NUMBERS

It is Wednesday morning, and I'm so looking forward to the day.  Tonight we have WOW Wednesdays and have been very pleased with the resulting large increase in our Mid Week attendance.  We are pushing it all summer long.  Today, I'm in the book of Numbers, and here are some highlights: 1) UPON THEIR SHOULDERS- In Numbers 7, the princes of Israel, presented six covered wagons and twelve oxen.  One wagon for two of the twelve princes of Israel, so six in all.  But of the sons of Kohath is says in verse 9:  "But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none:  because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders."  God wanted his stuff carried on sanctified shoulders.  One of those things carried would be the Ark of the Covenant.  This represented the Power, the Presence, and the Provision of God.  This was to be carried upon the shoulders of God's men.  So today, with all of our modern gadgets and conveniences, we still have to carry God's Work on the shoulders of godly men who serve as God called pastors and leaders. 2) TWELVE OFFERINGS- In Numbers 7, when they dedicated the tabernacle, the twelve princes of Israel, all taking a different consecutive day, offered four sacrifices each.  They offered a meat offering, a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offerings.  They each offered the same for each sacrifice for twelve days to dedicate the new tabernacle.  This chapters has 89 verses and covers the whole dedication of the tabernacle.  In verse 89, it says:  "... then he heard (Moses) the voice of one speaking (GOD) unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims:  and he spake unto him."  The purpose of the tabernacle was for God and man to commune.  God spoke to Moses, and Moses spoke to God.  Do we realize that is why our bodies are God's temples?   God wants to speak to us, and God wants us to speak to Him!! 3) COME AND BE BLESSED- Numbers 10:29 says:  "We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you:  come thou with us, and we will do thee good:  for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel."  This was Moses speaking unto his father-in-law.  We should be able to say to those who visit our church, "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good".  Yes, a good Bible preaching, Bible practicing Church will do anyone GOOD!! 4) 14,950- That is how many died in the rebellion of Korah, according to Numbers 16:49.  I wonder if Korah ever for one moment thought that his actions would affect others.  Our actions affect others all of the time for good or evil.  Oh that we would be ever mindful that our lives affect others all of the time.  We influence others for good or evil.  Oh dear Lord, let it be for good!! LORD, I praise you today.  I thank you for the gift of life, for the beauty of the day.  I thank you for the opportunities before me to serve you and to influence others around me for God and for good.  Oh help me dear LORD!  I humbly confess, I am not strong enough, not wise enough, not sufficient at all.  I am weak, but thou art strong.  I need thee desperately today... in my life, my family, my church, and every other area of life.  I have few answers, but thou hast all answers.  I have little faith, but that little faith is all in thee.  I have no confidence in my flesh and it's abilities, but Thou LORD.... thou art my confidence!  I love you LORD... I love you so much.  With all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.... I love you and long to love you even more.  Let me walk with you today... let me talk with you today... and let me listen as You speak to me dear LORD.  Amen!