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2 Things to Do When You Are Afraid–Deuteronomy 7:17-19

March 14, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Fear, Numbers, Obedience, The Promises of God, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 1 Comment


Today’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9:29

In today’s reading the Israelites were facing challenges and fears that were humanly impossible to overcome.  Moses knew the Israelites so well. He knew their fears could keep them from entering the Promised Land. In his final instructions he encouraged them to remember…

Perhaps you will think to yourselves, ‘How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?’  But don’t be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all the land of Egypt. Remember the great terrors the Lord your God sent against them. You saw it all with your own eyes! And remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The Lord your God will use this same power against all the people you fear. –Deuteronomy 7:17-19

In the last few days we’ve talked a lot about remembering, journaling, and reading God’s Word.

Today’s message is just one more reminder of why we need to…

  • Know God
  • His Word
  • His promises
  • His prophesies

Fear is paralyzing.  Fear is life-altering. Fear confuses the evidence. Fear shortens our lives.

Fear is…

False

Evidence

Appearing

Real

Our Heavenly Father knew fear would be one of our greatest enemies, especially the closer we get to Christ return; that’s why He gave us these words:

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. –Isaiah 41:10

Moses told the Israelites to do two things:

1. Remember (8:2-5)

2, Obey (8:1, 6-10)

We live in a troubled world.  My heart breaks for the suffering of so many.  We do not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.

Put Your faith, trust and hope in God and…

Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed.  Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God. –Deuteronomy 8:18-20

Heavenly Father, we need You.  We’ve never been in the place we’re in today.  We don’t want to live in fear.  Help us to remember Your sovereignty.  Help us to obey Your Word.  Use our lives for Your Glory.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 10:1-12:32

Do You Know That God Lives Here? –Numbers 35:34

March 11, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Giving Our Best to God, Health, Numbers, righteous living with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 34:1 through Numbers 36:13

You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself.  I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.  –Numbers 35:34

I know the Lord was addressing murderers in the above scripture, but I had three thoughts as I read this.

  • Murder pollutes the land (verse 33b) In our world there are so many senseless deaths, especially of the unborn.  Are we seeing the results of a defiled land polluted by death?
  • God lives here Do we really get it?  He lives in our world, our country, our region, our state, our city, our neighborhood, our house.  We live in the same space as the God of the Universe!
  • God lives in me Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself.   –1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus, help me and show me how to pray and do all I can to protect the holiness of human life because You live here. Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve forgotten that You were here.  You hear everything I say, know everything I think, and see everything I do and don’t do.  Holy Spirit, make that real to me today!  Father God, remind me today that YOU, live in my physical body and it doesn’t belong to me.  Holy Spirit, show me how to honor You through my body.  Teach me how to take care of Your temple. Jesus, help me to remember that it’s not about what my temple looks like but that You live in my temple.  Holy Spirit, may it be a place where You are happy to dwell…

I encourage you to read this a second time but out loud, and  insert your name at the beginning:

Dianne, You must not defile the land where you live, for I live there myself.  I am the Lord, who lives among the people of Israel.  –Numbers 35:34

Holy Spirit, You are welcome in this place!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 1:1 through Deuteronomy 3:20

Are You Settling for the Wrong Side of the River? –Numbers 32:5

March 10, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Commitment, Giving Our Best to God, Goals, leadership, Numbers, Obedience with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 32:1 through Numbers 33:56

Have you ever had a dream or goal that you believed was God-given?

Have you ever stopped short or given up on that dream or goal before you reached the finish line?

To me this is what the tribes of Reuben and Gad did in today’s reading (32:1).  They were getting close to the Promised Land.  It was just across the Jordan River—the land that God has promised to their great, great-grandfather Abraham.  But they decided the lands of Jazer and Gilead, on the opposite side of the river as the Promised Land, were ideally suited for their vast numbers of livestock.

They traded God’s best for good-enough!

I know, Moses said it was okay for them to do this if they met certain conditions, but “okay” is a long way from “God’s best!”

For most of my life I’ve been a goal-driven, task-oriented person.  Once I made up my mind to do something I would “find a way or make a way!”  Now that I am in my 50s and naturally beginning to slow down a bit, it’s very easy to say, “I’ll think I’ll just stop here on this side of the river, it’s nice and comfortable!  After all, I’ve done my part, I’ll let the younger folks take it from here!”

I would venture to say that the alluring land of comfort keeps us all from crossing into God’s best for our lives.

What do you need to cross the Jordan for?

  • Complete your education
  • Find a more challenging career
  • Lead a fellowship group or Bible Study in your home
  • Reach out to someone in need
  • Start a new business
  • Find a church family
  • Make a new friend
  • Exercise regularly (oh me!)
  • Improve eating habits
  • Having a daily quiet time with the Lord
  • Read through the Bible in a Year  :-)
  • Overcome an addictive habit or attitude

I’m having trouble stopping!

My prayer is that we will be like Caleb.  In Joshua 14:12 Caleb said to Joshua: So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”

God promised this “mountain” to Caleb when he gave the good report of the Promised Land.  Forty years later he was still expecting God’s best and willing to fight for it!

Lord I want to expect the best from You and be the best for you!

Amen and Amen!  Let it be so!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 34:1 through Numbers 36:13

Why Do We Break Our Promises? Numbers 30:2

March 9, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, Commitment, Giving Our Best to God, Numbers, The Power of Words with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 30:1 through Numbers 31:54

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “this is what the Lord has commanded:  A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.  He must do exactly what he said he would do.”  –Numbers 30:2

Under the Law, if an individual made a vow (neḏer, a promise to do something) or a pledge (’issār, a promise not to do something), he had to keep it without equivocation (vv. 1-2).

Have you ever promised God to do something or promised God to not to do something?

Have you broken that promise?

I’m sorry to say that I have made promises to God that I haven’t kept.

So, if we believe that God is real and God means what He says, why do we break our promises to Him?

I think Paul gives the best explanations in Romans 7:15-20 of the struggles we go through:

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.  But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.  So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.  I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.  But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

From what Paul says, one minute we’re saying “yes, I will” and the next minute we changing our mind and saying “no, I won’t.”  I think James take this discussion full circle when he says … 

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.  –James 5:12

Many people in today’s culture have decided to get around breaking promises by never making one.  Lack of commitment is not the answer.

As James says…

Count the costs

give a simple yes or no, not maybe or I’ll try

and then

be a person who strives to do exactly what he said he would do!

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying for our sinful nature.  Help us to count the cost before we commit and then be a person whose yes is yes and no is no so that You will be glorified.

In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 32:1 through Numbers 33:56

You Just Think You’re In Control –Numbers 22:18

March 5, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Family, leadership, My story, Numbers, Parenting, Pride with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 22:1-24:25

But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. –Numbers 22:18

I’m not sure where my desire to control came from.

It could be…

  • My personality?
  • My parents?
  • My environment?

I don’t remember being that controlling as a child.  It was probably because I was too busy being controlled.  Just ask anyone who knew my Dad and they’ll tell you that he definitely liked to control the future of his only girl.

For the most part I complied with his “rules,” while subconsciously planned my escape, thinking someday, “I will be in control.”

At the young age of eighteen I jumped out of the frying plan and into the fire–marriage.

Crazy huh?

I was constantly trying to control people and situations to protect my heart, I wanted a life free from pain and disappointment.

I can’t tell you how many times I said, “MY  _______________ (husband, children, life) will never do or be like THAT.

I’ve eaten those words many times over.

Too bad I didn’t know what Balaam knew, I am powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God.

Whether we admit it or not…

If we think we’re in control, we’re not allowing God to be in control.

Whether we admit it or not…

Trying to control people, situations, and things is trying to play god

That’s pretty much idol-worship.  Remember the children of Israel?

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” –Exodus 32:1

God wasn’t working on “their” timetable so they took matters into their own hands.  It was a bad idea then and it’s still a bad idea.

One of the things I’ve discovered, “The more life gets out of control the more we try to find something we can control.”  The smarter thing is to run to our Heavenly Father, crawl up in His lap and watch Him work.  He does all things well!  We serve an amazing God!

Yes, I still have a controlling nature, but thanks to my God I’m learning to give Jesus the steering wheel of my life and enjoy the ride!

Jesus, take the wheel! Amen and Amen!

 

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 25:1-26:65

Do You Have an Israelite Attitude? Numbers 14:1-4

March 3, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, Finances, Jesus, My story, Numbers, Obedience, Tough Times with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 14:1 through Numbers 15:41

After the Israelites heard the report from the twelve spies the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night…Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt.” (14:1-4)

When I read today’s passage I thought, “How stupid can you get?”  My hindsight vision was a perfect 20/20 as I critiqued the Israelites’ many mistakes.  But what if I change the name, situation, and outcome and insert my story…

How many times have I heard a report and immediately began to cry, bawl, kick, and scream and THEN take matters into my own hands and craft a plan with my limited information?

…Too, too many times I’m sad to say.

The first mistake that comes to my mind is about 18 years ago, I felt the Lord speak to me to resign from my position as a Mary Kay Sales Director and wait on Him for the next step.  At first I was obedient but when a major life change came along I thought, “surely God doesn’t want me to resign NOW”, so I changed my mind and retained my status as a Senior Sales Director.  After two years of struggling in areas that had always been so easy, having no passion for my job, and getting myself into serious debt; I finally realized I had to resign.  Things would have worked a lot better if I had just listened to the God who parted the Red Sea!

Thanks to Moses’ intervention the Lord forgave the Israelites.  This is huge!  God was ready to disown and destroy them (14:12).  This is a picture of God’s forgiveness of our sins today…

Jesus is in heaven interceding to God on our behalf!  I love that!

Let’s face it, we mess up and need God’s forgiveness just like the Israelites.  And just like the Israelites there are consequences (not one of those people entered the Promised Land) to our disobedience.

Thankfully God forgave my disobedience just like He did the Israelites.

But just like the Israelites I had to deal with the consequences.

It took years for me to recover from that time both emotionally and financially, but I did recover.  I think too many times we ask and expect God to get us out of places we got ourselves into.  Sometimes He does but many times, especially in the area of finances we have to grow our way out of it!

Thank you Lord for your forgiveness!

 

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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 16:1 through Numbers 18:32

Are You a Complainer? 10 Reasons to Stop it!

March 2, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Choices, Numbers, Pride, The Power of Words with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 11:1 through Numbers 13:33

As I read today’s scriptures I kept saying over and over, “Lord, help me not to complain!” Here’s why:

  1. God doesn’t like complaining
  2. Step away from the complainers! People who are just going along for the ride can get you in trouble. The foreign rabble (11:4) were probably Gentiles who thought a trip to the Promised Land would be great, but when the going got tough, they began to complain and caused the Israelites to do the same.  We should take this lesson very seriously, “step away from the complainers!” (and don’t be one!)
  3. Complainers frustrate leaders.  Moses asked God why he deserved “the burden of all these people, since he didn’t give birth to them.” (11:10)
  4. Don’t complain, ask God for help. God hears the concerns of leaders and helps them WHEN they ask.  He devised a plan to take some of the load off Moses. (11:16)
  5. There’s something God doesn’t like more than complaining— being rejected and doubted.  Basically, when the Israelites said they would have been better off in Egypt, God took it personally. (11:18)  And, when Moses gave an assessment of the impossibility of feeding the 600,000 foot soldiers  God took it as an insult and came back with a hearty, “Now you’ll see whether or not my word comes true!” (11:23)
  6. Moses had a character trait all really great leaders have—humility.  He didn’t care who got the credit: But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake?  I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all.” (11:29)
  7. Sometimes the Lord gives us what we ask for and it isn’t what we need.  “But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.  So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, which means graves of gluttony. (11:33-34) I’m sure there are many spiritual lessons in this scripture, but I can’t get past the words gorging and gluttony.
  8. Jealousy can get you in trouble.  Aaron and Miriam “thought” they were on the same level with God as Moses.  Let’s just say that God set them straight.  I love the Lord’s response to them in Numbers 12:6-8, that began with “Now listen to what I say:”
  9. If we think like a grasshopper we’ll be treated like one.  These people saw the power of God like no other people in the human race, yet they said, “We can’t go up against them.” (13:31)
  10. Caleb was the only one who scouted out the new land who said, “We can certainly conquer it!” (Numbers 13:30).

I want to be like Moses and Caleb, but sometimes I act like the foreign rabble and the Israelites!  Holy Spirit show me the things in my life that aren’t pleasing to you!

Pressing on towards our Promised Land!

 

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 14:1 through Numbers 15:41

When’s The Last Time You Blessed Someone? Numbers 6:24-26

March 1, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Blessings, Choices, Numbers, speaking God's Words, The Power of Words with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 6:1 through Numbers 6:27, Numbers 10:1 through Numbers 10:36

After just less than a year of being camped on Mount Sinai, the Israelites are finally moving toward their Promised Land…

They must have been so excited!  As they made preparations to leave, the Lord told Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel with a special blessing:

  • May the Lord bless you and protect you.
  • May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
  • May the Lord show you His favor and give you His Peace. –Numbers 6:24-26

I love verse 27:  “Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.” 

If you have attended church for any length of time you may have heard your pastor “bless” you at the conclusion of the service.  Even though we’ve barely begun our journey through the Bible, but we’ve heard much about “the blessing.”  The first time the word bless (ed-ing) was used by in Genesis 1:22:

Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

It is used 508 times throughout the Bible.  God, our heavenly Father blessed his children and taught his children to bless their children and others.

508 times–it must be important!

Words are powerful.  With each word that comes out of our mouth we are either blessing or cursing.  Just yesterday I was speaking to someone I love and used my words to curse them.  No, I didn’t speak curse words. It was really worse than curse words, it was words that tear down rather than lift up.

I pray that we learn to speak beautiful blessings to others like the one we read about today, but I also pray we think about the everyday words we speak to the ones we love the most and make sure we’re blessing not cursing, speaking life not death.

Have a great week-end!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Numbers 11:1 through Numbers 13:33

What If God’s Special Purpose For Me Isn’t What I Want It To Be? Numbers 4:31

February 28, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Numbers, Pride, The Hurting World, Tough Times with 4 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31

“I know God put me on this earth for a special purpose!”  “Who knows, I may be the next Billy Graham, Rick Warren or Beth Moore!”

Am I the only one who’s ever thought this?

I’m pretty sure God’s special purpose for me isn’t to be the next “anybody.”

He has plans that only I can fulfill.

But what if God’s purpose for me isn’t what “I” want it to be?

I wonder if the Merarites were disappointed when they were given their “special purpose”?

As we’ve learned in Exodus, the Levites were chosen by God to take care of the Tabernacle.  Today we saw the Lord hand out duties for the different divisions of the Levites. All Merarites who were between the ages of 30 and 50 and eligible had one duty…one job…one ministry:

Their only duty at the Tabernacle will be to carry loads. They will carry the frames of the Tabernacle, the crossbars, the posts, and the bases; also the posts for the courtyard walls with their bases, pegs, and ropes; and all the accessories and everything else related to their use. Assign the various loads to each man by name.  So these are the duties of the Merarite clans at the Tabernacle. They are directly responsible to Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.” –Numbers 4:31-33  (Emphasis mine)

What if my special purpose or your special purpose in life is to carry loads?

Not like the Merarites, who carried the pieces of the Tabernacle but carrying the loads of the hurting, lost, orphaned, or widowed of our families, churches, communities or world.

It took strong backs for the Merarites to hand-carry the Tabernacle each time God said, “It’s time to pack up and move.”

What does it take to carry the loads of the lost, hurting, orphaned, or widowed?

Here’s the questions God asked me today:

  • Dianne, are you willing to carry the loads of the hurting?
  • Are you willing to suffer so that you can truly understand the pain of others?
  • Are you willing to walk a hard road so that your experiences will help someone who literally wouldn’t survive without you?
  • Is another person worth that much to you?

These are very hard questions.  I’m really glad God is carrying out His plans and purposes for my life without asking my permission. I most likely would have said, “No” to the hard times in my life, if I were given a choice. I’m just not that self-sacrificing.

Who do you know that needs a word of encouragement, a hot meal, some groceries, their house cleaned, to be taken to the doctor, to have a real friend?

Who do you know that needs someone to help carry their load?

Maybe, your purpose for today is to carry their load.

Heavenly Father, I want to carry the load of those who are suffering.  Touch my heart.  Make me willing.  Give me eyes to see what You see!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 6:1-27; Numbers 10:1-36

Salvation is in the Details–Numbers 3:11-13

February 27, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God's Merciful Ways, Numbers, Sin, The Cross with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 2:1-3:51

The one word that keeps coming to my mind as we leave Leviticus and move to Numbers is details. It’s actually mind-blowing that the God of the universe cares about every detail of our lives.

Today’s discovery gives me sweet assurance that my Heavenly Father didn’t miss me when He was paying for the sins of the human race.

And the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, for all the firstborn males are mine. On the day I struck down all the firstborn sons of the Egyptians, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both of people and of animals. They are mine; I am the Lord. –Numbers 3:11-13

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. And take the livestock of the Levites as substitutes for the firstborn livestock of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me; I am the Lord. There are 273 more firstborn sons of Israel than there are Levites. To redeem these extra firstborn sons,  collect five pieces of silver for each of them (each piece weighing the same as the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs). Give the silver to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the extra firstborn sons. –Numbers 3:44-48

Every first-born son was the Lord’s, set apart to be given to the Him at birth, but the Lord made a substitute.  He set aside the tribe of Levi to be dedicated to His service.  They took the place of all the first-born of Israel.

But

there was a problem.

There were more first-born Israelites than Levites.

With God being God, it’s easy to think that He would say, “This is a symbolic gesture, we don’t have to have it match p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y…”

But not the one and only true God.  He did the math.  He made sure EVERY first-born male was redeemed.

Friends, fast-forward 2000 years ago.  Every person ever born was destined for death because of our sinful nature.

God knew the exact number of past, present, and future humans.

He knew the exact depth of our sin.

He decided to make a way to redeem the human race but He had to find a substitute.

Who could cover that much sin?  No one.

Except

His Son.

Jesus, paid the price of every detail of our sinfulness. Our salvation is sure.  God did the math.  He paid the price, His first-born son–>Jesus Christ.

There are a few additional details.  The only way we can receive this gift of salvation is to…

  1. Believe that Jesus
    • is God
    • was born of a virgin, suffered and died for our sins
    • defeated sin and death and now is alive in Heaven making intercession for you and I at the Heavenly Father’s right hand
  2. Believe that we were born with a sinful nature
  3. Ask Jesus to forgive our sins and be the Lord of our lives
  4. Accept Him as our Savior

Heavenly Father, thank you for working out the details of my salvation!  I know my sins are covered because of the price Jesus paid for me.  I’m excited to know You are overseeing every detail of my life.  Use me to share the message of redemption with those who don’t know You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 4:1-5:31

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