All People Working Together

This day with God, let us take in His Word found in Numbers 8 and determine how to apply it in our life. In verses 5-19, God sets apart the Levites so they could assist the priests in their ministry. The young Levites age 25 to 50 were needed for the physical demands of moving the tent of meeting and its articles through the wilderness. The Levites older than 50 helped with the lighter duties but also gave advice and counsel.

The take away today is the need for all of God’s people working together. All age groups are needed in any community, church, or group. The wisdom of the experienced and the energy of the young are needed. Each can do what they do best and fit into God’s plan for us.

Working together, we build a chemistry and we feed off the talents of each other. We are stronger together and the church is the place to grow in faith, fellowship, and unity. The picture below is a worship service a while back at First United Methodist Church Waco Texas. I took this picture while working with the media team.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

This day with You Lord, we are stronger together. We feed off the talents of each other. That is Your plan for the church so we grow in faith, fellowship, and unity. As we walk by faith together throughout life, we learn how best to follow Your way and pass it on to those who carry it out in the future

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Numbers 8-13

Over the last few weeks, we’ve shared some thoughts and ideas from the journey through the book of Numbers.

We concluded in the post “Organized for Victory” that organization is important to God because it takes His people working together to carry out His plan for us.

The post “Our Duty and Responsibility” pointed out the responsibilities of Moses, Aaron, and his sons. We can all learn from them as we discover our place or function in God’s work.

Things in life can shake us up but God is there to keep us steady. The post “Detailed Instructions” explained the extreme attention given to the Tent of Meeting and its contents to honor God and receive His unlimited steady power to step ahead.

As pointed out in the post “Truth is Our Boarding Pass to Paradise”, God’s presence and defilement can’t co-exist. The nature of God is wisdom, peacefulness, and wholesomeness. He wants to make wrongs right and faith in Christ makes a way for that to happen.

We learned more about the Nazarene vow in the post “Act of Devotion”. Some instructions of this vow included not drinking alcohol or cutting one’s hair. Samson is one that took this vow which inspires disciplined focus on God rather than on worldly pleasures.

Then within the post “Worship and Offering”, the point was made that growing in faith requires discipline just like physical exercise as we build up our faith muscles with God’s principles.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study over the next few posts, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with God amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Numbers 8
What does God do in verses 5-19? Is one age group more important than the other? In what ways are both age groups needed here? In what ways are different age groups needed with your church or small group?

Numbers 9
What particular words or phrases are repeated in this chapter? What does this reveal about God and His concern for these people? How does God guide his people here? How does He guide you?

Numbers 10
How are trumpets to be used? How do the Israelites know where to go? What does God give to them for direction? To what extent are you willing to trust God when you can’t see ahead?

Numbers 11
What are the complaints and questions from the Israelites? Is there a group you can think of that is full of pessimism? What is done about each complaint or question?

Numbers 12
How do you define meek? How does this definition apply to Moses? In what ways is Moses’ relationship with God unique? What do Miriam and Aaron learn about God in this chapter?

Numbers 13
For what are the spies to look as they go into Canaan? With what report do they return? What have the ten spies forgotten about the power of God?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

 

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Worship 05-10-2020

Happy Mother’s Day!

Worship online via FUMC at this link https://firstwaco.com/ or Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Today’s passage points out that we are called to take immediate action using the resources available to accomplish what God has for us.

 

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Grace Heals

We may differ as individuals in our convictions or practice but there is one common thread that binds; the healing power of grace and the Holy Spirit directing our steps.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

Crowds flocked to Him
Because He could please
With Divine power
To heal disease.

While on this earth
Jesus was about
Handling problems
That had to be worked out.

A personal friend
Offering grace
To all who followed
And tried to keep pace.

For grace starts when one
Comes to the table
To reconcile the past
Beside the Savior.

Like a running stream
That keeps on going
His grace and mercy is
Forever flowing.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 04-02-2020
Inspired by “This Day with God Devotional – Leviticus 13

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Building Faith Muscles

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

The post “Worship and Offering” made the point that growing in faith requires discipline just like physical exercise as we build up our faith muscles with God’s principles.

The song Build My Life by Pat Barrett also points out the need to build our life on a firm foundation which is God’s truth.
 

 

Index of devotionals

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