Tuesday, March 19th: Numbers 28;16-29:40Luke 3:23-38Psalm 62:1-12Proverbs 11:18-19

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 28:16-29:40, Luke 3:23-38, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 11:18-19

Does anyone else feel exhausted reading about all the different sacrifices and celebrations? I'm so glad that we no longer have to follow all these instructions. I'd have to quit everything else I do and just focus on making sure I didn't miss anything...then again...it might keep me more focused on God instead of letting all the business of life distract me.

Psalm 62.5-8
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

These are some great words and reminders. For me the words about my honor depending on God really stood out. Sometimes I feel like I have to defend my honor to others. This verse today reminded me that regardless of what people think of me the only one who I have to prove my honor to is God. I don't need to defend myself to anyone else. And that's not always easy, especially when we want to make sure that people haven't misunderstood us. We can find rest in knowing that God is our Rock and He knows us inside and out. He knows our heart and our minds and if we work to keep those in line with Him then we don't need to worry about what others think.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 30:1-31:54, Luke 4:1-30, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 11:20-21

Monday, March 18: Numbers 26:52-28:15 Luke 3:1-22 Psalm 61:1-8 Proverbs 11:16-17 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 26:52-28:15, Luke 3:1-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 11:16-17 

Some of the things that stood out for me from today's readings were:

6 And the Lord said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 

So often, to non-believers, Christianity appears to be a religion that suppresses the rights of women. They see "submission" and "helper" as sexist, and the belief that women women are inferior is the general consensus among non-believers. But reading passages like this one show that God does value women and offers them rights and privileges equal to that of a man. Specifically the gift of salvation is freely offered to men and women.

 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Over the Christmas break, I read this book and it while it is a fictional account, it really helped me to consider the real person of John. Imagine clearly knowing that you had a job to do with direct specific instructions from God and being aggressive, passionate, and confident in your mission. In Kingsbury's book, John has a neighbour named Anne and in a different situation they may have eventually married. However, John knew his purpose and left all worldly desires behind and he confidently spoke on the errors of people's ways....including King Herod. John knew his mission and would die for the sake of it. Jesus is still mightier than anyone who came before or after him and we should be encouraged by John to share the good news with others before it's too late.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! 

Last week we experienced a snow storm and many rural divisions cancelled school and roads were closed. One of our teachers, who lives out of town, spent the night at her parent's house in anticipation of the storm. We instinctively look for ways to be safe and to find refuge in times of trouble. We make decisions about our life based on what we feel will be safe. What a comfort to know that no matter what storm of life is coming at us that we can find safety in God's presence.

17 A man who is kind benefits himself,
    but a cruel man hurts himself. 

Sometimes it appears that the wicked prosper and the godly suffer. However, earthly prosperity is fleeting and there is judgement on the actions of all eventually.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Numbers 28;16-29:40Luke 3:23-38Psalm 62:1-12Proverbs 11:18-19

Friday, March 15th: Numbers 22:21-23:30, Luke 1:57-80, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 11:12-13 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 22:21-23:30, Luke 1:57-80, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 11:12-13

As I was reading the story of Balaam and his talking donkey, I was reminded of the times I heard this story in my younger years of Sunday School. At that point in my life, I still had the “childlike faith” where it made complete sense to me that the donkey could talk. Now reading this same story, I’m more in awe of it. Imagine if your pet would suddenly speak to you! That would be pretty amazing. 

I also noticed the fact that Balaam did not give his donkey the benefit of the doubt, even after knowing him for many years. How often am I quick to overreact to a friend or family member’s comment or action? The answer is probably a lot more often than I should. We need to remember to trust our loved ones, and give everyone the benefit of the doubt, especially those we’ve known for years and years.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Thursday, March 14th: Numbers 21:1 - 22:20, Luke 1:26-56, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11 ~ Nathan

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is  Numbers 21:1-22:20, Luke 1:26-56, Psalm 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11

Numbers 21:4-5
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;
[5] they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

We've heard this complaint from the Israelites many times, after God helped them out of slavery in Egypt.

When I hear this I feel like I can't believe they would have the nerve to complain! God had done a huge miracle for them. But then I realize that I also have a negative attitude and doubt and complain as well, and what has God all done for me?!

He's done much more then I deserve and I need to be thankful.

Psalm 57:9-11
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
[10] For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. [11] 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

David was under huge stress at this time, and he still found time to think of the realty in life - to give God the praise He's due. I want God to be more of a central focus in my life at all times.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Numbers 22:21-23:30, Luke 1:57-80, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 11:12-13

Sunday, March 10th: Numbers 14:1-15:16, Mark 14:53-72, Psalm 53:1-6, Proverbs 11:4 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 14:1-15:16, Mark 14:53-72, Psalm 53:1-6, Proverbs 11:4 

Every time I read this portion of scripture I wish the ending would turn out differently. 

I want Joshua and Caleb to convince the people to trust God!

I want the people to remember all the miracles God had already done for them - the twelve plagues, parting the Red Sea, daily manna, quail from the heavens - and count on God's faithfulness once again.

I want the people to remember all the consequences they had already experienced for their sins of complaints, unbelief, and rebellion; and to fear the consequences of unbelief more than the giants of the land.

I want the 70 elders to speak up and declare God's faithfulness and might, and to turn the tide of unbelief.

But they don't. 

And the consequences are huge!  They are banned from entering the Promised Land.  All the miracles that came before, that brought them to the edge of what they were promised, and because of their unbelief they can go no further.  Instead, they wander the desert until they begin to die off one by one.

(I realized that Joshua and Caleb would've been around 20 years older than the next youngest people by the time they entered the Promised Land.  That must have been very strange, particularly after enjoying the wisdom of Moses - who was about 40 years older than them.)

May we not make the same mistakes!

May we be purposeful about remembering God's faithfulness in the past - both to ourselves personally, and to those around us, or even Biblical events.

And may we be determined to trust in God's faithfulness now, no matter how dire the circumstances may seem.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15:1-47, Psalm 54:1-7, Proverbs 11:5-6

Friday, March 8th: Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

• Psalm 51:17

We believe that God has grace for everyone, that no matter what they’ve done they can find restoration from God. But even though we believe this for everyone else, sometimes we find it hard to believe in for ourselves. Sure, we know that God has grace for us, but it’s hard to believe it sometimes.

This scripture reminds us that God will not reject a broke and repentant heart. No matter what you’ve done, He still has grace for you, and He still loves you.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32

Numbers 8:1 - 9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30 

Numbers 9:8
Moses answered, "Wait here until I have received instructions for you from the Lord."

This verse made me think, I was surprised Moses didn't have an answer ready, or that God hadn't let Moses know the answer ahead of time.

It seems like over the last number of weeks we've read about how the Israelites were to deal with almost any kind of situation, but this one seems to have caught Moses off guard or unsure of what to say.

It was wise of Moses to pull back and wait for God to give him advice, rather then to go ahead and do what he thought.

We also don't need to have every possible future situation in life figured out ahead of time, we can't in fact, we're only human. We need to prepare, but more importantly we need to go to God at all times for advice and wisdom - and sometimes wait for Him to give us advice.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32 

Wednesday, March 6th: Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28

Numbers 6:22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

24 ‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’

I've always loved this blessing.  I appreciated these words about these verses.....

This prayerful blessing is packed with meaning for worshipers and divides into six parts:

May the Lord Bless You...

Here, the blessing summarizes the covenant between God and his people. Only in relationship with God, with him as our Father, are we truly blessed.

...And Keep You

God's protection keeps us in covenant relationship with him. As the Lord God kept Israel, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, who will keep us from getting lost.

The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You...

God's face represents his presence. His face shining upon us speaks of his smile and the pleasure he takes in his people.

...And Be Gracious to You

The result of God's pleasure is his grace toward us. We don't deserve his grace and mercy, but because of his love and faithfulness, we receive it.

The Lord Turn His Face Towards You...

God is a personal Father who pays attention to his children as individuals. We are his chosen ones.

...And Give You Peace. Amen.

This conclusion affirms that covenants are formed for the purpose of securing peace through a right relationship. Peace represents well-being and wholeness. When God gives his peace, it is complete and eternal.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30

Tuesday, March 5th: Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Mark 12:30-31

I love these verses and our whole job as Christians is summed up in these 2 verses. I'll never forget the day that they became so very clear to me. Micah was around 5 or 6 and he was struggling with all the rules. He was frustrated and said there were so many rules to remember and Cam stopped and said "Micah, there are really only 2 rules you have to remember. One, love the Lord your God with all your heart. And two, Lover your neighbor as you do yourself. If you do those 2 things then you will have followed all the other "rules"."

There is such wisdom in what he said. Sometimes is hard to follow all the rules but when you stop and think about it if you are focusing on loving others and treating them the way you want to be treated then there is nothing else you need to remember.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28

Friday, February 23rd: Numbers 19-21; Hebrews 7 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 19-21; Hebrews 7

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” - Hebrews‬ ‭7:19‬

The good deeds we do are not what draws us closer to God. Only when we let Jesus change our hearts, and when we have hope and believe in Him and His promises, that is when we draw closer to God. It is through Christ that we have been saved, not through anurging we have done.

Thank you, Jesus, that your love and mercy save us everyday.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 22-24; Hebrews 8

Monday, February 19: Numbers 7-9, Hebrews 3 by Kaden

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Numbers 7-9, Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3:4 says, "For every house was built by someone, but the builder off all things is God."
    I often find myself telling myself that my talents and accomplishments were done on my own doing, but I should take a step back and give God the glory he deserves, because he created all things, which includes me as well.

Hebrews 3:16 states, "For those who heard and yet rebelled?, was it not those who left Egypt led by Moses?"
    Here we are told to listen for God's voice and do as He says, because his plans are greater than ours, if Moses decided to not trust God's plan and not take God's people out of Egypt's slavery, then no one would have been able to be free, we all need to listen for God, and trust his plan and dive head first in his ways.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 10-12, Hebrews 4

Friday, February 16th: Numbers 1-3; Hebrews 1 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 1-3; Hebrews 1

“He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.” - ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:10‬

I often think that if I could go back in time to watch any part of history, it would be when God created the earth. That must’ve looked so incredibly amazing! Imagine God whipping planets across the galaxy, or molding the sun with His hands, or carefully placing very single detail into all of His creation.

It’s good to take a step back sometimes, and just think about how amazing God is. We often mention “prayer requests” when we talk to God, but it’s also important to praise Him in our prayers, and acknowledge Him for the amazing works He has done.

Thank you, God, for being so incredibly awesome. Help us to soak that in today. You are absolutely amazing.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 4-6; Hebrews 2

Monday, March 6th: Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31 ~ Kezia

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Our life here on earth so very short. Although it might seem as though minutes are passing as hours, and the week is dragging on forever, this earthly life is so small in the big picture. 

If you take a long rope that extends forever and ever, and you tie a small knot at the very beginning of this rope, that is your whole entire life on earth. Just the length of that small knot. The rest of the rope is either everlasting life with God in heaven, or death in hell. Human life usually lasts around 80 years, yet all those years only account for less than an inch on your everlasting rope of life. The choice of where we want to go for the rest of the time on our rope is ours to make. 

Sometimes it may feel as though being a Christian is hard, unfair, and not as fun, and we often let ourselves believe it's not worth it. Let's remember why we live differently and stand out from the crowd. 

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.31

Jesus reminds us that when we suffer even the hardest of days here on earth, we will be given so much more in heaven. Why would we want temporary riches on earth when can have everlasting riches in heaven?


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Deuteronomy 1-3; Mark 10:32-52

Sunday, March 5th: Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands." - Mark 9:43

If there is an area or person or thing in my life that is causing me to sin, I need to cut it out of my life. I might love it, but if it pulls me away from Jesus then it is not good and I need to get rid of it.

God, help me to get rid of whatever is keeping me from having a fully devoted relationship with you. Amen. 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 35-36; Mark 10:1-31

Saturday, March 4th: Numbers 29-31; Mark 9:1-29 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 29-31; Mark 9:1-29

I believe, help my unbelief!

Summary of thoughts, and quotes are from this sermon......

I am a lifelong believer in Jesus Christ.

I am also a lifelong unbeliever.

When I think of my sins, I'm not sure He will forgive me. When I feel the power of old habits, I wonder if He can free me from them. When assuring others they can become new creatures in Christ, I often doubt that I can be re-made in His Image.
I think most of us are in the same boat.

It's hard to have faith that is unwavering. There are many forces at work to undermine our faith.  Satan doesn't want us to believe.  The world doesn't want us to believe.  Even our own flesh (the imperfect part of us, not yet sanctified) doesn't want us to believe.

All true for the father in this story.  Plus a few more roadblocks.  His son was extremely sick, and had been extremely sick for a very long time.  His own prayers for his son's healing had failed, and even the disciples hadn't been able to heal him.  He had reason to doubt.

Even the little faith the man had was given him by God (just as all faith is - we cannot believe on our own).  Jesus knew his faith was small, and He called him out on it.  And yet He still loves those who suffer with un-belief, or weak belief, or half-belief. And He wants to encourage that faith, and show us that it is well founded.

Jesus took this man's small faith, and He uses it.

He will do the same for you and me.  When we confess the smallness of our faith and ask Him for help, He will honour that request!  

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 32-34; Mark 9:30-50

Friday, March 3rd: Numbers 26-28; Mark 8 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 26-28; Mark 8

This has been a bad posting week for me!  Once again, I forgot about my day to post, and then I left for hockey provincials....  Anyway, here it is finally.

I didn't get very far into our Numbers passage before I came to a verse that made me stop and investigate a bit more thoroughly.  And what I found was an amazing picture of redemption, forgiveness, and grace.

Numbers 26:9-11 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram,chosen from the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning. 11 But the sons of Korah did not die.

I thought the sons of Korah died.  Didn't the Bible say their entire households were swallowed up by the earth?  Not quite. Going back to Numbers 16 we find......

27 So they got away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, their sons, and their little ones...... 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods.
Notice that verse 27 specifically talks about the wives and children of Dathan and Abiram, but does not say the same about Korah.  The ESV talks about the "people who belonged to Korah", while the NASB says the "men" who belonged to Korah.

And our passage today confirms it again - the sons of Korah did not die.

Why not?

We don't know for sure.  Perhaps Korah's adults sons were faithful to God, and did not support their father's rebellion - this would be in line with other passages that speak on God not holding the sins of the fathers against the sons. Or perhaps God showed unmerited grace to these sons.  We don't know for sure.

But what we do know is that it is is a beautiful picture of redemption, grace and forgiveness.  The sons of Korah received their positions back, and more!  Further in the biblical narrative, we see the sons of Korah given greater responsibility by King David, and they also become poets, writing several of the Psalms.

I found a commentary that pointed out this detail I had never connected to this before.......
Every so often these psalms of Korah’s sons take an autobiographical turn that leaves me breathless with wonder at the profound gratitude rising from the image itself. I discovered one of these treasures just recently. I was reflecting on Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way…”

A strong metaphor…for anyone except the sons of Korah. For them, the earth actually once had given way. The earth moved so decisively that it swallowed up their entire disaffected family. In writing Psalm 46, might they have been living in the memory of their familial rescue? In some dramatic fashion that remains veiled in this family’s history, God had been their refuge and strength on a day when the earth really did open up. So now, when I hear the Sons of Korah say there is no cause to fear—even in the midst of unprecedented human trauma—I listen with different ears.
And from now on, so will I!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 29-31; Mark 9:1-29

Thursday, March 2th: Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37 ~ Deena

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37

Mark 7:24 He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.

Are you living completely for Jesus? Is the love of Christ so obvious in your life that those who know you realize  that you are a follower of the One who "could not be hidden"? If so, the world will readily see that you are on God's side. Your influence cannot be hidden. (Henry G. Bosch)

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 26-28; Mark 8

Wednesday, March 1st: Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:1-13 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:1-13

Totally I forgot I was going to do today's post for Nathan - oops!

In our OT passage today we see Moses react in anger towards the Israelites constant complaining (quite understandably it seems to me!), and in the process he disobeys God, forfeiting the privilege of entering the Promised Land.

Perhaps this punishment seems extreme to us.  I know I have often thought so.  Why was this punishment so severe?

This site says.....
What did Moses do that warranted such a severe penalty from the Lord? First, Moses disobeyed a direct command from God. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff. Second, Moses took the credit for bringing forth the water. Notice how in verse 10 Moses says, "Must we [referring to Moses and Aaron] bring you water out of this rock?" Moses took credit for the miracle himself, instead of attributing it to God. Third, Moses committed this sin in front of all the Israelites. Such a public example of direct disobedience could not go unpunished. Fourth, it seems that God had intended to present a type of Christ in this circumstance. The water-giving rock is used as a symbol of Christ in 1 Corinthians 10:4. The rock was struck once in Exodus 17:6, just like Christ was crucified once (Hebrews 7:27). Moses’ speaking to the rock in Numbers 20 was to be a picture of prayer; instead, Moses angrily struck the rock, in effect, crucifying Christ again. His punishment for disobedience, pride, and the misrepresentation of Christ’s sacrifice was that he was barred from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12).

Maybe not such a small deal after all.

But truthfully?  God doesn't need to prove Himself to me. My initial thought that it was a severe and unjust penalty shows my sinful nature.  First of all, to even think that anything God does is unjust or severe is sinful.  Secondly, it shows how easy it is, from this side of history and the cross, to presume upon God's mercy.  The instant we begin to think we somehow deserve mercy, is the moment we realize we do not understand the huge chasm that exists between God's holiness and our sinfulness.

We deserve instant death for only one of our sins. Every moment we continue to breathe is a moment God extends mercy to us.

God showed mercy to Moses.  He didn't kill him on the spot, He most certainly didn't banish Him from heaven for all eternity. Instead, He barred him from entering the Promised Land - an act that was both just and merciful.

May we daily (sometimes hourly!) be reminded to be purposefully mindful of (and thankful for!) God's mercy and grace.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Numbers 23-25; Mark 7:14-37

Tuesday, February 28th: Number 17-19, Mark 6:30-56 ~ Jody

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Numbers 17-19, Mark 6:30-56

The New Testament passage today takes us to the wonderful story of God's provision for us, "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand". I love the lesson I found here.

Jesus called for the bread and fish to be brought to Him (Matthew 14:18). He then gave thanks for the meal, broke the bread, and gave it to His disciples to give to the crowd. Amazingly, the entire multitude was fed with that small meal. Jesus provided “as much as they wanted” (John 6:11), and “they all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 14:20). Christ did not just meet the need; He lavished them with so much food that there were “twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish” left over (Mark 6:43).

God will shatter the pint-sized expectations of what His followers can do if they would learn to bring Him what they have already been given. “Little is much when God is in it.” When Christians are willing to offer their lives sacrificially, relinquishing their hold on whatever God has given them in terms of time, money, talents, etc., God will use these ordinary things to create extraordinary things. Christians must never believe their resources are too little to serve God. God delights in taking a humble, seemingly insignificant person and using him or her for His glory (see 1 Corinthians 1:27).


God wants to lavish us with good things, if we just submit all we are to Him. Our human nature so often thinks that to give up our life for Him means loss, but in reality, it will result in a life overflowing with extraordinary!!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:1-13

Monday, February 27th: Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Numbers 15-16; Mark 6:1-29

In our Numbers passage today we read about an incident that shows just how blind we can be to the sin in our lives, as well as a beautiful picture of Christ.

Korah and the other ringleaders of a rebellion against Aaron's authority and supernaturally destroyed, along with their entire families, by God in an earthquake-like event.

250 more rebels are also killed by a fire sent from God.

And then the very next day, the people ______?   After hearing what happened the day before, how would you expect that sentence to end?  Maybe that the people worshiped in gratefulness?  Maybe that they brought extra offerings of thanksgiving?  Maybe that they turned out in full support of their clearly God-given leadership?

Nope.

The people complained and blamed their leaders for the destruction of the rebels!

At this point, God has had enough, and sends a plague that kills over 14,000 of the sinful Israelites.

A plague that was only stopped when Aaron, the high priest, the very target of all this hate and envy, steps in and stands in the gap between life and death, offering atonement for the sin of the people in order to stop the wrath of God, in an act of unmerited love and mercy.

A beautiful, though obviously imperfect, picture of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is our perfect atonement, who took the wrath of God upon Himself when He died on the cross, to stand in the gap between eternal life and death, in the ultimate act of unmerited love and mercy.

What is our response to Him?


In our NT passage, we read the story of John the Baptist publicly calling out King Herod on his sin, resulting in his imprisonment and eventual beheading.  Will we, like John, stand up to a culture that is hostile to biblical truth, no matter the cost?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Numbers 17-19; Mark 6:30-56