Numbers 16:41-18:32 + Mark 16:1-20 + Psalm 55:1-23 + Proverbs 11:7
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Old Testament – Today in Numbers chapter 17 verse 8 we read how God stopped the questioning of the Israelite community about Aaron and his houses’ unique priestly authority – “When Moses went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, blossomed, and produced almonds!”
The 2nd sentence in Numbers chapter 18 verse 20 stood out to me today: “And the LORD said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your inheritance and your share.” What a beautiful thing to hear from God! I am your inheritance and your share. In your life today, is God your inheritance and your share? Do you want God to be your inheritance and share? Does anything else at all compare to this glorious inheritance?
New Testament – Today we finish up the Gospel of Mark! The Gospel of Luke starts tomorrow. In Mark chapter 16 verse 6 is the key to our Christian faith: “The angel said, “Do not be so surprised. You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead!” Do you believe this angel’s proclamation? Do you truly believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Below is “The Resurrection” by the northern German Renaissance painter Matthias Grünewald from the year 1515:
Jesus’ resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. The resurrection is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and of Jesus’ own statements. The Christian faith stands or falls on the bodily resurrection of Jesus. We can read more about this important point from Paul in 1 Corinthians 15. The One Year Bible Companion outlines these 5 points in their commentary that the resurrection guarantees:
1. Jesus was truly the Son of God. (Romans 1:4)
2. God the Father accepted what Jesus did at Calvary on the basis of the resurrection. (Romans 4:25)
3. Jesus as our Risen Lord pleads for his people before the Father. (Romans 8:34)
4. Believers have the hope of eternal life. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
5. Believers will also rise and have resurrected bodies like that of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:49, Philippians 3:21, 1 John 3:2)
Psalms – Today we read Psalm 55 verse 22, which is a beautiful reminder to all who believe in the risen Lord! “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Please do meditate on this verse a bit. Do you make it a habit of giving your burdens to the Lord? Or do you try to carry your burdens on your own strength? Is there a burden you are carrying today that you can give to the Lord? Will you? And do you trust that he will take care of you and not permit you to slip and fall?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 11 verse 7 today teaches us: “When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.” This is a great reminder of why we should not only not carry our burdens on our own, but we should also not rely on our own strength. Our strength is fleeting… Will you instead rely on the Eternal Strength that will never fail you?
Worship Video: Today’s readings about Jesus’ resurrection reminded me of the terrific song “Christ Is Risen” by Matt Maher:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBqPXvP6aso
Do you believe Christ is Risen? Click here to Believe!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: “”Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will know truly in your heart that Jesus is risen and that He sits at the right hand of the Father until he comes again in Glory.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on our Proverb today, have you seen in your life how your own strength can fail you? Have you ever been strengthened by the Holy Spirit? How are you able to discern when you are doing things from your own strength compared to when you are being strengthened by the Holy Spirit? How do you surrender your own strength and instead rely on God’s strength? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Love, Trust and Obey Jesus,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Numbers 16:41-18:32
There is something in today’s Old Testament reading that stopped me dead in my tracks. There is something I thought was a modern day phenomena even though I know that the “blame game” began back in the “Garden.” No where in the readings of the remainder of chapter 16 and the 17th chapter do the people take responsibility for their unbelief, their disobedience and their out right rebellion against the Word of God, they challenge leadership ordained by God every step of the way. No wonder they wondered for forty years. God couldn’t allow that kind of “murmuring” and complaining into the Promise Land.
A very funny evangelist said, “If you don’t believe the prophet of the house (meaning the Church you are attending) leave ‘cause your going broke if you don’t.” Well, the way she said it was very funny. How many of us tell the Pastor what to do or mummer against him because he should be doing it like this? And is our guide and model godly wisdom? No, it is the imagination of our own minds; after all I did get a degree from what of the top MBA programs (or the lowest) in the country. Shouldn’t that qualify me to run the church? A Medical Doctor once offered his services to serve in the ministry of my church. Now you must be a member for one year and have taken several required classes (New members; Spiritual Growth and a Service class) before you can serve and they have added a three-month boot camp to insure that you can be submitted to leadership. Well anyway they told him they would gladly use him but the only thing that had an opening for was to patrol the parking lot. He quickly withdrew his offer.
We jockey for church positions thinking that it will make us closer to God or that we will have influence, respect and power in the midst the people we serve. But we are not really looking to serve using the model Jesus put forth; we are really looking to be served. And with the responsibility that leadership demands, I’m not sure if I would want the job! Bottom line: We want the authority but we don’t want the responsiblity that comes with it. But God says, “Sorry, they are a package deal!”
Leviticus 18:
1The LORD now said to Aaron: “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But you and your sons alone will be held liable for violations connected with the priesthood.
… 3 But as the Levites go about their duties under your supervision, they must be careful not to touch any of the sacred objects or the altar. If they do, both you and they will die.
Whoa! Back up just a minute. These people won’t listen to God yet those Aaron must supervises he’s responsible for if they don’t follow the command not to “touch” the sacred objects? The comment Jesus made about the generation always needing a “sign” becomes clearer about why he said what He said. The Miracles God worked through Moses and Aaron in Egypt weren’t good enough; the parting of the Red Sea wasn’t good enough and the Manna, the quail, the ground opening up and taking Korah and his crowd didn’t convince them that God was the true God and that Moses and Aaron was His representative couldn’t convince them then what would?
This is the statement that really has me stunned,
Numbers 17:
12 Then the people of Israel said to Moses, “We are as good as dead! We are ruined! 13 Everyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle of the LORD dies. We are all doomed!”
No, the reason they died was because they disobeyed, they were rebellious and they complained against God and accused Him of only wanting to take them out in the dessert to kill them. WOW! How much of this do I do? I need to stop and take stock of my activities and my self-talk. Am I following after this pattern? Do I need to fall on my face and ask forgiveness for seditious behavior?
Some thoughts of Paul to Timothy:
Desiring leadership (teaching)
6 But some teachers have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident. 8 We know these laws are good when they are used as God intended.(1 Timothy 1)
What James states:
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.(James 3)
Although I’ve read all the readings for the day, I’m just blown away by Numbers 16 and 17 and must spend more time mediating on these two chapters,
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Jeff:
There is a widespread belief that the final verses of Mark (16:9-20) were not part of Mark’s original gospel. For example, on this question my Study Bible says about these verses: “They are absent from important early manuscripts and display certain peculiarities of vocabulary, style and theological content that are unlike the rest of Mark.”
Perhaps we should not be too quick to accept this theory. Personally, I find that the vocabulary and style are very similar. Do you?
But the question of “theological content” is the most interesting one–here I think they must be referring primarily to verses 17 and 18 wherein Jesus’ final words before his ascension are: 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
I think it is possible that early scribes were confounded by the idea that “those who believe” would be able to do these miracles (especially “drink deadly poison” without hurting themselves). Thus isn’t it also possible that they simply decided to delete these verses from their early manuscripts?
By “those who believe”, was Jesus referring to all believers? or simply to “the Eleven” disciples (see verse 14)? I think the latter is more likely, in which case understanding verses 17 & 18 becomes much easier to accept.
Jeff
====== Emily:
Yes, I do give my burdens to Lord and do believe that He is perfectly capable of taking care of them. But Im riven apart between the gospel of succcess and positivity as preached by the likes of Joel Osteen, Dr. Schuller and the one of repentence, wrath of God and suffering by others.
So, I wonder if I should be joyful and ambitious, not scared to make mistakes, experiment or I should sit in the corner, sulk and suffer for Christian ideals in this modern, material,’progressive’ , liberal and free world…in the hope that Jesus is coming back and I am going to live in Heaven forever?
I got no idea. And that’s what confuses me and makes me hopeless. Because I dont know what I can hope for.
Emily
======= Betty:
Emily,
I, too, often feel that the preaching of “success” and “postive thinking” does a disservice to most of us who have day to day tests of faith and struggles. The reality is that this world is full of trouble. But the truth is that in Christ, we have the upperhand and He is our eternal Hope. Yes, life is not easy but I believe God calls upon us to trust Him so He can increase our faith. We cannot dwell on the negative as if He is not worthy of our trust. Instead, we are to believe that victory in whatever form is possible through the power of God. So how does that translate on a day to day reality? Well, like Paul, we make the best of every situation we find ourselves in and find contentment and joy within that circumstance. Even in prison, Paul could sing, because he did not look at his circumstance, but look to God for his inner joy. Joy and happiness are not the result of our outside circumstances, but of our inner peace with God knowing He is always in control, always on our side, and there to carry every burden. Besides, in this world there will be tribulation, and we ought not love the world or what is in it. It is in our eternal hope of heaven that we need to look to in every circumstance. Thank God for His Holy Spirit who comforts us and the power He grants us to live victoriously!
Betty
======= John:
Emily,
“But Im driven apart between the gospel of succcess and positivity as preached by the likes of Joel Osteen, Dr. Schuller and the one of repentence, wrath of God and suffering by others.”
I am not sure who the latter preachers are that you refer to in your post.
After being saved and really “reading” the Bible, I found myself drawn to men who preached from the Bible, and on the “cross”, salvation, and the growth in Christian maturity. That growth has plenty of joy, happiness, peace, and love that comes from the Trinity. It also has testing, tough times, and pain in dealing with the journey to sanctification that will only be completed in heaven.
We are imperfect, and while we have a regeneration of the spirit, we still battle the flesh. Without the tough times we would never grow in spiritual maturity.
On the Christian radio networks, I like to listen to Erwin Lutzer, David Jeremiah, Chuck Swindoll, and the ministry of J. Vernon McGee (now deceased but they still broadcast his messages).
I read a lot of Ravi Zacharias (apologetic ministry), and John MacArthur.
If you are disappointed on what you have been “fed” – perhaps you might try listening to or reading some of these ministers.
All of these men (in my opinion) are scripturally based in their teachings. None of them seem to fall into the two categories of Biblical outlooks that you refer to in your post.
Whatever you do, stay in prayer, stay in the “Word”, and seek the guidance of God.
John
======= Peggy:
In todays reading Psalm 55:22 I even copied it so it will be a constant reminder. “Turn your worries over to the Lord”. Wow what a feeling, to know that that God will keep you going. I thank God that I walk with Him each day, without Him I would be nothing. Have a Blessed day.
Peggy
======= Oriane:
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;he will never let the righteous fall”…I found great comfort in this verse in Psalm today, knowing that I am not alone and that the Lord will sustain me during this walk. The background on my desktop says “Casting the whole of your cares-all your anxities,all your worries,all your concerns, once and for all-on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully” 1 Peter 5:7 (Amp). Today’s verse in Psalm stood out to me as it is very similar to this verse in 1 Peter. We have an amazing friend in Jesus and He helps us walk this Christian walk in this world filled with ‘crevasses’ and ‘steep hills’. How comforting it is to know that He will look after our burdens! God Bless.
Oriane
======= Andrew:
Re gospel of success:
A while ago Mike referred us to Principles of Priesthood (Leviticus 8-10) By: Bob Deffinbaugh , Th.M.
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=270
I learned some things about church and priesthood from that piece. It includes the following:
“When all human hope is lost, men still have the promises of God, backed by His power and by His character.
Here is the critical difference between the “hope” which the world offers me and the true hope which God offers. The world’s hope is a counterfeit hope, it is only a delusion. God’s hope is certain. Hebrews chapter 11 focuses on the biblical hope which sustained the men and women of faith in the Old Testament times, especially when all human hope was lost.
The world’s “hope” differs from God’s hope in the way it is spelled. God’s hope is spelled H O P E. The world’s “hope” is spelled H Y P E. Hype is furthered and fueled by success, while hope is promoted by failure. HYPE is confident of what men can do. Hope is confident in God, not men.
The sad reality, in my personal opinion, is that the church has all too often exchanged its hope for hype. We think that “success stories” build the hope of Christians, but the Bible suggests otherwise. It is those who are sick who turn to someone else for healing, as the afflicted turned to our Lord in the gospels. It is those who are sinners, who look for salvation in someone outside of themselves.
You see, when we as Christians view our hope as being synonymous and signaled by our successes, we have switched to hype, not hope. And the tragedy is that those who are afflicted and suffering are told (or it is at least strongly implied) that they must have too little faith, when it is these very trials which God has given us to strengthen our faith, just as He gave to those who are listed in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews chapter 11.
The failures of the Aaronic Priesthood caused men and women of faith to look to God for a better High Priest, and a better priesthood. It instructed the saints of old not to put their trust in men, but in God. Every failure which is to be found in the Pentateuch (and in all the Bible, for that matter) is recorded to cause us to distrust ourselves, and to place our trust more fully in God, who is worthy of our trust.
May God grant that we, like the Israelites of old, might learn from the failures of the old institutions that God always has a better way. May God grant us to see, and to believe that the better way has been finished by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is all sufficient, and who is worthy of all of our hope and trust.”
Andrew
======= Ramona:
Numbers 16:41-18:32
God has passed judgment on His people for challenging the leadership of Moses. Refusing to acknowledge that Moses is the one who God has chosen to lead His people, the folk continue to murmur and complain against Moses. “He is the one who is knocking off God’s people,” they fail to take responsibility for their own actions so there is a continual game of “Blame Shifting.”
The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3 AMP)
Moses’ own sister and brother, Israel’s leadership and now Israel herself continues to challenge the leadership God has put in place and they now accuse Moses and his brother Aaron of “knocking off” the people. Can we find ourselves doing this today? We are a fickle bunch. Like Israel most believers have made a conscience choice to not hear from God, we want someone else to do it (Exodus 20:19) then tell us what God has said. Yet when that person tells us “Thus saith the Lord,” we want to stone him/her or ignore the Word we have authorized him/her to receive from God. We are a seditious and rebellious bunch.
This Blog encourages and motivates people to read the Word of God, something that many of us have not done even for those who claim leadership or want to be leaders. It is a dangerous business to try to lead people who don’t know the Word of God for themselves when leadership is ignorant. Yet it is even more dangerous to submit to leadership without finding out the path you are suppose to take by reading God’s Word. How do you know if you are on the right path if you don’t know the Word of God? No knowing God’s Word may land you in a jungle somewhere drinking Kool-Aid spiked with poison.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. (Matthew 11:16-17 KJV)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Ann:
Faith Is Like A Never-Ending Waterfall……How Quaint! This Proverb Motivates me ALOT!
Ann
======= Mae:
Verses 15 & 16 from Mark stood out for me “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned”. ~ Awesome! It gives me so much power! I’m going on the streets again next Saturday and verses like this give me extra power! It’s my duty as a Christian to preach the Gospel, to share my testimony, let the world know how my life changed when I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour! I love being on the streets … sing revivalsongs and songs of worship, talk to people about God … Awwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait till it’s Saturday!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 55:22 “”Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” ~ Me, as a former controll freak, had a hard time giving my burdens to the Lord. Thinking I have to do it all on my own … thinking I’m the only one who can help me. How weird does it sound when I tell you that I sometimes forget that I can give my burdens to the Lord? You know, something crosses my path and I automaticly panic and think I have to do it all on my own … that’s so stupid, eh? After a day or 2 stressing out, trying to solve this by myself, I think to myself “Uh … I can bring this to the altar!!!”. It’s not that I don’t trust God enough, it’s just me and breaking through my old stupid habit. So yes, I’m not a former controll freak, I’m a “controll freak on her way out of it”. LOL
I know God will have my back. He always had it, even before I was reborn. I trust God and I know that if something might happen that makes it feel like I hit rock bottom, then I know He’ll be there for me! He’s my heavenly Father! He’ll never let me down and I’ll never let go either!
Mae
======= Jenny:
Great readings, i read the passages then the blog and the same things stood out for me.
Also Ps. v.3-4 “Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me and in anger they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me…” and vs. 12-14
“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him.
But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my familiar friend; We who had sweet fellowship together…”
this really speaks to me as a personal thing i’m going through today particularly.
Yes to all the above Qs. In fact just today i was trying to do things by my might, i was in despair and distress…i knew i was carrying something i wasnt meant to carry, i knew i was in the flesh. i allowed jealousy, bitterness and contempt to infiltrate me. I was despairing the to the point of wanting to die, the enemy whispering the cruelest things to me, i was weak and i just accepted it, i knew it was him and i was in the flesh. i finally allowed the spirit to take control (sometimes its so easy and sometimes soo hard to surrender control! sometimes i dont want to!) we gotta do it everyday, all day. or at least i do. Every morning I wake up in the flesh and my flesh is ugly! i know thats why God tells us to seek Him in the mornings.
Jenny
======= Art:
Mike, where do you find the illustrations that yiu use such as the one today, THINKING IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE? They are so great. Makes a point often better than writing! I’d like to know where to find them!
Thanks,
Art
======= Ted:
It took many years for me to see how I was relying on my own strength. We live in a society that measures our worth by our achievements. This worldly mindset had me running hard and frustrated most of the time. It seemed that every time I reached a goal there were many more concurrent demands on me that stole any joy out of that accomplishment. There was no time to celebrate because there was so much more to do.
As Jesus has revealed the Father to me, I have seen that any accomplishment or competence I have was given to me by Him. There is no need to boast in anything but the Lord Himself. After all, He said “It is finished” on the cross which says to me that anything and everything that REALLY needed to get done was done there.
Everyday I wake up to many demands. Giving those cares over to Jesus is the only hope I have. Living in my own strength sapped me of strength. Trusting on the Lord renews my strength.
I know when I’m not working in God’s strength when I haven’t included Him in what I’m doing. Paul talks about praying unceasingly and I believe he is showing us what it means to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He also encourages us with these words “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I’ve come to see that only God is true, noble, right, pure, lovely admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Isaiah says that thinking like this gives us peace “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”
What’s true for me is that I want the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and long-suffering that only God can provide. That’s really what I want more than anything else.
Ted
======= Lisa:
In the Old Testament, judgment fell in the form of instant death and a rod bloomed to show God’s chosen. Jesus cam to fulfill the scriptures. I am beginning to see that something changed after Jesus. To make all things new? We live in an age where “all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” I don’t recall those words or any similar in the Old Testament. Except for the judgment of Annanias and Saphira, i don’t recall instances of God’s judgment of death. Others judged to kill for their reasonings. Perhaps we should take what is “bad”(goes against God’s word) as the burdens to take to the Lord in prayer, whether they affect us personally or not. For example, Has the immorality that holds our nation’s thoughts become so prevalent because we do not take that burden to God? How will they know Jesus if they do not see him in our lives? Jesus said that the people of the world take better care of their “stuff” We should take everything to the Lord in prayer and start by thanking him for his mercy. He gave us a mandate to go and tell the world, and I just don’t think that the world can see Jesus as He is through our efforts. It is something that we must pray and ask God to do that New Thing in us. Spend more time with Him, Know Him more, and the world will see Him more-through us.
Lisa
======= Nikki:
This bible study has been a blessing and great help to me and my husband who have been doing it since the first of the year.. i look forward to our time together in the Lord’s word..
Nikki
======= Raeann:
The Gospel of Mark is very similair to the gospel of Matthew. Jesus goes to the sea to start receiving his disciples. HE does numerous miracles from healing the sick, driving out demons, feeding the four thousand, people are drawn to HIM wherever HE goes in the land. HE walks on water and calms the storm. Many people believe in HIM, become HIS disciples and are saved. No one who met HIM could go away without having been changed. HE taught in parables and told HIS disciples there meanings. HE predicted HIS death more then once and tried to prepare HIS disciples for what was to come. The people of Jeruselum welcomed HIM with singing and praises one day and a week later HE was dead everyone having turned against HIM in the span of a single week. Praise God HE ascended on the third day to HEAVEN. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Gospel of Mark.
Raeann
====== Chris:
Two verses that really stood out to me (one from yesterday) in Num 16 were vss 22 & 45 where we see Moses and Aaron falling face down on the ground, pleading with God for mercy. I doubt this would have been my reaction. “Smite away,” I probably would have thought, along with “These people are such a burden.” No wonder God calls him friend (Ex 33:17).
Chris
======= Bobbie:
Numbers 16:41-18:32
Whats happening in the Old testament is still the same at the very moment. Many are still saying negatives words to the pastor they have. These messages are very true they dont know that God chooses these men for him to feed his sheep. They are the Peter at present which the Lord chose to feed his sheep. I am also reminded that sometimes in my baby in faith I saw always the negatives of my Pastor but God talked to me and said ” You see the weakness of your Pastor, it means that your weaknesses is more than your Pastor so you need to pray for yourself and pray for your Pastor as well.Right now when I hear a words against our Pastor I always tell them that pray for yourself and most esp. pray for your Pastor. Thank you Lord for reminding me for your unconditional love.
Bobbie
======= Steve:
Mike’s question to us: “How are you able to discern when you are doing things from your own strength compared to when you are being strengthened by the Holy Spirit?”
This same question was posed to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones who answered “That is very easy, If you are preaching in the energy of the flesh, you will feel exalted and lifted up. If you are preaching in the power of the spirit, you will feel awe and humility”.
Steve
======== Ginny:
A wonderful book that delves into “proofs” that Jesus is “The Christ” is A Case For Christ by Lee Stobel. He uses a journalist format to reinforce his findings, disprove theories that try to debunk the Gospels and provide old testament references that point to Jesus.
Ginny
======= Greg:
Psalm 55 calls me to lay my burdens down. Please listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “At the feet of Jesus”.
“At the feet of Jesus I will lay my burdens down, I will lay my heavy burdens down”.
Greg
======== Jill:
Well put Ramona! Yes.. This is so true. The blame game. My don’t we grumble and complain when it comes to,our churches. Why don’t they have drums, why don’t we have more worship teams, why …why… Why… So people hop all over. All God wants is open hearts. It’s not about us it’s about Him. have one question. Why did Aaron staff bud and blossom? I wasn’t sure what it proved. Blessings to all. Jane
Jill
======= Russ:
If God is leading, I think sometimes we have to jump in and serve. If we are waiting to be perfected before we serve, we will just be waiting…
Russ
======= Robert:
Mark 16
The Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus is so important to understand by the Christian and we should look at all aspects of it when we can. I liked Mike’s commentary and 5 key guarantees. I took a deeper look at 1 Corinthians 15. There is an excellent 1 hour video by John MacArthur, “The Mystery of Resurrection”. It mostly deals with verses 50-58 but also on what “mystery” means.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/l5Y7BUqXk8I?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
There is a great explanation on “REASONING” about half way through the sermon. Here are some bullet points:
• Romans 1 says every human heart has built in the concept, “There is a God”.
• All reasoning is based on a cause and effect continuum. That is what thinking is. If you follow it back, you are going to find a need for a primary cause.
• That is why the theory of Evolution is such a devastating attack on human reasoning. It says: Nobody X Nothing = Everything.
• Romans 2 says every law is written in the heart of man. It excuses or accuses everyone.
Ramona: I really liked your take on the Doctor who didn’t understand the concept of service. It reminds me of Gene Simmons leader for the famous band KISS who did a TV reality show (2008), that had him serving as a parking attendant for the church’s school before they would baptize his child. Funny!
Robert
======= Grace:
God telling Aaron that He was his inheritance give me hope that God can and will care for my needs no matter how helpless ,I am. And cupped with the angel saying that He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead,this increases my faith that He live forever to be my inheritance, I need not to trust in mortals whose promises dies with them but commit my burden to the Lord and He will care for me.Thank God for He care for me.
Grace
======== Mitch:
OT – Numbers is a consistent story. Israelites grumble, then sin, God judges, and God punishes.
As the Creator of the Universe He has the right to judge (who else) and the right to punish. Especially His people who agreed in covenant (big deal in those times) to obey and worship Him as God. Again, you see God aggressively reacting to sin with Israelites before entering Canaan, after a long period of disobedience (Assyria and Babylon invasions), and Beginning of Church (Acts). Why? To show how serious he takes sin.
We are in a period of Grace now – God is patient and Romans 1 describes what happens to nations who repeatedly claim Him and then deny Him.
NT – Resurrection is key to evidence of truth in Jesus’ claim. Is it true? What is standard? Absolute or reasonable explanation? Dealing with ancient times – can we ever know anything absolutely? Perhaps like courtrooms we should go with beyond a reasonable doubt?
4 Facts Historians agree on:
1) Jesus (historical) died on the cross
(Multiple extra-biblical sources)
2) The tomb was empty (and location at time
Known – Joseph of Arimethea’s tomb and
he was member of Sanhedrin) (Jewish and
Biblical sources)
3) Disciples (Apostles) BELIEVED Jesus had
risen physically from the dead.
4) Why would avowed unbelievers – Paul and
James (Jesus’ brother) change their minds
and switch teams)?
If one could wrestle (honestly) with those four facts, the most reasonable explanation is Jesus rose physically from the dead. (After all, if He is creator of the universe, Resurrection is not that big of deal). AND if Jesus physically rose from the dead one should probably take what he says (and said) in Gospels as important truths.
Mitch
======= Dee:
I am blown away in say context as Ramona on the Numbers readings today. What I got out of it was this: Chapter 16, Here the Israelites were muttering again, accusing Moses and Aaron of killing the Lords people, the blame game 101, how many times have we done the same thing for something we did but won’t live up to our admitting we were wrong and the guilt and thus the repentance of it all. They didn’t feel any remorse! How sad!! What I got going further into this where Aaron with his incense stood between the living and the dead, was in coorelation with Jesus interceding for our behalf. Here we are born of our Mothers womb and then reborn into His creation, reborn again through the Blood and Sacrifice of Jesus. Aaron showed very well what it is like to mediate for the lost and dying world and God’s wrath simmered down, and in Chapter 17, the budding of Aarons staff-this brought to my thoughts the verse in New Testament: Matthew 7:16, By their fruit you will recognize them. What kind of fruit were the Israelites producing back then? What kind are we? hmmm..In Chapter 18, the tithing principle was still relevent even for the priests(ministers) of the day even though the only thing they were given (which is the most awesome as Mike said in commentary above) was they were given covenent of God-He was their inheritance! How Awesome!!Even though they don’t get paid, the money(s) that come into the tabernacle, some was given to the priest as a tithe, and then the priests were to give a tithe of a tithe to the Lords work and in ministry to the other Levites and daily needs of the temple. 1/10 was the Lords from the Levites inheritance, how awesome is that.. seed, time, and harvest shall occur..
Mark 16:1-20, This always amazes me when reading about the ladies going to the tomb and the grave being revealed and this time in Mark, there was only one angel there and spoke to go tell the disciples “and Peter” that Jesus isn’t there, He rose from the dead just as He said He would. The part about Peter being added in addition to just telling the disciples of Jesus’ whereabouts makes me feel humbled and blessed to be a Child of God. We aren’t perfect..Peter had his shortcomings and everybody had to be told about it for years on end, however Christ was saying, Peter, I know you did what I said you were going to do and I forgive you..You’re forgiven..I love you..I love my disciples and Yes even You Peter!! That is so precious, because without Christ being in the midst of us all we would all be so lost and wicked and blinded to the worldly influence and be alot worse off than we already are..Be Blessed! Isaiah 60:1, “Arise, shine, for your ‘light’ has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
Ps 55: 1-23 I like verses 16-19, But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night. I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me. God, who has rules forever, will hear me and humble them.
That is truly a blessing to hear.. Our Lord is with us morning, noon and night(oh the nights, when satan tries to tempt and try us) but we have been redeemed because our Lord is with us, we can take courage and strength from that ..He hears us when we are hurt or distressed, he comforts us, even in the midst of our dreams..God hears and listens to us carefully and will humble our enemies for our sake. Reminds me of 23rd Psalm, He preparest a table in the presence of our enemies..well, are we going to have enemies in Heaven? No!! Our tables will be set and we will have favor and be blessed right here, in the midst of these worlds events, God is going ot anoint us to do great and might things..much greater than He did while He was here, He said we will do greater!! Take that to heart and be blessed..
Prov 11:7, when the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their feeble strength.
And God’s people, say,,”The Joy of The LORD Is OUR STRENGTH!!” Hallulujah..
Amen..Amen..
Dee
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