Deut. 5-7 [The Message]

We had a Master Teacher at Trinity for many years. Her name was Celeste Zaubi. She understood the link between learning and doing. She would plan activities that cemented in the minds of her students the principle she was teaching. She also came up with creative ways to integrate competition among the students that made the learning activities more fun.

One day I observed her teaching the class about how an assembly line works. She had gathered the materials necessary for a project. Each student was instructed to put the materials together by themself to create the finished product. They were timed. Then, she arranged them in an assembly line formation and likewise instructed them to apply their specific part to the project. They were again timed. When they saw how quickly they completed the project in an assembly line, the light bulbs of enlightenment started appearing over their heads in a heartbeat.

Learn them, Live them. The teachings of Jesus.

Deut. 4 [The Message]

Moses could only peer into the Promised Land from the top of Mt. Pisgah because he disobeyed the Lord by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. He grieved over the consequence of his disobedience. It was a lesson for all of Israel. It was a lesson for US.

Obedience is learned in the home. Wise parents teach their children that disobedience has consequences. Lessons that have less costly pain can be efficiently learned when children are little. When they become adults, the pain is magnified and can devastate lives … and families.

If a child can’t obey their parents whom they see, how in the world can they obey a God they can’t see?

Deut. 2, 3 [The Message]

God instructed the Children of Israel to subdue the Promised Land. Although there were considerable obstacles and resistance, He instructed them to have NO FEAR. Fear itself is an obstacle. It prevents us from giving our best.

The biggest battles are often in our minds. David, the Psalmist, was a warrior. Before entering a skirmish, he would always spend time praising the Lord. Trust in God flushed out the fear. He said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” [Ps. 56:3]

When I was a young music minister, I would put together large presentations at Christmas and Easter for our church to perform. My planning and preparation workload would often overwhelm me to the extent that I would wake up in the middle of the night with fearful sweats. Ps. 56:3 became my antidote for the crippling fear episodes at night. After putting my trust in the Lord and committing my ways to Him, I could lay back down and rest.

That’s a good verse to memorize!

Num. 36; Deuteronomy 1 [The Message]

God GAVE The Promised Land to the Israelites, but they had some work to do to actually possess it. The inhabitants of the land didn’t receive a legal notice from the Holy Spirit informing them of a change of ownership. No, they were NOT HAPPY. They gave resistance.

Life is that way. It provides resistance sometimes. We have some work to do before we can actually enjoy our inheritance.

When my father passed away, we found that he had left us kids an inheritance. He had money invested with a brokerage agency. Yes, that money now belonged to my siblings and me, but as executor I had to jump through some hoops to get it. The agency was rightfully cautious in the transfer of the funds. I had work to do.

James said “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead..” [James 2:17] I had faith that the funds were there, but I had some work to do to get them.

Num. 34, 35 [The Message]

For most of my life, I have served in full-time ministerial capacities. Most of the time was as a worship leader/pastor. When I started out, I figured I’d never own a home or have much material wealth since I worked for The Church. A lot o people now make in a month what I was paid for a year. I’m not complaining. It’s has been my highest honor to serve the Lord and His People.

God told me, “If you give ME a place to live, I will give you a place to live.” He has been faithful. We have always been blessed to live comfortably. God has been good to us.

The Levites were allocated special cities to live in. As long as they served faithfully in the Tabernacle, they were well taken care of. To me the distinction is what your goal is. If you live to serve the Lord’s purposes rather than amassing a strong financial portfolio, your fall into the category of “Priest unto God.” He offers a wonderful benefit package!

Num. 33 [The Message]

Why in the world would God lead the Children of Israel to camp at Rephidim where there was no water to drink? Surely God didn’t want His People to be dehydrated. Because of this camping fiasco, the people began to murmur and complain against Moses.

Does life sometimes do you like this? You are led by God DIRECTLY into a big problem. You begin questioning God about His direction in your life. Welcome to the club. So, what’s the answer? Their big need was a glorious opportunity for God to do a miracle. It was here He instructed Moses to strike the rock and water would come forth.

When life is perfect and has no troubles, we become complacent and think we don’t NEED God. When we become so thirsty for lack of something, we begin calling out to Him and set the stage for a MIRACLE.

Which life brings God more glory? Complacency or one needing and experiencing miracles.

Lord, forgive us for our complaining.

Num. 32 [The Message]

We are at war … against cancer, broken relationships, poverty, moral impurity etc. God doesn’t want us to fight these battles alone. When we are members of the “Body of Christ,” we have other Body members who should and will jump into the trenches and do spiritual warfare with us. It’s what healthy Christians do … they bear one another’s burdens. [Gal. 6:2]

When Joshua was allocating the sections of the Promised Land to the different tribes, Reuben and Gad preferred to settle east of the Jordan river where there was much grazing land suitable for their livestock. Joshua finally agreed, but held them to the commitment to send warriors to help the other tribes when they engaged in military struggles.

Regardless of where you are settled in this life, Christ wants you to be a prayer and ministry support to other members of His Body when they are hurting. Always have your radar on and be quick to jump in to help.

Num. 31 [The Message]

After the Hebrew men went to war with the Midianites, it was reported to Moses that “Not a man is missing.” There were no casualties from this war. This can only be the hand of God protecting them.

I was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam war. I was assigned to infantry. Normally, all infantry went straight to Vietnam to fight the Viet Cong in the jungles. President Nixon had just announced military cutbacks. Half of my training company went to Vietnam and half of us went to the Panama Canal Zone. Guess where God sent me. Yup … Canal Zone, where our daughter Julie was born. God protected me.

I had a Christian buddy who went to Vietnam and carried a machine gun for 18 months. Normally, the machine gunner was a prime target for the Viet Cong. God brought him back without a scratch.

Num. 28-30 [The Message]

When Patty and I watch a cop show on TV, she almost becomes livid when the police say, “I promise.” How can they make that commitment when they really don’t know how their case is going to turn out? She, like most women, get very serious about the commitments men make. Guys, we don’t have a great track record on keeping our promises.That’s probably why there was a whole Christian men’s movement called “Promise Keepers.”

God is also very serious about the promises we make. Great care should be taken when verbal commitments are made. One of the big ones is the marriage vow. Sadly, way too many spouses break their vows and destroy their relationships.

Christ Jesus is the bridegroom to the Church. He is the Ultimate Promise Keeper. He said, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” Even when earthly relationships fail, we can count on the Lord to make up the difference and keep His commitment to us. He is the great ALL IN ALL.

Num. 28-30 [The Message]

When Patty and I watch a cop show on TV, she almost becomes livid when the police say, “I promise.” How can they make that commitment when they really don’t know how their case is going to turn out? She, like most women, get very serious about the commitments men make. Guys, we don’t have a great track record on keeping our promises.That’s probably why there was a whole Christian men’s movement called “Promise Keepers.”

God is also very serious about the promises we make. Great care should be taken when verbal commitments are made. One of the big ones is the marriage vow. Sadly, way too many spouses break their vows and destroy their relationships.

Christ Jesus is the bridegroom to the Church. He is the Ultimate Promise Keeper. He said, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” Even when earthly relationships fail, we can count on the Lord to make up the difference and keep His commitment to us. He is the great ALL IN ALL.