Num. 5 [The Message]

Faithfulness in marriage is important to God, so much so that the offending party was subject to death by stoning or drinking water mixed with Temple floor dust. Get the picture?

A big reason is that marriage is an earthly relationship that mirrors the Heavenly relationship of Christ with His Bride, the Church. God is jealous over His Church. Jesus took the value of faithfulness even further. He zeroed in on the heart and thought-life of people. Adultery was not only that of a physical act, but was even the thought-life and fantasies in a person’s mind.

We’ve all sinned and come short, but we STRIVE to be pure in mind AND body.

Num. 4 [The Message]

Great care was taken to assemble and disassemble the furniture and sacrifice utensils for the Tabernacle. Actually, a priest could be stricken dead for serious missteps. They obviously had to be very deliberate and accurate in their duties.

Today, when we gather together to worship,there are similar tasks being performed for each service. The set-up and tear down process is usually completed unnoticed. There ARE visible workers who run sound, run cameras, adjust lighting, flash computer-generated words on the big screens etc. It takes a crew. Then, there are the musicians who generate beautiful sounds and harmonies for us to sing with. It all combines to play a symphony of worship to the Lord.

We thank the Lord for these valuable servants of His. Now, it would be nice if WE walk up and thank them for their contribution of worship next Sunday.

Num. 3 [The Message]

There were many tasks necessary to be performed for the operation of the Tabernacle of Moses and the institution of on-going worship for the Israelites. God directed Moses to assign these tasks to members of the Tribe of Levi. When every one did their job, the process went well. It didn’t all fall upon Moses or a select few.

It’s still that way. We as New Testament Kings and Priests unto God have a responsibility to do our part.

Years ago, I was preparing a Bible College music team for a ministry trip to Europe. I was SO FRUSTRATED because I was trying to do it all by myself. The members of the group were frustrated too. THEN, my wonderful wife pointed out that I should delegate the different areas of responsibility to the group members based upon their giftings. You would not believe the efficient difference it made. Each had their duty to perform. They were happy. I was happy. We had a great trip.

Numbers 1, 2 [The Message]

God laid out the tribes on four sides of the Tabernacle in the shape of a cross. As He looked down upon His People when they were camped, He saw the form of the symbol of our redemption, the Cross.

The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

Lev. 27 [The Message]

A principle throughout the entire Bible is that we give to God the first of anything. The tithe should be the first check we write. The first part of the day should be given in devotion to the Lord. Likewise, the first-born child from the womb should be consecrated to the Lord for His service.

That doesn’t mean that they MUST be a preacher or minister or full-time Christian worker. The parents commit a watchful eye over their life, praying that their destiny and life’s calling would glorify the Lord. It can be for a son or daughter.

Our first-born was a girl. We always had a hunch deep in our heart that she would serve the Lord’s purposes in her life. My sense was always that she would probably end up a pastor’s wife. I WAS RIGHT!

Her mother and I are both so proud of the Godly woman she has become. We can look back and trace the Hand of God on her life and rejoice greatly when we see the fruit of the life of Julie Demos Anthony.

Lev. 25, 26 [The Message]

God promised the Israelites that if they lived in obedience to His commands, they would reap blessings in their daily lives. Here are the blessings He mentioned:

• Your weather and your crops will be blessed
• You will live in peace and not war
• You will have the upper hand on your enemies
• You will enjoy prosperity and abundance
• You will experience My presence in your communities

Conversely, disobedience to God can result in a difficult life. [Pr. 13:15]

Recently I have been trying to help some indigent Newnan residents. It’s sad to see the results of life apart from Christ. It’s a hard life. Those of us who are blessed have the privilege of showing the love of Christ to those less fortunate. I hope they will want Jesus in their lives.

Lev. 24 [The Message]

Nobody likes to wait. In an incident in the Israelite camp concerning someone’s punishment, the leaders waited for God’s will to be made known. How did God feel about the infraction and how did He want it dealt with?

God’s Word is His express will concerning everything. There are times when there is no obvious answer or direction indicated in a matter. That’s the time to pray and seek God’s will. Who knows, timing could be critical. Provision or an apparent answer may already be in the pipeline and you just have to wait for it.

Wait time is always an opportunity to TRUST. Pastor Moses Vegh (my spiritual mentor) used to always say, “God may be slow, but He’s NEVER LATE.” Your answer is on its way.

Lev. 23 [The Message]

Fasting has never been my strong suit. I have done some, but as I consider the required fasts in the Law of Moses, I realize more compliance is necessary for me.

Jesus said “WHEN you fast,” not”if.” [Matt. 6:16]

Fasting requires a reason, a decision and some self-control.

REASONS:

• To make your voice to be heard in Heaven
• To afflict or submit your soul
• To break the chains of injustice
• To set free those held by forms of oppression (addictions, patterns of sin etc.)

Fasting can yield powerful results IF we are willing to harness our appetites.

Lev. 21-22 [The Message]

My Dad would always wear a suit to church. He was “old-school” in every way. That’s how we did it up until the Vineyard Movement hit. John Wimber made it popular to “come as you are.” In defense of the suit-wearers, they were just trying to wear their best for church. You can’t really knock that, can you?

God looks on the inside of a person, so outward appearance is not the critical priority. However, what’s on the inside DOES AFFECT the outside.

Outside / inside ways to give your best:

• Greet everyone with your friendliest, warmest smile
• Sing the worship songs with gusto
• Harness your wandering mind and pay close attention to every point of the message
• Be on time … Oooo, this one nails me
• Invite someone to church and offer to pick them up

Lev. 18-20 [The Message]

The Judaic laws, like no other document, have influenced the laws we live by in our nation. They provide a moral compass given by God.

Sadly, these values are being continually eroded by the entertainment industry in America. Hollywood does all it can to pervert our language and our morals. No wonder our children are largely abandoning the faith and shipwrecking their lives. They will too soon find out how painful it is to ignore God’s warnings.

The moral compass of the home cultivates the morality of the child. Iniquity is bound up in the heart of a child. [Ps. 51:5, Pr. 22:15] They need correction. They need to have Godly living modeled by their parents and extended families. Train up a child in the way they should go. [Pr. 22:6] If we do so, we are wisely preventing much heartache and grief.