Posts with the category “devotional”

This week we wrap up the book of Numbers.  For each of these seven days you will be reminded of God’s Perspective.  God’s perspective has to do with His purpose, His plans, His discernment, His assessment, and the like.We are often guilty of letting our human reasoning try to evaluate God’s decisions.  As we read the next few days of God’s detailed plans for Israel, His purpose in discipline, and ...  Read More

This week we wrap up the book of Numbers.  For each of these seven days you will be reminded of God’s Perspective.  God’s perspective has to do with His purpose, His plans, His discernment, His assessment, and the like.          We are often guilty of letting our human reasoning try to evaluate God’s decisions.  As we read the next few days of God’s detailed plans for Israel, His purpose in discipline, and His motives for rules, we will come to understand the futility in trying to outguess God.  Instead, we should take great pleasure in our God who has a perfect perspective.  Read More

Numbers 16-18.  “Rebellion of Korah” God’s justice is not often talked about in our churches.  We would much rather talk about His love and mercy and grace.  The story of Korah, Dathan and Abiram is a vivid reminder that our God is a just God who cannot let sin go unpunished.  These men were challenging the leadership of Moses and Aaron, and worse, they were in rebellion to the Lord.For me, the di...  Read More

Numbers 14-15.  “Missed Blessings” The report from the spies truly tested if Israel trusted God for their protection.  Already struggling with the level of sacrifice expected of them, they decided the prospect of engaging the inhabitants of the Promised Land wasn’t worth it.  The people ignored the fact that the Lord was with them (Num. 14:9).  You might find it easy to criticize their lack of fai...  Read More

Numbers 11-13.  “Whining and Complaining”          I have overseen a few short-term mission trips with teenagers, and am preparing for another.  It has been my experience that the most important rule for keeping the group together and focused is that there is no complaining.  Anytime you choose to follow the Lord’s leading there will be some form of sacrifice associated with it.  Whining or compla...  Read More

Numbers 6 and 10.  “Dedicated to Sacrifice” The Nazirite vow was a special way for an Israelite to dedicate one’s self to the Lord, and he knew that it came with certain restrictions.  We even see this practiced by the Apostle Paul who shaved his head because of a vow (Acts 18:18).Not every Israelite would make a Nazirite vow, but every believer who is indwelled by the Holy Spirit is already dedic...  Read More

Numbers 4-5.  “Sacrifice of Fellowship” In the instructions that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses, purity was greatly stressed.  There were a number of reasons for this, and the one given in this passage is because the Lord dwelled in their camp.Praise God that we live under a covenant of grace and not one of law as the Israelites did.  And yet, even though we are called to grace, we cannot i...  Read More

Numbers 2-3.  “Sacrificing Our Freedom” As I reflect on the responsibilities given to the Levites, I am rather overwhelmed.  Could you imagine being responsible for taking care of the one place where the true God could be worshipped?  Wow!  Then I think about the fact that they didn’t aspire to this, but that the Lord chose them and they were born into it.  Their whole purpose in life was the prop...  Read More

The theme for this week is sacrifice.  Recently you have read much on the various sacrifices that the Israelites were to perform in their worship of the Lord.  This week we are going to explore what it means for us to sacrifice.  One of the key verses that will be brought up this week is Romans 12:1-2:  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a...  Read More

The theme for this week is sacrifice.  Recently you have read much on the various sacrifices that the Israelites were to perform in their worship of the Lord.  This week we are going to explore what it means for us to sacrifice.            One of the key verses that will be brought up this week is Romans 12:1-2:  “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind He will accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”          May you, as you read this week, ponder the ways in which your life can be a living and holy sacrifice.  Read More

Leviticus 25:24-26:46.  “Blessed by God” “…anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will never be disappointed” (2 Peter 2:6).In chapter 26 God promises a long list of blessings if the Israelites obey Him.  Their harvests will be plentiful, they will live securely, He will live among them, and on and on.However, He also says that they will receive a long list of punishments if they disobey Him.  Their ...  Read More

Leviticus 23-25:23.  “Refocus” Israel was instructed to remember seven specific holidays each year.  Some festivals lasted one week and others just one day.  But each holiday represented something important: Passover reminded them of God’s deliverance from Egypt, Unleavened Bread reminded them of their new way of life, Firstfruits reminded them of God’s provision, and so forth down the list.Apart ...  Read More

Leviticus 20-22.  “Calling Sin ‘Sin’” Homosexuality.  Bestiality.  Adultery.  Incest.  These are terms that when mentioned can bring a look of disgust or shock upon our face.  Are we allowed to talk of such things?  Are we allowed to say such things are wrong, violently wrong?We are being inundated from our culture with the idea that we should not stand and loudly label certain things as sin.  We ...  Read More

Leviticus 17-19.  “Be Holy Because Your Lord Is” The thought of exactly how to be holy has suffered from many false concepts.  In some circles, holiness is equated with a long list of “don’ts.”  For others, holiness means a particular style of dress or mannerisms.  And for still others, it may mean an unattainable perfection.A word study reveals that to be holy is to be morally blameless.  It is t...  Read More

Leviticus 14:33-16:34.  “Covering is Not a Cure” Once each year the Israelites would confess their sins, and the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle (and temple later) to make atonement for them as a nation.  This was called the Day of Atonement, and it was obviously, one of the most important days of the year.  The ceremony had very specific rules that the high priest wa...  Read More

Leviticus 12-14:32.  “Vitamin Be One” This section covers some things that are kind of unpleasant just to read about.  But, amazingly, it all goes back to the theme of Leviticus—holiness.  I have read historical accounts of the physical health of the Israelites compared to other nations of their time and area.  The Israelites were far healthier.  Their birthrate was higher.  The longevity and heal...  Read More

We are in the heart of Leviticus this week and holiness is the topic.  Now, I've got a confession to make, and perhaps you can relate to what I'm going to tell you.  The first few times I took on reading through the Bible, when I would get to the book of Leviticus I would accomplish some of the fastest speed reading you could ever imagine.  As you go through the book you read about rules for cleansing, rules for food, rules for priests, and so on.  Regardless of my initial reaction, there is a theme that runs through the book that is perhaps more essential and impactful to my everyday life than maybe the themes in many of the other books.          The theme is holiness.  Prayerfully, as you read this book you will see something that relates very directly to yourself, and that is that God desires that His people are holy and pursuing holiness.  “For I am the LORD your God.  You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy… For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.  Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45).  Read More

We are in the heart of Leviticus this week and holiness is the topic.  Now, I've got a confession to make, and perhaps you can relate to what I'm going to tell you.  The first few times I took on reading through the Bible, when I would get to the book of Leviticus I would accomplish some of the fastest speed reading you could ever imagine.  As you go through the book you read about rules for clean...  Read More

Leviticus 7-8.  “Worship with a Willing Heart” The theme that has been running through this entire week is a willingness to do things God’s way.  Worship for Israel was very detailed.  God had directed through Moses how they were to worship Him.  As Christians and members of the new covenant, we do not have this amount of detail from the Lord for our worship services.  At best we have some princip...  Read More

Leviticus 4-6.  “Seeking Forgiveness” Is it possible to sin without knowing it?  Absolutely.  Many times, when we sin against another person, we may not be aware of it for some time.  And sometimes no one else is aware either.  The instructions regarding the sin offering we read today were to be followed “when they became aware of their sin” (4:14; 23; 28; 5:5; 17).  God does not expect us to seek...  Read More

Numbers 8:1-9:14; Leviticus 1-3.  “Willing to Believe” There were numerous types of sacrifices in the Old Covenant system of worship.  In our modern mindset, we might wonder why all these sacrifices were necessary.  It is difficult for us to relate to and understand this system of worship and forgiveness that God had ordained.  However, there is a connection between their receiving of forgiveness ...  Read More

Numbers 7.  “A Living and Holy Sacrifice” Over the course of twelve days the twelve tribes of Israel gave their gifts of dedication for the tabernacle.  You probably noticed that all twelve gifts were identical.  To me this is a remarkable thing.  Bible Commentator Matthew Henry notes that this points to the “equal share” that each tribe had in the tabernacle and altar.  I am sure that it was temp...  Read More

Exodus 39:32-40:38; Numbers 9:15-23.  “Time to Go Again” In our first seven years of marriage, my wife Kristi and I (David) had seven different addresses.  We would often make jokes about being part nomadic or having the “year-and-a-half itch. However, through those years and all the moves, one thing was consistent – it was always our decision when we moved.  As you read today, that was not necess...  Read More

Exodus 37:1-39:31.  “Lost in the Details” I recently returned from a retreat with some middle school boys.  While at this retreat, I discovered that they can easily get lost in the details of a story and totally miss the point.  I hope that isn’t the case for you as you read this passage today.  I say that because, in the middle of all those details, is a simple phrase “just as the Lord had comman...  Read More

This week’s readings continue in the detail of the covenant that God established with Israel.  You will read about the building of the tabernacle and the details associated with it.  Following the construction of the tabernacle, the Lord gives instruction as to how He is to be worshipped.  In all of these instructions we find an underlying need for us to do things God’s way.  Whether it is a willi...  Read More

This week’s readings continue in the detail of the covenant that God established with Israel.  You will read about the building of the tabernacle and the details associated with it.  Following the construction of the tabernacle, the Lord gives instruction as to how He is to be worshipped.  In all of these instructions we find an underlying need for us to do things God’s way.  Whether it is a willingness to give or submit, it is dependent upon a heart that is willing to do things God’s way.  Read More

Exodus 32-34.  “A Man of Great Character” Moses was an amazing individual.  He was the instrument God used to change the heart of Pharaoh.  He was the man who led God’s people out of Egypt.  He held his staff over the water and the Red Sea opened up.  He talked with God and met Him on the mountain.  Through the LORD, he provided water and food.  Moses counseled, and judged, and led.Moses was gone ...  Read More

Exodus 29-31.  “Conviction” Eric Liddell was the “flying Scotsman.”  He set an Olympic record in the 400-meter run at the 1924 Olympic Games.  Although favored at 100 meters, he had withdrawn from that race because the qualifying heats were to be run on a Sunday, a day he had firmly set aside for worship and rest.  Instead, he spent the next several months training for the 400.  Incidentally, he a...  Read More

Exodus 25-28.  “Symbolic Significance” “The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come”, evident in how “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:1,19).  The detailed instructions for the tabernacle had purpose even beyond the immediate usable purpose for the Israelites.  There was great symbolic purpose as God looked ahead...  Read More

Exodus 22:16-24:18.  “Short Term Dedication” This is an important passage to remember, because we will reflect on it again in just a few days.  Think about what they have just seen.  God’s angel is before them leading the way (23:20).  He will also go before them and destroy their enemies (23:23), but in a manner so organized that the land will not be harmed (23:27-31).Furthermore, the people prof...  Read More

Exodus 20-22:15.  “Rules and More Rules” Rules.  It’s not just the Ten Commandments.  We will see that there are literally hundreds of rules as our readings continue.  Furthermore, it is not just the Old Testament, although some people have that idea.  In the New Testament Jesus expounded on the commandments.  He added statements of generosity to a rule about stealing (Mt. 5:40).  He added stateme...  Read More

Exodus 16-19.  “The Wilderness” The Hebrews had just traveled two months, and over 100 miles out into the wilderness.  What the wilderness was to them I believe is something we can relate to well.  Their physical wilderness was also their spiritual and emotional wilderness.  It was the place where God continued to test them (see 16:4 and 17:7).What is the wilderness?  It is a place where things ar...  Read More

  In the wilderness.  This week’s passage covers the Hebrews “exodus” from Egypt, and their commencement into the wilderness.  There are several terrific accounts revealing the power of God, as well as His evident concern for His people.  We will observe the numerous “wilderness experiences” of the Israelites.  Furthermore, we will see parallels with our “wilderness experiences.”    Read More

In the wilderness.  This week’s passage covers the Hebrews “exodus” from Egypt, and their commencement into the wilderness.  There are several terrific accounts revealing the power of God, as well as His evident concern for His people.  We will observe the numerous “wilderness experiences” of the Israelites.  Furthermore, we will see parallels with our “wilderness experiences.” Exodus 13-15.  “Wh...  Read More

Exodus 10-12.  “A Bigger Perspective” Exodus 10:1-2 really sums up the whole theme for this week’s devotionals.  The hardness of Pharaoh’s heart allowed God to demonstrate His power through miracles among the Egyptians.However, during this time I would imagine that Moses and Aaron experienced some frustration as Pharaoh would repeatedly change his mind about letting them go.  Moses and Aaron had t...  Read More

Exodus 7:14 - 9:35.  “Working on Multiple Levels” In sending the plagues, God demonstrated His great power over all creation.  In spite of all these demonstrations of power, I think there is something that reveals God’s power even more in this story.  After every plague that takes place, we read that Pharaoh hardened his heart.  That is, until you come to the plague of boils.  If you notice, follo...  Read More

Exodus 4:18 - 7:13.  “Is God Really Powerful?” The Israelites had lived under Egyptian oppression for a long time, so it was not difficult for Moses and Aaron to convince the leaders of Israel that God had sent them to free His people (4:31).  They were convinced, that is, until things got difficult.  Following Moses’ and Aaron’s first request for freedom, Pharaoh ordered their workload increased....  Read More

Exodus 1:1 - 4:17; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3a.  “Roadblocks” Have you ever done something that can only be explained as the power of God working in your life?  One experience of the power of God in my life was on a mission trip to Alaska, when our group was witnessing to members of the Bahai faith.  While I recognize that God was speaking through me, I also recognized that I had a part in the experience....  Read More

Job 40:6-42:17.  “Political Power?” About this time of year we sometimes receive our voters’ pamphlets in the mail, giving us details on all the candidates involved in the upcoming election.  I don’t know about you, but I am becoming a bit of a political cynic.  Every candidate promises to have the solutions to all the problems we face, but once their term is up, the problems remain.  I am so than...  Read More

Job 38:1-40:5.  “Creator” The work of creation is one of the greatest evidences of God’s power.  He uses it here to help Job understand how great the Almighty One is.On the first day of this month you read the biblical account of creation.  Many of us take God’s creation for granted and have lost sight of the magnitude of what God did.  Mankind has become quite skilled at creating different things...  Read More