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Who was to succeed Moses? Who was the father of Joshua? On what month and day was the Passover? LESSON: Moses was a great leader. God also prepared Joshua to take the place of Moses. God prepared them for the future. Likewise, God knows the future and helps prepare us....if we will follow. PRAYER: God, teach me to be a leader and at the same time teach me to follow. Amen!  Follower and Leader Susanna Wesley was the mother of prominent Methodist preachers, John Wesley and Charles Wesley. Her life is a pointer to the fact that greatness and leadership begin at home. Though Susanna Wesley never preached a sermon, she was a great leader to her children. She never had a job, title or position of influence in society. She was just a mom. However, because she had a deep understanding of this role and its importance to society, she did not take it lightly. Because of her deep faith and the following of God's Word, she was blessed to be the mother of two great ministers called by God. Many give their time and attention to becoming executives of global corporations and delegate maternal duties to the paid help. With this attitude to mothering, is it any wonder that we produce drug addicts, rapists, and gang members. Great mothers understand that to bring change to society they must begin with their children. Great leaders begin leading first themselves and those immediately within their sphere of influence. God called men to be the spiritual leaders in the family; however, when that fails, Mom must become the spiritual leader. God gives us the responsibility of being goo leaders as well as devoted followers of Jesus Christ and God's Word. Lord, give us the strength to be both in a world that focuses on "me, myself and I."
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After the plague, another census was taken. How many men over 20 years were there at this time? How many of the original census were still living? What were the names of those still living? LESSON: God had the Children of Israel to be numbered which helped provide for better organization. Just as society is to be organized, we should seek to organize our personal life. PRAYER: Father, help me to contribute to society and not take away from it. Amen!  Today (and every day) as you schedule your affairs, be sure to include:
Bible reading time Prayer time Journal/Devotional time Who was King of Moab? How many times did Balaam strike the animal he was riding? What strange thing did the animal do? LESSON: Somestimes God works in mysterious ways. Whenever He does, it is for our good. We should faithfully follow and seek to find meaning for life in life and those things that happen in our lives. PRAYER: Lord, as I live and have my being, guide me as I seek to know and do Your will. Amen!  Learning the Hard Way A Christian farmer, standing in his yard, observed a man of the world passing by, driving a herd of swine. "Where are you going with those hogs?" he asked politely. "Why I'm going to the mark to sell them," was the reply. "Then, I'm going to use the money to purchase those things which I've always wanted." "You mean if the Lord is willing, don't you?" asked the Christian. "No, that's not what I mean at all," the man of the world curtly replied.
Sometime later, the Christian man was surprised to see the same man staggering back up the road bruised, tattered, and minus his hogs. "What happened to you?!" asked the farmer with concern in his voice. "I was attacked by thieves down the road who stole my hogs. Then, they beat me up," was the sorrowful answer. "What will you do now?" asked the compassionate farmer. With all sincerity, the man of the world replied, "I'm going back home, IF THE LORD IS WILLING." As we travel this road called life, let us never take the day for granted. Let us always remember that it is a gift from God. We truly do not know what the day holds; however, as Christians we know that God holds us in His hand, gives us strength for the day and will never leave us. Thank you, Father, for your wisdom, love and strength for the day. How did God tell Moses to get water for the murmuring people? How did Moses get the water? What happened to Moses as a result of his disobedience? LESSON: God expects us to obey completely. We are to follow His way, not ours. When we do not obey, there is a penalty to pay. Trust and obey should be our spiritual motto. PRAYER: Father, teach me to obey You and help me trust You completely. Amen!  Trust and obey, for there's no other way
How many princes rose up with Korah against Moses? What happened to Korah Who was Eleazar LESSON: God protects his spiritual leaders. When Korah rose up against Moses, God destroyed him. For an orderly society, we should respect those who lead. PRAYER: Lord, help me to respect those who lead me, and help me to lead those who follow me. Amen!  God's Ways are Higher "And he changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings; He giveth wisdom unto the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding. He revealeth the deep and secret things; He knoweth what is in the darkness, And the light dwelleth with him."
We may not agree with our governmental leaders, and our ideologies may be polar opposites, but God, in His infinite wisdom, allows things to take place. We may not understand why He does things the way He does ("For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9). Even when we don't understand or we scratch our heads in wonderment, we can still pray for wisdom and guidance for our political leaders. Pray that God would give them "eyes to see" and "ears to hear." We seek to follow Christ and God's ways; pray that our leaders would do the same.
Who did the people murmur against? Of the 12 spies, how many dies as a result of their sin? How many spies lived and list their names? LESSON: The majority is not always right. The majority of the spies had little faith and were afraid to go forward. The minority said lets go forward. It is all right to be in the minority when you are right. PRAYER: Father, help me to not seek to please the crowd; help me to seek to please you in all my ways. Amen!  Joshua and Caleb trusted God and were able to enter the Promised Land. Others wandered the wilderness until their days ended. Looks like being a crowd-pleaser is not the best thing after all. Be a God-pleaser!
What was the name of the place where God consumed some with fire? How many elders if Israel were chosen to help Moses? Which tribe did Caleb belong to? LESSON: Caleb stood out among all his tribe because of his faith in God. As we go about our labor today, let us stand out among others for the good and not the evil. PRAYER: Father, help me first to be right; then help me to stand for the truth. Amen!  Dying for Christ How many of us, like the first-century Christians would rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ? In ancient Rome, the arenas would be filled, like today's football stadiums, to watch as Christians were torn apart by wild animals. Yet, Acts 5:41 tells us that "they rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Those early Christians lived on the threshold of death and yet they were so confident in the cleansing blood of Christ that they were willing to shed their own in devotion to their Savior. Talk about keeping the faith and keeping Christ first in their lives! What comfort they must have received from the Lord as they hid in tombs or were held in cages waiting for their execution at the jaws of wild beasts. Many Christians around the world are experiencing persecution and even death for their beliefs. May God grant us the ability to stand for His cause so that we stand out among a lost and dying world. Lord grant us the grace to have the faith of early believers. The kind of faith that keeps us loving You first, even unto death.
What month and day was the Passover to be remembered? What instrument was used to alert the people to assemble? At what age were the Levites to stop serving in the tabernacle? LESSON: The Passover was a reminder of God's deliverance of the Children of Israel. Every day we come home safely is a reminder of God's presence and blessings. PRAYER: Father, remind me this day of your blessings and goodness. Amen!  Let the cross be a reminder of our deliverance. Because Jesus did not remain on the cross, but rose from the grave and defeated sin, we have the promise of eternal life.
What did they do with the wagons and oxen? (Verse 6) Which son did not receive any of the wagons? Who made the offering on the first day? LESSON: Sometimes we may feel that rules, orders and regulations are a burdensome thing. However, we usually realize that they are necessary. Know the rules. Keep the rules. Let's professionally do our work. PRAYER: Father, give purpose to my life and order to my living. In Thy name I pray, Amen!  That's Interesting A pastor was flying to the West Coast and struck up a conversation with the passenger next to him. "What's your occupation?" he asked. His seatmate replied, "I'm a professor of astronomy. What about you?" The minister answered, "I'm a pastor." The astronomer shifted a bit in his seat ans said, "I used to attend church when I was young, but my wife and I don't go very often now. The way I look at it, the Bible is pretty simple. It all boils down to "Get along with your neighbor and stay out of trouble." The pastor said, "That's interesting. I feel the same way about what you do. To me, astronomy all boils down to "Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are." The Bible has been written in such a way that even children can understand its basic truths.However, it is no simple book. Anyone who bothers to study it finds it to be as limitless as the universe. There is always new insight to be found. God's Word can be compared to the ocean. You can wade in it, feed from it, live on it, or drown in it. People who take the time to learn the truths in the Bible and practice them will be changed forever.
What were they to do with a leper? The vow of a Nazarite included the abstaining of wine. True or False? The Nazarite was not allowed to cut his hair. True or False? LESSON: Dedication and commitment was always important to God. This is not only true in the spiritual realm, but in our daily life as well. As we do our duty let us be committed to our task. PRAYER: Father, help me to be dedicated to You and committed to my work. Amen!  And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23 In which direction was the Gershonites to pitch their tents? How many males one month and up were there to take care of the sanctuary? When they broke camp what was used to cover the Ark of the Covenant? LESSON: The Children of Israel were told to wait until God told them to move. It is a wise thing to wait upon the Lord until He gives direction. This does not mean we quit work; it means we are busy, yet seeking. PRAYER: Father, I will wait patiently until You give me direction. Amen!  A Day Well Spent Take some time at the set of sun To count the things that you have done You may find an act most kind; A heart-felt word that someone heard; A note of love that you sent Then you may count the day well spent! Suppose your bank credited your account each morning with $86,400, carried over no balance from day to day, and allowed you to keep no cash in your account. The suppose that every evening the bank canceled out whatever you failed to use during the day. All of us have such a bank. Its name is time. Every morning it credits us with 86,400 seconds. Every night it cancels out as lost whatever time we failed to invest for good during the day. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdrafts. Each day it opens up a new account for the same amount; each night it burns the record of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposit, the loss is yours. There is no going back with time. There is no drawing against tomorrow. Invest well to get the very best in health, happiness and success.
This Book is named Numbers because it involved counting the people. True or False? A census was taken of every tribe except? At what age would the count begin for the army? LESSON: God throughout history provided for order in daily living. This is true today and regardless of what we do, we play a part in that order. If you think about it, that is a important job. Do it well! PRAYER: Father, help me to be a good example in the community and to help influence my community for You. Amen!  God created in six days and each day He created something new. There was order to His creation. So, too, must we have order in our lives.
Did God allow any images or idols? Who did the tithe belong to? According to Leviticus 26:24, God would punish them how many times for their sins? LESSON: God does not allow other things, or people, to take His place. He should always be in our hearts. Whether employer or employee or in whatever capacity we serve, God swhoul have central place in our lives. PRAYER: Father, help me to always give you first place in my life; in work or where ever. Amen!  DELIGHT IN THE LORD! When we desire the right thins, God gives us the desires of hour heart. Some years ago, Dr. Wil Grenfell was offered the position of personal physician for the King of England. While he considered this life of prospertiy and luxury, the benefits of such a career were not very appealing since he would have little satisfaction in practicing his trade as a doctor. Being a Christian, Dr. Grenfell saw the doors open to serve God and practice medicine in Labrador. He developed a deep desire for this position as a medical missionary and accepted it. Dr. Grenfell served 42 years as a missionary doctor in that country. Life was never easy on the medical mission field, but Dr. Grenfell was happy and knew God's reward awaited him in heaven.
Are you discouraged with life or feel a sense of emptiness? You don't have to quit your job and become a missionary. Just start delighting i nthe Lord. David said, "Delight in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." As you focus on God, remember that he who puts God first will be happy at last. How often was the lamp in the tabernacle to burn? What was given as the penalty for cursing God? Where would food come from for the 7th year when no crops were to be planted? LESSON: Scripture points out that God always meets our needs. Sometimes we do not know how those needs will be met. Somehow He provides light and gives direction. PRAYER: Father, I thank you that you are always faithful to meet my needs. Amen!  LIGHT OUR WAY, LORD, AND GIVE US DIRECTION!
On what month and day was the Passover to to be celebrated? On what date did the Feast of Unleavened Bread begin? On what date did the Feasts of Tabernacles begin? LESSON: There was a purpose for each Feast that the Israelites celebrated. Each one was to remind God's people of some special occasion. We have a lot to be thankful for, and we too should remember what He has done. PRAYER: Father, I know that everything has a purpose. Help me to understand that purpose. Amen!  A TIME FOR EVERYTHING To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; And a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace. Got shall judge the righteous and the wicket, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Ecclesiastes 3:1 --8, 17 According to Lev. 19:31 God did not approve of soothsayers, fortune tellers, etc. True or False? What was the penalty for acts of immorality? Where the priests allowed to marry? LESSON: Is it not amazing that people still live in darkness as indicated by belief in fortunetellers and horoscopes! With God, there is no guessing. He holds the future and He is in control. PRAYER: Father, I know that only you know and hold the future. I trust only in you. Amen!  JESUS SAID, "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE"
How often did the Children of Israel celebrate the Day of Atonement? What happened to the scapegoat? The scapegoat was to bear the sins of the people: True or False? LESSON: The Day of Atonement was a reminder of God's Deliverance. God has provided deliverance for us as well. The important thing is that we remember this and reach out and receive what He has done for us. PRAYER: Father, thank you for that day that you delivered me. Help me to praise you. Amen!  OUR ATONEMENT Each salvation experience is different. For those that have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they have their own story to tell. The Old Testament is the proclamation of the coming Messiah; the New Testament is the fulfillment of that prophecy. The main theme of both Testaments is God's love for us. Christianity reflects on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our hearts are overcome with the great joy that God has provided atonement through His Son that we may receive His salvation and gain everlasting life. God has been steadily preparing our salvation. We know that Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To know Jesus fully is to know God; to obey Jesus fully is to obey God, to serve Jesus fully is to serve God. Dedicate yourself to knowing Jesus fully. May God use us to draw a lost and dying world to Him. May we NEVER for get what Christ has done for us. If you do not know Jesus Christ personally, all you need to do is say something like this: Jesus, come into my heart and life. Be merciful to me, a sinner, cleanse me and make me your own. Be my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen!  When a leper was cleansed both birds were to be killed. True or False What was to be done to a house the first time that leprosy was found? What was to be done to a house where leprosy was found the second time? LESSON: Even in the midst of our problems, God is aware of our needs. He does not always remove the problem, but he is always there with us in the midst of those needs. PRAYER: Father, I know you are there; in the good and in the bad. Thank You for being there. Amen!  A person with with leprosy was to be brought unto who? How long was the leper to be isolated before being reinspected? Where was the leper to dwell during the time of his leprosy? LESSON: With life comes problems. No one is exempted. Life involves learning to cope and adapt to the problems that come our way. Let us seek His way and guidance as we live and have our being. PRAYER: Father, in the midst of the storm keep me safe till the storm passes by. Amen!  THE STORMS OF LIFE When things go wrong in spite of all our hard work and preparation, we often wonder, "Can anything good come from this?" When the storms of life, bills pile up, family disputes, a job ends, just the everyday storms of life, do you ask "Can anything good come of this?" God's response is "YES!!" A young boy described how his family realized this. Because of his father's work, the family often had to move. It was hard for the children to make lasting friendships and when the boy was sixteen, the family moved again. This made the young man very angry and he shouted, "Can any good come from this?" But good did come from it. The house was owned by a Christian businessman. Each month when he came to collect the rent, he brought Christian literature and even gave the boy a Bible. From these items, the children learned Bible verses and shared them with other members of the family. Within a year, the entire family had accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. Can any good come from trials, sickness, marital difficulties, or even death? Yes, when we learn to commit everything to the Lord. Joseph was able to preserve his family and nation during the years of famine. Upon meeting his brothers, Joseph said, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it for good." Good can come from anything when God is in charge.
Two of Aaron's sons put fire in their censers, with incense, even though they had not been told to do so; and for this they were: List the names of Aaron's two sons. Was the swine considered clean or unclean? LESSON: Even in our religion and faith there are rules to follow. Most often those rules are for our well being. This is often true in life. Rules provide for our well being and orderly living. PRAYER: Father lead me in the straight and narrow way, and to faithfully follow You. Amen!  THE BIBLE: GOD'S PERFECT HOW TO BOOK
Who anointed the Tabernacle with anointing oil? How many days did the consecration of the priests take? What was the result of the sacrifices which Moses and Aaron made in Chapter 9? LESSON: During the wilderness journey of the children of Israel, God provided a Tabernacle for worship. The same need exists today. We need to come inside and worship on a regular basis. PRAYER: Father, help me to worship you in spirit and in truth on a regular basis. Amen!  WE GATHER TOGETHER Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, "...on this rock I will build My church." Sometimes we get discouraged if we see empty pews on Sunday, Sunday night or Wednesday. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Here are some wonderful things happening at Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church:
1. The Holy Spirit is flowing throughout our church. HAVE YOU SENSED IT? 2. We have a great Sunday School Program. HAVE YOU TRIED IT? 3. We are learning Bible history and learning more about God's Word. HAVE YOU HEAR IT? 4. We are a warm and friendly family showing the love of Christ. HAVE YOU FELT IT? We are called to worship God in Spirit and truth. Come, let us worship together as often as we meet! What is the 5th offering mentioned in Chapter 5? According to Lev. 5:5 an individual is to confess his sin. True/False? Who helped Aaron in making the various sacrifice offerings? LESSON: It has been said many times that honesty is the best policy. This is so true. When we are wrong, admit it and confess it. Our everyday activities demand the same philosophy. Do your best, but admit the wrong. PRAYER: Father, help me to be honest in all of my dealings with my fellow man. Amen!  List the three kinds of offerings listed in the first three chapters __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ LESSON: Although we have the freedom of religion, we need to realize that sacrifice and commitment is required. This is also true of our profession; it requires a commitment, as well as a sacrifice. PRAYER: Father, remind me that my faith demands commitment and sacrifice. Amen!  I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us. We must never tire of hearing these words. This is not just a promise but reality. By saying these words, our Lord was not only telling of His presence, but Jesus was also stating that He does not change, nor will His compassion fail us. One of nature's strangest phenomena occurs in the bay off Nova Scotia. Under certain conditions, the incoming tide from the Atlantic Ocean has been known to reach a height of 70 feet. The remarkable ebb and flow in this bay creates incredible changes along the shoreline. Our emotions are somewhat like that bay, they change greatly and have an ebb and flow effect. Sometimes we are up and feeling good; and other times we are down and just scraping by. What a comfort to know that the Lord is not at all like that! HE NEVER CHANGES! His character is marked by faithfulness. The story is told of a young with a fatal illness. Realizing he had but a short time to live, he wrote to a friend to tell him of his faith in Christ. He said, "The Lord's love is deeper than the deepest sea, and it has no ebb and flow." It can't be said better than that. Lord, help us to be steadfast in our love for you through prayer and daily Bible reading.
What three colors went into the priestly garments? On what day was the tabernacle to be set up? How did the children of Israel know when to move? LESSON: God gave the Children of Israel directions when they were willing to listen. Let's listen! PRAYER: Father, guide me, direct me, lead me. Amen!  AS SIMPLE AS ABC Through Christ's death, God offers you forgiveness for your sins, and through His resurrection, the promise of everlasting life. Jesus died and rose again for the whole world, but for you to become a Christian is an individual matter of choice. The ONLY way to establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is to accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation is as simple as ABC. Admit that you are a sinner ("For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23); Believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior to you (...I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6, John 3:16, Romans 10:9); Confess in a simple prayer from the heart something along the lines of, "Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner deserving of death. Jesus, I believe you died for my sin and rose again. Come into my life and make it your own. I love you Lord and thank you for your gift of salvation." It's a gift from the Father through His Son, and it's that simple! Find a Bible-believing church like Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church and begin to learn God's Word and fellowship with God's people.
Why were the people told to stop bringing offerings? What was the total amount of gold that went into the tabernacle? What was the total amount of silver that went into the tabernacle? LESSON: When the people worked together, there was enough material to build the Tabernacle. Let us do our part for God and society. PRAYER: Father, help me to be cooperative. Amen!  The Sneeze They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps waiting to be tossed, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed tears away. This class would NOT pray during this commencement. Not by choice, but because of a recent law prohibiting it.
The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for God's blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood silent for jsut a moment and then it happened! All 92 students, every one of them suddenly SNEEZED! The student at the microphone simply looked at the audience and said, GOD BLESS YOU! He quietly walked off the stage. The audience exploded in thunderous applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval. God bless you, and pass it on! |
