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Numbers 4–The Kohathites, God’s Special Caretakers

17 Wednesday Oct 2018

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Aaron and his family were not only given the distinction of being a part of the tribe of Levi ( The new firstborns of Israel), but God also gave him and his family, (the Kohathites) the honor of caring for and carrying the special articles. As a nomadic group. The people of Israel needed as much symmetry and stability as  possible. That is why God gave the Kohathites an order, and set out a plan for the care and moving of the Tabernacle and the worship articles.  

God was not only clear about who would carry the stuff, but also how it was to be cared for and moved.  If the Kohathite men did not care for the articles correctly, The people would all lose out.  The Ark of the Covenant was especially dear, it is where God made His presence known.  If the Kohathites, or anyone touched it; they would die.  Some incidents occurred where the rules were not followed and the person paid a price. Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6–grabbed the ark and died.  King Uzziah went into the temple to act as a priest and was immediately struck with leprosy.   God took the care of his stuff seriously and only enlisted those He could trust to carry it out.

Here is the amazing part–in proportion, God Loves us sooooooo much more.  When we think of all the time and effort God put into training the men to care for the holy chairs, He personally gave his own life to care for us.  We can never underestimate God’s plan for our lives.  We have to trust that the same God that demonstrated the plan for moving Israel into the promised land; will carefully execute His work in our lives, as well. He has had thousands of years to practice, and He has never been late.  He is always in the right place, at the right time. 

God Bless You 

 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting.

4 “This is the work of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting: the care of the most holy things. 5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law. 6 Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather,[a] spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

7 “Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it.8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lamp-stand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the olive oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of the durable leather and put it on a carrying frame.

11 “Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

12 “They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

13 “They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks,shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.

15 “After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying.But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. 

Matthew 26 Part 3–Sweet Hour of Prayer

28 Friday Sep 2018

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Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified.  He knew it, he had planned for it, and He prepared His men for it.  Still, as the hour approached, the sense of dread and reality of what was ahead bore down on Jesus like a vise. He took his men to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with him.  He had to go to His father, one more time.  As Jesus grieved and prayed, He longed for the support of those men He had raised and befriended. 

Sadly, each of the three times Jesus returned to the guys, they were fast asleep. They neither sensed the pain the Lord was going through, nor did they feel the sense of urgency that Jesus felt. They had a full belly and that was the most important thing to them. Had they known that in only moments their world would be forever turned upside down, then they probably would have been in an intense prayer of support for the Master. Still, Jesus knew that his guys were going to be shaken to the core, and He was about to suffer and die–so on he prayed. “Not my will, but Your will be done!”

Like Jesus, we need to remain on our face before God. We live in a time where the church is feeling the increased pain of a world that has abandoned God. The devaluation of Life, marriage and family has reaped unprecedented violence, arrogance and selfishness in all corners of the globe. It is only a matter of time, until worship of our Lord will be considered illegal, and the church an enemy.  Then, like the disciples, we will be shaken to our very core and driven to our knees to worship the Lord. We will then seek his protection, provision and preparation for what lies ahead. We need to sense the urgency that is upon us, and like Jesus, pray this very hour for God’s intervention and our nation’s revival.  Don’t let our full tummy and sense of invincibility, fool us into thinking that we will never lose what we have. Things can always change in a minute, and we must be ready for that eventuality!!! Wake up and pray.

God Bless You

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Matthew 26 Part 2–The Last Supper

27 Thursday Sep 2018

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Time was running short.  Jesus, of course, knew the events that lay ahead–but His disciples did not have a clue. Judas had already made a deal with the Jewish elite to betray Jesus. So, as they began the Passover feast, Jesus began preparing His men for the betrayal, and preparing them for what was about to change. It was probably clear that Jesus was hated by the religious leaders. No one would have thought, however, that they would intentionally try to end the life of God’s Messiah.  

Jesus knew, however. He watched these men; picked to lead the Church after his death and resurrection,and while He knew they would be OK, He also knew what was to come would be difficult for them and horrendous for Him.  Still, He soldiered on and blessed them that night. He called Judas out, He prepped Peter for his denial of Jesus, and Jesus let the rest know that, after He was gone, they needed to remember the communion they shared with Him.

In our lives, we attend our various congregations, and every so often, usually the 1st Sunday of the month, we take communion in remembrance of that last supper. His body broken for us, His blood shed for us. He was separated from God, albeit only briefly, for the 1st and only time throughout eternity.  He was tortured, killed and discredited–all for us.  So, as we pause, ever so quickly to take communion–we need to examine our lives and ask the question, was Jesus sacrifice for me, enough.  The answer is technically yes, but, it must be a yes for each of us, personally.  

He gave all He could give to restore what had been taken by man’s sin. We are called to accept our Lord’s gift, follow His lead and allow Jesus to transform us into His image; from the day we receive Him until His return.

God Bless You

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b]covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 25–The 10 Virgins (A Story of Preparation)

21 Friday Sep 2018

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The parable of the 10 virgins was an alarming one.  The story simply put; talks of being ready for the bridegroom to appear. Half the group was ready, and half fell asleep on the job.  The troubling part was twofold–1st, half the group did not come prepared for the delay in the bridegroom’s appearance. The second problem, the half that missed the return, were out of luck to experience the relationship with the bridegroom. 

In that time, being a part of such a celebration was a big deal. To be invited was itself an honor, but to be invited and not be ready was a huge insult.  The people that heard that story–knew that in real life such an event would be treated as an audience with the king. All that received it, would come ready and stay on edge–no matter how long it took. 

In our lives, the meaning is clear, be prepared for Christ’s return. It may seem as though it will never happen, but to be unprepared for it would be devastating.  Preparation for Christ’s return is simple. Trust Him, follow Him and allow Him to be Lord of your life. As you do, He will lead, guide and protect you. He will prepare you for the life ahead. He will provide and transform you into an amazing person; full of the Spirit and ready for His return.  It is a difficult process; but, it is also an Amazing Journey!!!

God Bless You

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Matthew 22 Part 2–Show Me a Coin

13 Thursday Sep 2018

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Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s. It was another day, and another opportunity for the religious elite to try to trick Jesus. Mind you, they had been trying to do so for years.  The question was a crowd angering one–“Should we pay taxes to the imperial government?” Well, from the people’s perspective Rome had invaded and took over. They were not welcome and should not be supported by the sweat of those they had invaded. Conversely, for Jesus to say no, don’t pay taxes–well instant grounds for arrest by the Roman Guard and the leaders’ problem solved.

Jesus almost laughed–“Really? Is this all you Got???” Jesus was not surprised at all. He said show me a coin. The answer has lived through history because it speaks to stewardship clearly and concisely! We are to pay what we owe to whom we owe a debt.  Whether to God or government, we are to pay what we owe.  More importantly for Jesus was the idea that once again, the religious guys did not get it.  Here before them was God’s Son–He was healing the sick, speaking the truth and trying to show men God’s true nature.  These guys were racking their brains day and night to destroy him.  Had they simply stopped, as Nicodemus did, and asked a real question; they could have seen real life change and freedom.

God never sets out to trick or embarrass us–He wants us to know the truth, and to know how much God loves us. If men would quit trying to prove He was not real, and spend that time seeking Him–their lives would be forever changed and complete. Yet, only those of us that know and trust him will ever enjoy the true freedom the Lord can bring.  We are to be good stewards. We are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. More importantly, we must trust God and allow Him to be the center of our thoughts and the center of our day. If we will, the silly questions the world asks will summarily be dealt with and God will reign supreme!

God Bless You

Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

Matthew 21 Part 2–Jesus Clears The Temple

07 Friday Sep 2018

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Jesus knew that what lay ahead was inevitable.  So on this holy week, our Lord spent time tying up loose ends.  First, Jesus went into His Father’s house to clean it up.  It would be likened to a large “farmer’s market”–tables with doves, pigeons, pens of sheep, goats and calves.  There were also tables with meat and different currencies to exchange.  There were probably tables with fruit and snacks–yes and some “merch” tables with various treasures to commemorate the visit to Jerusalem. 

Jesus was not pleased! He entered the temple court and commenced to dump over tables and smack vendors.  He spoke with the authority of family, when He said this is my Dad’s place not a mini mall!!! The High priest and other religious elite were indignant (They probably had an interest in several stations) but, knew that the crowd was not going to allow anything to happen to the Messiah. The kid’s were praising and announcing His presence–another prophecy fulfilled!  He clearly made the point–This is a place where God and God only needs to be worshiped!  Not a market, not a fair–God’s temple. Jesus spent the day healing the sick and blessing those that came–Just as the Father would!

We live in a time where a similar temptation is constantly waiting outside the door. Our church facilities have become theaters, our worship–a club night or rock concert.  We become so accustomed to the brilliance of the show, that we can easily forget we are there to worship God.  As an old guy, I must confess that I love the quality and power of modern church. I enjoy watching the sermon on the big screen, and singing praise with amazing worship teams and bands. It is, however, when the congregation uses offering as a place to pay for the show; and sees no need to actually minister or serve–that they begin to resemble the religious elite of Jesus day.  We have to do a heart-check, and make sure our walk remains personal, and our worship centered on the Lord; and not those He uses to deliver the message.

  

All God has ever wanted was our trust and our hearts. If we will trust and follow Him, then as we enjoy amazing worship, it will remain worship of God not of His vessels.

God Bless You

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[f]”

14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’[g]?”

17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Matthew 21 Part 1–The Triumphal Entry

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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All good things must come to an end–so, as Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem for His last week of ministry on earth, He did so with a heavy heart.  Jesus knew what lay ahead, but, Jesus also knew what He had to complete. So, Jesus sent the disciples to acquire a donkey colt to carry Him in to Jerusalem. The gesture was neither random, nor was Jesus putting on a show. He was entering His city as the prophets said that He would. 

The crowds gathered and the parade was glorious. Jesus entered with people laying their coats and palm fronds down; cheering the triumphal entrance of the Savior of Israel.  Sadly, the people did not understand that the Savior they were cheering had to lay down His very life to save them.  He was not entering to unseat the Roman occupation. He was not coming in to throw Herod out. He was coming in to start the sacrifice that would restore men’s ability to connect with a holy God. Prophecy fulfilled, Jesus entered and began the holy week. 

We have so much to be grateful for. Jesus endured the giving up of His deity, living as a man, traveling without a place to call His home and literally spending all day everyday; teaching men about His Father God. He did that, so that we could have a purpose filled life here, and an eternal life with Him in Heaven. Jesus did it without regret, without objection and even without a fight. No one took His life, Jesus gave it–willingly.  We are called to do the same. God asks us to lay our lives down, at the feet of the One that gave His life for us.  Like  Him, we are asked to do so without fanfare, simply trusting that He will forgive us of our sin, and transform us into His image. What a great exchange.

God Bless You

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 19 Part 2–Let Those Kids Come!!!

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

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The kids…God has a special place in his heart for Kids. In the story, The disciples meant well.  Jesus had probably faced a host of people with real illness, sadness and defeat. As He did every day, Jesus faithfully and gently healed the folks that had the faith to come and ask. Still, with all the fanfare, a group of mom’s came to Jesus to have their kids blessed.

What a great idea, but a group of men, not really culturally involved with the kids day to day, saw this interruption as a bother, and turned the mom’s away. Jesus was having none of that.  He told the Disciples–Whoaaaaaa–LET THE KIDS COME!!!!! It was the highlight of the Lord’s day.  The Father loves kids. Kid’s are full of hope, they lack skepticism. They have real faith, not just a reasonable facsimile.

The Kids accepted Jesus blessing as a kind gift, not a contract for wealth or promise of immortality. The moms, well they hoped their darlings would now be safe and well–and they probably were. But, as Jesus so rightly said–that is what God’s Kids should come to God like. No agenda, no expectation–just faith in the Lord’s character and His promise.

We are His kids! Jesus beckons us to come to Him. trust Him and allow Him to bless us.  Just this week, God answered so many prayers that if all His kids would simply list them–it would take volumes–Just this week’s prayers. We should approach the Father with an expectant heart–He is going to bless us. It is not our right to know how, it is simply our pleasure to approach His throne knowing God loves to bless his kids!

God Bless You

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matthew 19 Part 1–Marriage and Divorce

28 Tuesday Aug 2018

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The Church has struggled to deal with broken lives in so many contexts. One of the most difficult is the break up of families. In a society that sees half of all marriages ending in divorce, the repercussions are devastating. It has grown so confusing, that the Supreme Court has even thrown up their hands, succumbed to political pressure and announced that marriage and family is pretty much what ever you want it to be.

God was not nearly so inclusive. He made marriage a union of one man and one woman for a lifetime. Men have failed that model throughout history. Polygamy, homosexuality extra marital relationships either before marriage, during or after marriage–were  never part of the plan God designed for family.  God allowed men to do as they would–not because he liked it, but, because people are stubborn and sinful.

So when the religious leaders were trying to trip Jesus up with questions on divorce, He was not amused.  He simply stated the facts–painful as they were.  Funny thing is, the facts are more painful today.

I am not here to judge. I am grateful for my marriage and my family. I believe in marriage as set out in the Bible. We have raised our children to know–at our house; that marriage is a covenant! Through good times, tough times and in the dark times when marriage takes all our emotional and spiritual energy to continue; we rest in the same hands that protect, prepare and provide for us in every other way, the Lord’s hands. The strength of a nation is, in major part, tied to the strength of its foundational principles–respect for life, liberty, family and authority. As a church, we must stand strong on these principles so that the next generation can embrace the commitment to life and family that will carry our way of life through trials, wars and tribulation.

Help us Lord, to trust You, and honor the principles for families You have set up for us!

God Bless You

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

7 “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. 9 I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Matthew 18 Part 2–Stumbling Blocks

24 Friday Aug 2018

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Jesus was clear, One needs to be an advocate for the Gospel and not an adversary.  As the Lord talked to his men, He let them know that men will be judged if they lead others away from God. He spoke about the importance of raising and training children; how people’s actions–where they go and what they see can have much greater consequences than literally being physically maimed.  In short, Jesus emphasized that God counts each life precious, and each child a treasure.  Jesus and the Father would hold accountable anyone that pulled the people away from God. He was especially concerned about the religious leadership, and their constant double standard for those they led.

In our lives, God wants us to understand that what we say and do, does impact others.  We need to lead a life of humble surrender, and not be overly proud or self-righteous. We should remember that what we say or do does impact others.  Our desire should be to impact them for Christ–not against Him.  We also must remember that we do not live in a vacuum. Our actions will affect those around us.  So follow Paul’s lead and live our lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel.  We are to set our hearts and minds on things above–not on earthly things.  

God Bless You

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.[11] [a]

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Dealing With Sin in the Church

15 “If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d]17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.