Numbers 20, Psalm 58, Psalm 59, Isaiah 9:8-10:4, James 3

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Numbers 20             Moses said, “Hear now, you rebels!” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly – The Lord spoke to Moses, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

            Not by Faith, but out of anger did Moses serve the Lord God. Therefore God was not seen as Holy by the witnesses. The consequence? No Promised Land for Moses. How many times do my emotions over rule my trust in God and His Word? How many witnesses of my words and actions have I turned away from God? How many ways do I circumvent Jesus’ Glory by my own self interests? How many “promised land” situations have I been cut off from because of this!? Jesus, I willfully, actively choose to think and act by faith and trusting Your Word/ Relationship so that I do not focus on what so easily ensnares me. (1)

Psalm 58 , Psalm 59, Isaiah 9:8-10:4, James 3 –

               The wicked … go astray, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; The mighty gather against me, Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, And for the cursing and lying which they speak. Psalm 58-59

               The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. … it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men…  James 3

            Lord, am I double minded and forked tongued? Do I say and do what I think and feel? Please have mercy on me and reveal to me my innermost motives, desires and Your Truth perspectives. If I do not yield to You, You will overtake me by wrathful force. (2)

              Because of this, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, As in His living and burning wrath. .. Consume them in wrath, consume them, And let them know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth. … the Lord shall set up the adversaries against him, the Lord will cut off … Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts The land is burned up. Psalm 58-59, Isaiah 9:8-10:4

              I fear both Your just judgment and wrath as well as losing Your peace, joy and intimacy in relationship with You. I confess to You the realty of my fickleness. I hate sin!

Who say in pride and arrogance of heart: “We will rebuild with hewn stones; We will replace them with cedars.” For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts. Isaiah 9:8-10:4

              I surrender to You, Lord Jesus Christ, my willfulness to do things my own way, as I see fit without doing Your Word and Holy Spirit counsel. I purpose my mind to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” and have my tongue, hands and feet move according to Your Holy Spirit. (5)

Your judgments are clear:

              “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed To rob the needy of justice, Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain.” Isaiah 9:8-10:4

Yet You say FOUR TIMES in Isaiah 9:8-10:4

“For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.”

             You reach out to me and to all of us – “Come to Me!” “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”  Rejecting my usual patterns, turning away from sinful relationships, not wasting time, not looking at useless information, abhorring addictions, habits and weak mindsets is Your Requirement for holiness! Step by step, day by day, I will live Your success by Your Way! (3)

The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance;  So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.” I will wait for You, For God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; Psalm 58-59

              Repentance’s fruit is Sweet! What Peace, Joy and Freedom to be unselfish and not needy when I walk in repentance! Repentance takes time, practice, pain without regret and a lot of work by Repeatedly Doing Your thoughts and Your Ways. But the Refreshment and Still waters are more than worth it!! Thanks my Mentor and Power, Lord God Jesus Christ! (4)  

But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy. Psalm 58-59

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3

 

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

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Lev. 10; Ps. 11,12; Prov. 25; 1 Thess.4

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were in a leadership role as priests but made the human error of choosing to do something their way instead of the way God had specified. I am reminded that the fire was to be kept burning at all times in a specific way.

“Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning, it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the daily whole burnt offering on it.  He must then burn the fat of the peace offerings on top of this daily whole burnt offering.” Leviticus 10:12.

When Nadab and Abihu chose to “keep the fire going” in a different means by putting coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkling incense over it they disobeyed a direct command, thus resulting in immediate death by fire from God! I know I choose my own way more often than I should and it is not that the choice itself is an evil or harmful choice, but it is against what I know God has asked of me.

Psalm 11:6 stood out to me as a connecting thought to that of Leviticus.  “He rains down blazing coals on the wicked, punishing them with burning sulfur and scorching winds.”   Immediately following this verse it is shared that the LORD is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is RIGHT will see his face.  Once again, obedience results in God’s delight and favor.

Psalm 12–David crying out to the Lord for help as he is seeing more and more sin upon the earth. Lying, gossip, insincerity, and such pride within people that they believe they can say anything they want and no one can stop them. My tongue can do such harm within an instant if it is not tamed.

What a comfort though to know that the Lord’s reply to David’s request is one of assurance that He has seen and heard the wickedness and will rescue them. His promises are pure, just as silver refined in a furnace and purified SEVEN times over! David had to trust God that He would protect and preserve them amidst the evil in the land.

I find more and more that God is speaking to me about my speech and how and when to use it, in HIS timing and His words–not mine. These verses put some of my everyday activities into a realistic perspective of what God demands.  (9-10) “Discuss the matters privately so as to not be accused of gossip and never regain a good reputation.”  v.11 –“Advice in a timely manner is as lovely as GOLDEN apples in a silver basket.” I know I have thrown out advice when it was not properly timed and after reading this verse and soaking it in and looking back on those instances I can honestly say the apples in the basket I was handing out were rotten in comparison to what I could have given had I sought the Lord more for his advice and insight to give to a friend in need instead of being in a hurry to help, help, help someone in my own strength.

Amazing how at the beginning of this in Leviticus it spoke on holiness and staying clear of uncleanliness. I Thessalonians 4:1 it URGES us to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord , along with remaining holy and keeping our bodies holy and clean!

“This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not NEED to depend on others to meet your needs.” 1 Thess 4:11-12.

I pray my words will be used for encouragement, faithful witnessing and blessing to others. I want to be a FLAME THAT DOES NOT BURN OUT but  lights a path no matter what the circumstance or situation placed in. I desire to BE ON FIRE FOR GOD until the moment He swoops down and takes me to my forever home!  HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL? NO. I’M GONNA LET IT SHINE,  LET IT SHINE, LET IT SHINE!

Erica (guest on 66 Books)

Deuteronomy 16, Psalm 103, Isaiah 43, Revelation 13

I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. Isa 43:11

The number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. Rev 13:18

Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! … And forget not all His benefits: … The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:1-2,19

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut.%2016;%20Ps.103;%20Isa.%2043;%20Rev.%2013&version=NKJV

Deuteronomy 16 – 

Worship of God is sacrifice through obedience to God. (Romans 12:1-2) God gives detailed instructions of His requirements: observe, you shall sacrifice, shall eat no, shall eat yes, seven days, you may remember, you may not …, there shall be a sacred assembly to the LORD your God. You shall do no work, you shall give, rejoice, keep a sacred feast, shall not pervert, You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” The result is fellowship with God with peace, joy, and blessings.

Psalm 103 – One of my most favorite psalms! Word after word, dripping with facts about our God and His character towards those He redeems! David is telling his soul to bless the Lord God Almighty for a multitude of AMAZING reasons. Please read each word aloud to your self with deliberateness and passion! I am All ways blessed when reading this for my own soul, mind and heart!!

Isaiah 43 – Dear Lord God Almighty, Oh what you have done for me, and for Everyone who lives under Your Christ!! You say – “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; called you by your name; You are Mine. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; … you were precious in My sight,  You have been honored, And I have loved you;” (v.1-4)

       I am to take this for my heart and mind daily, when people are fickle, moody, or just “people”, I am to trust and live like Your Word is Fact, which it IS!! You have healed me in So Many ways because You have trained me to do this!! You have changed most of my relationships because of this Word! I Rejoice!! May I be faithful to Your Word too! 

      Lord God Almighty, You declare that You are the Christ, Who is my Creator: “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior.” V. 10-11  (John 10:30, Hebrews 1:3, John 14:9, John 8:58, John 1:1,14)                   “I am the LORD, your Holy One,  The Creator of Israel, your King.” V. 15, John 1:1-2

Your deliverance of me is Permanent!  Indeed before the day was, I am He;  And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; v. 13,  John 10:28-29

Lord, I am so enjoying the changes You have made in and around me!! – And You are not finished!! I still eagerly anticipate!!   “Behold, I will do a new thing,  Now it shall spring forth;”   v.19 (2Cor 5:17, Philippians 1:6)

     I am SOooo sorry when I dishonor You!! When I do not search my heart with the Light of Your Word to see, reject, confess and repent my iniquities to You, the Holy One!! May I never make excuses, compromises, or rationalizations based upon people or my own flesh – but instead run to Your Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) so that You will do: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.” V. 25

      May I give You Great Glory all the days and nights of my life!! I shall not  remember the former things! May I be Your good witness in every place and time. May I encourage others to join me in giving You Infinite Praise in all circumstances with great love and gratitude!! (v 7,9-10, 12-13, 18-20-21) 

Revelation 13 –  

God’s Word is Truth. “The entirety of Your Word is Truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Psalm 119:160 (2 Peter 1:20-2:1, 2 Tim 3:14-17, Heb 4:12-13, Isa 55: 8-12, 1Cor 2:13, Psalm 119:105, 1 Pet 1:23, Psalm 119:89

FACT, never fiction, to be taken Eternally Seriously. The Lord God Almighty warns for wisdom, patience and endurance through to the very End. (Rev 13:10, Rev 14:12, Proverbs 1:2, Job 28:28, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 14:27, Isaiah 33:6)

        Jesus says the time IS set: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24:36 – Confirmed by God’s vision to Daniel. (Daniel 7:7-28; Daniel 8-9; Daniel 12; Matthew 24; Isaiah 48:5; Ezekiel 12:28; Isaiah 44:6-8; Isaiah 45:5-12; Isaiah 55:8-11; Isaiah 66:2 )

Revelation 13 teaches specifically.

The first beast is a ruler who blasphemes God, deriving his power, throne and authority from satan, the dragon. He seems to get mortally wounded, and then healed. In response, people follow and worship him and satan. They fear due to their powerlessness against the world system. For 3.5 years this evil ruler blasphemes everything about God and kills God’s people. The ruler’s worshippers are doomed to hell.

God Boldly Warns: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. …  Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

Then another evil man comes to power, seemingly kind and gentle, but speaks and acts exceedingly wickedly. “He deceives by those signs …  telling…  to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.” He “give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” And “causes all…  to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, … no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast….”

God Reveals: “Here is wisdom. …. the number of the beast, …of a man: His number is 666.”

            The devil’s goal has never changed:

worship the devil and hate God. Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 3  

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:10-11

Do I live for things, power, pride, money, pleasure, people pleasing, addictions,…?  I will get sucked in if I value any thing more than my relationship with the Living Lord God based upon His Son Jesus Christ’s shed blood for my sins.

        God says the Mark is coming. It is numeric. Taking the Mark is an eternal pact with the devil. The only option is to depend upon the Living Lord Jesus Christ Now and allways. Lord, may I never trust people, governments or institutions for my sustenance. May I put my full trust in the All Mighty Creator and God and follow Him.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. John 14:1, Prov 3:5-7, Psalm 1, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6

       Lord God, You assure me that You are Sovereign and in complete Authority and Control. I surrender my sin and willfulness to trust and obey Lord Jesus Christ, through Word and Spirit, with all of me all of the time, no matter what. Change me to reflect You more. Prepare me to not be deceived or fear and to share with others to be saved from present and eternal condemnation, for Your Glory only!  John 3:5-6; John 3:13-21; Romans 8:1-2; Romans 8:12-17; Romans 8:31-39; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 20:10 

Numbers 21, Psalm 60-61, Isaiah 10:5-34, James 4

Fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the citizens of Arnon’s heights. Numbers 21:28

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you,  I call as my heart grows faint;  lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge,  a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Psalm 61:1-4

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1

Fire seemed to consume the past two days readings. The words in Isaiah were so scathing they made me cry. Battling in Numbers left me cold.

Lord, I don’t want to write about this stuff. It’s too depressing. Of course it’s also rainy and overcast outside today as I write this. I need sunshine, a smile, a warm hug. Then I remembered a line from a song I had translated from Spanish.

“There is nothing impossible if the love burning in the heart is not shut up in the end.” No Hay Imposibles by Jose Gentile.

God loves me so much that he is not willing to shut up the truth. We battle through the pain of my conflicting desires together.  I need time to cry, a safe place to hide, to be comforted.

The refining fire of  truth only burns for a little while until it changes me for the better. He refines me like silver. I am better for knowing him. That’s the blazing fire of love that I want.

I want the his all consuming love to glow like a fire that reddens my cheeks and warms me with it’s light. I long to be with my first love and stay with him forever under the shadow of his wings where healing and change take place.

yicareggie

Numbers 20, Psalm 58 & 59, Isaiah 9:8-10:4, James 3

I started off today’s reading in the wilderness, with grumbly mumbly Israel.

Moses and Aaron are thrown on their faces in the presence of Glory. The Lord spoke,

“Take the staff… tell the rock…”
but instead, Moses told the people, and struck the rock, twice!

Then God said,

“Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy… therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” Num.20:12

At that moment surely Moses was wishing he’d stayed on his face a little longer where the Glory was. I’m like Moses, often. I say too much. It was natural for Moses to be frustrated with those obstinate, whining, forgetful people… but the only appropriate place for retching frustration is while face down, before the LORD.

“God, I get tired of boiling over, scalding the people around me…”

For wickedness burns like a fire;
it consumes…
it kindles…
rolls upward in a column of smoke. Is.9:18

…how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire…full of deadly poison. James 3:5-6,8

David sings denouncing his enemies and demanding justice (aka: complaining). In the very last part of his song I learn a secret. While waiting for the Lord to act…

“I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.” Ps.59:16

When things get tough and I’m about to leak out verbal vengeance onto these precious rebel children who daily surround me… In meekness of wisdom, I must fall down on my face in the presence of Glory, hand over control and uphold holiness by exchanging pain inflicting words for songs of praise to God.

“…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18

Lord, I need You desperately.
You are holy.  I am a sinner. You know me well.

I fall face down in the presence of Your glory.

Thank you for sanctifying this sputtering spring.
I long to overflow purely fresh and sincere praise.

amy in peru