Title: Who Does He Think He Is?/Topic: Success

Today’s Reading: Numbers 21; Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Mark 6; Mark 7

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Observation: You would think that the people who knew Jesus best (family and friends) would be proud of him and happy to see someone from their own ranks doing miracles and preaching truth with such authority, power and wisdom that the entire country was taking notice. But instead they are offended at him. This is not an uncommon phenomenon. Instead of being proud, there is often an attitude of “how dare he/she think he/she is better than we are!” when someone close does well. So instead of receiving instruction and inspiration from a person well able to give it, others try to keep that person “in their place”. Why? Because if they don't it means that they must deal with why they are not excelling. People like the status quo much better than they like change, even if the change would put them in a better place.

Application: 1) Don't take it personally when others are “naysaying” my dreams or putting me down for trying new things to better myself. 2) I need to make sure that when I see others excelling at something that I do not say negative things about them but put myself in a place to learn from them.

Prayer: Father, my desire is to humble myself in the presence of anyone who can help me excel in good things. May I never have the attitude that I need to find fault with them so as to negate their greatness and keep them in their place. May I always see them as gifts you have given me and may I benefit from their knowledge and character. And let me rise to be a person who can benefit others by leading them to greater heights in life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Time to Ignore /Topic: Strengthening Faith

Today’s Reading: Numbers 19; Numbers 20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture: Mark 5:35,36
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
Observation: We sometimes struggle to believe and keep our faith strong. Here is Jesus with a lesson in one thing we must do to “keep the faith”. We must ignore those who would speak doubt to us. Jesus ignored what the people were saying and told Jairus to not be afraid by reason of what the people had told him and then instructed him to “just believe”.

Application: I know sometimes I have had my faith challenged by others (even Christians) and have allowed their skepticism to weaken my faith and confidence in what I believed God had spoken to my heart that he wanted to do. I need to follow Jesus' example and ignore them. Sometimes it is the right thing to do to simply keep my mouth shut around “nay-sayers” and remove myself from their negativity so that I may not “be afraid” and just believe.

Prayer: Father, help me to have wisdom in who to share things with and who not to and also in who to listen to and who to ignore. There is a time to listen only to the voice of your Spirit and watch you perform your wonders. Then the speaking may commence with me exalting the great works and miracles that my God has worked on my behalf.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Free But Still Enslaved/Topic: Courage

Today’s Reading: Numbers 14; Numbers 15; Numbers 16; Mark 3

Scripture: Numbers 14:1-4
1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."

Observation/Application: The Israelites are afraid to do what the Lord has told them to do. They fear the people of the land God promised to give them because they are large. So they complain against God and decide to go back to the slavery of Egypt, even though life there was miserable for them. This is an example of how most people prefer the bondage they know to facing unknown challenges. There is security in bondage because we understand the limits of it and we know what to expect, even if it is unpleasant. Faith is essential if we are to go beyond the limitations of our own individual bondages. It is impossible to please God without faith as these people found out. Their constant “slave” mentality and lack of trust in God earned them the fate of dying in the desert without seeing the wonderful promised land. Even the past miraculous deliverances of God were not enough to convince them that God could be counted on to bring them through to victory.

Prayer: Father God, keep me from following my fears as these people did. Help me to be bold and to trust you to help me through any circumstance. I want to step out into new things that I haven't done before and to see you manifest your glory on my behalf. Thank you that you have the power to break every bondage in my life and may I fully trust you to do that.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Those Who Receive/Topic: Humility

Today’s Reading: Numbers 12; Numbers 13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture: Numbers 12:3; Mark 2:17
3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Observation: I see a connection between Moses, who received more revelation from God than anyone else in the Old Testament, and those who received from Jesus. They were humble. Moses is declared to be the most humble man on earth at that time in history --- quite a declaration! Yet he was a strong leader (some equate humility with weakness, which demonstrates a lack of understanding as to what humility is). The people to whom Jesus ministered likewise acknowledged their need and as a result received instruction, insight and healing from him.

Application: I want to put myself in a position to always be receiving from God. That means that I must necessarily maintain an awareness of my need of him. I must have an attitude of humble submission to his teachings so that I may learn his ways and experience his divine insights and revelations. God stays keeps a distance between himself and the arrogant and self-sufficient person.

Prayer: Father God, through the power of your Spirit let me know if I am becoming arrogant. You alone see clearly into the heart of man. May I never harden myself in any way to the still, small voice of your Spirit and may I remain always and forever teachable. My desire is to repent quickly if ever I become hardened to changing as you reveal yourself to me. Keep me close and forgive all my sin. Cleanse me and allow me to humbly accept correction as well as promotion from you. I know I have far to go to be considered the most humble person on earth, but I could receive no greater accolade.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: How Can This Be?/Topic: Doubt

Today’s Reading: Numbers 10; Numbers 11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture: Numbers 11:21-23
21 But Moses said, "Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!' 22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?"
23 The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."

Observation: God makes a promise to provide meat for the entire camp of Israel for a whole month --- and Moses doubts it! Moses, who saw God do inexplicable wonders in Egypt, can't figure out how God could possibly keep this promise. He actually questions God about his ability to perform such a feat. Amazing that after seeing God change his staff of wood into a snake, seeing the Nile turn to blood, and seeing the Red Sea parted that he would doubt that God could do anything.

Application: This scripture is very encouraging and comforting to me because I am just like Moses when it comes to doubt. I have seen the Lord do marvelous things and yet I sometimes doubt he will continue to do them. I especially think he won't continue to do them if I doubt. It's so nice to know that God can and will work in spite of my doubt when my heart is set on him.

Prayer: Lord, I know you want us to be single-minded and full f faith. That is what I want to be too. But thank you for forgiving my doubts when they come and doing what needs to be done in spits of them. Lord, I believe; remedy my unbelief.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Providential Provision/Topic: God's Supply

Today’s Reading: Numbers 8; Numbers 9; Acts 28


Scripture: Acts 28:7-10
7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.


Observation: The power of God, displayed in miraculous healings, opened the door for Paul and the Romans who were with him to be supplied with everything they needed to continue their journey to Rome. They had such great favor with the people of Malta because of what the Lord had done that they were given a ship and supplies. That's a LARGE offering!

Application: “The Lord shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus”, says Paul in his letter to the Phillipians. He experienced having no worldly wealth of his own but being supplied abundantly from the Spirit working through him. Oh, how I want that in my life! Have I seen God provide miraculously for me? Yes. But it's not the overflowing experience that I want. I desire it to be a regular part of my life and for others to see and take note that God is alive and well.

Prayer: Teach me whatever it is I need to know about how to have this kind of abundance in my life, Lord. I'm not sure how to “live” in that place, but the world needs to see you in action and I believe you want to work miracles and have use the resources of world to provide for your kingdom. Break us out of our beggarly mentality and pour out a blessing so big we cannot contain it. I want to live an obedient life and a thankful life so that I may continue to see your blessings flow in greater and greater measure. Make it so Lord.

This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Precious Promises/Topic: God's Goodness

Today’s Reading: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture: Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Observation: This is a precious Psalm full of precious promises. Who could want more from life than what David declares that God does for a person who trusts and depends on Him here in these verses? Provision, peace, protection, power and prosperity are all proclaimed to be a part of God's plan for David (and for us). But when I read these words, I remember that David spent years of his life running from Saul, who was trying to kill him, hiding in caves and living far from any comforts of home. How, then, could David pen these words? He saw God's hand of protection and provision even in his darkest times (the valley of the shadow of death). He knew God would bring him through that time. He had faith. He focused on the positive even in the tough situations. He could have focused on the unfairness of the situation when he was having to hide in caves and sleep on the hard ground. Instead, he focused on positive things and as a result he saw God's deliverance in a big way.

Application: This is the example I want to follow in my life. Even when walking through difficult times I want to declare and focus on the goodness of my God. I want to surround myself with people who are positive and faith-filled and avoid those who are toxically negative, even if they are in my own family.

Prayer: Oh Lord, you are good! I declare your goodness to me and the wonderful plans you have for me. Thank you for all of your provisions for me. May I walk in all the fullness you have for me and may I be a witness to others of your manifold blessings.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A God in Who's Image?/Topic: Finding God

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14; Acts 17

Scripture: Acts 17:29-31
29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Observation: As I read this I thought of the ways in which we humans still make a God in “an image made by man's design and skill”. No, we don't carve our gods in stone or wood. But we do make a God that we can understand. I hear people all the time who make statements like “a God of love wouldn't judge anyone” or “God has no problem with me having sex outside of marriage if I love the person”. We want to have God be someone who conforms to our understanding of what is right and wrong.

Application: I try to conform my ideas of who God is to what the Bible says whether it fits my understanding of morality or not. I know that any God I can fully understand wouldn't be any bigger than I am. However, I still wrestle with parts of God that I don't get and try to make them fit into my finite worldview. The trouble is, I can't recognize where I have created God in my own image. The only solution is to remain humble, do my best to study the Word to learn of Him, and to be okay with the idea that I will never fully understand God this side of heaven.

Prayer: Father, keep me humble and flexible to change what I know. Help me to grow in my knowledge of you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Power of Praise/Topic: Praise

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 10; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 12; Acts 16

Scripture: Acts 16:25-28
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

Observation: Paul and Silas are bound with chains in a dank, dark prison but are singing praise to God. Instead of being focused on their problems and how they don't deserve the treatment they have received, they are instead thanking God and focused on his goodness to them. The result is that they are miraculously freed and the other prisoners and the jailer hear about God.

Application: Praise has great power. The greatest power it has is that of keeping us from succumbing to depression and negativity. I know that way too often, especially in a situation where my problems were the result of others' wrongdoing and I was suffering undeservedly, I have had the exact opposite attitude of Paul and Silas. I am very good at being a martyr. Nothing but negative can come from that. How I need to remember to praise and worship God in every situation, especially bad ones.

Prayer: Help me Lord to never wallow in self-pity again. It's too much of a waste of the short amount of time I have left here. I want to release the power of praise in my life. Help me to be an example to others of living with a mindset of worship and praise.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Perfect Picture/Topic: Human Condition

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 7; Leviticus 8; Leviticus 9; Acts 15

Scripture: Leviticus 8:30
30 Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments.

Observation: As I read this verse I was struck with what a perfect picture it is of our human condition. Aaron and his sons are magnificently and extravagantly dressed in richly ornamented robes, jeweled breastplates and turbans, made to the exact specifications of the Lord. Then, when they are anointed, these beautiful clothes are stained with both oil and blood. Whenever they minister, Aaron and his sons will be reminded of their great worth and dignity, but also the cost of their sin (represented by the blood stains) and their limitations (the oil representing the empowering of the Holy Spirit; they can't do this in their own power).

Application: We, too, have been created with great worth in the image of God. Yet we have been marred by our own sin and must "wear" the stain of Jesus' blood if we hope to be cleansed from the effects of that sin. We also must have the "stain" of the Holy Spirit if we want to produce any lasting spiritual fruit. God has given us great creative intelligence with which we can produce many great things, yet we will experience frustration if we attempt to do God's work without the empowerment of the Spirit. We must keep a balance between understanding our great worth before God and the dignity he has given us but also of the need to humble ourselves and recognize our great need of Him.

Prayer: Father, may I keep this picture of Aaron in my mind: Knowing that I am of great worth and precious to you but also humbling myself before you and seeking the power of your anointing. Thank you for cleansing me from my sins. I need you desperately. Forgive me all my sins and trespasses and anoint me to serve you with the power of your Spirit, bringing glory to you.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Title: Ignorance is No Excuse/Topic: Sin

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6; Acts 14

Scripture: Leviticus 4:13
13 " 'If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they are guilty.

Observation/ Application: God judges us by our actions not our intentions. Even if we are unaware of our sin, we are still held accountable for it and must make atonement and restitution when we become aware of it. It reminds me our own legal system which says that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”. We usually judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions. Thankfully, God always provides a way for us to be forgiven and restored to relationship. We need to do the same for others who sin against us, whether intentionally or not.

Prayer: Thank you for your forgiving nature, Lord. May I emulate you in that regard always. Help me to be humble before you, never justifying my sin but acknowledging it and finding grace as a result.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Moving On/Topic: Handling Rejection

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 1; Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3; Acts 13

Scripture: Acts 13:49-52
49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Observation: Paul and Barnabas go to their own people and are rejected by many of them. They are wrongly mistreated. How do they respond to this rejection and mistreatment? They shake the dust from their feet and go to others who welcome them and their message. They leave their own people and go to strangers who are receptive and respectful of them. What is the result? They are filled with joy and with the holy Spirit.

Application: I need to handle rejection the way Paul and Barnabas did. They did not wallow in self-pity over the way their own people had rejected and bad-mouthed them nor did they respond in kind. They simply left those that wouldn't receive what they had to say and went to those who would. Too often I mourn over others, especially family or close friends, who reject me or treat me with less respect and love than they should. But being depressed over a situation doesn't change anything for the better and it causes me to waste my life in negative emotions. I need to simply spend time with those who want to be with and learn from me. This is much easier said than done. It's hard not to mourn the loss of relationships that are important to us with people that we care about. But Jesus gave us the same example as we have here. His hometown family and buddies rejected him. But he kept focused on God and those who wanted relationship with him.

Prayer: Father, help me to control my thoughts and to keep them focused on you, your purpose for my life and on those who receive me in positive ways. I do you no honor and no one any good if I wallow in thoughts of rejection and sadness over the loss of relationships I want to have but that aren't as they should be. I want the joy and fullness of the Holy Spirit in my life that Paul and Barnabas experienced when they shook the dust off their feet and simply moved on. May I always be moving on in positive ways.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: I Believe, But... /Topic: Faith

PLEASE EXCUSE MY ABSENCE. I have been ill for several weeks and not keeping up on my blogging. I am back and looking forward to sharing my thoughts on my daily reading. God bless you.

Today’s Reading: Exodus 39; Exodus 40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts 12: 5, 12-15
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!"
15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."

Observation: This scripture encourages me. So often I am just like these disciples. I pray earnestly for something to happen but I am surprised when it does. Why? There seems to be no predictability in how God will choose to answer our prayers. Add to that the fact that we know we aren't perfect in our obedience to God and feel we don't deserve him to act on our behalf. Therefore, we are reticent to expect him to work wonders for us each and every time we pray. These disciples had just suffered the execution of James and now Peter is slated for the same fate. I'm sure they had prayed for James to be delivered from death but he was not. No wonder their expectations for Peter's rescue were dampened. Yet, they prayed earnestly anyway. And God answered with a mighty miracle.

Application: I need to pray earnestly for God to do the miraculous even if I have been disappointed by previous prayers not being answered in the way I had hoped. I have to realize that I will never understand why God allows certain things to happen and keep believing that he wants me to pray in faith anyway. He will give the right answer.

Prayer: Father, every prayer is an act of faith. I know you are pleased when we exercise our faith and trust you for the outcome. Thank you that you answer in spite of the fact that our expectations aren't always what they should be. I want to pray more and more and see what mighty wonders you will perform on behalf of your people. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.