“…and you grumbled in your tents” (Deuteronomy 1:27a)

         When I think of the Israelites grumbling and complaining about God in the wilderness, the image I always have had is one of public complaining to Moses, but Deuteronomy 1 reminds us that the voices in the tents were just as much a problem.

         Complaining is contagious.  When we complain in our tents, our families may be the ones who hear it, but the discontent infects them, too.  If left unchecked, grumbling has a way of spreading from tent-to-tent and pew-to-pew.  Be careful what you grumble about; bad attitudes are catchy.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 35-36; Deuteronomy 1-5; Psalm 19; Proverbs 19 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike.” (Deuteronomy 1:17)

         It is so very hard to avoid partiality.  We all are naturally influenced by the stature of others, whether physical size or size of personality.  Unfortunately, big voices aren’t always right, and sometimes the smallest voices are the ones which need to be heard the most.

         When Moses appointed judges for Israel, they had to have hearts for truth and eyes which wouldn’t be biased for the rich above the poor or the powerful above the weak.  Good judgment comes from listening to all parties great and small.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 35-36; Deuteronomy 1-5; Psalm 19; Proverbs 19

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.” (Proverbs 19:19)

You can save someone from a lot of things, but their own anger is not one of them.  Don’t enable angry people.  If someone gets away with throwing a temper tantrum because everyone around guards their ego and allows their fits, the only lesson they learn is that anger gets them what they want.

Angry people need to bear the consequences of their own outrage, so they can grow.  We don’t endure tantrums from children, and we shouldn’t from adults either.  Let the angry man fail… the sooner he learns, the better.

And if you happen to be an angry person yourself – note: nobody can control your anger but you.  It isn’t an external problem – it is an internal one.

“for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” (James 1:20)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 35-36; Deuteronomy 1-5; Psalm 19; Proverbs 19 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die.”  (Proverbs 19:16)

A careless man only worries about following the rules after the consequences come calling.  We should not be surprised when we are thoughtless with our choices, our outcomes look like somebody wasn’t thinking things through.

God’s rules are there for a reason.  His commandments are a safeguard against stupid – specifically ours.  Follow His rules, and you can count on success.  Be a sloppy servant, and the results will speak for themselves.

Expect excellence from your Christianity.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 35-36; Deuteronomy 1-5; Psalm 19; Proverbs 19

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11)

Discretion is a superpower.  It is the ability to decide for yourself what will be done in a specific situation.  You don’t have to lose your temper.  You don’t have to give up control to the injustice of it all.

The man of discretion glories in his ability to rise above circumstances. The discrete woman chooses how she will react to life.  My fate will not be decided by others.  I refuse to be a victim to others’ foolishness or reveal more than I deem fit.

Discretion chooses when and where to fight the battle and if it needs to be fought at all.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 35-36; Deuteronomy 1-5; Psalm 19; Proverbs 19

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:23)

Your Instagram followers are your audience, not your friends.  Some of them might be both, but they probably aren’t all both.  Friends stick close long after the highlight reel fades.

If your sense of self-worth is dependent upon your audience – it will ruin you.  Alone in a crowd is still alone.  Real friends are those who encourage your faith, stand by you when you fall, and are unafraid to push you to be better.  Jesus is your friend.  Spend more time with Him and His people, and you will be stronger for it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 27-34; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

Marriage is a good thing.  Commitment between two faithful people is a good thing.  A man finding a woman who respects him and a woman finding a man who loves her is a good thing.

The devil wants us to think of God’s definition of marriage as some sort of archaic, homophobic, unenlightened, and foolish tradition.

It’s not tradition.  It’s truth.  And it’s a good thing.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  So they are no longer two but one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:7-9)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 27-34; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“…and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

When Reuben and Gad promised to continue to fight for the Promised Land even though they had already settled themselves in their own territory, Moses warned them that their promise must be upheld.

         If they sinned by retreating or not fulfilling their vow, it would be a sin… and he adds that their sins would definitely find them out.  Sins have a way of doing that.  We think we are getting away with something, but in truth, all sin comes at a cost, and there are always consequences. 

         Hidden sin is never really hidden.  It is just festering under the surface like a gangrene.  The only answer is to cut it out, confess it, and start fresh.  Otherwise, that sin will come hunting for your life when you least expect it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 27-34; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Numbers 30:2)

         Vows, oaths, and giving your word – these are all different ways of saying the same thing.  Your word is a binding obligation.  You are tied to what you say.  Words aren’t just air transferred across vocal chords; they come from the heart, and they mean something.

         Be careful what you promise to God and to man.  Your word binds you.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 27-34; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The daughters of Zelophehad are right in their statements.  You shall surely give them hereditary possession…” (Numbers 27:7)

         When Zelophehad’s daughters asked for an inheritance because their father had no sons to pass the family land on to, God acknowledged their request and agreed.

         This may seem like a small thing, but it is HUGE!  God changed His plans based upon the request of honest women.  Not only is God approachable, but He is also reasonable.  This principle carries forward to our prayers, today.  Your prayers can change the mind of God.  Sometimes, God is just waiting for His people to ask in order to respond.

         Also, those who would condemn the Bible as being anti-women – this story of Zelophehad’s daughters is found deep within the heart of the Old Testament.  It is only one of many, many times that God has used women to fulfill His will and treated them with respect in the process.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Numbers 27-34; Psalm 18; Proverbs 18 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision