Today I’m just going to share some thoughts I had on some verses from Numbers and Mark.
Scorning the Blessing
5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!
Numbers 11:5-6 (NIV)
Although I’ve written about it before, I am always still amazed when I read about how the Israelites saw their time in Egypt as being something great and worthy of pining for. We could consider it nostalgia, but I don’t think so. It’s too soon. I think there’s something more there. A view into the nature of sin? Our flesh and sinful nature can never be satisfied. It always wants more, and as we see here in verse 6, it can even cause us to despise the blessings of God. I’m reminded of what Jesus said about trying to serve two masters in Matthew.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Jesus wasn’t just talking about money like some might think. Anything we allow to have rule over us becomes a “master.” We could look at the Israelites scornfully and rebuke them for despising the miracle of the manna that appeared every day with the dew (except the Sabbath), but we can be no different if we allow ourselves to be mastered by anything, not of God. Just because our blessings don’t show up with the dew each day doesn’t make them any less a blessing, or miracle from God.
God Is Here and There, and There…
However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders but did not go out to the tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp.
Numbers 11:26 (NIV)
Earlier in this chapter, Moses was lamenting to God about the burden he carried in supporting the Israelites, so the Lord tells him to gather 70 elders, and bring them to Him so they can share in the burden. However, only 68 of them show up, receive a portion of the Spirit, prophesy, and then stop. These two men, Eldad and Medad, for whatever reason, didn’t go with the other 68 elders, yet the Spirit still came upon them as it did the others.
We know God is omnipresent, but do we believe it? I’m an advocate for going to church. I believe we should assemble together as Christians. I often hear this verse from Hebrews quoted when people aren’t going to church.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
I also know that some people believe they can “miss” their blessing if they don’t go to church or to any other gathering of Believers. I’m sure I’ve mentioned this in passing before, but it’s worthy of repeating. There are many ways to be blessed. We each have blessings that are just for us from God. If God tells us he’s going to bless us, then he will. In the case of the 70 elders, they were all supposed to meet together, but they didn’t. All were blessed regardless of where they were because God is faithful. I don’t believe we can miss the blessing that God has just for us.
I don’t see a blessing as something we can earn. It’s God’s favor, mercy, and grace. I do remember Esau, who despised his blessing and sold it to Jacob. Esau’s blessing wasn’t earned. It was a gift for the order of his birth. We could say Esau “missed” his blessing, but I don’t see it like that.
Another way of being blessed is by being around God and the people of God. Let’s say you don’t go to church on the day that someone gives a great testimony. If you don’t hear that testimony and don’t know of it, then you’re not going to be able to be blessed by it. You are missing a blessing, but not your blessing. The blessing that God has just for you.
Touching Lepers
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Mark 1:41 (NKJV)
Jesus touched the leper even though people weren’t supposed to. In fact, the leper shouldn’t have even been near Him. This shows us that Jesus is superior to the law. This shows us that the love of God isn’t prohibited by things such as the law, and this tells me we are to love everyone with the love that God bestows upon us. Sometimes we can get caught up labeling people and forget that they need the love of Christ in their lives.
It’s my hope that today, the day the Lord has made, you find something of worth in this meager offering. Something that has blessed you. Thanks for stopping by!
Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.
Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:
Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.
Four-Calendar Café 
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading your post. We should be thankful for every blessing that God has for us whether it be large or small. I was blessed by this today. We all should be reminded of God’s blessings that are just for us. Have a wonderful day. God bless you. Stay safe.
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Amen. God bless you, and thanks for stopping by!
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Dear friend,
You stated “I’m an advocate for going to church. I believe we should assemble together as Christians. I often hear this verse from Hebrews quoted when people aren’t going to church.”
You used this verse, which as you stated are used when people aren’t going to church;
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Yes I agree with you that is utilized to “accuse” certain people for not going to “church”. However, they are utilizing this scripture unjustly, because when you read this scripture in Context of why this Hebrews letter was written to the “Body of Christ” was due to the fact that there were “Jewish” believer’s who were struggling with keeping certain “ceremonial” traditions in keeping their salvation.
When one looks into the full chapter, (actually the full Book, you will see that the “author” of this letter was encouraging believer’s to trust in the Full Redemption of Christ Jesus, which “overruled” and did away with ALL ceremonial tradition’s! The author, which I do believe was Paul, was exhorting them that they needed to Rest in the Full Payment of Christ in His Redemption for them. That HE was their full redemption and Sanctification, and that any formal tradition’s to bring about the His finished work, by their flesh was reverting back to the Law of Moses.
That is why there were certain Jewish believer’s who were forsaking the assembly of believer’s in Christ! They were struggling with the total Freedom that was available in Christ in dealing with sin.
I also advocate to gather in the true Body of Christ assembly, however we must seek out that “Body of Christ” which has no ties to a “registered Corporation” of a 501 (C) (3) system. There is no support in Scripture that any obedient Body of Christ needs to be a registered Government regulated “church”. By doing so the “Church corporation”, which is a Non-Profit company, needs to follow Internal Revenue’s set rules and regulations in order to keep their “non-profit” standing, which means they are not allowed to call out against any other church, nor preach against Governments policies, nor call out false teacher’s. If they are caught doing so fines will be forthcoming, taxes will be levied against them, and their 501 (C)(3) standing is cancelled.
That is why our Lord states “TO come out from among them”, because it is the harlot system of the Anti-Christ.
Let us remember the Lord stated; “where Two or three are gathered in my Name, I am in their midst”. Which means the Full Council of the Godhead is available to them.
Lord bless you……..
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Why don’t you have some response to this? It’s easy to mark it as a “like”, but is that being honest in presenting your true thoughts? This is what having a true and honest discussion is all about as disciples of Christ Jesus our Lord. Healthy conversation…….
Or are you afraid of doing so? When we are in the Love of Christ, we should be willing to be honest, unless you are not equipped in facing your honest questions or ask for understanding
Way too many “Christians” do not desire to be honest with their doubts or questions regarding truth, because they think discussing Biblical Doctrines and teaching lead to divisions, well they can and do when people desire not to face the Truth of the Spirit, the Sword of the Spirit they would rather hide and keep silence. That’s because they are being taught to believe they are being loving and “righteous”, when they are not, it’s called denial, and that is the fruit of the flesh, not of the Lord.
The Lord said it Himself, ” Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
“Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:”
Truth is meant to cause division, those that are divisive are those who believe in a falsehood and try to cause other’s too believe a lie, because they that believe in a falsehood are comfortable in sitting in darkness and ignorance. When they do, they are never justified to keep dwelling in darkness.
I pray for you, to face the question’s and doubts you may have in what you believe, we are free to do that without condemnation in Christ Jesus.
Lord bless you…..
In His Love…..
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Let me see.
I didn’t say that Hebrews 10:25 was used justly. I didn’t perceive you saying that I was saying that.
Here’s what Paul says about the government in Romans.
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Romans 13:1-7 (KJV)
Here’s what Peter had to say.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 1 Peter 2:!3-14 (KJV)
Peter and the other apostles in Acts did say this.
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 (ESV)
We can relate what Jesus said in Matthew as a simpler way of saying what was said in Hebrews 10:25.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
What were you looking for? A discussion regarding the validity of what you said regarding churches that follow the governing laws?
My brother, with all due respect, this is not an online Christian discussion forum where anyone can bring up whatever topic they might want to bring up for discussion and then expect others to jump right in. Having said that, I appreciate your comments and the wisdom you bring here. I also appreciate your time. However, please don’t expect me to treat these comments like a Christian discussion forum. Considering this is not such a forum, “calling people” out (to shout something, especially when you are trying to get someone’s attention) is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by anyone.
Thanks for stopping by, may the Lord bless you.
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Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
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