Month: September 2022

The Gift of Service

Scripture Numbers 18: [7] But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Observation: We don’t often think of our jobs as gifts, but they are. God has Given us talents and Gifts to use in this world to glorify Him. Our health and abilities should not be taken for granted, but be a reminder to us of God’s generous nature. We are here for a purpose and if we seek to find how are talents can be used for God’s glory it will grow us closer to God and a better place in heaven as we earn rewards for our service here.

Application: I need not take for granted my work no matter how menial it might seem. God has put me here for a reason. I need to be more aware of my surroundings and people in my life and look for ways to show them the love of Christ through my work, actions and words.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for all you give me especially the talents you have given me. Show me how to use them for your glory. Open my eyes to what you want me to do and get rid of this selfishness I have. May I glorify You each day.

We Are Lost!

Scripture Numbers 17:12 The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost!

Observation: The Israelites aren’t the only ones lost, we all are. We are lost in this world we don’t belong to and we need our Lord and guide us out. We all will eventually die and leave this place and our Lord will guide us into our eternal home with Him. It is good to know we are lost and need Him each day to get us through, because if we fool ourselves by thinking we know where we are and we need no help, we can find ourselves more lost than ever without a guide.

Application: I get lost each day with my negative and angry thoughts. I can lead myself down a path of sin in a moment and I need to call upon my guide to save me. I need to keep focused on my guide each day and not get distracted by the scenery and noise of this world and wander off. I need to remind myself of my limits and hold the hand of my Lord through this life.

Prayer: Dear Lord please guide me each day through this journey you have me on. Open my eyes to all the pitfalls that I can stumble into and guide me through the dangers of this life. Take my hand and bring me home safely into your loving arms.

We’re Never Satisfied

Scripture Numbers 16: [9] Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the LORD’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them?

Observation: It seems we are never satisfied. Even when I’m doing something for the Lord I’m still thinking about the benefits to me. I always seem to start wanting to honor God and give Him all the glory, but as soon as I get recognized the focus goes back on to me. I want the grander assignments from God where people will notice me instead of accepting anything the Lord may want of me.

Application: I need to remember that I don’t deserve anything good and whatever I have is because of the grace of God. I need to be like Paul, content in all things and whenever an opportunity avails itself to give God the glory, that is what I need to do. I need to be more humble and to give more than I receive.

Prayer: My Lord and my God thank you for all that I have and all that I am. Humble your servant and give me a heart to be content in whatever I’m doing and wherever I am. May this life glorify you and not me. I love you, may that love be seen by others.

Remembering the Lord’s Commands

Scripture Numbers 15: [39] You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

Observation: So since we no longer have tassels what do we look at to remind us of the Lord’s commands? We have all that God created surrounding us each day, the blessings He has given us, but most importantly we have His word that we need to read it each and every day to remind us what we should be doing. God has spelled out His commands for us and has taught us how to live this life and what we should be doing.

Application: I need to do more than read the bible I need to study it and become a true student of God’s word. I need to read other Christians books that will help me see more clearly the things of God and help me understand the scriptures I’m having a difficult time understanding.

Prayer: My Lord and my God I want to honor you with this life you have blessed me with. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak to your servant that I will obey all of your commands and be a blessing to you and others.

The Lord is On Our Side

Scripture Numbers 14: [9] Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Observation: There is nothing on this earth we should be afraid of knowing that God is on our side. No matter what we are going through or will go through it will only be for a season and God will guide us through it. All we need to do is be on God’s side and trust in Him. Follow His command and obey what His word tells us to do. Our Lord will protect us and bring us home when It’s time.

Application: I need to walk my talk and know my Lord is with me. I’m more afraid then most and still filled with anxiety, worried about so many things. I need to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding but in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will make my path straight.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me draw close to you. You’ve protected me all of my life and I know you are with me. Help me tell others about you unfailing love and protection. Show me how to share my testimony of you with others. I love you Lord open my heart to what pleases you.

We Can Do All Things Through Christ

Scripture Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

Observation: God told the Israelites that this was the land He promised them that flowed with milk and honey. A scouting party went up and saw that it truly was, however they were afraid of the people. Only Caleb and Joshua wanted to go up and take the land God had given them. The Israelites saw God work miracles and provide for them even through all of their bickering. Yet their fear was stronger than their faith and they would pay the price. It’s easy to condemn the Jews for their lack of faith even after all God had done for them, but what about me. God has worked just as many miracles in my life and yet I’m still afraid to step out and to do His will. There hasn’t been one time where God has called me to do something that it didn’t go well and because of my laziness and lack of faith I don’t do all that He calls me to do.

Application: I need to get past my laziness and selfish ways to fulfill the purpose He created me for. I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and now I need to make the first step in faith to get things done.

Prayer: Dear Lord heal me of this laziness. I continue to think of myself first, instead of why you have me here. Convict me to be a better man, a man that honors you. You deserve the best I can be and I need your help to accomplish that.

Oh to Be Humble

Scripture Numbers 12:3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)

Observation: I remember a few years ago I was in sales and taking a prospective customer to see our locations. I was with one of our sales associates and during lunch I went to get drinks and made sure our customer had what they needed. After the visit we dropped her off and on the way home my partner told me that she said how nice and humble I was. It really hit my heart that someone thought I was humble and began to tear up as the Holy Spirit filled my heart. I was such an arrogant man most of my life and now someone thought I was humble, what a long way I had come.

Application: I still want praise and to be the center of attention too often. I need to work on being humble and to die to myself. I’m not here for me I was created for my Lord and for a purpose and that purpose is not to lift me up, but my God and I can’t do that if the focus is on me.

Prayer: My Lord humble your servant and fill my heart with the things you desire of me. May I die to myself and lift you up with the life I lead and that others may see a humble servant of yours.