The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) We like to do most of the talking. That’s why many of us struggle to hear from God. When Samuel learned to pray, “Speak, for your servant isContinue reading "Are You Listening?"
Consult God First
So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. (Joshua 9:14 NLT) Out of fear that they’d be wiped out like the other inhabitants of the land, the Gibeonites used deception to make a peace treaty with Israel. The narrative is clear that when the men of Israel were trying toContinue reading "Consult God First"
The Best Portion
And the Lord said to Aaron, “You priests will receive no allotment of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your share and your allotment.” (Numbers 18:20 NLT) Even though the priests from the Levi tribe didn’t receive a share in the land like the other tribes, the Lord repeatedlyContinue reading "The Best Portion"
Always True to His Word
They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large”... Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should goContinue reading "Always True to His Word"
Retirement
The Lord said to Moses, “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their dutiesContinue reading "Retirement"
New-found Praise
The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel...The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail. (Numbers 3:30, 35 NIV) In what seemed like a tedious list of names, I found myself praising God in a new kind of way. I was reading NumbersContinue reading "New-found Praise"
Be Holy
You are holy, because I am holy. (Leviticus 21:7-8 CEV) While reading the book of Leviticus, I kept coming back to the phrase, “be holy.” This repetition implies that God wanted Israel (and us today) to be totally consecrated to Him. But here’s what I’ve also discovered. While God desires that we be holy, HeContinue reading "Be Holy"
Leave Something for Others
When you harvest your grain, always leave some of it standing along the edges of your fields and don’t pick up what falls on the ground. Don’t strip your grapevines clean or gather the grapes that fall off the vines. Leave them for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I amContinue reading "Leave Something for Others"
Give it Back to God
“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” (Exodus 36:1 NIV) I once heard someone say, “Your talent is a gift fromContinue reading "Give it Back to God"
Look Your Best
And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” (Exodus 19:10-11 NIV) When the Israelites were goingContinue reading "Look Your Best"
Rising with the Son 