Nahum 1

by Whitey | Jun 20, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace.” (Nahum 1:15)

I can’t read this verse without thinking of Jesus. Israel was looking for a Messiah to save them from their enemies. But Jesus came to save them — to save us all — from our sins. Israel and their neighbors still fight over land that both sides believe is theirs by Devine right. And no wonder… They don’t have a new covenant. Jesus came to establish a new covenant between God and His people — all people. For those who have not accepted Him, land and race and religion are what matters. No wonder there is no peace.

Someone (I forget who) once said, “Man is not at peace with man because he is not at peace with himself. And he is not at peace with himself because he is not at peace with God.”

Jesus came to give us that peace.

Numbers 32:1-15

by Whitey | May 31, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

「われわれにヨルダンを渡らせないでください」（３２の５）

安楽や自己満足、気をつけないと行けない。ここは大丈夫かもしらないけどう、向こうに神様のベストがある。アドベンチャーがある。

“Do not make us cross the Jordan.” (v. 5)

We need to beware of complacency. To be careful not to get too comfortable in our walks with God. This side of the Jordan may be peaceful and nice, but it may not be God’s best. The adventure lies on the other side.

Numbers 28

by Whitey | May 25, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

主よ。私は、神様の恵みをよく忘れてしまいます。覚られるように助けてください。信頼できるように助けてください。感謝ことが本当に多いです。神様は、本当に着実です。ありがとうございます。

Verses 1-15:

Here Israel is told to give daily, weekly, and monthly offerings to the Lord. It seems like being asked to give so often might be difficult for some.  “If I give this to God now, will I have enough to feed my family later?”  I wonder if part of what God wanted to teach them through this was simply to trust Him.

We no longer need to offer animal sacrifices for our sins, but the New Testament teaches us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).  When we give to the Lord of our finances, time, talents, desires, dreams — our very lives — we are putting our trust in Him.

Verses 16-31:

Yearly festivals are established. These are celebrations of what God has done for Israel.  God knows how forgetful people can be.  So festivals like these help Israel remember. 

The devil would like to rob us of our joy and freedom in Christ, by causing us to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have.  God has already given us so much.  We need to find ways to remind ourselves. We need to take time daily to thank God and to celebrate His goodness to us.

Lord, it’s easy to forget. Please help me to remember Your goodness, and to trust You completely. I have so much to be thankful for, and You are more than worthy of all my trust. Thank You.

Numbers 27:1-11

by Whitey | May 21, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

In this passage God gives instructions on how to deal with the passing of a man who leaves no sons behind to inherit his property.  In the specific case mentioned, the property goes to his daughters.  Looking at it from a modern mindset, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal.  But at that time it would have been, as women — especially young, single ones — did not have much status in the eyes of society as a whole.

Again and again in Scripture, we see God looking taking care of the “little guy.”  People like widows, orphans, foreigners and others, whom society would have neglected, abandoned or abused.  God cares for “the least of these,” as Jesus called the hungry, thirsty, poor and imprisoned. 

And those of us who follow Christ should care for them as well.  In fact, spiritually speaking, we’ve all been “the least of these,” in one way or another, at some time in our lives.  We all need God’s grace. Let’s be sure to not only receive, but to share it as well.

Numbers 23:23-26

by Whitey | May 17, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19)

Numbers 22:36-23:12

by Whitey | May 16, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“He answered, ‘Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?'” (Numbers 23:12)

Balaam’s example here is a great challenge to those of us in ministry. He was offered a huge reward to curse Israel, but here refuses to speak anything that is not from the Lord. Instead, he will only say what God commands him to say.

As a missionary, am I that in tune with God’s will for what He wants to say and do through me?  In my teaching, preaching and leading, do I listen for His voice or go with my own feelings?  Am I willing to follow His leading no matter what the cost, or do give in to outside pressure?

Lord, help me to be faithful to the call You’ve placed on my life. Help me to hear Your voice clearly, and give me the courage to follow. Help me be more bold for You.

Numbers 22:21-41

by Whitey | May 14, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“The angel of the LORD asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.'”

I wonder how often God tries to warn us, but like Balaam we don’t see it.  How often do we find ourselves on “reckless paths” but not realize it until it’s too late?  We fall into sin and act like it was inevitable; but if we’d been paying attention, we’d have seen the Lord’s warning signs.

Father, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit today, to hear Your voice, to heed Your warnings.  Give me the grace to follow Your path today.