Reading for today: Numbers 7:48-89, 1 Corinthians 16:13-18

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave and strong.”  1 Corinthians 16:13

On Halloween it’s good to be reminded that when there is danger we know that God is on our side and that we have nothing to fear in this world if we are living in His will.  But we are called as a body of believers to support each other in our walk and faith.  Sometimes all we need is a brother or sister at our side at the right moment to find the encouragement we need to face our fears, to remind us that God is with us, and to help us look to Him rather than rely on our own feeble strength.  And sometimes all our brother or sister needs is for us to be the person with words of encouragement.  If God is with us, who can stand against us?

Reading for today: Numbers 7:1-47, 1 Corinthians 16:5-12

“And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you…” 1 Corinthians 16:6

In this passage Paul speaks of his plans and the plans of others with a lot of uncertainty.  “It may be…” “I hope to stay…” “If the Lord permits…” “If Timothy comes…” “When he has a convenient time…”  James reminds us that each day is given to us only as the Lord wills (James 4:13-17).  Thank God that Jesus speaks with authority when he promises us that He WILL be with us, that He IS coming again, and that if we confess our sins, He WILL forgive us.

Reading for today: Numbers 6:22-27, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Num. 6:24-26

Others may bless us and grant us peace, but when God does these things for us we’ll know we’ve been blessed beyond measure and we’ll have a peace that passes all understanding.  The good news is that God makes all this available to us simply by asking.  If you are troubled today, ask God for peace.  If your mood needs a boost, ask God to smile on you.  If you are being beset by the darkness of the world, ask that God shine His perfect light upon you.  And if you are struggling with sin, ask God for forgiveness, and He WILL give you grace!

Reading for today: Numbers 6:1-21, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

“The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

The world tells us that sin is fun; all sorts of sinful pursuits are glorified on television, movies, music, magazines but Paul tells us that sin is the sting of death, and that the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23).  James tells us that sin brings forth death (James 1:15).  Why is sin the sting of death?  Because if we die in our sins, the Bible tells us we must be separated from God for the remainder of eternity and suffer in Hell.  That’s a sting for which there is no salve.  Be thankful that Jesus died for our sins, and let others know that they, too, can receive the gift of God’s saving grace.

Reading for today: Numbers 5:11-31, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

“The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.” 1 Corinthians 15:47

Jesus is sometimes referred to as the Second Adam, but praise God that He is first (and always) our Lord God Almighty, and not a just a human being.  Even though the Son was made flesh like you and I, we are saved because He is the Living God with the power to grant salvation.  No mere man, no matter how revered by men, can do for us what God has done.

Reading for today: Numbers 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 15:35-44

“Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse.”You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell.” Numbers 5:2-3

The children of Israel were told to put things that would defile them outside the camp, no matter what those things were. As Christians we are faced with the same issues of heart today. Maybe its an old friend, a place we use to go or even things we use to do. God warns us to put those things outside the camp and out of our lives so that they don’t defile us or others.

Reading for today: Numbers 4:21-49, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” 1 Corinthians 15:33

I have learned that over the years, I have adapted to the behavior of my friends. I began to do what they did because it was cool. It is ok to have unsaved friends, but dont let them dictate what you do. When you influence your friends to do what you do, you are showing them who Christ is through helping others.

Reading for today: Numbers 3:40-4:20, 1 Corinthians 15:29-32

“Then the LORD said to Moses: ‘Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for Me–I am the LORD–instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.’” Numbers 3:40-41

The God of order.  The Heavens are ordered, nature is ordered, and so are His people. He has given specific orders to those He has chosen to do His will.

Reading for today: Numbers 3:1-39, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. “And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.” Numbers 3:6-7

The Levites were chosen above all other tribes to serve the Lord .They saw the work He called them to as a great privledge and blessing and served Him with their whole heart, desiring only to bring Him honor, praise and glory!  The Lord has also chosen each one of us to be a part of  His work so that the needs of the body and the work of the tabernacle will be done with that same heart today, bringing honor, praise and glory to God. Are you a part of His work?

Reading for today: Numbers 2:17-34, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

This portion of scripture is so important because it reminds us that we have a chance to live even after death. Christ came down to us and made a way for us to live by paying for our lives on the cross. Think about what you can do today to thank Christ for the gift of life that he has given to you.