NUMBERS

Today is Saturday and soon, I will be speaking at a Men's Meeting and then be attending our newly scheduled Saturday Outreach.  We are looking for a great crowd of people looking to go out reaching others today.  Tomorrow, I can report on what happened.  I finished up Numbers today, and here are a few items to share: 1) NOT MY MIND, BUT HIS-Numbers 24:13  "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?"  Balaam knew that he could not speak his mind, but he had to speak whatever GOD told him to speak.  He had to speak the mind of God about Israel and so... he blessed them!  Balak had hired him to curse Israel, but this prophet knew that God's mind was all he could speak and still be a prophet.  The Bible says:  "but we have the mind of Christ."  Then let us also be speaking HIS mind, not ours! 2) ORDINATION- Numbers 27:18  "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;'  Here we see the ordination of Joshua by Moses.  We also see where the practice of the laying on of hands for ordination came from.  We see it first here, and then later in the New Testament.  Now for the effect of the laying on of hands, you have to look at verse 20:  "And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient."  The purpose was to put some of your spirit and honor into another man.  What a joy it is to be ordained into the Gospel ministry.  Joshua too was greatly used of God as we will see. 3) KEEP YOUR WORD-Numbers 30:2  "If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." God wants us to be a people of His Word, because HE is a God of His Word.  He wants His children to reflect His character.  He is an unchanging God who keeps His Word, and so we too are to keep our word!  We are a reflection of his character.  Let us reflect Him well! Hope you have a blessed day!   Pastor Mike Mutchler Dr. Mike Mutchler - Pastor  Grand View Baptist Church 14855 S. Leland Road Beavercreek, OR 97004 tel: 503-348-6090