by Pastor Cecil | Jun 28, 2017 | Numbers
Numbers 6:26
“The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
In my mind, Numbers 6:26 is one of the most beautiful blessings to be found in the Holy Bible. Too often it is easier to give people a blasting rather than a blessing. We can act so spiritual until it comes to truly caring about those around us.
As I read today’s passage once again I notice that the blessing implores the Lord to be the One to do the work. Many times we do the work ourselves and then implore the Lord to bless it. It is like praying for Him to bless our mess!
The word “lift” implies something being raised up. That means we can never be content to let things lie around, but elevated. There are so many times in our life when the burdens of living seem to flatten us out. It is during these times that we need the power of the Lord to lift us above the circumstances.
If you find yourself suffering under the stress of life, I have a project for you. I think there are over 200 references for the word LIFT in the Bible. Get a good concordance and begin discovering the revelation that God really does lift us up!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Apr 25, 2016 | Numbers
Numbers 31:8
“They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of those who were killed—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. Balaam the son of Beor they also killed with the sword.”
Today’s Scripture may seem a little strange to you. As the children of Israel began to possess the land promised them by the Lord, the various kings were killed in battle. Along with the kings mentioned here is the name of a man named Balaam. Do you remember him? Balaam was hired by Balak to curse Israel. But God took control of his tongue and instead of cursing Israel, he blessed them.
Balak was so angry at Balaam that he refused to pay him. Balaam then said he was returning to his own country, which was several hundred miles away. So what was Balaam doing back here in Moab? I think we see that this renegade prophet had compromised and sold himself out. He had said he was leaving to return to his country, but either he failed to leave or he came back later.
In Revelation 2:14 the Lord says this to the church at Pergamos: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.”
When we are convicted of our sins we are called to turn away from those sins completely. There is no going back! Do not find yourself falling into the pattern of Balaam who died in a place he should not have been.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Oct 13, 2015 | Numbers
Numbers 35:22-23
“But if without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended…”
Accidents happen! Sometimes they are totally beyond our control, but at other times we take risks that lead to accidents. Recently during a major flooding event in South Carolina, drivers were warned about the dangers of driving through high water. I watched as television cameras recorded a pickup truck driving into deep water that was very clearly flowing from left to right. The truck was approximately halfway through the flooded area when suddenly it began to float and soon was swamped.
Rescuers in an inflatable boat had to come to the rescue of that driver. Was it an accident? Clearly the driver thought he was able to make it across the flooded roadway, but he took a risk that endangered his life and others. It was unintentional but could have been avoided.
There are times in life where we have the best intentions in the world, but for some reason or another, we fail to follow through. The results can be catastrophic or at least lead to difficult situations. Our actions may be unintentional but risky.
God calls us to walk circumspectly and obediently. We need to search the Word of God continually and pattern our life accordingly. Living a life of victory and meaning is the result of staying close to Jesus. Trust and obey — there is no other way!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 17, 2015 | Numbers
Numbers 32:23
“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
I have often experienced the sadness of discovering the secret sins of those who appeared to be innocent and righteous. When in the company of Christians they pretended to be super saints. But then there was that other side. When they thought they were safe from being recognized, they did things they never would have done around their Christian friends.
A repairman who was a devout Christian was called to repair a piece of equipment in a local bar. He had completed the repairs in the equipment room and was on his way out when he noticed his pastor sitting cozily in a booth with a woman who was not his wife. The pastor lost his wife and ministry because of his sin!
Joseph had been treated cruelly by his brothers and everything seemed to have been taken from him. Their betrayal could have made him bitter. Instead, he became a sterling example of being faithful even when removed from the eyes of his family or friends. He might be far from them, but he was not far from God!
That is a truth each and every believer should remember. We are never far from God. He not only knows our every action, He knows our every thought. We will never need to worry about being caught when we purpose in our heart to live by His Word and walk close to Him.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil
by Pastor Cecil | Mar 11, 2010 | Numbers
Numbers 32:1 & 5
“The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. ‘If we have found favor in your eyes,’ they said, ‘let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.’ ”
My heart breaks when I recall people who have been presented with the gospel, but choose to remain outside the fold. They somehow feel that there is too much to give up by being a Christian. The things of the world appeal more than possessing eternal life.
In today’s Scripture, we read about the Reubenites and Gadites (later the small half tribe of Manasseh) who saw the fertile fields on the wrong side of the Jordan. It was not the promised land but it was close to it. They convinced themselves that it would be to their advantage to stay outside.
God did not promise this land to the people He led out of Israel, but in their own human greed they thought it would be to their advantage to remain here rather than enter into the land promised on the other side of the Jordan.
Lot had made that same fatal mistake some 465 years earlier. He chose the well-watered plains that promised ease and prosperity. It resulted in his being captured before being rescued by Abraham and eventually the death of his wife. Sad, sad, the bitter wail ― almost, but lost! Please do not make the same mistake. Place your trust in the Lord and enter into your own promised land.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com
by Pastor Cecil | Jul 9, 2009 | Numbers
Numbers 30:19-20a
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.”
Here is a news flash: YOU CANNOT MAKE DECISIONS FOR PEOPLE! Frequently we parents wish we could somehow make the right decisions for our kids that would keep them free from harm and danger—but we can’t!
Back when I was a Juvenile Probation Officer, I seemingly had the lives and future of these delinquents in my hands. It was an awesome responsibility. Repeatedly I would explain the consequences of their actions only to discover within a short time that they had been arrested yet again.
I have to admit that it would have been easy to give up on these kids, but often I was the only one who was on their side (even if they didn’t know it). I tried to point out the consequences of continuing walking down the wrong path. It was similar to what Moses held out for the people in today’s Scripture.
That same challenge remains true for us today. The Lord has set before us life or death—blessings or curses. Not only are we to choose life, but we are to keep on choosing it.
Joshua was Moses’ successor in leading the Israelites to possess the land God had promised. In Joshua 24:14-15 he gives us this fantastic passage: “Now fear the LORD and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” I’m with you, Joshua!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil
