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Christian Devotional – December 19, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 33:55–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. TRUTH: The people of Israel were to follow God’s instructions completely. If they didn’t, the people that remained would eventually become a stumbling block and would cause the Israelites to stop following God. Do we get rid of all sin in our life? When God shows us an area of sin in our life, do we clean it out completely or do we hang on to a small…
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Christian Devotional – December 18, 2013
VERSE: 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. TRUTH: You can’t hide sin from God. He will see and know all that we think and do. If we promise to do something and don’t follow through, He will hold us accountable for what we have promised. The people of Israel were warned about this and we would do well to remember it even when we think no one is watching. RESPONSE: Father, You see everything and know everything. You know when I follow through on my word and when I…
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Christian Devotional – December 17, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 31:53–Each soldier had taken plunder for himself. TRUTH: The Lord had commanded them to go to battle against the Midianites and then after they were successful, the Lord allowed them to each take part of the plunder for themselves. Each one who had been obedient also shared in the reward. As we are obedient to what God has for us, we can know that God will take care of us afterward as well. He is faithful to us! RESPONSE: Father, thank You for remembering each and every one of those who obeyed You, just as You remember me when I obey You. I will seek to follow You,…
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Christian Devotional – December 16, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 30:2–When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word, but must do everything he said. TRUTH: Do we take our vows as seriously as God takes them? I’ve heard people in desperate situations promise all kinds of things if only God will intervene, yet they can’t seem to remember or be willing to act on those promises when God comes through for them. A vow to God is a serious thing and we must treat it as such. Do we honor our promises to God? RESPONSE: Father, You never break Your word…
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Christian Devotional – December 15, 2013
VERSE: Number 29:12–On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days. TRUTH: The festival was a celebration, a party, and yet most of what was done was giving offerings to the Lord. Do we consider the opportunity to give to God as a time of celebration? This was a chance for the people to celebrate what God had provided for those by giving back to God joyfully and with thankfulness. RESPONSE: Father, I will trust You with all I have and will celebrate You by joyfully giving back to You. You are all…
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Christian Devotional – December 14, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 28:23–Offer these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. TRUTH: As God is describing the festivals and the special sacrifices and offerings the people are to present, it becomes obvious that the special holidays were to be done in addition to the regular daily offerings. No matter whether it was a holiday or a regular day, the people were to bring the regular offerings to the Lord consistently. Do we make it a habit to come to God every single day, not just on holidays or special occasions? He is there for us every day and desires to meet with us. RESPONSE: Father, thank You for being consistent to…
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Christian Devotional – December 13, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 27:18–So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership and lay your hand on him.” TRUTH: The Lord showed Moses who was to take his place as leader after he was gone. Joshua is described as having a spirit of leadership, yet later in the book of Joshua it is clear that he was afraid and nervous. God sees things in ourselves that we cannot see. God knew that Joshua would be exactly the right leader for the people even if Joshua didn’t see it. Joshua just had to be obedient to what God had called him…
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Christian Devotional – December 12, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 26:64–Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. TRUTH: Forty years had passed as the Israelites wandered in the desert. The people who were counted in the previous census had all died out in the desert except Caleb and Joshua because of their sin and disobedience to God. Everything that God had told them would happen, has happened. God was allowing them a second chance. This was the opportunity for the Israelites to start over. God was fulfilling His promises to the people and wanted to remind them that He will do…
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Christian Devotional – December 11, 2013
VERSE: Number 25:17–“Treat the Midianites as enemies and kill them.” TRUTH: The Midianites were actively plotting to lead the Israelites away from God. They were tempting and enticing them to follow their gods instead. God told the Israelites that they needed to treat them as enemies and get rid of them. Do we get rid of temptations in our life? While we are not to kill people, we are to recognize when people are trying to lead us down the wrong path. Do we get away from those people and situations? We need to realize that those who are trying to turn us away from God are not our friends.…
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Christian Devotional – December 10, 2013
VERSE: Numbers 24:11–“Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.” TRUTH: Balak had promised Balaam lots of treasure if he would come and curse the Israelites, however, Balaam said he would only say what God allowed him to say. God then had Balaam bless the Israelites three times. Balak was furious and refused to give Balaam any money stating that the Lord had caused Balaam to forfeit the money. Sometimes when we follow God, people don’t like what we say or do. hey get angry and withhold things from us. We must remember that our…