Are You Provoking God?

Are You Provoking God?

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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

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Scripture Memory for March – Verses About the Bible

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “Paving the Way“ and “The Choice is Yours”

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

“Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 9:7)

Because of a famine, the children of Israel went to live in Egypt.  By the hand of God through, Joseph, they lived, worked, multiplied and served the Lord.  Then the Bible says that ‘there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph’.  This king was not so kind to them.  He put them in bondage. The harder their life got, the more they prayed to be free to worship their God.

“And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:” (Exodus 6:5-6)

God kept His promise.

“And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” (Exodus 51)

How long was it before the children of Israel complained and rebelled against God?

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:10-12)

And that’s all they did was complain.  It was so bad that in Deuteronomy 9:7, it say they provoked God to wrath.

Fast forward to Jesus.  The Jews wandered so far from God, that they didn’t even know who Jesus was.  Even today, most of the Jewish people reject Jesus’ gift of life, their freedom from bondage.

Now you say how dumb can these people be?  After all that God did for them, they went against Him?  They didn’t teach their children to love and honor God?  God gave them what they wanted and they threw the blessings of God out the door?

Let fast forward again.  People living in England were being persecuted by the Church of England. When they tried to move to surrounding countries, they were not allowed in or they had a hard time finding work.  They just wanted to escape persecution in England for Religious beliefs.  God heard the cries of the Gentiles.  In 1620 on the Mayflower, God guided them into the promise land, America.

In 1962 prayer was no longer allowed in schools.  In the 1970’s, Rock and Roll Stars were idolized and many people were openly having sex and doing drugs.  Reminds me of the account of the children of Israel waiting for Moses to come down from Mt. Sinai.

“And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” (Exodus 32:17-19)

In the 1980’s, The 10 Commandment were taken out of public buildings.  We use the Lord’s name as a curse word.  It’s ok to have an intimate relationship with whom ever.  Same sex marriage.  Killing.  ‘In God We Trust’ is slowly disappearing from our money.  We blame God for everything that is wrong.  The more we push God out, the worse we become.  Are we also at the point where we’re ‘provoking God?

And we think the children of Israel were dumb?  We’re doing the same thing.  Does God have to put us back in bondage in order for us to turn back to Him?

Friends, let’s get back to what God has called us to do, love and serve Him.  The only thing that Satan has for us is trouble.  Let’s get back to studying God’s word and praying.  Being faithful to church, our families and each other.  Mostly telling other about Jesus and the wonderful freedom we have in Him.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

 

Thou Hast Lacked Nothing – The Saturday Morning Post

Thou Hast Lacked Nothing – The Saturday Morning Post

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Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 1 – 2 (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 9 – 12; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5

Scripture Memorization for March – 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 20

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

Read the “0301 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Someone posted a picture on Facebook of an Exxon sign with gas priced at $1.84/gallon. Underneath the sign, in the billboard portion was something to the effect:”ONLY JOKING THIS WAS THE PRICE WHEN OBAMA BECAME PRESIDENT.”

Last time I looked, gas at my local station was around $3.34/gallon. That’s the way it is with a Socialistic government as apposed to a Free government. Just as the devil wants to play god, the government wants to supply your every need.

Who are you relying on, God, or a government that works hard at taking God out of everything it can? As Christians, we can claim the promises that God has made, like Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Now re-read what God told Israel in Deuteronomy 2:7…

“For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

There is a great wilderness that we are now walking through which may not end for us until the Rapture, or the Lord calls us home. But the Lord is with us, and if we take a step back, and look at our lives so far, we can see that in reality we lack nothing. As long as our nation turns their back on God, God will turn His back on our nation. There is one thing that God says we can do to save our nation…

“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)

Our nation needs healing which the government has proven that it cannot supply. The only thing that can heal this nation is the power of the one who created it…

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

…the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s seek God to heal our nation, and turn it back into the Christian nation it once was.

Peace. (Revelation 22:20-21)

Esther, A Woman Who Risked Her Life For Others.

Esther, A Woman Who Risked Her Life For Others.

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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)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31

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

“And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.”     (Esther 2:4-10)

Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman, who was raised by her cousin.  Being taught under the law of God, it’s hard to image the task her cousin Mordecai asked her to do.  You see King Ahasuerus was displeased with his Queen and put her aside to seek out another.  Mordecai told Esther to stand with many other women in the land in hopes that the King would chose her in place of Queen Vashti.  Because Mordecai treated Esther as a daughter, she obeyed him.

In our mind we think, how could a young beautiful young woman of God, stand before a heathen married man, hoping to be picked to be his next wife?  But God had a plan unknown to her. and He was guiding her life.

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all of them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”     (Esther 2:15-17)

King Ahasuerus knew nothing about Esther being a Jewish woman, because Mordecai told Esther to be silent in this matter.  Later Mordecai refused to bow down to the King’s highest nobleman, Haman.  Haman then plotted to rid himself of Mordecai and the Jewish people.  Mordecai told Esther of this plan and instructed her to go to the King.

“And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.”  (Esther 3:13)

She was now publicly identifying herself with her people.  She realized she was powerless without God.  Esther called her people to prayer and fasting.  The law was that no one could approach the King unless they were asked and she had not been called for some time.  But in spite of the law she said, “If I die, I die”.  The young Esther was willing to risk her position, her life, and her future for her people.

The heroine, who had saved the Jews by risking her own life, is remembered and highly respected by the Jewish nation even today.  She paved the way, unknown to her, for the coming of Christ.

God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, but His hand on her life is apparent.  And so it will be with us: When we face trials, we can also trust He is working out something positive on our behalf.

Though becoming a King’s concubine may not have seemed good, God watched over Esther.  Even our most traumatic moments are also in God’s hands.  When we trust Him, nothing can go terribly wrong.

Obedient Esther acted on God’s will, gave in to her cousin’s wise counsel, and was safe.  Likewise, God protects us, especially when our faithfulness puts us in danger.  Will you trust Him no matter what?  Esther did.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

SATURDAY MORNING POST BY CAMILLE STAHL

SATURDAY MORNING POST BY CAMILLE STAHL

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NO SIN

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)

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

“Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.” (Numbers 20:24-26)

God had clearly instructed Moses to only speak to the rock so the children of Israel could drink.  Moses didn’t obey God and struck the rock with his staff.  God still kept His word and the rock brought forth water.  But as a result of Moses disobedience, Moses and Aron were not able to go into the promise land.

We must be very careful in the decisions we make.  We always say things like ‘I can do whatever I want because I’m not hurting anyone.’  Or ‘It will only effect me.’  But we see throughout the Bible that the consequences of sin effects many.  Eve is a perfect example.

Here are a few suggestion on how to avoid the temptation of disobedience.

Study and Memorize the Bible.  Every time Satan tried to tempt Jesus, Jesus quoted scripture.  We can defeat Satan the same way, but we need to know verses.  The more you understand the promises of God, the easier it will be to throw Satan down.  Just remember,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

With studying the Bible, learn what God would have you to do. When a situation arrives, you’ll already know how to respond no matter what is going on around you.  Daniel was a great example of this:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)

Be Honest With Yourself.  Satan tells us that what we are about to do is not so bad, go ahead it will be ok.  Call sin what it really is, sin.  If you’re in doubt, just don’t do it.  If you know in your heart that God is telling you no, walk away and don’t look back.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)

Fellowship with Positive People.  Moses was surrounded with negative people.  They complained about everything all the time.  Be careful who you let into your life.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Pray.  Ask God to show you His direction.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:” (Matthew 6:13a)

Thank You

1 John 5:13

God Promotes the Elderly

God Promotes the Elderly

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NOT TOO OLD

Today’s Passage – Numbers 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 13 – 15; Proverbs 18; Psalms 91 – 95)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1

Read the “0218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read “Ten Ways to Extend Grace to Hurting People” by Pastor Paul Chappell

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.”  (Numbers 8:23-26)

God was giving Moses instructions on what He wanted the Levites to do.  At twenty-five they were to enter into their public ministry work.  This work required bodily strength and stamina.  But then God says at the age of fifty they would no longer preform that job, a younger group would take over the position.  The older Levites were not put aside in disgrace, but rather to be honored in a new position. They were to minister and train the younger Levites. With age came experience, maturity of judgment, and steadiness of behavior.  With a novice there is a danger of being lifted up with pride. Gifts are not always tied to age, but in this case, this is how God settled the affairs of the Levites.

Something I thought about after reading these verses is that God  is the one who promotes us from one type of work to another. He knows what we are capable of handling. He’s not preferring one person over another, but we are all working together for His glory. We may quit or even disqualify ourselves from a particular job, but God will never put us aside. God wants to use all of his children in His service.

Another thought is that as time goes on God may not allow you to work as many ‘ministry jobs’ as you once did.  Don’t take that to mean God doesn’t want you, but that God is allowing you to have some time of rest. When God has you here, there is always prayer. People and ministries need lots of prayer. With God there is always something to do.

So enjoy your life in Christ and ride God’s wave no matter where He leads you.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Does This Mean I Can Retire?

Does This Mean I Can Retire?

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Today’s Passage – Numbers 3 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 4 – 6; Proverbs 15; Psalms 76 – 80)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0215 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read “Ten Ways to Extend Grace to Hurting People” by Pastor Paul Chappell

“All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers, From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation, Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore. According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 4:46-49)

Good morning. I am 60 and 4 days old today. I like it that way: each day brings me closer to my going to be with the Lord. In our text, God told Moses that those from thirty years old to fifty years old are to do the service of the ministry. Does this mean I can retire? No. I’ll retire when the Lord takes me home. There are dangers to quitting. Here are a few verses to consider…

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

Since the gifts God gives us are to edify others, we both suffer if you quit. And if God’s calling is without repentance (He will not change His mind), well, just look at Jonah and watch out for great fishes…

1) Quitting not only affects you, but others also.

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:2-3)

Peter, and those who followed him, went fishing and caught nothing…

2) Quitting does not glorify God.

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1Kings 19:1-4)

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” (2Kings 2:9-14)

3) Quitting could end in an untimely demise.

What if? Let me give you this ‘what if’ here. What if Elijah would have kept going, and the Lord performed a few more miracles through Elijah, say five more. Elisha saw Elijah depart, and Elisha did get his request granted and performed twice as many miracles as Elijah. This would mean that there would have been ten more miracles done by Elisha. Considering quitting? Consider the consequences it will have on you and on others.

Peace. (Luke 22:41-44)

The Choice Is Yours

The Choice Is Yours

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choice

Note – The post for today’s reading passage was mistakenly placed on the site yesterday. This post was actually supposed to be for yesterday. The reading schedules, however, are correct for both days.

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)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 51

Read the “0214 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read “Ten Ways to Extend Grace to Hurting People” by Pastor Paul Chappell

“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;” – (Leviticus 26:3)

“But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;” – (Leviticus 26:14)

In our passage today, in Leviticus 26, the Lord places a choice before His people. In verses 3 – 13, God promises all kinds of wonderful things to His people if they would continue to love Him, and be faithful to Him. Beginning in verse 14, the Lord explains what will happen to them if they forsake Him. You will notice that the latter portion is much larger than the former. God goes to much greater lengths to clearly explain and warn the people of what would happen to them if they were to disobey.

First, let’s look at the blessings. God promised to:

1 Provide for them.

“Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.” – (Leviticus 26:4-5)

Everything they needed, and even much of what they could desire, God promised to give them.

2  Protect them from their enemies, and from natural calamities.

“And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.” – (Leviticus 26:6-8)

3  They would proliferate (multiply)

“For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.” – (Leviticus 26:9)

4  They would be in partnership with God.

“And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.” – (Leviticus 26:10-13)

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Almost sounds too good to be true, but it was. God held up to His end of the bargain. Unfortunately, the people of Israel didn’t choose to continue to follow the Lord. Slowly, but surely, they began to get away from the comands of God, and go their own way. Eventually the land was filled with idolatry, apostacy, and immorality; and then God was forced to do the things that are listed in verses 14 – 46. The provision and protection that God had once given them was removed, and the people suffered the consequences of their choices.

God has a lot of the same promises to Christians today. He said that He would meet our needs, and that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Yet, many of His churches and children today are forsaking Him, just as the Israelites did. Why are we so foolish? Let’s draw nigh unto God; let’s love Him and submit ourselves to His will for our lives. He has our best interests in mind. Choose God. He is the wise choice.

Take a Rest

Take a Rest

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Today’s Passage – Leviticus 22 – 23 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 15 – 16; Proverbs 11; Psalms 56 – 60)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34:6

Read the “0211 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:3)

I remember as a young girl, my Dad, and sometimes my Mom, would work during the week, Monday through Friday.  Sunday mornings was church, then go visit family or we would stay home and have family time. Sunday night we always spent together at home playing games or watching TV. Saturday’s we would go shopping and working around the house because businesses were closed on Sundays.

In today’s society businesses are open on Sundays. People who would attend church are working. Many people work six days a week and feel their rest day does not include attending church.

God has set the example right from the beginning about having a day of rest.

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2)

Families are falling apart, as a result of not spending time together, and not attending church regularly. If we will follow God’s word, we would not only get the rest we so need but we could build a great relationship with Him and our families.

My thought from today’s reading is short and sweet.  After attending Sunday morning, kick back, enjoy your family and rest!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

The Three R’s – The Saturday Morning Post

The Three R’s – The Saturday Morning Post

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Today’s Passages – Leviticus 14 – 15

(Second Milers also read – John 7 – 8; Proverbs 8; Psalms 36 – 40)

“Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” (Proverbs 8:32-33)

Good morning. Aren’t you glad that God’s salvation is a gift: you don’t have to earn it? In today’s reading of Leviticus 14 and 15, God’s Law is revealed on dealing with leprosy in man, leprosy in houses, and other “issues.” This is what the people had to go through to make themselves and their houses clean. But even back then God had taken care of everything. All those sacrifices had pointed to the one Sacrifice that was to come: the Jews were looking forward to the coming of Christ just as we look forward to His coming when we will meet Him in the air. Galatians 3 tell us…

“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:21-29)

And Ephesians 2:8 and 9 say…

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

So what should we do in our time period? Here are the Three R’s…

1) REALIZE. Realize that you are a sinner without any hope of saving yourself. Twice in Ezekiel 18 God warns…

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)

And…

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

Romans 3:10 and 3:23 tell us…

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10)

And

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23)

2) REPENT. Change your mind about how you can get to heaven. Turn from unbelief to belief.

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:23-31)

Romans 10:13 says…

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

3) REMAIN. Being sinners, we are always going to mess up during our life here on earth. 1John 1:9 reminds us that…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

Remaining is the easy “R.” Jesus is the one that holds onto us. 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)

Peace. (John 3:16)

I’m So Confused

I’m So Confused

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Today’s Passage – Leviticus 5 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 4; Psalms 21 – 25)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Deuteronomy 32:4

Read the “0204 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “Ignorant But Not Innocent” and “Do You Want to Shine?“

“This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;” (Leviticus 7:37)

I didn’t tell the truth.  What animal do I need?  Where do I put the blood?  I stole money.  Do I need to burn the fat on the rump? What meat do we eat and what meat do we burn?  I’m so confused!!!

The children of Israel not only had to learn the law, they had to have some understanding of the sacrifice.  If they didn’t own the right animal for that sin, they had to purchase or trade for it.  A lot of details were given on how to handle the animal and the blood, for each sin committed.

How simple God has made salvation for us.  Believe.  Jesus is our perfect sacrifice to atone our sin.  The unblemished Lamb who shed His blood for all our sin.  But what also gets me confused, most people won’t accept His blood sacrifice.  It’s so simple for us.  No fuss, no muss, so easy.

This reminds me of Naaman the leper.

“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:9-14)

Why do we want thing complicated?  God made salvation hard on Jesus but simple for us, but like Naaman we just have a hard time believing it.

Let’s take time today and every day to share the simple road to salvation.

Thank You

1 John 5:13