The next devotion will post August 1, 2017.
Be blessed in Christ!
Friday, July 21, 2017
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Journey On
JOURNEY ON
Sixth of six devotions in Proud Insolence series
Numbers 16:28-18:7
Numbers 17:1-5: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from each leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. Place them in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you. The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.’”
This last devotion of the series that began with Korah’s proud insolence that so irritated God ends with a peaceful resolution of whom may carry censers filled with incense. When Korah’s entire council was swallowed whole by the earth, remember the LORD had the censers gathered from the smoldering remains. That was to remind the Israelites that only a descendant of Aaron was allowed to burn incense before the LORD.
Numbers 16:31-40 tells the story. This devotion shows another miracle that ought to WOW Believers today. The opening Scripture is simple. God is like an earthy parent who makes the rules for the family. Each one get a staff and write your name on it.
One staff will sprout.
What?
These staffs were really almond branches.
Usually, before fruit appears, a bud forms. The bud blossoms into a flower. When the flower falls off the branch, fruit appears. But Aaron’s branch was a show-off! God can do that, because He makes the rules. Aaron’s branch, “which represented the house [ancestral tribe] of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.” (Numbers 17:8b).
Clearly, Aaron’s branch won. God awarded the tribe of Levi the honor to be responsible for His sanctuary. AND, Aaron’s Levi family tribe became responsible for offences against the priesthood. See the lesson linked below for other “church” duties Aaron’s family were assigned.
Take Home Nugget
Why did Aaron’s branch show off and show not only buds but blossoms intact? Gardeners know that growing fruit takes work. Preparing the soil, sowing seeds, watering the plants all come before harvesting the fruit. However, there is value in the process.
Our journey in life is as important as our destination.
We all are not at the end of our journey. Goals need to be met. Life’s success is usually measured by the fruits of our labor. Let’s appreciate where we are on our journey. It’s a beautiful journey. It’s valuable. May today in the journey on your spiritual path bring you peace.
Let this give us strength to journey on!
Thank You, Father, for my journey!
J.D. Griffith
LOOK FOR MY RETURN IN TWO WEEKS. ENJOY SUMMER!
LOOK FOR MY RETURN IN TWO WEEKS. ENJOY SUMMER!
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Friday, July 7, 2017
About Face
ABOUT FACE
Fifth of six devotions in Proud Insolence series
Numbers 13:17-14:45
Numbers 14:1-3: “That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in the desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us die by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’”
“Scaredy cats!” Twelve-year-olds Jeremy and Brad yelled to the boys who ran the opposite direction from the swimming pool.
Thunder clapped. Lightning streaked threats at the public pool.
Being frightened can encourage people to act bravely.
The Israelites in the opening Scripture were too scared to enter and take possession of the Promised Land. False bravery claimed, “If only we had died in Egypt!”
Not!
Death as slaves is never better than being free and living in a country of our very own.
Proud insolence wears many masks. Scared is one mask that can either hide rudeness or pride. The first spies Moses sent to Canaan returned with good reports about the land and its fruit. But the bad reports totally overshadowed the good. Fortified cities occupied with giants who ate inhabitants! (Numbers 13:25-32).
Moses writes the lesson linked below where God foretells the spy’s future.
The second time spies returned with a different report—many years later and under a different leader. This time, Rahab became a friend of Israel (Joshua 2:1). She hid the spies and made a deal with them that saved her entire household (Joshua 2:2-24).
The new spies’ about face happened through a personal interaction about an awesome God. Rahab believed and confessed, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you. … We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea. … and what you did to Sihon and Og, … whom you completely destroyed. … When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you.” (Joshua 2:9, 10, 11).
But the most awesome about face comes when God transforms people through His indwelling Spirit. Proud and rude becomes a Christian who follows Jesus!
Take Home Nugget
Mosab Yousef was raised in Hamas. He became a founding member of that terrorist group who claimed responsibilty for countless suicide bombings and deadly attacks in Israel. Today, Mosab is a Christian living in USA.
After studying the Bible, Mosab did an about face. He changed his faith, his values—and his entire life—becoming a spy for Israel.
Holy Father, strengthen me to act on confessed faith, as Rahab and Mosab did. Amen.
Adapted from “Complete Turnaround“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. www.HolyLandMoments.com. June 16, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Trust and Be Protected
TRUST AND BE PROTECTED
Fourth of six devotions in Proud Insolence series
Psalm 125:1: “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”
Thanks be to God, who is sovereign over all things and everyone! The title of this series reminds me the state of my homeland, the United States of America. Today is the 241st birthday of the USA. During this anniversary celebrating our independence from Great Britain, I wonder how many are shaking their heads wondering how long we will endure as a free nation.
Let us remember the saying, “Don’t tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how big your God is!”
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding me of that truth!
When we focus on the grace that surrounds us, God’s grace is all we’ll see and experience. There will always be a choice between focusing on challenges that besiege us or praising God for His grace that wraps around, protecting us. Clearly there is evil throughout the world. Life can be very difficult. Jesus advises in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”
Jesus also warns and comforts us in John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
God is my refuge, an ever-present help, my haven, my womb. Every person journeyed from the womb’s safe environment as a tiny fetus growing into a baby. Extremely vulnerable, we stretched and swam into a new world. Birth wasn’t our idea. We’ve been floundering ever since.
We can still live in the shelter of our loving God by choosing faith as our protection.
Everything else suddenly becomes irrelevant. God’s protection and love are available at all times. Now that the world is global, I don’t revolve the world around my homeland. Truth is, Israel is the apple of our heavenly Father’s eyes! (Zechariah 2:8).
Take Home Nugget
Israel is a tiny country. The map shows her surrounded by hostile enemies—except the Mediterranean Sea that is her western boundary. The Arab world is 800 X larger than Israel. This is her frightening reality.
A different reality blossoms around Jerusalem, her capital. This topical reality is softer, sweeter. Jerusalem is enclosed by mountains. Like petals of a rose, Jerusalem is walled with beauty, grace, and protection.
Psalm 125:2 defines Jerusalem as a spiritual reality: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” Emphasis mine. Just as the mountains construct a physical barrier between Jerusalem and invading forces, God Himself provides protection for those who trust Him.
Be my Iron Dome, Lord! Protect me from fiery darts as my shield now and forevermore! Amen.
Adapted from “Surrounded by Grace“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. www.HolyLandMoments.com. June 25, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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