Category: Numbers

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Well Able

There’s an account in the Bible that we all need to apply to our lives. The Israelites were wandering in the desert. Moses sent 12 men to spy out the land God was leading them too.

Ten men came back with reports that there were giants in the land; it was a good land but…there were giants. Two men had a good report, Joshua and Caleb. They said the land was good and they were confident that the Lord would give them victory over the giants.

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 NKJV

However, the people listened to the report of the ten and missed out on the blessing of God.

God, our heavenly Father, is able!

Able means He has the ability to do or complete the task set before Him. He is able to work on our behalf, but He needs us to work with Him.

Because He is a loving Father he won’t force Himself on us and He won’t force us to take the benefits He has for us. But if we will allow Him to work in our lives we will see His ability working on our behalf.

“Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. 20 With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. 21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:19-21 ERV

When we know God’s love, His power can work within to bring Him glory.

“18 Because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted, He is able to help and provide immediate assistance to those who are being tempted and exposed to suffering.” Hebrews 2:18 AMP

He is able to help us immediately when we are being tempted because He was also tempted and suffered.

“God is strong and can (is able to) keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. 25 He is the only God, the one who saves us. To him be glory, greatness, power, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord for all time past, now, and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 CEV

God is able to keep us! He is able to save us!

“But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! 25 He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 CEV

Father, today I give you my availability so that Your abilities may work in me, through me and for me; You are able!

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Bumper Crop

I hope you are learning some new things about the Father’s character and devotion to us through the last few days study.

Yesterday we ended with these words: ““And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Who could imagine a man 600 years old building an ark, or a barren woman giving birth to her first child at the age of 90? Who could have conceived the idea of a teenager being a great warrior, or a leader marching around a city for 7 days with men, women and children and the walls falling down when they shouted? What heart devised a plan for a baby to be born of a virgin and then die on a cross to save us from our sins?

““And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Those words are followed by these:

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. 10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:9-11 NLT

All of the miracles in the Bible are a result of God’s word. He spoke His word, His plan, to Noah, Sarah, David, Joshua, Mary and Jesus. God’s word is life-giving, life-changing seed and when we plant it in our hearts it bears fruit.

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.” Psalm 119:11-12 NLT

Jesus said this:

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:15 NLT

When Jesus was tempted by Satan after His forty day fast, it was the word of God that He used to successfully resist the temptation. Three times He answered Satan with “It is written”.

God’s word is just as true today as it was when it was given. God does not and cannot lie.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Keep planting God’s word in the soil of your heart and it will bring a huge harvest.

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Looking Up

I love taking pictures of clouds. In fact, the other morning, dressed in my jammies, I went out and crawled up on the flatbed of the truck so I could get a good shot of the sunrise.

Dave used to tease that I would probably be taking pictures of the clouds on the day the Lord returns and splits the sky! Oh, I hope so, that would be an amazing photo!

But, while I am always looking up at the skyline, many think that we as Christians have our heads buried in the sand like an ostrich, afraid to see things as they really are.

Not true! Our heads aren’t in the sand, they are in the sky. When our focus is up, we can be in perfect peace even in the worst circumstances.

Peace – perfect peace!

Looking at things the way the rest of the world does blurs the truth and causes you to “try” to fix things by ourselves. Being self-centered is a true recipe for disaster. Being God-centered is a place of peace and rest.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4CEV

Looking up has been an analogy for salvation throughout the Bible. In Moses day, the Israelites were dying in the desert because of an outbreak of snakes in their midst. This is what the Lord had Moses do.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” Numbers 21:8 NKJV

Hundreds of years later, Jesus made reference to that very same incident when He was talking with Nicodemus, the man who came to Him at night, asking about salvation.

“ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16 NKJV

We followers of Christ have a hope for the future that others do not have. We must remember where our strength and peace come from.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 NKJV

Keep looking up dear friends – that’s where our help comes from!

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One of the Blessed

Have you ever had people talk about you? I mean serious, reputation-destroying, heart-breaking, intentional slander. Me too! Several times in the last 40 years and I have to admit that I haven’t always handled it well. In fact, a couple of times I have handled it badly.

This morning I want to share with you one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It tells us how to deal with the above-mentioned people – those who like to slander.

King Balak was afraid of the Israelites and he wanted them destroyed so instead of facing them in battle he wanted to hire a man named Balaam to curse them.

“But God replied, “Don’t go with Balak’s messengers. I have blessed those people who have come from Egypt, so don’t curse them.” Numbers 22:12 CEV

But Balaam went. He saddled his donkey and set off with the messengers to see the King. Along the way Balaam’s donkey steps off the path three times. What Balaam doesn’t realize is there was an angel standing on the path with a sword and the donkey is trying to avoid the angel and the sword. Balaam’s donkey ends up talking to Balaam and then the angel talks to Balaam and reminds him to only say what God says about the Israelites. (Really you need to read Numbers 22-23.)

Balaam meets King Balak and is told to curse the Israelites.

“Balaam said: ‘But I can’t go against God! He did not curse or condemn Israel.'” Numbers 23:7-10 CEV

Balak is furious with Balaam and demands that he curse the Israelites. Balaam goes to hear from God again but the message is the same.

Now for my favorite verses in the whole Bible.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises. 20 My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done'” Numbers 23:19-20 CEV

God doesn’t lie and He always keeps his promises!

We sometimes fail to see those promises come to pass in our lives because we try to “help” God along or we think we know better and try to “defend” ourselves. God doesn’t need our help to defend our reputation. He is perfectly capable of doing it on His own.

In fact, Jesus said it this way,

“But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong.” Matthew 5:43-44 CEV

I have come to the conclusion that it is much better to let the Lord protect me and to confront those who are speaking against me. He fights a better battle, and I will do what He says and pray for them. This way the Father is glorified.

Thank you, Father, for being my defense and my hiding place. You have blessed me. I can trust you to always keep Your promises and to never lie or change!

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Grasshopper Syndrome

Have you ever heard of “grasshoppers syndrome”? If you have, I’d be surprised because I think I just made it up but it’s possible someone else has had the same witty thought I have. Grasshopper Syndrome was first diagnosed in Numbers 13.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and God said He had given them the Promised Land. All they had to do was go in and possess it. Moses chose twelve men to go in, spy out the land and bring back a report. Ten men came back with Grasshopper Syndrome and two men, Joshua and Caleb, came back “considering” only the good that God had revealed to them.

The ten men said this:

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33

The problem wasn’t the giants in the land, it’s that they were considering the giants and not God and saw themselves as grasshoppers. Their misconception kept them wandering in the wilderness area for years to come.

Years later we find a second outbreak of Grasshopper Syndrome. It occurs in I Samuel 17. The story of David and Goliath. The army of Israel had heard Goliath taunt them for 40 days.

“And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together’. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” I Samuel 17:10-11

Goliath was the largest man around. He came out twice a day mocking the armies of God. Grasshopper Syndrome had spread throughout the entire army, and they were filled with fear.

Then David, a shepherd boy, showed up. He heard Goliath’s defiant cries, and asked but one question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” David didn’t concern himself with Goliath’s size. No, he considered God’s promise of protection to the Israelites.

Circumcision was a sign that God had promised to always be with the Israelites. It meant I will give you My all and when you need Me, I will be there.”

David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the LORD will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals…Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel…The battle belongs to the LORD, and he will help us defeat all of you’.” I Samuel 17:45-47

With one shot from David’s sling, Goliath was dead.

What kind of Goliath is standing in front of you today – unemployment, illness, personal relationships, financial hardship – whatever it is, do like David. Consider God and not the giant.

“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.” I John 4:4

Take God’s word and destroy the giant, remove Grasshopper Syndrome from your thinking, let God’s word have final authority in your life. You are and will be victorious in this life!

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Pursued by Goodness

I just love it when I wake up singing praise to the Lord. It sets the tone for my whole day!

Sunday we sang a song that filled my heart and my soul. This morning it also filled my mind. I had to get up and just sit with the Father and sing it over and over to Him.

“Goodness of God” by Bethel Music

“And all my life You have been faithful, oh-oh-oh
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give you everything
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me, oh-oh
‘Cause your goodness is running after, it’s running after me”

We are being chased, pursued by God’s goodness. This is the image that King David painted for us in Psalm 23.

“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 23:6 AMP

Goodness, mercy and unfailing love are sent to follow us all of our days.

Moses told the Israelites the same thing just days before they entered into the land of promise.

“Now it shall be, if you diligently listen to and obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all of His commandments which I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God. 3 You will be blessed in the city, and you will be blessed in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 AMP

Why is it, I wonder, that people are so ready to believe that God is looking for ways to punish us and not to bless us?

The Israelites had faced numerous hardships on their journey to the land the Lord had promised them. In fact, one king hired a prophet to proclaim a curse on them. (This just happens to be one of my favorite stories.)

Each time the prophet was supposed to pronounce a curse he would proclaim a blessing. The king became very angry and this is what the prophet told him.

“Then King Balak demanded of Balaam, ‘What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies. Instead, you have blessed them!’…’God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? 20 Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!'” Numbers 23:11,19-20 NLT

The Lord has promised to fill our lives with blessings – unconditional love, forgiveness, peace, joy, provision. We are being pursued by goodness!

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Promises Kept

We all know what it’s like to have someone break a promise. It can be heart-breaking but on the other side of the coin we also all know what it’s like to have promises fulfilled. That is what I want to talk to you about this morning.

Fulfilled promises.

God’s word is filled with promises and He is a promise keeper.

“God is not a man, that He should lie. He is not a son of man, that He should be sorry for what He has said. Has He said, and will He not do it? Has He spoken, and will He not keep His Word?” Numbers 23:19 NLV

When I was little I remember singing a chorus in Sunday School, “Every promise in the book is mine. Every chapter, every verse, every line. All are blessings of His love divine. Every promise in the book is mine.”

Some of you who have been christians for a while know what it’s like to believe God’s word and then to stand, maybe for years, waiting for God’s promise to come to pass. We are tempted at times to get weary and give up but we can’t because it’s God’s Word and he never lies and His word never fails.

When Jesus was born his parents had to take him to the temple and offer the sacrifices that were required since he was the first male child to be born to them. That was the custom, so when Jesus was 8 days old they went to the Temple.

In the Temple were two people who had looked each day to see the promised Messiah -one was Simeon and the other Anna. Both were very old but each day they waited and today was the day!

Luke 2:36-38 tells of Anna’s reaction when she saw the baby. “There was also present, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, who was a prophetess. She was a very old woman, having had seven years’ married life and was now a widow of eighty-four. She spent her whole life in the Temple and worshipped God night and day with fastings and prayers. She came up at this very moment, praised God and spoke about Jesus to all those in Jerusalem who were expecting redemption.”

Another version says Anna gave thanks – she had waited all her life to see the Christ and Simeon made comment that now he could die because he has seen the promised Messiah. There was no complaining about why it had taken so long to see the promise but thankfulness that they had been able to see the wonderful blessing of the Messiah.

As parents, grandparents and adults in general it’s important that we don’t give up on God’s promises. Hold on to them, they will come to pass but it’s also important that we raise our children and grandchildren to know faithfulness and His commitment to never break a promise.

If you’ve been waiting – don’t complain but rejoice and thank God that He is faithful to His word and it will come to pass and share that testimony with those in the younger generation.

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Never Gonna Let Me Down

This morning started with me writing notes of encouragement to a couple of friends who are going through some health crises. I received emails from them both yesterday and I could read the discouragement in their words.

You may be facing reports that are less than you had hoped for too. This morning I want to encourage you with a few of my favorite Scriptures. I know I’ve shared them before but we never read a verse just once and apply it to our lives and never need to read the verse again.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, and hearing the Word of God.

These verses have really helped me and I hope that there are one or two that provide what you need!

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN!

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

WHEN CHRIST RULES, PEACE REIGNS

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMP

HE CARES FOR ME

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” I Peter 5:7 AMP

I HAVE AN OVERFLOWING LIFE

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMP

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM!

24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE

“ And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

GOD CANNOT LIE

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

As I was re-reading these verses this morning, my heart was greatly encouraged. God is ALWAYS faithful to His word. He will never let us down, we will never be abandoned!

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Never Underestimate the Impossible

This morning’s title comes from a song sung by Joe Nichols, a country singer. These were the words I heard running through my mind this morning.

“I’ve learned to never underestimate, The impossible”

Seems this is the message the Lord has wanted me to bring the last week. A message of hope, of safety, provision, protection, salvation, a message of doing the impossible.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” Luke 1:37 CEV

Let God be true and every man a liar, that’s what the Bible tells us! God cannot lie.

Abraham believed God rather than looking at his own body or the body of his wife and they had a child when he was one hundred. Mary believed God and she conceived a son when she was a virgin. The disciples believed God and they cast our demons, healed the sick and raised the dead. The lame man believed God and took up his bed and walked.

I believe God and He has healed me many times, brought peace in the midst of physical and emotional storms, prosperity out of poverty, and life eternal. I believe the word when it says, “with God, all things are possible”. I believe the word when it says, “by his stripes we are healed”. And I believe the word of God when it says, “nothing is impossible to him who believes”.

When we pray the word of God, we are praying God’s will because His word is His will. We can be confident when we pray the Word of God over a situation.

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” I John 5:14-15 NLT

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

Let God be true and every man a liar. Always let God’s word have the final say in your circumstances.

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 NLT

Never underestimate the impossible for with God all things are possible!

AMEN!

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Our Summer Home

We’re here!! Not completely set up yet, we’ll finish that today but we made it safely to the mountain yesterday. It’s good to be home!

I had so many things to be thankful yesterday. Not the least of which is my husband’s good driving. He is a PRO. I have no idea how many thousands of miles we have traveled in the last forty-nine years but with his skill and the Lord’s provision we have been almost 100% accident free.

It was so good to see the lake that holds so many memories of family. And then there were visits from friends within a few hours of arriving. It’s going to be a wonderful summer.

“Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ERV

I will be praying that all your summer plans with be filled with joy and with wonderment.

One thing that we didn’t get done was setting up our cell booster, so we are operating with a very weak signal. I am praying this blog makes it out this morning.

“‘May the Lord bless you
    and keep you.
25 May the Lord smile down on you
    and show you his kindness.
26 May the Lord answer your prayers
    and give you peace.’” Numbers 6:24-26 ERV

You are in my thoughts, my prayers and a love for you fills my heart!

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