Posts with the tag “week-9”

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 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

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