Thursday, October 11, 2018

These are the commands and regulations the LORD gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. Numbers 36:13 (Chapters 34-36)

Moses’ life is coming to an end. He will not enter the promised land. This privilege was lost when he threw an angry fit and undermined the Israelites recognition of God’s love and miracle of water from a rock. But, aside from Jesus, no man in history has been associated with so many manifestations of God’s Divine Power.

Moses was God’s agent to the plagues of Egypt and a nation of slaves was set free. Soon, the waters of the Red Sea parted, but there was a desert awaiting. For forty years, Israel wandered in a hostile environment and miracles became a regular part of everyday life. From bad water turning sweet to quail and manna for food, Moses’ God let no one starve or dehydrate. Moses presented the tablets of law written by God’s own hand and remained in constant communion with God, with his face radiating God’s glory. Some of the miracles Moses is associated with are punitive in nature.  The ground swallowed Korah and his rebels, Miriam was infected with leprosy, then healed. There was a plague of vipers, but Moses was commanded to fashion a brass rod that healed the people of their venomous bites. Aaron’s rod budded to show God’s authority and Balaam’s donkey spoke.

Led for forty years with a cloud by day and a fire by night, Moses could not have delivered Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land without the help and intervention of Almighty God. He paid a human price. He grew weary and frustrated often, but eternity was more than worth the cost.

Love,

Gretchen

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

“ ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’ ” Numbers 33:55-56 (Chapters 31-33)

The Midianites lured the Israelites into whoredom and idolatry. God gave a divine command for war, Moses undertook the order and the Israelites had phenomenal success. God passed judgement and swift consequences for evil doers, but warned that the presence of this temptation would mean the downfall of the nation if it wasn’t removed completely!

Temptation is not sin, but the beginning of following human urges rather than God’s perfect perseverance and Holiness. Putting satan behind you means removing temptation at all costs. It is to protect so that you may have more, never less.

It would be nice to think that at some point we could sequester ourselves tightly enough that temptation would not come knocking. This is an impossibility, but God always makes a way for us to overcome sin, to the extreme of grace and mercy. 

Love,

Gretchen

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

“Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter.’” Numbers 27:8 (Chapters 25-30)

A generation has come and gone.  Of the thousands of original men and women who left Egypt’s bondage, only two will enter into the land of Canaan.  In the forty years of travel there were two censuses, giving this book its name, Numbers.  It’s time to claim the inheritance and settle down, but the land must be fairly shared, and so, there is a counting of each member of tribe and clan. 

Israel’s law said land must pass from father to eldest son.  This was a protection of the tribe, but Zelophehad had only daughters and he was dead. In the surrounding Eastern countries, women were not allowed to inherit, but our God made a concession.  In Israel, women could inherit but must marry within their tribe.

Over and over again, God’s care for human dignity is what sets His law apart.  It is not His order to harm, but to protect and provide. How much more should we share these attitudes among each other.

You Are Loved,

Gretchen

Monday, October 8, 2018

But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed.” Numbers 22:12 (Chapters 22-24)

The LORD delivered the Amorites into the hands of the Israelites. It was obvious that the Israelites were a powerful force, on the move toward Canaan.  Balak, king of Moab decided to be proactive in a very pagan manner. He summoned Balaam to come and curse his enemies.

The use of words, in the manner of blessings, curses and elaborate ceremony, was held in high regard and perceived as an extremely powerful bond with one’s friends and a tool against one’s enemies. Balak summoned Balaam, a diviner, a prophet of some notoriety, and offered him great financial gain if he would curse Israel. Balaam was not an Israelite nor a follower of the One True God, but God used this man of evil intent to deliver His own message.

In a dream, Balaam saw that God blessed Israel and no promise of doom from him will alter their course, so he refuses to go with Balak’s elders. They offer more money. He saddles his donkey and heads out only to be stopped by a stubborn pack animal in the middle of the road. After many beatings, the animal speaks and soon Balaam sees the Angle of the LORD that the donkey sees. This experience did not turn Balaam’s heart toward the LORD, but it did give him indisputable conviction that God would have his way over Balak, the Moabites and the Midianites.

Evil will not overcome God’s goodness, even when it seems evil has permeated all there is to see, hear and feel. Numbers 23:19 tells the character of God. He is not of human source, therefore, not held by man’s restrictions.  He is a God of action and He will bless those who honor Him.

Have a Great Monday,

Gretchen

Sunday Stories, October 7, 2018

After a Women in Ministry meeting this morning, I found my way to my mom and dad’s home, a haven for me, where I lay my burdens down and have some shop talk therapy, for dad and I are both in ministry. Again, I am going to share the wisdom of my father’s life, lived for the Glory of God.  This story is longer than usual, but OH! the world needs its message.  Thanks dad, and Happy Birthday tomorrow!

THE BOX IN THE BALL

     I was saved from an awful life of sin at age 6.  Before your opinions and sensitivities get your hackles up, let me tell my story.  On a Sunday evening in what we called “the evening evangelistic service” I responded to the invitation and knelt at the altar and gave my heart to Jesus.  Seventy-one years later, nothing has changed about that.  So, for skeptics who think little children are too young to make a life decision, I beg to differ.  It has worked for me!

    Now let me speak about the awful life of sin at age 6.  My those tender years were spent with a mom who was not about to tolerate anything from her offspring that had the appearance of evil.  My life had not been one of wallowing in the depths of debauchery.  In fact, if mom saw anything in my behavior that wasn’t compatible with the standards of a small boy in a Christian home, she had ways of getting the message across and with emphasis that I remembered.  Even using slang words to brighten up our language was strictly taboo.  I can remember on one occasion, my brother and I figured out that there was nothing wrong with saying “darn” because that’s what mom did with a needle, thread and the hole in my socks.  Well, we used it at every opportunity for a day or so until mom overheard.  “Darn” wasn’t used as slang thereafter.

     But… the awful life I was saved from was not so much in my past as in my future.  At the risk of sounding a bit self-righteous, I have largely been saved from a life of sinful habits, evil associates and bondage of addictions.  While God and I have an honest understanding about the truth of who I have been and who I am,  I can praise the Lord and good fetching up and that I have been spared many of the pitfalls  and disasters of those who are suffering the consequences of unwise and shameful choices. I believe the decision I made on that Sunday evening over seventy years ago has had everything to do with that.  My sins are forgiven and under the Blood of my Savior.

      Besides the teaching of good parents,  multitudes of wholesome relationships and living in the precincts of a Christian community, God put something in the breast of a small boy that has had a way of working overtime.  I learned that it was called a “conscience.”  And mine was hard at work before I had any idea of how it could be defined.

     At a point in my young life not many years removed from that Sunday evening decision,  I committed what at that time to me was a MORTAL SIN.  I wanted so bad to go to the Friday night football game just down the street a couple of blocks from where we lived.  There was no way we could afford the 50 cent entry.  I promised mom if she would let me go, I would just wait outside until half-time and then go in.  When I arrived,  my friends where having just too much fun playing in the end zone area their own game of football. Paper cups stuffed together for a football and the rowdy activity was an overwhelming temptation.  The hole in the fence was just too easy and soon – “Presto” –  I was in the game.  They needed me to block for the quarterback.

     I have absolutely no memory of anything else about that night except what was to follow.  First, just like most  bad choices, mine was soon to be compounded.  Arriving home, I was asked about the game.  Well, I quickly concocted a story of how I found a 50 cent piece and got myself into the game. The misery I suffered in my conscience became an overwhelming factor.  To say I was troubled and miserable is an understatement.  Sometime later, mom had the bad judgment of telling my tale of good fortune to someone else.  O my!  Now my prevarication has a life of its own and my innocent mom is complicit with my sin.  What misery!

     Now I need to tell you what I have learned about the “conscience” that has stuck with me.  Among other connotations, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “a sensitive regard for what is right, fair or just.”  In my explorations and discussions over the years, I have arrived at a  definition that works for me.  The conscience is “a quiet, subliminal, moral monitor the Holy Spirit uses to guide us in the right.”

     The most impressionable (and profound)  definition I ever heard, however, was by a Sunday School teacher in a class of young children of which I was a part.  Her definition went like this:  Making a fist with one hand and placing it in her other hand she described the conscience as being like a “square box in a round ball.”  When you do wrong, the box turns and the corners rub the ball and it hurts.  It keeps turning until you do what is right and confess.  Releasing her fist with her knuckles no longer sharply protruding, she said “if you don’t confess and keep on doing wrong the corners will eventually wear off and your conscience quits working like it should.” Then, she asked, “how will we know to do right instead of wrong?”

     The epilogue to this story can be briefly stated in two parts.  First, after a period of the box twisting in the ball, I tearfully confessed to mom my double sin of slipping into the game without paying and then lying about it.  I finally figured out that any punishment she would mete out   would be less than what I was feeling inside. Instead of the deserved punishment, she lovingly hugged me and told me I was forgiven.  What a relief!   Secondly, nearly seven decades later, the box still turns and the corners are still sharp.  The Holy Spirit still speaks,  convicts, reproves, inspires…. and I am SO grateful.

     At my age, I don’t need any pain of a troubled conscience.   These old joints are pain enough. Famed football coach Lou Holtz had what he called the “do right rule.”  While it covers a multitude of behavioral mandates, it didn’t take much explaining.  Just do right!  Oh! the relief of confession when we do wrong and the peace of doing what is right.

     Thank you, Lord, for the “box in the ball,” for the Sunday School teacher who made it plain to a little boy and to the Holy Spirit who makes it turn when its needed.

Blessings,

Bryan and Gretchen

Saturday, October 6, 2018

“Take the staff, and you and your brotherAaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their  eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” Numbers 20:8 (Chapters 20-21)

Thirty-eight years pass between chapters 19 and 20.  One of the Bible’s greatest miracles is the untold story of this time.  How did a desert wilderness support 3,000,000 people for forty years? Only by God’s intervening, miraculous help.

The desert had its purpose. It transformed a people of Egyptian idolatry into a nation who witnessed God’s presence daily. They grew a faith in The One True God to be the example for the rest of the world and to be the testimony that God can be trusted in all experiences of life.

Moses was the Holy, faithful leader that transported an entire nation, bodily from one land to another. This alone is a miracle for the ages.  For those who doubt this as fact, remember: Archeology supports this history and it is easier to believe God’s miraculous intervention rather than some of the strange theories that try to logically explain it.

Sadly, near the end of the journey, even Moses, faithful and true, sinned by letting his anger take credit for God’s gift.  The LORD said to ‘speak’ and water would come from the rock, but Moses shouted grumblings at the people, then struck the rock twice. For this sin Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land.

When I look back over the more than 40 years of my life, it is evident that I have not come this far except by the miraculous, patience, grace and gifts of God. I am nothing but a sinner, saved by grace and the recipient of Heaven’s bounty. I am a miracle. Aren’t you?

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

Friday, October 5, 2018

They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every on of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” Numbers 16:3 (Chapters 15-19)

These chapters give detailed laws of sacrifice and worship, specifically to Aaron, the high priest, and his sons. But in the middle of these instructions we find the recounting of three men, Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their fatal fight with God. Apparently, there was some arm chair quarterbacking to Moses’ leadership. Some smack talk got folks worked up and the most aggressive of the group confronted not only Moses, but Aaron too. They declared themselves holy and insinuated they had been robbed of their inheritance in the land flowing with milk and honey, even though they listened to the spies morbid report, then refused to enter.

God is all knowing.  There is nothing in the heart of man hidden from Him.  The insubordination of these men and their followers was a direct challenge to God, not Moses and Aaron. When man declares himself holy and authors his own truth, it is called blasphemy. Moses and Aaron knew what fate this faction faced. They interceded, twice! These men refused to humble themselves before God and they did not live to see another day. In the ashes of the dead God took what was Holy and set apart as a remembrance to Truth.

Do not engage in power struggles with God. You lose, the end. However, to those who make a sacrifice of themselves to God’s will and ways, all the power and peace of Heaven is theirs.

Love,

Gretchen

Thursday, October 4, 2018

If the LORD is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Numbers 14:8 (Chapters 13-14)

It was Moses’ plan to go straight from Sinai to Canaan. Arriving at the southern entrance, the people suggested the land be scouted.  Moses obliged and sent men from each tribe. The spies brought back a discouraging report of gloom and doom. Walled cities and giants threatened their promise so they revolted and threatened Moses’ life. All they wanted was to return to Egypt, even if it meant slavery. Caleb and Joshua intervened and spoke the words above. (I encourage you to read verse 9 also.) All those who left Egypt, were witness to the miracles of God’s provision and protection, turned back into the desert and away from hope in their Faithful, Almighty God and His gift to them.

The glory of the LORD appeared to the Israelites and God spoke His plan to destroy all of these rebellious people. Moses, humble leader, stood between God’s anger and those who nearly killed him. He spoke God’s own words back to Him, vs. 18, and the LORD forgave. However, the opportunity for this entire generation to enter their homeland had come and gone. Only Caleb and Joshua, out of 600,000 men, will finally make it home.

Human nature is fear and distrust, but we must not be bound to our instincts. The three men who held themselves to the higher standard of faith and love of others were the game changers.

I understand fear. Struggling in faith is difficult, but these people let their fear turn to anger and anger into the sin of murder. Give your fears to the LORD. He wove you together, He will show you just how very strong you are if you will allow.

Love,

Gretchen

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3 (chapters 11-12)

The journey from Sinai is under way.  This nation is moving forward, God has proven faithful and the fulfilled promise is in sight, but that’s not good enough. Their food supply, manna, is given each day, free of charge.  It’s laying on the ground. Just bend in the middle, a little at the knees, pick it up and you are fed! Yet, they grumble over the monotony.  The food of Egypt, gained through loss of rights and freedoms, is remembered fondly. God, in love and patience, provides quail.

Moses displays a remarkable attitude as leader. He has complete power, but absolutely no corruption, seeking no earthly gain for himself.  His eyes are on God’s plan, but he has become weary. Mentally and physically Moses is exhausted!  In response, God sends 70+ leaders some of the ‘spirit’ or knowledge of Moses, so that he can delegate. God didn’t ask him to do more than he was able. Help was freely given.

Finally, Moses’ older siblings, Miriam and Aaron, begin to mumble and undermine Moses’ authority. God will have none of it! He calls Moses and these two into the tent of meeting and straightens Miriam and Aaron out! They know who’s who when all is said and done, and the instigator, Miriam, is cursed with leprosy for seven days.

These people were their own worst enemy! Gratitude was lost at a pity party, and gossip came at a very high cost……BECAUSE GOD HEARS EVERYTHING! Watch your heart and your mouth will follow.

Love,

Gretchen

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. Numbers 9:22 (Chapters 7-10)

With the dedication to the tabernacle the new nation is sealed and whole. The Levites are consecrated, and Passover has been observed. Everything is ready, but God is in no hurry. He has a nation to mold in strength and faithfulness. This cannot be rushed.  God’s guidance is clear, a tangible reality in the form of a cloud by day, and a fire at night.  When God did not move, the people didn’t either.

“No LORD, I cannot do this!” would be my reply when told to sit tight until the cloud lifted from the tabernacle. I need a plan, a time table, and a map with a reliable ETA.  I’m glad to do God’s will when He kindly accommodates these area’s of anxiety. I desire to be organized and prepared. Then, I can free God up for others who are prone to crisis due to careless lack of planning. I can need Him less, so others can need Him more.

This journey across the Sinai peninsula was so much more than getting from point A to point B.  It was formative and educational.  God was protector, provider and navigator, but the foundation of this nation was faith! And a impenetrable, rock solid determination to obey takes a little spiritual and physical conditioning.  The faith of an entire people, their thought processes and panic mode defaults were being set. Oh! The precious, patience love of God, that led them to these strengths! He is leading you too. There is value in waiting. Obedience is what’s asked for. Give it in every season of your life.

Love,

Gretchen