April 10th, 2019 How many times are you going to ask?!?!?!?

Reading: Numbers 22, Psalm 84, 1 Corinthians 11, and Mark 5

Scripture: Numbers 22:18-19, But Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, "Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the command of the Lord my God to do less or more. So you, too, please stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me."

Thoughts: I have started asking God for wisdom and direction in situations and with my life. But I have also seen in my life and with others that when we don’t get the answer we are looking for or an offer that greater but still a posed to what God has told us we go back to him. Just like Balaam we know what God said. We will say maybe God has changed his mind in the meantime. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 We need to listen to God the first time before he has the donkeys in our life start speaking up.

Prayer: Father Thank you for your answers, especially when I don’t agree with them. I know your answers are in love and for my good. I thank you for all that you do. I thank you for your provisions and blessing you pour out on us each day. I thank you got your directions and calling on my life. I ask that you help me to listen better and not ask every time something changes but I still see that your previous answer apples.

April 9th, 2019 You can't take it with you.

Reading: Numbers 21, Psalm 49, and 1 Corinthians 10

Scripture: Psalm 49:7-10, Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.

Thoughts: As we come to Easter, the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection and the sacrifice and gift that he poured out on the cross. Here in Psalm the psalmist was talking about the regular sacrifices they would have to give to cover their sins and how we could never pay the ransom that the evil one is holding over us. Without that ransom being paid we are stuck going to Hell and spending eternity separated from God. I have had time where I have fallen into both categories as fool and wise, and humanity has 100% mortality rate we are all going to die, we are going to no longer be counted as citizens of the country we live in, just as Abraham Lincoln is no longer counted a part of the population of the United States. Not only can we not redeem ourselves or others we can’t take it with us when we go. We are to use what we have been given to do the works of the Lord and bless those around us as we have been bless.

Prayer: Father Thank You for all you do for us and the provisions and blessings you give us to share with other. I thank you for the directions and light to my path that you give. Help me to be a blessing to others and share what you have given to me.

April 8th, 2019 Servant to all

Reading: Numbers 19-20, Psalm 47, 1 Corinthians 9, and Mark 4

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:18-19, What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

Thoughts: I am called to teach, over the years I doubted myself and din’t think a was any good in a scholarly sense. I was not the greatest of students in high school and dropped out of college that I went to strait out of high school. I struggled with my reading and my writing. Here I am nearly 20 years later with a BA and a calling that is being lived out in teaching 10-12 year olds in children's ministry. I know that because of this calling not only am I held to I higher standard just as those who preach are, I am also needing to make full use of my right in the Gospel. I am planting seeds of God’s love into the lives of each of these children. I may never see what comes of the things I have the poured out into these kids but I know that God’s work does not begin and end with me I am but a cog in his great machine.

Prayer: Father I thank you for your love and guidance. Thank you for your continual provision and blessings that are poured our upon thus house. I thank you for placing this calling upon my life. I know this is where you have for me now help me to know the next step and the next part so that I may continue to walk in your will. Help me to walk our your plan and seek you.

April 7th, 2019 It is good to be near God

Reading: Numbers 17-18, Psalm 73, 1 Corinthians 8, and  Mark 3

Scripture: Psalm 73:28, But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Thoughts: Just as Joshua made the proclamation, “For me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” As I am starting the next class in our Discipleship program at my church this passage really stood out in that in doing this and setting myself aside I am placing myself near to God, He is my refuge and strength in times of struggle. I know whenever I choose to take the next step and make the time and sacrificial commitment to do this, there is an attack in the spiritual realm. The evil one does not want me to dive deeper into my relationship with God and will use every weapon he has to try to get me to walk away or distract me from this commitment. The LORD is my Refuge, it is good to be near God, and today I declare again that As for Me and My house we Will Server the LORD.

Prayer: Father I thank you for placing it on the hearts of the creator of this program to do so. I thank you for the opportunity to dive deep into you word and your love as we set aside this next 7 weeks to you and the pursuit of a deepening relationship. I thank you that you provide all that we need and to excess. I long to hear your voice each day and thank you for the whispers and the 2x4s you bring into my life.

April 5, 2019 All the Same

Reading: Numbers 15, Psalm 95, 1 Corinthians 6, and Mark 2

Scripture: Numbers 15:15-16, For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.

Thoughts: As I was going though Numbers I saw that we are the sojourner in the mist of Israel. Through Jesus Christ we are adopted into the family and made citizens of the kingdom of God. Just as those who were not born into the family of Israel but living as part of the family were sojourning with Israel they have the same law and same way of doing thing. We as adopted heirs and citizens of God’s kingdom we have the same rights and statues set before us. We are blessed in that through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice we no longer need to bring the blood of lambs and goats to cover our sins and mistakes His blood washed us clean and we need to would in it.

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you have done for us. I thank you for sending your Son  to restore our proper connection with you. I thank you for bringing me into the folds of your embrace and opening my eyes to your love. I ask that you continue to open my eyes and my ears to your leading and guidance as I go about each day.

April 4th, 2019 Follow me I know the way!!!

Reading: Numbers 13-14,  Psalm 81, and 1 Corinthians 5

Scripture: Psalm 81:14, I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.

Thoughts: As I went though Numbers today and how 10 of the 12 who went to spy out the land spent more time being afraid of what was there then believing what God was telling them through Moses. I would like to think that after witnessing the plages then the Red Sea and the Mana not to mention the pillar of smoke and fire that I would be like Joshua and Caleb. I feel like I have that kind of faith without seeing those things but here I am at times thinking, “How am I going to get through this?” There is one word in the mist of that question that puts me into the camp of the 10… I, when I ask “How am I” I don’t leave any room for God I don’t let him subdue the enemies I am the one trying to over come what ever it before me. Let the Holy Spirit light the path and walk in to will and the I’s will disappear as we dethrone ourselves and place God in his rightful place. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you for your love and guidance. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out each day and the love you allow me to share with those around me. I ask that you help me to humble myself and place you on high and listen to your plans and not seek how I will do things. 

April 3, 2019 I want more.

Reading: Numbers 11-12,  Psalm 148, 1 Corinthians 4, and Mark 1

Scripture: Numbers 11:19-20, You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?"

Thoughts: I see God provide for me every day, I live in one of the richest countries and I am in about the top 10% in the world income. We have cars and a house, we have food on our table. With all this wealth that we have I will still complain that my cars are almost 20 years old or my house is small or I don’t like the food in the house. The Israelites were getting tired of the Mana and were complaining, God decided to give them what they wanted until they were sick of it. We need to be careful not to complain about God taking care of us, our loving Father wants to give us good things but if we are not in the right place we could see the blessings as not what we want.

Prayer: Father, Thank you for all you do, I thank you for you blessings and provisions you pour out on us each day and the way you take care of us. I ask that you help me to keep a heart of gratitude and giving. Help me to pour out your love and provision upon others so that you can continue to pour into me.

April 2, 2019 Hidden Straw

Reading: Numbers 8-10 and 1 Corinthians 3

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Thoughts: I have this ability to be maybe a little to proud of some of the things I have done. I know I strive to build on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ My lord but there are times where I don’t know how many straw brick I have built and covered over with mud. One day that fire will placed under me and all the times I placed a brick or stone that will not hold up under the heat will be revealed. I am seeking out those old straw bricks with the help of God now, so that I can remove them and replace them with the proper materials.

Prayer: Father, I love you and I come to your feet for the loving guidance of a father. I thank you for your loving guidance and the corrections that are happening in my life. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each and every day. Thank you for the correction that is to come and I prepare to dive deeper into this next study and teachings in the next few weeks.

March 30, 2019 What am I hearing?!?!?

Reading: Numbers 4, Psalm 21, and John 21

Scripture: John 21:12, Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

Thoughts: We are to know God and know the Lord. Just as the disciples were able to know that Jesus was talking to them by being told to fish the other side of the boat, we should be able to discern God’s voice in the mist of all the noise around us. Let us sit and have a meal with the Lord he is calling us to start our day with him. Let us all make a point to set aside time first thing to spend time with God he wants to start the day and continue all day with you.

Prayer: Father I long to be in your presence. I thank you for the strength to get up and see you. Open my heart to your voice and the direction you have for me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask for your wisdom for my family and those around me. Help me to hear your voice and listen when you tall me to speak.

March 27, 2019 Step by Step you lead me

Reading: Numbers 1 and John 18

Scripture: Numbers 1:45-46, So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel all those listed were 603,550.

Thoughts: In one of the most boring and mundane books of the Bible, what will be come a list of men and their sons we get here we start with we have 603,550 men who are able to go to war. So I love the magnitude of the number of people who would be in this people group as they are traveling through the desert. We start with the fighting men then their wives and conservatively we will say that they have 2 kids (being that some of the fighting men sons my be fighting men).  Being that for a few years Pharaoh killed all the male children for a time and we are not counting the levites at all we are looking at a group of people about 2.4 million people traveling in the desert. It astounds me to think about what it would take to move a city the size of LA or Chicago (population 2.5 million). Not only is it next to impossible under human standers during this time they were creating the Tabernacle and fallowing every time the pillar of God would move or settle. God’s nation of Israel was able to listen and travel not knowing where they were going and relying on God for the Mana each day to live why can’t we do the same?

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful. I thank you for the blessings and the provisions that you give us each day. I am amazed by the how you brought your people out of Egypt and us out of the muck of our lives and yet we still will turn to other things. I thank you for the vision of a direction in my life. I see to know more and ask for the refining that is needed and the light to the next step in this direction. I long to be deeper in love with you and striving in your will. Open my eyes to the next step and help me to have the strength and fortitude to fallow your leading.

March 20th 2019 Waiting

Reading: Leviticus 16-17 and John 11

Scripture: John 11:5-6, Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Thoughts: For most of my life when I would hear this passage I was confused because, if Jesus loved Lazarus even as much as humanly possible, wouldn’t he do everything in his power to fix the problem. Just as we would do everything we can to help a sick or dying family member or friend. But it said he stayed two more days. I struggled with this but this morning the thought that knowing if he was there he would have done something just as any of us would. Knowing the Glory that would point to the Father and prophecies that it would fulfill. Jesus was about his Fathers work even in waiting. God’s timing is nearly never our timing. When we are asked to move we need to go but when we are asked to wait we must wait God has a plan and we don’t get the entire map because something that looks like a detour now may be the refining we need for later.

Prayer: Father I thank you for refining me. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out and the give us the opportunities to share you blessings with others. I ask for your directions and purpose for this day.

March 19 2019 Believe in something

Reading: Leviticus 15, Psalm 103, and John 10

Scripture: John 10:37-38, If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

Thoughts: I know I try to listen and do as God calls and directs me. Each day I try to love as our Lord Loves. We are going about his works, we are touching lives and affecting those who are around us. There may even be those among us who have been apart of miracles happening. All we can do is point to the Lord and give him the praise and honor. Just as the Father and Son are one we have been filled with the Holy Spirit to do His works so if they do not believe us pray they see and believe the works done through us.

Prayer: Father, I love you and thank you for your love and the works you do for in and around my life. I thank you that I get the opportunity to be apart of your works and your plan. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day and the direction and wisdom that you give us. I ask for your continual opening of my eyes and ears to hear your word and the words you have for others and help me get out of my own way so that I can be used more effectively in your plan. I ask for healing and restoration for all those who need it.

March 18, 2019 We are the Light.

Reading: Leviticus 14 and John 9

Scripture: John 9:4-5, We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Thoughts: We have Christ in our hearts and in out lives, and we are exhorted to do the work while it is still day, night is coming. With Chest in our lives we are the Light and we are a part of what keeps the day here. Though the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus we are his light and his love to the world. The evil one will throw every trick and distraction he knows at us to get us to let that light burn out or cover it up and not share it. As that light into this world we are to do his work and keep the day here. When there is no longer any of us doing his work and being his light there will be no more day and no work will be able to be done. Let us shine into the world, and turn off the dark.

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful. I thank you for the work that you have done in me and work you are continuing to do. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have poured out on me and family and all who walk though the door of this home. I ask for the strength and wisdom needed to get through the trials and tribulations that are coming. You are my rock and my deliverer. I thank you for your light to take that next step and the strength and knowledge to know where to place my foot.

March 14, 2019 What are you looking at?

Reading: Leviticus 7-8 and John 5

Scripture: John 5:10, So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed."

Thoughts: I have been in churches and around Christians who will sit there and point their fingers at different people who have different sins in their lives and tear down these people just as these Jews did do this man that Jesus told to take up his bed and walk. It is so easy to look at being a Christian at a list of do’s and Don’t’s. When we are in that mindset Christianity becomes a religion of traditions and not a Relationship with God the Father. God loves us all as sons and daughters even the sinners. We have to remember that is where he found us and redeemed us. Also we need to remember that when he finds us and adopts us into his family that he loves us so much that he will help us to change our hearts so that we are not striving after the sin but striving after him.

Prayer: Father, you are so awesome I humbly fall at your feet. I thank you for coming after me and sending your son to redeem me from my sins. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us each day and the opportunity to see you and touch others for your sake. I ask that you help me to grow closer to you and shed more of my sinful nature and cloth myself in your righteousness.

March 13, 2019 Walking by Sight

Reading: Leviticus 5-6 and John 4

Scripture: John 4:48, So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

Thoughts: We are called to live by faith and not by sight, I don’t know how many times I have felt like I was trying to do just the opposite. I have been know to try to barter with God in that I will have greater faith or something if he only show me something greater than what I have seen. In the last few years as I have gained greater understanding of God’s love and who I am in him I have started seeing and been apart of miracles. Are we going to be those who keep saying show us so we will believe or are we going to believe and watch the miracles happen?

Prayer: Father I thank you that you are a miracle working God and that I have been apart of Miracles that you have done. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask for increased faith, grow my faith.