Not Knowing Ahead of Time

Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20:12 (New King James Version)

Moses’ disobedience led to dire consequences. The disobedience? Failing to glorify God in the eyes of the nation of Israel. The consequences? Not being allowed to lead that nation into the promised land. Had Moses known this would be the case when God first called Him to be Israel’s leader he would not have been ready to hear it and most likely would have declined even taking the first step toward that leadership. But when the time came for Moses to see the later picture, God had brought him to the place of being ready for it. I am reviewing Bible characters in my mind and seeing that outside of Jesus Himself, none of them knew ahead of time the full scope of what they were getting into at the start of their journey. They were not told ahead of time but when they finally were told they had been fully prepared.

Several years ago, I accepted the invitation to join a friend in an accountability relationship. When I look back at what it was like at the start I am amazed at how much the Lord has transformed it over time. What it looks like now does not even resemble in the slightest what it looked like then. The reason for that is simple…..I would not have been able to handle knowing what was coming. The ground work had not been laid. Trust had not been established. God knew that and built that into the process. Over the course of several years I learned the necessity to be honest and I learned this was a safe person. In the beginning I needed lots of assurance and encouragement. I still do to a point. My emotions were fragile and my trust was shaky. They still are but not as much.

Yet, last night I experienced a confrontation of truth I needed to hear. While I was told I was wrong I was assured I was loved. I was given time to process what I had been told and time to let down my resistance to change my attitude. When it was all said and done, I experienced the joy of looking this individual in the eye and thanking her for nudging me to take a step toward emotional maturity. This morning I rejoice that God had me ready when it came time to know. He also had my friend ready to take the uncomfortable step of being the confronter. It is not a role she would have gladly embraced at the start. He graciously helped us both to turn a relationship corner and I trust Him to continue to do this time and time again……as He makes us ready.

Father, get me ready for each moment of truth and for each truth teller who will speak it. Amen.

Please Come - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcCkK_FW0mA

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Is It Not Enough?

They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" Numbers 16:3 (New American Standard Bible)

Korah’s jealousy over another person’s position lead him to act out in rebellion and eventually cost him his life. He failed to see that Moses and Aaron were given the places of leadership by God rather than by their own choosing or that of others. He failed to grasp the truth that his position and calling as a Levite was not insignificant. Jealousy over another person’s place, possessions, or position needs to be recognized, acknowledged, and abandoned before the consequences play themselves out in painful ways.

God had one question for Korah as found in Numbers 16:9, “Is it not enough for you to be separated by God to do the service of the tabernacle?” God was reminding him of not only his life’s calling but Who it was that was doing the calling. How much he missed when he minimized God’s purpose for his life and compared his life to that of another.

Can I relate with Korah? Absolutely! Yet, I find great comfort in the reminder his story serves. Too often I can look at the ministries others have and be overcome with feelings of envy and discontent. I can forget God has His own desires and purposes for each of our lives. I can forget God’s ways and thoughts are higher than my own. I can get the idea that I am less loved, less noticed, or less important to God due to the fact that what He does in and through me looks different than that of another person. When opportunities for a particular service elude me or positions of ministry remain out of reach for me, I can mistakenly place a big question mark over the significance of my own life.

God’s answer? Trust Him to do what is best for all. See the worth, meaning, and value of what He has called me and others to do. Rejoice in the variety of vessels He uses to get the work of the Kingdom done. Learn as much as I can during this time in my life as it very well may be a time of preparation for what is to come later. These are the ways to avoid or stop my heart, actions, and thoughts from becoming like Korah’s. When asked if what God has me doing is enough, I want to proclaim with joy, “It is MORE than enough!”

Father, I rejoice that You are not a God who plays favorites in Your work on Earth. With You there is no unimportant task or insignificant vessel. Keep doing a work in and through me for Your honor and glory. Amen.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul (It's All About You)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

In Need of Help

I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me. Numbers 11:14 (New American Standard Bible)

The burden and responsibility of leading the children of Israel through the wilderness had become too great for Moses to carry it alone. He was wise to admit this to himself and God. God’s response shows me that is never His intent! We are not placed on this planet to live in isolation from the assistance of others. God did not say to Moses, “I am all you need therefore keep coming to Me. Look to Me alone.” Instead He enacted a plan whereby 70 men, from among the elders of the people, would receive the same Spirit Moses had and they would bear the burden with him. He would not have to bear it alone.

This serves as confirmation to me of the very thing God has been teaching me. While there are some things I am able to do alone with God, there are many times I need someone to come along side me and help. At present, I am not in a leadership position but that does not mean there are no burdens to carry. Each of us have them. God is reminding me this morning that He is willing and able to intersect my world with helpers and encouragers.

Last year, I faced the most difficult challenge of my life and for months I felt I was on my own to wade through the issues. I thought that was the way it was suppose to be. Hence, I struggled and made very little progress in the area of healing and restoration. It wasn’t until I opened myself up to receive the help and counsel of others that internal changes began to take place. It necessitated me trusting individuals enough to tell them my story and allow them to help me. I had to see that they were willing to get down into the muck and mire of my emotional heap and would not walk away or think less of me as a result of my opening up. Even now as we talk about the victories and struggles of this process, they listen, pray, speak truth, and let me know they know God will do everything necessary to finish what He has started in me. They celebrate with me each time God helps me turn corners and take steps. I need them and I am no longer afraid to admit it! Not only do I need them but I appreciate them as gifts given to me by a loving heavenly Father.

For any who find themselves “going it alone” I would invite you to ask God for individuals to help you. He will handpick the right one(s) and you will be astounded at how well He can match you up. It may be someone you already know or it may be someone you have yet to meet. Either way, when your paths cross you will KNOW it!

Father, the Bible is filled with examples of people helping people and so is my life. Thank you for how You do that! Amen.

Learning How to Fight

We are not able to go up against this people, for they are too strong for us. Numbers 13:31 (New American Standard Bible)

These words were spoken by ten of the twelve spies upon returning from their forty day assignment in the land of Canaan. The land God had promised to bring them into and cause them to possess. But what they saw with their eyes and believed in their heart resulted in fear, unbelief, and disobedience. In other words, they embraced lies rather than truth! For any of us, that spells danger and disaster every time! If only they had embraced God’s promises to them and reviewed the past deliverances He afforded them. If only we would do the same!

I am becoming acutely aware of the persistence of the enemy to introduce many negative thoughts to me or exaggerate the ones I come up with on my own. Like the children of Israel, I come to believe the very things I should reject and the longer I dwell on those things the more powerful the stronghold becomes. I can tell when this is happening because my mind becomes filled with negative, condemning, fearful, hopeless, frustrating, and confusing thoughts. It is a trap he loves setting for me and delights when I step into it and remain in it. Any time I voice the words of Numbers 13:31 over a situation in my life I can be sure I have exchanged God’s truth for Satan’s lies.

After a two day battle, I finally decided it was time to change my position. It was time to become savvy and discerning in regards to the activities of my mind and those of the enemy. I knew that my primary need was to flesh out the truth of taking my thoughts captive but sometimes that concept can seem intimidating and elusive. So I googled the phrase “taking thoughts captive” and discovered a treasure cove of articles that had rich information for me to feed on. I learned some things about the enemies tactics, the things in me that he uses, and the power of using my Ephesians 6 armor to resist him.

Already this morning I have been aware of several attempts he has made to walk me down a path of emotional turmoil and each attempt was met with resistance and a closed door. I am amazed at how ineffective his schemes are when I apply the truth of God’s word, stand on the promises of God’s word, and wield my sword (God’s Word) at every lie and distortion.

Father, You invite me to stand against the schemes of the enemy and take every thought captive. I want to become a valiant soldier on the battleground of my mind. Teach me! Amen.

Making Matters Worse

Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. Numbers 32:14 (NASB)

These words were Moses’ answer to a request made by the children of Gad and Reuben. They wanted to possess the land they stood on without crossing over the Jordan River to the promised land. It was a decision that could easily cause the rest of the nation to follow suite. That is exactly what happened forty years prior to this discussion, when eight out of ten spies gave a fearful report concerning the promised land and that fear spread throughout the camp. It ultimately led to God’s requirement that they wander in the wilderness for an additional four decades.

We see a principle in Scripture that we would do well to digest. Sin angers God and that anger is increased when our sinful choices affect the people around us. This can be played out in two ways. People can become a victim of our sin and made to feel the affects of the consequences or they can actually follow the example we are putting before them.

Victimization is seen when a drunk driver hits another car causing injury or death to innocent people. Or when an angry gunman opens fire in a public building. Or when a person with sexual perversions preys upon a small child, teen, or adult. Or when shoplifting results in a store raising its prices to compensate the loss. These and many other scenarios have consequences that affect more than the one who makes the original choice. Each of us can reflect back on times in our life when we have brought pain and suffering upon another person because of a sinful choice we made.

But today’s verse points to the aspect of our sinful choices having a negative influence on another person. Our actions encouraging others to the do as we are doing. It can be as serious as involving something that is illegal or immoral or it can be on a smaller scale of spreading gossip, laziness, dishonesty, or discontent. My words and my actions in the presence of others serve as encouragements for them to follow my lead. May I determine to be an encourager of something that would lead to God’s pleasure instead of adding to His anger.

Father, keep reminding me that my choices affect more than just myself. May my influence on people lead them in the ways of righteousness. May the duplication of anything I do or say bring You delight. Amen.

Settling Things

But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the Lord..." Numbers 5:8a

Ever have a nagging feeling over a sin in your past that you have never been able to make right with the person? Maybe they've died or you've lost complete contact with them? I have often wondered what to do with those things. Although they have been confessed and forgiven I have often wished I could still make it right with them.

This morning in Sunday School a verse became crystal clear to me and I was greatly encouraged. According to Numbers 5:8 I can make restitution to God in the cases where the person is no longer reachable.

Think back to a time when you were younger and you decided to take some candy from a store without paying for it. I have found that the sins that nag at me are the ones I never got caught doing (at least caught by people). The store no longer exists and the owners are long gone. How can I then repay them for my theft? According to Numbers 5:8 I can give the money to God. It is the closure I need and the encouragement I appreciated today.