Category: Numbers

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Coming to An End

This year I have been following a regimented plan of reading through the Bible in one year. I’ve read the Bible through many, many times but this is the first time that I have been on a designed reading plan. Each morning the unread pages decrease and my excitement increases.

There are particular themes of continuity that run from Genesis to Revelation. These are just a few that come to mind; forgiveness, restoration, relationship (salvation), God’s goodness and love, provision, protection, joy and peace.

Amazing – God’s word is amazing! It has stood the test of time and though many have tried to destroy it, no one has

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise,
then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

The verse above is my favorite in the Bible. If that one verse isn’t true how can I possibly have confidence that any of the others are true. And since it is true, I can believe all the rest of the Bible. I can know, really know, that God’s word will sustain me all my days and that it will also be a source of truth and light for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:17-18 NLT

It’s so encouraging to know that God spends His time thinking about me. Planning what’s best and protecting me through the storms.

“Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! 17 The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 CEV

As the year comes to “The End” and I read the last chapters of the Old Testament I have great anticipation for 2020. I will begin to read the familiar stories again. I will learn more and find that God continues to be just who He said He is.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” 7 His power will continue to grow, and there will be peace without end. This will establish him as the king sitting on David’s throne and ruling his kingdom. He will rule with goodness and justice forever and ever. The strong love that the Lord All-Powerful has for his people will make this happen!” Isaiah 9:6-7 ERV

He is all I need – The End!

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A Better Promise

Keeping our focus on the Lord’s faithfulness will keep us from being discouraged and depressed. When Israel faced overwhelming threats and attacks they could confidently call on the Lord for their deliverance. They knew they had a “covenant”, a promise or contract, with Almighty God. God had promised to be their GOD and to fight for them, to stand with them, to be their protection and their source of supply. As long as they walked in obedience to God’s word all these blessings were theirs.

Remember when Moses told the Israelites that God had set before them life and death, blessing and cursing? Then Moses said choose life. It was their choice to be a nation of blessed, victorious people. David knew this when he volunteered to fight Goliath – David’s comment, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” Circumcision was a physical sign to the Jewish people that God had made covenant with Abraham and all of his descendants.

You and I have a covenant too. The writer of Hebrews said we have a new covenant with better promises.

“But the work that has been given to Jesus is much greater than the work that was given to those priests. In the same way, the new agreement that Jesus brought from God to his people is much greater than the old one. And the new agreement is based on better promises. 7 If there was nothing wrong with the first agreement, then there would be no need for a second agreement. 8 But God found something wrong with the people. He said, “The time is coming, says the Lord, when I will give a new agreement to the people of Israel and to the people of Judah. 9 It will not be like the agreement that I gave to their fathers. That is the agreement I gave when I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt. They did not continue following the agreement I gave them, and I turned away from them, says the Lord. 10 This is the new agreement I will give the people of Israel.
I will give this agreement in the future, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write my laws on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord. All people—the greatest and the least important—will know me. 12 And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.”
13 God called this a new agreement, so he has made the first agreement old. And anything that is old and useless is ready to disappear.” Hebrews 8:6-13

God the Father is faithful and He made this new covenant for us with Jesus. Neither one of them will fail! Their covenant for us will not fail!

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

God promises will come to pass. His word is true – He is good!

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Cure for Discouragement

Do you have times that you get discouraged and struggle when things aren’t going right?

For years I have been putting God’s word into my heart and mind. It brings hope, courage, peace, healing and joy. Many years back I shared some of my favorite Bible verses with you and as I was reading through them I knew it was time to share them again.

I look at Scripture verses like multivitamins. We don’t just take them one time and have them strengthen our physical system for years on end. No, they are called daily vitamins for a reason. Bible verses are better than vitamins. Once they are truly absorbed in our system they can strengthen and encourage for years on end.

“You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord, and he rescued you.
20 By the power of his own word, he healed you  and saved you from destruction. 21 You should praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.” Psalm 107:19-21 CEV

God’s word brings the cure for any ailment.

I want to share a few of my favorite verses with you from the Amplified version of the Bible. I praise God for those who have been called to the work of translating the Bible, not just in foreign languages, but into versions that make it easier for us to use and understand. There are many modern translations and I like using the Amplified version because it gives a greater understanding to some phrases.

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

HE WILL NEVER LEAVE ME OR LET ME DOWN! GOD WON’T LET GO!
“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMP

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

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

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

GOD CAN’T LIE! “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 AMP

MOSES AND I HAVE THE SAME GOD, THE GREAT I AM!
“And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]. 24 Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I Am]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.” John 16:23-24 AMP

MY FATHER’S WORD GIVES ME CONFIDENCE
“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” I John 5:14-15 AMP

God’s word is filled with the power to change our lives. It never fails!

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

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Merit And Grace

Have you ever noticed how so much of our society is based on merit?

Merit: the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward.

Our salary or income is merit based. We do a good job and we get a raise. We study hard and we get good grades. Even buying groceries or using our credit cards are based on merit; we buy we get rewards. So many things are based on our ability to earn or deserve a reward.

Our relationship with the Lord, on the other hand, is completely based on grace.

“I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ERV

Grace: the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Look at all the ways we use the word grace. There is a grace period which allows us to be late on a payment or to use an item without being punished. Royalty and monarchs are often called “your grace”; they give unearned favor to those they rule. “Goodness, Gracious” are more than just two words in a Jerry Lee Lewis song. It’s an expression used to express joy over receiving something good that comes as a complete surprise, completely unexpected. We should be hunting for opportunities to be gracious.

As parents and employers we have a strict duty to keep the line between merit and grace well defined. There are certain standards that we expect those under our leadership to meet; this is merit. Then there are those things that we give unexpectedly, undeservedly and that is grace.

We don’t want our children feeling they have to earn everything they receive based on merit. We want them to know that we take joy in giving them special things, blessings as it were, just because we love them. These things come from a gracious and loving heart. When we do this, we are being an example of our heavenly Father and the way He treats us.

“And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.

7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace. 8 God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding 9 he let us know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ.” Ephesians 1:5-9 ERV

In some translations the word grace is called loving-favor, in others it’s kindness. Grace is given freely; we don’t earn it. We can’t! Because we can’t earn grace by the good things we do we can’t lose it either.

“But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.” Ephesians 2:5-7 CEV

God is good and kind even when we don’t deserve it. He’s gracious, full of grace, when we need help.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 ERV

When we receive God’s grace and experience it personally, we grow. In growing, we become more gracious to those around us.

“Grow in the loving-favor that Christ gives you. Learn to know our Lord Jesus Christ better. He is the One Who saves. May He have all the shining-greatness now and forever. Let it be so.” II Peter 3:18 NLV

I encourage you to live graciously today. Look for opportunities to be grace-filled and avoid making those around you merit your favor!

“The Lord bless you  and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

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A Promise Doesn’t Change

Today we continue with the story of Balaam and Balak. Yesterday I left you with a talking donkey.

Balaam, the man of God, the man with the talking donkey, still needed to meet with King Balak. Balak was determined to have the Israelites cursed. This was his only hope to keep his kingdom and power.

Read Numbers 21-24 for the full story.

Balak took Balaam to several locations where he could see the Israelites’ camp. It was vast. Each time Balaam was supposed to make a statement proclaiming a curse on them. Each time Balaam’s words brought blessing and Balak’s anger. Each time Balaam told Balak that he could only say what God had told him to say and that he could not curse what the Lord had blessed!

It’s here in Numbers 23:19 that we find my favorite verse in the Bible.

“Balaam went back and saw him and his officials standing beside the offerings. Balak asked, “What did the Lord say?”

18 Balaam answered: ‘Pay close attention to my words—
19 God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.

20 “My command from God was to bless these people, and there’s nothing I can do to change what he has done. 21 Israel’s king is the Lord God. He lives there with them and intends them no harm.” Numbers 23:17-21 CEV

Do you see this? God doesn’t tell lies, He doesn’t change his mind and He ALWAYS keeps his promises! If this verse isn’t true, if God changes his mind and can lie, then we can’t have confidence in anything else in the Bible. But, this verse is true! God keeps his word.

Amazing!!

Have you ever had anyone tell lies about you or try to destroy you by ruining your reputation? This king wanted these people cursed, he wanted to annihilate them and have the Israelites wiped from the face of the earth. He seemed to be stronger and better equipped than Moses was. But…God had blessed them and so the king could do them no harm.

How encouraging are these verses to us? God, the Father, who gave blessings to the Israelites has also made promises and given blessings to us. He doesn’t change His mind and He doesn’t lie. Our enemies may want us cursed but God is on our side.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” 6 So we can feel sure and say, “The Lord is my helper;  I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me.” Hebrews 13:5-6 ERV

“People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proved wrong.” The Lord says, “That is what my servants get! They get the good things that come from me, their Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 ERV

God’s word is filled with His promises. Promises He made and will not break. Blessings He will keep forever. God’s word will never fail us, we can be confident of that.

“Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word
    and do everything you say.” Psalm 145:13 CEV

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What Did You Say?

I get a kick out of God’s sense of humor. I find the Bible has many humorous stories that are often overlooked. Stories that hold important teachings for us.

“Christian brothers, think who you were when the Lord called you. Not many of you were wise or powerful or born into the family of leaders of a country. 27 But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise. He has chosen what the world calls weak to shame what is strong. 28 God has chosen what is weak and foolish of the world, what is hated and not known, to destroy the things the world trusts in. 29 In that way, no man can be proud as he stands before God. 30 God Himself made the way so you can have new life through Christ Jesus. God gave us Christ to be our wisdom. Christ made us right with God and set us apart for God and made us holy. Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from our sins.” I Corinthians 1:26-30 ERV

The Apostle Paul tells us that God uses the things that are thought to be foolish and weak to keep men from putting too much trust in their own efforts. It is God’s provision that we should be trusting in and not ours.

This morning I would like to tell you a story that seems foolish.

The children of Israel were in the desert and had just defeated a king who had attacked them, the king of Og. Well, there was another king who heard of that defeat and he feared that the same thing would happen to him and his armies. So he called for a man named Balaam to come and place a curse on Israel. King Balak offered him great amounts of money to do this.

Balaam took time to consult with the Lord and God told him not to go with Balak’s men and that he was not to curse the Israelites. Balaam refused to do what the king wanted. The king sent his men a second time offering Balaam even more money. Once again Balaam consulted with the Lord. God hadn’t changed His mind. God told him, only do what I tell you.

“Balaam answered, “Even if Balak offered me a palace full of silver or gold, I wouldn’t do anything to disobey the Lord my God. 19 You are welcome to spend the night here, just as the others did. I will find out if the Lord has something else to say about this.”

20 That night, God said, “Balaam, I’ll let you go to Moab with Balak’s messengers, but do only what I say.” Numbers 22:18-20 CEV

So the next morning they started out on their journey to Balak. On their way, an angel came to stop Balaam from traveling any further. The donkey saw the angel and rode off in a ditch. Balaam whipped the donkey and got him back on the rode. Again the angel stood in the road and the donkey smashed Balaam’s foot against a wall as he tried to get around the angel. Finally, the third time, the donkey just laid down and wouldn’t move any further because the angel was standing in the way.

Balaam was so angry that he was ready to kill the donkey and then this happened.

“So it just lay down. Balaam lost his temper, then picked up a stick and smacked the donkey.28 When that happened, the Lord told the donkey to speak, and it asked Balaam, “What have I done to you that made you beat me three times?”

29 “You made me look stupid!” Balaam answered. “If I had a sword, I’d kill you here and now!”30 “But you’re my owner,” replied the donkey, “and you’ve ridden me many times. Have I ever done anything like this before?”

“No,” Balaam admitted. 31 Just then, the Lord let Balaam see the angel standing in the road, holding a sword, and Balaam bowed down.” Numbers 22:27-31 CEV

The foolish things of the world! How much more foolish can you get than that? A talking donkey. I once heard a preacher say, “If God uses you to do something important, don’t get a big head about it. He once used a donkey.” Very true.

When God speaks to our hearts we need to listen. The message may come in our quiet time of prayer and Bible reading. It may come from a message we hear being preached. God may use a trusted friend or the words of a stranger to speak to our hearts. He could use our mate, children or grandchildren. He might even use a donkey.

The important thing is that we listen and then we obey.

Has the Lord been speaking to your heart? Have you discounted the message because you didn’t approve of the messenger? God is always willing to give us instruction, we need to be willing to listen.

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Move Your But

I am fascinated by the English language. If I knew any other languages I would probably be intrigued by them as well. Mrs. Morgan was my eighth grade English teacher. She was the one who taught us parts of speech, sentence composition and how to diagram those sentences.

The word “but” is a conjunction, a connecting word that ties one thought to another. However, it is also a word that conveys contradiction. Take this sentence for example. I like red BUT blue is my favorite color. The two thoughts are connected and yet contradictive.

Once we begin to look for it, we will find this type of sentence construction in Scripture. This morning I noticed two different instances that I would like you to look at with me.

“They told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. It does flow with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who live in the land are strong. The cities have walls and are very large. And we saw the children of Anak there. 29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev. The Hittites and Jebusites and Amorites are living in the hill country. And the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb told the people in front of Moses to be quiet. And he said, “Let us go up at once and take the land. For we are well able to take it in battle.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go against the people. They are too strong for us.” Numbers 13:27-31 ERV

Moses had sent twelve men into Canaan to asses the land and its residents. When they came back they brought a bunch of grapes so large that two men had to carry it on a pole. The land God promised them was the most fertile and productive crop land around. However, there were also giants in the land. Instead of seeing the blessings in the land they pointed out the obstacles. There “but’s” stopped them from seeing God’s best.

The second example I saw came from the New Testament.

“When Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we get enough food to feed all these people?” 6 He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered, “Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages[a just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?”

8 Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the disciples. He spoke up and said, 9 “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?” John 6:5-9 CEV

Once again, “but” got in the way. Jesus disciples were looking at their circumstances and not at the miracle-worker who changed circumstances. Before we become to critical of the Israelites and the disciples we have to admit that many times our “but’s” get us in trouble too.

It’s time to move our but and let God have greater control.

“No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.” Romans 5:7-9 CEV

What do you think would have happened if the men who went in to Canaan had come back and said “there are giants in the land BUT it’s a great land with wonderful crops and God said it’s ours”? I can tell you, they would not have wandered in the wilderness for forty years. They would have gone in and conquered the land the way God said.

Or perhaps Philip might have said “Lord, there are a whole lot of people BUT if you want us to feed them, tell us how”. (The Scripture says that Jesus knew what he was going to do.) It would have changed the narrative. God is looking to change the narrative in our lives. We have to move our but.

I don’t know what I’m going to do BUT I can do all things through Christ who give me the strength.

I’m not sure how I will handle this problem BUT God says if I ask for wisdom He will give it to me.

“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. 3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you.” Ephesians 2:1-5 CEV

When we let God replace the but’s of life with His power and mercy we will see a much better outcome!

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A Promise Is A Promise

Let’s start the new year out with a strong reminder. Here it is. When God makes a promise He keeps it!

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

As many of you know this is my life verse. If this verse isn’t true then there is no reason to put our faith in any of the other verses in the Bible. I know that’s a strong statement but that’s the truth.

Look at it this way, if God could lie or change His mind after He says something how would we know what we could believe and what was subject to change? The other day I did a teaching on the solid rock foundation that we have in Christ. But if God can lie or change His mind then our foundation is as unstable as the sand on the beach when the tide recedes. We are doomed to fail.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. And it fell with a loud crash.” Matthew 7:26-27 ERV

God is not a liar! His promises are true. They are more certain and absolute than anything else we can put our trust in. There was a time when Jesus’ ministry was being questioned. People thought He was trying to change the Old Testament laws. This was His response.

“Don’t suppose that I came to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to give them their full meaning. 18 Heaven and earth may disappear. But I promise you that not even a period or comma will ever disappear from the Law. Everything written in it must happen.” Matthew 5:17-18 CEV

We live in a world where everything changes. “The experts say” that butter is harmful and so margarine was invented. Now margarine is harmful and butter is good. “They say” that we had to stop using paper bags in the grocery stores and so we started using plastic and that is now more harmful than paper production. Every day there is a new study with new and conflicting results.

But God…

“1See how much I love your instructions! Lord, I know your love is true, so let me live.
160 Every word you say can be trusted. Your laws are fair and will last forever.” Psalm 119:159-160 ERV

“Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word
 and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.” Psalm 145:13-15 CEV

“Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever.” Isaiah 40:8 ERV

There is no greater truth that I can impart than this, God’s word is true and He is worthy of our trust!

The very first thing that Satan did was get Adam and Eve to doubt God’s word and He’s been trying to get us to doubt His word ever since.

“The snake was the most clever of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. The snake spoke to the woman and said, “Woman, did God really tell you that you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Genesis 3:1 ERV

Make the commitment that this year that you will trust God and His word like never before. Each day find a promise in God’s word and live it.

“Lord All-Powerful, you are God. You have promised me some very good things, and you can be trusted to do what you promise.” II Samuel 7:28 CEV

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Give Your Best

Dave and I were talking last night and I asked him which Christmas Carol he really liked. What do you think he said?

Little Drummer Boy.  No where in Scripture do you find the story of a little drummer boy. But all through the Bible we find that God gave His best. Since He did, should we give anything less than our best to Him?

Our best is relative.  Jesus pointed that out to His disciples one day as they were in the temple.

“Jesus was sitting in the temple near the offering box and watching people put in their gifts. He noticed that many rich people were giving a lot of money. 42 Finally, a poor widow came up and put in two coins that were worth only a few pennies. 43 Jesus told his disciples to gather around him. Then he said:

I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 44 Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had. Now she doesn’t have a cent to live on.” Luke 12:41-44 CEV

I’ve had people tell me that they’d give God a million dollars but they just don’t have it. That’s a wonderful thought however, the true test of the heart isn’t in what we desire to do but what we do with what we have. There have been times that giving a dollar was harder to do than giving one hundred.

I remember when the kids were in school and came home with a note asking all the parents to give canned goods for the food drive. Our kids wanted to be a part of doing something special for those who were needy. What they didn’t realize was that we would have been considered the needy. I opened the cupboard and took out half of the cans on the shelf. Some went to Kim’s class and the rest went to Koy’s class.

We gave from the heart, desiring to bless others because there were folks out there who really did have less than we did. These are the words I heard in my head.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a room. 36 I had no clothes and you gave Me clothes to wear. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you came to see Me.’

37 “Then those that are right with God will say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? When did we see You thirsty and give You a drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and give You a room? When did we see You had no clothes and we gave You clothes? 39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and we came to You?’ 40 Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’ ” Matthew 25:35-40 NLV

We can be like the widow who gave to the Lord all she had. She gave out of the love in her heart. When we consider that each and every thing we give we give as if we are giving it to the Lord, we should give generously. What a joy to be able to give!

So here we have the premise of the song, Little Drummer Boy.

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come

Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

What is it you have in your hand?  Drum sticks, a sewing machine, a bowl of flour, cash, knitting needles, baby sitting skills, IT knowledge, a warm dinner, any type of home crafts – leather, jewelry, decorating; all of these can be used by the Father to meet the needs of others.
Whatever it is we give Him, we must give Him our best – it’s the least we can do. He was willing to give us His very best, Jesus, His Son.
““And I give you all the best olive oil and all the best new wine and grain. These are the things that the Israelites give to me, the Lord. These are the first things that they gather in their harvest. 13 When the people gather a harvest, they bring all the first things to the Lord. ” Numbers 18:12-13 ERV
I’ll play my best for Him, Pa rum pum pum pum!
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God Provides

We have a friend who is a wonderful silversmith. Several years ago he made me a ring and a pendant. Before he finished the pendant he asked me what my favorite Bible verse was. I told him Numbers 23:19. When I received the pendant and the ring in the mail he had inscribed the back of the pendant with Numbers 23:19. A constant reminder.

This morning I needed to be reminded again of that verse.

“God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind.
When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it.” Numbers 23:19 CJB

I needed to remember that! When God makes a promise He always keeps it. He doesn’t lie – He can’t lie!! If God ever lied he would no longer be perfect and so He would no longer be God.

Every page of the Bible is filled with promise. God gave His word so we would know His purpose and plan for us. He wants us to depend on him.

A few weeks back I told you about the friendship that Abraham and God shared. God made him a promise that he would have a son. Then when Isaac was about 12 or 13 the Lord asked Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice.

Abraham got up early in the morning and started his travel to the land of Moriah. It was a three day journey. It was Abraham, Isaac, and his servants. Isaac saw the wood and the fire needed for making the sacrifice but there was no lamb. So Isaac asked his father about it. Here is Abraham’s answer.

“7-8 Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”

“My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” Genesis 22:7-8 CEV

Abraham had every confidence in the Lord. The Lord had blessed him with a son and so he could trust the Lord with his son’s life.  God doesn’t lie and He keeps his promise.

When they got to the place on the mountain where they were to build the altar Abraham laid the wood and then he placed his son on it. Here is what God said:

“ But the Lord’s angel shouted from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am!” he answered.

12 “Don’t hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.

14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.”                Genesis 22:11-14 CEV

That was an extreme situation but Abraham knew he was serving a God who always provides.

King David said in Psalm 23 that the Lord provides so much that “my cup runs over”.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4 that God supplies all he needed.

Jesus said in John 10 that He came to give us abundant life, life that is overflowing.

Oh yes, all these promises came flooding in today when I began to focus on that one verse, Numbers 23:19. It is impossible for God to lie and since that is true all the rest of God’s Word is true as well.

Have you began to doubt that God is going to keep a promise He made to you? It seems it has taken so long and you’re getting weary during the wait. Hold on!  God doesn’t lie.

God will provide!

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