70th Week Numbers 30-33 & Psalm (Click on the Title for a Video Intro)

Click on the Title for a Video Introduction

Monday, Numbers Chapter 30

Numbers 30 

Delores Little

THOUGHT

This is quite the chapter on vows, and how serious they are to God.  Moses reminded the people that their promises to God and others must be kept.  In ancient times, people did not sign written contracts.  A person’s word was as binding as a signature.  To make a vow even more binding, an offering was given along with it.  Breaking a vow meant a broken trust and a broken relationship.  Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others.  

I’m going to go to Matthew 5:33-37, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord. But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And you cannot make even one hair white or black.  Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’, No’, anything beyond this comes from the evil one.’”

God is showing us through Jesus what our answer needs to be. We need to really seek God and pray before we do anything.  If someone asks us even to do something, we need to cover it in prayer to make sure it is of God and not ourselves. Our Pastors do this before they accept a church, and we need to do this also whether for a job or just traveling some place.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to learn to say Yes or No in the right way in our lives. I hold our young teenagers up who are so tempted these days by TV or Internet.  May we vow to take a stand for righteousness sake. Be with all the SS and their prayers.  Bless them all. In Jesus Name we pray.  AMEN

Tuesday, Numbers Chapter 31

Numbers 31

Delores Little

THOUGHT 

This is one long chapter, and you will remember these people as they are the ones who wanted Balaam to curse God’s people.  Balaam could not do it as God’s Word spoke out of him to bless them.  Well, God wanted Moses to get the people together to get rid of the Midianites.  They fought them and killed 5 kings and Balaam. Now God wanted all the people killed but the army brought back some captives, and this made things worse for God’s people as they “again disobeyed Him”. The women were the ones who Balaam used to turn the Israelites away and many died that day.

Three New Testament scriptures come to mind as I read this chapter. 

Romans 12:18-19:  Do not take revenge, as far as it depends on you, live at

peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” says the Lord.

Hebrews 10:30-31:  For we know Him who said, “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay.” and again, the Lord will judge His people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 12:29:   For our God is a consuming fire.

Yes, we are to live at peace with one another.  But if people lead us away from God, they will suffer for it, because God is a jealous God.  We are to follow Him. There will be a time when God will take His hands off this country for all the things we are doing that is not of Him.  We need the armor on daily for we are in a spiritual battle against the darkness in this world.

“STAND UP FOR JESUS”

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we are guilty of many things. Thank You for giving us Your beloved Son, Jesus, who paid it all. Let us learn to wait upon the Lord.  In Jesus we pray.  AMEN

Wednesday, Numbers Chapter 32

Numbers 32 

Jane Jones

THOUGHT

This Chapter was about the tribes preparing to enter the Promise Land and cross the River Jordan.  Three tribes wanted to live east of the Jordan and stay where they were on land that they had already conquered. Moses immediately assumed that they had selfish motives and were trying to avoid helping the others fight for the land across the river. But Moses jumped to the wrong conclusion. That was not true at all.

This chapter would be a good lesson for all of us; when dealing with people, we must find out all the facts before making up our minds. We shouldn’t automatically assume that their motives are wrong, even if their plans sound suspicious. We shouldn’t assume that they are lying.

Have you ever jumped to conclusions?  I have. Once when Matt was very young he had the Warrington twins down to play in the yard. Something happened. I can’t even remember what now. Matt probably remembers. Anyway, I asked who did it. The twins said Matt did, and Matt said the twins did. I disciplined Matt harshly and come to find out it was the twins after all. I let my anger out on my own child, jumped to conclusions fast, and did not check out the entire story. I will never forget the harm that did. I felt just terrible. Matt was so hurt.

That is why in the New Testament we are warned in James 1:19 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” I have been working on this ever since.

PRAYER

Lord, help us daily on our walk through life to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Please forgive us when we fail and hurt not only You but also others. Thank You for the Promise Land that we now live in. AMEN

Thursday, Chapter 33

Numbers 33

Jane Jones

THOUGHT

Stages in Israel’s Journey

Moses recorded the Israelites’ journeys as God instructed him, providing a record of their spiritual as well as geographic progress. Have you made spiritual progress lately?  Recording your thoughts about God and lessons you have learned over a period of time can be a valuable aid to spiritual growth. Recording your spiritual pilgrimage will let you check up on your progress and avoid past mistakes.

I enjoy journaling and try very hard to keep up on my personal thoughts, prayer requests, answered prayers, and people for whom I pray for. I go back on a weekly basis and read my journals.

This is a great time to share with you what I logged the first week of June 2006. It was the birth of my first grandchild. I was so excited and happy, but what I logged was that I prayed I would become a good grandma for Micah. I prayed that he would see my faith and love for Jesus and that he would grow to have Jesus in his heart. I wrote pretty much the same in 2007 and 2008. It is now 2009 and I am still praying for qualities of a good grandma. By logging, I can see how I have grown and how Micah, and now Kate, have grown in their faith from all our prayers.

This is what mapping and logging is all about.  How is your road map in your walk of faith today? Share your story on paper with Jesus.

...and now we can see why the Lord had Moses write his journey down. He came so far!

PRAYER

Lord, today we thank You for the life of Micah Strayer. His dream right now is to become a farmer. That I will log today in my journal. Oh what fun we will have in twenty years to see what You have in store for him. Help us to map our journey with You and may each day be a stronger walk than the day before. AMEN

Friday, Psalm chapter 34

Psalm 34

Verse 18

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

THOUGHT

Oh my gosh, this was the verse I lived by when my heart was crushed by betrayal and divorce.  I didn’t know how I arrived at such a place nor did I know how to handle it. It was at that moment that I asked the Lord to carry me. Jesus Christ my Savior saved me again.

We often wish we could escape troubles — the pain of grief, loss, sorrow and failure - or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted”, to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Sometimes He chooses to deliver us from those problems. When trouble strikes, don’t get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God’s help and thank Him for being by your side.

Delores was a care receiver of mine when I was in Stephen Ministry. After losing her husband, friend and companion of 48 years, she was in a very grieving state. This lady loved the Lord and was so very close to Him. She walked this time of a broken heart with her companion and Savior, Jesus. Delores looked to the Lord for strength. She was not angry with him nor did she lose her faith. Instead, she praised Him and knew that He was the only one who could save a crushed spirit.

I know that all of you must have had experiences that could parallel to Delores’s and mine.  Please remember our Father God who loves us way more that any human helpmate. Let Him heal you and protect your heart.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your love and faithful support. When we are hurting and alone, You are there. Help us to praise You in all things good or bad. You know our needs and the condition of our heart and spirit. Your presence is the amazing support that we need. Gory to our God and King. AMEN