BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION
Today’s Reading: Numbers 32
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The beach and distant ruins of Caesarea Maritima.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sins will find you out.
Two messages grip my mind as I read this chapter. The first has to do with a statement my mother drummed into me when I was a boy. She died when I was 12, and her warnings were reinforced as I would think about her. Many times she said, “David, be sure your sins will find you out.” She never gave a Bible reference, but I was afraid to sin, and I never could cover it up when I did sin (click here for the stolen apple story from an earlier blog). Our key verse is her Scripture source (Numbers 32:23b). The other message is from Genesis 4:9b, where Cain asks God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The tribes who wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan promised Moses that they would be their brothers’ keepers. Our elder Brother, the Lord Jesus Christ, has promised to be our Keeper (Psalm 121:4 & Jude 1:24).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord God, please keep using Your Word to keep me living right. Thank You for parents who implant Scripture so deeply into their children that Your Word will never be extracted from their innermost being. Help me in my commitment to help keep my brothers and sisters from harm, from sin, and from Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I witnessed the truth of Mother’s words about sin finding me out after my Father returned from overseas, where he spent six years during the Second World War. He had a “razor strap.” For the younger generation, that was not a razor, it was the leather belt on which he would run his straight razor back and forth until it was sharp. He would lather up his face with soap, and then proceed to move the sharpened blade back and forth across his face and neck. It was an awesome sight for an 8 year old who had been raised for 6 years by 3 women…mother and two older sisters (Willa, 8 years older, and Elaine, 6 years older). Believe me, it wasn’t the razor which made it scary when my sin found me out; it was the leather strap. I only remember getting the strap on each of my two hands once. That was enough. I told myself, “Never again!” It was not only legal to discipline in this way, but in the government, the Department of Education supplied every teacher with a strap for this very purpose. I’m a witness to the fact that miracles in changed behaviour resulted immediately!
Yours for behaviour improvement in us all,
David
P.S. I came down with the flu on Friday and spent most of the day yesterday in my Jerusalem hotel bed. As you can see I identified with King David of whom it was said in the old English, “He gat no heat.” My hoodie was just what I needed (see first photo below). I feel much better today and we plan to walk around old Jerusalem. The second photo below is our group on the Mount of Olives, and I’m pointing toward the beautiful view of Jerusalem.
Hope and pray you are feeling stronger, David. It was wise to rest for the day. Our Lords strength and blessings to be with you all!
Sorry to hear you were down with the flu, David. Praying you are having a better day, today; and that the group enjoys touring old Jerusalem. Even though we may feel the cold dampness settle into our bones this morning, we know the Holy Spirit is greater at work in us through His Word. Wishing all saints a most blessed day!
WOW!
What a commitment you have to this blog and your tour group when you were temporarily under the weather.
We will praying for “peace in Jerusalem” as part of our communion service at St John’s today and will be thinking of you all.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
My dad had 14 children to raise so we all knew our sins would be found out and dealt with, giving us all food for thought. Dad never objected when our teacher disciplined us with the strap either. Now I understand.
So sorry to hear of your flu Rev. May God keep you strong and well on your journey. Thanks for the great pics. Praying for Israel.
Blessings fellow saints.
Get well soon David ,no fun being sick especially when your not in your
own bed…and touring …God grant you health…keep safe and God Bless you all..
Rosemarie…
Lord I pray for peace over Jerusalem, and I pray against this flu that David had & to keep him strong to fight off any illnesses! Stay strong my friend!
Your sister in Christ
Linda L. Price
ps. It looks very chilly in Jerusalem in your picture. And I see someone in the picture that was on the journey when I went with you all last year. That’s awesome, prayers to all.
Praying you feel better for the rest of your trip!
Thanks, David, for keeping up with the blog. As a daily reader, I can tell you it helps me to be consistent in reading the Bible and praying. I love your insights too. God gives us family, and you are a godly big brother to me. May God bless you with his love, health and strength. In Jesus’s name. Amen
I believe in discipline it made you change your mind pretty quick to do right Im glad you re feeling better today David you are such a busy man God Bless You in all you do ♡♥♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♥♡
I can identify with “the strap” (not that it was used on me). My grandfather showed me his strap and said he used it on the boys (5 of them) – not the girls! Never had the strap in school. I think all of Burlington, ON, is having flu. I have bronchitis and am on steroids and today my husband is on Penicillin and he is to start a 2nd round of chemo Thursday. The emergency department was swamped with people today and Saturday. I do pray that you are getting better and that the group will stay well. Bless you all.
Glad that you are feeling better David. Please pray for a grandnephew Tyler and his parents as I tried to give him some guidance to keep out of trouble last night. God bless you all.
Praise God you are better Pastor David…I pray In Jesus Name for a total recovery so you can complete the tour well.
What a great story about your Mother’s and Dad’s influence in your life. How special to have caring parents…that took time to show you what is the best and right way to live.
How blessed your children are to have that passed on to them!