Saturday, November 3, 2018

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NUMBERING ISRAEL

Today’s Reading: Numbers 1

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).

 

This replica of the Tabernacle of Moses was set up behind the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, during the summer of 2012.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Numbers 1:50

…but you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony, over all its furnishings, and over all things that belong to it; they shall carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they shall attend to it and camp around the tabernacle.

 

Here we are in Numbers. It’s a difficult book to read, but we need to stick with it. Completing the entire Bible in two years is a worthy goal. The first chapter initiates a census, from which comes the name of the book. Almost as soon as Mount Sinai is out of sight, the people begin to complain (Numbers 11). Even Moses’ brother and sister speak against his leadership (Numbers 13). Finally, the ultimate in faithlessness, the people refuse to move into the Promised Land, wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. At the book’s end, Israel is again numbered in preparation for acting on God’s promise (Numbers 26). Only two names appear in both numberings, Joshua and Caleb. There is more to come about these two heroes of obedience and faith. Israel developed two armies, one to stand before God and one before men…the Levites and all the others. These armies ensure the integrity of Israel, both spiritual and temporal.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I realize that I live in two worlds as did the Israelites. Grant me grace to faithfully execute my spiritual responsibilities, and from the strength received from You, to carry out my responsibilities to help ensure the integrity of my nation. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I accepted an invitation from Col. White of the Canadian Armed Services to address a gathering of Christian military personnel some years ago. That Sunday morning, I brought a message from God’s Word to both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant services. I noticed a Ukrainian Army Colonel sitting in the front pew of both services. Following the second service, he approached me and said, “If I could arrange for you to address our officer corp in Ukraine on the subject of having Padres or Chaplains in our military, would you come to us?” “Yes,” I responded. About two years later, under the sponsorship of the Military Christian Fellowship, Norma-Jean and I arrived in Kiev. At the opening banquet, I told the story of the army officer Cornelius (Acts 10) and made a toast to him. I suggested that he be honoured by their army. They rose, lifted their vodka-filled glasses, and I heard loud cries of “Da, Da, Yes, Yes.” It was a way to share the message of Jesus with officers who had been raised under official communist atheism.The gathering continued the next day with several speakers, as well as myself. Within two years, the Army of the Ukraine had Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Baptist and Pentecostal Chaplains. Their concern militarily at that time was the presence of Islamic countries on their borders. They had been attacked by the Tartars over the centuries. They heard, received, and acted upon the message that they needed a spiritual army as well as earthly military might.

Yours for God and country,

David

23 thoughts on “Saturday, November 3, 2018”

  1. To be back in the day of Moses–could you imagine? And isn’t that always the way–that we wander–often for forty years–blind, until we claim the truth of God, and finally see?! Blessings fellow saints in the Lord. Stay safe, today.

    I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 NIV

    Robin Mark- When its all Been Said and Done
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1llIIhBMCjU

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  3. Amazing Grace – an amazing movie. Thanks Beverley. It boggles my mind how important & lengthy instructions from the Lord (as in today’s reading) are followed so precisely. Really incredible. Our David Maines should have a statue in Ontario as he accomplished so much also. Amazing!

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  4. Dear Irene. Found this quote of Billy Graham’s and thought I’d share. I sort of remember our pastor telling us that the book of John wasn’t by John the Baptist. Can’t thank u enough for making me do further research. God bless all dear saints this gift-of-a-day.

    John the Baptist wasn’t the author of the Gospel of John; it was written by another man who was also named John. He was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, and therefore was an eyewitness to the events he recorded. In one of his letters he wrote, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard” (1 John 1:3).

    I’m thankful you want to read your Bible; God has given it to us so we can learn about Him and come to know Him. Every time you open it, therefore, ask God to help you understand what it is saying and not get bogged down in extraneous detail. Remember that the Gospels were written to tell us about Jesus. If you read through the Gospel of John, for example, ask yourself what it says about Him — who He is, what He did, and so forth.

    Remember, the Bible wasn’t written just to satisfy our curiosity. God gave the Bible to us so we could come to know Him — not just know about Him, but know Him in a personal way and walk with Him as our friend.

    How is this possible? It is possible because Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal God’s love to us. The Bible says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). May this become true in your life.

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    • Yes, Lynda, it is very clear that John, Jesus’ disciple, wrote the Book of John. John the Baptist was not Jesus’ disciple and, he was much older; before their time. His purpose was to baptize Jesus not to walk as His disciple. John the Baptist was aforementioned in the OT, Malachi 3:1:

      The Hebrew phrase for “my messenger” is the same as the meaning of Malachi’s name (Malachi 1:1). Yet Malachi is predicting a future individual. Malachi 4:5 further identifies this special messenger as “Elijah the prophet.” The New Testament shows how this prediction is fulfilled. The Gospel of Mark begins by declaring John the Baptist as this messenger (Mark 1:2-4; cf. Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 1:17; 7:27). In Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus states, “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

      Malachi 3:1
      “Behold, I send My messenger,
      And he will prepare the way before Me.
      And the Lord, whom you seek,
      Will suddenly come to His temple,
      Even the Messenger of the covenant,
      In whom you delight.
      Behold, He is coming,”
      Says the LORD of hosts.

      Further scripture explains:
      “The Hebrew phrase for “my messenger” is the same as the meaning of Malachi’s name (Malachi 1:1). Yet Malachi is predicting a future individual. Malachi 4:5 further identifies this special messenger as “Elijah the prophet.” The New Testament shows how this prediction is fulfilled. The Gospel of Mark begins by declaring John the Baptist as this messenger (Mark 1:2-4; cf. Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 1:17; 7:27). In Matthew 11:13-14 Jesus states, “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.””

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      • Thanks so much Beverlee, I’ll have to let all that sink in for awhile:-). I always thought John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins because Elizabeth had John and I thought Mary was her cousin.

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  6. I came on the comments to post this poem’s message but got distracted by the comments.The census is very important to the leaders of any government.Obedience is necessary to any nation too for the laws hold societies together.Yall have a great day.
    Under God

    One nation under God that denies Me,
    Will fall apart and be devoured,
    If you refuse my love that’s free,
    As if I am something now soured.

    Your enemies have delivered my warning,
    Therefore turn back to find truth,
    For the wolves only bring mourning
    From the sacrifice of your youth.

    Greed is now what too many now preach,
    For the demon has reached within,
    But you can still change to teach,
    So the children may turn from sin.

    If you allow the wolves in their power,
    To consume with endless thirst,
    Then you are guilty at this hour
    In helping bring about the worst.

    So remove the wolves behind the crown,
    For they are deeply entrenched,
    And let them and their filth drown
    As my laws are tightly clenched.
    G W (Bill) Marshall / 11/09/2013

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  7. Thank you Irene and Beverlee for your prayers yesterday. Am finding some answers, Praise God! Appreciate all the prayers. Yes, John the Baptist was considered the last of the Old Testament prophets as he was born before Jesus, was His cousin and sent to prepare the way for Him. Also was the Elijah who was to come as prophesied in Malachi as he ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah. Correct me if I am wrong. The other John was son Of Zebedee and Salome and brother of James. Lived to ripe old age, wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and Revelation. Mild day here with lots of rain.

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  9. The New Living Translation is quite clear. It puts God’s Word in simple understandable English, which is always good. As Paul said, “But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.” (1 Corinthians 14:19)

    In another place, Paul also said, “Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.” (Colossians 4:4)

    Sometimes it helps to read different translations and commentaries on the Bible which, combined with prayer, can make God’s message to us more clear.

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  11. Stephen Colbert is a talk show host, he is a Christian! He speaks boldly about his faith! He taught Sunday School. the other night he had as his guests; Andre Bocelli and Andre’s son, they sang a beautiful song! It brought me to tears….
    you could possibly Google it….so amazing, so beautiful……

    please pray for healing for Janet & Sherrie; both have cancer, Sherrie has mortgaged everything to go to Mexico to get treatments, we pray God will heal them both them completely we praise and thank the Name of Jesus,,the Name above all other Names, amen

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