Matthew 4 - 7.29.24

Scripture

Matthew 4:8-11

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Observation

Immediately after being baptized by John, and receiving the Holy Spirit, with a Voice from Heaven saying, this is my Son whom I am well pleased, (see Matthew 3), Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to fast and be tempted by Satan. Following that wilderness experience, He was attended by angels and began His ministry.

Jesus was put to the ultimate test of complete surrender to God during His experience in the wilderness and fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (verse 2). God had to break Jesus down, make Him dependent on Him alone, and test Him before He was able to start His ministry. As most of us know, Jesus’ ministry was an extremely humbling one…obedient completely to death. 

Of course, Jesus passed the test and He did not give in to any of the temptations presented to Him. He worshipped and served the One True God, instead of what the devil was willing to offer Him in this world. 

Application

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” -1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Pastor Levi has been going through a series about money. As a person who manages the finances in our home, I’m all about being responsible with money, working hard to pay off debt and managing what the Lord has given us with excellence. I also like enjoying the good things He has graciously blessed my family with (1 Timothy 6:17). However, the love of what this world has to offer and lack of contentment is NOT what God has called us to. 

Even King Solomon, when God told him that He would give Him whatever He wanted, didn’t ask for wealth, long life or the death of his enemies, which are things of this world, but rather wisdom and discernment. (See 1 Kings 3:1-15).

When false teachers say that godliness is a means to financial gain, 1 Timothy 6:5 completely refutes that. This world is our temporary home. Let’s invest our time and money into furthering God’s Kingdom, which will last for eternity, instead of the things of this world, which will fade. 

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” -1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

You came so humbly to this world and left so humbly as well. Whenever I get tempted to put my hope in anyone or anything other than You, help me to refocus my mind and heart on You and Your promise of eternity. In Hebrews 13:5, You say to keep my life free from the love of money and be content with what I have because You will never leave me or forsake me. Help me to be content in You alone. Help me not to be overcome by the temptations of the enemy. As I continue to put my hope in You, You will richly provide me with everything for my enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17). Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Numbers 14 - 7.26.24

Scripture: Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭17‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.“

Observation:‭‭

God told Moses to send men to spy on the land in Numbers 13:1  This stood out to me as I read this and went into the next chapter. This is interesting because He knew they would see both the blessing and the mighty people they would have to conquer. He wanted the people to know what they were getting into: something really wonderful that would require faith and trust in Him to attain.

Why would they not have faith? God could do anything when they experienced Him parting the Red Sea as well as many other miracles. But they doubted again!

The spies saw how plentiful the land was, “flowing with milk and honey.”  They brought back samples of fruit that took two men to carry. They also saw that the people were mighty. Ten of the spies spread a bad report about the land and that they would never conquer the people. (About now an old camp song is going through my head. “Twelve men went to spy on Canaan. Ten were bad and two were good.” )

Caleb and Joshua, the two good ones, believed God would devour the enemy and bless them with the wonderful land. All the other people rebelled. They talked about picking a new leader and going back to Egypt. God came down in the cloud and was ready to destroy all but the faithful few and start over.

Moses made a plea for the people, even though he should have been frustrated, which is a huge thing that stood out to me. He has been having face to face conversations with God and His love and forgiveness has rubbed off on Moses. God forgave them. However, they did have a consequence, they would wander for 40 years and would not enter the promise land. Also, God’s words about Caleb, “He has a different spirit and serves me wholeheartedly.” 

Application:

First, I want to live in a way that causes God to say I serve Him wholeheartedly. When God reveals blessings to me that are wonderful, but look difficult, I want to be like Caleb and Joshua and say my God can enable me to conquer. Nothing is impossible with Him giving me strength. I don’t want to forget the many ways He has provided for me and others I know.  He makes a way for what He’s called us to. 

I also want to have a heart like Moses who pleads for the people even when they turn their back on Him. 

Moses also looks out for God’s image to be honored. What would everyone say if they found out these people all perished?  May I pray and intercede for those lost and in a way that brings glory to God.

Prayer:

Lord, you have such great love for your people. You see the big picture. There are times you share that with us in your plans, like the spies who went into Egypt. That can be overwhelming. If I spend time seeking your face and discovering who you are then I will trust in your faithfulness and ability to bring about what you’ve revealed. 

Thank you for all you are doing in my life and those I care for. Help me to have Moses’s heart and plead for those rebelling. May they experience who you are and walk in your forgiveness. 

Amen

- Cindy Howard

Numbers 13 - 07.25.24

SCRIPTURE - Numbers 13:30 NIV

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us GO up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.”

OBSERVATION

God delivered HIS People out of Bondage from Egypt SO they could ENTER The Promised Land. A Land of Milk and Honey. A Land that God had Promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—And a Land that God had reaffirmed the Promise of to Moses. God’s Promise was Assured!

God’s Promise was Israel’s Title Deed to The Land!

APPLICATION

Walk BY Faith—and NOT—BY Sight

Twelve Spies had been sent into the Promised Land to scout it out and make a report. They saw that it was INDEED a Land of Milk and Honey-so described because of the beautiful Lush Pasture for Livestock to Feed Upon and vast Farmlands with plentiful fruits, vegetables, and plants for bees to draw nectar from. The Spies brought back a Huge Cluster of Grapes the likes of which they had never seen hoisted on a pole that was carried by two men.

Nevertheless…This was the problem…

There should NEVER have been a “Nevertheless”.

Because ten of these men were “Walking By Sight” They looked at the people of the land and SAW Giants; They looked at the cities and SAW High Walls and LOCKED Gates; They looked at themselves and SAW Grasshoppers.

If Only they had Looked BY Faith TO God—They would have SEEN The ONE who IS Able to Conquer Every Enemy and who SEES The Enemy like Grasshoppers!

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably MORE than we ASK or IMAGINE, According to HIS Power

That is at work within us, to HIM be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus Throughout ALL Generations,

Forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV)

“I AM God, and there is no other; I AM God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9b NIV)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank You that You are HOLY and Sovereign and Perfect in ALL Your Ways. Thank You for Your Loving Kindness and Goodness. Teach me to Sabbath at Your Feet in the midst of the Storms. Thank You for Your Word that comes and Tabernacles WITH me. Deep calls unto Deep. May I learn to Walk by Faith. Lead me in the way that I should go. I will follow you all the days of my life. Here I am Lord, Send Me.

- Tina L Kudelka