SCRIPTURE: Numbers 28
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” [Mark 1:35]
Jesus models the spirit of these sacrifices by starting His day first thing with God.
These sacrifices — offered at the beginning and end of the day, every seventh day, the first day of every month, the annual remembrance of Israel’s new beginnings (Passover) and the annual celebration of the first crops –- highlight how life begins (and ends) with the Lord.
He is the first, He is the source, He is the beginning.
The humble, submissive heart recognizes this, and lives accordingly.
Starting each day, each activity, each celebration, each event, with prayer – or better, with expressed dependence on the Lord – reveals the humble, submissive heart. Continue reading putting God first

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” [Matthew 9:36-38].
We serve a compassionate God.
Jesus, Who shows us what God is like, embodies the love and mercy of God.
He is concerned for everyone, no matter what their background, story, race, sin, gender, age, etc.
He sees the whole mass of the human race as sheep needing a shepherd. Continue reading working with the Lord of the harvest

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [John 21:15]
Todays reading from Numbers speaks of a new beginning.
Forty years have passed, now is the time to prepare to enter the promised land.
This is a new beginning, a new people, God is graciously giving them another chance.
Jesus follows in this grace, by giving Peter another chance to serve Him too, even though he denied Jesus.
God is a God of second (and more) chances. Continue reading the God of second chances

Recently I have been struggling with Crossroads’ future.
We’ve been working here for three years, and yet we are struggling financially, and our weekly attendance is slowly going down, and there are still few kids coming to our Sunday morning KidZone…
And yet we are a part of some amazing opportunities in the school where we meet – Gym Nights, Family Fun Day, Healthy Snacks, volunteering, supporting struggling families, hosting Serve – we are definitely fulfilling our ministry goal of blessing the students, staff and families of Bolton C. Falby Public School.
As we head into another ‘partnership campaign’ where we invite people to commit and invest in our mission and vision, do I have the hope and strength to persevere for another year?
Last month I was drifting towards a negative answer, when God spoke to me loud and clear. Continue reading one more year

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 25
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” [Luke 4:13].
Like Israel, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness too.
The devil came at Him with 3 different temptations, but Jesus stood firm [Luke 4:1-13].
But notice that the devil didn’t quit, his rationale is, ‘give it time, I’ll find His weakness’.
Satan tries to defeat Israel with a curse [Numbers 23-24], but when that doesn’t work, he entices them with sexual pleasure – and succeeds.
If he can’t get us one way, he will try another.
Satan doesn’t care how he brings us down, he just keeps at it. Continue reading one way or another

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 24
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’ [Matthew 2:1-2]
The words of Balaam about a coming king [Numbers 24:7,17] remind me of the words of the wise men from the east, also sorcerers (star-gazers, astrologers), who recognize the coming of God’s appointed king.
God speaks to (and through) those who practice “sorcery” [Numbers 24:1] and “astrology” (Matthew 2:1-2).
God is not justifying these practices [Leviticus 19:26], but showing that He rules even over pagan gods and religions. Continue reading pagan missionaries?

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 23
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. [John 12:46]
Jesus comes on behalf of the God of the universe, shedding the light of truth to all people (not just the Jews), so that they can turn to God and find life.
When the Jewish leaders challenge Him because of His words (think of Balak challenging Balaam), Jesus replies, For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” [John 12:49-50]
Jesus, like Balaam, can only say what God tells Him to say.
And we would do well to listen. Continue reading curses or blessings

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 22
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. [Luke 22:3-5]
Satan knows our weakness, whether greed or lust or pride, and will try to divert us away from doing what the Lord wants us to do.
At first glance, Balaam seems to be on the right track.
When asked to put a curse on Israel, he heeds God’s warning and refuses.
When enticed with wealth, he still refuses: Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. [Numbers 22:18] Continue reading the devil’s diversions

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” [John 3:14-15].
Is the symbol of a snake, lifted up dead for all to see, symbol of judgment or grace?
The serpent on the pole is a symbol of the hope that comes through rejecting sin and receiving God.
The serpent (representing the curse of sin, suffering, death) is crucified, so to speak, which is symbolic for repentance and hope in the Lord. Continue reading resisting or resting

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 20
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jesus teaches, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” [Luke 6:27-28].
How do we handle criticism, opposition, disagreement?
How we respond can help or hinder our testimony to Jesus.
Anger, revenge, bitterness are not healthy responses to opposition.
Moses’ response to the grumbling of Israel is anger. Continue reading responding like Jesus