THE CHOICE TO BE YOKED WRONGLY OR RIGHTLY While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. —Numbers 25:1-3 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple…

HE REIGNS Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. —Psalm 47:6-8             In a fallen world that resists His reign let us rejoice to know Who is really in control. His plans and purpose are being carried out and will be carried out to the end of time.   We read in Genesis chapter 3 how sin entered this world and brought about the mess that we have today. There is so much evil and wickedness in this world, but that…

BE STILL IN THE STORM! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah —Psalm 46:1-3 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah —Psalm 46:10-11             Brothers and Sisters we have a Refuge and a Strength that is our help. When trouble comes we need not…

GRUMBLING OR PRAISING And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you. —Numbers 17:5 And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.” —Numbers 17:10 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord. —Psalm 106:24-25 And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed…

BOAST IN OUR LORD GOD In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. —Psalm 44:8 “But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. —Jeremiah 9:24 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” —I Corinthians 1:21 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” —II Corinthians 10:17 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has…

GOD IS IN CONTROL! And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. —Numbers 11:1 And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” —Numbers 11:23             Our Lord is not happy with us when we complain about our misfortunes. As a matter of fact we are told that He is angry when we complain. Why would this be so? It is because…

THIRST FOR GOD As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. —Psalm 42:1             Picture a dear panting and thirsting for water. You might even remember a time when you were panting and thirsting for water. Think of someone who had just finished a race in a day of burning heat. They sprinted with all their might, giving everything they had until they crossed the finish line. Then they collapsed, huffing, puffing, gasping… panting. They are in great need of water. Their body is screaming out for water. Is this how my soul longs for God?             Reflect on your life? How thirsty…

BLESSING The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. —Numbers 6:24-26             Today may our Lord bless you in a special way. On the one hand He has blessed us greatly already. Just being able to spend time with Him is a huge blessing.   He has blessed us in being able to get out of bed, to write this or to read this, to think this… Yes, He surely and definitely has already blessed us today. But I ask that He would bless you in a…

WAIT ON THE LORD! I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. —-Psalm 40:1             Do I wait patiently for the Lord or do I go on ahead on my own? Am I taking the time to understand He is hearing me and will respond or do I get impatient and do what I think is best? Is my impatience a sign of unbelief? Patience in waiting for the Lord to answer implies an expectation that He will answer!             What is it that you are crying out to the Lord for? Wait patiently… He will answer in His time according to His purposes…

MY HOPE! “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” —Psalm 39:4-7             How is it that I will soon be 66 years of age? How is it that I am already 4…