June 12 -- "Tithe of the Tithe"

 Today's Reading: Numbers 18

"Tithe of the Tithe"

The "tithe of the tithe" mentioned in Numbers 18:26 ESV is a portion of the tithe that the Levites were required to present to the Lord. The Levites were the recipients of the Lord’s tithe (or a tenth) of the produce and livestock that the people of Israel brought to the Tabernacle as an offering to God. This tithe was their inheritance and was intended to provide for their needs as they served in the Tabernacle.

However, the Levites were not exempt from giving back to God. They were required to present a tithe of the tithe (a second tithe) of what they received from the Israelites as a contribution to the Lord. This second tithe (tenth) was given to the high priest and used for the service of the Tabernacle.

The "tithe of the tithe" was an important reminder to the Levites that everything they received ultimately came from God and belonged to Him. It was a way of acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty over their lives and their ministry. It is also a reminder to Christian pastors, missionaries, church workers and ministry workers that they are not exempt from giving back to God a portion of that which He has blessed them with.

As a Christ-follower, the principle of the "tithe of the tithe" reminds us that everything we have ultimately comes from God and belongs to Him. We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us, including our finances, and to give back to Him a portion of what we receive. The principle of the "tithe of the tithe" also emphasizes the importance of supporting those who are dedicated to serving God and advancing His kingdom, whether that be our local church or other ministries.

June 11 -- "Buds, Blossoms, and Almonds"

 Today's Reading: Numbers 17

"Buds, Blossoms, and Almonds"

A dispute had arisen among the people of Israel. Some were questioning the authority of Aaron and his priestly line and believed that they too should be allowed to perform priestly duties. The dispute over Aaron's priesthood caused a significant disturbance among the Israelites.

So, God told Moses to settle the dispute by gathering twelve staffs, one from the leader of each of the twelve tribes of Israel and write the name of each tribe on their staffs. Then Moses was to place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting before the ark of the covenant, and the staff belonging to the man whom God had chosen would sprout.

The next day, when Moses went into the Tent of Meeting, he found that Aaron's staff had not only sprouted, but it had also budded, blossomed, and produced almonds. This miracle was seen as a sign confirming that God had chosen Aaron and his descendants to be the priests of Israel.

The story of the dispute over Aaron's priesthood teaches us several valuable lessons about finding our own purpose and not disputing God's choices. Firstly, it reminds us that God has a specific purpose for each of us, just as He had a specific purpose for Aaron and his descendants. Instead of comparing ourselves to others or seeking to take on roles that are not meant for us, we should seek to discern God's plan for our lives and to follow Him with obedience and trust.

Secondly, the story of the dispute over Aaron's priesthood teaches us the danger of questioning God's choices and seeking to undermine His authority. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram challenged the priesthood of Aaron, they were not only challenging the authority of Aaron and Moses, but they were also challenging God's chosen plan for Israel. This ultimately led to their downfall and serves as a warning to us not to question God's wisdom and sovereignty.

Instead, we should seek to submit ourselves to God's plan and to trust that He knows what is best for us. We can find our purpose and fulfill it by seeking God's will for our own lives and not by disputing His calling for another person’s life.

June 10 -- "Unhealthy Ambition"

Today's Reading: Numbers 16 

"Unhealthy Ambition"

The story of Korah and his followers in Numbers 16 illustrates the dangers of discontentment and unhealthy ambition. Korah and his group were Levites who had been given the responsibility of serving in the Tabernacle, a position of honor and privilege within the community. However, they became discontented with their role and began to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron, ultimately leading a rebellion against them.

Their discontentment was fueled by a desire for more power and influence within the community, and a belief that they deserved greater recognition for their service to God. However, their rebellion ultimately resulted in their own destruction, as God judged them for their disobedience and rebellion.

In today’s verse, Moses is essentially asking them if it is not enough that God has chosen them for this special role and allowed them to serve in the Tabernacle. By questioning the authority of Moses and Aaron, they are also questioning the authority of God, who appointed them to their positions.

This story serves as a warning against the dangers of discontentment and the pursuit of power and recognition at the expense of obedience to God and respect for legitimate authority. As Christ-followers, we are called to be content with what God has given us, and to trust in His timing and plan for our lives. We are also called to submit to the authority of those whom God has placed over us, whether it be in our families, workplaces, or churches.

When we become discontented and begin to question the authority of those in leadership, we run the risk of falling into the same trap as Korah and his followers. We may become blinded by our own ambition for power and recognition and lose sight of the greater goal of serving God and advancing His kingdom.

Instead, we should seek to cultivate a spirit of contentment and humility, recognizing that all we have and all we are comes from God. We should also seek to honor and respect those in leadership over us, trusting that God has placed them there for a purpose and seeking to serve Him through our obedience to their authority. As the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:6, "But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

June 9 -- "The Eternal God"

 Today's Reading: Psalm 90

"The Eternal God"

Psalm 90 is a prayerful meditation on the eternal nature of God and the fleeting nature of human life. It is one of the oldest Psalms in the Bible (probably the first one), and is attributed to Moses, making it the only Psalm in the collection to have an author from the Pentateuch era.

The Psalm begins by acknowledging God's infinite nature and His role as our dwelling place throughout all generations. It then contrasts God's eternity with the brevity of human life, emphasizing how quickly our days pass by and the frailty of our existence. In this way, the Psalm calls us to reflect on the transient nature of our lives, and to turn our hearts towards God who alone can provide us with a firm foundation and a meaningful purpose.

The phrase "before the mountains were brought forth" in verse 2 emphasizes God's pre-existence, highlighting the fact that God was present even before the natural world as we know it (time, space, matter) was created. This points to God's divine existence and emphasizes the fact that He is not bound by time or space in the way that we are.

The phrase "from everlasting to everlasting" reinforces this idea of God's eternal nature, emphasizing that He has always existed and will continue to exist forever. This highlights the fact that God is not subject to the limitations of time and space that we are, and that He is the ultimate source of stability, purpose, and security in a world that is constantly changing.

As the Psalm progresses, it shifts from reflection to prayer, asking God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. The Psalmist acknowledges our sinfulness and asks for God's mercy and favor, knowing that our hope is found in Him alone.

In many ways, Psalm 90 is a sobering reminder of our mortality and the importance of living each day with purpose and intention. It encourages us to turn our hearts towards God and to seek His mercy and grace in all circumstances. Despite the challenges and uncertainties of life, the Psalm reminds us that God is our refuge and our strength, and that in Him we can find joy, hope, purpose, and security.

June 8 -- "When Mistakes Happen"

 Today's Reading: Numbers 15

"When Mistakes Happen"

Sin is often referred to as a “mistake” in the Bible when it is unintentional or done in ignorance. Sin can also be a deliberate choice to disobey God's commands, and in such cases, it is not a mistake but a willful act of rebellion.

In Numbers 15, God gave the Israelites instructions on how to be forgiven for their unintentional sins. If someone sinned unintentionally, they were required to bring a bull as a sin offering, along with a grain offering and a drink offering. The priest would then offer a sacrifice for the person's sin, and they would be forgiven.

The Israelites were a people who were prone to sin, just like we are. They needed to be reminded of their need for atonement and forgiveness. This process of offering a sacrifice for unintentional sins was meant to show them that sin has consequences even if it is not deliberate, and that forgiveness and restoration are only possible through the shedding of blood.

Even as Christians we still make mistakes and often sin unintentionally. We fall short of God's standard of holiness. But the good news is that we can still come to God for forgiveness and atonement. It's important to remember that sin, whether intentional or unintentional, separates us from God and has serious consequences. As Christians, we are called to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness. In 1 John 1:9, it says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

The joy of being forgiven for our mistakes is truly indescribable. When we acknowledge our sins and come to God with a repentant heart, asking for His forgiveness, we experience a sense of relief and freedom that is unlike anything else. It's like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders, and we can breathe easier knowing that we have been cleansed of our wrongdoing.

June 7 -- "A Different Spirit"

Today's Reading: Numbers 14 

"A Different Spirit"

In today’s verse, God describes Caleb as having a "different spirit" and as being someone who "has followed me fully." This statement was made in the context of the Israelites' rebellion against God and their refusal to enter the promised land after the spies' report. While the majority of the spies brought back a negative report, Caleb and Joshua were the only two who believed that God would give them the land and urged the people to trust in God's power.

Caleb's "different spirit" is a reference to his unwavering faith and devotion to God. He had a uniquely deep trust in God's promises and was not swayed by the negative reports or the fear of the people. It is likely that Caleb's "different spirit" was the result of his close relationship with God. Throughout his life, Caleb had cultivated a deep trust in God and had demonstrated unwavering faith and obedience to His will.

This "different spirit" that Caleb possessed is something that modern-day Christ-followers can also aspire to. We too can choose to go contrary to the crowd and have a deep trust in God's promises and an unwavering faith in His power. In a world that is often marked by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can choose to have a different spirit that is grounded in the truth of God's Word.

As Christ-followers, we are called to follow God fully and to pursue His will for our lives with all of our hearts. We can learn from Caleb's example of faithfulness and devotion to God and strive to have a "different spirit" that ignores “public sentiment” but instead is grounded in trust, faith, and obedience to God's Word.

Have you prayed for and cultivated a Caleb-like close relationship with God that produces this kind of different spirit in you? If not, do it now.

June 6 -- "We Are Well Able"

Today's Reading: Numbers 13 

"We Are Well Able"

This verse follows the account of the twelve spies that Moses sent to scout out the land of Canaan. Ten of the spies brought back a negative report, causing the Israelites to lose faith in God's promise to give them the land. However, Caleb, along with Joshua, by faith believed that God was with them and that they were able to overcome the obstacles in their path.

The lesson that we can learn from this verse is that faith and trust in God are essential for us as Christ-followers. Just like Caleb and Joshua, we may face challenges and obstacles in our lives that seem insurmountable. However, if we trust in God's promises and believe that He is with us, we can overcome those challenges and achieve great things for His kingdom. Caleb knew that having the Lord on their side meant that they were “well able” to overcome the difficulties that lie ahead.

Furthermore, we should not be swayed by the negative reports and opinions of those around us, but rather remain focused on God's promises and His will for our lives. We should be like Caleb, who quieted the people and encouraged them to have faith in God's promises. As Christ-followers, we should also encourage and uplift those around us, helping them to see the truth of God's promises and the power of His presence in their lives. Having the Lord on our side means we are “well able” to overcome all of the challenges of this life.

A word from the Lord…  “My dear child, do not be afraid of the challenges that lie before you, for I am with you always. Trust in Me and believe in My promises, for they are true and faithful. Do not be swayed by the opinions of those around you, but rather listen to My voice and follow My will for your life. Remember that with Me, all things are possible, and you are well able to overcome any obstacle that you may face. Be like Caleb and Joshua, who had faith in My promises and believed that I was with them. I am with you also, my child, so do not be afraid. Trust in Me, and together, we will overcome every obstacle in your path.”

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