Numbers 28
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:
Numbers 27:1-11
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
“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)
This verse reminds me that I can trust God. Life’s unanswered questions, desires and fears make it hard to see sometimes. Sometimes the wait is long. But God is faithful. Keep waiting.
まつり – Matsuri: Scenes from a local festival.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/33327951 w=500&h=281]
まつり – Matsuri: Scenes from a local festival from Robin White on Vimeo.
Numbers 22:36-23:12
“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
“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.Numbers 18:8-20
“The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Numbers 18:20)
If we as Christians are a Kingdom of priests, why don’t more of us act like it?
What if we followed the example of the Levites, and considered ourselves set apart for the work of the Lord? What if we gave up our personal rights in order to give more time and money to the work of the Kingdom, and considered anything we receive as simply a nice bonus, the real reward being God Himself?
Isn’t that the example Christ set too?
Numbers 18:1-7
“But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.” (vs. 7)
A big part of what the Old Testament teaches us today is all that Christ has saved us from. This is one of those things. Under the Old Covenant, only the Levites could serve as priests, and only they could enter the sanctuary. They were the mediators between God and his people. The New Testament teaches us the “priesthood of all believers.” We can all go to God directly because of Jesus. We can minister to each others needs. We are all “priests,” and Jesus is our Great High Priest. What a privilege we have in Christ!May Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
Thank you for continuing to pray for Japan! This past month has been a time of getting back into “normal” routine after the disruption caused by the earthquake back in March. Here’s an update and some prayer requests: 1. Our English ministry at Immanuel Nagoya Church are going really well. The new kids class now has 12 students, 10 of whom are from outside our church. My adult classes have also been going well, and relationships between students and our church are deepening. It’s been really great to see my Wednesday students in particular becoming closer friends. Our monthly English Club event was held on Easter Sunday in April, we had over 20 people of all ages show up, and at least 4 non-Christians, two of whom were students from my weekly classes. I shared a message about how Christ brings us hope in the midst of fear and sorrow. I’m told there were some significant conversations taking place afterward as well. Please keep praying for this bridge-building ministry, as well as for my students. 2. I also returned to Japanese studies at the YWCA this past month. Honestly, I feel like my Japanese has plateaued lately, and it’s been a bit frustrating; so it’s really good to get back into a more regular study routine (classes 2 mornings a week). Please pray for my studies and for my everyday communication. 3. In addition to my weekly English and Japanese classes, I’d ask you to pray for these monthly events: Leading worship at prayer meeting on the11th; youth ministry at Nagoya-Higashi Church on the 14th; English Club on the 22nd. 4. Meanwhile, though it seems to have mostly disappeared from the headlines in the western media, the situation in North-Eastern Japan is still far from back to normal. Some 26,000 people are dead or missing; there is over $300-billion in damages; and thousands are homeless and jobless. Entire towns are being evacuated because of the ongoing nuclear radiation danger. And aftershocks are expected to continue for up to a year. Relief efforts are still ongoing, and rebuilding of affected communities will probably take years. Please remember to pray for the many who have been affected by this tragedy. Pray that the Church will be able to show God’s love through this situation, and that many will find hope in Jesus Christ. I believe God can bring good out of this. Let’s keep praying to that end. As I mentioned last month, if you would like to give to the relief efforts, I would highly recommend giving to CRASH (www.crashjapan.com). Thank you so much for your partnership in my ministry to Japan! – RobinPsalm 105:1-23
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (vs. 4)
Here, seeking the Lord and seeking His strength are stated as though they’re one and the same thing. Worshiping God and receiving the strength we need to serve Him go hand-in-hand. When I am weakest, it is usually a sign that I have not been seeking Him. And as this verse reminds me, I need to seek Him always. Seeking God isn’t just about our private devotional life or public church activities. It’s about our everyday work and play as well. What if, before doing anything, we asked ourselves “Can I seek God through this?” “Can I do this as an act of worship?” “Can I invite God into this?” Maybe then we wouldn’t waste so much time on things that pull our focus away from Him. Lord, please keep reminding me to seek You always.