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.