Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Mar 16th, 2023 Land Distribution

Today’s Passage – Joshua 13 – 15 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here  to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 2 Timothy 1 – 4; Proverbs 16; Psalms 76 – 80)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8

Read a previous post from this passage – “I Want That Mountain.“

Read the “0316 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“1 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. 2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. 5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.” (Joshua 14:1-5)

“33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.” (Joshua 13:33)

63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.” (Joshua 15:63)

In Joshua, chapters 13 – 15, we see how the land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. The general principle was that God was going to give some land, originally only on the western side of the Jordan River, to each of the tribes, but there were some anomalies to this general distribution plan.

First, because the Israelites were attacked by the nations on the eastern side of the Jordan River, they ended up acquiring some additional land there. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh were given portions on the eastern side. Note – I’ll explain this “half-tribe” in a minute. Anyway, this additional land allowed the children of Israel to spread out a little more. God did not give them this eastern land initially, but because they were attacked, God allowed them to conquer those nations and take their land.

Second, regarding the “half-tribes” of Manasseh and Ephraim, Jacob had divided the inheritance of Joseph with his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim (See Genesis 48). There were still only twelve portions of land distributed, but the tribe of Levi was not to inherit any land; they were the priests and servants of the Lord for the Tabernacle and later, the Temple. They were given Levitical cities, forty-eight of them (see Numbers 35:1 – 8; Joshua 21:41), distributed throughout the land of Israel, and six of those cities would be designated as Cities of Refuge. These cities were to be given to the Levites within the borders of the ten other tribes and two “half-tribes.”

The third interesting point from this passage is that we see in Joshua 15:63 that the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem were not removed from the land. The verse tells us that the children of Judah could not drive them out, which is amazing because God promised that He would go before them, and that He would remove all of the inhabitants from the land. I wonder what the problem was for this particular group of people. The Jebusites actually remained in Jerusalem until David drove them out many years later (1 Chronicles 11:1 – 9).

Perhaps, the most interesting portion of these three chapters was the old man, Caleb, still fighting battles for the Lord. God gave him the city of Hebron for his efforts (Joshua 14:13). See – I Want That Mountain.

Mar 14th, 2023 Leadership Lessons Learned by Joshua (by Kyle Bilby)

“And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.” (Joshua 9:14)

Today’s Passage – Joshua 8 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Timothy 1 – 3; Proverbs 14; Psalms 66 – 70)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “0314 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Chapter 8 picks up where 7 left us. Israel just got defeated at Ai. Achan and his family were the root cause of this. They kept some of the “loot” from the victory at Jericho Which was forbidden by God after this specific battle (6:18). Achan and his whole family and possessions were destroyed and Israel repented. Note here that Joshua sees Gods will and wisdom (7:6-9).

Chapter 8 begins with God responding to the repentance for Achan’s family’s sin with an encouraging set of instructions for final Victory in Ai. Remember that it has always been God’s will for his people to destroy the inhabitants of the Promised Land and give his people possession of this land. God even tells them that all the spoils of the battle of AI can be all theirs. He gives Joshua the battle plan. This time Joshua and the people do exactly as God commands them. They draw out the soldiers from the town and sneak in behind, burn and destroy the city and the inhabitants. Complete victory in Ai. No doubt because they did exactly as God told them. 

Lessons Learned from Chapter Eight:

1. Follow the Lord’s Plan for our lives
2. Use all the resources God has given
3. Seek Gods will and his wisdom
4. Expect the outcome that God has promised (Good or Bad)

In chapter 9, the southern kings are starting to understand that God is on the side of the Israelites. They are seeing these great cities and strongholds fall to Israel and I’m sure they know that without God it wouldn’t have been possible. They decide to group together in a united front to oppose the Israelites, except for the Gibeonites. They devise a plane to trick the Israelites into signing a “peace treaty” with them to save them from destruction. They claimed to be a people from a far country, taking moldy bread, old wineskins, patched up sandals. They really went out of their way to put up this front, claiming they traveled so far their sandals were coming apart and their food had spoiled. It works. Israel agrees to this covenant, which was strictly forbidden. (Exodus 23:23-24) Israel was not suppose to make any covenants with any Canaanite tribes. The key verse for this chapter is 14. “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the lord.” They use their own wisdom and fall for these lies that the Gibeonites had told them instead of seeking God’s wisdom. When Joshua finds out that they lied it was already too late. Israel holds to the oath and does not harm them when they come into their land. Even though the people complained to the rulers of Israel they knew that keeping an oath, even a bad oath was better than allowing one sin (wiping out the Gibeonites) to follow another sin (making the oath without seeking God). Joshua instead turns the Gibeonites into servants to the Lord as a punishment (9:21-27). The Gibeonites were not thrilled about becoming wood cutters and water carriers for Israel, but they knew that this was better than destruction. Like David would write in Psalm 84:10:

 “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalm 84:10)

In these passages  we see that it’s never too late to call sin … sin . Point it out. Get rid of it. Repent and seek God’s forgiveness. In the end you’re far ahead if you seek God’s wisdom in your everyday life. Pray about the all the “little” things. The Big ones will be automatic.

 The history of Israel’s experiences reflect the cyle of most christians:

-Obedience followed by victory

-victory followed by a blessing

-blessing followed by disobedience and pride

-disobedience followed by defeat

-defeat followed by judgement

-judgement followed by repentance

-repentance followed by obedience 

-obedience followed by victory

These chapters are a great example of:

The battle is always the Lord’s including the one you may be facing.

If you find yourself in sin, repent and lean on our Lord.

Do it His way and let Him handle it.

Seek Him in everything you do.  

Mar 11th, 2023 Moses’ Epitaph – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 32 – 34 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Colossians 1 – 4; Proverbs 11; Psalms 51 – 55

Read the “0311 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” (Deuteronomy 34:10-12)

Good morning. Inscribed here, by God, at the end of the book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ epitaph. An epitaph is an inscription, usually on a tombstone like: R.I.P., …He was a good father and husband, …a loving son or daughter; things like that. Supposedly, the epitaph on the grave of actor W. C. Fields reads: “All things considered, I’d rather be here than in Philidelphia.”

But Moses did not have a headstone for his epitaph, so the Lord put an epitaph here at the end of Deuteronomy. There are three characteristics we can glean about Moses from his epitaph.

1) Moses knew the LORD face to face: he had a personal relationship with the Loed Jesus Christ.

“And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…” (Deuteronomy 34:10)

Moses met the Lord when he went to see the burning bush. And the Lord was with him all the way through his death and burial. Moses will not hear what many so-called “Christians” will hear…

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus said…

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

The LORD knew Moses face to face, and He would never leave him nor forsake him. The second characteristic we can glean from Moses’ epitaph is that…

2) He did the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us…

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Moses walked in the good works that God ordained for him to walk in. Moses had to show God’s strong and mighty hand before Egypt would let God’s people go. Moses had faith that God would resue them even when they had their backs to the Red Sea, and watched as the Egyptian chariots came closer to them. God stopped them with fire, and then parted the sea so Israel could escape. A mirical of faith…

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

An impossible situation at the Red Sea. An impossible situation getting water from a rock. An impossible situation that Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry land. An impossible situation that non of their clothes or sandles wore out while wondering through the wildernes for forty years.

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Maqtthew 19:26)

We have good works that God has ordained for us to walk in. I wonder how many I missed because of a lack of faith… how about you?

The third characteristic we can glean from Moses’ epitaph is…

3) He was an example to his people.

“In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” (Deuteronomy 34:11-12)

As the Bible said in Ephesians 2:10, that God ordained good works for us to walk in. Just like Jesus, we are to be an example to others…

“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:12-17)

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy…

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Timothy 3:14-17)

What kind of example do we put forth to the people God has given us. If you look at Moses, and this is a great example that he put forth, every time Israel sinned, Moses would be on his face begging God to forgive them. What kind of example do we put forth? Makes me wonder what my epitaph will say. How about you?

Peace.

Mar 7th, 2023 Deuteronomy (“2nd Law” or “Repeated Law”) by Wesley Clayton

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 19 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read –  Galatians 4 – 6; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – SSMicah 6:8

Read the “0307 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Deuteronomy – Second Law or Repeated Law 

First off there are some important things we must remember when reading the book of Deuteronomy. One, this was written to ancient Israel, not us, we can not insert ourselves into these passages. What we can do however is see some eternal principles for the Christian life that we should adhere too. Secondly, the reason the book was written is because there was now a new generation of Israelites that were going to enter the promised land. The Exodus generation disqualified themselves from entering the promised land and this new generation needed to be reminded of the original laws and there were some new ones or clarified laws as well. Thirdly, we must remember Moses was not going to enter this promised land with the Israelites. Therefore he must prepare them for the things they will face, because their record doesn’t favor them when it comes to the times Moses has had to leave them. The Book of Deuteronomy is a series of speeches by Moses calling this new generation to be faithful to the covenant with God

Three Major Sections

1. Moses opening speech 1-11
2. Collection of the Laws 12-26
3. Moses final speech and death 27-34

Section 1. Moses opening speech 1-11

Chapters 1-3 – How things have gone so far

Chapters 4-11 – call to covenant faithfulness

In chapter 6:4-5 we read some very familiar words; words that Jesus himself used in the New Testament Matthew 22:37. This is what is known as the Shama. The Shama (some spell it Shema) became an important daily prayer in Judaism. 

Hear (obey), O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD(God is the one and only God Israel is to worship and obey): And thou shalt love (love brings the context of devotion) the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4 – 5)

(Some different ways in which the word Shama is used)

Shama – Hear or Listen – Proverbs 20:12

Shama – Pay Attention or focus on – Leah named her son Simeon or Shim-on in Hebrew – Genesis 29:33 Because the LORD hath heard (shama)

Shama – responding to what you hear Psalm 27:7 asking God to respond or act 

Ex 19:5 – Listen and obey or Keep my covenant

11:26 Behold I set. Fore you this day a blessing and a curse – a blessing if ye obey … and a curse if ye will not obey.

Section 2. Collection of the Laws 12-26 (roughly arranged topically)

Chapter 12-16a Israels worship of God (one central temple to worship the one God) and Israels care for the poor All Israelites set aside 1/10 (tithe) to give to the poor every 3 years. These were to set Israel apart from the rest of the world/society as they were entering into the Promised land.

Chapter 16b – 18 character qualities of Israels leaders (Elders, Priest, and Kings) God would send prophets to keep them accountable.

Chapter 19-26 Israel’s civil laws (i.e. marriage, family, and business) & Social Justice/legal system and how it was to protect widows orphans and immigrants.

These were given to set Israel apart from the rest of the world

Section 3. Moses final speech and death 27-34

Listen and obey = blessing

Rebellion = devastation and exile 

Forces decision 30:15-20 

Chapter 32 – poem of warning 

Chapter 33 – poem of blessing 

Then Moses walks up on the mountain and dies.

The chapters I was assigned were 19-22 which fall in the section of where all the Laws were being given. The one thing that shocked me most was how many there were. I mean that’s 14 chapters of nothing but laws and statutes, who could ever keep all of them. That brings a whole new level to when the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:6b “touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” This was when Paul was describing himself as a Pharisee and he says he was blameless according to the law. Adam and Eve couldn’t follow one verse but Paul is blameless for 14+ Chapters in the Old Testament?! This provoked a couple of thoughts. First and foremost I am so thankful we aren’t under the law. Jesus gave the Pharisees the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-40 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Secondly why so were there so many laws? Well first off for the Children of Israel they were there to set them apart from the rest of the people groups. They were about to go into the promised land where a lot of sinful things were going on, and these laws were separating them from the sin and sanctifying them to God. Along those same lines as Galatians says the law was the schoolmaster unto salvation. The law mad the Children of Israel totally reliant upon God, and reminded them of where they really stood in light of the law and ultimately who God was/is. Now going back to the Shama and Matthew 22:37-40, how is loving the Lord with all thy heart souls and mind the greatest commandment how can that replace all those laws and statutes? It’s pretty simple actually, when we truly put God where he should be we will put ourselves where we should truly be. In our proper places everything else will fall in line where they should. There are only two questions we must ask/answer now, are you putting God in His proper place in your life, ahead of everything else where He has the preeminence, or is something else there? 

Mar 4th, 2023 Filthy Rags And Sin – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 9 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalm 16 – 20)

Read the “0304 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.” (Deuteronomy 9:4-6)

Good morning. Isaiah wrote…

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

The Lord told us…

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Our righteousness is as filthy rags, and without Jesus we can do nothing. But yet, like the Jews, we are a stiffnecked people doing what we want to do, even trying to serve the Lord in our own power.

Israel was getting ready to enter the promised land. God wanted to make it clear to them why. There were two reasons given…

1) Because of the wickedness of the nations they were going to displace.

These people worshipped false gods, and did many evil and wicked things, much like America today. The abomination known as Homosexuality is freely allowed to be practiced here. The murder of unborn babies and then butchering them for parts. Let me ask you a question here, just something to think about: if what is conceived in a mother’s womb is just a blob of goo and not a baby, how is Planned Parenthood selling the parts? All for the sake of the almighty dollar, and the convenience.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2Timothy 3:1-5)

The second reason is…

2) God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

As the sand of the sea and the stars of the sky, God promised to make Israel a great nation…

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.” (Hebrews 11:8-12)

America was also a great nation, until it turned away from God and became self-righteous. But America still has hope if we turn back to God.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

Some times I wonder what country will replace our nation because of our wickedness? Remove the filthy rags, and put on the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace.

Feb 28th, 2023 Boundaries by Pastor Wayne Foster

Today’s Passage – Numbers 34 – 36 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Corinthians 5 – 8;  Proverbs 28; Psalms 141 – 145

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89

Read a previous post from this passage – “The City of Refuge,” and “Taking Care of the Preachers.“

Read the “Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:) 3 Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: 4 And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon: 5 And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.” (Numbers 34:1-5)

God is a God of order. We see in numbers 34 God is establishing borders for the nation of Israel when they inherit the land of Canaan. Borders are a controversial subject. Who controls what, and how much has been the cause of countless wars for thousands of years. Just as nations have physical boundaries, we as Christians should have spiritual boundaries in our lives. There should be places we do not go because as Christians, we know sin dwells there. What kind of testimony would it give if we are in a bar, even if we are not drinking? We are constantly bombarded with music in stores, bad language from coworkers, or lucrative commercials and shows on TV screens. Our home is our haven. It should be a place of quiet rest. A place of sound boundaries protecting us and our families. Our Goal here on earth is holiness. Boundaries are necessary in our lives in order to keep striving towards that goal. We have boundaries for our children, personal lives, clothing, jobs, our own yards have fences around them. Why then, do we neglect our spiritual boundaries? They should be at the top of our priority list. Most of us, sadly, have them listed at the bottom. We need to re-examine our order of priorities and make sure our spiritual boundaries are set in stone. If we want to be Christ-like and live holy lives we need to make sure our boundaries won’t come tumbling down like the walls of Jericho at the first sight of trouble.

“40 Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Feb 25th, 2023 Get On A Schedule – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Numbers 27 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 9 – 12; Proverbs 25; Psalms 126 – 130

Read the “0225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even…” (Numbers 28:1-4)

“These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 29:39-40)

Good morning. Between the two passages above, God gives Israel a schedule for their sacrifices, and everything involved. We should be on a schedule too, if we want to get anything accomplished. Our schedule is going to look a little different, depending on our priorities. Our first priority should be God: schedule your Walking With God time. Start with prayer time: praise Him for what He’s done for you; confess what you failed to do; make your requests known (others, you); thank Him for what He is going to do and ask Him to show you something from His Word. That brings us to Bible Reading. Schedule a time to read your Bible daily. Keep a journal of verses or passages the Holy Spirit wants you to focus on as you read.

Secondly, schedule time for your wife and family. Not TV time. Quality time. Take them to the park and throw the Frisbee around for a while. Do something to make good memories. Believe me, the time goes too quick.

Thirdly. Everything else comes third. Work, church, soul winning, sleep, hobbies, etc. When you put God first, everything will fall into place.

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1Corinthians 14:40)

Peace.

Feb 23rd, 2023 He Holds the Reins by Dawn Foster

Today’s Passage – Numbers 22 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 1 – 4; Proverbs 23; Psalms 116 – 120)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Read the “0223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. 35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” (Numbers 22:31-35)

It has been an unimaginable several years. Can it get any worse? Then the next day it does. Worry, worry, and more worry. As the saying goes: “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.” We all have unsaved friends and family members. Time after time we see it in their faces . . . fear, not having control. Do we as saved individuals always live without fear? Of course not. However, it doesn’t mean fear has to consume us. We are able to lay it down at the feet of Jesus. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The Lord reigns in our hearts and he reigns over the world. Because of this we know He holds the reins to everything that is happening. He is in control yesterday, today, forever.

Numbers 22:22-35 is a familiar  passage of scripture. It is where the ass speaks to Balaam. Although Balaam was riding the ass and holding the physical reins, God was still reigning from above and in control. The angel of the Lord stood in the way of the ass each time Balaam tried to maneuver forward.  When we try to do what we want to do, things don’t work out too well. As we tread down the wide paths of life before us, God may deny us access to the course we have chosen. That doesn’t mean we should try to walk around the barrier to get where we want to go. There is a reason for trials, tribulations and closed doors. The Lord is trying to redirect us back to Him.  He has something better in store for us if we just hand the reins over to Him.

Feb 22nd, 2023 Keep Going – Even When It Hurts

Today’s Passage – Numbers 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 25 – 28; Proverbs 22; Psalms 106 – 110)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song –Proverbs 27:15

Read a previous post from this passage – “Look to Jesus.”

“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” – (Numbers 20:1-5)

“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” – (Proverbs 24:16)

“Never, Never, Never Give Up” (Winston Churchill)

“When you’re going through hell, keep going” (Winston Churchill)

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” (Thomas Edison)

Sometimes life stinks. How is that for a blunt statement? Oh for sure, there are many, many great moments in life with tremendous blessings, but there are also times when it is difficult to drag yourself out of bed. And, for whatever reason, God chooses to allow us to go through these rough days.

Think about the things that Moses had to deal with as the leader of God’s people here in Numbers 20. The chapter opens up with the death of his sister. When a loved one dies, it can certainly be a time of discouragement. I am sure that Moses was more than a little sad at the passing of his sister. However, it does not stop there. The very next verse tells us that at that time there was another shortage of water, which caused the people to “chide” with Moses. Didn’t they understand that he had just buried his sister? I mean, give the guy a break, will ya. Give him some time to mourn.

God then told Moses to speak to the rock so the people could get water, but Moses lost his temper and smote the rock instead of just speaking to it. God was not happy with Moses and Moses lost his ticket to the Promised Land as a result. I feel bad for the guy and I can understand the way he felt, as well as the way he acted. There have been many times when I have used poor judgment and have acted rashly when the pressure was on in my life.

The chapter closes out with another tragedy, the death of his brother, Aaron, seemingly also a result God’s judgment for Moses’ striking the rock. So, in one chapter Moses loses his sister, his brother, his future leadership position in Canaan; not to mention the fact that the people were ticked off at him. I would have quit. Moses didn’t. He kept going – even though it hurt. Read the next chapter, and you will find Moses continuing his leadership and fighting battles for the Lord.

I don’t know what you are facing today but I know that you need to keep going. Moses didn’t quit and neither should you.

When I was in Bible College, I became very discouraged at one point and was seriously contemplating quitting school, packing up my family, and heading back home. I spotted this picture hanging up on the wall in the back warehouse of the supermarket where I was working and it encouraged me to stick it out and finish what I had started,

Feb 21st, 2023 As the Lord Commanded Him, So Did He by Pastor Corey Woolner

Today’s Passage – Numbers 16 – 18 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 22 – 24; Proverbs 21; Psalms 106 – 110)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 121

Read the “0221 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“11 And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.” (Numbers 17:11)

There are some verses in scripture that always grab your attention. One of those verses is found in Numbers chapter 17. The Bible says in Numbers 17:11 “And Moses did so: as the Lord commanded him, so did he.” 

I love reading about the men and women in the scriptures who obeyed God. The Bible says in Genesis 6:22 “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Noah & Moses are two wonderful examples of men who just obeyed God. Both of these good men are mentioned in Hebrews 11 which some call the “Hall of Faith.” These men were not perfect men and they did make their mistakes, but they were men of faith who did all that God asked of them. These men were not defined by their mistakes or shortcomings, but they were defined and remembered by their great faith. 

Think about Noah for a second. Here’s a man who is called upon to build this massive ark and he was told to warn of the rain and judgment to come. After 120 years of building & preaching, the ark was complete, but only Noah and his family entered and were saved. Noah’s success was not found in how many entered the ark, but his success was found in his obedience to God. You and I get too concerned with what will happen if we obey God and that holds us back at times. We need to obey God by faith. 

Friend, God is worthy of our obedience. It’s not unreasonable for us to obey Him. 

Not a super deep thought for us today, but a powerful remainder to just do what God says. 

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”(Psalm 37:23)