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Moses continues on today reiterating that they must obey the Lord and obey all his requirements, decrees, regulations and commands. "Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. Then the Lord will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land." Sounds like a fair deal to me:) Moses tells them they can eat their meat in any town whenever they want whether they are ceremonially clean or unclean but they must not eat the blood. But they cannot eat their offerings in their hometowns. They are to take their sacred gifts and offerings given to fulfill a vow to the place the Lord chooses and eat them in the presence of the Lord. Ultimately Moses finishes with "So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything form them." I would be getting an outline of the commands, I can't remember what I'm doing this weekend let alone offerings, sacrifices...etc:)
Today in Luke it's the day when Jesus and the disciples are in a boat to cross the lake when a storm starts kicking the boat around like crazy and Jesus is taking a siesta while the disciples are freaking out. They wake him up and with one command he rebukes the wind and waves and everything goes calm. He asks the disciples "Where is your faith?" I think I would have to side with the disciples on this one. I wouldn't know if God was trying to wash all of us out of the boat and just keep his son aboard? Plus how could he sleep through that.....OH, uuhhh just checking to see if you were still alive but hey while your up you mind killing these winds.
When the arrive to the region of Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. Jesus is climbing out of the boat and a man possessed by demons falls down in front of him. "Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please I beg you, don't torture me!"
Jesus demanded, "What is your name?"
"Legion" he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons begged Jesus to give them permission to enter the herd of pigs near by. Jesus gave them the thumbs up and they left them man, entered the pigs then ran down the steep hillside and plunged into the lake and drowned.
All the people in the region begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swpt over them.
I definitely think Proverbs is worth mentioning today being that my wife fits into the crown catagory 110%! Proverbs 12:4 A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a discraceful woman is liek cance in his bones.
Love you Boo;)
Mar 28 - Which Seed Did You Say You Were?
Moses is doing a recount of all the bad stuff the people of Israel did by disobeying and not having faith in the Lord even after seeing all the miracles that happened from Gods anger and through his love. He is telling them so they won't repeat the same mistakes by not obeying the Lord as the are getting ready to cross the Jordan River into the land they were promised. The Lords mighty hand is going to destroy the current inhabitants because they are evil. He points out a few times that they are getting the Land because the people there are evil and worship false gods and because of His promise to their ancestors. Not because they were good. Moses lays it out there saying "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good." "Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn."
You can look at that as a bully God just making us do what he wants and kiss his tush all day. Or you can see it as I believe it to be, that He loves us so much and only wants the best for us. It's not like I see him everyday the best way for me to keep my focus on God is to stay in His word, pray and sing praises. Thankfully I don't need to go all Friday The 13th on some goat twice a week.
I as a father expect my kids to listen and obey what I am telling them not because I'm a bully but because I love them and know, better then they, what is good for them. Doubt I can ever get them to sing praises about me but hey if I can at least keep them from doing incredibly dumb stuff I'll consider that a step in the right direction:) I am blessed to have children but my children are gifts from God so it is also my duty to teach them about Him and what great things He's done for us so they will love Him as much as Boo and I do. I love my kids but it's not even possible for me to love them as much as God loves them......That's the way I see it:)
Luke today it's the cool parable about the farmer scattering seeds. If you've never read it you have to check it out: Luke 8:4-15
You can look at that as a bully God just making us do what he wants and kiss his tush all day. Or you can see it as I believe it to be, that He loves us so much and only wants the best for us. It's not like I see him everyday the best way for me to keep my focus on God is to stay in His word, pray and sing praises. Thankfully I don't need to go all Friday The 13th on some goat twice a week.
I as a father expect my kids to listen and obey what I am telling them not because I'm a bully but because I love them and know, better then they, what is good for them. Doubt I can ever get them to sing praises about me but hey if I can at least keep them from doing incredibly dumb stuff I'll consider that a step in the right direction:) I am blessed to have children but my children are gifts from God so it is also my duty to teach them about Him and what great things He's done for us so they will love Him as much as Boo and I do. I love my kids but it's not even possible for me to love them as much as God loves them......That's the way I see it:)
Luke today it's the cool parable about the farmer scattering seeds. If you've never read it you have to check it out: Luke 8:4-15
Mar 27 - Faithfully Obey
Moses is telling the people of Israel that the Lord will clear away many nations so that they may have inherit the land He promised them. He tells them they must not make treaties with the current residence or intermarry for they will cause them to lead astray and worship false gods. The Lord is a jealous God and would have to destroy them. "The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands." Sounds like a wonderful God to me. "But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him." Wonderful but jealous God:) He promises that if the people of Israel listen to his regulations and faithfully obey the Lord will keep his covenant of unfailing love with them, as he promised with an oath to their ancestors. "He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children."
Moses goes on to tell them to remember how the Lord handled Pharaoh and the land of Egypt so don't be afraid because they are the chosen people. He finishes up telling them to remember the Lord is the one who gives them power but he will destroy them if they do not obey him. Sounds like they probably shouldn't go astray or thew will be toast.....literally in some cases.
In Luke today Jesus is eating at Pharisees house when an immoral woman enters, kneels down at his feet and begins to week. Her tears fell on his feet and she wiped them off with her hair and kept kissing his feet and anointing them with rare perfume. Now think about this love she had for Jesus. It's not like he's been walking across the desert in a new pair of Nike's' with some nice well breathing socks. His feet must have been, as my daughter puts it, Yucky! What's the first thing the Pharisee say to himself "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"
Jesus answered his thoughts with a parable for him to respond to and "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't' greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love."
Soon afterward Jesus began to tour nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God along with his 12 disciples and some others including Mary Magdalene (check that out she's got her own website!) from whom he had cast out seven demons.
Proverbs 12:1 To Learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
Moses goes on to tell them to remember how the Lord handled Pharaoh and the land of Egypt so don't be afraid because they are the chosen people. He finishes up telling them to remember the Lord is the one who gives them power but he will destroy them if they do not obey him. Sounds like they probably shouldn't go astray or thew will be toast.....literally in some cases.
In Luke today Jesus is eating at Pharisees house when an immoral woman enters, kneels down at his feet and begins to week. Her tears fell on his feet and she wiped them off with her hair and kept kissing his feet and anointing them with rare perfume. Now think about this love she had for Jesus. It's not like he's been walking across the desert in a new pair of Nike's' with some nice well breathing socks. His feet must have been, as my daughter puts it, Yucky! What's the first thing the Pharisee say to himself "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"
Jesus answered his thoughts with a parable for him to respond to and "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't' greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you her sins-and they are many-have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love."
Soon afterward Jesus began to tour nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God along with his 12 disciples and some others including Mary Magdalene (check that out she's got her own website!) from whom he had cast out seven demons.
Proverbs 12:1 To Learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
Mar 26 - The Lords Covenant At Mount Sinai
Today Moses calls the people of Israel together again and tells them to listen carefully to the decrees and regulations that he was giving them and to obey them because they are from the Lord. "The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Mount Sinai. The Lord did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today. At the mountain the Lord spoke to you face to face from the heart of the fire." Then he repeats the 10 commandments that the Lord gave them. "You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on doorposts of your house and on your gates." You think these commandments are serious for God. Moses repeatedly tells them they must obey the laws and decrees from the Lord and tell their children about how the Lord saved them from Egypt.
Jesus raises the dead today. How would you like to be around to see that! He simply says "Young man, I tell you get up." This of coarse caused the news about Jesus to spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" His response to Johns disciples was to go back and tell him about all the miracles they had seen and tell John, "God blesses those who do not turn away because of me." Which I'm guessing John the Baptist knew that was the long answer for yes?:)
I thought the proberb today was cool. Proverbs 11:29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
One of the last places I would think anyone would ever want to bring trouble is to the family. But as you can see by these high profile affairs and mess ups it certainly brings the winds of a major storm when they do! I use the thought of my children. If I can't say or do it in front of my wife or children then I probably shouldn't do it.
Jesus raises the dead today. How would you like to be around to see that! He simply says "Young man, I tell you get up." This of coarse caused the news about Jesus to spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" His response to Johns disciples was to go back and tell him about all the miracles they had seen and tell John, "God blesses those who do not turn away because of me." Which I'm guessing John the Baptist knew that was the long answer for yes?:)
I thought the proberb today was cool. Proverbs 11:29 Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
One of the last places I would think anyone would ever want to bring trouble is to the family. But as you can see by these high profile affairs and mess ups it certainly brings the winds of a major storm when they do! I use the thought of my children. If I can't say or do it in front of my wife or children then I probably shouldn't do it.
Mar 25 - Do You Have A Plank?
Moses gives the commands of the Lord to the people of Israel. He tells them to obey them so that they could live and occupy the land God was giving them. "You saw for yourself what the Lord did to you at Baal-peor. There the Lord your God destroyed everyone who had worshiped Baal, the god of Peor. But all of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today-everyone of you." Oh he also mentions a couple more times that the Lord was angry with him because of them so he can't cross the Jordan River with them. One last poke:)
Jesus teaches in parables again today. "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own eye? How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." Oh I think we all can relate to that at some point in our lives. It's easy to sit back and point out someones flaws and give criticism on how they could change when if you take a moment to look at your own actions you might see you need some work there first. Speaking from experience.....
Jesus teaches in parables again today. "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own eye? How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." Oh I think we all can relate to that at some point in our lives. It's easy to sit back and point out someones flaws and give criticism on how they could change when if you take a moment to look at your own actions you might see you need some work there first. Speaking from experience.....
Mar 24 - Cliffs Notes Part 2
Moses continues on today with "Then we turned around and headed back across the wilderness toward the Red Se, just as the Lord had instructed me, and we wandered around in the region of Mount Seir for a long time." By this time I would think Moses was pretty irritated:) He gives them the rest of the rundown of everything they had been through and finishes up with.
"At that time I pleaded with the Lord and said, "O Sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do? Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon Mountains.' But the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. 'That's enough!' he declared. 'Speak of it no more. But go up to Pisgah Peak, and look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River. Instead, commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.' So we stayed in the valley near Beth-peor." I think Moses was a little bitter about them keeping him from crossing. Now he was just telling them what the Lord instructed him to say.....or was he ad-libbing just a little? "Oh did I mention that the Lord was angry with me because of you....ya just wanted to toss that in there.":)
Today Jesus called together all his disciples and chose 12 of them to be apostles:
Simon (whom he named Peter)
Andrew (Peter's brother)
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)
Simon (who was called the zealot)
Judas (son of James)
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) - how would you like that to be the tag line to your name for all of history?
When they all came down from the mountain they were on Jesus began teaching, casting out demons and healing the sick of their diseases.
"But to you who are willing to listen, i say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who cures you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also." Ok for the rest of my life every time I see that all I'm going to think of is The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. 88.1 has played about 8,000,000,000,000,000 times a piece of the movie where he says "If your enemy takes a piece of your pizza, offer him two." I guess it worked because I will never be able to eat a slice of pizza without thinking of that movie www.sperrymovie.com haven't seen it yet but that little old mans voice is forever burned into my brain.:)
My favorite quote from Jesus today is "Do not judge other, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn other, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." Amen to that. We can all use some reminding and forgiving now and again! Well......That's the way I see it.
"At that time I pleaded with the Lord and said, "O Sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do? Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon Mountains.' But the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. 'That's enough!' he declared. 'Speak of it no more. But go up to Pisgah Peak, and look over the land in every direction. Take a good look, but you may not cross the Jordan River. Instead, commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead the people across the Jordan. He will give them all the land you now see before you as their possession.' So we stayed in the valley near Beth-peor." I think Moses was a little bitter about them keeping him from crossing. Now he was just telling them what the Lord instructed him to say.....or was he ad-libbing just a little? "Oh did I mention that the Lord was angry with me because of you....ya just wanted to toss that in there.":)
Today Jesus called together all his disciples and chose 12 of them to be apostles:
Simon (whom he named Peter)
Andrew (Peter's brother)
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James (son of Alphaeus)
Simon (who was called the zealot)
Judas (son of James)
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him) - how would you like that to be the tag line to your name for all of history?
When they all came down from the mountain they were on Jesus began teaching, casting out demons and healing the sick of their diseases.
"But to you who are willing to listen, i say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who cures you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also." Ok for the rest of my life every time I see that all I'm going to think of is The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. 88.1 has played about 8,000,000,000,000,000 times a piece of the movie where he says "If your enemy takes a piece of your pizza, offer him two." I guess it worked because I will never be able to eat a slice of pizza without thinking of that movie www.sperrymovie.com haven't seen it yet but that little old mans voice is forever burned into my brain.:)
My favorite quote from Jesus today is "Do not judge other, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn other, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven." Amen to that. We can all use some reminding and forgiving now and again! Well......That's the way I see it.
Mar 23 - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
OK, I'm sorry but all of this dividing of the land and well if the women get it for this tribe then marry someone in another tribe our tribe loses the land and who gets what. It's like land law 101 going on here. The cool part is about a quarter of the way through the reading for the old testament today Moses does as the Lord instructed him and basically gives an account of everything from when they were at Mount Sinai everything they did and went through along their journey. All the good and bad. Like Cliffs Notes of their journey through the wilderness to the promised land. He points out several times how they wouldn't listen or trust the Lord. "And the Lord was also angry with me because of you. He said to me, 'Moses, not even you will enter the Promised Land! Instead, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will lead the people into the land." So I guess I shouldn't feel so bad if I don't get something I want eh? Moses poured his life into God's work but even though he so much wanted to see the promised land in the end it wasn't in the cards for him.
Jesus is at Levi's house, one of his new disciples who used to be a tax collector, at a banquet Levi is holding and Jesus is the guest of honor. There were many fellow tax collectors there so of coarse the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained to Jesus "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." That is one of the greatest things about our church, Celebration. Our doors are open to anyone and everyone! None of us are perfect nor do we have the right to think we are better then anyone else. Jesus was the Son of Man and he humbled himself to help others all the time. I say if your going to make a change for the better in God's presence is the place to do it!
Jesus is at Levi's house, one of his new disciples who used to be a tax collector, at a banquet Levi is holding and Jesus is the guest of honor. There were many fellow tax collectors there so of coarse the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained to Jesus "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." That is one of the greatest things about our church, Celebration. Our doors are open to anyone and everyone! None of us are perfect nor do we have the right to think we are better then anyone else. Jesus was the Son of Man and he humbled himself to help others all the time. I say if your going to make a change for the better in God's presence is the place to do it!
Mar 22 - Divide The Land
Today the Lord instructs Moses to tell the people of Israel to cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan and kick some butt! They must destroy all the carved and molten images, demolish all the pagan shrines, drive all the people out and divide the land up in allotments to their clans. "Command the people of Israel to go to the Levites from their property certain towns to live in, along with the surrounding pastureland." "Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, where a person who has accidentally killed someone can flee for safety." The Lord then goes into more regulations on what to do if someone kills someone by accident and if they kill them on purpose. "No sacrifice except ht execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder."
In Luke today Jesus heals and teaches and gets harassed by the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. He tells a man "Your sins are forgiven" and the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, "Who does he think he is? That's blasphemy! Only god can forgive sins!" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked them "Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" So he did. Now at this point I would think that they would never question him again. They've see a bunch of miracles and specifically questioned who he thinks he his.....I think he just showed them.......Why do we now question who he is because he's not in the physical form performing miracles? If you question and then open your heart to the Holy Spirit he will show you....That's the way I see it:)
In Luke today Jesus heals and teaches and gets harassed by the Pharisees and teachers of religious law. He tells a man "Your sins are forgiven" and the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, "Who does he think he is? That's blasphemy! Only god can forgive sins!" Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked them "Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" So he did. Now at this point I would think that they would never question him again. They've see a bunch of miracles and specifically questioned who he thinks he his.....I think he just showed them.......Why do we now question who he is because he's not in the physical form performing miracles? If you question and then open your heart to the Holy Spirit he will show you....That's the way I see it:)
Mar 21 - Preaching The Good News
The tribes continue to conquer the lands the Lord has promised them. The tribes of Reuben and Gad saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were perfect for their flocks and herds. So they asked Moses, Eleazar the priest and the other leaders of the community if they could keep the land as their property instead of getting land across the Jordan River. Moses becomes angry and asks them "Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?" "The Lord was angry with Israel and made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation that sinned in the Lord's sight had died. But here you are, a brood of sinners, doing exactly the same thing!" They said they just want to build their pens for their livestock and fortify towns for their wives and children. Then they would lead their fellow Israelites into battle until they are safely in their new land.
"The tribes of Gad and Reuben said, "We are your servants, and we will do as the Lord has commanded! We will cross the Jordan into Canaan fully armed to fight for the Lord, but our property will be here on this side of the Jordan." So Moses assigned land to the tribes of Gad, Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph. As they continued to conquer Moses would assign lands to the different tribes.
In Luke today Jesus is in Capernaum, a town in Galilee, teaching and he also casts out demons and heals the sick. This is kind of cool on the CD version of the new testament. The set has sound effects and everything...."Why are you interfering with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-The Holy One sent from God!" Say that in a creepy loud voice and you've got the CD:) Jesus cut him short, the demon was saying this while possessing a man, Jesus ordered him out of the man and the demon came out. Every time a demon tried to say "You are the Son of God!" Jesus would rebuke them and keep them from speaking.
Early one morning Jesus went to an isolated place and the crowds searched and found him begging him to stay. He replied "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. I heard this preached once as Jesus understood that he couldn't just stay there in his comfort zone and continue to do his daily deal. He knew that his purpose was to go throughout the lands letting people know about the "Good News of the Kingdom of God". How else would people know.....isn't that our purpose as Christians? I struggle with this sometimes because you don't want to come off as pushy or crazy but man I get excited sometimes when I see the opportunity to tell people about Jesus and what he's done us and even more to home what he's done for me and my family!
Everytime someone says I love how you and your wife are or your family interaction is fun to watch or I want what you have....You can have it....it's Jesus.
"The tribes of Gad and Reuben said, "We are your servants, and we will do as the Lord has commanded! We will cross the Jordan into Canaan fully armed to fight for the Lord, but our property will be here on this side of the Jordan." So Moses assigned land to the tribes of Gad, Reuben and half the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph. As they continued to conquer Moses would assign lands to the different tribes.
In Luke today Jesus is in Capernaum, a town in Galilee, teaching and he also casts out demons and heals the sick. This is kind of cool on the CD version of the new testament. The set has sound effects and everything...."Why are you interfering with us Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-The Holy One sent from God!" Say that in a creepy loud voice and you've got the CD:) Jesus cut him short, the demon was saying this while possessing a man, Jesus ordered him out of the man and the demon came out. Every time a demon tried to say "You are the Son of God!" Jesus would rebuke them and keep them from speaking.
Early one morning Jesus went to an isolated place and the crowds searched and found him begging him to stay. He replied "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. I heard this preached once as Jesus understood that he couldn't just stay there in his comfort zone and continue to do his daily deal. He knew that his purpose was to go throughout the lands letting people know about the "Good News of the Kingdom of God". How else would people know.....isn't that our purpose as Christians? I struggle with this sometimes because you don't want to come off as pushy or crazy but man I get excited sometimes when I see the opportunity to tell people about Jesus and what he's done us and even more to home what he's done for me and my family!
Everytime someone says I love how you and your wife are or your family interaction is fun to watch or I want what you have....You can have it....it's Jesus.
Mar 20 - Jesus Is Tempted By The Devil
Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, "This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do." Well wouldn't that be nice if we followed that today!
In Luke today Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. He ate nothing all that time. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'"
Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me." Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And the will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God."
While Jesus is being tempted I think it's cool to see the devil twist the scriptures into something that can be used for evil.....Jump off God will save you. Jesus completely rebukes what he says about the Scriptures by saying "The Scriptures also say...." I've talked to people before that say well the Bible is an interpretation, it's been written and rewritten and it was written by man in the first place. All I can say to that is pray, seek Him in your heart. Anyone can do like the devil and pick parts out to use for craziness but in the end it's all about your relationship with Jesus and he'll show you what the scriptures mean.....That's the way I see it:)
In Luke today Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. He ate nothing all that time. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change this stone into a loaf of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.'"
Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. "I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them," the devil said, "because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me." Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And the will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone." Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God."
While Jesus is being tempted I think it's cool to see the devil twist the scriptures into something that can be used for evil.....Jump off God will save you. Jesus completely rebukes what he says about the Scriptures by saying "The Scriptures also say...." I've talked to people before that say well the Bible is an interpretation, it's been written and rewritten and it was written by man in the first place. All I can say to that is pray, seek Him in your heart. Anyone can do like the devil and pick parts out to use for craziness but in the end it's all about your relationship with Jesus and he'll show you what the scriptures mean.....That's the way I see it:)
Mar 19 - huh?
OK now I'm getting lost with all of these festivals, burnt offerings, grain offerings and these offering are in addition to the regular morning burnt offerings. "On the fourteenth day of the first month, you must celebrate the Lord's Passover" OK so far so good....this sounds like fun we love celebrating the Lord. "On the following day-the fifteenth day of the month-a joyous, seven-day festival will begin, but no bread made with yeast may be eaten." OK I can handle that. "The first day of the festival will be an official day for holy assembly, and no ordinary work may be done on that day. As a special gift you must present a burnt offering to the Lord-two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs, all with no defects. These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil, six quarts with each bull, four quarts with the ram and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. You must also offer a male goat as a sin offering to purify yourselves and make yourselves right with the Lord. Present these offerings in addition to your regular morning burnt offering." hmmmmm ok I could probably work this out, but don't remember what the daily offerings are so would need a refresher.
"On each of the seven days of the festival, this is how you must prepare the food offering that is presented as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These will be offered in addition to the regular burnt offerings and liquid offerings. The seventh day of the festival will be another official day for holy assembly, and no ordinary work may be done on that day." What time for ordinary work, I'd be working out my flow chart to figure out these offerings!
"At the Festival of Harvest, when you present the first of your new grain to the Lord, you must call an official day for holy assembly, and you may do no ordinary work. Present a special burnt offering on that day as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It will consist of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs. These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil-six quarts with each bull, four quarts with the ram, and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. Also offering one male goat to purify yourselves and make your selves right with the Lord. Prepare these special burnt offerings, along with the liquid offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its accompanying grain offering. Be sure that all the animals you sacrifice have no defects." OK so same as the festival after the passover....I think I'm getting this!
"Celebrate the Festival of Trumpets each year on the first day of the appointed month in early autumn. You must call an official day for holy assembly and you many do no ordinary work. On that day you must present a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It will consist of one young bull, one ram and seven on-year-old male lambs all with no defects. These must be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil-six quarts with the bull, four quarts with the ram, and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. In addition, you must sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering to purify yourselves and make yourselves right with the Lord. These special sacrifices are in addition to your regular monthly AND daily burnt offerings, and they must be given with their prescribed grain offerings and liquid offerings. These offerings are given as a special gift to the Lord, a pleasing aroma to him." So same as the other festivals but a bull short.
"Ten days later, on the tenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly. On that day, the Day of Atonement, the people must go without food and must do no ordinary work." I would imagine that would be easy being that they seem to have to burn up all their food for the offerings and there's no time to do ordinary work while they are figuring out all these offerings! The offering is the same as the one prior and specifically says "This is in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular daily burnt offering with its grain offering, and their accompanying liquid offerings."
"Five days later, on the fifteenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly of all the people and you many do no ordinary work on the that day. It is the beginning of the Festival of Shelters, a seven-day festival to the Lord." Now we get into daily offerings for eight days they had to burn up heards of animals! Starting with 13 young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one-year-old male lambs, all with no defects. Each accompanied by the grain offering with olive oil....etc and a male goat. It then goes down to 12 bulls, 11, 10...etc for seven days. Then on day eight you go back to one bull. Total: 71 bulls, 15 rams and 105 lambs over just 8 days for this one festival.
"You must present these offerings to the Lord ast your annual festivals. These are in addition to the sacrifices and offerings you present in connection with vows, or as voluntary offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, liquid offerings or peace offerings." Now if you make a mistake during your offering, and it's not an offering that will get your burnt up, it becomes a sin so you then have to do a sin offering for the offering that caused the sin and if that is messed up you have a sin offering for the sin offering for the festival offering on top of the regular offering with,,,it...eh....huh?
"So Moses gave all of these instructions to the people of Israel as the Lord had commanded him." I sure hope he had a note pad everytime he talked to God......
In Luke today it's the geneology from Jesus all the way back to Adam who was the son of God.
"On each of the seven days of the festival, this is how you must prepare the food offering that is presented as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These will be offered in addition to the regular burnt offerings and liquid offerings. The seventh day of the festival will be another official day for holy assembly, and no ordinary work may be done on that day." What time for ordinary work, I'd be working out my flow chart to figure out these offerings!
"At the Festival of Harvest, when you present the first of your new grain to the Lord, you must call an official day for holy assembly, and you may do no ordinary work. Present a special burnt offering on that day as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It will consist of two young bulls, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs. These will be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil-six quarts with each bull, four quarts with the ram, and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. Also offering one male goat to purify yourselves and make your selves right with the Lord. Prepare these special burnt offerings, along with the liquid offerings, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its accompanying grain offering. Be sure that all the animals you sacrifice have no defects." OK so same as the festival after the passover....I think I'm getting this!
"Celebrate the Festival of Trumpets each year on the first day of the appointed month in early autumn. You must call an official day for holy assembly and you many do no ordinary work. On that day you must present a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It will consist of one young bull, one ram and seven on-year-old male lambs all with no defects. These must be accompanied by grain offerings of choice flour moistened with olive oil-six quarts with the bull, four quarts with the ram, and two quarts with each of the seven lambs. In addition, you must sacrifice a male goat as a sin offering to purify yourselves and make yourselves right with the Lord. These special sacrifices are in addition to your regular monthly AND daily burnt offerings, and they must be given with their prescribed grain offerings and liquid offerings. These offerings are given as a special gift to the Lord, a pleasing aroma to him." So same as the other festivals but a bull short.
"Ten days later, on the tenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly. On that day, the Day of Atonement, the people must go without food and must do no ordinary work." I would imagine that would be easy being that they seem to have to burn up all their food for the offerings and there's no time to do ordinary work while they are figuring out all these offerings! The offering is the same as the one prior and specifically says "This is in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular daily burnt offering with its grain offering, and their accompanying liquid offerings."
"Five days later, on the fifteenth day of the same month, you must call another holy assembly of all the people and you many do no ordinary work on the that day. It is the beginning of the Festival of Shelters, a seven-day festival to the Lord." Now we get into daily offerings for eight days they had to burn up heards of animals! Starting with 13 young bulls, two rams, and fourteen one-year-old male lambs, all with no defects. Each accompanied by the grain offering with olive oil....etc and a male goat. It then goes down to 12 bulls, 11, 10...etc for seven days. Then on day eight you go back to one bull. Total: 71 bulls, 15 rams and 105 lambs over just 8 days for this one festival.
"You must present these offerings to the Lord ast your annual festivals. These are in addition to the sacrifices and offerings you present in connection with vows, or as voluntary offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, liquid offerings or peace offerings." Now if you make a mistake during your offering, and it's not an offering that will get your burnt up, it becomes a sin so you then have to do a sin offering for the offering that caused the sin and if that is messed up you have a sin offering for the sin offering for the festival offering on top of the regular offering with,,,it...eh....huh?
"So Moses gave all of these instructions to the people of Israel as the Lord had commanded him." I sure hope he had a note pad everytime he talked to God......
In Luke today it's the geneology from Jesus all the way back to Adam who was the son of God.
March 18 - John Begins Preaching
Moses gets some disturbing news today from the Lord. He's to "Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron, for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin. When the people of Israel rebelled, you failed to demonstrate my holiness to them at the waters." Moses asks the Lord to appoint a new leader so the people wouldn't be like sheep without a shepherd. The Lord grants his request and tells him to take Joshua son of nun, and present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community and publicly commission him to lead the people. God then tells Moses "Give these instructions to the people of Israel:" and then goes into specifics on offerings. I'm not sure how anyone could focus on anything else back in those days but Gods commands....there were about a million of them for different offerings and if you messed up it would be a very bad day. Thank Jesus for his sacrifice on the cross. The ultimate lamb for our sins because I have trouble remembering what goes for what right when I read it. Imagine if I had to perform a sacrifice for a sin....I would purchase so much life insurance Boo, Pnut and Little Bit would be set for life!
In Luke today it was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea: Herod was ruler over Galilee. This is when John received a message from God and left the wilderness to preach that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins. Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon and were wondering if John was the Messiah. "I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
One day the crowds were being baptized by John and Jesus himself came to be baptized. As he was praying the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved son and you bring me great joy."
In Luke today it was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea: Herod was ruler over Galilee. This is when John received a message from God and left the wilderness to preach that people should be baptized to show that they had turned to God to receive forgiveness for their sins. Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon and were wondering if John was the Messiah. "I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
One day the crowds were being baptized by John and Jesus himself came to be baptized. As he was praying the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved son and you bring me great joy."
Mar 17 - OOOOPS Where's My Child?
Numbers was all just that...numbers of the different warriors by family that were twenty years old or older that were able to go to war. In summary the registered troops of all Israel numbered 601,730.
In Luke today he talks about how Jesus grew up healthy and strong and was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him. When he was growing up Mary and Joseph would take him every year to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. At 12 years old the went to the festival as usual and when they left to go back to Nazareth they thought he was with other travelers but he actually stayed behind in Jerusalem. The bible says that "His parents didn't miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers." OK these are the two people God left His child with to be raised?:) Luckily the Lord knows all and it was part of His plan...the bigger picture that we can't see. Once they figured out he wasn't with them they went back to Jerusalem and found him, after searching 3 days, in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 'All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.'
"Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they didn't understand what he meant. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these thing sin her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
What happens if your the bully that picks on Jesus in school? God teaches never ending forgiveness so I guess he was OK but it's said God has a sense of humor too:)
In Luke today he talks about how Jesus grew up healthy and strong and was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him. When he was growing up Mary and Joseph would take him every year to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. At 12 years old the went to the festival as usual and when they left to go back to Nazareth they thought he was with other travelers but he actually stayed behind in Jerusalem. The bible says that "His parents didn't miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers." OK these are the two people God left His child with to be raised?:) Luckily the Lord knows all and it was part of His plan...the bigger picture that we can't see. Once they figured out he wasn't with them they went back to Jerusalem and found him, after searching 3 days, in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. 'All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.'
"Son," his mother said to him, "why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
"But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they didn't understand what he meant. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these thing sin her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
What happens if your the bully that picks on Jesus in school? God teaches never ending forgiveness so I guess he was OK but it's said God has a sense of humor too:)
Mar 16 - Jesus Is Born
Today Balak snnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaps when Balaam blesses the Israelites from this final location he takes him to curse them. "I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times. Now get out of here! Go back home! I promised to reward you richly, but the Lord has kept you form your reward." Pardon my language but how freaking crazy do you have to be to see all of this happening and then shaft the guy out of payment and blame it on God. So of coarse God gives him a little message to pass on to Balak before he leaves. Basically the people of Israel are going to wipe you out and and a bunch of the other lands in the area that are sinning against God. Then Balaam and Balak returned to their homes and I'm betting Balak didn't sleep to well!
Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem in Judea because he was a descendant of King David and there was a census to be taken so everyone had to return to their ancestral towns. While they were in Bethlehem Jesus was born. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby when an angle of the Lord appeared and told them "Don't be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly the angel was joined by the armies of heaven praising God and saying "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
The baby was circumcised and then Mary and Joseph then went to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord because the law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a by, he must be dedicated to the Lord." Simeon a righteous and devout man had the Holy Spirit upon him that revealed he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to present the baby. He took the child in his arms and praised God. Simeon blessed them and said "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." It doesn't seem like this is very hard for people to grasp. Christianity is HUGE throughout the world and our beliefs are based off form Jesus being the Messiah and his death was for the salvation of our life. I think it's good to now and again reflect on Jesus' birth and not always just on his death. Yes his death and blood on the cross is what saved us but we also have to remember he came into this world as a helpless baby with earthly parents and grew to become the Jesus we know. I'm interested to see how deep the bible goes into Jesus as a kid and how his parents interacted.....family life.
Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem in Judea because he was a descendant of King David and there was a census to be taken so everyone had to return to their ancestral towns. While they were in Bethlehem Jesus was born. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby when an angle of the Lord appeared and told them "Don't be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Suddenly the angel was joined by the armies of heaven praising God and saying "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
The baby was circumcised and then Mary and Joseph then went to Jerusalem to present Jesus to the Lord because the law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a by, he must be dedicated to the Lord." Simeon a righteous and devout man had the Holy Spirit upon him that revealed he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. Mary and Joseph went to the Temple to present the baby. He took the child in his arms and praised God. Simeon blessed them and said "This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul." It doesn't seem like this is very hard for people to grasp. Christianity is HUGE throughout the world and our beliefs are based off form Jesus being the Messiah and his death was for the salvation of our life. I think it's good to now and again reflect on Jesus' birth and not always just on his death. Yes his death and blood on the cross is what saved us but we also have to remember he came into this world as a helpless baby with earthly parents and grew to become the Jesus we know. I'm interested to see how deep the bible goes into Jesus as a kid and how his parents interacted.....family life.
Mar 15 - His Name Is John
Crazy story about one guy, Balak, asks another guy, Balaam, to come and put a curse on the people of Israel because they were conquering everything through the land and they were camping in his land the plains of Moab so he was afraid. Balaam kept saying no because the Lord had told him those people are blessed do not go. Then the Lord tells him to go ahead and go to Balak but do only what I tell you. Well on the way his donkey keeps seeing an angle of the Lord that was sent and strays away a couple times then lays down the third time he sees the angel. This keeps Balaam from being killed by the Angel. Well Balaam can't see him so each time he gives the donkey a beating. After the 3rd beating the Lord gives the donkey the ability to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?" it asks. "You have made me look like a fool!" uuuuhhhhh your talking to a donkey I think your looking like a fool all on your own. They talk a minute and then the Lord opens Balaams eyes so he can see the Angel standing in the roadway with a drawn sword. He falls face down before the Angel. The Angel lets him go on but tells him "say only what I tell you to say.
Balaam arrives and Balak takes him to a few different places to curse the people of Israel and Balaam keeps doing as the Angel tells him and blesses them. Balak finally snaps and tells Balaam "Fine, but if you won't curse them, at elast don't bless them!" But Balaam replied to Balak, "didn't I tell you that I can do only what the Lord tells me?" Then King Blak said "Come, I will take you to one more place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them from there." Some people never learn!
In Luke today John the Baptist is born! Now they named him John and all the people were confused because no one in their family was named John, but that is the name the Lord gave them to name him. Zechariah motions for his tablet and writes down "His name is John" and instantly he can speak again. Word spread though out the Judean hills about what had happened so everyone was wondering what the child would turn out to be because God was surely upon him in a special way. His father Zachariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant-the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." So the ground work has been laid for John and Jesus to full fill the scriptures.....how cool is that!
Balaam arrives and Balak takes him to a few different places to curse the people of Israel and Balaam keeps doing as the Angel tells him and blesses them. Balak finally snaps and tells Balaam "Fine, but if you won't curse them, at elast don't bless them!" But Balaam replied to Balak, "didn't I tell you that I can do only what the Lord tells me?" Then King Blak said "Come, I will take you to one more place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them from there." Some people never learn!
In Luke today John the Baptist is born! Now they named him John and all the people were confused because no one in their family was named John, but that is the name the Lord gave them to name him. Zechariah motions for his tablet and writes down "His name is John" and instantly he can speak again. Word spread though out the Judean hills about what had happened so everyone was wondering what the child would turn out to be because God was surely upon him in a special way. His father Zachariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant-the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." So the ground work has been laid for John and Jesus to full fill the scriptures.....how cool is that!
Mar 14 - The Canaanites and Amorites Go Down
Let the whooooping begin! The Canaanite king of Arad attacked the Israelites and took some of them as prisoner. So the people of Israel made this vow to the Lord: "If you will hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy all their towns." God gives them victory and they destroyed all theri towns. Here we go again....the Israelites set out for Mount Hor and grew impatient with the journey so the began to speak against God and Moses. Why not...Aarons gone so let's just put God in his place. It's not like He's done a zillion miracles and shown his anger on them in the past. So the Lord sends out poisonous snakes to bite them. The people came to Moses and cried out "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes." So he did and the Lord tells moses, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!" I would be walking about 3 feet from that freaking pole! There thousands of people I wouldn't want to be the guy waaaaaaaaaaay in the back that gets bitten at midnight!
The Israelites ask to travel through the Amorites land and the King refuses to let them cross his territory. Instead he assembles his entire army and attacks Israel in the wilderness....bad move the Israelites slaughtered them and occupied their land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. So with the help of the Lord they start migrating and conquering just as God had promised. Taking the land promised to them for they were blessed by God.....Nice little trinket to have in your pocket the blessing of God:)
In Luke today we are six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy with John and Gabriel goes to Galilee and appears to a virgin named Mary (You've probably heard of her) and says "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever, his Kingdom will never end!"
He explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of God will overshadow her. The baby to be born will be holy and called the Son of God. He also tells her about her friend Elizabeth pregnant with John. A few days later Mary heads to Judea, greets Elizabeth and when Elizabeth's baby hears Mary's voice he leaps within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary stays with Elizabeth for about three months then goes back home. Two of the greatest people to ever walk the earth are baking in the same tent. All babies are God's children but seriously Mary had God's child! It's an amazing experience to have a child with your wife and raising them is just as big of a blessing. Us men get to play more of a part raising them then the 5 seconds...uh I mean 4 hours we played in the conceiving part. Be a HUGE part of your childrens worlds......I couldn't imagine missing the experience of raising my children with my incredible wife.
The Israelites ask to travel through the Amorites land and the King refuses to let them cross his territory. Instead he assembles his entire army and attacks Israel in the wilderness....bad move the Israelites slaughtered them and occupied their land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. So with the help of the Lord they start migrating and conquering just as God had promised. Taking the land promised to them for they were blessed by God.....Nice little trinket to have in your pocket the blessing of God:)
In Luke today we are six months into Elizabeth's pregnancy with John and Gabriel goes to Galilee and appears to a virgin named Mary (You've probably heard of her) and says "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever, his Kingdom will never end!"
He explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of God will overshadow her. The baby to be born will be holy and called the Son of God. He also tells her about her friend Elizabeth pregnant with John. A few days later Mary heads to Judea, greets Elizabeth and when Elizabeth's baby hears Mary's voice he leaps within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Mary stays with Elizabeth for about three months then goes back home. Two of the greatest people to ever walk the earth are baking in the same tent. All babies are God's children but seriously Mary had God's child! It's an amazing experience to have a child with your wife and raising them is just as big of a blessing. Us men get to play more of a part raising them then the 5 seconds...uh I mean 4 hours we played in the conceiving part. Be a HUGE part of your childrens worlds......I couldn't imagine missing the experience of raising my children with my incredible wife.
Mar 13 - Aaron Passes On
More whining and complaining from the people of Israel gets Moses and Aaron in hot water. Moses and Aron turn away from the people and their complaining and fall face down at the entrance of the Tabernacle to be with the glorious presence of the Lord. God has Moses assemble the community and he strikes a rock with his staff and water flows out in order for the people and cattle to drink. While they are at the Tabernacle talking with the Lord he says "Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!" Ultimately at the end of today's old testament reading Aaron goes up to the summit of Mount Hor with his son Eleazar and Moses. He puts his priestly garments on Eleazar and dies as the Lord instructed. Then Moses and Eliazar head back down the mountain. Talk about a bummer....He walked with God so that's got to be sweeter then honey but in the end to not even make it to the land promised due to frustrations of dealing with people....I'm sure he's having a better time kicking it in Heaven but still:)
We move on to Luke today in the new testament. The bible states the Gospel of Luke has been called the most beautiful book ever written. So I guess if you want to take one account of Jesus' life rather then read all 4 books just shoot right to what Luke wrote. "Luke was probably a Gentile by birth, well educated in Greek culture, a physician by profession and a companion of Paul at various times."
Luke writes "Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught." He goes on to talk about Zechariah serving God in the Temple when an Gabriel came down and told him his wife Elizabeth would give him a son he would name John. John will be great in the eyes of the Lord and be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah. "He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord." Because Zachariah had doubt Gabriel mad him unable to speak until John came.....that's the account for the start of John the Baptist and it happens just as he said it would.
We move on to Luke today in the new testament. The bible states the Gospel of Luke has been called the most beautiful book ever written. So I guess if you want to take one account of Jesus' life rather then read all 4 books just shoot right to what Luke wrote. "Luke was probably a Gentile by birth, well educated in Greek culture, a physician by profession and a companion of Paul at various times."
Luke writes "Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught." He goes on to talk about Zechariah serving God in the Temple when an Gabriel came down and told him his wife Elizabeth would give him a son he would name John. John will be great in the eyes of the Lord and be filled with the spirit and power of Elijah. "He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord." Because Zachariah had doubt Gabriel mad him unable to speak until John came.....that's the account for the start of John the Baptist and it happens just as he said it would.
Mar 12 - You Can't Keep A Good Man Down!
So yesterday the Lord swallowed up these 3 men and their families and possessions and the very next morning the whole community of Israel began muttering again against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the Lord's people!" Moses just can't catch a break:) The Lord became angry with the people of Israel and told Moses "Get away from all these people so that I can instantly destroy them!" But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. They then ran an incense burner with burning coals from the altar through the crowd to purify them and make them right with the Lord. So they saved a bunch of them but 14,700 did die from the Lord plague. The Lord then has Moses take the 12 leaders wooden staffs and Aaron's staff of the tribe of Levi, and place them in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant. He said "Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to the People's murmuring and complaining against you." Moses did as he said and when he returned Aaron's staff budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! The Lord told Moses "Place Aaron's staff permanently before the Ark of the Covenant to serve as a warning to rebels." The Lord then gives a lot of instructions to Aaron and puts him in charge of holy offerings and gives him parts of the all the different offerings. Talk about being friends with the big man! The Lord talks about the tithe being a tenth and that the Levites when they receive from he people of Israel the tithes assigned to thme they have to give a tithe (tenth) of the tithe to the Lord as a sacred offering. Today we give a Tithe of our income to the local storehouse, our church, as our sacred offering. We reap the rewards of sowing those funds to the Lord. Maybe not in big $$$ but we somehow pay all our bills every month, manage to save some and our family is full of Love. I'll take that for a mear 10% any day!
In the New Testament Jesus Rises from the dead today. How you like them apples! Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary the mother of James purchased burial spices to anoint Jesus' body. The went to the tomb early Sunday morning and the stone was rolled back and an angel was there , "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galillee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died." The women freaked out and fled saying nothing to anyone because they were frightened. Jesus appears to a few people here and there then he tells the disciples "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved." and Jesus gives them a bunch of miraculous signs to perform. The disciples went out and preached and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. He then anoints a Bunny to go around and give everyone chocolate eggs....No??
In the New Testament Jesus Rises from the dead today. How you like them apples! Mary Magdalene, Salome and Mary the mother of James purchased burial spices to anoint Jesus' body. The went to the tomb early Sunday morning and the stone was rolled back and an angel was there , "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galillee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died." The women freaked out and fled saying nothing to anyone because they were frightened. Jesus appears to a few people here and there then he tells the disciples "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved." and Jesus gives them a bunch of miraculous signs to perform. The disciples went out and preached and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. He then anoints a Bunny to go around and give everyone chocolate eggs....No??
Mar 11 - Oooops He Was The Son Of God!
Numbers moves on with more rules for what to do with the people that commit an intentional sin and unintentional sin when they arrive to the land the Lord is taking them to. One day Korah son of Izhar conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, "You have gone to far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord's people?" In hindsight not such a good idea. What would possess someone who has witnessed the miracles God has performed through Moses and Aaron to snap and riot up against him? Anywho in the end the earth swallows up Korah, Dathan and Abiram along with their families, followers and belongings. The Lord also burned up the 250 followers of those 3 men. Not a good day for those who strayed and went against Moses who was acting on behalf of the Lord.
Today in the New Testament Jesus is given over to Pilate, the Roman governor. The governors custom was to release one prisoner each year during the Passover celebration-anyone the people requested. He gave them the choice of Jesus or Barabbas, a revolutionary who had commited murder in an uprising. The chose Barabbas and shouted out to crucify Jesus! "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the mob roared even louder "Crucify him!" Pilate and hands Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. As sign that read "The King of the Jews." was hung above him. He was moched and scoffed at by people going by. Jesus cried out "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!" And probably followed that by "SON OF A BISCUIT! I chose the wrong team!" Jesus' body was then taken by Joseph, wrapped in linen cloth and laid in a tomb carved out of rock and a large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. Can you imagine being there at that time to see all of this unfold! What's going through the minds of those that are doubting that Jesus is God in the flesh so they mocked and kicked him now to see this! Would they think it's a magicians trick like the Egyptians did for Moses? I don't know, I wouldn't even want to guess but I would think that some serious fear motored through the people.
Today in the New Testament Jesus is given over to Pilate, the Roman governor. The governors custom was to release one prisoner each year during the Passover celebration-anyone the people requested. He gave them the choice of Jesus or Barabbas, a revolutionary who had commited murder in an uprising. The chose Barabbas and shouted out to crucify Jesus! "Why?" Pilate demanded. "What crime has he committed?" But the mob roared even louder "Crucify him!" Pilate and hands Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. As sign that read "The King of the Jews." was hung above him. He was moched and scoffed at by people going by. Jesus cried out "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died he exclaimed, "This man truly was the Son of God!" And probably followed that by "SON OF A BISCUIT! I chose the wrong team!" Jesus' body was then taken by Joseph, wrapped in linen cloth and laid in a tomb carved out of rock and a large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. Can you imagine being there at that time to see all of this unfold! What's going through the minds of those that are doubting that Jesus is God in the flesh so they mocked and kicked him now to see this! Would they think it's a magicians trick like the Egyptians did for Moses? I don't know, I wouldn't even want to guess but I would think that some serious fear motored through the people.
Mar 10 - Jesus Messiah
So the Isrealites started complaining again. Some of the men that were sent out to yesterday to check out the land they were promised reported back that they would be slaughtered if they entered. The current inhabitants were much bigger and stronger even though the land was as beautiful as promised they didn't want to enter and be killed. "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" the people complained. "Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried of as plunder!" "Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!" Now all of this really ticked off the Lord. "How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?" After a long talk with Moses He decides not to wipe them out but has Moses tell them " You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you....You said your children would be carried off as plunder. I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness. And your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness for forty years." hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmm hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?? Somebody tell somebody have Faith!
The new testament today Jesus is taken and beaten. The leading priests and high council were trying to find evidence against him but they couldn't find any. The high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, "I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Why do we need other witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is h your verdict?" "Guilty!" they all cried. "He deserves to die!"
Peter is strolling through courtyards and the streets when when he was proclaimed by others to know Jesus 3 times and all three times he denied it. On the last denial he immediately herd a rooster crow the second time. Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed though Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he broke down and wept.
Proverbs 11:4 Riches won't help on the day of judgement, but right living can save you from death.
The new testament today Jesus is taken and beaten. The leading priests and high council were trying to find evidence against him but they couldn't find any. The high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus said, "I Am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, "Why do we need other witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is h your verdict?" "Guilty!" they all cried. "He deserves to die!"
Peter is strolling through courtyards and the streets when when he was proclaimed by others to know Jesus 3 times and all three times he denied it. On the last denial he immediately herd a rooster crow the second time. Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed though Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he broke down and wept.
Proverbs 11:4 Riches won't help on the day of judgement, but right living can save you from death.
Mar 9 - Jesus Prays Alone
The people would constantly come to Moses with complaints and needs and it was to much for one to bear so He cried out to God for help. Moses was instructed and gathered the seventy elders and stationed them aroudn the Tabernacle. The Lord came down in a cloud and spoke to Moses. Then gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again. So God made it so the elders could bear the burden of the people along side with him so he wouldn't have to carry it all.
I can tell you first hand that we ALL have the ability to have that Spirit. I had a HUGE problem with the cafe trying to take care of it all myself. Boo can tell you that was a major stress in my life dealing with lawyers, employees, banks, products, landlords.....etc. I tried to carry the entire burden by myself without Gods help. One day I just couldn't take it anymore. I had a contract on the cafe for a new buyer just to dump it and he decided he didn't want it anymore....that was it. That week I went to "the foot of the cross" and cried out for help and sure the next day the buyers came back and we closed them 3 days later. Believe what you will, Karma, dumb luck or a deal to good to pass up but I can tell you 100% that God put His hand on it and the burden was released. I could feel his presence at the altar basically saying "Welcome Back meathead, what can I do for you today":)
In Mark today Jesus is sold out by Judas. Jesus breaks bread with his disciples, this is the famous "Last Supper" that people talk about. They then go to Gethsemane the olive grove and Jesus tells his disciiples to sit while he goes off to pray. He takes Peter, James, and John with him and he became deeply troubled. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He then went a little further and fell to the ground. "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." To me this is HUGE. To read that the Son of Man is distressed and praying for God to let him live. Essentially he's guarenteed a to be back with his father in heaven but death still fears him! Ultimately his request is "Your will to be done, not mine." That is an extremely hard concept to grasp but ultimately it's the best way to live....That's the way I see it:)
I can tell you first hand that we ALL have the ability to have that Spirit. I had a HUGE problem with the cafe trying to take care of it all myself. Boo can tell you that was a major stress in my life dealing with lawyers, employees, banks, products, landlords.....etc. I tried to carry the entire burden by myself without Gods help. One day I just couldn't take it anymore. I had a contract on the cafe for a new buyer just to dump it and he decided he didn't want it anymore....that was it. That week I went to "the foot of the cross" and cried out for help and sure the next day the buyers came back and we closed them 3 days later. Believe what you will, Karma, dumb luck or a deal to good to pass up but I can tell you 100% that God put His hand on it and the burden was released. I could feel his presence at the altar basically saying "Welcome Back meathead, what can I do for you today":)
In Mark today Jesus is sold out by Judas. Jesus breaks bread with his disciples, this is the famous "Last Supper" that people talk about. They then go to Gethsemane the olive grove and Jesus tells his disciiples to sit while he goes off to pray. He takes Peter, James, and John with him and he became deeply troubled. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He then went a little further and fell to the ground. "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." To me this is HUGE. To read that the Son of Man is distressed and praying for God to let him live. Essentially he's guarenteed a to be back with his father in heaven but death still fears him! Ultimately his request is "Your will to be done, not mine." That is an extremely hard concept to grasp but ultimately it's the best way to live....That's the way I see it:)
Mar 8 - Make Some Noise!
In Numbers today the Lord says to Moses "Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp. When both trumpets are blown, everyone must gather before you at the entrance of the Tabernacle. But if only one trumpet is blown, then only the leaders-the heads of the clans of Israel-must present themselves to you. When you sound the signal to move on, the tribes camped on the east side of the Tabernacle must break camp and move forward. When you sound the signal a second time , the tribes camped on the south will follow. You must sound short blasts as the signal for moving on. But when you call the people to an assembly, blow the trumpets with a different signal."
"When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then the Lord your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies. Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. and blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the Lord your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God." Jimminie Crickets! It seems everyday I read there are more rules and regs and do this then, make that, these people go here, those there, they do this when you do that! How in the heck did they remember all of this! I'm fairly confident that i would have made it about a week and then been turned into a pile of ashes for botching something. Heck I have trouble remembering what Boo and I have planned from one weekend to the next......I have been known to double book in the past:)
In the New Testament Jesus goes with his disciples to eat the Passover meal. He tells the disciples that there is a betrayer among them. Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, "Am I the one?" OK what kind of question is that!? I'm pretty sure that if I was planning to have someone killed I wouldn't have to ask him if I was the one that was going to do it! Especially just hours before it happens!
Jesus replies "It is the one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!" I'm sure glad I wasn't chosen for that job........
"When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then the Lord your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies. Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. and blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind the Lord your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God." Jimminie Crickets! It seems everyday I read there are more rules and regs and do this then, make that, these people go here, those there, they do this when you do that! How in the heck did they remember all of this! I'm fairly confident that i would have made it about a week and then been turned into a pile of ashes for botching something. Heck I have trouble remembering what Boo and I have planned from one weekend to the next......I have been known to double book in the past:)
In the New Testament Jesus goes with his disciples to eat the Passover meal. He tells the disciples that there is a betrayer among them. Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, "Am I the one?" OK what kind of question is that!? I'm pretty sure that if I was planning to have someone killed I wouldn't have to ask him if I was the one that was going to do it! Especially just hours before it happens!
Jesus replies "It is the one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!" I'm sure glad I wasn't chosen for that job........
Mar 7 - Levites Manditory Retirement Plan....The 401G
Today in Numbers the Lord tells Moses to set the Levites apart from the rest of the people of Israel and make the ceremonially clean. The Lord wants him to assemble the whole community of Israel and present the Levites at the entrance of the Tabernacle. He wants Aaron to present the Levites to the Lord as a special offering from the people of Israel, thus dedicating them to the Lord's service. "Of all the people of Israel, the Levites are reserved for me. I have claimed them for myself in place of all the firstborn sons of the Israelites; I have taken the Levites as their substitutes. For all the firstborn males among the people of Israel are mine, both of people and of animals. I set them apart for myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians."
Because the Levites belonged to the Lord they had to begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they had to retire at the age of fifty. After retirement they could assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they could not officiate in the service. Not a bad set up. Guaranteed work for 25 years and a retirement plan manditory to accept at 50. I like it!
In Numbers it goes on to talk about celebrating the Passover and the Lord's cloud over the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And where the cloud settled, they would set up camp. Sometimes it was just for over night other times it was a lot longer. They must follow the cloud . On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern....at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Lot's of rituals and specific processes in the old testament. I personally don't know how they remembered all that was to be done and when. I guess following the cloud is an easy one but imagine how long it took them to set things up and if the Lord up and moved the next day! That could prove to be a long weekend of labor!
In Mark today Jesus talks about false prophets and messiahs will rise up and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. He goes on to talk about the end of days and how the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken and everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. Now I mentioned this when reading Matthew that Jesus specifically says "However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!" For those that don't believe I guess we'll just have to hang out until 2013, Nostradamas & the Mayan calender will or won't come to pass.....then what will people have to believe in?? The truth of Jesus Christ maybe hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??
Because the Levites belonged to the Lord they had to begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they had to retire at the age of fifty. After retirement they could assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they could not officiate in the service. Not a bad set up. Guaranteed work for 25 years and a retirement plan manditory to accept at 50. I like it!
In Numbers it goes on to talk about celebrating the Passover and the Lord's cloud over the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And where the cloud settled, they would set up camp. Sometimes it was just for over night other times it was a lot longer. They must follow the cloud . On the day the Tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered it. But from evening until morning the cloud over the Tabernacle looked like a pillar of fire. This was the regular pattern....at night the cloud that covered the Tabernacle had the appearance of fire. Lot's of rituals and specific processes in the old testament. I personally don't know how they remembered all that was to be done and when. I guess following the cloud is an easy one but imagine how long it took them to set things up and if the Lord up and moved the next day! That could prove to be a long weekend of labor!
In Mark today Jesus talks about false prophets and messiahs will rise up and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. He goes on to talk about the end of days and how the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken and everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. Now I mentioned this when reading Matthew that Jesus specifically says "However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!" For those that don't believe I guess we'll just have to hang out until 2013, Nostradamas & the Mayan calender will or won't come to pass.....then what will people have to believe in?? The truth of Jesus Christ maybe hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??
Mar 6 - Two Small Coins
The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: 'May the Lord bless you and protect you, May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.' Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them." Aaron and Moses were the Lords right hand men here on earth for the people of Israel. How would you like that job....well you have it. Thanks to Jesus we have the power of the Holy Spirit inside us that we can share with others.....sweeeeeeeeeeeeet.
In the new testament Jesus sat near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the many rich people put in large amounts, then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus calls his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on." Jesus was leaving the Temple and one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls." Jesus replied, "Yes, Look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!" Isn't that the truth. I sometimes wonder how crazy it is that someone can buy a painting for $15 million when in the end that painting is just going to turn to dust and all it does is sit on a wall. Sometimes I hear that it actually goes in storage and they hang a look alike so not to damage the real painting. They could use that 15 million to build housing, feed the homeless, spread the good word......etc. But in the end it's up to the person with the money and if that painting is going to bring joy into their life then they should buy it. I just hope that they also know the love of Jesus.....it's free and eternal!
In the new testament Jesus sat near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the many rich people put in large amounts, then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus calls his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on." Jesus was leaving the Temple and one of his disciples said, "Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls." Jesus replied, "Yes, Look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!" Isn't that the truth. I sometimes wonder how crazy it is that someone can buy a painting for $15 million when in the end that painting is just going to turn to dust and all it does is sit on a wall. Sometimes I hear that it actually goes in storage and they hang a look alike so not to damage the real painting. They could use that 15 million to build housing, feed the homeless, spread the good word......etc. But in the end it's up to the person with the money and if that painting is going to bring joy into their life then they should buy it. I just hope that they also know the love of Jesus.....it's free and eternal!
Mar 5 - Divisions Of Levi Tribe
So the Lord is talking to Moses and Aaron about the Levi tribe. If you remember this is the tribe that breaks down, moves and sets back up the Tabernacle.
Kohathite division - duties at the Tabernacle will relate to the most sacred objects. When the camp moves Aaron and his sons must enter the Tabernacle first to take down the inner curtain and cover to the Ark of the Covenant with it. Then they go through and basically wrap everything up in blue cloth and cover the cloth with fine goatskin leather. The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination but they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. "The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die."
Gershonite division - responsible for general service and carrying loads. They have to carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle itself with it's coverings, the outer covering of fine goatskin leather, and the curtain for the Tabernacle entrance. They also have to carry the curtains for the courtyard walls that surround the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain across the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment related to their use.
Merarite division - Their only duty will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases; also the posts for the courtyard walls with their bases, pegs, and ropes; and all the accessories and everything else related to their use.
Moses and Aaron listed all the men of each division of the Levi clan that was between the age of thirty and fifty who were eligible to serve in the Tabernacle. The total number was 8,580 and every single one of them was given a specific task as the Lord commanded.
Who would want to be the foreman on that job! That's a lot of people and everyone of them was recorded in their specific clan and given a specific job.
In Mark today Jesus is questioned by some Sadducees(religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead) if a woman marries and her husband dies without bearing children Moses gave the law that the brother should marry the widow and if he dies before giving her a child then she should marry the other brother...etc through 7 brothers, who is she wife to in Heaven. A better question might be after about the 3rd death why weren't the cops called! I would have a lot of questions if I was #4 on the list to marry a lady that my 3 brothers all married and croaked. Jesus replied "For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect the will be like the angels in heaven." Got that boys.....This marriage thing is for only here on earth so don't mess it up! That goes for you too ladies:)
One of the teachers of religious law asks Jesus "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength,' The second is equally important:'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Seems simple enough....I personally think the world would be a whole lot better place if people could grasp this and really grab hold! Unless of coarse you hated yourself then your neighbor could be in trouble:) Once I learned the first one and really put it in my heart, God makes it easy to do the second....Well ya know that's the way I see it.
Kohathite division - duties at the Tabernacle will relate to the most sacred objects. When the camp moves Aaron and his sons must enter the Tabernacle first to take down the inner curtain and cover to the Ark of the Covenant with it. Then they go through and basically wrap everything up in blue cloth and cover the cloth with fine goatskin leather. The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination but they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. "The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die."
Gershonite division - responsible for general service and carrying loads. They have to carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tabernacle itself with it's coverings, the outer covering of fine goatskin leather, and the curtain for the Tabernacle entrance. They also have to carry the curtains for the courtyard walls that surround the Tabernacle and altar, the curtain across the courtyard entrance, the ropes, and all the equipment related to their use.
Merarite division - Their only duty will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases; also the posts for the courtyard walls with their bases, pegs, and ropes; and all the accessories and everything else related to their use.
Moses and Aaron listed all the men of each division of the Levi clan that was between the age of thirty and fifty who were eligible to serve in the Tabernacle. The total number was 8,580 and every single one of them was given a specific task as the Lord commanded.
Who would want to be the foreman on that job! That's a lot of people and everyone of them was recorded in their specific clan and given a specific job.
In Mark today Jesus is questioned by some Sadducees(religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead) if a woman marries and her husband dies without bearing children Moses gave the law that the brother should marry the widow and if he dies before giving her a child then she should marry the other brother...etc through 7 brothers, who is she wife to in Heaven. A better question might be after about the 3rd death why weren't the cops called! I would have a lot of questions if I was #4 on the list to marry a lady that my 3 brothers all married and croaked. Jesus replied "For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect the will be like the angels in heaven." Got that boys.....This marriage thing is for only here on earth so don't mess it up! That goes for you too ladies:)
One of the teachers of religious law asks Jesus "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength,' The second is equally important:'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." Seems simple enough....I personally think the world would be a whole lot better place if people could grasp this and really grab hold! Unless of coarse you hated yourself then your neighbor could be in trouble:) Once I learned the first one and really put it in my heart, God makes it easy to do the second....Well ya know that's the way I see it.
Mar 4 - Roll Call!
Numbers is exactly that a lot of numbers in regards to the divisions of the tribes in the different camps. There were specific tribes of Israelites on each side of the Tabernacle (north, south, east and west)camping beneath their family banners. In all there are 603,550 troops of Israel listed by their families. But this did not include the Levites as the Lord commanded. The people of Israel did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses. each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them. Now the Levites were chosen by God to serve as substitutes for all the first born sons of the people of Israel. They belong to God. "On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am Lord." Moses listed every male who was a month old or older in the Levi tribe by families and clans as the Lord commanded. Once Moses burned the bars off his Abacus from doing all of this counting he found 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than of Levites. So he collected five pieces of silver for each of them and gave it to Aaron and his sons as the Lord commanded. Paaaaaayday:)
Jesus is once again being harassed by the teachers of religious law and elders. They demanded he tell them by what authority he was doing all of the miracles. "I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer Me!"
They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe Johan. But do we dare say it was merely human?" They were afraid of what the people would do, everyone believed John was a prophet. So they finally replied, "We don't know."
And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things." Now that's a trick that could have come in handy for me a few times in the past! Answer a question with a question that no one could answer then just walk away:) Anywho....Jesus began teaching with stories....It's a good one: Mark 12:1-11
Jesus is once again being harassed by the teachers of religious law and elders. They demanded he tell them by what authority he was doing all of the miracles. "I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer Me!"
They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn't believe Johan. But do we dare say it was merely human?" They were afraid of what the people would do, everyone believed John was a prophet. So they finally replied, "We don't know."
And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things." Now that's a trick that could have come in handy for me a few times in the past! Answer a question with a question that no one could answer then just walk away:) Anywho....Jesus began teaching with stories....It's a good one: Mark 12:1-11
Mar 3 - God....The First Bank Of America/Remax
"If someone dedicates a house to the Lord, the priest will come to assess its value. The priest's assessment will be final, whether high or low. If the person who dedicated the house wants to buy it back, he must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent. The the house will again be his.
"If someone dedicates to the Lord a piece of his family property, its value will be assessed according to the amount of seed required to plant it-fifty shekels of silver for a field planted with five bushels of barley seed. If the field is dedicated to the Lord in the Year of Jubilee, then the entire assessment will apply. But if the field is dedicated after the Year of Jubilee, the priest will assess the land's value in proportion to the number of years left until the next Year of Jubilee, the priest will assess the land's value in proportion to the number of years left until the next Year of Jubilee. Its assessed value is reduced each year. If the person who dedicated the field wants to buy it back, he must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent."
OK now the side of me that LOVES business is getting excited about Leviticus! This is some good profit margin right here especially in this market!:) Also it's the end we then jump into Numbers where the Lord names the leaders of the tribes and who is to be in charge of the Tabernacle and all it's belongings when it is time for the Tabernacle to move....the Levites will take it down, carry it and when it's time to stop, the will set it up again.
In Mark today Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and drove out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." This angered the leading priests and teachers of religious law so they began planning how to kill him.
In the beginning I used to bring my blackberry in just in case there was an email I could answer during service or step out to take a call. Like I was just fitting "church" into my schedule. As I grew and began to learn that it's not "church" it's more of a celebration time a chance to sneak out of the world and really dig into praise and worship and feel Gods presence. I don't need the building to do that but it is an intricate part of helping my walk stay on track and strengthen my relationship with God through Jesus. Now I may or may not have my phone on me but it is off of during service. On occasion I may shoot a quick text right when we sit to let a friend know where we're sitting...yes the church is that big:) After service when meeting with friends we avoid talking business understanding this is a time to celebrate God not to finalize a deal:) I'll call them an hour after service to do that:)
"If someone dedicates to the Lord a piece of his family property, its value will be assessed according to the amount of seed required to plant it-fifty shekels of silver for a field planted with five bushels of barley seed. If the field is dedicated to the Lord in the Year of Jubilee, then the entire assessment will apply. But if the field is dedicated after the Year of Jubilee, the priest will assess the land's value in proportion to the number of years left until the next Year of Jubilee, the priest will assess the land's value in proportion to the number of years left until the next Year of Jubilee. Its assessed value is reduced each year. If the person who dedicated the field wants to buy it back, he must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent."
OK now the side of me that LOVES business is getting excited about Leviticus! This is some good profit margin right here especially in this market!:) Also it's the end we then jump into Numbers where the Lord names the leaders of the tribes and who is to be in charge of the Tabernacle and all it's belongings when it is time for the Tabernacle to move....the Levites will take it down, carry it and when it's time to stop, the will set it up again.
In Mark today Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and drove out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." This angered the leading priests and teachers of religious law so they began planning how to kill him.
In the beginning I used to bring my blackberry in just in case there was an email I could answer during service or step out to take a call. Like I was just fitting "church" into my schedule. As I grew and began to learn that it's not "church" it's more of a celebration time a chance to sneak out of the world and really dig into praise and worship and feel Gods presence. I don't need the building to do that but it is an intricate part of helping my walk stay on track and strengthen my relationship with God through Jesus. Now I may or may not have my phone on me but it is off of during service. On occasion I may shoot a quick text right when we sit to let a friend know where we're sitting...yes the church is that big:) After service when meeting with friends we avoid talking business understanding this is a time to celebrate God not to finalize a deal:) I'll call them an hour after service to do that:)
Mar 2 - Fell A Little Behind
OK, I fell a little behind but have caught myself up. My wife and I shared this nice stomach bug that Pnut brought home from somewhere. Lot's of fun! Being that Maria's breast feeding it was left breast, I was vomiting, hand baby to me, she goes and vomits, hand baby back, right breast, I go vomit and so on...That's what I call TEAM WORK!
Leviticus the Lord puts the law of the land down! "Do not make idols or set up carved images, or sacred pillars, or sculptured stones in you r land so you may worship them. I am the Lord your God. You must keep my Sabbath days of rest and show reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field Will produce their fruit."
"However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you-wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. I will turn against you , and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!"
OK, I have to admit when I first started looking into this "Finding Jesus" thing and poking around in the bible God seemed like one overbearing, It's all about me or I'll squish you like a bug bully! Why would a creator go through the trouble of making all of this just to push us around and make us kiss His butt...oooh your so great you made the world....big deal! When you just read the words like a book then you let Satan get into your heart and you see the words as that, just words. Think back to the fall of mankind when the serpent was talking to Eve. "You won't die! God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil." Satan will continually try to hold us down and have us think that - I'm a good person I'm headed to heaven and if not then I don't want to be ruled by that God anyway.- Our God is an AWESOME God who has nothing but unending love for us. When you pray for forgiveness, pray for help or just to say hey, you start to feel that connection and realize that these aren't just words they're an avenue to help you seek Him. When was the last time you gave up something of great worth for someone else. God built it all, created man, from man created woman and when we fell from grace, forgave us and ultimately gave His one and only son so that we could be with Him. I say all of this not from an outsiders view or a theologist who studies religion, but from an everyday guys point of view who went through it, is continually going through it and is living it today......That's the way I see it:)
Leviticus the Lord puts the law of the land down! "Do not make idols or set up carved images, or sacred pillars, or sculptured stones in you r land so you may worship them. I am the Lord your God. You must keep my Sabbath days of rest and show reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field Will produce their fruit."
"However, if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, and if you break my covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and refusing to obey my commands, I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors upon you-wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your enemies will eat them. I will turn against you , and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!"
OK, I have to admit when I first started looking into this "Finding Jesus" thing and poking around in the bible God seemed like one overbearing, It's all about me or I'll squish you like a bug bully! Why would a creator go through the trouble of making all of this just to push us around and make us kiss His butt...oooh your so great you made the world....big deal! When you just read the words like a book then you let Satan get into your heart and you see the words as that, just words. Think back to the fall of mankind when the serpent was talking to Eve. "You won't die! God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil." Satan will continually try to hold us down and have us think that - I'm a good person I'm headed to heaven and if not then I don't want to be ruled by that God anyway.- Our God is an AWESOME God who has nothing but unending love for us. When you pray for forgiveness, pray for help or just to say hey, you start to feel that connection and realize that these aren't just words they're an avenue to help you seek Him. When was the last time you gave up something of great worth for someone else. God built it all, created man, from man created woman and when we fell from grace, forgave us and ultimately gave His one and only son so that we could be with Him. I say all of this not from an outsiders view or a theologist who studies religion, but from an everyday guys point of view who went through it, is continually going through it and is living it today......That's the way I see it:)
Mar 1 - Like A Child
Moses receives more commands to give to Israelites and the punishments for blasphemy of the Name of the Lord with a curse......stoning to death! Anyone who takes another person's life must also be put to death. Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted. They can plant crops for six years but the seventh year is a Sabbath year so they can't plant crops. They must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years adding up to forty-nine years in all. Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year, blow the ram's horn loud and long throughout the land. Set that year apart as holy a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. It will be a jubilee year for you when each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. This fiftieth year will be a jubilee for you. The Lord promises that if the people follow his decrees and obey his regulations then the land will yield large crops, and they will eat their fill and live securely in it.
Man there were a lot of rules and specific too. He dabbles in a little real estate today also. Rules regarding the sale of land and houses and returning it back to the original owners during the year of jubilee. They can purchase male and female slaves, they can purchase children of temporary residents who live among them.
In the new testament Jesus gets angry with the disciples when they try to keep the kids away from Jesus. "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Well then I'm a shoe in for acting like a child is my specialty! It does say....hmmmmm anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God acting like a child will never enter it...I'm in!
Man there were a lot of rules and specific too. He dabbles in a little real estate today also. Rules regarding the sale of land and houses and returning it back to the original owners during the year of jubilee. They can purchase male and female slaves, they can purchase children of temporary residents who live among them.
In the new testament Jesus gets angry with the disciples when they try to keep the kids away from Jesus. "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Well then I'm a shoe in for acting like a child is my specialty! It does say....hmmmmm anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God acting like a child will never enter it...I'm in!
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