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, 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 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
P. S. Please pray for the Ukrainian nation. I’ve just received an e-mail from Paul Hong, former advisor to our Canadian Minister of External Affairs, Hon. John Baird. Paul is in the Ukraine to help monitor the results of their recent election. A civil war has been raging in the eastern part of the country.
Thank You very much David for keeping us going forward in Gods Army Lord we pray for the Ukraine that You will bring peace and I pray for thd peace of Jerusalem hive us Your strength to keep going forward and help the oppressed and meet every need of God s children Bless them and grant them with floods of Your Favor in Jesus Name Amen
Amen, Lily May. We are warriors in God’s Army!
Amen
Why do Catholic s believe in peratory?
I looked this up, Lily; great question:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030). It notes that “this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1031).
The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/purgatory
Numbers is quite difficult to stick with. I’m not good at remembering people’s names now let alone from centuries ago.
Will definitely pray for Ukraine. Every soul is so precious to our Lord. What an honour you had Rev. DM. to speak of Jesus’ salvation to the Ukraine army. I fear the latest so-called vote in eastern Ukraine just adds to the turmoil there. May God bring many, if not all, Ukrainians to ‘see the Light’.
Blessings to all.
Amen!
Yes, thank you Pastor David for being obedient and sensitive to the need for the Ukrainian Army to have Chaplains within their midst; and for sharing the message they could relate to and receive.
Ukraine needs our prayers and I prayer Our Lord’s intervention within their midst; also that many would come receive salvation.
Moses and Aaron did as the Lord told them to.
Holy God, our everlasting Lord, bring your loving arm of protection down to protect those in the Ukraine with angels to end the war. We pray with complete faith for peace to come in troubled areas of the world.
No matter what my symptoms will,
Jesus is my Healer still.
My husband, Ross, starts chemo Thursday. His symptoms increase everyday. It is hard to watch.
No matter what my symptoms will,
Jesus is my Healer still.
Amen Doreen.
Blessings and prayers go with you Doreen and your dear husband Ross. May you both feel His presence surrounding you.
Lord God please watch over Ross and Doreen and be their strength at this time. Please heal Ross in your mighty name. Amen
Dear Doreen,
Keeping you and your dear husband Ross under prayer with all my church.
If you are with me, who could be against me?
Thank You Lord, Thank You Jesus, Wonderful Healer, Wonderful Savior, Amen.
xxx Carole and Ray
Martin Luther nailed 95 “letters” to the church at Wittenburg, he questioned many things and I believe purgatory was one of those questions, by the way Luther also had a chemical imbalance…praying for Doreen and husband Ross, Lord God hold both these precious people close to you. Be with the medical staff as they treat Ross, I pray Ross will be healed and find great comfort knowing that God is “right beside him” every experience in life teaches us about the greatness of God and His Everlasting Love!
Thank you friends for prayers for Ross. May God bless you with His presents in a greater way.
Praying for the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to reign in the Ukraine and all the world. Amen