SCRIPTURE: Numbers 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Forty years have passed. Now is the time to prepare to enter the promised land. This is a new beginning, a new people. None of those numbered in Numbers 1 (twenty years and older) is still alive, except Moses, Joshua and Caleb. These people are described as “the Israelites who came out of…
Author: Norm
more prayer walking
This past Sunday a group of us walked and prayed around Bolton C. Falby Public School. I have been enjoying it on my own, by it was an even greater blessing to do so as a group. I thought about the people of Israel marching around Jericho, but was not praying that the school walls…
one way or another
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: If he can’t get us one way, he will try another. Satan doesn’t care how he brings us down, he just keeps at it. He tries to defeat Israel with a curse [Numbers 23-24], but when that doesn’t work, he entices them with sexual pleasure – and succeeds. Jesus was tempted in the…
tell it like it is!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What is amazing is that God speaks to (and through) one who practices “sorcery” [Numbers 24:1]. God is not justifying sorcery [Leviticus 19:26], but showing that He rules even over pagan gods and religions. Humankind can rebel against God, defy His commands, and worship other ‘gods’, but they cannot block God’s purposes. God is…
the fight for organic is on!
I haven’t really been that involved in the issue of organic vs. genetically modified foods, but this video is a very fun perspective on it – “and may the Farm be with you!”
curses or blessings
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God is giving Balak plenty of opportunity to repent, to come to his senses. Balaam, speaking from God, sheds light on this situation – these people are with God, and God is with them; do not resist them, join them! But Balak is deceived, and determined to get his own way. He…
hilarious public service announcement
Ok I admit it, I have too much time on my hands (sometimes). But there is something so real, so fun, so… hilarious about this post… right grandma? right oma?
the devil’s diversions
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: At first glance, Balaam seems to be on the right track. When asked to put a curse on Israel, he heeds God’s warning and refuses. When enticed with wealth, he still refuses: “Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small…
resisting or resting
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What happens when we go against God? We go against life! All of creation, all of life, is shaped towards God. Resisting God is like spitting in the wind, it will come back in our face. This is what Arad, Sihon and Og discovered. This is also what a wise Jewish leader…
responding like Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: How do we handle criticism, opposition, disagreement? How we respond can help or hinder our testimony to Jesus. Anger, revenge, bitterness are not healthy responses to opposition. Jesus teaches, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray…