Hardball

HARDBALL

Third of six devotions in Proud Insolence series

Numbers 16:36-38:  “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy—the censors of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives.  Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy.  Let them be a sign to the Israelites.’”

            In the 1980’s, the Morton Downey, Jr Show was a popular—yet controversial—talk show that encouraged heated debates among the show’s guests.  Guests were chosen and invited to appear on the show for their strange beliefs.  Arguments were bitter.  Guests were called names.  Threats hurled toward people cut like razors. 

            That’s hardball!

            Working with a broad range of people, we often picked on one or another for something like a favorite sports team.  I admit missing this “workplace banter”.  We meant no harm.  It was all in good fun.  Workplace banter adds spice to an otherwise uneventful eight-hour workday. 

            Surprisingly, by criticizing and questioning, we often uncovered truth.

            Fighting fair points out things what we don’t like without attacking the person.  People—regardless of our opinion of them—are still made in God’s image! Disagreements encourage constructive questions.  The goal is to uncover a truth that’s agreed on by all.

            Fighting unfairly is destructive.  Arguments put others down need to be avoided.  People can disagree without viciously attacking others personally.   

            Arguments that produce positive, productive end results are useful for growth.  The goal of arguing is not to find agreement, but to toss hardballs of criticism and questions that dislodge right from all wrong notions. 

            That’s what uncovering truth is all about!  

  

            When Korah and his followers attacked Moses and Aaron, they began an unfair fight.  Korah, nor any member of the council was descended from the priestly tribe of Aaron.  That dislodged truth caused people to burn and be buried alive.  See the lesson linked below for more unnecessary deaths.

            Numbers 16:39-40:  “So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, as the LORD directed him through Moses.  This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would be like Korah and his followers.”

Take Home Nugget

            The next time you find yourself about to argue with another, ask yourself if the argument is for the right reason.

Heavenly Father, Never allow me to argue unfairly.  Always lead me through Your Spirit to uncover Your truth, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Adapted from “Arguments for Heaven’s Sake“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com.  June 21, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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All, Then Nothing

ALL, THEN NOTHING!

Second of six devotions in Proud Insolence series

Numbers 16:22-35

Numbers 16:20 “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to his at once!’”

           

            Moses turned to the council and said in a loud voice, “Clear out—every one of you!  Get away from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!  Don’t take anything, but run away now!” 

            The men split from Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  Most ran away in the opposite direction.  Dathan and Abiram fetched their wives and children and stood together in the front of their tents. 

            Moses warned, “This isn’t my idea.  Hey, if these guys die a natural death, then I misunderstood the LORD.  But…if something new happens to them, then the LORD DID send me!  What if the earth opens its mouth and swallows them whole?  Buried while still alive!  That is proof that they disrespected the Almighty.”

            That’s exactly what happened. 

            They were immediately flushed alive into the grave along with everything they owned!  The rest of the council fled hearing cries rising up from under the earth.  “The earth is going to swallow us too!” the terrified men expected. 

            Then fire erupted from the LORD.  Every man of the 250 who offered incense succumbed in the raging fire.  

                                                       

            Legend has it that Korah’s sons originally stood by dad’s side.  Psalm 49 is supposed to be Korah’s sons repenting from deep within the earth.  They evidently learned truth in their in-between worlds.  Wealth is a false sense of security, it cannot buy one moment of life.  One second Korah’s sons had it all, then abruptly, they had nothing!  See the lesson linked below for a powerful, better ending to this devotion.   We still learn from Psalm 49 today.

Take Home Nugget

            Korah was extremely wealthy.  The legend tells that hundreds of mules lugged the keys to Korah’s treasure houses.  We think that Solomon was the richest man that ever lived.  Korah must have rivaled Solomon. 

            Yet Solomon would have advised Korah from Ecclesiastes 5:13-14: “I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost to some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.”

            The famous Rothschild family was envied by many for their wealth.  “Exactly how much do you have?” someone asked the patriarch. 

            “Come with me,” he enticed the curious bystander.  He opened a room whose walls were decorated with documents.  “These,” said the patriarch, “are my only true possessions.  Only the money I gave away will accompany me to the grave.”

Holy Father, all my possessions are meaningless.  Only the good I do will survive forever.  Help me do good, Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Adapted from “The Only True Possessions“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com.  June 20, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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Korah

KORAH

First of six devotions in Proud Insolence series

Numbers 16:1-18:32

Numbers 16:1-3: “Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent and rose up against Moses.  With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.

“They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, ‘You have gone too far!  The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them.  Why do you set yourselves above the LORD’S assembly?’”

            One can only guess how God must REALLY hate proud insolence [IN-sol-ens].  Insolence describes someone who is disrespectful, rude, sassy, or bold.  From the opening Scripture, we figure that it won’t be long before Korah gets it! 

            We step into history to overhear a jealous Korah roar to the council: “We’re as good as Moses and Aaron!”  Korah spat on the dirt and ground his heel over the wet spot.  “Why did God accept their offering?  What’s wrong with us and our offerings to the LORD?”

            Immediately, the earth split open.  Korah and his fellow councilmen disappeared into the bowels of the earth.  “Oh wow, the earth swallowed them whole!” bystanders said to one another as they stared into the crater God made.  One said, “I guess Korah’s jealousy got him killed!” 

            The lesson linked below shows why God didn’t accept the council’s offering and what ultimately led to the men’s death.  If you think that God doesn’t hear people’s prayers, the lesson may change your mind. 

            Korah always wanted recognition.  Above all, he longed to be a celebrity.  He finally got the recognition he always wanted.  Korah’s story is published forever in the world’s bestseller—the Bible.

            While some people have heard about Korah, he is best known for his faults.  Once a well-respected leader in Israel, he isn’t remembered as a great leader.  Instead, Korah is known as an example of how not to be!

Take Home Nugget

            College hopes to inspire students to make good life choices, rather than just having a good time.  One enthusiastic leader began, “I don’t want you to remember me.  Remember the message I am giving you.”  He instantly became unforgettable.

            This devotion points out who is better-known.  Moses was a humble guy.  Numbers 12:3 says that Moses “was more humble than anyone.”  Korah is exactly opposite from the person Moses wanted to be.  Moses’ mild, humble, unassuming posture throughout life shines as righteousness to us all for eternity! 

Holy Father, I don’t want fame.  Please empower me to be someone who is remembered for being good instead of looking good!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

  Adapted from “Unforgettable“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com. June 19, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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Neshama

NESHAMA

Matthew 16:26:  “What good will it be for a man who gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

            Neshama means soul.  This Hebrew term of endearment is used instead of “man” or “woman”, “boy” or “girl”.  Whether a stranger or close friend, neshama is a gracious description for anyone.  (The words soul and spirit are the same thing).  See the lesson linked below for a soul/spirit Scripture tutorial. 

            Levi hid from his friends at Forrest’s 8^th birthday party.  Kids looked but couldn’t find him, so Forrest hid.  Colleen screeched, “I see Forrest under the bush!”  Forrest came out grinning. 

            “You hide next, Colleen!” Forrest instructed, shielding his eyes.

            Paula glimpsed Colleen’s red shorts.  “I see Colleen under the bench!” she announced.

            Colleen laughed and came out challenging, “Let’s find Forrest!”

            Soon, parents arrived to bring partygoers home.  Levi’s mom called, “Levi!  It’s time to come home.”

            Low tree branches separated and Levi walked out from hiding inside an evergreen tree.  His face was streaked with fresh tears.  “Mama!  Everyone forgot me!”

            Levi’s mom’s eyes brimmed with tears as she crouched down to comfort her son.  Hugging him tightly, she whispered, “Not everyone forgot you, Levi.  I will NEVER forget you.”    

            On their way home, mom said, “Levi, you remind me a lot of Jesus!  You hid sooo well that your friends probably did forget to search for you.  People react to what we see.  We cannot see Jesus…and He is sad when we don’t seek Him, too.   

             

            People are multi-dimensional [di-MEN-shon-al].  There are many layers to human beings.  We are so much more than our bodies!  Since people are created in our heavenly Father’s image, we’re also spirit beings (Genesis 1:27, and John 4:24). 

            Seeing everything all around us, we forget to live by faith.  

  

            Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: “Therefore, we are always confident [because the Holy Spirit lives inside whoever believes in Jesus as Lord] and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  We live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”   

Take Home Nugget   

            Our heavenly Father must feel a lot like Levi.  His Spirit longs for our attention and comes near to us every day.  He is not hiding.  But like the birthday party kids, we get busy seeking many other things.  Demands on our time distract us from seeking God first every day.

            Let’s remember that we are souls.  Let’s forget distractions so that we never forget God! 

Thank You Father, for giving me a body AND a soul!  Amen. 

Adapted from “Remove the Distractions“ by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  October 2, 2014. www.HolyLandMoments.com.

J.D. Griffith

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Focus on Blessings

FOCUS ON BLESSINGS

Numbers 11

Numbers 11:5-6:  “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.  But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

           

            Twelve-year-old Cassie loves summer days swimming with her friends at the public pool.  Cassie appreciates carefree, happy fun.  One day she mentioned, “I’m thrilled that my hardest problem is to meet you here every day.”

            Missy giggled, nodding her head in agreement.

            Brenda added, “We are lucky!  Let’s have the most fun we can before we turn sixteen.”

            “What happens at sixteen?” Missy asked.

            “Jobs, silly!”

            Let’s focus on blessings today.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed!  “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [clothes, food, drink] will be given to you as well.”  Jesus promises that our Father in heaven knows what we need, and will supply them.  (Matthew 6:32-33).  Jesus also provides righteousness when we confess, “I am the righteousness, wisdom, and holiness of God in Christ!”  (1 Corinthians 1:30).  Just by saying this, we are seeking God’s kingdom first! 

            With God meeting all our needs, we can focus on blessings every day.

            When Israelites travelled to the Promised Land, the opening Scripture finds them complaining about the miraculous food that God provided.  Manna tasted exactly what the person eating it craved--except leeks, onions, and garlic.  (These foods are not good for pregnant or nursing women to pass onto their babies). 

            The problem with manna is that it looked the same every day.  So, while no one died from thirst or starvation on the 40-year journey, the Israelites grew bored with manna.

            Focusing on blessings cures boredom.  There is enough grumbling in this world!  Whoever focuses on lack, poisons life’s adventure.  Whoever complains about what they don’t have is addicted to worry.  Jesus warns about worry in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

            Actually, worrywarts are blessed!  They just hesitate to name their blessings—because when they think hard, their list of blessings goes on and on. 

  

            So, life is filled with blessings—obvious and hidden.  Let’s focus on God’s goodness.  Let’s focus on blessings! 

Take Home Nugget

            God’s kids’ mission is to live as He intended and enjoy happiness every day.  We can focus on thanking God when we awake—and end each day recounting His miracles and provisions. 

            Missy thought about getting a job all day.  Finally she announced her decision: “I’d like a job lifeguarding at this pool!”  That would never get boring!” 

 

Thank You Lord Jesus, for providing the righteousness of God in me—and everything else I need!  Amen.

Adapted from “Seeing Our Blessings” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com.  June 7, 2017.

J.D. Griffith

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Shadow Proction

SHADOW PROTECTION

Psalm 121

Psalm 121:5-6:  “The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right   hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”

           

            The right hand is a symbol of strength.  This extraordinary passage guarantees God’s kids protection—from everything!  (Check out the lesson linked below for more about God’s protection). 

            Let’s break the opening Scripture down.  What is shade?  Shade is shadows cast from whatever is blocking light.  Shade mirrors, or copies the image of what is blocking light.

              People create shade.  Watch the shadow your body casts when in sunlight.  Lifting arms causes our shadow to lift arms.  Wave and watch your shadow wave.  How can the opening Scripture say God is our shade, or shadow?

            Wherever we go, God goes.  We cannot shake off our shadow.  No one can shake off God.  He is the ultimate bodyguard.  God never sleeps; His strength always guards us. God purposely created humans in His image for this very reason: David felt God’s presence everywhere, 24/7.  (Check out Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139).  In response, David sang songs and journaled his feelings and praises to God, published as Psalms in the middle of the Bible.

            God also copies the way we live.  He follows our lead.  If we are kind toward others, God is kind to us.  But if we are judgmental and cruel to others, God will judge us harshly, too.  Jesus warned against judging others in Matthew 7:1.

            Jesus understands people.  No one fools Jesus because, as God, our hearts are transparent to Him.  The Pharisees and Sadducees thought they were so smart, but Jesus saw their hearts’ intent when they wanted to outsmart Him—this teacher/prophet/Rabbi/…ultimate irritant! 

            His answers ALWAYS confused, baffled, and mystified the learned leaders of the Jewish faith.  Jesus’ presence annoyed them.  He wouldn’t go away.  We know now that Jesus was their shadow!   

                                                                 

Take Home Nugget

            God as our supreme bodyguard is empowering, isn’t it?  Believers never need to worry about our safety because God is protecting not only us—but also our lives.

            God as our shadow is serious business.  God deals with us identically to how we treat others.  Are we as kind as we’d like God to treat us?  Are we as forgiving of others as we pray for God to forgive us?  We’d better live c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y!

            Humans don’t respond well to what seems counter-intuitive.  We get exactly what we give—no less and no more.  Right-hand strength comes from this knowledge.

            The greatest kindness that we can do for ourselves is to be profoundly generous, caring, sympathetic, thoughtful, compassionate, and considerate to everyone else!

Holy Father, empower me to shadow You to others!  I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Adapted from “The Lord is Your Shadow” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  www.HolyLandMoments.com.  May 28, 2017. 

J.D. Griffith

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