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Pastor Notes 
Thursday, February 22 2018

Deuteronomy 1 & 2: Forty Instead Of Eleven
Verse of the Day: (1:2) There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.

1. Eleven (1:1-21)
And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them; (1:3)

Instead of eleven days, Israel took forty years wandering around in the wilderness, before they began to possess their Promised Land! Why? Unbelief. Israel failed to believe that what God had promised, He shall fulfil, instead, they used their own understanding, and wandered aimlessly for forty years. Though God chose Moses to be their leader, and Aaron, his assistant, yet they also failed to believe that they could take eleven days to reach their Promised Land. After forty years, Moses now led the younger generation after God destroyed the older ones who were twenty years and above, except for Joshua and Caleb, because of unbelief. Moses encouraged the younger ones to believe in God that He shall fight for them, and grant them victory over their enemies. Let us believe that God shall fulfil all His promises to us in His time and according to His will. (Hebrews 3:15-19)
  
2. Eyes (1:22-46)
The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; (1:30)

Though Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness, yet God was with them all the time, as the pillar of cloud in the day, and the pillar of fire at night, to lead them, until they reached the Promised Land. No matter how disobedient and rebellious Israel was, God was longsuffering and merciful, and He kept convicting their hearts to repent of their sins of unbelief and fear. Indeed, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power, love and strong mind, and let us keep our eyes on Jesus amid our life storms. (2 Timothy 1:7)

3. Esau (2:1-37)
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: (2:4)

Jacob, which means “the deceiver” deceived Esau his older twin brother, the firstborn of Isaac their father, of his birthright and blessings. Subsequently God chastised Jacob and he repented his sins and God named him, Israel, meaning “the prince with God’s power”. Though Jacob deceived Esau, yet both their descendants forgave each other and the descendants of Esau allowed the descendants of Israel to advance to their Promised Land. Indeed, let us forgive one another, even as God also forgives us. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to fully believe and trust in You in everything.

Posted by: AT 03:10 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, February 22 2018

Numbers 35 & 36: Marry Your Own Tribe
Verse of the Day: (36:6) This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry. 

1. Moses (35:1-8)
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, (35:1)

Leadership is vital for the success of any organisation, and it is even more so for God’s church. God’s way is to choose His leader, and then work with him to accomplish all that He has for His church and people according to His will. God chose Moses, and He worked with him to lead Israel until the day He called Moses to His home in heaven. This time, God through Moses commanded Israel to give forty-eight cities to the tribe of Levi as they did not have any inheritance, and then to designate six of these cities as refuge for alleged murderers who were considered innocent until proven guilty. Indeed, God loves and cares for His people, and He is our refuge and present help in time of trouble, and shall surely protect and preserve us, as we fully trust and obey Him. (Psalms 46:1-11)
  
2. Murderer (35:9-34)
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. (35:30)

Though God loves all yet He shall judge those who sinned against Him, especially the murderers. During the time of Moses, the murderers received capital punishment if there was sufficient evidence and reliable witnesses to prove that they were guilty. However, alleged murderers were sent to the cities of refuge pending investigation, and the only time they could be released was after the death of the high priest. Indeed, God is merciful and full of compassion, and let us commit and yield our lives to Him. (Lamentations 3:22) 

3. Marry (34:1-29)
And they were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father. (36:12)

God loves His people and He desires us to have the best of everything. This was why God commanded the daughters of Zelophehad to marry their own tribe, Manasseh, so that their tribe could continue to keep their inheritance that God had blessed them with. Today, God’s command for His people is that we must marry another Christian to receive His spiritual blessings. The Christian couple can then attend the same church and worship the same true and living God, and one day, by His amazing grace, lead their children to believe in and receive Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to marry my own tribe, Your people and children.

Posted by: AT 11:26 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, February 22 2018

Numbers 31 & 32: Will Your Sins Be Found Out?
Verse of the Day: (32:23) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

1. Separation (31:1-54)
Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water. (31:23)

To be holy before the holy God we must repent our sins, and believe and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. God commanded Israel to destroy the wicked Midianites as they cursed and harmed them. Israel destroyed them including the false prophet, Balaam. However, Israel sinned against God when they had earlier listened to the counsel of Balaam by sparing the women of Midian and then marrying them and worshipping their idols. God then commanded Israel to destroy all the women of Midian except the unmarried girls. God also commanded those men who destroyed the Midianites to put the gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead they took from them through the fire and the water of purification. Those things that could not be passed through the fire they put them through the water, and finally they must wash their clothes on the seventh day before they returned to their camp. Indeed, let us be holy as God is holy. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
  
2. Sit (32:1-19)
And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? (32:6)

God’s ways are not man’s ways as He is the Creator and man is only the creature. When the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh saw the lands of Jazer and Gilead, they chose to sit and reside on these lands than to be with the rest of Israel to cross the river Jordan and to fight against their enemies so as to possess their Promised Land. God rebuked them and they realised that they could never hide their sins of unbelief and cowardice before Him. Let us be strong and courageous, and seek God and His Word, and one day God shall grant us His Promised Land in Heaven! (Joshua 1:8-9)

3. Sin (32:20-42)
But thy servants will pass over, every man armed for war, before the LORD to battle, as my lord saith. (32:27)

Thank God the tribes of Gad and Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh, chose to obey God as they sent their men together with the rest of Israel, led by their new leader, Joshua, to cross the river Jordan, fought many battles before possessing their Promised Land. Indeed, it was their faith in God that they did the impossible. Let us therefore have faith in God that we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us. (Philippians 4:13)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to repent my sins as You even know my secret sins.

 

Posted by: AT 11:24 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, February 22 2018

Numbers 33 & 34: Is God With You In Your Life Journey?
Verse of the Day: (33:2) And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out. 

1. Journey (33:1-49)
These are the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. (33:1)

Our life journey is really beyond our control as we do not exactly know when it will end. However, as Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, we know that our journey shall end in our eternal home called Heaven, and best of all, Jesus is with us throughout all our journey, and even in heaven, He is with us as we worship Him forever. At the last chapter of Moses’ life, God inspired him to write in details their journey through the wilderness for forty years before they finally entered their Promised Land. Though the names of all the places seemed insignificant, the fact is, God was with them all the time, as a pillar of cloud in the day, and a pillar of fire at night, at every station of their journey, leading and guiding them, and demonstrating His everlasting love for them. (Hebrews 13:5-8)
  
2. Jordan (33:50-56)
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, (33:50)

We all have our milestone in life, and in particular, we remember what God had done for and with us during our happiest as well as the darkest moment of our lives. Israel too had their milestone in their life journey, especially through their wilderness journey before entering the Promised Land, such as God miraculously opening the Red Sea and river Jordan for them to cross to the other side. Indeed, let us be thankful for every milestone of our lives, including the hardest one, because we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) 

3. Joshua (34:1-29)
These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. (34:17)

Though the church may vote for their next pastor or the pastor appoints his successor, ultimately it must be God who chooses His leader, just like He appointed Joshua to succeed Moses as the next leader of Israel with Eleazar as the next high priest after Aaron. Now God through Joshua and Eleazar allotted the Promised Land to the twelve tribes of Israel with the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh receiving their inheritance on the east of Jordan, while the rest of the tribes received them on the west. Indeed, though God loves all, yet He hates sins and only saves those who repent their sins and believe in Him, and condemn those who refuse to repent to fiery hell. (2 Peter 3:9)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, thank You that You are always with me in my life journey to heaven.

Posted by: AT 11:24 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, February 22 2018

Numbers 29 & 30: How Is Your Soul Today?
Verse of the Day: (30:2) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

1. Seven (29:1-5)
And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. (29:1)

Seven is mentioned many times in the Bible as it is God’s number, and it means completion. God through Moses commanded Israel to offer burnt offerings before Him on the first day of the seventh month, and that they must worship Him for who He is and what He had done for them, and so find rest and completion in their lives and souls. Indeed, God’s desire is that all His creatures, especially man, make in His image, please and live for Him and Him alone. However, God gives man choices, and the first couple, Adam and Eve, chose to sin against God. As a result, we are born sinners and our final destination is hell because of our sins. The only way we can be reconciled with God is to repent our sins and believe in and receive Jesus Christ, His Son, as our personal Saviour. Before Jesus came, the people offered sacrifices to God to atone for their sins, and by faith believe that Jesus shall one day come to this earth and be the ultimate sacrifice to die for the sins the world. Today, Jesus already came, and had died for us, and when we by faith believe in Him, our souls shall be with Him in heaven forever. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  
2. Sacrifice (29:6-40)
Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. (29:6)

God desired Israel not just to offer their sacrifices to Him, but to trust and obey Him, so that their sacrifices shall be sweet smelling and well pleasing to Him. Today, let us offer our lives as the sweet smelling sacrifice to God, by trusting and obeying Him, because He truly loves us and gave His only Son as the final sacrifice for our sins. (Philippians 4:18)

3. Soul (30:1-16)
Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. (30:13)

People may break their vows and promises, but as God’s people, we must be very careful when we make our vows and promises, because we must keep them. Indeed, God always keep His promises, especially, when He promises us eternal life with Him as we believe in Him. Let us therefore commit our lives and souls to Him forever. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, thank You that my soul is well as I am bound for heaven, Your home.

 

Posted by: AT 11:22 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, February 22 2018

Numbers 27 & 28: Who Is Your Shepherd?
Verse of the Day: (27:17) Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

1. Son (27:1-11)
Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. (27:4)

God is fair, and He treats everyone equally. Even though Adam is the head of the family, with Eve as his wife, yet He blessed both of them. Though God blessed the sons of Israel with inheritance, yet He also loved the daughters of Israel. Indeed, whether the sons or the daughters received the inheritance, they must all use them for God’s glory, because everything belongs to Him. The daughters of Zelophehad did the right thing when they asked God for their inheritance since their father had no son. God then blessed them not only with their father’s inheritance, but also commanded Israel to adhere to the law of inheritance whereby the priority of inheritance would begin with the sons, followed by the daughters, the brothers, the uncles and finally the relatives. Today, our inheritance is eternal life with God in heaven when we believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son. (John 3:16) 
  
2. Shepherd (27:12-23)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; (27:18)

Though the church or the pastor himself may appoint his successor, ultimately, it must be God who appoints His leader for His church, just like He appointed Joshua to succeed Moses. God knows the hearts and spirit of man, and He knew the heart and spirit of Joshua, that he had the heart after His heart. Indeed, the sheep must have their shepherd to lead them to green pasture and still waters, and so must man have God appointing them His leader to lead them to higher ground of holiness and humility. (Psalms 23)

3. Sacrifice (28:1-31)
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. (28:2)

Let us thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world when we repent of our sins, and believe and receive Christ as our personal Saviour. Before Christ became the final sacrifice, the people of Israel, with the service of their priests, had to offer daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sacrifices to atone for their sins at the tabernacle before God. Indeed, Christ is our everything! (Hebrews 9:28)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, thank You that You are my great Shepherd, my personal Saviour.

 

Posted by: AT 11:21 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, February 14 2018

Numbers 25 & 26: Are You Zealous For God?
Verse of the Day: (25:13) And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

1. Plague (25:1-9)
And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. (25:8)

Though the false prophet Balaam and Balak the king of the Moabites failed to curse and destroy Israel, yet they persisted in their evil deeds by deceiving the men of Israel into marrying the daughters of Moab thus resulting in widespread idolatry. Immediately, God judged Israel, and many were destroyed for their sins of rebellion and idolatry. However, God stopped His judgment when Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron the priest, destroyed the couple who had blatantly disobeyed God by their intermarriage as they presented themselves before Moses and Israel. God then blessed Phinehas, and covenanted with him that his descendants shall be blessed with an everlasting priesthood. (Hebrews 7:11)
 
2. Phinehas (25:10-18)
Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. (25:11)

God commended Phinehas as he was zealous for Him and His Word, and he did what was right before Him. Let us be like Phinehas, and especially, Jesus, God’s Son, who was obedient to His Father, even the death on the cross, which was the most humiliating death, though He did not sin, yet He bore the sins of the whole world. (Philippians 2:5-8)
 
3. People (26:1-65)
Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt. (26:4)

This was the sad and tragic history of Israel when God commanded Moses to take the census of Israel, and thereafter He had to destroy all those who were twenty years old and above, except for Joshua and Caleb and those nineteen years old and below, because they kept rebelling against Him, and doubted that He was able to bring them to the Promised Land. In fact, God gave them many opportunities to repent of their sins, but they persisted to disobey and rebel against Him. Let us therefore trust and obey God, and believe that He can do anything and everything, even saving our souls from eternal condemnation, and promoting us to be with Him in heaven glory land! (Hebrews 3:12-19)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be zealous for You and Your Word now and forever.

Posted by: AT 11:11 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, February 14 2018

Numbers 23 & 24: Will You Believe In The Star?
Verse of the Day: (24:17) I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

1. Seven (23:1-12)
And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams. (23:1)

Seven is God’s number and it means completion. Though Balaam completed all that God commanded him as he requested Balak to build him seven altars so that he could offer seven oxen and rams on each of the altar, yet he was actually conspiring with Balak to curse Israel. However, instead of cursing, God made Balaam to bless Israel. Many people, like Balaam, profess to be Christians actively serving God, but in fact, they are actually serving the Devil to get the best deal in their pursuit of material wealth. Indeed, only God knows our hearts, and let us search them that they be after His heart. (Acts 13:22-24)
 
2. Son (23:13-30)
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (23:19)

No matter how much bribe Balak offered to Balaam, he could never get him to curse Israel, because God controlled Balaam’s mouth just like He controlled Balaam’s ass, and Balaam had to keep blessing Israel. Man, like Balaam, wavered between God and the Devil, the spiritual and the material, because man is a sinner and a creature made in God’s image. However, God is the Creator of everything, including man, and He never wavers but fulfils whatever He promises. We must therefore strive to be like Christ that we mean what we say from our hearts which are after God’s heart. (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)
 
3. Star (24:1-25)
And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. (24:10)

Though Balaam conspired against Balak, and attempted to curse Israel three times, yet God was with Israel, and instead of cursing, God made Balaam to bless Israel three times. In fact, God also used Balaam to prophesy the great coming of the Star or the Sceptre out of Israel, who was none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to die for the sins of the whole world. Whoever believes in Jesus shall have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven, and shall escape eternal condemnation. Indeed, nothing not even death, and no one, not even the devil, shall separate us from God’s eternal love! (Romans 8:31-39)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I believe in You, the Star, God’s Son and my Saviour.

Posted by: AT 11:08 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, February 13 2018

Numbers 21 & 22: Will You Look To The LORD?
Verse of the Day: (21:8) And the LORD said unto Moses, make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

1. Look (21:1-16)
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. (21:9)

Again, Israel murmured and complaint against God and Moses, as to why God delivered them out of Egypt and then to suffer and die in the wilderness. They failed to see God’s grace, and that God was testing their faith in Him. God then judged them by sending fiery serpents to bite and destroyed them. Israel pleaded with Moses, and he prayed to God to deliver them. God answered Moses, and commanded him to make a fiery serpent on a pole, and whoever was bitten shall be healed and live when they looked at the pole. Indeed, this was the prophecy that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall bear the sins of the whole world on the cross, and the fiery serpent represented the sins of the world, while the pole represented the cross that was lifted up, and whoever looks upon Jesus shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven. (John 3:14-16)
 
2. Lawgiver (21:17-35)
The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah: (21:18)

After God healed Israel from the bite of the fiery serpents, they praised and sang to Him, and obeyed Moses, His lawgiver, who then directed them to dig wells for their own water consumption. Indeed, though we depend on God, yet we must do things for ourselves too. This was the very rare moment when Israel sang to God and obeyed His law as most of the time they murmured and rebelled against Him. Let us praise God, and obey and delight in His laws as they are good for us, and keep us safe and sound. (Romans 7:22-25)
 
3. LORD (22:1-41)
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? (22:28)

God can do anything and everything as He is the Creator and Saviour of the world. Balak, the king of Moabites, had bribed Balaam, the false and greedy prophet, to curse Israel, God’s people, for they were a great threat to him and his people. However, God was with Israel, as He opened the mouth of Balaam’s ass to stop him from cursing Israel. In fact, the ass saved Balaam’s life not once but thrice as he could have been killed by God’s sword if not for his ass stopping him. Indeed, God shall protect His people as we call upon Him and He shall answer us, and show us great and mighty things. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to look to You in everything as You are my Saviour.

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Monday, February 12 2018

Numbers 19 & 20: Water Out Of The Rock
Verse of the Day: (20:8) Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

1. Red (19:1-22)
This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke: (19:2)

God commanded Israel to offer a red heifer without blemish and never been yoked as a sacrifice before Him. Eleazar the priest had to bring the sacrifice outside the camp to slay her and then sprinkled her blood directly before the tabernacle seven times. This ordinance signified that Israel had been spiritually cleaned and sanctified before the holy God. The heifer was red in colour to symbolise the blood of Jesus Christ, and this was the great prophecy that Jesus, the Lamb of God, shall be the ultimate sacrifice to die on the cross, and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. (Hebrews 9:19-22)
 
2. Rock (20:1-21)
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. (20:12)

Israel again murmured against God, and this time they complained that they was no water for them and their flock. God then commanded Moses to speak to the rock, however, he disobeyed God, and instead, struck the rock twice. Nevertheless, God graciously allow water to flow miraculously out of the rock! Indeed, with God everything is possible, and He can even raise the dead and promote them to heaven if they trust in Him. (Luke 1:37)  
 
3. Rebel (20:22-29)
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. (20:24)

God disciplined Moses and Aaron by forfeiting them from leading Israel to the Promised Land, because they had rebelled against Him, when Moses struck instead of speaking to the rock at the water of Meribah. Though they did not enter the Promised Land with Israel, yet God’s grace was with them, as when they died, they were promoted to Heaven, His Promised Land! Though they were imperfect, yet they believed in the perfect and loving God who chose Moses to be His greatest prophet in Israel, and appointed Aaron as His first High priest serving at His tabernacle. (Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Hebrews 5:1-4)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, I believe in You, and that I can do all things through and in You.

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Friday, February 09 2018

Numbers 17 & 18: Will Your Rod Yields Almond?
Verse of the Day: (17:8) And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

1. Almond (17:1-13)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. (17:10)

Time and again, there shall always be challenges for those who are in leadership or with special appointments. This was the case when the people murmured against Aaron and his descendants as they were appointed as the priests of Israel to serve God at His tabernacle. God then commanded Moses to have every prince of the twelve tribes of Israel to take a rod and laid it at the tabernacle. The next day, only Aaron’s rod miraculously budded, bloomed and yielded almonds, confirming that God had appointed Aaron and his descendants to be His priests. Indeed, Aaron’s rod yielding almonds symbolises resurrection, in other words, when we truly believe in Jesus Christ, we shall never die, but live forever, because He is the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:25-26)
 
2. Altar (18:1-7)
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. (18:3)

While the tribe of Levi served at God’s tabernacle, only Aaron and his descendants, God’s priests, had the privilege to minister at God’s altar and vessels. Beside Aaron and his descendants, whoever would come near the altar, God shall judge and destroy them including Aaron and his descendants. Indeed, this is the high calling of the priests, as Jesus Christ, the High Priest, died for the sins of the world, and the third day, He rose again, and is now at the right hand of God’s throne interceding for us. (Hebrews 7:25-28)  
 
3. Aaron (18:8-32)
Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’s heave offering to Aaron the priest. (18:28)

God through Moses commanded Israel to give their tithes or the tenth of all their harvests to the tribe of Levi, including Aaron and his descendants, the priests, because they had no inheritance of land, and were unable to provide for themselves and their families. Let us therefore financially support our full-time preachers and staff as they give their lives to serve God in peaching and ministering to the people in the church. (1 Corinthians 9:9-13)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, like the rod that yields almonds, I trust in You and I shall live forever.

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Friday, February 09 2018

Numbers 15 & 16: Are You Going Against The LORD?
Verse of the Day: (16:2) And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

1. Forgiven (15:1-41)
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: (15:25)

Whatever sins we have committed, whether they are ignorant or wilful, God shall forgive them if we confess and repent them, and believe in and receive Jesus, the Son of God, as our personal Saviour. Throughout the Old Testament, God commanded Israel and even the Gentiles, that by faith, they shall offer the different types of sacrifices for their sins, believing that one day, Jesus, shall be their ultimate sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who shall die and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. (Hebrews 9:27-28)
 
2. Famous (16:1-15)
And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD? (16:3)

In God’s eyes, nothing, not even fame or fortune matters except submission and yielding to Him. Korah, Dathan, Abiram and the two hundred and fifty famous princes challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron that they should also allow them to be God’s leaders. However, Moses explained to them that God only chose and ordained him and Aaron to be His leaders, and that they should submit to them. Indeed, let us obey our leaders as they are ordained by God, and submit to them as they submit to God. (Hebrews 13:17)
 
3. Fire (16:16-50)
And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. (16:35)

God commanded Moses and Aaron as well as Korah and his rebels with their families and children to bring their censers with incense in them to offer before Him. The glory of God then appeared before them and He commanded Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from Korah and his rebels. God immediately opened the earth swallowing Korah and his rebels as well as their possessions. God also sent a fire to burn the two hundred and fifty famous princes who rebelled against Him. Though Korah and his rebels offered sacrifices to God, yet their hearts were filled with wickedness and pride. Let us therefore submit and yield to God than offering sacrifices to Him. (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to completely and willingly submit and yield to You.

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Thursday, February 08 2018

Numbers 13 & 14: Will You Still The People?
Verse of the Day: (13:30) And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

1. Spy (13:1-29)
These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua. (13:16)

Today the world’s operation of spying are unlike that of God’s. The world’s motto is, The end justifies the means, which may include wicked deeds, while God’s motto is, Be truthful and honest. Moses sent out twelve spies, who were rulers from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, to search out the enemies’ land so that they would plan and execute their attack. After forty days, the spies returned, and ten of them, excluding Joshua and Caleb, reported to Moses that though the land was filled with milk and honey, they were too strong, and their walls too high, and there could never defeat them. Though they were right, they left out God. On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb, by faith believed that God was with them, and they could overcome their enemies. Sadly, Israel chose to believe the report of the majority, the ten spies, and refused to launch their attack. (Philippians 4:8-9)   
 
2. Still (13:30-33)
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight (13:33)

Joshua and Caleb believed that they were able to overcome their enemies, though they were giants before them. In fact, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah where the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, shall come forth, stilled the people and assured them that with God’s help, their enemies shall be like grasshoppers, and that they could easily overcome them. Indeed, let us be still, even when we are going through great storm knowing that our God is still on the throne, and He can do anything even raising the dead and promoting our souls to heaven if we truly believe in Him. (Psalms 46:10-11)
 
3. Signs (14:1-45)
And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? (14:11)

God loves Israel as He showed them all His signs, such as, when He sent the ten plagues to inflict the Egyptians so that Pharaoh freed them from slavery, and He opened the Red sea for them to cross dry so that they could escape from the Egyptians. However, Israel kept refusing to believe in God. As a result, God destroyed Israel who were aged twenty years and above, and only helped Joshua and Caleb and those who were nineteen and below, to overcome their enemies, and possessed the Promised Land. (Hebrews 3:16-19)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be still, and know that I can do all things with You.

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Wednesday, February 07 2018

Numbers 11 & 12: Is The LORD’s Hand Shortened?
Verse of the Day: (11:23) And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD’s hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

1. Heavy (11:1-22)
I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. (11:14)

Pray for your leaders as it is not easy to lead a country, community, company, church or family. Moses, the leader of Israel, prayed to God to spare Israel as God sent fire to burn them for their continual rebellion against Him. The people complaint that they would rather be in Egypt enjoying the meat, than to eat manna from God as He led them through the wilderness to inherit the Promised Land. They failed to see God’s manna was the best, and He was bringing them to the Promised Land that shall be filled with milk and honey. Moses cried to God that he could not lead Israel anymore as he was too tired of the people’s rebellion. God answered him by counselling him to gather seventy leaders to help him in his leadership. Indeed, as leader we must mobilise godly leaders to help us in our leadership. Though the world may choose to pursue after material wealth and enjoy the pleasures of sin that eventually lead them to destruction, let us as God’s leaders and people choose to seek after His spiritual blessings and rewards. (Hebrews 11:24-26)   
 
2. Hand (11:23-35)
And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. (11:25)

When the leaders believed God, they shared His Word so that all might believe in their God that He is the true and living God. Indeed, when we believe God, we shall not only have great joy and contentment in receiving His Word and power, but we shall also be His witnesses to share the gospel, that Jesus saves, to all the people around us. (Acts 1:8)
 
3. Heal (12:1-16)
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. (12:13)

Do not be surprised when your loved ones oppose you as you serve God. This was the case with Moses as Miriam and Aaron, his siblings, rebelled against him by accusing him of marrying an Ethiopian wife when he should be marrying his own race. However, God was with Moses, and God disciplined them, and inflicted Miriam with leprosy. Moses then prayed to God to heal Miriam as he loved his siblings and people even though many times they rebelled against his leadership. Indeed, Jesus Christ is the perfect example of loving and forgiving His enemies, as even at the cross, suffering for the sins of the whole world, Jesus cried out, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for extending Your hand to help me as I call upon You.

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Wednesday, February 07 2018

Numbers 9 & 10: Will You Obey God’s Commandment?
Verse of the Day: (9:5) And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

1. Command (9:1-14)
And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you. (9:8)

Obedience and gratitude are what God values most, as we come to this world with nothing, and it is God who gives us everything. God commanded Israel to observe the passover to remind them that it was He who freed them from the Egyptian’s bondage. While God excused the uncleaned, who came into contact with a corpse, from observing the passover, yet He punished the cleaned, who disobeyed Him by failing to observe it. Let us obey God, like Jesus who was obedient even to die for mankind. (Philippians 2:8)
 
2. Cloud (9:15-23)
And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning. (9:15)

Israel was the most blessed nation of all nations during Moses’ time as God’s holy presence, in the form of the cloud during the day, and the fire during the night, was with them throughout their journey. Though through unbelief, they wandered for forty years in the wilderness instead of eleven days, yet God never forsook them, but was with them throughout their journey. Indeed, let us repent our sins, and obey God. (Deuteronomy 1:2)
 
3. Call (10:1-36)
Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. (10:2)

As the population of Israel grew, Moses could only lead them by using the silver trumpets to effectively communicate with them concerning their movement and readiness for battle. The long blast signalled that all Israel gathered together. If the long blast was from only one trumpet, it meant that the princes of the twelve tribes shall gather together. If it was a short blast, the camps that were on the east parts shall go forward, and if it was another short blast, then the camps on the south side shall go forward. The priests were responsible for the blowing of the trumpets. Indeed, one day, God’s trumpet shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, and we, who believe in Him and are alive, shall be caught up together with them to meet Him in the air, and then shall we all be with Him forever. Let us therefore comfort one another with this promise. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to obey Your commandments as they are best for me.

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Wednesday, February 07 2018

Numbers 7 & 8: Will You Offer Yourself To God?
Verse of the Day: (7:11) And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar. (7:11)

1. Oxen (7:1-9)
And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. (7:6)

God commanded all the tribes, excluding the tribe of Levi, but including the two tribes of Joseph, namely, his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which made up the twelve tribes, to offer and dedicate their wagons and oxen before His altar in the tabernacle after it had been fully erected and all the instruments had been anointed and sanctified. The wagons and the oxen were only given to two of the three families of the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon and Merari, to assist them in moving the instruments, while there was none given to the family of Kohath. God had commanded the family of Kohath to only carry His ark and the specified instruments on their shoulders. These instruments, particularly, the ark, represented God’s holy presence, and they must be holy before Him, and personally carry them on their shoulders. God desires us to have a close fellowship with Him by placing Him upon our shoulders, and especially in our hearts. (Numbers 3:27-32)
 
2. Offer (7:10-89)
And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: (7:12)

All the twelve princes of the twelve tribes of Israel gave the same offerings on each consecutive days lasting twelve days. On the first day, Nahshon, the prince of Judah, dedicated his offering to God. Though Judah was not the firstborn of Jacob’s twelve sons, yet God commanded him to offer first, because from his lineage shall come forth Jesus, God’s Son. (Matthew 1:3) God knows our hearts and how much we give to Him. When Jesus was on earth, He praised the poor widow as He saw her giving her two mites or her all to Him. Indeed, let us give our lives to God who owns and saves us. (Luke 21:1-4)
 
3. Old (8:1-26)
This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: (8:24)

The Levites were called upon to serve God in the tabernacle only when they reached the age of twenty-five because they must be trained for His service. After they reached the age of fifty, they ceased to serve as they were too old to carry some of the heavy instruments of the tabernacle. However, they still continued to serve God by training and supervising the young Levites. Indeed, it is a great joy to serve God, and even greater joy to pass the baton to the younger ones who shall continue to serve Him. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to offer myself to You as You truly own and save me.

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Tuesday, February 06 2018

Numbers 5 & 6: Will The LORD Bless And Keep You?
Verse of the Day: (6:24) The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

1. Without (5:1-10)
And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel. (5:4)

God through Moses commanded Israel to quarantine the lepers and get them out of the camp where Israel stayed so that they would not infect others. Leprosy is the analogy of sins as we must confess and forsake sins otherwise not only we reap the consequences of our sins, even our family members reap the consequences of our sins. As in the case of alcohol addiction, not only the drunkard harms his health, but he becomes violent and abuses his family. God loves sinners but He hates sins, and let us confess and forsake our sins, and believe and trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. (1 John 1:9)
 
2. Water (5:11-31)
And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: (5:18)

Marriage is sacred and it is of and from God. During Moses’ time, when the people of Israel suspected that their wives were unfaithful, they would bring them to the priests, and present to God the offering of jealousy. The priests shall then uncover the woman’s head, put the offering in her hands, charge her with an oath and serve her with the bitter water. God shall then miraculously revealed to them that the belly of the guilty shall swell and her thigh shall rot, while the innocent shall instead conceive her child. Today, we no longer have this practice, nonetheless, it is important for us to keep our marriage honourable, and never be unfaithful, otherwise God shall surely judge us. (Hebrews 13:4)
 
3. Wine (6:1-27)
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. (6:3)

During Moses’ time or the Old Testament era, God commanded Israel that those who desired to dedicate their whole lives to God must vow a vow of a Nazarite, and must observed the three requirements; firstly, he must abstain from wine, vinegar of wine or strong drink, liquor of grapes, moist or dried grapes, secondly, he must not cut his hair, and thirdly, he must not come near or touch a corpse. Today, when we believe and trust in Christ, though we are not subject to the Nazarite vows, but by the mercies of God, we must present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him, by trusting and obeying Him, and He shall surely bless and keep us now and forever. (Romans 12:1)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You richly bless and keep me as I trust and obey You.

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Tuesday, February 06 2018

Numbers 3 & 4: Are You The Priest Of God?
Verse of the Day: (3:3) These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.

1. Death (3:1-16)
And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father. (3:4)

Serving God is the greatest joy of my life as for me to live is Christ and to die is gain, yet it is not easy, as we must be obedient otherwise He shall chastise us. This was the case when God took the lives of Nadab and Abihu, the priests, who offered unauthorised fire to Him. It was a warning to Israel and in particular, to the priests, the sons of Aaron, that God’s service must be rendered in obedience otherwise His judgment shall be upon them. Today, when we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we are not only God’s priests, but temples, as His Holy Spirit indwells in our hearts. Let us therefore trust and obey God so that we shall receive His fullness of mercy and blessings. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
 
2. Door (3:17-51)
And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, (3:25)

God commanded the priests consisting of the three families, the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath and Merari, of their responsibility at His sanctuary. The family of Gershon was responsible in setting up the tent, covering and the hanging of the door, while the family of Kohath was responsible in setting up the ark, table, candlestick, altars and vessels, and the family of Merari was responsible in setting up the boards, bars, pillars, sockets and vessels. This was God’s leadership before any leader wrote his first leadership book. Leadership is about accountability and every member must have a role so that there is no chaos in running the organisation or family. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
 
3. Dishes (4:1-49)
And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: (4:7)

We must do our best in whatever role entrusts to us, even though it may seem insignificant, like the priests putting the dishes at the sanctuary. Indeed, every member of our body, whether our ear or eye, is important, as every member makes up our whole body, so that we can fully function and enjoy life. This is the analogy of Jesus Christ as the Head of His church, and we are members of His church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-18)  

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am Your priest and child as I trust and obey You.

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Tuesday, February 06 2018

Numbers 1 & 2: Does God Knows Your Name?
Verse of the Day: (1:2) Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;

1. Names (1:1-16)
And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur. (1:5)

God knows all our names but the vital question is whether our names are written in His book of life so that our souls shall eternally be with Him when we believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, otherwise our souls shall be eternally condemned in the lake of fire because of our sins. Since the beginning of time, and until today, God loves man and His greatest desire is that man acknowledges Him as his Creator and Saviour, and trust and obey Him. This was why God commanded Israel to record all the names of Israel, because every name, person and soul was precious and important to Him. In fact, the record of all the names of Israel was important, as firstly, Jesus Christ shall come from the tribe of Judah, and secondly, God’s priests must come from the tribe of Levi, and both were from the twelve tribes of Israel. Indeed, let us thank God that when we believe in Jesus Christ, our lineage shall be from Jesus Christ, and we shall be God’s precious children and priests, and our names shall be written in His book of life. (Revelation 20:15)  

2. Number (1:17-54)
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. (1:47)

God commanded Moses to number all Israel, except for the tribe of Levi, before they would go to war and fight against their enemies to claim their Promised Land, because every man must be accounted for, as they were all precious in His sight when they would repent of their sins, and believe Him as their personal Saviour and Lord. (2 Peter 3:9)

3. North (2:1-34)
The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. (2:25)

God commanded the twelve tribes of Israel to camp in specific positions; North, South, East and West, so that there was order in the camp, and they shall always be ready to set off for battle when called upon. God also through Moses appointed captains or leaders for each tribe as He worked through them to lead Israel to fight their enemies and to claim their Promised Land. Though God is our leader, yet we have human leaders and pastors to lead and guide us as He uses them for His glory and honour. Indeed, let us worship and serve God decently and in order, as He is a God of order and peace. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You know my name as I believe and trust in You.

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Tuesday, February 06 2018

Leviticus 27: Are You Fully Redeemed By The Blood Of The Lamb?
Verse of the Day: (27:13) But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation.

1. Redeem (27:1-15)
And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his. (27:15)

Man says, Pay me and I shall serve you, while God says, Pay Me to serve Me. Indeed, it is a great privilege to serve God as He is the Giver of lives. God through Moses commanded Israel to keep their vows once they vowed to Him otherwise He shall judge and chastise them. Many of them vowed to serve God, and were willing to give God their money for all that He had blessed them. Unlike the Levites, including the priests, the only tribe out of the twelve tribes of Israel, whom God had commanded them to serve Him in the sanctuary without giving Him money, the rest of the tribes who vowed to serve Him must pay the priests as a form of their service to Him. If they then decided that they could not keep their vows, they must pay a penalty, which was an additional fifth part of the money vowed, to fully redeem their vows. Today, let us keep our vows when we vow to serve God, as He takes them seriously. Indeed, let us fear God, and obey His commandments since we are fully redeemed by His precious blood. (Revelation 5:9-10)  

2. Reckon (27:16-25)
But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation. (27:18)

If the people vowed to give their fields to God, then decided that they could not keep them, they must pay a penalty reckoning the remaining years till the year of the jubile, which was the year when every slave shall be freed, and every land shall be returned to the original owner. Indeed, everyone and everything under the sun belongs to God, and there is nothing that man owns. Let us fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man as to why He creates us and He shall receive us when truly believe in and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

3. Rod (27:26-34)
And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (27:32)

God promised Israel that He shall open the windows of heaven and shall pour blessings upon them as they gave their tithe or the tenth of everything they had, such as their herd as they counted each one of them passing through their rod. Today, God commands us to present our lives as living sacrifices, redeemed by His precious blood. (Romans 12:1)
 
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that I am fully redeemed from sins by Your precious blood.

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Tuesday, February 06 2018

Leviticus 25 & 26: Will You Rest In The LORD?
Verse of the Day: (25:4) But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

1. Rest (25:1-23)
And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. (25:10)

God reminded His people that not only they must rest, but their land must also rest from the sowing and harvesting, otherwise, like our bodies, the land will worn out and become useless. God loves His people whom He makes in His image, and He also loves the land, and He knows what is best for man and the land. God’s command is that man must rest on every seventh day of the week, while the land must rest on every seventh year. Seven is God’s number, and it means completeness, and God desires us to find completeness and rest in Him before we work and serve Him again, and He also desires His land to find completeness and rest before the next sowing and harvesting time. (Hebrews 4:9-11) In fact, God commanded Israel that in every fiftieth year or the year of Jubilee, the most important year of their calendar, they must free every slave and return every land to the original owner, even though they had bought them, because all that they had belonged to Him. Let us therefore rest in God, and wait patiently for Him, knowing that He owns everything, including our very lives, and only He knows what is best for us. (Psalms 37:7)

2. Redeem (25:24-55)
If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold. (25:25)

The redemption of land as well as slaves was the prophecy that God shall send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, from glorious heaven to live on earth, and subsequently died on the cruel cross, and shed His precious blood, to redeem man from his sins. Whosoever therefore believes in and receives Jesus as his personal Saviour and Lord shall never perish in fiery hell but have everlasting life with Him in pearly heaven. (Hebrews 9:22)

3. Remember (26:1-46)
Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. (26:42)

Unlike man who many times forget or ignore our covenants, God always remembers His covenants since the days of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the beginning of time, and He shall surely fulfil them. Indeed, God’s greatest covenant is that we shall be His sons when we truly believe that Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, died for our sins. (John 1:12)
 
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to rest in You as You are my Redeemer and Saviour.

Posted by: AT 11:02 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Tuesday, February 06 2018

Numbers 7 & 8: Will You Offer Yourself To God?
Verse of the Day: (7:11) And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.

1. Oxen (7:1-9)
And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. (7:6)

God commanded all the tribes, excluding the tribe of Levi, but including the two tribes of Joseph, namely, his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which made up the twelve tribes, to offer and dedicate their wagons and oxen before His altar in the tabernacle after it had been fully erected and all the instruments had been anointed and sanctified. The wagons and the oxen were only given to two of the three families of the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon and Merari, to assist them in moving the instruments, while there was none given to the family of Kohath. God had commanded the family of Kohath to only carry His ark and the specified instruments on their shoulders. These instruments, particularly, the ark, represented God’s holy presence, and they must be holy before Him, and personally carry them on their shoulders. God desires us to have a close fellowship with Him by placing Him upon our shoulders, and especially in our hearts. (Numbers 3:27-32)
 
2. Offer (7:10-89)
And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: (7:12)

All the twelve princes of the twelve tribes of Israel gave the same offerings on each consecutive days lasting twelve days. On the first day, Nahshon, the prince of Judah, dedicated his offering to God. Though Judah was not the firstborn of Jacob’s twelve sons, yet God commanded him to offer first, because from his lineage shall come forth Jesus, God’s Son. (Matthew 1:3) God knows our hearts and how much we give to Him. When Jesus was on earth, He praised the poor widow as He saw her giving her two mites or her all to Him. Indeed, let us give our lives to God who owns and saves us. (Luke 21:1-4)
 
3. Old (8:1-26)
This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: (8:24)

The Levites were called upon to serve God in the tabernacle only when they reached the age of twenty-five because they must be trained for His service. After they reached the age of fifty, they ceased to serve as they were too old to carry some of the heavy instruments of the tabernacle. However, they still continued to serve God by training and supervising the young Levites. Indeed, it is a great joy to serve God, and even greater joy to pass the baton to the younger ones who shall continue to serve Him. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to offer myself to You as You truly own and save me.

Posted by: AT 12:31 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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Singapore Bible Baptist Church
371 Pasir Panjang Road
Singapore 118708
Telephone: 65 6778 2038

 

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