“At the Lord’s Command”

Last updated on: February 21, 2024 at 9:50 am By Rick Rice

The Israelites saw God’s presence in “the Lord’s cloud”; that enabled them to know the Lord’s command. But “knowing” and “doing” are two different things! Scripture: Numbers, chapters 8-9; Acts, chapter 28 Numbers 9:15-23 (CEB): On the day the dwelling was erected, the cloud covered the dwelling. At night until morning, the cloud appeared with lightning over the dwelling. It was always there. The cloud covered it by day, appearing with lightning at night. Whenever the cloud ascended from the... Read more

The Lord Bless You and Keep You

Last updated on: February 19, 2024 at 10:52 am By Rick Rice

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In Numbers 6, God tells Moses to have the priests bless the people. The first line of that blessing is, “The Lord bless you and keep you.” How does God want to bless us? Scripture: Numbers, chapters 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts, chapter 26 Numbers 6:22-27 (CEB): The Lord spoke to Moses: Tell Aaron and his sons: You will bless the Israelites as follows. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on... Read more

Immigrants and Foreign Guests

Last updated on: February 15, 2024 at 10:00 am By Rick Rice

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Leviticus 25 reminds us that the land belongs to God; we are just “immigrants and foreign guests” here. How should that influence how we live? Scripture: Leviticus, chapter 25; Psalms 25-26; Acts, chapter 22 Leviticus 25:23 (CEB): The land must not be permanently sold because the land is mine. You are just immigrants and foreign guests of mine. Observations: “The Land Is Mine” In yesterday’s post (“Clean Hands and a Pure Heart”) I reflected on the fact that “the earth... Read more

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

Last updated on: February 14, 2024 at 10:15 am By Rick Rice

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Who can stand in God’s presence? Psalm 24 tells us, “those with clean hands and a pure heart.” But what exactly does that mean? Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts, chapter 21 Psalm 24 (CEB): The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too. Because God is the one who established it on the seas; God set it firmly on the waters. Who can ascend the Lord’s mountain? Who can stand in his... Read more

Changing Hearts and Lives

Last updated on: February 13, 2024 at 11:52 am By Rick Rice

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God’s grace means more than “just” forgiveness. Paul says that the message of grace means changing hearts and lives! Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 20-22; Acts, chapter 20 Acts 20:17-24 (CEB): From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus calling for the church’s elders to meet him. When they arrived, he said to them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time I was with you, beginning with the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. I served... Read more

Faith in Hard Times

Last updated on: February 12, 2024 at 11:06 am By Rick Rice

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All of us face difficult, even overwhelming, challenges in our lives. How do we hold to our faith in hard times? Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts, chapter 19 Psalm 13 (CEB): How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long will I be left to my own wits, agony filling my heart? Daily? How long will my enemy keep defeating me? Look at me! Answer me, Lord my... Read more

Overflowing with Joy

Last updated on: February 6, 2024 at 1:05 pm By Rick Rice

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The world calls us to “be happy.” On the other had, God invites us to be overflowing with joy. What’s the difference? Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 1-3; Acts, chapter 13 Acts 13:44-52 (CEB): On the next Sabbath, almost everyone in the city gathered to hear the Lord’s word. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were overcome with jealousy. They argued against what Paul was saying by slandering him. Speaking courageously, Paul and Barnabas said, “We had to speak God’s word... Read more

“Convincing Proofs”

Last updated on: January 25, 2024 at 12:44 pm By Rick Rice

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Christian faith is not a matter of mere knowledge or information. Acts 1 talks about “convincing proofs” of the resurrection. What convincing proofs are present in us? Scripture: Exodus, chapters 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts, chapter 1 Acts 1:1-11 (CEB): Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus... Read more

“Your Dull Minds”

Last updated on: January 24, 2024 at 8:57 am By Rick Rice

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On the road to Emmaus, Jesus chastised two disciples for their “dull minds.” How can we allow God to sharpen our dull minds? Scripture: Exodus, chapters 9-11; Luke, chapter 24 Luke 24:13-32 (CEB): The Things About Jesus On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their... Read more

“Their Voices Won Out”

Last updated on: January 23, 2024 at 10:53 am By Rick Rice

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Pilate was ready to release Jesus, but the crowd shouted him down. “Their voices won out.” How do we avoid being led astray by the voices of the crowd? Scripture: Exodus, chapters 6-8; Luke, chapter 23 Luke 23:13-25 (CEB): Then Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers of the people. He said to them, “You brought this man before me as one who was misleading the people. I have questioned him in your presence and found nothing in... Read more

Which book of the Bible contains the story of Balaam’s talking donkey?