ello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Monday February 22, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Numbers, chapters 21-22. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-february-22

Title: Bible Study: Trusting God Through Challenges
While people who live in the world face many challenges, as Christian's, we have a few more to face. In fact, it takes a strong person to be able to withstand the persecution and judgment placed upon him just because he believes in Jesus Christ. That strength, in fact, only comes from the power of God Himself and that is placed upon every person who calls on Jesus Christ as their Savior. Now, the persecution we face is nothing new to God's people, since the world began there has always been some person trying to prove himself stronger than God, Satan the main contender, and he will use anyone to cause some kind of trouble, whether it is someone of the world or even other Christian's. To tell you the truth, Satan will use some of the godliest people to turn other Christian's away from God. You know, the Israelite's that traveled in the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan never knew just how blessed they were, of all the generations of God's people they saw first hand the miracles from God more than anyone else. From the parting of the Red Sea, to the manna coming down from heaven, to the cloud in which He dwelled over them day and night, God had shown them all too often just how much He wanted to not only be a part of their lives, but show His love for them as well. His only request, that they give love back by showing some gratitude and trust in Him to provide for them. Yet, no sooner than God gave them what they asked for they were complaining and disrespecting the blessings that were given to them. Once again, God placed some difficulties before them and instead of trusting in Him, they began complaining. “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. ” - Numbers 21:4-9. Disrespect God enough and see what happens to your life, God understood that these people were tired and weary, but did they ever stop to think that if God had gotten them this far that He would be able to take them all the way to the promised land. Because of their disrespect, God sent fiery serpents their way, which killed thousands of them. However, when the rest of the people came to their senses and repented He saved them by sending a brass serpent. The brass serpent was a symbol of both God's judgment against their sin and of His loving mercy for all those who repented. Like the cross, the brass serpent was for all, but only effective for those who truly believed in Him.

You know what the biggest mistake the Israelite's made was? They could not forget Egypt. Every time they were faced with a challenge they reminded God and Moses of what they left in Egypt. Do you think God did not know what they left? Do you think that maybe He wanted them to just put some faith and trust in Him? Think about it. What if God gave them food other than manna to eat, do you think they would have appreciated it? He could have sent birds, He could have sent fish, He could have sent rain every day, but no matter what He would give them they would still have something to complain about. A person can have a fridge full of food, but say there is nothing in this house to eat. This is why God caused pain in their lives, He wanted to give them something to be grateful for. Those who were not, suffered. Okay, it is one thing to be discouraged at times when we do not get the things we want, but it is another to become so disgruntled that one becomes bitter and enraged at God, things, and other people because things are not going your way. No one said life is easy, but if we have everything easy then we never amount to very much. I have seen so many people who were handed things to them without any effort fall because they simply do not appreciate the things they are given. Sure we get tired and weary at times, but you rest and you get up and keep moving forward. Nothing stays the same and if we keep dwelling on the things that we once had we will never move forward in life for God, anyone else, or ourselves. The greater things in life have nothing to do with personal possessions, they come from God and anything else we receive outside of that will really never amount to very much. We are not to be tempted by the things that the world has to offer, it is all a ploy to get us to side with Satan and forget the blessings that God has given us. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” - I John 4:2-4. We can overcome the challenges we face because God is with all His children, He is more powerful than any temptation that Satan can throw our way. It is time to deal with things head on, stop thinking about what we had in the past, and look to the great future ahead as we put our faith and trust in the Lord.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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