Deuteronomy 27-31; Mark 2

Our church family is loud and each Sunday one never expects what could happen that will generate a lot of noise. My wife comes from a Catholic background, and as we grow older she misses the quite, the reverence and she is beginning to use the word, holiness, in describing what it means to be in the presence of God.

Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God. – Deuteronomy 27:9 NASB

I find that my own experience in church is starting to shape the same way as my wife’s. I find that when I am worshipping, I am reminded of God’s love and mercy, and my first reaction is not to be loud, but to be silent and to reflect on those memories and then give thanks, reverence and love to Him.

Silence was a way that God taught His people to be calm before His presence and here was a great example during the first worship and consecration service in Israel. I believe it helped them focus their hearts and minds on the magnitude of their vow renewal before God.

It was a reminder that God chose them.

When I look at my own prayer time, I know fasting will have to part of my experience when I meet with God alone.

But the days will come when the groom is taken away from them, and then they will fast, on that day. – Mark 2:20 NASB

It has not happened yet, but I know that it will have it’s place and time in my life. Most of the time I think I have no time or no place for fasting. When I think like that I find that I am out of balance. I am going to try fasting somewhere in the next two weeks and put into practice a key ingredient in my alone time with God.

I know that Jesus wants to know me and to interact with me. Spending time with Him will make that happen. Who would not want to spend time with those we are intimately connected to? If heaven is my reality, the thought of heaven raises my head above my circumstances to see Jesus – He is the one who loves me and promises me eternal life. One day I will be with Him forever, close and intimate, being with Him in love.

Father, as I take advantage of my quiet time with You, I pray that our time will be filled with many memories of Your love and mercy in my life. I pray that You will fill my time with Your presence, Your holiness and I pray that my response will be fasting and yielding more of my life to You. I look forward to the day that this will not have to be something I plan to do, but one that I will be doing everyday when I am with You forever.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Deut. 19-22; Acts 28

“When the Lord your God destroys the nations whose land he is giving you, you will take over their land and settle in their towns and homes. Then you must set apart three cities of refuge in the land the Lord your God is giving you…And if the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as he swore to your ancestors, and gives you all the land he promised them, you must designate three additional cities of refuge. (He will give you this land if you are careful to obey all the commands I have given you – if you always love the Lord your God and walk in his ways.)” Duet. 19:1-9 NLT

Many who came to these cities were literally running for their lives and God gave them a place to go. Where/who do I run to? I hope that I am running to the Lord. He is my shield and hiding place. But, when I run to other things he is always there welcoming me back with open arms. I think on the picture of the sparrow safe in the Lord’s hands. That is where I want to be and know that I am.

“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you! When you prepare for battle, the priest must come forward to speak to the troops. He will say to them, ‘Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out and fight your enemies today! Do not lose heart or panic or trouble before them. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!” Deut. 20:1-4 NLT

Like the Israelites, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and defeated. God told them that he was always with them & already reuscued them from potential danger. It comforts me to know that he is not just with me, but he goes before me. Paul understood this. He continued ministering to others even when he was a shipwrecked prisoner.

“In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.” Acts 28:7-9 NLT

Dear Father, I am so grateful that I can run to you. Thank you for your patience and mercy. Your are my safe place. I pray that I can share with others from the confident trust I have in you. Amen.

“For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.” Acts 28:30 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

Numbers 22-25; Acts 20

I once admired the monks of old that holed up in a monastery somewhere and learned the rites and passages of the Bible and became wise in their studies. They learned things that others had no idea about. In many ways I thought this was the best way to live. So I get it when the Israelites were ordered to stay in isolation from other nations.

For I see him from the top of the rocks,
And I look at him from the hills;
Behold, a people that lives in isolation,
And does not consider itself to be among the nations. – Numbers 23:9 NASB

The outward separation can be a symbol of my inward separation from the world, and then my inward separation becomes an indispensable condition of my outward separation and safety.

When I think of the Amish, or where I live, the old order of Mennonites, I think that would affect my politics, my morality and the possession of peculiar privileges like it has theirs.

So I look at my alone time as not a separation but as a time to recharge, reengage and listen to the voice of God so that I am relevant to this world. Paul seemed to understand this.

But we went ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for that was what he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. – Acts 20:13 NASB

I never saw this before – while others sailed, Paul walked. Paul needed time to pray, mediate and seek direction from God. That is what I am looking to do too. They sailed forty miles and Paul walked twenty-five and he walked alone. Jesus used to draw aside from times like this too.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace. – Acts 20:24 NASB

I have put my faith in Jesus. I know that means my walk glorifies God and reveals Him to others. Paul was no stranger to dangerous journeys. He survived them because he knew he was with Jesus on the journey. I want to finish the race and complete the task Jesus has given me. I will need some alone time with Him, from time to time, in order for that to happen.

Father, Your gracious grace to walk with me and to meet me in my alone time with You goes as far back as Your walk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening. I am blessed indeed to be on this journey and to know that You are with me always. Thank You.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

Numbers 15-18; Acts 18; Ps.90

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. “When you finally settle in the land I am giving you, you will offer special gifts as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. These gifts may take the form of a burnt offering, a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, a voluntary offering, or an offering at any of your annual festivals, and they may be taken from your herds of cattle or your flocks of sheep and goats.” Numbers 15:1-3 NLT

Lord, I desire to offer my life to you in worship. “Let it rise like incense, my whole life a fragrance. Every ounce here broken at Your feet. Every breath an offering. My heart cries, these lungs sing over You. My worthy King of Kings.” -Alabaster Heart, Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal.

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:9-11 NLT

I went to a Wednesday night service at my church. There was a simplicity to it that drew me in. I sat and listened to God. And I realized how distracted I have been lately. I pray that I stay quiet enough to hear your voice. I pray for more boldness & courage. I am thankful for examples like Paul. Thank you that You are still speaking Lord.

“Lord. you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you have formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1&2 ESV

Dear Father, Help me to order my days to seek after you. To do what you have called me to do. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let the favor of the Lord God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12-17 ESV

Amy(amyctanner)

Numbers 12-14; Acts 17; Psalm 27

We aren’t really all that different from those that lived in the ancient world.

Many misconceptions about God infiltrate the current world’s thinking and linger in the minds of many believers as well. Reading Paul’s words I am reminded of my need to flush out this thinking and saturate my mind in the truth about God.

Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

Acts 17:29 ESV

I do not know many people that have created an actual idol to worship or that they think is a replica or fair representation of God, but there is still the pull to create God according to our own thinking and expectation. How often do I hear when wrestling with a challenging truth of scripture that “God couldn’t mean that”? However, just as he is not made of gold or silver, nor is he to be made according to any of my imaginings or reasoning.

²⁵ nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything

Acts 17:25 ESV

The age old need to feel necessary also distorts my faith. I crave to bring God something he needs, to feel I have somehow earned or paid back all he has done for me. That’s really laughable when I read that in print. What could the creator of the universe need? What could I offer that he does not already have a million times over, a billion times over? He gave me life and breath and everything! There is no way to begin to repay even just the physical blessings he has given not to speak of the spiritual gifts of eternal life and salvation.

When I try to default to a man-made view of God I fall into foolish thinking, just like Israel did with Moses.

²⁷ “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.

Numbers 14:26 ESV

I, too, grumble that my life is hard.

the people mourned greatly. ⁴⁰ And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.”

Numbers 14:39b-40 ESV

I, too, feel human regret and scramble to make things right.

I am not all that different from the ancient Israelites and must constantly guard against that thinking and bring my heart back in line with God’s in humility and surrender.

Instead of seeking my own gain or following my own thinking, when I take the time to soak in the truth of God’s power and worth, then the praise overflows. Then my heart beats in unison with the psalmist.

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.
⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27: 5,6, 14 ESV

Trusting. Gratitude. Learning everyday anew to give thanks and trust, fully.