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)

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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)

Leviticus 26-27; Numbers 1; Acts 13

Leviticus 27:29 “No person under the ban, who may become doomed to destruction among men, shall be redeemed, but shall surely be put to death.” Commentary by Barnes: “Therefore the application of the word חרם chērem to man is made exclusively in reference to one rightly doomed to death and, in that sense alone, given up to Yahweh. The man who, in a right spirit, either carries out a sentence of just doom on an offender, or who, with a single eye to duty, slays an enemy in battle, must regard himself as God’s servant rendering up a life to the claim of the divine justice …” https://biblehub.com/commentaries/leviticus/27-29.htm

Before I accepted Christ as my savior, I was a person under the ban. That thought occurred to me as I read the law in Leviticus. Yet even though doomed to death, Jesus, my Lord, had my name on His lips to redeem and save me from eternal judgment. I can never fully understand nor forget the immensity of my salvation.

Therefore, I pray for those that I love who have not accepted God’s salvation yet. I am speaking specifically of the family that bears my DNA. As recounted in detail the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and their brethren (Numbers 1), God knows every head of household and all whom He created from my people, the grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Of them all, there are few who talk and walk with God. How my heart hurts to think that I have family who still do not accept Christ as Lord and are figuratively under the ban. Not by man’s hand nor Levitical law, but each is standing on a spring-loaded deathtrap. Reasons for avoiding salvation are many – ignorance, trauma, hypocrisy by Christians, busyness, selfish desires, and shame.

But when I pray for them, whom I love, to come to Christ for redemption, I must ponder my own attitudes and behaviors. Am I willing to pray God’s forgiveness over them? Have I forgiven them? Am I willing to pray for mercy over them? Have I desired judgment instead? Am I willing to pray favor over them? Have I laid down my competitive nature?

There was a book written several years ago by Paul Moots, Becoming Barnabas, The Ministry of Encouragement. Though written for church leaders and laymen in building up of the church congregation, the call to become an encourager spoke to my heart. Moots described several character traits of an encourager. Humility is foundational to the encourager and best defined as knowing one’s spiritual gifts and accepting one’s limitations. Barnabas’ example of humility can be found in how he spoke up for Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem and later his willingness to stand aside in the light of Paul’s greater ministry. Encouragers also should be able to handle conflict. Encouraging others to use their gifts can mean changing my own perspective and that can make me uncomfortable or argumentative especially if I miss how the Holy Spirit is moving in another’s life. Recognizing my faults leads to another character trait of an encourager – vulnerability. I must face my own limitations, fears, challenges, and mistakes and be willing to honestly reflect on why the criticism and resistance. In a way, being vulnerable reminds me of my work as a counselor. We, in the counseling field, have been trained in techniques dubbed motivational interventions. One of my favorites is ‘rolling with resistance.’ By doing this, I do not have to lock horns with anyone even if I disagree or do not have the same understanding. For whom am I to set myself up as the standard or the expert? The pillar underlying all that I do to encourage others should be integrity. No matter what the situation, who the person is, and what our family history has said, I must trust in prayer and the Holy Spirit. Only then will my family see me as trustworthy. Flying off at the handle with a sister or gossiping about a distant cousin will not open the door of anyone’s heart to the divine love of God. Staying focused on the one with whom I am speaking, encouraging them in their God-given gifts (even if they cannot see how God has gifted them), and remaining humbled by the work of the Holy Spirit will settle my nerves. Yes, I am the one who is frantic to get my family saved and my unruly behavior or unrighteous attitude may just be the barrier to that happening.

Dear Lord God, I repent of being a know-it-all, and even of taking on the burden of saving others. Forgive me for laying out a plan of salvation for my family that does not include You and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Reveal to me that which I have said, not said, done or not done that has interfered with Your work in their lives. Let my speech be that of an encourager. Help me to be authentic in becoming humble, vulnerable, able to handle conflict, and demonstrating integrity in all that I do for You and for my family. I love that You love us and have called us to You. Thank You and praise You. Amen.

Leviticus 12-14; Acts 8

“On the eighth day each person being purified must bring two male lambs and a one-year-old female lamb, all with no defects, along with a grain offering of six quarts of above flour moistened with olive oil, and a cup of olive oil. Then the officiating priest will present that person with purification, along with the offerings, before the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle. This is the law for any leprous sore and scale, for the leprosy of a garment and of a house, for a swelling and a scab and a bright spot, to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.” Leviticus 14:10&11, 54-57 NLT

God told the Israelites how to cleanse healed lepers and how to diagnose leprosy so they could avoid it or treat it. These laws were given for the people’s protection. I wonder if many of God’s laws seemed strange to the Israelites? I know that sometimes they seem strange to me. But, his laws helped the Israelites avoid physical and spiritual sickness.

“The passage of scripture he was reading was this: “He was lead like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about him or someone else?” So beginning with the same Scripture, Philip told him the new good news about Jesus. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is the water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answers and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:32-37 NLT

Philip lead this man to Jesus using the Old Testament. I am reminded of how all of the Bible applies to me today. I can see how purposeful & intentional that the Lord is. He doesn’t waste anything.

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city…Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:4 -17 NLT

Thank you Father for your Holy Spirit. That the same power that lives in Christ, lives in me. Many of these Christians were facing persecution, but that didn’t stop them from sharing the gospel. What things hold me back? Thank you Father for Your word. That it is truth. And I can stand on it when the storms of life come. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Leviticus 4-7; Acts 6

Chosen.

³ Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit …

Acts 6:3-5a, ESV, emphasis mine

He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit, a man of good repute and full of wisdom. Full.

⁸ And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰ But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. ¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” ¹² And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, ¹³ and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, ¹⁴ for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” ¹⁵ And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:8-15, ESV, emphasis mine

Stephen was doing, serving and he met opposition. Opposition that rose up and disputed. Opposition that secretly instigated. Opposition that stirred up the people. They set up false witnesses. All this against a man full of grace and power, who was doing great wonders and signs among the people. He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

Stephen was resilient. It’s likely the opposition’s efforts spanned days or longer. Stephen kept on. He kept his eyes on Jesus. (To the very end.)

Courtney (66books365)