Category Archives: Righteousness / Serving God

Eternal, Faith / Trusting God, Grace / Patience, Guide, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional

Patience And Obedience Are Characteristics of Faith

Typically we are in more of a hurry than is our Lord. He is patient where we are not. He is eternal where we have finite lifespans and attention spans. He sees the big picture where we can be very focused on self and how things affect us.

As I read Numbers 10, I am reminded of these truths. As the people left Egypt in search of the promised land, I am sure they did not imagine how long the journey would be. They caused much of it themselves, by refusing to go into the land when commanded, but even before that we can see that God had a plan and it was not rushed.

We read in verse 11 that they set out from Sinai in the second year. They spent some time there. Likely God was preparing them to transition from the mindset of slaves in Egypt to a free people following Jehovah. This is no small transition for a people to make.

We can trust God in our personal lives as well that He has a purpose when He calls for us to wait and He has a plan when He calls for us to move. This may be geographic relocation or other actions He calls us to do. Let us learn to trust Him in waiting. While we wait, let us prepare and seek Him. Let us focus our lives toward Him. Thus we will be ready when He calls for us to move out. Also as with Sinai, He will come with us when He sends us forth. When we go, let us go in obedience not only to “what” He asked us to do but also to “how” He instructed us to do it.

Numbers 10:10-36

The Tribes Leave Sinai

     11Now in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony; 12and the sons of Israel set out on their journeys from the wilderness of Sinai. Then the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. 13So they moved out for the first time according to the commandment of the LORD through Moses. 14The standard of the camp of the sons of Judah, according to their armies, set out first, with Nahshon the son of Amminadab, over its army, 15and Nethanel the son of Zuar, over the tribal army of the sons of Issachar; 16and Eliab the son of Helon over the tribal army of the sons of Zebulun.

      17Then the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who were carrying the tabernacle, set out. 18Next the standard of the camp of Reuben, according to their armies, set out with Elizur the son of Shedeur, over its army, 19and Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai over the tribal army of the sons of Simeon, 20and Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the tribal army of the sons of Gad.

      21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy objects; and the tabernacle was set up before their arrival. 22Next the standard of the camp of the sons of Ephraim, according to their armies, was set out, with Elishama the son of Ammihud over its army, 23and Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur over the tribal army of the sons of Manasseh; 24and Abidan the son of Gideoni over the tribal army of the sons of Benjamin.

      25Then the standard of the camp of the sons of Dan, according to their armies, which formed the rear guard for all the camps, set out, with Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai over its army, 26and Pagiel the son of Ochran over the tribal army of the sons of Asher; 27and Ahira the son of Enan over the tribal army of the sons of Naphtali. 28This was the order of march of the sons of Israel by their armies as they set out.

      29Then Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out to the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you’; come with us and we will do you good, for the LORD has promised good concerning Israel.” 30But he said to him, “I will not come, but rather will go to my own land and relatives.” 31Then he said, “Please do not leave us, inasmuch as you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will be as eyes for us. 32“So it will be, if you go with us, that whatever good the LORD does for us, we will do for you.”

      33Thus they set out from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD journeying in front of them for the three days, to seek out a resting place for them. 34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

      35Then it came about when the ark set out that Moses said,
“Rise up, O LORD!
And let Your enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate You flee before You.”

36When it came to rest, he said,
“Return, O LORD,
To the myriad thousands of Israel.”

This message rings very true for me. I feel as if the Lord has called me for something and is preparing me, but He has yet to send me forth. I am in the waiting and preparing phase. It is so important for me to stay focused on trusting His plans for me and His timing. For me sometimes the timing is the tough part. I seem to expect a microwave when God cooks more typically in a crock pot.

May the Lord help me with my patience and obedience in preparing while I wait. May He do the same for whatever He calls you to do as well.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Eternal, Salvation, Study the Word

What’s In A Name?

For those who do not know it, many names within the Bible have been changed or translated over the years in addition to the text. Good, God-fearing translations are an awesome way of getting God’s word into the language in which a people can understand it without them having to learn a different language, which can be a barrier. However, I have found it quite helpful and enlightening at times to dig deeper into the history of Greek and Hebrew translations of the Bible for better understanding of context and meaning. Clearly it takes more time, but not that much more. A good keyword study bible can give you a lot of background on the original Hebrew and Greek meaning of key words. More recently, I have begun a journey to learn Hebrew. I want to understand God’s instructions to us in the context of the language He created for us.

Two quick examples, which perhaps some of you already know, to illustrate the point.

Jesus was originally pronounced “Yeshua” in Hebrew, though I am typing it in English letters here. The Hebrew letters are very different and I need to figure out how to load a “Hebrew” keyboard onto my computer to be able to enable Hebrew characters. Yeshua means “salvation”. The Romans changed the ending from an “a” sound to an “s” so as to denote  masculine in their language.  Later the English added the letter “J” to the alphabet and it changed again.

Jehovah essentially means “eternal one”. He will be, He is, and He has been. I may not be getting the grammar structure quite right, but you get the idea.

Anyway, you can see with a little digging  to get closer to the original roots of the scripture the meaning starts to open up more and more. It is not just a name, but each name has significance. It brings us closer to knowing what God intended.

Learning another language is not for everyone or for everyone right now. But I do encourage you to consider a key word study Bible for Hebrew and Greek and to start using the internet to explore the meaning of the scripture more deeply for yourself. Of course, test everything against what scripture says. You can not believe everything that someone says on the internet. Even those of us who are well-intended will not get everything right. Seek God Himself and His help on your journey. He will not fail you.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Contentment, Discerning / Judging, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Humility, Idols / False Gods, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Prayer, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

He Gives Us Over To The Stubbornness Of Our Hearts

Psalm 81 was written about God’s goodness and Israel’s waywardness… or behavior of going astray from God and pursuing ungodly things. God established Israel and provided for them through many mighty deeds and yet they continued to stray from Him to chase false gods and selfish pursuits. A Psalm like this one could very easily be written about the USA with a few minor changes to the historical references such as “coming out of Egypt”. Jehovah blessed our Christian nation at its birth and yet we as a nation continue to stray from God.

As a result of our rejection of Him as a nation, He gives us over to the stubbornness of our hearts and we now walk in our own devices… an immoral society overrun by sin which is normalized throughout the land. Many gods are worshipped… money, sex, power, sports, status, and perhaps most of all self. Coveting is the national pastime for many, always lusting after what others have rather than finding contentment with what God has provided.

Psalm 81

For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph.

     1Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.

      2Raise a song, strike the timbrel,
The sweet sounding lyre with the harp.

      3Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
At the full moon, on our feast day.

      4For it is a statute for Israel,
An ordinance of the God of Jacob.

      5He established it for a testimony in Joseph
When he went throughout the land of Egypt.
I heard a language that I did not know:

      6“I relieved his shoulder of the burden,
His hands were freed from the basket.

      7“You called in trouble and I rescued you;
I answered you in the hiding place of thunder;
I proved you at the waters of Meribah.

Selah.

      8“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you;
O Israel, if you would listen to Me!

      9“Let there be no strange god among you;
Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

      10“I, the LORD, am your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

      11“But My people did not listen to My voice,
And Israel did not obey Me.

      12“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.

      13“Oh that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!

      14“I would quickly subdue their enemies
And turn My hand against their adversaries.

      15“Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him,
And their time of punishment would be forever.

      16“But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Pray for revival personally, in your family, in your local church, in your state, in the nation and across the world. Live out the revival in your daily life. Pray, study, spend time with our Lord. Ask for His guidance in your life and be prepared to give up your desires and your plans in favor of His. You may well find that what you desire was never really yours to begin with but only that which our culture indoctrinated you to pursue. What He wants for us is much better.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Loving / Kind, Obeying God, Traditions / Holidays, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Law Has Never Been About Legalism

The Lord wants His people to celebrate at His appointed times, but He also understands that there are occasions where His people may not be able to celebrate at the appointed time, not because they don’t want to, but because something prevents them from doing so. This is a great example where our Lord shows us that He has never intended “legalism” with regards to the law, even before Jesus died for us. The law is and always has been about loving God and loving others. It is not about being saved through the law. We obey our Father’s instructions because we love Him and respect Him. It is really not unlike a father who makes rules to help teach His children how they should act and how they should not act.

Numbers 9:1-14

The Passover

     1Thus the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2“Now, let the sons of Israel observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3“On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall observe it at its appointed time; you shall observe it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances.” 4So Moses told the sons of Israel to observe the Passover. 5They observed the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did. 6But there were some men who were unclean because of the dead person, so that they could not observe Passover on that day; so they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7Those men said to him, “Though we are unclean because of the dead person, why are we restrained from presenting the offering of the LORD at its appointed time among the sons of Israel?” 8Moses therefore said to them, “Wait, and I will listen to what the LORD will command concerning you.”

      9Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If any one of you or of your generations becomes unclean because of a dead person, or is on a distant journey, he may, however, observe the Passover to the LORD. 11‘In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall observe it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12‘They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall observe it. 13‘But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet neglects to observe the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, for he did not present the offering of the LORD at its appointed time. That man will bear his sin. 14‘If an alien sojourns among you and observes the Passover to the LORD, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its ordinance, so he shall do; you shall have one statute, both for the alien and for the native of the land.’”

Another important validation of this concept is in Matthew 12. Jesus demonstrates there are more important things than just obeying the “law” at all cost and with no consideration for others or the situation at hand.

Matthew 12:1-21

Sabbath Questions

     1At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. 2But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.” 3But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, 4how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? 5“Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? 6“But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. 7“But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

Lord of the Sabbath

     8“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

      9Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse Him. 11And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12“How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

      15But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16and warned them not to tell who He was. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:

      18“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL–PLEASED;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,
AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

      19“HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;
NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.

      20“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,
AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.

      21“AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”

Our Father loves us. He sets forth His instructions to help guide us in loving Him and loving others. His instructions were never meant to be legalistic. His instructions (aka “law”) are not burdensome or bondage.  They lead us on the path to closer relationship with Him. Let us pray for the Spirit to guide us as we study scripture and seek to apply it to our lives.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Father / Yahweh, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Thankfulness

A Beginning And An Ending For Service

Today I highlight a short couple of verses that actually point to retirement for the Levites. The Levites were set aside to serve God. I have oft overlooked this couple verses, but I suppose it makes sense with even our current cultural norms. There was an age of maturity which had to be reached before they started the work of the Lord and then an age of retirement at which they were to no longer do the work themselves.

I fully understand the minimum age to reach a certain preparation and maturity. I am less clear on why He sets the retirement age at 50. I do not know the expected life spans at that time or what would be the physical expectations for the men over 50 years old in that culture. However, clearly today there are many who can remain quite active well past 50 and have much to add. They were still able to help and guide or give advice to remain active in contributing. However they were not required to continue doing the harder work as they got older. This would certainly seem another example of how a gracious and compassionate Father cares for His people.

Numbers 8:23-26

Retirement

     23Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24“This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. 25“But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more. 26“They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their obligations.”

Let us remember that our Lord, though He is the Creator of all, is very aware of our limitations and is compassionate towards us. He truly is a loving Father. Let us praise His holy name and give Him thanks!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Holy, Holy / Set Apart, Interceding for Others, Obeying God, Offering Sacrifices, Purposeful / Intentional, Repenting from Sin

Cleanse and Purify The Chosen; Let Them Be Separate

There is tremendous depth in the symbolism of scripture. We can read it and gain value at a surface level and also dig deeper and deeper and find more and more treasure of insight waiting to be found. Numbers 8 is no exception. At the very surface level we can appreciate that Jehovah calls some of us to be set aside for His purposes. To do so effectively, we must be cleansed and separated from the world. We can not be set aside to be holy and serve Him and yet still blend in with the world around us.

Do not limit your thinking only to pastors and missionaries as the “chosen”. These roles may be chosen, but so too let us consider all of us chosen to follow Christ. We must cleanse ourselves of sin and the ways of the world. We must be different if we are to honor and glorify God and lead others to Him.

Of course, you can study and find much deeper significance as well in Numbers 8. Why using a razor over their whole body? What is the significance of the offering? Why present the Levites in front of the whole congregation? We see also the coming together of the whole congregation to pray over the Levites as they enter the service of the Lord. What is the significance and tie back to the first born and the exodus from Egypt? Finally, don’t miss verse 22, in which the Bible records that the people obeyed the instructions of God. They did not debate them with God or pick the ones they liked and disregard the reset. They obeyed all He told them to do.

Numbers 8:5-22

Cleansing the Levites

     5Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Take the Levites from among the sons of Israel and cleanse them. 7“Thus you shall do to them, for their cleansing: sprinkle purifying water on them, and let them use a razor over their whole body and wash their clothes, and they will be clean. 8“Then let them take a bull with its grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and a second bull you shall take for a sin offering. 9“So you shall present the Levites before the tent of meeting. You shall also assemble the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, 10and present the Levites before the LORD; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites. 11“Aaron then shall present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may qualify to perform the service of the LORD. 12“Now the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls; then offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the LORD, to make atonement for the Levites. 13“You shall have the Levites stand before Aaron and before his sons so as to present them as a wave offering to the LORD.

      14“Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15“Then after that the Levites may go in to serve the tent of meeting. But you shall cleanse them and present them as a wave offering; 16for they are wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself instead of every first issue of the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. 17“For every firstborn among the sons of Israel is Mine, among the men and among the animals; on the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for Myself. 18“But I have taken the Levites instead of every firstborn among the sons of Israel. 19“I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the sons of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement on behalf of the sons of Israel, so that there will be no plague among the sons of Israel by their coming near to the sanctuary.”

      20Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the sons of Israel to the Levites; according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the sons of Israel did to them. 21The Levites, too, purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22Then after that the Levites went in to perform their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and before his sons; just as the LORD had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

Take some time to pray for the Spirit to help enlighten your mind to the truth and depth of scripture including its applicability for your life today. Then spend time digging through scripture and studying routinely. It should not be a one time or infrequent activity.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Seeking God, Study the Word, Teachable

Scripture Is Rich and Full of Meaning… Search for It Like Hidden Treasure

There is much significance in the study of scripture when we take the time to explore it. Consider a small section of Numbers 8 regarding lamps. It is almost easy to pass right over, but what if you dig even just a bit below the surface? There is treasure to be found in opening up the scripture. That is not to say we should believe everything someone says about scripture, but taking to explore and study and praying for the Spirit to guide us is well worth making time for.  Test everything you hear, of course, against scripture itself. God does not contradict Himself in His written word.

Numbers 8:1-4

The Seven Lamps

      1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in the front of the lampstand.’” 3Aaron therefore did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. 4Now this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold; from its base to its flowers it was hammered work; according to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

Of course there is some obvious symbolism about the lamps representing the only light in an otherwise dark place. They are in the holy place. Light comes from God and no other. The lights were to be maintained so they never go out… as with God who never sleeps or takes a break. We are called to be the light of the world by bringing God’s truth to the world. The scripture is called a lamp unto our feet as it guides our path.

Take a little time and explore the following links or find some of your own.

BibleHub.com – search lampstand

GotQuestions.org – search lampstand

BibleTools.org – search lampstand

NeverThirsty.org – search lampstand

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Government, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Idols / False Gods, Obeying God

I Pledge Allegiance…To Whom or What?

Some recent events have brought forth a lot of discussion and passionate responses in regards to who “must” or “should” stand during the national anthem and pledge allegiance to the flag of the USA. One thing is for sure in the internet age… everyone has an opinion and wants to shout it out, or type it out.

I think having a cultural debate on the importance of individual liberty as it applies in this situation is fine and can be good. Discussing and understanding opposing viewpoints is healthy. Sadly many just “shout down” the opposing viewpoint rather than conducting a civil and respectful debate. Anyone who disagrees is automatically wrong and to be despised as hateful or ignorant. This is not effective in winning anyone over to whatever side you are on. The issue is actually more complex than it may appear, at least to some.

There is clearly a strong cultural norm and reinforced teaching for generations that trains / teaches / indoctrinates people to stand for the anthem, put their hand over their heart and recite the pledge. Most of us probably know it by heart. For many it is almost instinct and they can’t imaging not doing it, but they never really choose to do it in the first place. It was just expected and forced throughout our schooling growing up and is not to be questioned. Let us take care to carefully consider those things about which people demand there can be no question and no debate.

There are a great variety of opinions and considerations that really have nothing to do with the specifics of the protests that recently started this cultural discussion. What does the flag mean to different people? what about the anthem? What does it mean in reference to respect for veterans and military? What about individual liberty to decide to stand or not stand, rather than being compelled to stand. If someone is compelled to stand, does that make them have more or less love for the nation?

Personally, I greatly appreciate my country. The USA is the best country in the world to live in because of individual liberty. It was even better when it functioned in the past more in line with the actual constitutionally defined government which limited the role of the federal government and maximized individual liberty and the liberty of the states to govern themselves.

Today, Christians may be persecuted. Small business owners may be sued for standing up for their Biblical beliefs. One prominent example is the baker who was sued for refusing to bake wedding cakes for homosexuals… though he offered them any other product they would want from his business. Should he be forced to do so because it offends someone else? This same question can be applied to standing for the pledge or anthem. Should individuals be compelled to stand so as not to offend someone else?

If it is a private business, then the owner gets to decide as terms of employment. However, people should take care when they respond with such hostility to someone who disagrees with them. There will often be times when a Christian disagrees with what culture demands and we would appreciate and greatly value a society that allows us our individual liberty to live according to God’s word and not cultural demands.

Again, I have great respect for the USA. But let us think carefully before we demand blind allegiance at all costs to a flag or anthem.  Propaganda and brainwashing work on these same principles (e.g. Rome under the emperors who considered themselves divine, communist Russia, Hitler’s Germany, etc.) It usually works best when people put the nation in a high position of unquestioned allegiance. In truth, by their actions, they put the nation above God in importance. This is why dictatorships and communism often try to suppress or control religion… so there is nothing more important than allegiance to the nation.

A pledge or promise, if it is to be meaningful at all, is a serious thing. It is not to be taken lightly.  If you consider this just a polite tradition, then it really does not mean much anyway. We should not just make pledges out of habit or without understanding the full ramifications of fulfilling that pledge. Why should we pledge allegiance to a “flag” or “nation under God”? Why not pledge allegiance directly to God Himself and then run our country as if we mean it? This would keep the focus on God Himself, as was the intent at our country’s founding.

A simple question to consider… Whom do you serve? You can not have two masters or you will love one and hate the other.

Matthew 6:24

 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. To the extent our nation does the same we will be among the most ardent supporters. I will respect and appreciate my country even as it deviates from this norm, but I can not give blind allegiance to the nation if I am to submit fully to Christ. I must challenge our nation when it deviates from God’s instructions.

I hope you take time to prayerfully and thoughtfully reflect on the subject at hand, which in truth is not simply respect for nation or veterans, but also respect for the individual liberty for which they fought and died that help to keep our nation great and provides us the opportunity to freely worship our Lord according to our individual belief rather than what is popular or demanded by culture.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Fear / Reverence for God, Giving, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Holy / Set Apart, Obeying God, Offering Sacrifices, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Purposeful / Intentional

It’s Not All About Us

Each of us is born into this world with our attention naturally focused on ourselves. We are inherently selfish. Babies need not be taught to cry for whatever they want, but then initially have no awareness of the needs or perspective of others. Even as children get older, it is natural to remain focused on what affects us… what we want, unless and until we are taught differently. Sadly, many adults have not been taught this as children and they still live as if the world revolves around them. They are completely absorbed in how everything does or does not affect them personally.

Our Father wants more from us. He calls us to focus on each other for sure, but also to focus on Him. He is the Creator of the universe, yet He creates each of us individually and wants to teach us and help us grow. He has purpose for each of us. He wants us to submit to Him and trust Him, as a child does to a loving and wise father. The child knows the father cares for him and has his best interest at heart and trusts him even when he does not fully understand.

Jehovah wants us to honor and respect Him. He wants to help us to focus on building our trust and obedience and not lose sight of Him as we get busy in our every day. If we remain focused and submitted to Him, all will go well for us.

I recognize that Numbers 7 has a great deal of significance beyond what I am focused on today, but it truly struck me as I read it today… sometimes the focus needs to be on the Father rather than our own desires. Sometimes He calls a whole nation to focus on Him rather than all of us doing our own thing. It is good for individuals, families and nations to do so. It does not happen often enough, but when it does it can be powerful in helping people get focused on the One who is in control of all things and is infinitely greater than any or all of us. He is to be held in high esteem and reverence. His name is to be honored with more than just lip service but with actions. He is not to just be a sideshow for five minutes a day when we “fit Him in”, but He is to be “the main thing” and the focus of our full attention.

Numbers 7

Offerings of the Leaders

      1Now on the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it with all its furnishings and the altar and all its utensils; he anointed them and consecrated them also. 2Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ households, made an offering (they were the leaders of the tribes; they were the ones who were over the numbered men). 3When they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders and an ox for each one, then they presented them before the tabernacle. 4Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 5“Accept these things from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and you shall give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” 6So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service, 8and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder.

      10The leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed, so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. 11Then the LORD said to Moses, “Let them present their offering, one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.”

      12Now the one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah; 13and his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 14one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 15one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 16one male goat for a sin offering; 17and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

      18On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, presented an offering; 19he presented as his offering one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 20one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 21one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 22one male goat for a sin offering; 23and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

      24On the third day it was Eliab the son of Helon, leader of the sons of Zebulun; 25his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 27one young bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 28one male goat for a sin offering; 29and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

      30On the fourth day it was Elizur the son of Shedeur, leader of the sons of Reuben; 31his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 32one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 33one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 34one male goat for a sin offering; 35and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

      36On the fifth day it was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, leader of the children of Simeon; 37his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 38one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 39one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 40one male goat for a sin offering; 41and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

      42On the sixth day it was Eliasaph the son of Deuel, leader of the sons of Gad; 43his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 44one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 45one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 46one male goat for a sin offering; 47and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

      48On the seventh day it was Elishama the son of Ammihud, leader of the sons of Ephraim; 49his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 50one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 51one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 52one male goat for a sin offering; 53and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

      54On the eighth day it was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the sons of Manasseh; 55his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 56one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 57one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 58one male goat for a sin offering; 59and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

      60On the ninth day it was Abidan the son of Gideoni, leader of the sons of Benjamin; 61his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 62one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 63one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 64one male goat for a sin offering; 65and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.

      66On the tenth day it was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, leader of the sons of Dan; 67his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 68one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 69one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 70one male goat for a sin offering; 71and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

      72On the eleventh day it was Pagiel the son of Ochran, leader of the sons of Asher; 73his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 74one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 75one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 76one male goat for a sin offering; 77and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.

      78On the twelfth day it was Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the sons of Naphtali; 79his offering was one silver dish whose weight was one hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 80one gold pan of ten shekels, full of incense; 81one bull, one ram, one male lamb one year old, for a burnt offering; 82one male goat for a sin offering; 83and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs one year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.

      84This was the dedication offering for the altar from the leaders of Israel when it was anointed: twelve silver dishes, twelve silver bowls, twelve gold pans, 85each silver dish weighing one hundred and thirty shekels and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the utensils was 2,400 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; 86the twelve gold pans, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, all the gold of the pans 120 shekels; 87all the oxen for the burnt offering twelve bulls, all the rams twelve, the male lambs one year old with their grain offering twelve, and the male goats for a sin offering twelve; 88and all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace offerings 24 bulls, all the rams 60, the male goats 60, the male lambs one year old 60. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.

      89Now when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim, so He spoke to him.

Set aside time to focus on our Father as your main priority and focus. Honor Him according to His holy word and not just according to the traditions of man. Pray for our families, cities, states, nations to do the same.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Righteousness / Serving God, Salvation, Share the Good News

We Are Made Righteous Through Christ, Not the Law

Acts 10-11 documents an important event regarding Peter in which Jehovah sends Him to go and share the gospel with the gentiles, which was against the man made rules of the Jews. Peter clearly understood the message and its meaning. So did the others with whom he shared the whole story.

Acts 10:34-35

  34Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.

Acts 10:45

45All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Acts 11:15-18

15“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17“Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”

However, as we read in Galatians, Peter appears to have withdrawn from the Gentiles due to pressure from Jews who insisted that Gentiles first had to adopt and follow the full Jewish law before having available to them the Messiah. Peter knew from a dramatic example in His life this was not true, but still yielded to pressure and that sent a distracting message to the Gentiles and other Jews that the Gentiles could not receive the Spirit and follow Christ without first following the Jewish law. It was wrong and Peter knew it.

Paul confronted Peter (Cephas) on this failure. They both knew that the law is not what makes men righteous, but rather Christ alone. (That is not to say the law given by God is not good. It is very good and serves good purpose. Of course, the many additional instructions laid down by the teachers of the law that were not of God… that is a different matter. Those are not good.)

Galatians 2:11-21

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

     11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

      15“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17“But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18“For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Christ died for all of us. Let us welcome others to accept that fairly simple, yet all powerful, concept regardless of their background. As one accepts Christ, then there is more to learn about all that God wants and expects from us. The law (instructions) from God, recorded in the Bible, is very helpful in this regard. There is a lifetime for that journey. It goes well beyond a one-time decision.  However, let us first welcome them onto the path as they simply submit to Jesus, turn from their sins and ask forgiveness… asking Him to be Lord of their lives. For in this way we are justified and reconciled to the Father.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.