Bibledoorajar: Provoking lack of faith in Others

It was a bad situation all round for the children of Israel and their faith in their God, but it was the worst for the ten spies who returned with such a negative report. Not only did they lack faith in God to take the land, but they maliciously provoked the people of God to buy into their report. While Moses was once again able to save the lives of the Israelites with whom God had lost patience, it was immediate death by plague for the ten spies. Distinguished when they left for their foray into the land and dead within hours of promoting their report. For The two spies that believed for and gave a good report would receive wonderful rewards from God. For the people, forty years of wandering in the wilderness; one year for every day of the spying foray. The children of the ten spies lived that time period well aware of their father's sin. And the children of Israel once again had a chance to ponder how God might be their God and mighty help without performing a miracle at every turn.

I have been reflecting on the sin of the ten: PROVOKING LACK OF FAITH IN OTHERS. As I think about this, I have had to make sure of two things. How often do I lack faith in Jesus and do I then provoke others to that same lack? Over time is my faith in Christ in me a source of hope for me and others or do I rob myself and others of hope? At times like this a good worship song usually gets me back on course. And so, let me lift our faith in our God with the lyrics of the following song and remember He is. Always.

        “You’re the God of this city,
         You’re the King of this people,
         You’re the Lord of this nation, You are,
         You’re the light in this darkness,
         You’re the hope to the hopeless,
         You’re the peace to the restless, You are”
                       God of This City by Chris Tomlin

Bibledoorajar: Carnal Sense Versus Divine Voice

In Hebrews 3: 7-8 the Bible says for at least one of three times that believers must not harden their hearts and trust their own carnal sense of things if they have heard the voice of the Lord on a matter. God determined that the Land was ready to be possessed and instructed Moses to lead the people to take it. However, some human reasoning took place and the people told Moses that they thought it would be good if they sent some spies in to reconoiter the land. God told Moses that he could do so if he pleased, but God had to have been disappointed that they did not believe Him from the first. What an insult to put our confidence in the judgement of our fellow humans rather than trust in You.

Moses picked twelve of the most distinguished men from the people. They went in and came back with a report of how good the land was. However, ten of the men despaired that taking it could not be done. Caleb alone expressed the Truth, that they should go up and possess it (just as God had said). Joshua seconded him. Difficulties that were perceived as impediments to possessing the land were overlooked by the two, but the ten felt they did not have what it would take to fight for it (a fight was never asked for by God).

If you are reading this and have heard the voice of the Spirit say come, but you do not yet feel up to the battle then take heart. The battle is the Lords!!!" If He has told you to come in simple belief in His promises then there is no effort on your except to believe. If you are already a part of God's kingdom and He has spoken to you about a matter then you only need to do what He says. The battle is the Lords!

What is the Lord saying to you to believe to do today? Here is what He has asked me to pray about today. God made man male and female but as of to date men with carnal sense have determined 53 gender variations in our societies. The prayer is simple. God help your people know who they are in you believing You instead of carnal interpretations. The challenge---don't peek at the "giants" and remember the battle belongs to the Lord. God still has good things for those who hear His voice.

Bibledoorajar: Miriam Receives the Mercy of Correction

God had cleansed Miriam of her leprosy and she would live, however, He still wanted her to be placed outside the camp for seven days. All who wish to serve God must come to grips with the fact that He alone is in control. It was He who had found and selected Moses for his role as leader of the Israelites. He could carry out that role because of his great humility. It was his new nature to not place himself higher than God intended. For Miriam to have thoughts that her giftings provided by God were more than just what God knew she could carry was a great affront to God. She was placed  outside the camp for a continuing lesson in purity. God was present within the camp and when she returned it would be with the right order of things in mind.The seven days while the camp waited on her to return was a good lesson in service for everyone.

The Bible says that it is a good thing for a Christian to seek giftings from the Lord. But never in comparison to or besting another of His servants, and, never at a greater level than He knows we can humbly carry. We can do nothing without Him and to think more of ourselves is a serious error. We are all on a learning curve but the sooner we settle this question within our spirits the better.


"Now I'm in good condition
With the proper nutrition of love
I'm having sweet meditations
Since I set my affection above
Now I've been realizin
That word harmonizin's the thing
And good success is the natural privilege
Of the blood bought redeemed"
                           David Ingles

Bibledoorajar: God's Help With Evil Speech

"When a person has on the skin of his body a rising or a scab or a bright spot, and it turns into a case of leprous disease on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests,” – Leviticus 13:2

As a woman, I am sorry to say that it was Miriam that was doing the evil talking. But sadly the feminine form of the language substantiates it. And, the leprosy confirms it. And, as it is when we too do it, it emanated from her heart and revealed her hidden motives. God became so very angry because of her contempt for Moses. It was evil in his sight. Can a believer set aside fear of God and His servants as if he is beholden to no one? No, our goodness, our abilities, our all, cannot be a preoccupation for it will surely erupt in some measure of haughtiness.

Scholars tell us that biblical leprosy was linked to evil speaking. Thus, according to the verse above, a spiritual leader had to take a look at the skin to determine the source and disease progress. Action had to be taken swiftly. In Luke 17 there is the account of ten lepers who came to Jesus and asked for help. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests, according to God's requirement. As they went their leprosy turned white and they knew that they were cleansed. The evil had been dealt with by the great High Priest, Jesus.

When Aaron, the priest, looked at his sister he knew that the white scales either meant she was healed  or that she might die. Since he was involved in the sin with her, he asked Moses for help. She would not die from the disease, however, she had to stay without the camp to ensure the disease process was not infectious.

And thus it is for us. If, and when convicted, we call out our evil for what it is and confess it, our Father will forgive us. The evil will have been dealt with supernaturally. And, lastly, it is good for us to remember that believers in community are priests together. As we confess our sins one to another, we are healed according to James. Evil talk is a serious and potentially deadly disease. If not stopped, we can all die spiritually for we will surely alienate ourselves from each other. Thank God He has provided a means of healing for us. Praise Him!

Bibledoorajar: Knowing Your Limitation

One day Miriam and Aaron had one of those conversations that are deadly. They made reference to their brother and his decision to marry a Cushite woman. Somehow the decision on his part to marry the black woman lowered their opinion of him and at the same time elevated their opinion of themselves. It is such a human failing when we make ourselves look better at someone else's expense. It is especially deadly when spiritual giftings are compared. God opposes it swiftly. In the lesson we see that God summoned all three of the leaders to meet with him. God came down in a very present form and immediately confronted Aaron and Miriam in the presence of Moses. He called them forward from Moses separating him alone. He then said to the two:

“Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.
 But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.
 With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”  The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them." (Numbers 12)

It appears that the gossip of Miriam and Aaron started out along racist lines but ended up along jealousy lines. Moses had a trait that Miriam and Aaron, though faithful, did not have: humility. It allowed him to be faithful to God in ALL OF GOD'S HOUSE. Moses knew what God desired most of all and therefore he was used as he was leading Israel.  See this valuable trait expressed this way in Psalm 51: 7

"The sacrifice You desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God"

Jesus's parable about the workers is a good reminder for us. He is in charge of how he uses his workers. (Matthew 20) and His authority cannot be questioned.

"Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."
                                                                                 Song by Benjamin Dube