SCRIPTURE: Numbers 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This reading talks about the Passover, and about how the glory cloud led the people through the wilderness. God makes it plain that the Passover is for everyone, even the unclean and the foreigner. It has a strong message of grace, forgiveness and freedom for all. But that message is not disconnected…
we are His workers
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In the old covenant, God used limited symbols to represent universal truths. The land of Israel represents the whole earth. The temple building represent all people. The nation of Israel represents all the nations of the world. The repeated sacrifices represent the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. The designated priests and levites represent…
abiding in Christ
I am reading Andrew Murray’s Abiding In Christ, a devotional book based on Jesus words in John 15:1-7. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are…
what really matters
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Our focus can easily be sidetracked. In reading this list, we get so wrapped up in what was given, we forget why it was given. The dedication of the altar, as the symbolic meeting place of God’s grace and our humility, is at the center of this reading. It matters more WHY…
heaven on a harley
I just heard about this, though it was several years ago (May 2005)… Apparently our sister church in Corona California has a unique way of getting people to come to church. What do you think? Is this the way that we should get people to come to church? It just sounds wrong to me. Someone…
His face is beaming!
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Would you make an extreme vow? For example, for Lent, would you consider not cutting your hair or shaving, not drinking any alcohol, and not touching anything dead? Or maybe instead you might vow to not eat chocolate, or drink coffee, or not have sex, or to shave your head completely, to…
don’t wait for the lie detector
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: One day there will be a time for judgment. One day our impure hearts will be exposed, we will have to give an account for our wrongs, and we will be forced to face the consequences of our actions. What the Lord speaks to Moses about in this historical context, is an…
“heaven up”
So does anyone have an opinion? Would you consider this baptism legitimate, if they didn’t use water? Why or why not… OSLO (Reuters) – A Norwegian church used lemon-flavored cola instead of water in a baptism ceremony after its taps were temporarily turned off because of freezing temperatures, daily Vaart Land said Tuesday….
to take my job seriously
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This reading reminds me of the central importance attached to the Tent (later turned into the Temple under Solomon). Those set apart for the Lord’s work (Levites) were assigned specific tasks in order to keep the honour and purpose of the Tent clear and respected. This was the symbol of God among…
even the hair on our heads
OK, this just goes to show that Jesus can use anyone. I am sorry, this was very serious and sincere at the time. But I could not resist… look at that hair! The one looks like the Great Gazoo’s wife. I know, I know, one day someone will post a picture of me and my…