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I've been in a fabulous mood this last week. A big reason for this is the attention I've put toward being thankful. This thankfulness is more than just your basic thanks to my son for picking up his room or thanks for being alive. I've been actively seeking things to be thankful for.
Going to lunch today (Wednesday) a co-worker held the elevator for me. Usually I'd just say "thanks" and face forward, which seems to be proper elevator protocol. This time I looked her in the eye and said, "Thank you for holding the elevator for me." No big deal, right? I got a worm smile and a "You're Welcome" from her when a smirky smile usually follows the "thanks" that would be given. We both felt better for it. Try it sometime! You'll be glad you did!
This kind of reminds me of Galatians 5, verses 22 and 23, where the Fruits of the Spirit are found.
I propose that we all pray for each other to exhibit these fruits in our lives. And since the fruits are sweetest when they come from a strong tree, let's pray that we find our fruits in our faith with God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If anyone has a story that expresses how the fruit of love has been uplifting in their life, speak up and I'll include it in next week's issue!
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here and here.
This passage serves to tell us about the numbers that we're dealing with when we read about the Israelites. The men who were over the age of twenty and able to serve in the army were over 600 thousand! This doesn't include women, children, the disabled, the elderly, or anyone from the tribe of Levi.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here and here.
The tribes were also given instructions about how they were to arrange their camps. God had a reason for this, but I don't see it at this time. Not that I don't think his reason was good, mind you. I just don't see it.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here and here.
Now there's an interesting way to determine whether a woman has been unfaithful. Other wrongs can be amended by making restitution plus a fifth, but this method for an unfaithful wife would cause much pain to her and she will be smitten with a curse.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here, here, here and here.
Some of this reads like the passages from last week, but it is another verse and another book altogether. I did enjoy the blessing the priests were to give to the Israelites here: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." That's all we really need, isn't it? One other thing, the people were walking through the Sinai Desert, a hot and desolate place, but the cloud of the Lord remained over them during those hot days to shelter them. They were walking His path and he made sure they were cared for.
And He'll do the same for you as you walk the path set before you by God.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
Despite the care God was showing, the people began to complain their hardships and He consumed the edges of camp with fire. Moses had to intercede to make it stop. They were well cared for, but I suppose even manna from Heaven can be a bit tiresome if that's all you're eating.
So the people ate quail. Talk about an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord! While they ate, a plague settled on them for their whining. I guess that's God's way of telling them to 'choke on it'!
I'm a little surprised at the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron. I'm glad to see that God put them in their places quickly, though. If God has your back, you can continue to look forward to His purpose.
Finally the end of the journey arrived...or did it? The spies were sent in and they came back with stories of a land flowing with milk and honey, but also fortified and defended by giants. <sarcastic> Way to go, guys.
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here and here.
The effect of the warnings from these spineless spies took its toll. The people began to rebel, fearing the conflict that would come if they entered. At least Joshua and Caleb kept their heads and tried to remind the people that God would go before them to remove their foes. The people were unconvinced at this and angered God. For a second time, God offered to destroy them all and start over with Moses. Once again Moses talked Him out of doing this, but this time, a harsh punishment was to be levied. None of the people who had been fearful would enter the Promised Land. To accomplish this, the people began wandering the desert until the last of these men had died. Forty years they were to wander without land to call their own.
Then the spies who had been sent to scout the land were struck down and killed by God. I do wonder why spies were sent in the first place. Hadn't God promised to fight their battles for them? Hadn't He been true to his word up to this point? For shame!
Links to an online Bible for these passages are here, here and here.
How many times does Moses have to save the Israelites from their own stupidity? OK, so they were upset at the thought of 40 years of wandering until they were dead and perhaps angry that they would never see the land promised to them, but God had showed them time and again that Moses and Aaron were to be the leaders of the group and only Aaron and his sons were to assume the duties of the priesthood. Some of those people were so full of themselves that they just couldn't accept the fates that were theirs due to their own doing.
Weekly LinkNot a summer day goes by in Iowa when I don't see at least one dead squirrel by the road. This site will explain all you need to know about the dangers of squirrel hazing and the loss of our furry friends that happens each year. This problem is not just found in college fraternities, you know. |
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Thanks for sharing my goal of reading the Bible in its entirety this year!