Inspiration

[Judy Harder]

Week of February 6

When You Speak, God Hears
by Max Lucado

Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don't even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did.

He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family. Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus.

John writes: "So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick'" (John 11:3, emphasis mine).

Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded.

In the economy of heaven, the prayers of saints are a valued commodity. John the apostle would agree. He wrote the story of Lazarus and was careful to show the sequence: The healing began when the request was made.

The phrase the friend of Lazarus used is worth noting. When he told Jesus of the illness, he said, "The one you love is sick." The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the one who hears the prayer.

We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. "The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed." The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven so he won't miss a word. The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man's words. This anonymous courier was heard by God.

John's message is critical. You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens.

Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. "The smoke from the incense went up from the angel's hand to God" (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

One call and heaven's fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven.

You are the someone of God's kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!

When you speak, Jesus hears.

And when Jesus hears, the world is changed.

All because someone prayed.


From
For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals February 7, 2009

University of Adversity
By Os Hillman

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body" (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

It's hard to find anyone in Christian history who became a great leader without earning an advanced degree at the University of Adversity.

John Bunyan (1628-1688), the author of The Pilgrim's Progress, grew up in poverty and taught himself to read. As a young man, he struggled with feelings of not being forgiven by God and was tortured by visions of eternal punishment. His devout wife helped him to overcome his fear, but then, while she was still in her twenties, she died of a sudden illness. In his grief, Bunyan devoted himself to preaching. The English government, however, repeatedly imprisoned him for preaching without a license.

On one occasion, Bunyan was sentenced to three months in prison, but when he told the officials he intended to go on preaching, his sentence was extended to 12 years. John Bunyan experienced God's presence in a special way while he was in prison. In fact, it was in his cell that he penned his enduring classic, The Pilgrim's Progress. It's a book that could only have been written by a soul that was refined by the fires of adversity.

A. W. Tozer once wrote, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." God has a mission for your life and mine. But before we can carry out that mission, we will often go through the boot camp of adversity. If this is where you find yourself today, ask God to give you His grace to walk through this time with you. He promised He would never leave or forsake us.

Contact Os Hillman at www.marketplaceleaders.org.

Who Can You Trust?
Who Can You Trust?
In Who Can You Trust?, Howard E. Butt, Jr. candidly shares his own real-life experience and expertise to help you recognize and resolve past trust issues that have shattered your faith and your spirit. And he shows you how to let your faith help you build stronger trust in the future for all your most important relationships.
Learn 

Life is a Celebration

How you view your life will make a world of difference in how you live your life. If you live your life viewing it from a biblical perspective, it will have deeper meaning than if you see it through a pessimistic looking glass. In Ecclesiastes 11-12, we find Solomon's ultimate conclusion to his view on life, and the lessons he learned. Here are four key points from these two chapters:

1. Life is a stewardship; invest it wisely. Read Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. Everything in life-not only possessions, but also family, friends, relationships, everything you have-is a gift from God. He entrusted you to manage all of His bounties on His behalf. You don't own it, but He's giving it to you to manage it for Him. You see, the whole of life, Solomon said, is a stewardship, and so we must invest it wisely.

2. Life is a celebration; delight in it. Read Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8. For us to enjoy life and to see it as a celebration, there are three things that we must do-rejoice (11:7-9), remove (11:10-11), and remember (12:1-8). Rejoice in each day. Anticipate every new day as a wrapped gift from the hand of God, and look forward to literally waking up and unwrapping that wonderful gift each day. Start your day with gratitude. Remove bitterness, false beliefs, bad habits, and unwholesome relationships from your life now before they endanger your future. Remember the constant presence of God. Wherever you go, He is with you and He is watching over you. Remember to obey His Word, to seek His righteousness and His kingdom first-for that is the secret to your success. Remember to place Him first in every decision you make.

3. Life is a school; grow in it. Read Ecclesiastes 12:9-12. How does God teach us in His school of life? Primarily, it is through His Word. Our textbook is the Bible, and our teacher is the Holy Spirit. There are always new lessons in God's school. There are always new examinations coming up and every time we think we've passed one exam, there is another one on the way. We always have opportunities to grow, progress, and advance.

4. Life is a responsibility; succeed in it. Read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Life is a gift from the hand of God. And like any gift, there is an obligation associated with it-an obligation to value it, to cherish it, and to gratefully use it. We need to fear God with a godly fear-an attitude of gratitude, reverence and awe. It is an attitude of love and respect for the power and the greatness of the giver of the gift.

You may feel that you have been heading in the wrong direction. This is the time; this is the moment for you to get back into the game of life. Begin to see life as a stewardship to be invested wisely. Begin to see it as a celebration to be delighted in. Begin to see it as a school in which you grow. Begin to see it as a responsibility in which to succeed. Just as the old hymn reminds us, life is worth the living simply because Christ lives.

****

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Spiritual Dejection
We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened -Luke 24:21
Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources- I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means "I must have it at once." Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today "the third day" and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.

We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God's power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.

GOD BLESS

[Judy Harder]

Rick Warren (REMEMBER HE WROTE 'PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE') also he did the debate with McCain and Obama. You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, ?Purpose Driven Life' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren , Rick said: People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body—but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into an other one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort. God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay , getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness,' which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.

It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases. Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity? Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.


God's Blessings on you today.

[Judy Harder]

         "If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a
         hundred days of sorrow."
         "Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy
         than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our
         misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us."
         (Volataire)



           Isaiah 65:24

           This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in
Central Africa


           One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward;
but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature
baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the
baby alive; as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).
We also had no special feeding facilities.


           Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with
treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies
and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up
the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell
me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical
climates).


           'And it is our last hot water bottle!' she exclaimed. As
in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it
might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles.  They do not grow
on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.


           'All right,' I said, 'put the baby as near the fire
as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from
drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.'


           The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers
with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the
youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the
tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough,
mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got
chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother
had died.


           During prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the
usual blunt conciseness of our African children. 'Please, God' she
prayed, 'Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow,
God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.'


           While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she
added, 'And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the
little girl so she'll know You really love her?'


           As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot.
Could I honestly say 'Amen'? I just did not believe that God could do
this.  Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there
are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular
prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa
for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel
from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot
water bottle? I lived on the equator!


           Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the
nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front
door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the porch was a
large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the
parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the
string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to
tear it unduly... Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes
were focused on the large cardboard box.


           From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys.
Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the
leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of
mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.


           Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the..... could it really
be?


           I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot
water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed
that He could.


           Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward,
crying out, 'If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!


           'Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the
small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted! Looking
up at me, she asked, 'Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that
little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?'


           'Of course,' I replied!


           That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up
by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's
prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls
had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the
believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it 'that afternoon'.


   "Before they call, I will answer." Isaiah 65:24


           When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have
to do. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send
it on.

       Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no
cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another. This
awesome prayer takes less than a minute.


       Heavenly Father,   I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I
ask You to minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace
and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence to work
through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them
understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal Your love and
release to them Your courage. Bless their finances, give them greater vision,
and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of
them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them and reveal to them the
power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus'
name. Amen.


P.S.
Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you
both. Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something
Christ would do.

[Judy Harder]

Week of February 13

It's Going to Be Okay
by Max Lucado

Bill Tucker was sixteen years old when his dad suffered a health crisis and consequently had to leave his business. Even after Mr. Tucker regained his health, the Tucker family struggled financially, barely getting by.

Mr. Tucker, an entrepreneurial sort, came up with an idea. He won the bid to reupholster the chairs at the local movie theater. This stunned his family. He had never stitched a seat. He didn't even own a sewing apparatus. Still, he found someone to teach him the skill and located an industrial-strength machine. The family scraped together every cent they had to buy it. They drained savings accounts and dug coins out of the sofa. Finally, they had enough.

It was a fine day when Bill road with his dad to pick up the equipment. Bill remembers a jovial, hour-long trip discussing the bright horizons this new opportunity afforded them. They loaded the machine in the back of their truck and secured it right behind the cab. Mr. Tucker then invited his son to drive home. I'll let Bill tell you what happened next:

"As we were driving along, we were excited, and I, like any sixteen-year-old driver, was probably not paying enough attention to my speed. Just as we were turning on the cloverleaf to get on the expressway, I will never ever, ever forget watching that sewing machine, which was already top-heavy, begin to tip. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. I saw it go over the side. I jumped out and ran around the back of the truck. As I rounded the corner, I saw our hope and our dream lying on its side in pieces. And then I saw my dad just looking. All of his risk and all of his endeavor and all of his struggling and all of his dream, all of his hope to take care of his family was lying there, shattered.

"You know what comes next don't you? 'Stupid, punk kid driving too fast, not paying attention, ruined the family by taking away our livelihood.' But that's not what he said. He looked right at me. 'Oh, Bill, I am so sorry.' And he walked over, put his arms around me, and said, 'Son, this is going to be okay.'

God is whispering the same to you. Those are his arms you feel. Trust him. That is his voice you hear. Believe him. Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seem irreparable. But it's going to be okay. How can you know? Because God so loved the world. If God can make a billion galaxies, can't he make good out of our bad and sense out of our faltering lives? Of course he can. He is God.

From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2007) Max Lucado

[Judy Harder]

Bible Pathways Devotional
Welcome to the Bible Pathways Devotional, a free devotional from Crosswalk.com, the world's largest Christian website.

February 15
Read Numbers 7

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Picture in your mind the awesome, overwhelming, massive, array of animals, tribal leaders, and offerings. Where were they all heading? Why were they bringing these huge offerings? Does God give attention to our individual offerings? Don't miss reading this chapter.
It is significant that all the details were given each day for each offering even though the offerings were exactly the same. The repetition may seem uninteresting and monotonous or unnecessary but it reveals the pleasure of God in each sacrifice from His people. God is always observant of the gifts presented to Him to bring Him honor and glory and maintain His ministers. Paul explained that such gifts bring fruit that may abound to your account (Phil. 4:15-17).

The giving of gifts and offerings may not seem important to us, but they are to God. In this one chapter, the word offering is mentioned more than 60 times. That reveals how very important our tithes and offerings are to God. Some may ignorantly neglect tithes, not realizing that it is the key that God had chosen: I will . . . open . . . the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Mal. 3:10). God records every act of service, every gift given to encourage us to give more in order to receive His best blessings.

The princes of the tribes had already liberally sacrificed for the construction of the Tabernacle (Ex. 35:27-28); they had given the wagons and the oxen for moving it from place to place (Num. 1:1-9). Then they gave their gifts for the dedication of the altar.

It was after giving all these gifts that we read: Moses was gone into the Tabernacle of the Congregation to speak with Him (the Lord) . . . and He spake unto him (7:89). The Lord spoke to Moses: I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee . . . of all things which I will give thee in Commandment unto the children of Israel (Ex. 25:22).

Giving to God always results in further blessings. As Christians develop faith by giving to the Lord's work, both our desire to give and our ability to give are increased. Our desire to give is increased for we experience the joy of giving; and we increasingly prove the integrity of the Word of God, for God loveth a cheerful giver (II Cor. 9:7). Give and it shall be given to you full measure, pressed down and overflowing (Luke 6:38).

God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love. . . . And then He shall reward every man according to his works (Heb. 6:10; Matt. 16:27).

Thought for Today:

God gives each Christian varying spiritual opportunities and responsibilities (I Cor. 12:7-11). Everyone is equally important in the eyes of God.
Christ Revealed:

Through the voluntary offerings of the leaders which were sufficient to meet the needs (Num. 7). Jesus gave His life to meet our every need. My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).
Word Studies:

7:13 charger =large dish; meat =grain, meal, cereal.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts for the week sponsored by Duane & Mary Ann Seaburg • Government Official: Rep. Terry Everett (AL) • Country: Belgium (10.2 million) in northwestern Europe • Major languages: Flemish and French • Religious freedom • 74% Catholic; 3% Muslim; 1% Protestant; .5% Orthodox; 20% Secular Humanism; 1.5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Confess wrongs you have committed to the Lord and to those whom you have hurt; ask for forgiveness (Matt. 5:23-24).
Optional Reading: Luke 2

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9

[Judy Harder]

February 16
Read Numbers 8 -- 9

Highlights In Today's Reading:

The Lord reminds us how much time has passed since the Exodus (9:1). The nation celebrates its second Passover. It was of vital importance that they remember the One who freed them from slavery. The protection of the Lord was evident in the cloud by day and the awesome pillar of fire by night.
At the commandment of the Lord the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the Lord they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the Tabernacle they rested in their tents (9:18). It may have seemed strange when the cloud first began guiding the Israelites that it did not lead them into the wilderness far from their enemies (Ex. 13:20). But, when the cloud was taken up from the Tabernacle (Num. 9:17), it turned and led them to a place where they were surrounded by the sea and the mountains.

The whole congregation was afraid and murmured as they saw Pharoah and his armies advancing toward them (Ex. 14:10). This experience was designed to establish Israel's confidence in the presence of God to protect and direct them to the promised land. So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. And when the cloud was taken up from the Tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and. . . . whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the Tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed (Num. 9:16-17,22).

Later, when Israel made the golden calf, the Commandments of the Lord were broken and the nation was defiled. Immediately Moses removed the tent of God a considerable distance from the unfaithful camp. Only then could the cloudy pillar descend to the tent door, and the Lord talked with Moses (Ex. 33:7-9). His presence could remain in Israel only as they faithfully trusted Him.

Once Christians have committed themselves to the Lord, God will arrange circumstances to test their faith in His presence, just as He did with Israel at the Red Sea.

When we are obedient to Him, His presence enlightens our minds, strengthens our lives and guides our steps. The presence of God with His disciples is the secret of their strength and victory (II Chr. 20:15,17).

As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity . . . even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Rom. 6:19).

Thought for Today:

The prophet Isaiah called Jesus Immanuel or "God with us." To be able to walk with Jesus is to walk with God. Are you walking with God (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23)?
Christ Revealed:

The Passover (Numbers 9:2) serves as a beautiful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; I Cor. 5:7).
Word Studies:

8:2 over against =in front of; 8:4 beaten =hammered; 8:14 Mine =for the special purpose of God; 8:18 for =instead of; 9:7 kept back =prohibited from; 9:8 Stand still =wait; 9:10 posterity =descendents; 9:11 unleavened bread =bread without yeast, a symbol of Christ as the sinless offering; 9:12 ordinances =biblical laws; 9:13 forbeareth =neglects, fails; cut off =excommunicated; season =ime; 9:14 sojourn =live temporarily; 9:15 reared =erected; 9:17 abode =remained; 9:18 pitched =camped; 9:19 charge =order.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Ora Anderson • Staff: Benjamin Wallace • Country: Belize (236,000) on the eastern coast of Central America • Major languages: English and Spanish • Religious freedom • 64% Roman Catholic; 26% Protestant; 2% spiritist/animist; 1% Hindu; 1% Muslim; 1% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those who have hurt you (Matt. 5:44).
Optional Reading: Luke 3

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9

[Judy Harder]

February 17
Read Numbers 10 -- 11

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Canaan is in sight! Hallelujah! Onward to victory! In this time of anticipation, all Israel has to do was trust God and move forward in conquest of Canaan. But, lusting for flesh to eat, then once again they murmur and failure is inevitable (11:4-34).
The full meaning for the word "manna" is as mysterious as the manna itself, for it can be interpreted as asking the question: "What is it?" -- or as "a gift" -- or "it is a portion," of what God has appointed. The manna was as coriander seed . . . and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it (11:7-9).

A remarkable thing about the manna was that this miraculous food had to be gathered daily (except on the Sabbath), for it could not be preserved from one day to the next. And there was a sufficient amount each day for the several million men, women, and children to eat and remain healthy.

The manna was symbolic of Christ Jesus -- the true Bread from Heaven. Jesus said: Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true Bread from heaven. For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world . . . I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. . . . For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. . . . And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day. . . . I am that Bread of Life. . . . which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. . . . This is that Bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this Bread shall live for ever (John 6:32-33,35,38-40,48-58).

The Word was with God, and the Word was God (1:1). We must read the Bible daily if we are to receive spiritual insight and strength for the day. Past blessings in reading the Word are not sufficient to satisfy today's spiritual needs.

Jesus revealed that He was not only the True Bread, but said: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word tha proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).

Thought for Today:

Past blessings are enjoyable to remember. But, just as the manna was new each day, so should the blessings and experiences that we have with God be.
Christ Revealed:

The two trumpets were made of silver (Num. 10:2). Silver in the Bible stands for truth and also for redemption (1/2 shekel paid to Tabernacle/Temple -- Ex. 38:25-26) -- Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of it (Matt. 26:15). Christ is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).
Word Studies:

10:10 solemn days =appointed feasts (festivals); 10:14 standard =banner; 10:21 against they came =in anticipation of their arrival; 10:25 rereward =rear guard; 11:4 fell a lusting =had greedy desires; 11:6 is dried away =is dissatisfied; 11:10 was kindled =exceedingly angry; 11:11 burden =responsibility; 11:13 flesh =meat; 11:15 out of hand =killing me at once; 11:18 sanctify =consecrate to God; 11:20 loathsome =offensive, detestable; 11:22 suffice =be enough; 11:30 gat =returned.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by William H. Lupton • Staff: Ilene Wallace • Government Officials: Rep. Randy Forbes (VA), Rep. Jim Jordan (OH), Rep. William (Bill) Sali (ID), and Sen. Craig Thomas (WY) • Country: Benin (6 million) in western Africa • Major languages: French and tribal languages • Some hostility toward Christians • 59% animism and voodoo; 17% Muslim; 16% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray in secret before God, not seeking human praise (Matt. 6:6).
Optional Reading: Luke 4

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9

[Judy Harder]

February 18
Read Numbers 12 -- 13

Highlights In Today's Reading:

A valuable lesson in today's reading makes known the frightening dangers of disbelief so that the Lord is prevented from providing His blessings .

God had placed Moses' brother and sister in positions of great honor. Miriam was a prophetess and a leader among the women of Israel. Aaron had the privileged responsibility of being the first high priest. But, Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married. . . . And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath He not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the Lord. . . . said. . . . My servant Moses is . . . faithful in all Mine house (12:1-7).

On one point of disagreement with Moses' decision, Miriam went so far as to question Moses' right of leadership, suggesting that she and Aaron had an equal right in the administration of national affairs (12:1-2). But in judgment, God said: Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses? And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them (Miriam and Aaron); and He departed. And the cloud departed from off the Tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous. . . . And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee (12:8-10,13).

Miriam's sin of criticizing Moses was so great in the sight of God that He smote her with the most horrifying, incurable disease of leprosy. It was only through Moses' intercession that Miriam recovered from her hideous defilement.

Seeing what is considered a fault or disagreeing with the decisions of those in authority has led some Christians to criticize or oppose God-appointed leadership. One of the greatest assets anyone can have is available to everyone as Jesus revealed: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).

The progress of a church can be greatly hindered because of jealousy over someone else receiving recognition when another thought that he was more qualified and more deserving. But we must not allow these things to cause us to sin by taking a stand against God-appointed authority. Those who do so are in danger of facing the anger of the Lord (12:9).

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).

Thought for Today:

Because you were bought by the blood of Jesus, think how valuable you are to God (Acts 20:28; I Cor. 6:20)!
Christ Portrayed:

By Moses, who was very meek (humble), above all the men which were upon the face of the earth (Num. 12:3). Jesus said: I am meek (gentle, mild) and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:29).
Word Studies:

12:3 meek =humble, gentle, submissive to God; 12:8 apparently =clearly; in dark speeches =difficult to understand; similitude =likeness; 12:13 beseech =beg; 13:16 spy out =view; 13:20 fat or lean =fertile or barren; 13:23 brook =valley; 13:30 possess =conquer; 13:32 eateth up =destroys.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for Arabic, English, & Spanish International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Heikkila • Staff: Al Joslyn • Government Officials: Rep. Eliot Engel (NY) and Sen. John Warner (VA) • Country: Bhutan (2 million) in the eastern Himalayas of central Asia • Major languages: Tibetan and Nepalese dialects • Public worship, evangelism, and proselytization are illegal • 50-70% Buddhist; 24-45% Hindu; 5% Muslim; <1% Protestant/Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Don't try to impress others with your prayers; pray about whatever is on your heart (Matt. 6:7-8).
Optional Reading: Luke 5

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9

[Judy Harder]

February 19
Read Numbers 14 -- 15

Highlights In Today's Reading:

The pivotal point of the book is revealed by the rebellion at Kadesh. Should the generation of the Exodus be remembered as the generation of conquest or as the key to a wasted life? We see the reward of the faithful and judgment of the faithless (14:22-23,34).
They rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised: for we have sinned. And Moses said . . . it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord is not among you. . . . ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the Lord, therefore the Lord will not be with you (14:40-43).

The children of Israel were determined to decide for themselves what was best rather than look to the Lord. When God told them to go to the promised land and take possession of it, they refused, saying: Wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? . . . Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt (14:3-4). The Israelites then changed their minds; but the Lord forbade them to go into the land. Disregarding the Lord, the Israelites again rebelled, saying: Lo, we . . . will go up into the place which the Lord hath promised.

Although the Israelites admitted without repenting that they had sinned, they did not pray for guidance but they immediately decided to sin again. First they sinned by their unbelief that God would help them conquer the land. Then they sinned by their presumptious self-confidence in deciding to enter the promised land even after Moses had told them: Go not up, for the Lord is not among you.

Many people are self-sufficient, independent, and determined to guide their own lives. They feel they do not need God. They fail to see the futility of human reasoning: O Lord, I know that . . . it is not in man . . . to direct his steps (Jer. 10:23). Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I Cor. 10:12).

Consequently, they forfeit the many promises of the abundant provision of the Lord. It is not possible to go against the will of God and prosper.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. . . . Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil (Prov. 3:5,7).

Thought for Today:

The will of God for our lives may not always seem like the easiest way, but is always the best way. We will never regret living according to His Word.
Christ Revealed:

As God's glory (Num. 14:22). Jesus Christ is the brightness (manifestation) of His (God's) glory, and the express image of His person (Heb. 1:3).
Word Studies:

14:3 fall by the sword =die in war; 14:10 bade =said; 14:11 provoke =spurn, insult, treat with contempt, disrespect; 14:30 sware =promised; 14:31 know =appreciate; despised =spurned; 14:33 wander =be shepherds; whoredoms =unfaithlessness; 14:42 smitten =defeated; 14:45 discomfited =defeated; 15:3 sweet savour =pleasing fragrance; 15:13 born of the country =native born, native Israelite; 15:14 sojourn =live temporarily; 15:15 one ordinance =the same biblical law; 15:30 presumptuously =through pride, rebellion; cut off =excommunicated; 15:34 in ward =in custody; 15:39 go a whoring =unfaithful to God.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Linda Kennon • Staff: George Kopchak • Government Officials: Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY) • Country: Bolivia (8 million) in South America • Major languages: Spanish and Quechua • Religious freedom • 92% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant; 3% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the will of God be done in every situation you face today (Matt. 6:10).
Optional Reading: Luke 6

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9