Numbers 15
Scripture
Numbers 15:1-2
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘After you enter the land I am giving you as a home
Observation - What does it say?
The Israelites had rebelled against God after hearing the negative report of the spies sent into the Promised Land. They wailed and complained against God and were ready to choose a new leader and go back to Egypt. They realized their error after God spoke to them and told them they would all die in the wilderness for their stubbornness and grumbling. They then changed their minds and decided to try to enter the Promised Land, but on their own strength without God’s go ahead. As a result they were defeated by their enemies. That’s where this chapter picks up. A broken, confused, discouraged, rebellious and continually wavering community of people. God addressed them through Moses with, “After you enter the land I am giving you as a home..”
Understanding - What does it mean?
Even when God’s people wander and sin, God keeps his promises and prophetically declares destiny over them!
“After you enter the land…” What a crazy thing to say, but so reassuring to a confused and discouraged people!
When we have sinned and have wandered, we can wonder, “Has God left me?” “Have I missed out on the purposes of God for my life?” “Has God withdrawn his promise?” But God affirms his promise. The gifts and call of God are without revoke. He doesn’t change his mind. Although those who lacked faith and rebelled, died in the wilderness, God was still faithful to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Life Application
Trust that God has my future in his hands and that he will be faithful to every word he has spoken.
In moments of sin, wandering and setback, trust that God is able to redeem what was lost and still fulfill the good plans He has for us.
- Pastor Levi Thompson
Proverbs 22-9.6.21
Scripture
Proverbs 22:13
“The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!”
Observation-What does it say?
This is more wisdom passed on from King Solomon in this chapter. In this particular verse, he tells us how excuses will always plague a lazy person from doing what is right.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Are excuses plaguing you from experiencing God’s best?
One thing that drives me crazy is when I give my daughters a task to do, they agree to it, and then they end up not getting it done. Then to top it off, they find a silly excuse on why it didn’t get done. They don’t realize that I was paying close attention to how they responded to the task that they were given. I see and hear them agree to it and yet I see them continue to play on their electronic devices thinking they can complete the task at the last minute. Then, what usually happens is they forget about the task at hand, they say “sorry”, and try to give me that puppy dog look 🥺, thinking it will be okay. Don’t they know that I saw what they did?! Don’t they know their excuse of “we lost track of time” just won’t cut it?!
I wonder if that is how God feels with us sometimes. He hears us say “Yes Lord, I will follow you!” Then when the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something, we flake, or find every excuse in the book to why we didn’t do it. We do know God sees all and knows all right?
I believe God wants the best for us. He wants us to experience His best. But in order for that to happen we need to follow through on what He asks of us. We need to put all the excuses and fears we have aside, and just trust Him in His Ways. We have to stop putting God’s things off till the last minute because we never know what day can be our last. When it’s all said and done, I know I will be held accountable for my actions here on earth, and God will not want to hear any of my excuses, or pardon my spiritual laziness in the things He has asked of me.
“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”-Romans 12:11
Life Application
Is there anything “pending” that God asked me to do?
Time to do some major house cleaning. Time to get off my lazy butt and do the tasks God asked me to do. Whether it’s praying for someone, inviting someone to church, reading my Bible, spending time with God in prayer, or (gulp)…sharing the gospel of Christ with someone. The time is now! Don’t give another excuse to God on why something didn’t get done. He gives us everything we need to accomplish the task at hand. 😊
-Moses Gaddi
John 7-9.3.21
Scripture
John 7:37-38
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus enters Jerusalem during the Feast of Shelters, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is celebrated after the Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The Feast of Shelters, the most joyous and the longest of the festivals, was also considered to be the greatest of the feasts. The Feast of Shelters memorialized God's holy Dwelling place, the desert Tabernacle, which was later replaced by the Temple built by Solomon. Jesus entered the city secretly, to avoid causing a disruption. As he speaks in the city, the crowd becomes divided between belief and unbelief. As his last statement before leaving the city, Jesus foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will come and fill us to overflowing, like a river in our soul.
Understanding-What does it mean?
I love traveling to where there is water. There is just something about water that seems to bring life to the area around it. But something that I never really considered about water, it has to have an outflow to continue bringing life. I learned the reality of this a couple of years ago, while driving to Idaho on vacation. During our drive, we passed Walker Lake, in Nevada. The lake has no natural outflow and is dying. As agriculture has reduced the flow of water going into the lake, and sediment continues to flow in, the level of salt in the water is increasing. This kills off the fish and increases the rate of evaporation. When we ask God to, He will pour out His love on us. But, just like a river, we are supposed to have an outflow. Jesus told us all the law and commandments are fulfilled in loving God and loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40). Furthermore, Jesus states later in the book of John that His disciples will be known by their love (John 13:35), and those who know Him and love Him will follow his commands (John 14:21). Therefore, loving others is a natural outflow of God’s love and spirit in our lives. It’s this outflow of love that shows the true life found in a life submitted to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is our guide to living a life filled with love and submitted to Jesus.
Life Application
Jesus, help me to rely more fully on you everyday. As I trust in you, show me ways to love those around me in a way that is both practical and sensitive to the spiritual needs of others. Help me to seek the needs of others before my own wants and needs.
-Tyler Galloway