the card from the child and the one from the adult male? The child gave his best. With no financial means he took the best he could find and offered it to say I love you. The adult took something from the pile of stuff they had and sort of included you in the day. God was telling Israel in today’s verses; when you give me a gift, take time to think about me. He was saying, I am God! I took you out of bondage, I gave you all that you need and all that you have. When you willingly give back to me don’t give me the leftovers of life, give me your best. God still expects that heart from us today. He is God, He gave us all we have and delivered us from sin.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Too often we want to give God what’s left. And then we wonder why He does not bless us. It’s not about what you give. It’s about the heart you give it with. Love God.
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February 10th
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February 11th
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February 12th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 2:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron,
saying,
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Have you ever
been given the silent treatment? You walk past each other and there is no
communication. I heard of man and wife that were arguing and so they both
refused to talk with the other. Having to get up for work the next morning but
not willing to be the one to speak first, the man wrote a note and placed it
on his wife’s pillow that read, “please be sure and wake me up at 6:30.” The
next morning he woke up and looked at the clock and it was 7:15. Next to him
on his wife’s pillow was a note that said, “get up, its 6:30.” The silent
treatment can hurt sometimes as much or more than a thousand words. And oh how
nice it is to finally hear that special someone say something, anything, just
the fact that the silence has been broken. Verbal communication is being
restored. What a joy to hear that sound. Today as I read the verse in
LETTING THE WORD
AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Without realizing it we all too often give those we love the silent treatment. Not purposefully, but because we’ve become too busy. Stop today and talk with a friend, a neighbor, your spouse. Take time to really talk and listen. Communication - God’s gift.
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February 13th
R – Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 4:15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Why can’t everyone be like me? Ever felt that way when you’re working hard on something and you look and see others seemingly doing nothing. Why won’t they do what I do? Have you ever considered maybe God did not gift or call them to do what you do? In Numbers 4 we find Aaron and his sons were the only ones allowed to cover the Sanctuary and vessels of the Sanctuary. The sons of Levi each had a role to play also. The sons of Kohath were the only ones allowed to carry the Sanctuary. And they could not to peek inside to see what they were carrying but just trust Aaron and his sons as they directed in what to do. The sons of Gershon were to carry all the curtains and skins that made up the tabernacle that surrounded the Sanctuary. And then the sons of Merari were to take the boards, pins and other objects the connected the tabernacle together. Each had a specific role to play. Could the sons of Kohath have done the work of Aaron and his sons? Physically they were probably able to do it. But if they had, God said they would die. It was not God’s design or desire for them to fill that role. Have you ever considered what a privilege to be called by God to fill a certain roll for Him that others are not asked to do? All too often in the church we get upset because everyone is not doing everything. But God did not design us to do everything. He gifted us with talents and gifts that work together for Him. The same is true in the home. Although the wife may be physically able to do some things that the husband can do, it’s not God’s design for her to do so. Don’t take that too far! Helping around the house is not forbidden in God’s word. But the husband is to be the leader in the home. He’s to take responsibility to lead the family spiritually and physically. The wife is to uphold her husband and help the family be all it can be. And for all the comply to God’s way they find it always works the best. It provides and happier life.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
In
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February 14th
E – Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 6:23-26 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
I grew up in what use to be a very Dutch Community. I was raised in Holland Michigan which even has a festival called Tulip Time in May of every year. Thousands of people come from all over the world to take part in this celebration. It displays for the world the Dutch Heritage that this community is so proud of. One thing that was a big part of this community was the Dutch Reformed Church which is still a major influence on this town today. As a young adult I ventured out of my Baptist roots on occasion and would go with a friend to a Reformed Church in the area. At the end of every service in every Reformed Church I saw the minister stand and hold his hands out over the congregation and say “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” I thought it was something these guys were taught in some Bible School for Reformers. Some nice way they all said goodbye. I had never in all my life heard a Baptist Preacher do this. Then one day I ran across these verses in Numbers where I found that God had told Moses to tell Aaron to say those exact words to the children of Israel. I am not saying I am for or against all the ritualism of repeating these lines much like repeating the Lords Example of a Prayer. If these lines are said with no feelings or sincerity they have no power whatsoever. But look closely at these words; they are a commentary on our desire for our home and family. “The LORD bless thee”- “and keep thee:” – “The LORD make his face shine upon thee, - and be gracious unto thee: - The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, - and give thee peace.” Who does not want the Lords blessing and sustaining power on them. We all want God’s face to shine upon us and Him to be extremely gracious to us. And no one does everyone wants God’s peace. You might include these word in a pray to Him for your family and loved ones.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Lord bless my family and keep us. Look upon us with favor and let your grace pour over us. And mostly give us a peaceful relationship. Thank you Lord. Amen.
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February 15th
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 8:24-25 This
is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and
upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the
congregation: And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon
the service thereof, and shall serve no more:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
One of the benefits of living on the lakeshore of Michigan is that most years we get to see distinct differences in every season. The winters here are cold and snowy, spring is green and refreshing, the summers are sunny and bright and fall is colorful and cooling. Every season has its own set of good points and problems. The cold of winter kills many viruses, but the snow and ice makes traveling difficult. The spring is refreshing, green and smells so clean, but often accompanied by a lot of rain. The summer is a great time to get out and enjoy the lakeshore, but the lake also creates humidity that at times may seem unbearable. And the fall is a beautiful, colorful time of year that seems once again refreshing as the temperatures moderate and the humidity goes down. But we then have to contend with all the limbs and leaves that fall into the yard and will kill the lawn if we don’t get them up before the snow falls. Every season is distinct with its share of good and bad. The seasons of our lives are much the same, each with good points and bad. For the Israelites the seasons of life were pretty distinct also. There is the time of childhood, usually considered to be from birth to twelve or thirteen. At that point they entered adolescence. Even today at around that age a Jewish boy is given a “Bar Mizvah” as sort of a rite of passage from childhood to young man. In the verses today we see that God pointed out the responsibilities of the Levites by what might be referred to as two other seasons of their life. From twenty five to fifty they were to use their strength and youth to be of service to God in the tabernacle. From fifty years of age and on they were to minister or serve as advisors to the younger. We all have seasons of life. But one thing you never find is a season of uselessness when God can’t use you. Planning ahead should always include planning to serve God. What season are you in?
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
No
matter what season of life you’re in, someone’s already been there. When going
through life’s trials, it’s always good to look to someone that has been there
and ask advice. The
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February 16th
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 11:1 And
when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and
his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed
them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Imagine for a
second two twin children at Christmas time. The packages are opened and
wrapping is everywhere. Both children are given the same gifts so as not to
cause problems with “I wanted what they got.” (All parents with more than one
child are setting there going, yup; I know what that’s like.) One twin begins
rejoicing over the things received. Excited over every gift. The other twin
begins to complain. That’s not the color I wanted. It’s not the game I asked
for. It should be bigger or smaller. Nothing seems to make them happy. Now
both have exactly the same things, but one is rejoicing and one is
complaining. How do you feel at that very moment? Confused? Hurt? Upset?
Disappointed? All of those are probably true right? But why? One child is
rejoicing. Why are you not happy and excited? Grateful for their excitement
over your choice of gifts? Isn’t it funny how the discouragement of the one
child seems to overshadow the excitement of the other? Looking at our verse
above we see that God was hurt, and angry. It’s not that the children of
Israel were not grateful at all? They had just brought lots of offerings to
the Lord and were grateful for His presence. But one thing caused them to
forget all the rest. They were hungry for something different. And their
desire for one thing overshadowed their rejoicing over everything else. God
had been good to them. He resided with them. He was leading them visibly every
day. He was providing food and freed them from the slavery that they cried to
be free from. He had done so much for them, and yet they forgot because of the
desire for one thing. Sometimes we get our focus on one thing that we want so
badly that we forget to rejoice over the supply of God for our real needs.
They did not need more food. They wanted different food. Sometimes we get our
wants and needs confused. We need to be rejoicing over the fulfillment of our
needs that God has supplied.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Which of the two twins do you really want to be around? The complainer or the
rejoicer? Rejoice unto the Lord the bible said. In
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February 17th
R – Romance and Relationships
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 14:24 But
my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me
fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall
possess it.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Color in the lines. That’s what we tell our children when they begin to learn how to color in the coloring books. Stay in the lines. Fill in all the areas between the lines with your colors. As they get older their color selections get better and faces are no longer blue and the sky is not green. They get the idea that if they pick the right colors and fill the areas within the lines with those colors, when they get done they will have a beautiful picture. Partially created by the skill of an artist who drew the lines, finished by their talents and ability to draw just within those lines. It took both to create the masterpiece. Another child drawing lines to draw in would not have produced such a wonderful outcome. In fact, most likely it would not end up a pretty picture at all, but rather just a mumbled mess of color on a page. To be part of the beauty you have to follow what the artist drew and fill it in with the right colors. In the verse above God rewards Caleb because he “hath followed me fully”. Literally it means “he filled after me.” God was saying I drew the lines and Caleb, led by the spirit, filled them in. He filled them fully as God had drawn them out. And by filling in the lines that God drew he saw a different picture of the land of Israel than had most of the rest that went with him. He saw the land God promised. One flowing with everything they dreamed of. So there were people there, big deal. God has always taken care of the obstacle of people. He saw the promises of God. But the rest that did not fill in behind God saw nothing but obstacles. They saw walls that were too high and giants that were too scary. Why? Because they were looking at the useless lines drawn by man and not those of the artist in heaven. Our relationships to one another are also beautiful if we fill in the lines drawn by God. He has given to us the beauty of a masterpiece for our home. We just need to fill in the lines the master artist has drawn. And oh what a wonderful picture we see when we see God’s picture for our home, not mans.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
God has drawn the lines for your relationship in the pages of His word. As you read through your Bible this year, write out what you find God designed and desires for the home. Then don’t argue about the lines, paint a pretty picture with God in them.
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February 18th
F – Foundation
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 14:11-12 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have showed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
When reading these verses today I thought to myself, God could wipe a people
off the face of the planet if He wanted to. What about the rainbow and Noah
you may be thinking. That would not stop Him from removing a group of people.
It just reminds Him of His promise to never completely destroy everything and
everyone again with a flood. Well what about the promise to Abraham to make
him a great nation. God never said here He was going to wipe out all of
Abrahams descendents. He was going to spare Moses and start over with him. He
never promised Abraham a time table of when all these people would be on this
earth, just that they would. You may ask what about all the time He has
invested into the people of this little planet. What a waste of time. But
remember; only we can waste time. God has nothing but time. Eternity is
eternity. He will never run out of time or have a shortage of it. Only we,
His creation, have boundaries of time. And those boundaries only apply while
here. Once God created us, we then were given everlasting life. We will live
on forever somewhere. Either heaven or hell based on our choices during our
TIME here. God being the creator of the entire universe has the sovereign
right to do with it as He pleases. In
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
The Bible says in
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February 19th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 16:41 But
on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the
LORD.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Complain, complain,
Complain. That’s all you ever seem to do is complain. At least that is what it
seemed like in the book of numbers. Every time you turn around the children of
Israel were complaining about something. I have heard it said that poor old
Moses must not have had much of a face left by the time they crossed the
desert. He was constantly on his face before the Lord begging Him not to kill
the children of Israel for their chronic complaining. There are some people in
this world that I truly believe just love to complain. If they had nothing to
complain about, they would not know what to say. It has truly become a way of
life. The idea of a conversation without any complaining would actually be
labor for them. Now we all do our share of complaining from time to time.
There is no one that lives in this world today and never has any complaints.
But the Bible says in
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Oh Lord, help me today to see the beauty you have created around me. Amen.
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February 20th
R – Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 20:8,10-11 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly………
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Treasure maps are fun. Go to the big oak tree in the meadow and head east. Take 13 steps, align yourself with the old stump to the north and the big rock to the west. You are now standing over the treasure. Dig down 1 foot and retrieve your treasure. So you go to the big tree, and look to the east. But there are no evidences that anyone has ever walked east. No broken grass, footprints, candy wrappers, nothing. To the south however there is a well worn path. You think for a second and decide to take the traveled path. You take 13 steps, look, and sure enough, you are aligned with an old stump and a big rock. So you begin digging. Knowing for sure it must be around there somewhere. But you’re wrong. Had you gone east as instructed you would have found there was another stump and rock you could have lined up with and there was the treasure. You did everything right but follow the directions exactly as given. Moses was told, speak to the rock and I will provide water. But Moses not only struck the rock instead of speaking to it, but also he and Aaron took credit for the water. He asks, must WE fetch you water out of the rock. God still provides the people the water, but Moses and Aaron lost the treasure of the promised land. They went back to the old path. The one that had been traveled before. He smote the rivers in Egypt and they turned to blood. He smote the land and it brought forth Lice. At Horeb he smote the rock and water came out. But it was not the rod or Moses that was providing, it was God. And God could dictate how the rod should be used. Moses and Aaron took the familiar road and in a moment of disgust with whining people did not give God credit for what He was about to do. When God leads us it's important for us to follow as He directs. It’s God who provides for us and not we ourselves.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
God set up how we are to live in the home. We probably ought to listen.
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February 21st
E – Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 22:18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
It seems today that people believe that Prominence, Position, and Prosperity will bring peace. But all we need to do is watch the news today and we can see that is so far away from true. In fact everyone should be able to see it by just watching Hollywood and some corporate giants. Those that have what the world would consider prominence in society are struggling with drug addictions and alcohol abuse. People with positions of great authority are checking into rehabs. And prosperity is here today and gone tomorrow. As the stock market rises and falls and some that had great wealth wake up to a day where it has all crumbled and vanished in a moment. None of those things bring peace if God did not bring them to you. Prominence in itself is not bad, if God elevated you to that position. Your position in society can be used for the glory of God if you continue to lift God with your position. Money itself is not evil, the Bible says it’s the love of money that is the root of all evil. Balaam told Balak, if you were to give me your house filled with silver or gold I can not go beyond what God has for me to do. Not more or less. Becoming comfortable with where God has you seems to be a problem with most people today in this western civilization. We should not desire or aspire to any more than what God wants us to be, nor any less. Some people want to be what God does not want them to be and have what God knew they could not handle. While others shy away from opportunities that God has given them and do not want do what God is calling them to do. And not doing what God asks you to do is just as wrong as trying to be something He never intended you to be. Learning to be content should be our goal. Asking God to clearly direct of our lives. God truly does supply our needs if we will live in accordance to His leading. So how do you find out what that is? Same as Balaam! He said I can not go beyond the “WORD” of the Lord. It’s His word that makes the difference. Let’s live according to God’s word.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Psalm 119:127 says “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” You have at your fingertips something worth more than all the wealth in the world. The absolutely true Word of a Holy God.
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February 22nd
V – Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Numbers 25:16-18 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor’s sake.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
What is the best method of avoiding the temptation of eating chocolate candy while watching TV at home? The answer is simple. Don’t buy the candy when you’re at the store. Don’t have it in the house. Really that is the simple answer to most temptations. Stay away from it. When I quit smoking cigarettes for a while I stayed away, as much as possible, from those that still smoked. As terrible as it smells to me today, I remember a day when that smell was enticing. How did that happen? It happened gradually. The first time I ever smoked I was very young and trying to be cool like the other little boys in the neighborhood. We would take a drag, our eyes would water, we would cough and spit, and then look at each other somehow thinking we are cool. It started out as just an occasional thing out in the woods. But over time it became a daily routine. We would meet at a certain time and smoke. Then we got creative and found that if we would write a note as if from our parents and present it to the store keeper he would sell us a pack of cigarettes. We all started smoking more often. What started as a childhood rebellion ended up taking 25 years to shake. What made my eyes water as a youth made me crazy latter if I was without them. What caused it? I found how to have them with me all the time. How to hide them and carry them. Latter as an adult most of my friends were smokers too. Then I did not feel bad about doing it, so was everyone else. What I had invited into my life was now controlling my life. Through the grace of God and His delivering power and my willingness to abandon this activity I have not smoked now for almost 2 decades. How did I do it? I quit buying them. Got rid of the ashtrays. Began hanging out with people that would smell it in a second and be a friend enough to say something. I eliminated the opportunity. God told Moses to eliminate the opportunity to sin. The temptation in the future would destroy them if they did not. The method has not changed today.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Getting rid of an old temptation is not easy. It is often like saying goodbye to an old friend. Ask God for the strength to do right. He is always willing to help you.
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