Gods411

Join Our Facebook Community

Monday, July 29, 2013

Want A Blessing? Bless Someone!

Numbers 26-31

The mountain that Moses views as the Promised Land was Mount Nebo.The laying of hands on another person signified the transferral of power from one leader to another. God's appointed feasts were for the most part agriculturally based.

Moses was an amazing man. He had a heart for the people that he was leading. In verse 27:12 God tells Moses that he was going to be "Gathered to his people". What would have been your response to God? Maybe you would have said "No, God I am not ready yet", or "Are you sure I can see the promised land"?Moses was more concerned about the people he was leading them himself. That is a trait of a great leader.

Scripture Reading Numbers 31:48- 54

48 Then the officers who were over the units of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—went to Moses 49 and said to him, "Your servants have counted the soldiers under our command, and not one is missing. 50 So we have brought as an offering to the LORD the gold articles each of us acquired—armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD."

51 Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted from them the gold—all the crafted articles.

52 All the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds that Moses and Eleazar presented as a gift to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels. (About 420 lbs.) 53 Each soldier had taken plunder for himself. 54 Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

Thought for the Day

If you have read this story, God was ready to take vengeance on the Midianites, so He told Moses to kill the Midianites and plunder what they owned. There are two thoughts that came to mind while I was reading this.

First, when God is with you, there is no-one that can be against you. There is nothing that can stand in God's way. Nothing. The Israelites could have taken vengeance on the Midiantires for causing them to sin, but if they did that without God's guidance, I am sure they would have lost. But, they waited for God, and His vengeance, went into battle, and killed every man. (v31:7)

Second, when God blesses you, what do you do? Do you say, "Alright, thanks Jesus! Ahhhh..... that was wonderful, but....... my car does need fixing now". I believe that we need to have the attitude of what Moses and the Israelites had, when God blessed them with all the plunder from the Midianites they gave back to God. God did not need their silver or gold, He is God, He could blink His eye and make a mountain of gold. What He does want is our heart and mind.

Society teaches us that the world owes them. But retrospect, if you want to be blessed, bless someone. If you are in need of money, give money. If you want to be loved, love someone. If you want to be happy, make some else happy. I know that all of us have a storehouse of blessings waiting for us, but we need to grasp and live the concept of Jesus. Christ did not come here to be served, but to serve others.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,Thank You Father for your amazing love. Father I pray that You will guide me and help me to move, so that I can see You move. Father I pray that I take those steps I am afraid to take so that I can be a light for You and make a difference. Teach me Lord how to be more like You and less like me, fill me up with Your goodness and joy so that I may spread that and give glory to You.

Father I pray for the lost that they may be found.

I love You father.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Friday, July 26, 2013

Do You Worship Idols?

Insight Into the Scriptures

Bulls and rams were the most prized and valuable stock animals, thus the sacrifice of these animals would have signified supreme effort. In verse 25:8 it speaks of a plague, epidemic disease that might have included typhoid, malaria, cholera, tuberculosis, anthrax, bubonic plague, diphtheria and more.

I can't tell you how important it is to spend time in God's word everyday. Last year I read through the entire Bible, so when I started this year, I thought this might be boring or dull. Just the opposite is true, the second time around, God is revealing much more of Himself to me. I am learning much more than last time.

Scripture Reading Numbers 25:10-13, 16-18

10And the LORD said to Moses, 11"Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. 12Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, 13and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.'"

16 The LORD said to Moses, 17 "Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them, 18 because they treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the affair of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader, the woman who was killed when the plague came as a result of Peor."

Thought for the Day

There were two thoughts that came to mind while I was reading today's scripture. In verses 25:10-13 you will read how Phinehas showed zeal for the Lord, and how God was pleased with Phinehas.

Do you have that kind of zeal for the Lord? I would hope that you would not do the same as Phinehas did by grabbing a spear and killing the offender of God, but, what do you do when someone talks bad things about your Lord? I believe that the zeal Phinehas displayed was involuntary, he did not think about it, when he saw the Midianite women he took matters into his own hands, maybe he over reacted? But, God was pleased in what Phinehas did. That kind of zeal can only come from a life of loving and serving your King. It would be like if someone were trying to hurt your mom, dad, or children, how would you react? Would you sit passively by, or would you jump up and protect the ones you love? Do you have the same zeal for the Lord?

The second thought was our idol worship. Yes, we have idols, maybe you do not have a golden calf in your family room, but you might have a 50" High Def TV. ANYTHING that you put in front of Christ becomes an idol. It is amazing to me to listen to people that can watch 4 to 5 hours of TV a day, yet can't find a 1/2 hour to spend with Christ. Who is more important, the TV or Christ?

God compares idol worship to that of a marital affair. I do not know if you have experienced or known someone that has gone through an affair, but it is one of the most hurtful experiences in the world. Imagine us hurting Christ that much, the sadness and pain He must feel. Yet, he forgives us, only for us to do it to Him again. I would encourage you to examine your life for any idols, it is Ok to have that High Def TV, but who is getting more one on one time with you?

Closing Prayer

I pray Father that as I drive and see all the beauty around me, that You will help me to remember to thank You and realize just how much You give us everyday. Father i thank You for being in my life, I pray thought that I can focus more and more on you and not the world. I get so consumed sometimes that it is hard to stay focused, I pray that You will help me see and stop and pray and be with You, one on one. I love you Father with all of my heart!!

In Your Name I pray, Amen

Join Our Family

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Have You Encountered a Talking Donkey?

Numbers 21-22

There are only two instances of animals talking; here in verses 22:28-30. And in Genesis when the serpent spoke to Eve. Donkeys were good all purpose means for transportation, and were highly dependable. This might have been why Balaam became angry with his donkey.

Don't you admire Moses' patience? It almost seems like every other chapter the Israelites are grumbling about God and Moses, God punishes them, they come running back to Moses, and Moses intercedes on their behalf.

Scripture Reading Numbers 22:26-34

26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you." 30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."

31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. 33 The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live." 34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

Thought for the Day

When I was reading this story, and I came to the part where Balaam's donkey spoke to Balaam, the text made no mention that Balaam was surprised. The text just goes on with Balaam answering the donkey back, like this was a normal thing for donkeys to talk? I know that if my dog spoke to me I would have to pinch myself to see if I was in a dream, or call America's Funniest Animals on the Disney channel.

Besides my talking dog....... Have you ever really, really wanted something in your life? Whether it was buying something, or maybe it was in a relationship that you really wanted to work out. Or maybe it was a new job that you thought would suite you just right? I am sure that you know of a few more. When you have been in those situations, did it seem to just work out, maybe it took a little time, but everything went smoothly. Or did it seem like everything was a struggle, maybe it worked out, but you had to fight for every little thing?

I know that Christ wants the best for us, but, we are a stiff neck people like the Israelites. Yes, if we push hard enough Christ may let us have our ways, but, that is not Christ's will for us. Just like Balaam was receiving resistance from his donkey, he was so focused on the donkey and his mission he could not see the angel standing there, in fact the donkey (his resistance) saved Balaam's life.

When you are riding the wave of Christ's will, everything just seems to fall into place. Things that should have not worked out, do. You are blessed beyond what you wanted in the first place. The next time you are in one of those situations, look for donkeys (resistance), if you find you are coming across a lot of them, maybe you are outside of Christ's will. Step back, pray, and wait for signs of Christ. His will is the best place on the earth to be!

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,Praise to You Father for all the great things You teach us, this great Word You give us so we can learn more about You and how much You love us. Father I pray today that I will sit and listen to You, that I will listen for Your directions. Help me Father to know that it is You and not me, help me to be patient and not push. I love You Father and know that You are great and know the best for me. Thank You!!

In Your Name I pray, Amen

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Do You Rely On God Alone?

Scripture Reading Numbers 20:2-13

The Waters of Meribah. Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3 And the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD! 4Why have you brought the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? 5And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink."

6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them, 7and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8"Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."

9And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

Moses Strikes the Rock

10Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" 11And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.

12And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."

13These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the LORD, and through them he showed himself holy.

Thought for the Day

I read this passage and I was confused why Moses was so faithful to do everything exactly as God told him, but not on this one task. Moses disobeyed God's commands and took matters into his own hands. Why?

Did he lack faith that God would come through yet again? Maybe he did not hear God this time, he was getting older? As I thought about this, Moses' main "Miracle Connection" was his staff, he and God turned it into a snake, Moses and God parted the Red Sea with it, he and God turned water into blood with it. I believe that Moses' staff was becoming a crutch, maybe he was starting to rely on it, instead of God alone? Maybe God knew that "The staff" was starting to get in the way, so God told Moses to speak to the rock instead of using the staff.

Can't you see Moses in front of the entire angry, grumbling assembly? Standing there sweating, knowing what God told him, but questioning if it was going to work without his trusty staff. He thinks about it for a minute, then in a split second decision, he grabs the staff and not only hits it once, but twice just to make sure. God being the amazing person that He is, stands by Moses and creates water, but after it is over with, God punishes Him and the community.

Do you have your own "Staff"? Something if God told you to get rid of it, you could not do? Something that is sharing the platform with God? God needs us to rely on Him alone. Our faith in God must be strong, even if we were to lose our Bibles, our faith would not be shaken, because God is the most important thing in your life.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,You are my staff, and I am so thankful for that Lord. Please help me to remember that You are always there for me and that I can always lean on You and not the world. Father thank You for the fresh air we breathe each day and the people You put into my life each day, I just pray that You will hep me to see why You put them there and what I am to do. You are my life, thank You!! I love You!!

In Your Name I pray, Amen

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Is Your Prayer Life One Sided?

Insight Into the Scriptures Numbers 16-18

The function of incense censers was to serve as portable altars. Burning incense purifies the area of the altar and signifies God's presence.

Moses really is an amazing man. Moses is only doing what God called him to do, he is being obedient to God. But, all the Israelites can do is complain to him about God and how unfair things are. Moses in his wisdom falls to the ground and prays on the Israelites behalf, they were very lucky that God chose Moses as their leader.

Scripture Reading Numbers 14:1-4, 10-14, 26- 35

1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!

3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites. 11 The LORD said to Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they."

26 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

27 "How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, 'As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: 29 In this desert your bodies will fall— every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32 But you—your bodies will fall in this desert. 33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.' 35 I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this desert; here they will die."

Thought for the Day

If you saw the movie Bruce Almighty, you might remember the part where Jim Carrey is filling in for God while He takes a vacation. Jim Carrey who thinks God's job will be easy, is soon bombarded by prayer requests, he takes all night to answer all the requests, only to find out in the morning he is bombarded by one million more prayer requests, and these requests are only from one square block! The point here is just think how many requests are lifted up to God in one minute? Now, think how many of those requests are complaints.....we do not have enough money, You are not being fair, why does she get the promotion, why am I still living in this dump.... I am sure that you can come up with some on your own, I know that I could.

Prayer is a wonderful, and amazing way of communicating with God, but, how is your prayer life? Does it go something like this? "Dear God, please help Sue to figure out what is bugging her so she will stop annoying me, we need more money this month so we can go on that vacation, help John he is ill........ hmmm bless my cat and dog. Amen"God wants you to talk to Him, but are your prayers one sided? Are they all about you? Or do you take time to praise and thank Him? Do you take time to listen? The Israelites complained and complained, finally God gave them over to what they had been complaining about, now they really had something to grumble about! I encourage you to examine your prayer life, is it one sided?

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,

Thank You Father for the many blessings everyday that I receive. Father I am sorry for the small and insignificant prayers I pray sometimes, the ones that are meaningless and human. Father please forgive me for my many sins and I pray that You will help me to seek You more and step back, take a deep breath and realize exactly what is out there that You have given me. I pray that I always see everything and if I don't, I thank You for all the things that I am not worthy but You so generously give. I love You!!

In Your Name I pray, Amen

Friday, July 19, 2013

Think n Grow

When you are reading Chapter 11, you will read that God came down in the form of a cloud, He took some of His spirit and put it on the seventy elders. We have an amazing gift; God's Spirit. I have to keep reminding myself that these Old Testament followers did not have the Holy Spirit as we do today.10:25 "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it".

Scripture Reading Numbers 11:18- 23

"And say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, "Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt." Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat.

You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?"

"But Moses said, "The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, 'I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!'Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?"And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not."

Thought for the Day

As I was reading the passage above where God told Moses that He was going to supply meat for the Israelites. Not just for a day, but for a whole month, and not just a quail per person, but enough so that they would be stuffed. That did not surprise me, what did surprise me was Moses' response. Moses questioned God where and how he was going get all that meat. This is after all the incredible miracles that God has done for them.

We tend to put God into our box. God is beyond anything that our human minds can imagine, so we shrink Him down into our box so we can better grasp Him. There are two thoughts that came to mind from this.

If you are dedicated to Christ and you know in your heart you try very hard to serve Christ, I would expect alot from Him. I am not saying that you want a million dollars, that goes against what Christ teaches. But, do not limit Him or put Him in your box. God wants to bless you and see you happy, think big. Do not limit your blessings, think God size, think over flowing.

If you are in the opposite stage of life, where you are in a desperate situation. You do not see the light at the end of the tunnel, you have given up hope, your situation is impossible, and you have thought of all the possible answers, that is it! Always remember, nothing is impossible with God, He is thinking outside of your box. Just like Moses could not see a way of feeding all those people, God had already had Moses answer. If you are stuck in that kind of situation, God already knows your answer, maybe all He needs is for you to trust outside of your box.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,

Thank you Father for always loving me so much, please help me to remember that You are always there for me. Father I pray that I will focus on You and not what I think I can do. Help me to think outside of the box and know that whatever You have planned, whatever is Your will that is the best. I just need the courage and strength to wait. Father i pray today for being able to love my neighbor, especially the ones that are s hard o love. I pray that I can remember how much You love them and I can too. Thank You Father, and know that I love You very much. I am nothing without You!!!

Your Name I pray,

Amen

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Gods Timing Is Always Perfect

Insight Into the Scriptures

I have read several Christian and Non-Christian Commentaries on the phenomena of the cloud over the tabernacle during the day, then the fire at night. Some say it was a volcano, burning tar pit....... it is just God. You can't put a finger on God.

Scripture Reading Numbers 9:15- 23

"On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.

At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp.

When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out.

Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out.Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out.

Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses."

Thought for the Day

Today's thought really goes hand in hand with yesterday's. If you read the passages above, Moses and the Israelites waited upon the Lord. They would not make a move without God. God chose to be in the form of a cloud during the day and fire during the night. When the cloud moved, His people moved, when God rested, His people rested, God may have been there a day or it may have been a year.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a little cloud. When you saw the cloud move, you moved, and where it rested, you rested. The most perfect place that you can be is in the will of God, move when he moves, rest when He rests. Most of the time we find ourselves restless and wanting to move on, or we find ourselves wanting more. I have found that God's timing is always perfect, but, if I rush God, He will sometimes let it happen, but it never turns out like I would have liked it too. I am working on being patient :). One thing that has helped me, is if you find yourself stuck for a year or longer in the same place, stop asking God what is next, let's go, I am ready for the next adventure God. Instead, ask God what is my purpose here in this situation, what do You need me to learn that I am not seeing? Instead of being focused on the future, take off the blinders and look around, you may be missing a miracle going on right around you, but you are to busy to see it.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,

I pray today Father for our nation. I pray that we, I mean that I, can make small steps out there to shine for You, to help Your kingdom grow. Our children are at so much risk Father, the world is going so wild. I pray for those kids Father that they will have a great person in their lives to help them grow towards You and not the world. And I pray Father that You will help me to help those kids around me, help me to be more like You, You would love them all and help the ones hurting the most. Thank you Father for loving us so much.

I love You!!

In Your Name I pray, Amen

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Knowing Gods Will

Numbers 7

The function of anointing sacred objects is an act of dedication. Usually oil or blood was used.

Thought for the Day

Kim and I are looking at buying a house, and there have been some ups and downs. We want to do God's will for us, but, sometimes it is so hard to know the will of God. I have a good/bad habit, I do find that I push God, patience is not one of my strong points, so in certain situations I do not know if I am pushing God to make what I want to happen, happen. This leaves me confused sometimes.

On the flip side, I do not believe that you lay down and tell God, "OK God, let me have it." I believe that you need to knock and see if God does open a door. Kim and I have seen God's will at work and it was amazing. To make a long story short, we need to get out of a current living situation, I asked my boss for a transfer, he gave it to me in a week to a city that we LOVED; Seattle. We also sold our house in a week with a lady that paid cash. There were many more blessings that happened, but it was amazing to see God work and be within His will.

If you are in a situation right now, or the next time one would come up and you are wondering if it is God's will. I would look at God's character, are the events happening like God? Do you find yourself pushing the situation to make it work to the way you want it? Is the situation flowing smoothly? I hope that you will find yourself in the tail wind of God's blessing where it makes your head spin.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,

Thank you Father for the rain you give us, it makes everything smell fresh and gives all the animals something to drink. Lord I pray that You will help me hear You, follow You and listen to Your will. I know that Your plan is much better than mine could ever be. Please give me the patience and the silence to hear Your moves.

I love You and need You desperately.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Insight Into Scriptures

Leviticus 23 you will read a list of sacrifices required throughout the year. These feast and sacrifices mark various stages in the agricultural year, they give both credit and a sacrificial portion back to God. These feasts are:

Sabbath

Passover

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Weeks

The Feast of Trumpets

The Day of Atonement

The Feast of Tabernacles

If past history and future/prophetic events interest you, these feasts that God appointed for Moses and His people are very interesting. They are full of meaning for the past and future events.

Thought for the Day

As I was looking for a item on the internet I opened up a page for our comcast browser. On it was a large headline "Anna Nicole Dies at 39". When I read some headlines like that it saddens me. From what I could see, she was very lost, (I know that she chose her path) but still I am sadden because she never found the light, and most likely satan has her now. Can you imagine what she is feeling right now?

But then I stopped and thought, that is just one well known person, how many people died today that are lost that are filling up hades? So I did some researching, and these figures are an estimate, if someone has a more accurate figure, I would love it. Around 150,000 people a day pass away. From those people 87% "Claim" they are Christian, 13% claim no religion. I would guess the 13% figure is much higher, but 13% roughly equates to 20,000 people a day are a loss to Christ / a win to satan. That is too much, one is too many for satan!

There are so many lost and hurting people in our world. Our lives are so much larger than a job, school, or possessions. What are you going to do today to lower satans number? Jesus is not asking you to be "John the Baptist", just be Jesus with skin. Show your neighbor Christ's love, the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,I am so saddened by these lost lives Father, I can't imagine how sad you are. God please help me to shine and be there for those that are lost. Help me to help You Father, I can't do anything without You. Please give me the words to make a difference and the courage to follow through. I love You.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Join Our Facebook Family
Connect With Christ

Insight Into the Scriptures

In the Bible you will read a lot about stoning as a means of execution. Stoning is a communal form of execution, it requires all those persons who have been offended to participate. One interesting point is that since it could not be determined whose individual stone caused the death, no one person could bear the guilt for the death.

As I have been reading these passages there has been alot of rules. One might be overwhelmed trying to follow all of them, but then it came to me, most of these rules will fall into place if you follow two basic principles. Love the Lord your God, and Love your neighbor as yourself.

Leviticus 24:10-16

"Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses. (His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) They put him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. Then the LORD said to Moses: "Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: 'If anyone curses his God, he will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death."

Thought for the Day

We live in a world that is on the move 24/7. If you want or need an answer to something you either get on your internet, cell phone, blackberry or TV and find the answer NOW. Our world is teaching us not to wait, patience is going out the window. God does not operate like that, He does not know time, He is time.

I was reading the above passages and I found it interesting that instead of Moses taking action (I bet that Moses deep down inside knew the answer of what to do), Moses put the blasphemer in custody until the will of the Lord was made clear. Read that again; until the will of the Lord was made clear. I know that I am always pushing God, I want my answers right now, it is hard for me to wait. But, I am finding that when I do wait for The Lord, it just seems to always work out better.

There was one other point that I found interesting. I know that Moses had a heart for his people. I bet Moses knew what was going to happen to the boy, but was maybe hoping God might not hand down that judgement. When God did hand down His judgement, His commands were carried out.

We need to slow down in life, take time to wait on the Lord when we need an answer to one of lives' problems. Pray and listen for Him to speak, be open to anything that the Lord's will tells you. The answer that Christ gives you may not be the answer you are looking for, but it will always be the best one.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,Thank you Father for the patience You have in me. All the troubles and sins, I am so glad to know You still love me. But Father I want You to know how much I love You and I ask that you help me to be patient, wait on Your word and act obediently. I know God that Your way is ALWAYS the best but sometimes it is so hard to wait.

I love You!! In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Learn to Hate ~ Learn to Love

Insight Into the Scriptures

In Numbers 6:24-26 you will read a blessing that was to be given by Aaron to the Israelites. This might be a common blessing that you would hear at the end of your church. It is always neat to know where the blessing came from in the Bible.

Scripture Numbers 5:5-6

"The LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: 'When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty"

Thought for the Day

I found this passage of Scripture very interesting. It states that if you wrong another person, first off you have wronged God and been unfaithful. Second, you must make full restitution with that person and even add one fifth to give back to that person.

What struck me hard, was not only are you treating the other person poorly but you are being unfaithful to the Lord. It brought doing wrong things to others into a whole new light.

God wants us to treat each other well, so much, He brings Himself into the equation. Our world is hurting, when I go around and go shopping I run into so many people that would rather walk on your face than talk to you. I would imagine that they have become that way because they have been wronged by so many others, they have put up this defense now, and if you are a good and decent person, it is hard to break down their defenses.

This exact situation just happened to Kim, she trades on eBay, she made a very simple, honest mistake. When this person found out about the mistake made towards them, they just went off, TYPED IN CAPITALS, and yelled at her. Her first reaction was to put him in his place, but after Kim talked to me she answered him with love and understanding. It changed the situation around, they apologized and good came out of it, but if she had done my first reaction, it would of turned sour very fast.

I would examine if you are being unfaithful to God by treating people poorly, if you have all that under control, try spreading some of Jesus' light into the world, even if the other person does not deserve it.

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,Father thank you for your patience in me, I pray that You will teach me how to be patient. Help me to love others as you love them Lord. I pray that one person would be touched today by You, through my prayers or my smile. I pray Father that I will have Divine appointments that will only bring glory to You. I Love You!!

In Your Name I pray,

Amen

Shop Christian Items

Connect with Jesus

Monday, July 1, 2013

How To Open The Floodgates of Heaven

Insight Into the Scriptures

Numbers was written by Moses, again. It was written around 1450-1410 B.C. The setting for Numbers is the wilderness of the Sinai region. The purpose of Numbers is to prepare the Israelites to enter the promise land.In verses 3:47-51 Moses speaks of redemption money and shekels. The average weight of a shekel was around 11.4 grams. Five shekels would have represented about half a year's wages.

Scripture Leviticus 26:11-17

"I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect."But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it."

Thought for the Day

This weekend I was finishing up Leviticus. God had just given Moses and the Israelites alot of rules and regulations, God does a great job of wrapping it up in chapter 26. This is a really interesting chapter that would be worth your time reading. God basically says, I know that I have laid down alot of rules, but, if you follow them I will be with you and walk among you, life will be good. But, on the flip to side of that, if you choose not to follow my rules, life is going to be tough. Not only will you have "Life" to deal with, you will have my anger. Not a good place to be. But, because I am a God of love and mercy, if you do mess up, just confess to me and I will remember my promises I made with your fore fathers.

As I finished I could not help to think, that has to apply today as well as back then. God lays out 2 pretty simple rules in chapter 26, no idols, and observe my Sabbaths.So how are you doing with these 2 simple rules? In this day and age idols are everywhere, anything that you put before God is a modern day idol. Your car, home, money, hobbies, relationships, Ipods, computers...... the list could go on and on! How about keeping a day for God, or are you running around 24/7 no rest, no time for God? We are told in chapter 26 if the Israelites followed these rules, God would provide for them, the floodgates of heaven would open up. Have your floodgates been flooding or trickling?

One point I would like to make, when ever we hear floodgates opening up, sometimes we think, MONEY, yea God is going to give me money. We have to learn to think beyond money, money is needed and very helpful, but money never means happiness. Your inner soul at peace, being there when God moves, relationships, family...... those are the true floodgates opening up. So, how are your floodgates?

Closing Prayer

My Heavenly Father,It is so hard Father to not be of the world nowadays. Please help me to focus on just You Father, please help me to not surrender to the enemies doubts and tugs on my heart that makes me wander. Father You are so loving, giving and kind, how can I deserve that? But I thank You for always being there for me and I pray that You will help me to stay focused on You, give Glory to You and Lord know that I love You very much.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen