1 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us...God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work."

Sunday, August 29, 2010

NUMBERS - A Bit of Foreshadowing

Don’t you love the part in a book or a movie when something happens and you just know it’s pointing to something else that’s going to happen in the future?

That’s called “foreshadowing.”

Foreshadowing is used in written art and film to give hints about things to come in later plot developments. It can be very broad and easily understood, or it may be complex use of symbols, that are then connected to later turns in the plot.” (From wisegeek.com)

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” is an example of Biblical foreshadowing.

It is about one year after the Israelites had departed from Egypt. They are camped out near Mount Sinai. Here they have received all the laws and regulations recorded in the book of Leviticus, and they are ready to go possess the Promised Land.

Now the LORD gives them specific directions for their lifestyle in the new land. His instructions are very precise, very detailed, as He begins to form the nation of His chosen people.

In Numbers, Chapter 3, God lays out His instructions for the Levites, the Israelites appointed for service in the Tabernacle and to minister to all the people.

And here’s the “foreshadowing” –

“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to serve as substitutes for all the firstborn sons of the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me, for all the firstborn males are mine.”
(Numbers 3:11-12)

YES, we know what’s coming, don’t we?!

We have the advantage of living on “this side” of Christ. We can see what God had planned all along. We know that many of His instructions to the Israelites were “foreshadowing” the Master Plan of Christ’s death on the cross.

There is quite a difference between the priesthood in the Old Testament, and the priesthood of Christ in the New Testament. However, the whole idea of “substitution” was a recurring theme in the old covenant.

God completed and fulfilled the “sacrificial system” when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die “in our place.” He became the ultimate substitute for us – our “once and for all” sacrifice. He is our High Priest, our intermediary with God – the One who died in our place.

Now all believers can come into God’s presence without fear.

Some may think that portions of the Old Testament are boring or dry. But make it a point to look for all the “foreshadowing” that’s there.

Everything points to Jesusbefore He appeared on earth, while He was here...

...and to His future return to claim His Lordship over all!


“When in doubt, search God out!”

Sunday, August 22, 2010

2 KINGS - My Word Will Not Fail!

You know, sometimes reading the Bible is like watching a good “soap opera” – (I know…good soap opera…oxymoron).

But the Bible isn’t a “tame” read!

It is chock-full of scoundrels, liars, idol worshipers, cheats, adulterers, murderers – in short, it’s full of REAL people!

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of 2 Kings.

WOW! Talk about kingdom intrigue!

The book of 2 Kings reads like a captivating novel, as king upon king, one after the other, enters and leaves the scene. Some good, some evil – all interesting.

At first I wasn’t sure how I was going to grab a “meaningful” verse out of what I was reading. But then it hit me. Listen to these verses from 2 Kings 10:10:

[King Jehu speaking] “You can be sure that the message of the LORD that was spoken concerning Ahab’s family will not fail. The LORD declared through his servant Elijah that this would happen.”

God’s prophecy CAME TRUE!

This verse, written about events that took place SO VERY LONG AGO, has a message for us TODAY!

God’s Word endures forever!

His Word and His promises can be trusted!

All that He says will happen!

He is faithful. He never changes. And all things will work out, just as He declared, just as He planned, just as He promised!

The message of the Lord WILL NOT FAIL!

“Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true…Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:6, 12-13)


“When in doubt, search God out!”

Saturday, August 14, 2010

1 KINGS - There is No God Like You!

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of 1 Kings.

The verses are taken from the beginning of King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the newly-built Temple in Jerusalem. After hundreds of years, a permanent home for the presence of God was finally completed! It was a joyous time of celebration.

Solomon’s Temple was a glittering spectacle, displaying the riches of a prospering nation. As a dwelling place for God, it was fitting for the Temple to be beautiful.

In the final climactic moment, when all the building was complete, the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the Most Holy Place, and “…the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple.” (1 Kings 8:11)

Then Solomon gathered the people of Israel together to dedicate the Temple – but he also wanted them to rededicate themselves to God’s service.

“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, and he prayed.
‘O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion…
(and to the people of Israel)…And may you be completely faithful to the LORD our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.’”
(1 Kings 8:22-23, 61)

Solomon declared that even the highest heavens, the far reaches of the universe, could not contain God. His majesty shines brighter than any light in the sky, and His riches far surpass any man-made structure.

Isn’t it amazing that God is willing to live in the hearts of those who believe in Him and love Him?!

So where is God's presence?
He's here, in my heart,
Directing my pathways
As He has from the start.
Where is God's presence?
He's here! Don't you see?
The Most High of the Universe
Dwells within me.

© Sharon Kirby, October 4, 2000


Let us walk in wholehearted devotion to Him – obeying Him always, just as we are doing today…


"When in doubt, search God out!"

Sunday, August 8, 2010

JOHN - Light of the World!

Have any of you ever been afraid of the dark?

When I was a little girl, I was terrified of the dark.

I was sure that there was someone, or worse yet, something under my bed. I remember jumping into bed, launching myself from about two feet out, just so whatever was under there couldn't grab my legs!!

In thinking about darkness, I started wondering WHY it's so scary to so many people...

I think a lot of people have overactive imaginations (that would be me!) Our minds get filled up with stories and images, and we convince ourselves that we see and hear and fear "things that go bump in the night."

But I also think there's something inside us that has an innate fear of the dark...

I think there's a spiritual fear, something that we feel in our souls.

Darkness somehow represents everything that is not of God. And Satan, our enemy, the great accuser, is prince of the "kingdom of darkness." However, all hope is NOT LOST!!

The cross of Jesus, His crucifixion and His resurrection, were His way of saying a resounding "NO!" to the darkness.

He is the source of light!

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" comes from the book of John:

"[Jesus] said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.' " (John 8:12)

Jesus is the source of light.

And if you believe in Jesus - that He died on the cross for your sins - and if you confess your sins, and ask Him to come into your heart as Lord of your life...then you no longer have to be afraid of this other darkness - the spiritual darkness of the soul.

You have been set free!

And as a child of God, you never need to fear darkness again, even the darkness of death, for there will be NO ETERNAL DARKNESS for the believer!!

PRAISE GOD! We will live in His light FOREVER!

Check out these wonderful passages - all about light:
  • Genesis 1:3-4
  • Psalm 18:28
  • Psalm 27:12
  • Psalm 119:105
  • John 1:4-5
  • John 12:46
  • 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:5
  • Ephesians 5:8-9
  • 1 Peter 2:9
  • 1 John 1:5, 7

BLESSED SUNDAY!


"When in doubt, search God out!"

Sunday, August 1, 2010

PSALMS - Praise the Lord!

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is so wonderful, I think I'll let it speak for itself!

(From Psalm 148, 149, and 150)

"Praise the LORD from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above!

Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being. He set them into place forever and ever...

Praise the LORD from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and hills...[animals and birds], kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and young women, old men and children.

Let them all praise the name of the LORD.

For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones - the people...who are close to him.

Sing to the LORD a new song.

For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy...Let the praises of God be in their mouths...

Praise the LORD! ...praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! ...

LET EVERYTHING THAT BREATHES SING PRAISES TO THE LORD!

Praise the LORD!"


Oh Lord, I can hardly contain myself when I think of how glorious You are! I am overwhelmed by Your majesty - humbled by the greatness of Your presence! And to know that You LOVE me...this is a wonder too wonderful to comprehend! Thank You, Lord, for Your gracious mercies, your faithfulness that is new EACH morning!

I LOVE YOU, LORD - forever!!

"When in doubt, search God out!"