Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday February 22, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read Numbers Chapters 21-22 in your Bible. You can also read them here by clicking on the link or copying and pasting this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2021-22&version=9

Today's Message: Judgment From Disbelief
Many people do not realize that discouragement leads God to think that we do not believe that He can take care of us. This is actually a sin and leads to suffering.

The Israelites were near their last encampment and would soon cross the Jordan River to enter into the promised land. Some of them had been children when they left Egypt with their parents, others were born in the wilderness. As they approached the Red sea they became discouraged and once again began complaining. This time their unbelief caused death by fiery serpents. "And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died." (Numbers 21:4-6). The Israelites were foolish to think that God would have taken them so close to the promised land and not provide a way from them to get there. So many people today suffer severely because of their unbelief.

Once the Israelites realized their sin they went to Moses and asked him to pray to
God. "Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." (21:7-9). The response to Moses' prayer was immediate and the people left were once again saved from death. The brass serpent was a symbol both of God's judgment against their sin and of His mercy and love for all who repented and truly believed in Him.

God is loving and faithful and in no way does He want us to suffer. Many people ask why there is so much suffering in the world if He is so loving. The reason is unbelief and rebellious lifestyles. In fact God rather you not know Him at all then to say you do and ignore Him. It is as if you had a child and the child wants nothing to do with you. "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16). God will not acknowledge anyone who has lukewarm feelings toward Him.

We are all children of God whether we choose to believe that or not, but the truth is that the majority of people who know God exists refuse to know Him because they do not want to give up their worldly lifestyles. We can not live for the world and for God, too many people try to do just that and unfortunately have no one to blame except themselves when they are faced with God's judgment. "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:13)

Now, on occasion God will send us trials which seem like judgment, but they are tests to strengthen and increase our faith in Him. " And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (II Corinthians 12:9-10).

Today's Psalm: 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
thank you for your plan for our lives. You are the one, sovereign God, and you are all powerful in every aspect of our lives. We want to turn it all over to you, but there are parts of us, that we're so reluctant to release. We might not even know what it is that we're holding on to, but we can feel that part of our flesh is ruling us more than it should. Holy Spirit, sweep through us. Help us to see what it is that we're unable to let go of, and then minister to our hearts so that we can trust you in that area. Speak to us through your word today as we study. Show us something new about yourself or our relationship with you. In Jesus' name.............Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed Lords Day.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net