They Were Sore Displeased – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 12 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 21 – 22; Proverbs 11; Psalms 51 – 55)
Read the “0411 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Matthew 21:10-16)
Good morning…
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)
Last Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, our church was jam-packed. It was exciting. I can’t wait to see what the Lord does tomorrow. The choir and congregational singing was great. The preaching, and the message of God’s Word was great. And all the children running about, having a great day at church. Jersey Shore Baptist Church was alive, and bursting at the seams. I was glad to be in the house of the Lord, but being saved, I always am. This was a similar day that they had in Matthew 21, with Jesus in the Temple.
Jesus had just finished cleaning house, casting out those who bought and sold in the Temple, and overturning the tables of the moneychangers and those who sold doves. The blind and the lame came to Jesus, and He healed them. Jesus was doing many wonderful things. The people were crying out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” And when the chief priests, and the scribes saw all that was going on, they were displeased.
Is your church alive like it was on that day in the Temple when Jesus came? If it is, you probably have those who will be displeased. The children yelling, the sermon being too long, or even someones favorite seat taken may upset a few. Jesus gave the answer when He said, “My house shall be called THE house of prayer.”
Pray for your church. Pray for your pastor. Pray for your Sunday School teachers. Pray for your choir. Pray that they will not be discouraged by the few who are displeased with a living, growing, church that stands on God’s Word. And pray for those who are displeased, that God would work on their hearts, and that they will understand that church is all about Jesus. And Jesus is the Life, so, wouldn’t His church be alive also?
Peace! (Revelation 7:17)
Posted in The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
Madness – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 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 – Matthew 7 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalms 16 – 20
Read the “0404 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?” (1Samuel 21:10-15)
“And when he [JESUS] was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.” (Matthew 8:28-32)
Good morning. Here we have two examples of madness. David made himself mad to save his life. The herd of swine went mad when possessed by devils, and they lost their lives.
Working security in a casino, on the graveyard shift, you notice many things. Mainly around the slot machines. People stare, glassy-eyed into the machine watching the numbers and symbols spin around. Their only movement is to hit the spin button. The cocktail waitresses come around serving drinks and alcohol, which being a depressant just adds to the miserable look that is on their faces. From what I understand many are regular customers: they come there all the time. Can I ask you something? Is this the kind of life you planned on having? Something happened to draw these people into the madness of gambling.
I walked by a roulette table, and saw three separate gray chips placed as bets. The wheel was turned and the ball raced around. When all was said and done, those three gray chips went to the house: that’s $15,000 ($5,000 each): that’s madness. Is there a madness in your life?
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:20-27)
I am so glad, Ive been given the opportunity to help all those with this madness, as well as other madnesses, through the Reformers Unanimous Addictions Program here at Jersey Shore Baptist. We have a slogan: “Only the Truth makes free!” We can show you from the Scriptures how to end the madness. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the only Way: every other path is a dead end. Jesus is the Truth: He doesn’t sugar-coat your problem, but will stand right by your side, and face it with you. Jesus is the Life: He will help you with your life, and keep you from throwing it away. Jesus said…
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 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: 4-5)
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (John 15:8-9)
If Jesus didn’t think your life was precious, why would He allow Himself to be beaten, spit upon, whipped by a whip that had sharp bones and metal pieces that ripped right through His skin, and then be nailed to a cross shedding His precious blood for your precious soul? He is able, and will stop whatever madness you have.
Peace! (John 3:16)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
The Hand Of The Lord – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – Ruth 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Revelation 7 – 9; Proverbs 28; Psalm 136 – 140)
Read the “0328 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:1-13)
Good morning. Naomi was at quite a low point in her life. Her husband died, then her two sons died. All she had left were her two daughter-in-laws. And she told her daughters. “…it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.”
When things go wrong, do you blame God? I must have sinned for this to happen to me. Woe is me for the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. But we forget…
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
And that…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
So what happened with Ruth? God had to turn her around and get her out of Moab. He needed her back home. She didn’t leave Moab when her husband died. When her two sons died, she left Moab. There was a divine appointment waiting in Bethlehemjudah. And Ruth stayed with her.
Did you know your face changes when your countenance drops, when you’re depressed?
“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:19-21)
The people had to ask if this was Naomi. And Naomi said to call her Mara. Mara means bitter. Naomi was bitter, but she was home, and Ruth was with her. But it was all part of God’s plan. And to make a long story short…
“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” (Ruth 4:13-22)
It took some sorrow to get Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehemjudah, but Ruth had to get there to meet and marry Boaz, so they could have a child, and Ruth would be the great grandmother of king David.
Are you going through something bad? Don’t blame God. Here are three verses to remember…
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I’m sorry, but in this world ye SHALL have tribulation. I don’t care what the prosperity preachers tell you, believe the Bible. Tribulation is going to come. Bad things happen to good people and bad people. Maybe God is just trying to turn you in the right direction like Naomi. Just remember our second verse also…
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
That’s ALL things: the good and the bad. Bad things happen in life. But what we perceive as bad, God may be using that for His good, and our good. Before you become bitter, and blame God, go to Him with your problem. “Lord, things look pretty bleak. I don’t know why I’m going through this, but You do. Help me to understand. Show me what to do.” And that leads us to the third verses…
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trials and tribulations should not separate you from God, they should draw you closer. When bad things happen, don’t get bitter, run to God where all things work for good.
Peace! (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Posted in The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl
Keep Your Word
Today’s Passage – Judges 11 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – 1 John 1 – 5; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 120)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51
Read the “0324 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” (Judges 11:30-31)
This story in our scripture reading always amazed me. There are so many truths you can glean from it but today I would like to focus on keeping your word, a vow.
Here we have the account of Jephthah, the son of a harlot. The Bible says his mother married Gilead and they had other sons. Now, like in many blended marriages, children will fight over the inheritance left by parents, and this was true of Jephthah’s brothers. So they sent him away. But when times got rough, they sent for him to lead them in battle. Now in verse 30, Jephthah makes a vow (deal or promise) to God, and God kept His end of the deal. Israel defeated the children of Ammon. In verse 31, we read the vow, ‘Whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me … I will offer it up for a burnt offering.’ After the war, he returned home and his only child, his daughter, came dancing in through the door of his home. At the end of Judges 11, we read that Jephthah kept his word that he vowed to the Lord and sacrificed his only beloved daughter to the Lord.
Keeping our word is a lost trait. Nowadays a hand shake just won’t do it. People just don’t keep their word. The Bible calls them fools.
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)
How often are our children disappointed because of a promise we made to them, and then broke it? I think it’s similar to when we pray to God and He doesn’t answer the way we want Him to. Have you ever lent someone money and they promised to pay you back and didn’t? Maybe you did a job and didn’t get paid what you were supposed to. Keeping our word honors God. After all, He always keeps His.
Let’s try to do our best to keep our word and to show others the love of Christ.
Thank You
John 3:16
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Lesson Learned? – The Saturday Morning Post
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)
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.
Read a previous post from this passage – “Moldy Bread, Broken Bottles, and Old Shoes“
“And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” (Joshua 8:33-35)
Good morning. If you are working for someone, that someone is the boss. He may want the job done in a certain way. You need to do the job his way: he is the boss. It is always good to check with the boss, and get the job done right the first time.
Joshua had a boss too, The Boss: the LORD. Joshua did not check in with the Lord before attacking Ai. If he did, the Lord would have told him not to attack Ai; take care of the sin in the camp first. Instead, they attacked, and 36 men of Israel were killed as they ran from the men of Ai.
Joshua obeyed God’s instructions in the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down. But Joshua did not know that one of his men did not. He should have checked with the LORD first. Joshua checked with the LORD, the problem was taken care of, and the LORD showed Joshua how to set up an ambush to destroy Ai. Ai was defeated. Lesson learned, right? Wrong.
“And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.” (Joshua 9:3-15)
Sometimes we learn from our mistakes, sometimes we don’t. If Joshua would have checked with the LORD first he would not have had to defend Gibeon in chapter 10. God only wants what is good for you. If you want your life to run smoother, check with the LORD first. Also, when tribulation comes, and it will, remember to seek God first in what you should do.
Peace! (John 16:33)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 1 comment.
JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 29 – 31 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Philippians 1 – 4; Proverbs 10; Psalm 46 – 50)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32
Read the “0310 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.” (Deuteronomy 29:3-4)
We see Israel before they crossed over the Jordan into Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses was reminding them of all the things that had happened to them on their journey from Egypt. They watched as the Red Sea destroyed their enemies. They saw water coming out of a rock and manna falling from the sky. They never had to buy shoes, and they saw the Lord do many other amazing miracles. They were to be lead away from sin, so that they could worship God freely. But, they kept failing – something would happen and the children of Israel would mummer and complain. They desired to return to their former life in Egypt. Then, they would repent and God would bless; and the cycle would start all over again. That’s why Moses was reminding them of their blessings.
But let’s not be so hard on the children of Israel. Are we not just as guilty? Let’s take a look.
We come to a very low point in our lives where we turn to the Lord (Israel’s 400 years in bondage). We accept what Jesus did on the cross and He becomes our Saviour (Israel flees from Egypt). You start going to church, read and learn God’s word, and make other changes in your life (Israel sacrificed in the wilderness). We follow the first teaching and get baptized, (the crossing of the red sea). Then, the honeymoon is over and the trials of everyday life happen (they had no water and they also got tired of the manna God supplied). We think, ‘I had it better before’, and we want to go back to the old ways. Our heart is set to return to the land of sin and the corruption, then we fail which brings destruction instead of life (Israel wanting to go back to Egypt). We are so quick to forget what God has done for us. With living the life that God has for us, we should bring others into the Promised Land forsaking our former life.
God really wants us to have the good life, but we have to want it too.
If we are not thankful for what we have, then God may withhold other things from us. But, if we are truly thankful for all that we have then God seems to pour out His blessings abundantly upon us. Instead of grumbling over what we don’t have, we should be a living testimony of Christ by doing what He told us to do.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Remember that in God’s kingdom there is no pain or mourning or death. A pure heart does not just seek after material things, but seeks ways to serve and please God.
So when Satan is tempting you to turn aside from the ways of God and you are thinking of going back to Egypt, walk away from those people and situations that pull you down.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by admin with 1 comment.
Who’s In Control? – The Saturday Morning Post
Todays Reading – Numbers 34 – 36
“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” (Proverbs 28:4-5)
Good Morning. Dontcha just love the Spring-like weather we’ve been having lately? Dontcha just hate when when people cry out, “Global warming! Global warming!” Dontcha just wish that those in control would fall to their knees and pray to Almighty God, Creator of everything, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the only God to lay His life down and shed His precious blood for the sins of man, and then rose up three days later as proof of payment? Sorry…
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9)
Those in control need to know that their control comes from God. Those of us who are oppressed by those in control need to acknowledge that their control comes from God. Everyone needs to come before Almighty God, confess our sins, and beg for His mercy on our country…
“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.” (2Chronicals 7:14)
Elections are coming soon. Vote righteousness, and not money. Healing for our nation can only come from the Great Physician. Put Him first.
“When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.” (Proverbs 28:28)
Peace! (Revelation 22:21)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
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 111 – 115
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:6
Read last year’s 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 also many, many great moments in life, and 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 next told Moses to speak to the rock in order for the people to get water, but the next thing we find out is that 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 in 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.
Posted in Thoughts from Numbers by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
He Fell Upon His Face – The Saturday Morning Post
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.
“Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face…” (Numbers 16:1-4)
Good morning. Have you ever been attacked by other Christians, or for that matter, the unsaved? You were just going along fulfilling God’s will when somebody sins, and because sin does not only affect the sinners, but those around them too, something happens to you too. You may have to shift things around because you lost a good worker. You may not be able to see them again because they moved away. Sin affects everybody.
Moses had a problem with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They assembled two-hundred and fifty princes, famous in the congregation, men of renown: and they gathered themselves against God’s men: Moses and Aaron. What was the final outcome? God was not pleased with their actions…
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Numbers 16:23-35)
A horrible price to pay for rebellion. But this could have happened to the whole congregation: all of Israel…
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?” (Numbers 16:20-22)
What did Moses and Aaron do? They fell on their faces, and asked God to forgive the congregation. God would later tell King Saul, through the prophet Samuel…
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…” (1Samuel 15:23)
And Exodus 22:18 commanded, “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” What did Jesus say to do?
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
Jesus tells us…
1) Love your enemies. You only have one enemy: the devil. He is the slug that infests and destroys the world that God created. Others may appear to be like enemies, but the real enemy is the devil.
2) Do good to them which hate you. They hate you because they are not like you: they don’t have Jesus. The best ‘good’ you could do for them which hate you is to give them Jesus.
3) Bless them that curse you. That curse was put there in their mouth by the devil, so be a blessing to them. If they need help, help them. Show them Jesus in action.
4) Pray for them which dispitefully use you. Dispitefully use means to insult, slander, or falsely accuse. Pray for these people. Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before God, begging His mercy on the congregation. Should the congregation have to pay for one man’s sin? No, but this sin of Korah’s took out three families, and two-hundred and fifty princes. Remember Jesus on the cross…
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)
Peace! (Psalm 86:5)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
They Did All That The LORD Commanded: To A Point – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – Numbers 1 – 2 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Acts 1 – 3; Proverbs 14; Psalms 71 – 75)
Read the “0214 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.” (Numbers 1:54)
“And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.” (Numbers 2:34)
Good morning. After taking a count, Moses found the army of Israel to be 603,550 men who were able to fight. They had the Ark of the Covenant, where God would be on the mercy seat. They had witnessed Egypt destroyed by plagues. All Israel walked across the Red Sea on dry land. They saw the Egyptian army destroyed in the Red Sea. And they sang praises to God that the horse, and the rider were thrown into the sea. They dined on Manna which God sent down from Heaven. They drank water from the rock in Horeb. God had protected them all the way to the promised land. God had supplied their every need all the way to the promised land. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses all the way to the promised land. Except trust God. God told Moses…
“Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.” (Numbers 14:28-33)
In Matthew chapter 13, the Bible says…
“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:54-58)
How about you? Can you’re God take care of you, and rid you of the giants in your life? Or are they still there because of your unbelief? This makes me wonder: with everyone saying the US needs to take vengeance on ISIS for the death of Kayla Mueller, what would be the outcome?
“And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned. And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you. But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.” (Numbers 14:39-45)
Would God help a country that has turned it’s back on Him? A country that does not want any part of God in it’s government offices, in it’s schools, and anyplace else they can keep Him out of. Unless God has mercy on us, it can not turn out well. There is only one way out…
“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)
To end the madness, turn back to God.
Peace! (Revelations 22:10-14)
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