Day 45 – I ❤️ you! Love, GOD.

Happy Valentine’s Day – Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 6 – 10

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,”

God loves us more than we could ever love him. When we feel alone and unloved we need to remind ourselves of this steadfast love. In return, we should love Him with all of our heart and soul and mind. That may sound difficult because of the love that we have for our friends and family already, but when we love God, He makes our heart grow bigger and bigger to love those around us more.

Moses tries to explain to the Israelites the love of God, a deep love that saved them from the bondage of the Egyptians and provided for them all their needs in the wilderness. He desires that they never forget this love, so that they never turn from Him and forget what He’s done.

Without Love we have nothing, and God is love. When people feel empty it is because they are missing God, not someone or something, BUT Him alone. He has written us the sweetest Love letter and hopes that we read it everyday, keeping it always before us. It comes across in many words, but translates to few: I ❤️ You, Please Love me, too! Never forget this love, lean on this love always, it is yours. Claim it and Exclaim it. I Love you, too, God!

Day 44 – Reflections of the past bring strength for the future.

Todays Reading: Deuteronomy 1 – 5

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’

We have made it into Deuteronomy!

As I was reading this morning I was reminded how much I love this book. Moses is at the end of his journey and he is reflecting on all that God has done through him for the Israelites. He finally comes to the realization that God isn’t going to allow him go into and partake of the Promised Land. Although he begs the Lord to reconsider, God only allows him to see it from a distance on top of the mountain.

Moses begs the Israelites to remember all that God has done and to keep the commandments of the Lord. He tells them to teach their children and their children’s children so that no one forgets.

Moses last efforts are focused on preparing a new leader, Joshua, through encouragement for the work ahead.

God gives each of us these same glimpses into the future. He prepares us with reminders from our past. He never unfolds the full picture of the future so we won’t give up on the present. He wants us to learn from our past, to change from our mistakes, and to grow our children into the future leaders we need them to be.

Sometimes not seeing the future can make us think the present isn’t all it’s cut out to be, but if we use the past as a teacher it will lead us to be the leader for those little ones of the future.

Don’t give up on the work ahead just because you can’t see the future, know that in the end it’s all worth it because God’s already won the war and has been working on the perfect place for you.

Day 43 – The path we choose leads us to our eternal inheritance.

Todays Reading: Numbers 34:1 – 36:13

Numbers 34:2 “Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders,”

As we come to the end of Numbers we reach a point where the Israelites are ready to enter the promised land but they are getting their final instructions as to the distribution of the land.

The number of family members, the decisions they’ve made, and the careers God has given them will determine the place of inheritance God has for them. Each choice they’ve made along the way has guided them along a path to where they find themselves for the duration.

Even today, the path we chose has lead us to where we are and even to where we are going. Our eternal inheritance can be so different just by making the decisions we make each day.

My path has gone in many directions, but has eventually lead me to the path of Eternity in Heaven. Isn’t that where you want to claim your inheritance?! Make sure the path you are on is leading you to the eternity you want to live. Your inheritance is waiting, but it all depends on you.

Day 42 – When you find the place for which you’ve been searching, go ahead and place your stake in the ground, and be ready to help those around you who are still searching.

Todays Reading: Numbers 31 – 33

Numbers 32:5-6 “And they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan.” But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?”

The Israelites had been out of Egypt for 40 years. Aaron had run the course God had for him and came to the end of his life on earth.

2 of the Israelite clans found that the land of Gilead and Jazer were good for livestock and that was the place God made for them. Yet this land wasn’t the land of Canaan, instead it was on the opposite side of the Jordan River. Moses questioned the peoples intention to stay, wondering if it was out of fear of the Canaanites. But the tribes of Rueben and Gad said if they could claim the land of Gilead and Jazer and start building their homes for their families they would still cross the Jordan and help the other Israelites take over the land of Canaan.

10 years ago a sweet family that my husband and I love dearly, were called to plant a church in San Francisco. They asked us to help them plant this church and we prayed about it diligently. We were at a place in our journey where we were more like nomads, unsure of where we were going just trying to be faithful. For 6 months I was almost sure we were to go to San Fran, and so my husband went on a vision trip. When he arrived back he told me how much he loved it and we could begin the process of moving out there. That very night, God spoke to me clearly and said, we were not to go, we were to stay here, for His plan for us was here.

It was a difficult decision to stay because our hearts were with our friends, but God began building a “new village” for us and was able to use us to help with their church plant from afar.

Take note of where God wants you. Maybe he is calling you to go, but maybe he is calling you to stay. Grow where He has planted you.

Day 41 – The greatest vow we ever make is the vow we keep.

Todays Reading: Numbers 28 – 30

Numbers 30:2 “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”

The Israelites were doing as we all do and vowing to do this and vowing to do that. These vows were being taken to the Lord and sometimes in secret before the Lord, so the Lord told them any vow they took needed to be kept even if it was taken in secret.

He gave one for the wives and daughters, but if the husband/father heard the vow and didn’t think it was right for them to take it they could break it. They were held accountable for the wives and single daughters. They were to use the greatest wisdom to decide whether the right decision was made. However, if a vow was taken and no one broke it, then they were held accountable to the vow they took.

A vow is made out of LOVE. Many take vows in marriage, and what the Lord has brought together no one should break, but many still do.

Vows are taken in a promise to the Lord to never do something again, and yet many times it’s so hard to keep.

15 years ago I made one vow that I will keep until I die. And that vow wasn’t to my husband, my children, or anyone else, that was a vow to the Lord, that no matter what He asked, I would always say YES. This vow would change my life forever, it would be the hardest and greatest vow to keep. It was my promise to Him. And because I Love Him more and more everyday I will keep it forever, no matter what heartbreak that may follow my yes or the pain I may go through.

Yes is my Vow!

Yes is because I know that He loves me and has great plans for me. Yes is because I know He brings about good to all those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. He feels the same way about you as He does me. Keep your vow to Him, make your yes be yes and your no….no. Remember this is a Vow of Love and we Love because He first Loved us!

Day 40 – No matter where you fall in the family line, we all have the opportunity to receive the inheritance of the Lord.

Todays Reading: Numbers 25:1 – 27:23

Numbers 27:6-7 “And the Lord said to Moses, “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.”

Moses was at the end of his life and God told him he wouldn’t be going with the rest of the people into the promised land. But it was time to divide up the land amongst the Israelites making sure each family received what was due to them.

At this time in history, the eldest son would be the one to receive the inheritance for their family. The daughters of Zelophehad had no male descendants to take ownership of the inheritance the Lord had for them, so they went to Moses and asked if they could receive the inheritance instead. God agreed that all families needed equal land no matter who in the family would receive it. So, these daughters would get the land.

When the Lord is giving us inheritance into his family and into eternity, He gives us all equal opportunities to receive this gift.

Yet, it is our choice whether we accept the gift He is willing to give us. No matter if you are the 1st, Middle, or Baby of the family, no matter if you are daddy’s little princess or mama’s baby boy, you all have the same choice before you. Will you accept your inheritance in the Kingdom of God?

Day 39 – Sometimes what our eyes see is only a shadow of the truth and it takes the Lord to open them to the whole picture.

Todays Reading: Numbers 22:1 – 24:25

Numbers 22:31 “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.”

Balak, the king of Moab, saw how the Israelites were defeating all of the kingdoms and nations that got in their way on their journey through the wilderness. Balak was beyond nervous so he called Balaam, a Holy man, to call upon the Lord on Balak’s behalf. Balak wanted God to curse the Israelites, however, Balaam went to the Lord 3 times and each time God blessed the Israelites.

On Balaam’s way to meet with Balak, the donkey he was riding halted in his tracks. Balaam couldn’t see anything and continued to get very angry, striking his donkey. God opened the mouth of the donkey and questioned Balaam on his reason for striking her. Then God opened the eyes of Balaam to see the angel of the Lord standing before him and revealed His true intentions for blessing Israel. Balaam refused to disobey the Lord on Balak’s behalf and instead, a curse was put upon the Moabites.

Often, like Balaam, our eyes only see a piece of the picture. We believe what we want to believe instead of see the whole Truth. We must ask the Lord to open our eyes to fully see. By seeking Jesus everything that was missing will be brought to Light.

Day 38 – He will strengthen me for the Journey, Opening my eyes to His Testimony, Carrying the bags of my burdens, Until we reach the land for which we are going.

Todays Reading: Numbers 17:1 – 21:35

Numbers 21:34-35 “But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.”

Now that the Israelites have set out on their 40 year journey in the wilderness, many troubles would come along their path. There would be areas of drought, but God would provide water from a rock. There would be distrust in their leadership, but God would show the true leader through a budded and blossomed staff. The original leaders would pass away, the congregation would mourn, but God would raise up other leaders in their place and comfort them in their loss. There would be battles in unexpected places, but God would lead them to and through each one.

Along each of our journeys we have the opportunity to experience this same strength , peace, comfort, guidance, and power. My own path has been burdened by abuse, miscarriage, financial loss, and eventual child loss, but God brought me to and through each one much stronger on the other side. God has carried my burdens, strengthening my walk, building my testimony that will continue until He calls me home. Everyone has their wilderness, but not everyone has God. Don’t go it alone.

Day 37 – Many are passionate about something but only some are passionate about the right thing.

Todays Reading: Numbers 12:1 – 16:50

Numbers 14:6-9 “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”

As the Super Bowl approaches in a week, for most of the US this is HUGE. Just look at the cost of advertising spots! Although I’m not as Big a fan of football as I used to be, I’m always up for a great Super Bowl party. The food, friends, fellowship, and family get me every time. However, I know many who are extremely fanatical just about the game. Their whole year revolves around football, it is their passion.

The same passion a fanatical fan shows for football is the same passion we should desire for God’s will.

When God told the Israelite men to spy out the land they were to enter, they came back with a negative report. All of them noted how the land was definitely flowing with milk and honey and some of the largest fruit they had ever seen, but 10 of them said the people of the land were too big and too strong and would overtake them if they entered. Caleb and Joshua, however, tore their clothes with Passion for the will of God, and pleaded with the people to go and conquer the land that was to be their inheritance. They confirmed that the men of the land were big, but that their God was bigger and their God would go with them and the people of the land would not be able to withstand Him.

We need the passion of Caleb and Joshua, a passion for God’s will. He won’t call us to anything that He will not conquer with us. He won’t put us in a place to fail. We all know how to be passionate about something. Let’s use that same passion for God.

Day 36 – As you set sail on the journey hold up your Shield of Faith.

Todays Reading: 9:1 – 11:35

“And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel.” Numbers 10:29.

The Israelites were prepared in every way for the journey to the promised land, but the enemy, not of flesh and blood, but of spiritual forces of evil, was out to get them.

God knew that they would be weakened by regret, doubt, and complaints, so He set some guidelines as reminders of what He had already done and He would always be with them.

The yearly Passover was to be done by all to remind them of the freedom God gave them. His cloud was to stay with them and before them reminding the Israelites that He was always there. However, even with these reminders, the congregation still found ground to complain almost as though they had lost their Faith.

As a believer, I don’t have to ask for Faith, Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Salvation, or His Word. But I can ask for MORE. God has already equipped all believers with an Arsenal of the armor of God, but it is our responsibility to lift it up on the Journey before us.

Over my lifetime, I’m more than positive that the enemy has been after to me, but I’ve declared I would NEVER let my Armor down. I have carried that shield of Faith to the battle grounds, and taken out the Sword of the Word for the fight. I’ve fastened my belt of truth and tightened my breastplate of righteousness. The helmet of salvation is protecting my head and each morning I lace up the shoes with the gospel of peace. I am readied through fasting and prayer, so each sword that is jabbed at me and each flaming arrow that comes my way fizzles out before it can even hit me.

We must stand firm in our place, no matter what we hit along the journey. God has already equipped you – take up your armor and bear your shield of faith, you are ready!