WORDDEVO: "The Weekly Word with Raul Ries" [11-25 thru 12-02] DEVOTIONALS

 

Seven Days of Devotion

 The Weekly Word is a Collection of Devotionals to be read on the Day Listed and presented freely as a service to and for the Body of Christ and Believers throughout the World that We may Hear God Speak to us as the Spirit of God gives us ears to hear and eyes to see what God would have for us daily in relationship to Him.

Deliverance from Annihilation

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14

The Book of Esther tells the story of how the Jewish people were delivered from certain annihilation by the intervention of a young woman who was placed in the palace of the king, for such a time as this.

Today, at sundown, the Jewish people observe the Festival of Purim, which celebrates their deliverance from oppression and destruction.

Sometime between the destruction of the First Temple and the building of the Second Temple, the Jewish people came very close to being wiped out because of the evil scheming of Haman, a high ranking official within King Ahasuerus’ palace.

However, God had someone He had placed in the palace to save the people. Esther, a young Jewish girl, had won favor with the king and was made queen. After three days of fasting and praying, the young girl went to the king and revealed the evil scheme of Haman.

Esther stepped out by faith and allowed God to use her to save her people. She did not allow her fears to keep her from walking in God’s will. We should all be willing to be used by God.

If the service of God is worth anything,
it is worth everything.
-C.H. Spurgeon-

 

MONDAY

God’s Chastening

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son
in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

We are in the Old Testament, and the children of Israel are making an 11-day journey in 40 years. Why 40 years? It is because God wants to take an inventory of their lives. He wants to take an inventory of every person’s life.

Once God takes an inventory of my life, He either keeps me or chastens me. God chastens me because He loves me and He wants to use my life. If I do not learn, He removes me.

Not only does God chasten me, but He has written the Old Testament and the New Testament as examples for me. These are the things God does in order to bring my life into alignment with His will.

We need to learn from God’s chastisement and from the examples in the Bible.

It is like the class I am teaching, when I give a test and the students do not pass it. I am not going to give them diplomas until they pass the test.

That is what God does. Every time you fail, you have to retake the test. Pass the test, so you can be used greatly by God.

We are always in the forge or on the anvil; by trials
God is shaping us for higher things.
-Henry Ward Beecher-

 

 

TUESDAY

Silence

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
Psalm 62:5-6

It is really important for us to listen when the Bible is speaking to our hearts. We not only need to respond, but there is a time when we need to step back and be silent, so we can hear what God has to say.

We live in such a fast-paced and noisy culture. We have the radio, television, computer, iPods and other gadgets, so we can listen to people and music constantly. We seem to be afraid of silence–afraid to hear from God.

The best times for me are when I am completely by myself, and I can give myself fully and completely to the Lord, without any interruptions. Then, I can hear from the Lord. It is a blessing for me. I get to pray for me, my wife and my family, and no one is talking to me. I get to talk to the Lord. And more importantly, He talks to me. That is the conversation I want to have.

Take time daily, not to just pray and speak to God, but be silent and wait for His response.

God still comes where He can find someone quiet
enough to listen and alone enough to heed.
-G.B. Duncan-

WEDNESDAY

Train the Next Generation of Leaders

And the LORD said to Moses: “Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation,
and inaugurate him in their sight.”

Numbers 27:18-19

What did Moses do as a leader? He prepared a leader to take up the reigns and lead a new generation into Canaan. Isn’t that beautiful? He did not leave the people without a godly man to lead them in their new country.

I remember when I was being trained by my “Moses,” Pastor Chuck Smith, when I was 24 years old. Now, in my 60’s, how I thank God for Pastor Chuck, Dr. Duffield, Dr. Van Cleave, Dr. Orr, Billy Graham, Dr. Alan Redpath and many others. For all the people God gave to me who, today, are in the Christian Hall of Fame–the best of the best. I was privileged to spend time with them. They were my leaders and I thank God for them.

I want to do the same thing for this generation. Before long, I will be gone, but I am training pastors and teachers, Joshua’s, to continue the work of the ministry. So, if the Lord tarries, the Gospel of Jesus Christ will continue.

Difficult times are coming for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s train up the next generation of Christian leaders.

A leader has been defined as one who knows the
way, goes the way and shows the way.
-Author Unknown-

THURSDAY

Honesty with God

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8

It is never an issue of who we are among our friends and families, but who does God see, behind closed doors. Are we honest with God? He sees everything, but He wants us to be honest with Him.

Just like Adam in the Garden of Eden. He knew he had disobeyed God, so he hid. In verse 11, God asked Adam what he had done, not because He did not know, but because He wanted Adam to be honest with Him.

It is very similar with little children. You are making cookies and you leave the room for a moment. When you return, there are cookies missing, and you say, “Who took my cookies?” The little child says, “Not me,” but there is chocolate all over his mouth.

That is how many of us are with God. I can see the chocolate in your mouth, and God can see it too. Be careful how you live. Be careful of the things you listen to, the things you watch and the things you put into your brain. What has gone into your heart?

Only he who believes is obedient;
only he who is obedient believes.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

 

FRIDAY

Walk by Faith

For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

God was giving the children of Israel a new generation, a second chance. It was a second opportunity to go and do what was not done the first time — enter the Promised Land and fight the giants.

Remember when Moses sent the spies out? When they returned with the great fruits of the land, ten of them were afraid to go in. They lacked faith and caused the people to have fear in their hearts, not trusting in the Lord. It was not the majority who had faith. No, it was the minority.

Think about it: even today, it is the minority who has faith in God, not the majority. Two people out of twelve believed God — Joshua and Caleb. They were the true leaders.

Not everyone is a leader. In order to be a leader for God, you must walk in faith, not by sight. It is very important that we learn this lesson.

Faith is not a question of majorities.
-Auguste Lecerf-

SATURDAY

Finish Well

These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
Deuteronomy 1:1

Notice what it says, the words which Moses spoke. . . . Imagine, Moses stood before the people, saying, “Go to the Promised Land,” but in his mind he thought, I cannot go. He wanted to go, but God told him he could not.

I have known many leaders who have made such an impression on my life, and in the lives of others, but they did not finish well.

As a young Christian, I became good friends with a leader. I stayed in his home a couple of times and saw how he mistreated his wife and was unkind to his children. It really bothered me, so I prayed.

A few months later, he left his wife and ran off with his secretary. Today, he is on the internet. He does not even believe in God. He started out well, but is he finishing well?

He is no different than you and me, men and women who have sat under the teaching of God’s Word. We can finish well or allow the enemy to come in and destroy us.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
-The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-

THE WEEKLY WORD WITH RAUL RIES 

Can be found here:

 

http://theweeklywordraulries.blogspot.com/

 

WORDDEVO: "The Weekly Word with Raul Ries" [11-18 thru 11-24] DEVOTIONALS

 

Seven Days of Devotion

 The Weekly Word is a Collection of Devotionals to be read on the Day Listed and presented freely as a service to and for the Body of Christ and Believers throughout the World that We may Hear God Speak to us as the Spirit of God gives us ears to hear and eyes to see what God would have for us daily in relationship to Him.

 

Parents’ Responsibility

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

I talk to people everywhere I go-in the market, at the bank, in the gym-and what has truly grieved me is how I see the family unit falling apart in our country. We have become a computerized society. With all our technology, have we truly advanced? I do not think so.

We cannot rely upon the television, video games or computers to teach our children the most important thing in life-the Word of God. Father and mothers, you need to teach your children. You must check up on what your children are learning. What is being put into their minds?

The responsibility in the home is for the man to be the spiritual leader: to pray with his wife, to pray with his children, to read them the Word of God and to oversee his house, so that no one gets contaminated.

Do not let the world into your house. You need to remove as much leaven as you can from your home, so your house and your children can be safe. And then, God can bless it.

Children miss nothing in sizing up their parents. If you are only half convinced of your beliefs, they will
quickly discern that fact.
-James Dobson-

 

MONDAY

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

Do we truly understand what the Apostle Paul is telling us in this verse? He is looking forward, not dwelling on the things of the past, but always looking forward to what God has in store for us. I believe President Lincoln had no doubt what Paul is referring to in this verse.

President Lincoln led our country during a very dark and troublesome time in history. We were not in a war against an outside aggressor; we were at war with ourselves. We were divided as a nation, and Lincoln had many issues to face: ending slavery, ending a war, uniting a nation and rebuilding a struggling economy.

Many men would have thrown up their hands or tried to accomplish these goals in an aggressive manner. As a man of God, he took on Christian principles to work through the problems of our nation and heal the wounds of war.

President Lincoln pressed toward the upward call of God. He showed grace and mercy towards his enemies and brought unity to our nation. He fulfilled the call God put on his life, in spite of the many obstacles, and became a great example to generations to come.

Let us each press toward the goal to fulfill our individual calling, looking forward to what God has in store for our lives.

With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to
bind up the nation’s wounds.
-Abraham Lincoln-

 

TUESDAY

God’s Word

Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
Job 22:22

Today, when you go to Israel, at the wall in Jerusalem, you will see a table on the men’s side. Often, you will see a young boy surrounded by adults. The boy is probably 12 years old and he is getting ready to recite the Torah. The Orthodox Jews memorize the Torah, the first 5 books of the Old Testament, and when they are 12, they have to recite the entire Torah by memory.

Do we have the same reverence for the Word of God? Do we, as Christians, realize the importance of knowing God’s Word? We need to teach our children the Word of God and have them memorize verses.

As a child, Pastor Chuck Smith’s mother would have him read the Bible and memorize Scripture. He learned how to read by reading his Bible, not grammar books. All around his parents’ house, there was Scripture on the walls. He grew up surrounded by the Word of God. That is why Pastor Chuck is so knowledgeable on the Word of God. He knows God’s Word. He learned it, he memorized it and it became a part of his life.

Pastor Chuck’s parents recognized the importance of God’s Word and used it to teach their children how to read, so the first thing they learned was of value.

No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and no
one is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
-Samuel Chadwick-

 

WEDNESDAY

Past, Present, Future

Now it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that the LORD had given him as
commandments to them.

Deuteronomy 1:3

Moses was going over the commandments of God with the children of Israel because God knew what they were going to face when they entered the Promised Land.

While it was the place God had prepared for them, there were pagan people in the land. They were not going to enter in and have peace. The inhabitants of the land were not going to just turn everything over to them.

The children of Israel were going to face enemies. They were going to face trials and temptations. They would have to choose the living God over the idols of the land.

Prophetically, God was speaking to them of their past, their present and their future. He was reminding them of all God’s promises and where they had come from.

It is real important to remember-if we do not learn from the past in our present, we will not have a future.

Unless there is within us that which is above us, we
shall soon yield to that which is about us.
-P.T. Forsyth-

 

THURSDAY

Faithfulness

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says
the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give
you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

The children of God were tested in their faith during their time in the wilderness. And yet, time and time again, instead of faithfulness, they showed unfaithfulness. God’s never failing faithfulness has always been there, not only for them, but for us, to give principles for guidance and hope for the future. God did not lead them into the wilderness and then leave them on their own.

In the same way, God does not leave us on our own—He is faithful to give us guidance for our lives. While He is so faithful, if we look at our own personal lives, how many times do we fail God? It is amazing how God works. Even though we are unfaithful, God remains ever faithful. That is simply His nature; He cannot be unfaithful like we are.

Think about your life and the purpose to which God has called you. Not only is God teaching you, leading you and guiding you, but think of all the trials you have faced in the past and are facing today. Only God knows what is in the future. God has seen you through the trials of the past, He is with you now, and His faithfulness will meet you in your future trials.

It is only with God we have hope for our future.

God does not give us everything we want, but He
does fulfill all His promises . . . leading us along the
best and straightest paths to Himself.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer-

 

FRIDAY

Be Alive

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because
the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to
the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening
of the prison to those who are bound.”
Isaiah 61:1

We read the Bible, but are we learning from the Bible? Is God really speaking to you from His Word? I know what God has called me to do-preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have had the privilege of speaking to an infantry battalion on their way to Afghanistan, at Camp Pendleton, to the Marines at Twentynine Palms and new recruits at MCRD.

I surf three days a week, and I have seen how God is touching the lives of all the guys at the beach-without preaching to them.

I want to encourage you. I think every one of us is called to share the love of Christ. Be a child of God, be a witness, be a light, be alive, do not be dead. Be excited about God-what He is doing, what He has done, what He wants to do in your lives. You will blow your minds on what God wants to do, if you really and truly put your mind to it and allow God to direct your life.

No candle which God lights was ever meant
to burn alone.
-J. C. Ryle-

SATURDAY

God’s Chastening

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son
in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

We are in the Old Testament, and the children of Israel are making an 11-day journey in 40 years. Why 40 years? It is because God wants to take an inventory of their lives. He wants to take an inventory of every person’s life.

Once God takes an inventory of my life, He either keeps me or chastens me. God chastens me because He loves me and He wants to use my life. If I do not learn, He removes me.

Not only does God chasten me, but He has written the Old Testament and the New Testament as examples for me. These are the things God does in order to bring my life into alignment with His will.

We need to learn from God’s chastisement and from the examples in the Bible.

It is like the class I am teaching, when I give a test and the students do not pass it. I am not going to give them diplomas until they pass the test.

That is what God does. Every time you fail, you have to retake the test. Pass the test, so you can be used greatly by God.

We are always in the forge or on the anvil; by trials
God is shaping us for higher things.
-Henry Ward Beecher-

THE WEEKLY WORD WITH RAUL RIES 

Can be found here:

 

http://theweeklywordraulries.blogspot.com/

 

WORDDEVO: "The Weekly Word with Raul Ries" [11-1 thru 11-17] DEVOTIONALS

 

Seven Days of Devotion

 The Weekly Word is a Collection of Devotionals to be read on the Day Listed and presented freely as a service to and for the Body of Christ and Believers throughout the World that We may Hear God Speak to us as the Spirit of God gives us ears to hear and eyes to see what God would have for us daily in relationship to Him.

Worship God Alone

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. 
Deuteronomy 34:5-6

At the end of Deuteronomy, the Scriptures tell us God buried Moses in a place unknown to the people. Can you imagine? Moses is the only person who was buried by God? I can imagine the funeral. There were probably angels in attendance.

Isn’t it interesting how God made sure no one knew the location of where the body was buried? Even though it was done in secret, people have been looking for the grave for years. But God had a plan, as He always does.

Moses was still strong, but God said his time was up. He did not have a heart attack. God did not allow a disease to kill him. He just took him, and the people mourned for Moses for 30 days because he was a great leader. Although they mourned, the people accepted Joshua as their new leader.

God does not want us to get focused on a person. He does not want us to depend on or worship anyone other than Himself. Moses was God’s leader. He was not to take the place of God, but to lead the people to God.

We should never allow ourselves to depend on people, or think only this person or that person can lead us. Our eyes should always be set upon the Lord. He is where our help comes from.

An idol may be defined as any person or thing that has usurped in the heart the place of pre-eminence that belongs to the Lord.
-Arthur Wallis-

 

 

MONDAY

Wisdom of Age

Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9

The children of Israel accepted Joshua the son of Nun as their leader, not only because he was full of the spirit of wisdom, but because Moses, their godly leader, had laid his hands on him.

Moses had not laid hands on Joshua suddenly, but because Joshua had proven himself over time. He did not look out at the people and pick Joshua at random. Joshua had been a faithful servant of the Lord. Remember, he was one of the two people who gave a good report after spying out the Promised Land. Not only that, but he was a man of faith—trusting God to deliver them from the giants in the land.

The one thing about being old is I realize how much I do not know. When I was young, I thought I knew everything, but I was stupid. I remember my father-in-law. He had so much wisdom, but I was young and stupid.

Look at Solomon’s son. When he chose the guidance of the young men over the wisdom of the elders, there was chaos. The people wanted to kill him. You see, the old have the wisdom. They have been around a long time, and they have seen many things.

As leaders, we need to receive wisdom from those who have been around longer than us. We also need to be careful when raising people up. There needs to be evidence of God’s spirit of wisdom in their lives.

Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world
through the eyes of a child.
-Ron Wild-

 

 

TUESDAY

 

Be a Nobody

But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the
LORD knew face to face.

Deuteronomy 34:10

Moses began his life as a great man—a somebody. His first forty years were spent in the palace of Pharaoh. He was educated as a prince and was in line for the throne of Egypt.

After Moses killed the Egyptian, he became a nobody for forty years in the wilderness, tending the flocks. God used this time to humble him. Although he had been great in the sight of the people, he was not ready to be used by God.

The last forty years of his life, Moses was a man greatly used by God. He was fully dependent upon the Lord, not trusting in his knowledge or wisdom, but seeking God in all matters. Moses had a great name, a great background and a great legacy, because he went to Egypt in the power of the holy God.

When I read through the Bible and the life of Moses, I realize I would rather be a nobody for God than somebody in the eyes of man. I have seen in my own life how God took me, turned my life around and has allowed me to serve Him in ways I could never have imagined. I think Moses must have been blown away by the work God did through him.

I pray we would all seek to be nobodies, used by God tremendously!

Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the
will of God there is no success.
-Bernard Edinger-

 

WEDNESDAY

Second Law

So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:9

The name Deuteronomy means “The Second Law.” What is the first law? The Ten Commandments are the first law, given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. The second law was given in the mountains of Moab, by Moses in Deuteronomy 31:1-8. It was given looking towards the Promised Land. It is the first law interpreted in light of 36 years experience in the wilderness.

There were new situations as new problems arose and, yet, the law was there to cover and speak to the people. There needed to be application to the law and situations they were facing. The second law did not change or alter the Ten Commandments; it merely made application of the law to the lives of the people. It is the conclusion or finishing touch.

This is a great example to us in applying God’s Word to our lives. It is not enough to read the Bible and memorize verses; they must be reflected in our lives and how we react in situations and trials.

We each need to be living Bibles—a reflection of Christ as He is the Word of God.

Jesus Christ left us an example for our daily conduct
and from it there can be no appeal.
-A.W. Tozer-

 

THURSDAY

Teach God’s Word

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Deuteronomy is a commentary on the Mosaic Law. There are four Hebrew titles for Deuteronomy: Debarim, meaning “The Words” or “These be the Words,” The Kith, or the Fifth of the Law, The Book of Reproofs and The Iteration of the Law. In its content, the old generation teaches the new generation the Law of God. We see the importance of the Word and the importance of teaching each new generation the Law.

In the Jewish tradition, when a baby was born, right after the child came out of the womb, the mother would bring the baby up to her mouth and whisper in their right ear, “Yahweh is God, Yahweh is God.” This was the first thing the baby would hear.

From the womb, the children of Israel were taught about God—Yahweh. The Hebrew women were the ones to nurture their children. The husbands would take the spiritual leadership of the home and teach the children God’s Word.

Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, it is so important to begin teaching your children and grandchildren about the Lord Jesus Christ before the world gets a hold of them. Brain wash them, “Yahweh is God!”

Training a child to follow Christ is easy for parents,
all they have to do is lead the way.
-Author Unknown-

FRIDAY

Teach God’s Word

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down,
and when you rise up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Deuteronomy is a commentary on the Mosaic Law. There are four Hebrew titles for Deuteronomy: Debarim, meaning “The Words” or “These be the Words,” The Kith, or the Fifth of the Law, The Book of Reproofs and The Iteration of the Law. In its content, the old generation teaches the new generation the Law of God. We see the importance of the Word and the importance of teaching each new generation the Law.

In the Jewish tradition, when a baby was born, right after the child came out of the womb, the mother would bring the baby up to her mouth and whisper in their right ear, “Yahweh is God, Yahweh is God.” This was the first thing the baby would hear.

From the womb, the children of Israel were taught about God-Yahweh. The Hebrew women were the ones to nurture their children. The husbands would take the spiritual leadership of the home and teach the children God’s Word.

Mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, it is so important to begin teaching your children and grandchildren about the Lord Jesus Christ before the world gets a hold of them. Brain wash them, “Yahweh is God!”

Training a child to follow Christ is easy for parents,
all they have to do is lead the way.
-Author Unknown-

SATURDAY

 

New Generation

Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 78:3-4

Now, there is this new generation coming up which has not heard the original proclamation of the Law given at Mt Sinai. So, this new generation has to be taught. Remember, they are coming out of Egypt going into a new country. Now, what is the problem with going into a new country? Customs, people, traditions and the danger of contamination.

Today, if you go to New York City, you have the Jewish section, the Italian section, the Arab section-everyone living within their own culture, with their own traditions. When they came from their countries, they stayed together and lived among their own people to keep their traditions.

Entering the Promised Land, the Jews were concerned about their kids. They knew idolatry would be found in their new home, which was forbidden by God-worshipping Baal, Ashtoreth, the worship of sex, of power, the worship of money, the worship of all these things God had warned them about. He told them their children would be seduced by the things of the world.

It is no different today. We must not live our lives according to the culture, our traditions or the world’s standards. We must stand upon the Word of God and live our lives holy and separated unto God.

You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them. Whatever you
love more than God is your idol.
-D.L. Moody-

 

THE WEEKLY WORD WITH RAUL RIES 

Can be found here:

 

http://theweeklywordraulries.blogspot.com/

 

 

WORDDEVO: "The Weekly Word with Raul Ries" [11-4 thru 11-10]

 

Seven Days of Devotion

 

Redemption

From the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred and sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. And Moses gave their redemption money to Aaron and his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Numbers 3:50-51

In the Book of Numbers, we learn about the God of order and redemption. God saves His people. This is very important. Many times, we say, “Let’s just let things flow and do whatever we feel God may be leading.” No, that is not God’s way. God always has a plan and does things in an orderly way.

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, there was order; and in the order, we see God’s plan for man’s redemption.

When they set up camp, the Tabernacle was always set up in the middle, with God ruling over the camp. Then, each tribe was set in a particular spot in front, behind or on either side of the Tabernacle. Every time God moved the camp, it was set up exactly the same way in the next location. Every member of each tribe camped together in their assigned area around the Tabernacle.

If we had been able to fly over the camp, we would have seen the cross—the cross of Jesus Christ. How amazing—2000 years before Christ was born, God already had a plan to saves us from our sins. How He loves us!

God doesn’t want to keep changing your
circumstances; He wants to change you.
-J. Sidlow Baxter-

 

 

MONDAY 

Sowing & Reaping

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

Before we come to the last book of the Pentateuch, a situation arises between Moses and the children of Israel that will have serious consequences for Moses.

They were preparing to cross over from Moab into the Promised Land, and the people began to complain—again. They came because they were thirsty—again. Remember, God provided water for them all through the desert journey, but they forgot and started to murmur and complain.

What did Moses do? Well, God told him to speak to the rock, but he was angry, and he hit the rock instead. Moses was angry with the people when God was not angry with them. He misrepresented God to the people, and there was a price to pay. He was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Moses died in Moab and Joshua led the people in.

Christians who disobey and misrepresent God will not enter the Promised Land. God still could have used Moses in a greater way, but he was cut short.

We must remember, as Christians, who we represent—not ourselves, but Jesus Christ.

Supernatural living through supernatural empowering is at the very heart of
New Testament Christianity.
-J.I. Packer-

 

 

TUESDAY

Experience & Obedience

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1

The Book of Deuteronomy is a book of experience and obedience. Both of these qualities are necessary for a successful walk with the Lord. One we need to earn, and one we need to learn. The reason I say this is because most of us are undisciplined people.

One of the things I thank God for is my experience in the military. They taught me discipline: with my time, with my money and with everything I have to do. That discipline has followed me throughout my life. It has enhanced and helped me in the study of God’s Word and enabled me to be a pastor, to be an evangelist and to do all the things in my life. Otherwise, I would be in total chaos.

There are many people who have no discipline in their lives, and as a result, they have no direction. Their walk with the Lord is inconsistent because they do not meet with God on a regular basis, through prayer and reading His Word.

Through experience and obedience, we come to know what God desires for our lives, what God desires us to be, and what He expects us to be.

God expects us to be obedient—obedient to His Word.

The alternative to discipline is disaster.
-Vance Havner-

 

WEDNESDAY

Compromise

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Psalm103:7

Even though God made His ways known to Moses and the children of Israel, the first time Moses left them under the leadership of Aaron, they fell into idolatry and sin against God. Aaron was manipulated by the people, and he compromised like so many leaders today. Many leaders listen to the people instead of listening to the voice of God, and it affects not only themselves, but the people they are leading.

Aaron compromised and allowed the people to have a feast—a sexual party. They were eating, drinking, fornicating, committing adultery and they were enjoying it. Aaron, knowing God’s Word, took the gold and made a golden calf for the people to worship.

He allowed the people to enter into idolatry. Think of all the golden calves we have in our lives, things that take us away from the real God.

When Moses came down the mountain, it was like walking into a house of prostitution. And there was Aaron, the assistant to Moses, standing back, not stopping the people, but agreeing and giving permission. Imagine that!

Moses drew a line in the sand. Those who wanted to follow God stood on the side with Moses. Those who rebelled stayed on the other side, and the earth opened up and swallowed them. God judged the wicked.

Do not allow anyone or anything to bring you into rebellion against God. Know God’s ways and follow Him, not man.

Anything that takes God’s place is out of place.
-Abe Van der Puy-

 

THURSDAY

LORD of Lords

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. . . . Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14, 16

Moses was the only person in the whole Bible who talked face to face with God. The children of Israel saw the acts of God, but they did not know Him, personally.

It is like many people today. They read the Bible, they attend church, but, in reality, they do not know God. They call Him God, they call Him Jesus, they call Him Savior, but they do not call Him Lord of lords—Lord of my Life. There is a difference.

It is not enough to go through the motions and play church. If we really and truly want to have Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior, Lord of our lives, we must meet Him face to face.

The curtain in the Tabernacle has been torn in two. We can come into the holiest of holies and meet with God. All we have to do is open our Bibles or come before Him in prayer with open hearts.

When He is Lord of my life, it means everything belongs to Him. I follow His plan; I do not give Him mine. I obey Him.

Some read the Bible to learn and some read the Bible to hear from heaven.
-Andrew Murray-

 

 

FRIDAY

CHANGE 

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:18-19

Deuteronomy is a result of wandering for 40 years in the wilderness. It was supposed to be an 11 day journey to get to the Promised Land.

When I look at the map and I read the stories of the wandering, it reminds me how they left Egypt—with the mixed multitude. Be careful of the mixed multitude. They will take you away from God and lead you to compromise. God had to remove the generation containing the mixed multitude, so He caused them to wander for 40 years.

Throughout history, we have seen generations arise who want to change things. I am not saying change is always bad. Change can be a good thing, but when you start changing to things which lead you to worldliness instead of spirituality, it is not a good change.

There is a change arising today, which is the emerging church. They do not teach the Word, they entertain. They are trying to change the Bible. Matthew tells us they will be counted among the least in the kingdom of heaven, because they are teaching men falsely.

It is important to know God’s Word so we will not be led astray, out of the will of God.

The greatest folly in the universe is to oppose the will of God.
-David Thomas-

 

 

SATURDAY

 

God’s Order

The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said.
Deuteronomy 31:3

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, there were three key people. There was Moses, Aaron his brother and then Joshua. We do not hear much about Joshua when they first depart from Egypt, but God planted him there because He knew Aaron’s heart.

God also knew Joshua’s heart, and He knew when Moses was gone who would best lead His people. God knew Joshua would lead the people and follow in the footsteps of Moses.

Joshua had the same vision and passion as Moses, but in a new way. Joshua was called to go out to battle, to remove the leaven, sin, from the land.

Moses had already written Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Now, in Deuteronomy, he had 32 chapters, but right before he concluded the book, God took Moses and allowed Joshua to finish the book.

This was a sign that He was passing things on to the next generation. It is always God’s plan to pass godly leadership on from generation to generation.

As parents, are you training your children up to be godly leaders in your family? In your work place, are you training up your Joshua to take your place when the Lord moves you on? That is the order of all things. That is God’s plan.

Order is Heaven’s first law.
-Alexander Pope-

THE WEEKLY WORD WITH RAUL RIES 

Can be found here:

 

http://theweeklywordraulries.blogspot.com/

 

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