1 -4 The families of Reuben and Gad had huge herds of livestock. They saw that the country of Jazer and Gilead was just the place for grazing livestock. And so they came, the families of Gad and of Reuben, and spoke to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the leaders of the congregation, saying, "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon—the country that God laid low before the community of Israel—is a country just right for livestock, and we have livestock." 5 They continued, "If you think we've done a good job so far, give us this country for our inheritance. Don't make us go across the Jordan."
God had a plan for His people which included the Promised Land - the tribe of Reuben had their own plan which did not inlcude crossing the Jordan. They promised to fight for Israel etc, but they were not crossing the Jordan.
How many times have I been to the banks of the Jordan - looked across and not crossed?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
February 23, Numbers 28-30
These words keep jumping out at me today.
"Conclude the seventh day in holy worship; don't do any regular work on that day.
Do I really contemplate the holiness of worship in my heart as I enter into worship? Am I keeping the Sabbath holy? Do I spend the day resting in the Lord?
As a New Covenant Girl, I am not required to make sacrifices to the Lord such as drink offerings, burnt offerings, etc...but I am to make sacrifices and do so willingly, not as a martyr.
"On the tenth day of this seventh month, gather in holy worship, humble yourselves, and do no work.
Holy worship - humble myself...
"When a woman makes a vow to God and binds herself by a pledge as a young girl still living in her father's house, and her father hears of her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on all her vows and pledges. But if her father holds her back when he hears of what she has done, none of her vows and pledges are valid. God will release her since her father held her back.
"If she marries after she makes a vow or has made some rash promise or pledge, and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on whatever she vowed or pledged. But if her husband intervenes when he hears of it, he cancels the vow or rash promise that binds her. And God will release her.
"Any vow or pledge taken by a widow or divorced woman is binding on her.
I cannot imagine living in the old covenant, I would have been a big slop at it or been at the temple making sacrifices daily.
The Jews had a narrow road to follow, I must enter through a narrow gate.
Thank You Lord Jesus for being my Passover Lamb!
"Conclude the seventh day in holy worship; don't do any regular work on that day.
Do I really contemplate the holiness of worship in my heart as I enter into worship? Am I keeping the Sabbath holy? Do I spend the day resting in the Lord?
As a New Covenant Girl, I am not required to make sacrifices to the Lord such as drink offerings, burnt offerings, etc...but I am to make sacrifices and do so willingly, not as a martyr.
"On the tenth day of this seventh month, gather in holy worship, humble yourselves, and do no work.
Holy worship - humble myself...
"When a woman makes a vow to God and binds herself by a pledge as a young girl still living in her father's house, and her father hears of her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on all her vows and pledges. But if her father holds her back when he hears of what she has done, none of her vows and pledges are valid. God will release her since her father held her back.
"If she marries after she makes a vow or has made some rash promise or pledge, and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her, then she has to make good on whatever she vowed or pledged. But if her husband intervenes when he hears of it, he cancels the vow or rash promise that binds her. And God will release her.
"Any vow or pledge taken by a widow or divorced woman is binding on her.
I cannot imagine living in the old covenant, I would have been a big slop at it or been at the temple making sacrifices daily.
The Jews had a narrow road to follow, I must enter through a narrow gate.
Thank You Lord Jesus for being my Passover Lamb!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
February 16, Numbers 11-13
Where to begin today, there is so much here...I've murmured and complained, I've complained and whined to God about other people's whining...and I know God is not a fan of murmuring/complaining/whining!
1 -15 Moses said to God, "Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, 'Give us meat; we want meat.' I can't do this by myself—it's too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I've seen enough; I've had enough. Let me out of here."
Next they spread rumors about the Promised Land.
But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other—it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
The people whined, Moses whined, the people wanted meat and they got meat, Miriam and Aaron grumbled and complained, the scouts began spreading rumors about the Promised Land.
Each of these situations had 2 things in common - a heart problem - their hearts were not God oriented but rather me oriented and then they all opened their mouths. I pray we live each day endeavoring to keep our hearts filled with God's love and not filled with ourselves and we keep our mouths shut when it comes to whining.
1 -15 Moses said to God, "Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Did I conceive them? Was I their mother? So why dump the responsibility of this people on me? Why tell me to carry them around like a nursing mother, carry them all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people who are whining to me, 'Give us meat; we want meat.' I can't do this by myself—it's too much, all these people. If this is how you intend to treat me, do me a favor and kill me. I've seen enough; I've had enough. Let me out of here."
Next they spread rumors about the Promised Land.
But the others said, "We can't attack those people; they're way stronger than we are." They spread scary rumors among the People of Israel. They said, "We scouted out the land from one end to the other—it's a land that swallows people whole. Everybody we saw was huge. Why, we even saw the Nephilim giants (the Anak giants come from the Nephilim). Alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers."
The people whined, Moses whined, the people wanted meat and they got meat, Miriam and Aaron grumbled and complained, the scouts began spreading rumors about the Promised Land.
Each of these situations had 2 things in common - a heart problem - their hearts were not God oriented but rather me oriented and then they all opened their mouths. I pray we live each day endeavoring to keep our hearts filled with God's love and not filled with ourselves and we keep our mouths shut when it comes to whining.
Monday, February 15, 2010
February 15, Numbers 8-10
The Israelites were obedient to God, they marched when He said march and they camped when He said camp. Obedience brings life and blessings, disobedience brings death and curses. Why do I choose disobedience so often?
These verses in Chapter 10 really struck me:
1 -3 God spoke to Moses: "Make two bugles of hammered silver. Use them to call the congregation together and give marching orders to the camps. When you blow them, the whole community will meet you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
4 -7 "When a bugle gives a single, short blast, that's the signal for the leaders, the heads of the clans, to assemble. When it gives a long blast, that's the signal to march. At the first blast the tribes who were camped on the east set out. At the second blast the camps on the south set out. The long blasts are the signals to march. The bugle call that gathers the assembly is different from the signal to march.
God was giving them instructions on how to communicate - it reminded me as New Covenant Girls, we must know the Voice of our Shepherd! Then we read in verse 29:
29 Moses said to his brother-in-law Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We're marching to the place about which God promised, 'I'll give it to you.' Come with us; we'll treat you well. God has promised good things for Israel." 30 But Hobab said, "I'm not coming; I'm going back home to my own country, to my own family."
Hobab was hurt is some way, home looked better than where he was going. How often does the old look better than the new. The familiar whether it's a rut or all the way back to bondage in Egypt - we know what to expect, we've been there done that. The Promised Land is new, it's different, we must live and hope and go for it...
These verses in Chapter 10 really struck me:
1 -3 God spoke to Moses: "Make two bugles of hammered silver. Use them to call the congregation together and give marching orders to the camps. When you blow them, the whole community will meet you at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
4 -7 "When a bugle gives a single, short blast, that's the signal for the leaders, the heads of the clans, to assemble. When it gives a long blast, that's the signal to march. At the first blast the tribes who were camped on the east set out. At the second blast the camps on the south set out. The long blasts are the signals to march. The bugle call that gathers the assembly is different from the signal to march.
God was giving them instructions on how to communicate - it reminded me as New Covenant Girls, we must know the Voice of our Shepherd! Then we read in verse 29:
29 Moses said to his brother-in-law Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We're marching to the place about which God promised, 'I'll give it to you.' Come with us; we'll treat you well. God has promised good things for Israel." 30 But Hobab said, "I'm not coming; I'm going back home to my own country, to my own family."
Hobab was hurt is some way, home looked better than where he was going. How often does the old look better than the new. The familiar whether it's a rut or all the way back to bondage in Egypt - we know what to expect, we've been there done that. The Promised Land is new, it's different, we must live and hope and go for it...
Friday, February 12, 2010
February 12, Numbers 3-4
In today's reading we see how God divides the work among the Levites. He does the same thing today, we must be careful not to do it all ourselves.
As I read through the details of this census, I think ahead to Augustus' census and Mary and Joseph.
As I read through the details of this census, I think ahead to Augustus' census and Mary and Joseph.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
February 11, Numbers 1-2
As we read the details of the census, part of my brain wants to shut down, I immediately think math and spread sheets, the other part of my brain kicks in and says God is in the details.
The people have been out of Egypt (free) for 2 years. The following verses struck me today:
Numbers 1:54 The people of Israel did everything God commanded Moses. They did it all.
Numbers 2: 34 The people of Israel did everything the way God commanded: They camped under their respective flags; they marched by tribe with their ancestral tribes.
Life was good, they were obedient to God.
I have to ask myself: Am I camping under a heavenly atmosphere, under the canopy of God or am I camped in the world/wilderness? Do I have God's banner waving outside my tent? Is my banner truly Jehovah Nisi or is it the flag of discontent, disappoitment, anger, selfishness etc?
The people have been out of Egypt (free) for 2 years. The following verses struck me today:
Numbers 1:54 The people of Israel did everything God commanded Moses. They did it all.
Numbers 2: 34 The people of Israel did everything the way God commanded: They camped under their respective flags; they marched by tribe with their ancestral tribes.
Life was good, they were obedient to God.
I have to ask myself: Am I camping under a heavenly atmosphere, under the canopy of God or am I camped in the world/wilderness? Do I have God's banner waving outside my tent? Is my banner truly Jehovah Nisi or is it the flag of discontent, disappoitment, anger, selfishness etc?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Feb. 10, Lev 26-27
There are so many verses which really spoke to me in Chapter 26. As I began chapter 26, the words
1 "Don't make idols for yourselves; don't set up an image or a sacred pillar for yourselves, and don't place a carved stone in your land that you can bow down to in worship. I am God, your God.
2 "Keep my Sabbaths; treat my Sanctuary with reverence. I am God are the 1st words I read.
I need to examine my heart, mind and life - have I opened the door wide to sin and let idols in, have I left the door cracked and let the creep in? My dad was ill from 2005-2009, critically ill from the end of 2007 until his death a year ago. In some areas of my walk with God, I HELD His hand tight, in other areas - I became slip shop. My prayer life is still not as intense as it was. I want to get back to where and I was and go even deeper with Him.
Do I treat His sanctuary with reverence? In regards to myself being a temple of the Holy Spirit, the most honest answer I can give is - Sometimes.
Verse 13 is so powerful: I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely. I've never thought of the imagery of a harness and slavery before.
Verse 14 - But if you refuse, Verse 40 - on the other hand if you confess...there it is in black and white for us - choose life or death, blessings or curses, obedience or disobedience...
1 "Don't make idols for yourselves; don't set up an image or a sacred pillar for yourselves, and don't place a carved stone in your land that you can bow down to in worship. I am God, your God.
2 "Keep my Sabbaths; treat my Sanctuary with reverence. I am God are the 1st words I read.
I need to examine my heart, mind and life - have I opened the door wide to sin and let idols in, have I left the door cracked and let the creep in? My dad was ill from 2005-2009, critically ill from the end of 2007 until his death a year ago. In some areas of my walk with God, I HELD His hand tight, in other areas - I became slip shop. My prayer life is still not as intense as it was. I want to get back to where and I was and go even deeper with Him.
Do I treat His sanctuary with reverence? In regards to myself being a temple of the Holy Spirit, the most honest answer I can give is - Sometimes.
Verse 13 is so powerful: I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely. I've never thought of the imagery of a harness and slavery before.
Verse 14 - But if you refuse, Verse 40 - on the other hand if you confess...there it is in black and white for us - choose life or death, blessings or curses, obedience or disobedience...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Feb. 9, Lev. 24-25
Today's readings remind me nothing is "mine", it is all the Lord's. I am always to treat people fairly and be a woman of integrity.
Chapter 25:55 ends with the words: I brought you out of Egypt. I am God, your God.
I want to always dwell in the Promised Land and serve our God.
Chapter 25:55 ends with the words: I brought you out of Egypt. I am God, your God.
I want to always dwell in the Promised Land and serve our God.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Feb. 8, Lev. 22-23
Lev 22: 31 Do what I tell you; live what I tell you. I am God.
LIVE what I tell you. I so want 2010 to be the year I live out the Word of God!
Lev 22:32-33, "Don't desecrate my name. I insist on being treated with holy reverence among the People of Israel. I am God who makes you holy and brought you out of Egypt to be your God. am God."
As New Covenant Girls, we are spiritually delivered from the bondage of Egypt. By living for God and dying to self, by repenting and confessing our sins we remain free. In the words of my friend Norma Dearing, keep your accounts short, confess and repent immediately, don't wait until later. When we forget or refuse to confess and turn away from our sins we are heading right back to Egypt.
Lev 23: 3 Work 6 days. The 7th day is a Sabbath, a day of total and complete rest, a sacred assembly. Don't do any work. Wherever you live, it is a Sabbath of God.
OK - so I went to Target last night because I didn't want to go between a funeral and wedding on Sat. I was convicted last night but kept driving to Target to buy milk. I try to keep Sunday a Sabbath, but fail occasionally. Verse 23: Work 6 days. There is a period, nothing that says well you had a busy week, hit the mall after church. The weather was awful all week get out and treat the day like Saturday, prune, mulch, etc. We are told the day is a sacred assembly and we are told Don't do any work. This is something I observe for weeks on end and the suddenly work like a horse and have not had a Sabbath - no time with God except church that day, I've treated it as any other day.
LIVE what I tell you. I so want 2010 to be the year I live out the Word of God!
Lev 22:32-33, "Don't desecrate my name. I insist on being treated with holy reverence among the People of Israel. I am God who makes you holy and brought you out of Egypt to be your God. am God."
As New Covenant Girls, we are spiritually delivered from the bondage of Egypt. By living for God and dying to self, by repenting and confessing our sins we remain free. In the words of my friend Norma Dearing, keep your accounts short, confess and repent immediately, don't wait until later. When we forget or refuse to confess and turn away from our sins we are heading right back to Egypt.
Lev 23: 3 Work 6 days. The 7th day is a Sabbath, a day of total and complete rest, a sacred assembly. Don't do any work. Wherever you live, it is a Sabbath of God.
OK - so I went to Target last night because I didn't want to go between a funeral and wedding on Sat. I was convicted last night but kept driving to Target to buy milk. I try to keep Sunday a Sabbath, but fail occasionally. Verse 23: Work 6 days. There is a period, nothing that says well you had a busy week, hit the mall after church. The weather was awful all week get out and treat the day like Saturday, prune, mulch, etc. We are told the day is a sacred assembly and we are told Don't do any work. This is something I observe for weeks on end and the suddenly work like a horse and have not had a Sabbath - no time with God except church that day, I've treated it as any other day.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
January 7, Gen 22-24
So much of today's reading spoke to me, though I did not tear up when I read Isaac found comfort after his mother's death. (I usually do when I read that.)
I will mention one thing in chapter 22 I have not noticed before today, v 14: Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It).
Chapter 23:5-6 The Hittites responded,"Why you're no mere outsider here with us, you're a prince of God.
The Hittites recognized God in Abraham, we are heirs of Abraham - Princesses of God. I want to walk so closely with Him, that people see Him in me and recognize I am His.
Chapter 24 is amazing because everyone involved sees clearly God's hand in everything described from the beginning to the end of the chapter. I love the servant's very specific prayer. He prayed, "O God, God of my master Abraham, make things go smoothly this day; treat my master Abraham well! As I stand here by the spring while the young women of the town come out to get water, let the girl to whom I say, 'Lower your jug and give me a drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and let me also water your camels'—let her be the woman you have picked out for your servant Isaac. Then I'll know that you're working graciously behind the scenes for my master."
I think whenever possible, it's a good thing to pray specifically. (Though not my will in Jesus' name!)
I will mention one thing in chapter 22 I have not noticed before today, v 14: Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It).
Chapter 23:5-6 The Hittites responded,"Why you're no mere outsider here with us, you're a prince of God.
The Hittites recognized God in Abraham, we are heirs of Abraham - Princesses of God. I want to walk so closely with Him, that people see Him in me and recognize I am His.
Chapter 24 is amazing because everyone involved sees clearly God's hand in everything described from the beginning to the end of the chapter. I love the servant's very specific prayer. He prayed, "O God, God of my master Abraham, make things go smoothly this day; treat my master Abraham well! As I stand here by the spring while the young women of the town come out to get water, let the girl to whom I say, 'Lower your jug and give me a drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and let me also water your camels'—let her be the woman you have picked out for your servant Isaac. Then I'll know that you're working graciously behind the scenes for my master."
I think whenever possible, it's a good thing to pray specifically. (Though not my will in Jesus' name!)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
January 6, Gen 19-21
So much of today's reading is difficult. The following passages are what jumped out at me:
Lot was dragging his feet. The men grabbed Lot's arm, and the arms of his wife and daughters—God was so merciful to them!—and dragged them to safety outside the city. When they had them outside, Lot was told, "Now run for your life! Don't look back! Don't stop anywhere on the plain—run for the hills or you'll be swept away."
How often do I drag my feet when I have heard from the Lord. Lot also wanted to go somewhere other than where the Lord instructed him to go. How often to I deviate from the Lord's plan for me?
Verse 26: But Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
How often have I looked back instead of pressing forward to the goal with my eyes on Jesus?
Gen 20: 1-2 Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister."
Again with the sister??? Abraham knew God so intimately and yet he was scared and lied again. I don't lie but I can do other foolish things.
Gen 21: 1God visited Sarah exactly as he said he would; God did to Sarah what he promised:
God did exactly what He said He would and He always does.
Verse 33-34: Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and worshiped God there, praying to the Eternal God.
Abraham certainly knew Who to pray to - the Eternal God...
Lot was dragging his feet. The men grabbed Lot's arm, and the arms of his wife and daughters—God was so merciful to them!—and dragged them to safety outside the city. When they had them outside, Lot was told, "Now run for your life! Don't look back! Don't stop anywhere on the plain—run for the hills or you'll be swept away."
How often do I drag my feet when I have heard from the Lord. Lot also wanted to go somewhere other than where the Lord instructed him to go. How often to I deviate from the Lord's plan for me?
Verse 26: But Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt.
How often have I looked back instead of pressing forward to the goal with my eyes on Jesus?
Gen 20: 1-2 Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She's my sister."
Again with the sister??? Abraham knew God so intimately and yet he was scared and lied again. I don't lie but I can do other foolish things.
Gen 21: 1God visited Sarah exactly as he said he would; God did to Sarah what he promised:
God did exactly what He said He would and He always does.
Verse 33-34: Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and worshiped God there, praying to the Eternal God.
Abraham certainly knew Who to pray to - the Eternal God...
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 5, Gen: 16-18
Gen 17:1-3 really spoke to me today: When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God showed up and said to him, "I am The Strong God, live entirely before me, live to the hilt! I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family." Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face.
God showed up - how many times has He shown up for me, too many to count and always on time. He said, I AM the Strong God - we need to remember that, He is not some god with a little G, He is the Great I Am! We need to live life to the hilt for Him. Overwhelmed Abram fell flat on his face. I need to fall flat on my face more often.
Gen 18: 20-21, God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know."
God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening the sin of those cities is immense." - Sometimes we wonder if He hears, He does - He always hears.
God showed up - how many times has He shown up for me, too many to count and always on time. He said, I AM the Strong God - we need to remember that, He is not some god with a little G, He is the Great I Am! We need to live life to the hilt for Him. Overwhelmed Abram fell flat on his face. I need to fall flat on my face more often.
Gen 18: 20-21, God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know."
God continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening the sin of those cities is immense." - Sometimes we wonder if He hears, He does - He always hears.
Monday, January 4, 2010
January 4, Gen 12-15
The following sections of today's readings are what leapt out at me:
Chapter 12:1 God told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you.
When we make Jesus our Lord and Savior, many times in a spiritual sense we leave our families and country. Our family may not be Christian and may not like our new life in Christ Jesus. Our world is turned upside down for the better, we pack our bags and set out for our new eternal home - Heaven. I need to keep in mind, Earth is not my real home. I need to make sure I am not too attached to it and the things of this world.
Chapter 14:17-20
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh, the King's Valley. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine—he was priest of The High God—and blessed him:
Blessed be Abram by The High God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth.
And blessed be The High God,
who handed your enemies over to you.
Abram gave him a tenth of all the recovered plunder.
Melchizedek celebrated Communion with Abram, a foretaste of the shed Blood and broken body of Christ and then Abram tithed from the recovered plunder. These verses never fail to pierce my soul.
Chapter 15:1 After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!"
God reminded Abram that He is Abram's shield. He is our shield too. We are heirs of Abraham, we need to remember and believe Who God is!
Verses 13-16: God said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder. But not you; you'll have a long and full life and die a good and peaceful death. Not until the fourth generation will your descendants return here; sin is still a thriving business among the Amorites."
God gives Abram a prophecy concerning his future and the future of Israel. We know this has all come to pass. It's prophecy fulfilled and history to us. Why then do we allow doubt to creep in as we stand on Scripture? We need to remember Who God is and believe Him.
Chapter 12:1 God told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you.
When we make Jesus our Lord and Savior, many times in a spiritual sense we leave our families and country. Our family may not be Christian and may not like our new life in Christ Jesus. Our world is turned upside down for the better, we pack our bags and set out for our new eternal home - Heaven. I need to keep in mind, Earth is not my real home. I need to make sure I am not too attached to it and the things of this world.
Chapter 14:17-20
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, the king of Sodom came out to greet him in the Valley of Shaveh, the King's Valley. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine—he was priest of The High God—and blessed him:
Blessed be Abram by The High God,
Creator of Heaven and Earth.
And blessed be The High God,
who handed your enemies over to you.
Abram gave him a tenth of all the recovered plunder.
Melchizedek celebrated Communion with Abram, a foretaste of the shed Blood and broken body of Christ and then Abram tithed from the recovered plunder. These verses never fail to pierce my soul.
Chapter 15:1 After all these things, this word of God came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram. I'm your shield. Your reward will be grand!"
God reminded Abram that He is Abram's shield. He is our shield too. We are heirs of Abraham, we need to remember and believe Who God is!
Verses 13-16: God said to Abram, "Know this: your descendants will live as outsiders in a land not theirs; they'll be enslaved and beaten down for 400 years. Then I'll punish their slave masters; your offspring will march out of there loaded with plunder. But not you; you'll have a long and full life and die a good and peaceful death. Not until the fourth generation will your descendants return here; sin is still a thriving business among the Amorites."
God gives Abram a prophecy concerning his future and the future of Israel. We know this has all come to pass. It's prophecy fulfilled and history to us. Why then do we allow doubt to creep in as we stand on Scripture? We need to remember Who God is and believe Him.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3, Gen: 8-11
Today's readings take us from the ark and the rainbow to Babel which is like our walk with God in many ways. We have moments of sin such as the builders of the Tower of Babel did to moments the Lord reaffirms we are New Covenant girls. The verses which spoke to me are:
Chapter 8:20-11
Noah built an altar to God. He selected clean animals and birds from every species and offered them as burnt offerings on the altar. God smelled the sweet fragrance and thought to himself, "I'll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age, but I'll never again kill off everything living as I've just done.
The 1st thing Noah did was to build an altar and offer sacrifices to God. When I have been delivered from a situation, when prayers are answered, when confirmation comes, what ever the God moment is - do I thank Him and worship Him 1st or do I call a few people with a praise report and get back to daily life?
Gen 11:4 Come let's build ourselves a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth.
What an example of pride and the consequences of sin. God is serious, the wages of sin is death. I pray I am always mindful of sin and quick to repent and ask for forgiveness.
Chapter 8:20-11
Noah built an altar to God. He selected clean animals and birds from every species and offered them as burnt offerings on the altar. God smelled the sweet fragrance and thought to himself, "I'll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age, but I'll never again kill off everything living as I've just done.
The 1st thing Noah did was to build an altar and offer sacrifices to God. When I have been delivered from a situation, when prayers are answered, when confirmation comes, what ever the God moment is - do I thank Him and worship Him 1st or do I call a few people with a praise report and get back to daily life?
Gen 11:4 Come let's build ourselves a tower that reaches Heaven. Let's make ourselves famous so we won't be scattered here and there across the Earth.
What an example of pride and the consequences of sin. God is serious, the wages of sin is death. I pray I am always mindful of sin and quick to repent and ask for forgiveness.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
January 2, Gen. 4-7
The following verses really spoke to me today:
Chatper 4:6-7
God spoke to Cain:"Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; It's out to get you, you've got to master it.
Sin is clearly described to us - it lies in wait ready to pounce. I must master it - not make excuses or justify it. Through Christ I can do all things and mastering sin is 1 of them.
Chapter 4:16 Cain left the presence of God and lived in no man's land, east of Eden.
The words no man's land really struck me. I do not want to be out of God's presence and I most certainly do not want to be wandering around no man's land with no guidance, no Holy Spirit, no wisdom, no discernment, no Lord & Savior!
Gen 6:11-12 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting - life itself was corrupt to the core.
How often as a Christian do I complain about corruption, rail against it and not pray about it. I watch the news, take my eyes of Jesus and open my mouth. I should hit my knees and pray.
Chatper 4:6-7
God spoke to Cain:"Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; It's out to get you, you've got to master it.
Sin is clearly described to us - it lies in wait ready to pounce. I must master it - not make excuses or justify it. Through Christ I can do all things and mastering sin is 1 of them.
Chapter 4:16 Cain left the presence of God and lived in no man's land, east of Eden.
The words no man's land really struck me. I do not want to be out of God's presence and I most certainly do not want to be wandering around no man's land with no guidance, no Holy Spirit, no wisdom, no discernment, no Lord & Savior!
Gen 6:11-12 As far as God was concerned, the Earth had become a sewer; there was violence everywhere. God took one look and saw how bad it was, everyone corrupt and corrupting - life itself was corrupt to the core.
How often as a Christian do I complain about corruption, rail against it and not pray about it. I watch the news, take my eyes of Jesus and open my mouth. I should hit my knees and pray.
Friday, January 1, 2010
January 1, 2010 Gen. 1-3
I am so glad to begin the journey through the Bible this year. I began the journey in 2009, my father died, I kept going and then ran out of steam in May. The years of his illness, 11 month hospitalization and death left me very fatigued. I am rested and ready to walk with the Lord very closely this year with my sweet sisters in Christ.
These verses impressed me today
Chapter 1, verses 1-2: Earth was a soup of nothingness,a bottomless emptiness, an inky blankness...that is me when I am not living for the Lord and serving Him. I am empty, blank, inky-dark...I am filled with dross and not in the process of being refined.
Verses 11-13: God spoke: "Earth green up! Grow all varieties of seed bearing plants, Every sort of fruit bearing tree." And there it was, Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, and fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. I must ask myself - What fruit am I bearing? Is it fruit of the Spirit? Or is it fruit of the world and sin?
Verse 26: God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our image. Do I reflect His image or the image of Annette?
Chapter 2, verse 1: Heaven and earth were finished to the last detail. So were we, nothing was left to chance, before the foundation of the world, our last detail was planned by God. We need to believe it and live like we believe it.
Verse 4: Holy Day - God made the 7th day holy - do I keep a holy Sabbath?
These verses impressed me today
Chapter 1, verses 1-2: Earth was a soup of nothingness,a bottomless emptiness, an inky blankness...that is me when I am not living for the Lord and serving Him. I am empty, blank, inky-dark...I am filled with dross and not in the process of being refined.
Verses 11-13: God spoke: "Earth green up! Grow all varieties of seed bearing plants, Every sort of fruit bearing tree." And there it was, Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties, and fruit-bearing trees of all sorts. I must ask myself - What fruit am I bearing? Is it fruit of the Spirit? Or is it fruit of the world and sin?
Verse 26: God spoke: Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our image. Do I reflect His image or the image of Annette?
Chapter 2, verse 1: Heaven and earth were finished to the last detail. So were we, nothing was left to chance, before the foundation of the world, our last detail was planned by God. We need to believe it and live like we believe it.
Verse 4: Holy Day - God made the 7th day holy - do I keep a holy Sabbath?
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