A Blessed Gathering

March 11
Daily Reading – Numbers 26-27 / Mark 12:28-44

GOD SAID:

Numbers 27:12-13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

    Many people may read today’s passage and have feelings of deep sorrow for poor Moses. That’s understandable seeing as how he did serve God faithfully for many years as the shepherd of a very large flock. You could say that he was the Pastor of the world’s first and largest Mega Church. He did put up with a lot of accusation by these people against him, of which many, if not most, he had no control over. Now, at the edge of the promised land, he only gets to look over into it and then he dies. However, if we think on this for just a moment we see something grand. Moses will enter a Promised land far greater than the earthly one the children of Israel will enter.

    In today’s verse it says that after Moses peers into the earthly property that God had promised Abraham many many years earlier, that he would be; “gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.” Moses must have had mixed feelings at this point. He had brought these people so far, it would be nice to enter in. On the other hand, He was entering a Promised Land that was far greater than any plot of dirt on earth. He will be reunited with his family and friends in Paradise. Physical death simply promised him a blessed gathering with so many that he loved who had gone on before. I’m pretty sure Moses’ mixed feelings were forgotten once he stepped over into eternity with those who loved the Lord and had gone before him.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    There is a place promised to those of us who made Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Oh what a blessed gathering that will be. To see my family and friends again. Even more, to look upon my Lord who saved me and rescued me from hell.

Can you even imagine that gathering day?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

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Fallen Regard

March 9 & 10
March 9 – Daily Reading – Numbers 23-25 / Mark 12:1-27
March 10 – NO Daily Reading

GOD SAID:

Numbers 25:1-2 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     You’re standing in the outfield. Glove ready. Eyes glued to the ball. Ready for whatever comes your way. You’re ready . Still ready. OK I’m ready already. So you wait, and wait, and wait some more. Nothing comes. Suddenly you see someone in the bleachers waiving at you. It’s that pretty girl you have liked for so long. She’s waiving at… THUD! The ball falls right next to you. You pick it up, heave it in, but it’s too late. The other team has scored the winning run and the game is over. That’s not fair, you think to yourself, I only looked away for a minute.

      The children of Israel have just watched as God has fought several battles for them. Victory after victory. They have a place to stay for a while, as they prepare to go to the promised land. This is what they have looked forward to for almost 40 years now. The end is in sight. Then, the pretty girls of the Moabites caught the eyes of the Israeli boys. Different girls than they had seen for a while. They said, come on over, join us, have something to eat, and come to worship with us. So they did. Their fallen regard for what God had warned them not to do would now cost them dearly. Twenty four thousand people died and would not see the land of God’s promise. Why? Well, they took their eyes off the goal and off their God. How soon Satan steps in if we lower our standards to that of the world. God has always wanted His people to be separated from the worldly ways and their gods.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

      God takes our separation serious. Not just a separation for the world and it’s distractions, but separated to the Lord. That we willingly desire to be devoted to Him. He desires first place in your life, your thoughts, your goals, and your worship.

Has your regard for God’s word ever fallen?

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

      Faithful. One of the many accurate ways to describe our God is Faithful. After all we have seen this week with the:

● Faulty Reports
● Forbidden Rebellion
● Fruitful Rod
● Failed Response
● Friendly Remarks
● Fallen Regard

    God was still Faithful to fulfill His word. Paul said it well in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” God Is Always Faithful.

SUNDAYS:

        Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs

The old hymn rings in my heart which says:

Great is thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.

Oh My friend this will always ring true.

Living In His Word Ministries
“Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Friendly Remarks

March 8
Daily Reading – Numbers 21-22 / Mark 11

GOD SAID:

Numbers 22:28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       Sometimes we have to hear things we don’t want to hear. You report to work, only to hear the foreman say; “the company has been sold and is moving. Your job is finished in a few days.” Maybe it was the flashing lights of a Police Car and the officer says; “you were driving too fast.” It may have been that you walked into the Doctor’s office and heard, “I’m sorry to tell you but you have cancer.” The person making those remarks, often has no choice. It’s the truth, and they were hired to tell you the truth, even if it hurts. In that moment, people often get mad at the boss telling them of the sale, the officer for enforcing the law, or the doctor for the bad news. Yet, before today you may have seen them as friendly. What changed?

     In our passage today, a strange conversation takes place. A donkey speaks to its owner, Balaam and says; “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” Three times God allowed only Balaam’s faithful donkey to see the angel of the Lord with a Sword standing in the pathway. Three times the animal did what was best for the safety of its owner. Three times, Balaam was so intent on what he was doing, he forgot that this animal had always been faithful, and never once asked, “why are you doing this.” He simply lashes out at the one who is keeping him safe. Friendly remarks of truth, can often hurt. Don’t hate the messenger for the message.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    The hardest thing to do at times, is to tell someone the truth about themselves. Proverbs 27:5-6 says; “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Will you be a faithful friend?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Failed Response

March 7
Daily Reading – Numbers 19-20 / Mark 10:32-52

GOD SAID:

Numbers 20:10-11 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This was a little phrase we heard as children. The idea behind the phrase was that words will not physically hurt you, so don’t let people who call you names get you mad enough to get into a fight. That all sounds good on the surface, but the idea that words won’t hurt you doesn’t always ring true. Especially if they’re God’s words. Not listening and obey the words that God says can have serious consequences.

      God told Moses in Number 20:8 to speak to the rock and He would supply the people with the water they needed. Moses however, after all these years of dealing with these people in the desert, failed to respond to God’s directions correctly. In verse 10 He says; “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?” Moses and Aaron asked if they, not God, needed to give them water from the rock. Now these are two great men, but even they can’t bring water from a rock on their own. Then in verse 11 it says; “and with his rod he smote the rock twice:” God said to speak to the rock, however in anger Moses strikes the rock twice. No once did he nor Aaron mention God in this miracle at all.

     For not obeying God’s word, God still provided the much needed water, but Moses and Aaron were forbidden entrance into the promised land. A failed response to God’s words did matter.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

     Some folks believe they can live any way you want to. In Luke 4:4 When Jesus answered the Devil He said; “…It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” All of God’s words, still matter today.

How important do you take God’s word?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Fruitful Rod

March 6
Daily Reading – Numbers 16-18 / Mark 10:1-31

GOD SAID:

Numbers 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

       It’s a good thing God didn’t call me to be a farmer. I do not have a green thumb when it comes to growing things. In fact if I were a Super Hero, my power would be touching things and watching them wither. I just never really had a talent in that area. I have learned over the years that once I have killed a plant, you cannot bring it back to life. You can water it, fertilize it, and stand in the garden and talk to it if that’s your thing, but it’s gone. So for a dead stick to not only bud, but to also bring forth fruit, well, that takes some super powers from a real Super Hero.

      The children of Israel were once again arguing. This time it was about who would be their representative before God. God had already disposed of the troublemakers in chapter 16, and now in chapter 17 is going to put a seal on this discussion. He had all the heads of the families bring him their rods with their names on them. These were most likely dead sticks they had picked up along the way in the desert. Aaron was to write his name on the rod of family of Levi. There was no life left in any of these dead old sticks. Yet God said; “the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom:” They placed these rod’s in the tabernacle before the Lord overnight. The next morning, Aaron’s rod not only showed signs of life with a bud, but had also blossomed, and brought forth fruit. This was not even possible, well, except with God where nothing is impossible.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    What a wonderful picture of Christ who died for all our sin. Life from death is impossible. Except with God, who brought Jesus from the tomb, and now lives, and He still brings forth fruit today. God is my Super Hero, with real super powers.

What Super Powers do you need from Him today?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12