The Inheritance
It hasn’t been easy over the last few months.
On the surface, it seems as if it should be easy to stay close to home as much as possible. What could be so hard about that?
One of the hardest aspects of these months is that we have not been able to meet as a church family. Even though we have been able to worship online, meet in parking lots to eat, donate items and financial resources for others, have drive-in church and see some faces; it hasn’t been the same.
God’s people have been scattered and without a “home.”
Perhaps the Levites felt a similar disappointment when the time came to settle in the Promised Land. Joshua and Eleazar, the priest, presided as lots were drawn and the tribes were given their inheritance.
“But he gave no inheritance among them to the Levites. The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in, along with pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.” (Joshua 14:3-4)
The Levites were denied a homeland. Instead, they were given cities to live in among all of the tribes. They were scattered.
God did this so that His servants would live among the people. If they had their own homeland, perhaps they would have simply stayed together. Perhaps, they would have started taking care of each other instead of the people.
So, too, has the church now been scattered throughout the community. Instead of dreaming about the way it used to be, perhaps we should follow the example of the Levites and serve our neighbors more.
A lot has certainly changed over the last few months. The old way of “doing church” may not come back for a while. But, maybe, just maybe, this is part of God’s design for His people at this time.
Today, pray and ask God to reveal what you can do to serve Him among the people God has placed in your more limited world. Ask him to show you how to show others that “Hope is Here.”
By LaRaine Rice
On the surface, it seems as if it should be easy to stay close to home as much as possible. What could be so hard about that?
One of the hardest aspects of these months is that we have not been able to meet as a church family. Even though we have been able to worship online, meet in parking lots to eat, donate items and financial resources for others, have drive-in church and see some faces; it hasn’t been the same.
God’s people have been scattered and without a “home.”
Perhaps the Levites felt a similar disappointment when the time came to settle in the Promised Land. Joshua and Eleazar, the priest, presided as lots were drawn and the tribes were given their inheritance.
“But he gave no inheritance among them to the Levites. The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. No portion of the land was given to the Levites except cities to live in, along with pasturelands for their cattle and livestock.” (Joshua 14:3-4)
The Levites were denied a homeland. Instead, they were given cities to live in among all of the tribes. They were scattered.
God did this so that His servants would live among the people. If they had their own homeland, perhaps they would have simply stayed together. Perhaps, they would have started taking care of each other instead of the people.
So, too, has the church now been scattered throughout the community. Instead of dreaming about the way it used to be, perhaps we should follow the example of the Levites and serve our neighbors more.
A lot has certainly changed over the last few months. The old way of “doing church” may not come back for a while. But, maybe, just maybe, this is part of God’s design for His people at this time.
Today, pray and ask God to reveal what you can do to serve Him among the people God has placed in your more limited world. Ask him to show you how to show others that “Hope is Here.”
By LaRaine Rice
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2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith