NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 22

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

NUMBERS 22: “A TALKING DONKEY & A PAGAN PROPHET” – by Sonny Islas

For the full message, watch it on the Facebook video!

INTRODUCTION: At this point in the narrative, Israel is closer to Canaan (Israel) than ever before. Number 22 consists of the King of Moab named Balak and a false prophet named Balaam. King Balak is terrified because of Israel’s nearness, so he hires this pagan prophet Balaam to curse Israel – BUT GOD, steps into the picture and causes Balak’s wishes to utterly backfire.

Let’s start by reading:

NUMBERS 22:1-4
1 Then the children of Israel moved and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel.” 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.

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IS PRIDE STILL ONE OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS? From LAMB and LION Ministries by Tim Moore

To read the original publication of this article by Tim Moore, click here. 

For 13 years, I served in the Kentucky General Assembly, and repeatedly I would hear other legislators say, "I am a proud Democrat" or "I am a proud Republican."

That statement always sat wrong with me because I was taught from an early age that we should not be prideful about ourselves or our abilities. Confident, yes, but prideful? No!

There's a humility that a Christian should always exhibit, regardless of their capabilities or their giftedness, because all of these gifts come from God. Christians, in our humility, serve Christ and are willing servants. So, such exhibitions of pride sit wrong with me. And so, I've taught myself, my children, and my family not to be prideful.

And yet, right now, America has dedicated an entire month to pride — a sin which is absolutely abhorrent to God — and sexual immorality which has been declared to be an abomination in the Word of God (Gen. 2:24; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Mat. 5:28; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:9-10; Heb. 13:4).

Contrast this attitude of pride with the humility of Jesus Christ. When Jesus first came, He came lowly as a servant. Jesus said: "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Mat. 11:28-29 NASB).

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 21

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Numbers by pastor Chuck Smith

NUMBERS 21: “FROM DEATH INTO LIFE” – by Albert Lopez
For the full message, watch it on the Facebook video!

INTRODUCTION: When it rains it pours! Have you heard this saying? Most of the time people say this because something bad is happening in their lives! It’s not just that something bad has happened that triggers them to say this. A lot of the time it’s because someone has gone from one bad thing to another bad thing to yet again another bad situation.
You might also hear from this person "I can’t catch a break!"
This is when the person can only see death in their situation so to speak and cannot see life anywhere nearby. Sometimes it’s our own decisions or bad choices that get us in these bad situations but regardless it’s human nature to see the glass half empty.

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A Love Beyond Understanding By Kyle Peart

We have something special today, an article from ONCE LOST ministries with Flynn Huseby and Kyle Peart. We have a TTUF link to this ministry in RESOURCE section to the right. I highly recommend their articles and materials as a reputable, biblical apologetics and evangelism resource! 

Check out their YouTube Channel here!

Check out an interview that Kyle and Flynn did with host of LOVE For The TRUTH Radio (www.loveforthetruthradio.com), Cindy Hartline: Defenders Of The Faith— ONCE LOST Mins. Kyle & Flynn  

So, without further ado, let's check out what Kyle has to share with us today!

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 20

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Numbers by pastor Chuck Smith

NUMBERS 20: “MOSES MESSED UP – BIG TIME!” – by Sonny Islas
For the full message, watch it on the Facebook video 

INTRODUCTION: Well, let’s continue to wander with Moses and the gang in the desert as we pick up where we left off last Wednesday in NUMBERS 19.

NUMBERS 20:1-13
1 Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there. 2 Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. 3 And the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: "If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! 4 "Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? 5 "And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink." 6 So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

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PONDERING THE PARABLES – Part Eight

~ by James Fire

INTRODUCTION: We’ll soon complete this non-exhaustive series on the New Testament parables and it’s my prayer and hope is that readers will examine these articles and be encouraged to commit to a study of their own!

Whereas the preceding parables were largely prophetic in nature, what we have before us are more practical and involves conduct – both of the LORD and of ourselves, His saints.

Conduct matters, and don’t let anyone try to tell you differently. There are abusers of the grace of GOD who believe themselves to be saved, and rest on that – and such rest is warranted in the sense that our salvation is based on Christ and Christ alone, apart from any works of our own.

That being said, these sort who, having this assurance that they’re saved “no matter what”, are then free to live a life of sin, indulge the flesh, never have a care regarding the Word, prayer, obedience to the LORD, and yet somehow believe that because “I said the prayer of salvation” – that they can live like hell and still expect to make it into heaven.

John the Baptist as well as the LORD Jesus plainly stated that every tree that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut off and cast into the fire (MT 3:10; 7:19). Scripture states what the fruit of the Spirit is; and if only the fruit of repentance, it’s still fruit and evidence that one has turned from the old life of sin and turned to, received, and expressed faith in Christ (GAL 5:22-24).

Let’s take a look at these passages prayerfully and hear what the LORD would tell us:

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NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Chapters 19

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Numbers by pastor Chuck Smith

NUMBERS 19: “RARE RED BREED For RIGHTEOUSNESS” – by James Fire
For the full message, watch it on the Facebook video!

INTRODUCTION: We’ve a rather unique sacrifice here offered under the Levitical priesthood in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple. This chapter deals with the “red heifer” and there’s a lot of symbolism that points to Christ, as well as prophetic issues, particularly prophecies dealing with the last days prior to Christ’s return.

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CROSSING The T’s STUDY in 1 TIMOTHY – Biblical Precepts and Principles for Pastoral ministry: CHAPTER SIX – PARTS 1 & 2

INTRODUCTION: We wrap up this epistle of Paul to his protégé Timothy, and the apostle has some closing, highly important, pertinent exhortations. Earlier he spoke on deacons and elders, then on their wives, the young men and women. Throughout, some needful insights were provided regarding the last days, the Word of GOD itself, and some related subject matter.

In this last chapter, he’s addressing bondservants and their masters (in our own culture, these things can be applied to employees and their employers).

He returns to the subject of teachers and personal conduct, making a connection between doctrine and lifestyle – something we will focus on here in this study; in a time for the church when doctrine is sidelined and conduct is scandalous, the need for these exhortations becomes self-evident.

At the last, Paul the aged appeals to his dearly beloved, young Timothy and charges him with the sacred trust of the Holy Scriptures, to stay the course and be mindful of his own personal conduct.

Let’s partake then of the holy manna!

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