LOOK
Today’s Reading: Numbers 21-22
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 mountains of ancient Moab can be seen across the Dead Sea from Israel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Numbers 21:9
So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
The serpent of bronze holds a prominent place in human history, primarily because of the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). It’s the worldwide symbol for the medical profession and may have originated with Moses (pictured below).
Medical Logo
The serpent corrupted our first parents, and he bears a major responsibility for causing mankind to sin against God…sin that has been nailed to the Cross. Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:14-15). The choice to LOOK in faith brought life instead of death to the Israelites. Jesus declared the parallel truth in Himself. Later, the bronze serpent had to be destroyed because people began to worship it (2 Kings 18:1-8). Moses’ serpent happened long before Greek mythology introduced the symbol. Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll look at the attempt by Balaam to curse Israel.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You were lifted up on the Cross, and You have caused me to look to You, not with eyesight, but with insight. Thank You!!! I know, by faith, that I have the gift of eternal life, not through any goodness in myself, but because of Your clearly stated promise. You cannot lie! Therefore, I live! The serpent’s venom cannot destroy me. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
God told Moses to make the image of the serpent. Those who don’t think deeply enough would think God is against making a sculpture. There’s no sin here. The sin would be, according to the second commandment, in bowing down to an image and serving the image. People mess with God’s Word. For example, in one area of Jerusalem on any day, if you try to take a picture of some of the successors to the Pharisees, they may smash your camera. They think you are making a graven image. Have you bowed down to a picture lately? I don’t think so! Have you served a picture lately? I don’t think so! Be sure you read and understand the Scriptures in context.
Yours for only bowing down to the One True God,
David
P.S. The picture below was taken at the place where Gideon chose his final army of 300 men (Judges 7:1-8). Rev. Gideon Chiu prayed a mighty prayer here back in 2001 (click HERE for a video from the “The Journey of Hope”). When Pastor Gideon prayed, the trees shook and a flock of eagles flew overhead. I’m not sure we captured the eagles on video, but watch for the trees moving. I felt no wind where I was standing. Gideon has a background in the tribe of Manasseh (same as Gideon in the Bible), many of which ended up in China in the ethnic cleansing by the Assyrians of the northern 10 tribes of Israel.
Powerful video, photo, scripture, prayer and message. JESUS! We give You all the praise and glory. Praying for the Covid cloud to lift. Praying for you Edward, that your pain lifts and you feel more mobile, today. And for you, dear Eleanor. His blessings upon you all.
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14 NIV
2 hours nonstop worship songs with lyrics 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH0T8Wo6GxQ
Charles Spurgeon Morning & Evening, November 17th
MORNING
“To whom be glory forever. Amen”
Romans 11:36
“To whom be glory forever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this–“To him be glory forever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory forever.” You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are “of God, and through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,
“To me ’tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death–appoint me ease or pain.”
Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give him more as he has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give him honour, putting the “Amen” to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness.”
Amen
Amen
God Bless and Heal You Beverlee!!!
Charles Spurgeon Morning & Evening, November 17th
EVENING
“He that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.”
Ecclesiastes 10:9
Oppressors may get their will of poor and needy men as easily as they can split logs of wood, but they had better mind, for it is a dangerous business, and a splinter from a tree has often killed the woodman. Jesus is persecuted in every injured saint, and he is mighty to avenge his beloved ones. Success in treading down the poor and needy is a thing to be trembled at: if there be no danger to persecutors here there will be great danger hereafter.
To cleave wood is a common every-day business, and yet it has its dangers; so then, reader, there are dangers connected with your calling and daily life which it will be well for you to be aware of. We refer not to hazards by flood and field, or by disease and sudden death, but to perils of a spiritual sort. Your occupation may be as humble as log splitting, and yet the devil can tempt you in it. You may be a domestic servant, a farm labourer, or a mechanic, and you may be greatly screened from temptations to the grosser vices, and yet some secret sin may do you damage. Those who dwell at home, and mingle not with the rough world, may yet be endangered by their very seclusion. Nowhere is he safe who thinks himself so. Pride may enter a poor man’s heart; avarice may reign in a cottager’s bosom; uncleanness may venture into the quietest home; and anger, and envy, and malice may insinuate themselves into the most rural abode. Even in speaking a few words to a servant we may sin; a little purchase at a shop may be the first link in a chain of temptations; the mere looking out of a window may be the beginning of evil. O Lord, how exposed we are! How shall we be secured! To keep ourselves is work too hard for us: only thou thyself art able to preserve us in such a world of evils. Spread thy wings over us, and we, like little chickens, will cower down beneath thee, and feel ourselves safe!
Amen
Amen Beverlee: iI enjoyed reading the devotions, especially today feeling I want to be covers by our Father’s wings.
Thank you Beverlee, Edward is feeling a bit better today. Now, we got word this morning that our dear friend Ellla of 53 years, passed away at 5:30am.
She was suffering from heart and kidney problems and built up of fluid. Her last three days were horrible. I am hoping she is in heaven, we had some good talks about the Lord. I didn’t get to talk to her in the hospital as she was to weak to talk on the phone. She leaves behind her daughter Margaret , son Martin and two grandsons.
Please take care Beverley.
🤗❤️ Eleanor M.
Thank you Beverlee for posting, God bless you and give you strength, health and
peace!
What a thought provoking passages by Charles Spurgeon, it touches my Spirit deeply.
“only thou thyself art able to preserve us in such a world of evils. Spread thy wings over us, like little chickens. and we will cower down beneath thee, and feel ourselves safe.”
That’s exactly how I felt when I read those words, Anne, “like little chickens!!!” Wow! Have a blessed day!!
Something like this:
Spring up, O Well, within my soul,
Spring up, O Well, and make me whole.
Spring up, O Well, and give to me
Thy grace, so rich and free.
In Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Amen, Rob. Amen.
Spring up, my soul, to Thee.
Amen Rob
Yes Lord Spring Up!!!
Thank you Rob, I sang that song, when I read the verse in today’s scripture “SPRING UP O WELL”
Thank you for posting the words to it, it was quiet popular in those days.
I would loved to be have been on that visit to Jerusalem. The anointing was so very evident. Blessings all for health and strength as we walk in this unusual time. God is faithful to His Word. Amen.
Amen
Amen Doreen
Prayers for you Beverlee and for Edward Eleanor. Good to hear he is on the mend and he survived the fall. Was thinking of 2001, the year I lost my Mom, sister and brother-in-law and then thinking of what is happening at present and how many have lost family and friends around the world. Read the devotional of Spurgeon from my copy of his book too Beverlee and how deep it was. Need to read it again. Take care Beverlee. Blessings on you all.
Thank you Ger🤗❤️
Yes, Amen, Ger
Yes, ‘Spring up O well within my soul’
Thank you Mainse family for continuing this blog, God Bless you richly
Eleonor, glad that Edward is better, I pray is completely healed