28/2/18 THE JOURNEY #8 – COMPLAINING IS CONTAGIOUS (NUM.11)

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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 2: COMPLAINING IS CONTAGIOUS

Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

The bible says, ‘Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”’ (1 Corinthians 15:33)

After only 3 days the ‘rabble’ start to spread discontent among them. We all like to think that we are strong and unaffected by culture and our peers, but we are very vulnerable and need good friends and a church community to influence us for good.

DISCUSS:

Numbers 11:4-6

·      Do you have any personal examples of being disappointed with God and feeling tempted to moan about how He is acting and providing?

Numbers 11:7-9

·      They become so accustomed to the miracle that they stop seeing it! What wondrous things happen in our lives that we can start taking for granted and how might greater mindfulness of God’s work help guard against grumbling?

Hebrews10:24-25

·      How does church fellowship help to protect us from discouragement the negative influence of the culture around us?

1 Corinthians 12:20

·      What is gossip and why is it so easy to fall into?

Ephesians 4:29

·      How are, or could you, use your words to build faith and joy?

Numbers 11:10-15

·      How do these moaners negatively influence Moses?

·      How could one deal with disappointment in a godly way?

Stories from the journey

'As a bi-product of my last job, I became very 'perfectionistic' and unwilling to make mistakes. The nature of my job meant that any small mistake I made would be made visible to all my colleagues and many others, and so it became a bit of a fear of mine! I didn't realise this was causing me problems until I started a new job and was almost paralysed by the stress of not knowing what I was doing and feeling that every day I was failing and making mistakes. I couldn't avoid them! It happened every day, and I felt backed into a corner unable to escape. I went on a retreat about 6 months into my new job and sought God for fresh revelation of him. I received his grace like a river and realised my fears were irrational and a result of fearing man and not God. I realised God doesn't ask me to be perfect, just obedient, and that it's ok not to get everything right. I felt a weight lift as I realised that on the cross, it is finished. It is completely finished, and Jesus has brought freedom and life to all who trust in his name. I received his grace, not only to make mistakes, but also to work well, knowing my best is enough for him, and he can bless even the biggest failure on the planet! My failures are not beyond him, and he is the only one whose opinion I should care about. If God is for us, who can be against us? What can man do to me?' (Anonymous)  

DAILY PERSONAL BIBLE DEVOTIONAL WEEK 2 – NUMBERS 11

MONDAY: COMPLAINING IS SERIOUS

Numbers 11:1-3 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because fire from the Lord had burned among them.

God breaks out in judgement, sending fire, as the people complain. God is warning them of the seriousness of loose speaking and negative hearts. James says,

James 3:5-6 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Pray that God would protect you from harming yourself or those around you through your use of words. In fact, pray that you would be a blessing!

TUESDAY: CONSIDER YOUR WORDS

Exodus 11:4 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat!

William chapman wrote, “Words cut deeper than knives. A knife can be pulled out, words are embedded into our souls.” The bible says,

James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 

WEDNESDAY: TEMPTATION TO DISATISFACTION

Exodus 11:5-6 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

They have ‘rose tinted’ reminiscence of Egypt. They fail to mention that they were ill-treated slaves. How easy it is to desire the past or the future but to be dissatisfied with what God is doing today. We probably all have things that we would want to improve, but let’s live with gratitude for what God is doing in our lives.

THURSDAY: DEALING WITH ACCUSATION

Numbers 11:10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled.

Moses is unsettled by the attitude of people. Being accused is a heavy weight to carry and with the creation social media this can take on a whole new level of vehemence. Let’s remember Jesus who was innocent and yet was falsely accused, we read,

Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Are you dealing with unjust accusation? Jesus is with you and understands your sense of fear, helplessness and injustice. Turn to God in prayer and trust Him.  

FRIDAY: DON’T DESCEND TO THEIR LEVEL

Numbers 11:11-13 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?  Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where can I get meat for all these people?

Moses expresses his lament to God. Moses is right to pour out his concerns to God but surely he is wrong to accuse God. The people are complaining about the food and he allows himself to complain about the ‘burden’ of leadership God has given him. Complaining is contagious ­– pray that God would give you a heart of trust toward God and His dealings with you.

SATURDAY: SHARE THE LOAD

Numbers 11:13-17 They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’  I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favour in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

God’s response to Moses’ lament is to provide him with seventy elders to ‘share the burden of the people with you’.  God knows your needs and the burdens that you carry. Rather than collapsing and becoming angry, give yourself to pray for God to provide the people and solutions to your needs. 

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12/2/18 THE JOURNEY #7 – COME WITH US AS WE GO WITH GOD (NUM.10)

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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 7: COME WITH US AS WE GO WITH GOD

Moses invites his brother in law on the journey of following God to the Promised Land. He says,

“Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” (Numbers 10:29)

We can only invite people onto the journey that we are on ourselves. A person or a church that isn’t seeking to follow Jesus’ presence has nothing to offer except death in the desert! And we will only invite people on a journey that that we are genuinely enjoying and know to be good for them.

Read Numbers 10:29-36 and pray that God will speak to you out of this passage.

DISCUSS:

ALL ARE INVITED TO ‘COME WITH US’

I hope, like Moses you are excited about following Jesus. Such people will make the invitation to others.

·      What is Moses’ brother in laws’ response to Moses’ invitation and what can we learn from Moses about encouraging Christians and unbelievers onto the journey with God?

·      Why are people reluctant to follow God or become Christians and how can one help to overcome this?

·      Let’s invite people to ‘come with us’. How active are you at inviting Christians into your life and Community Group? (If we don’t love our brothers and sisters we are unlikely to invite have compassion beyond the church!)

WE DO GOOD ONLY AS WE GO WITH GOD

Israel were to follow God – as the cloud moved they moved. Moses could promise good to his brother-in-law to the extent that they followed God. A church that doesn’t follow Jesus cannot do true good.

·      How can we ensure that we continue to ‘journey’ with God?

·      In what ways will it do us good as we follow God?

·      How will our following God do good to the community around us?

·      How does CCP or your CG do good to the those around us and how could we grow in this?

Stories from the Journey

For as long as I can remember I've had a difficult relationship with my mum. It wasn't that we didn't get on, it was more that we were so similar that we clashed a lot. I dealt with this by mostly staying independent and limiting my time spent with her, this seemed to work quite well until my Dad had an affair and brought the house down on my family relationships. My mum then suddenly wanted constant communication with me, and rightly needed me through some difficult times. I didn't understand why, but I hated her for it, with a real deep hatred, and we would often get into fights. It was a viscous cycle because as soon as we'd have a fight I'd condemn myself for being a bad Christian and a bad witness, and try to patch things up. This only made me scathe even more! I went to the elders in a pretty bad place, and they encouraged me to commit to praying about this properly, and get a few people alongside me to do the same. God completely changed the situation. He led me, through some friends, to make changes in our relationship, and helped me to see things with God's perspective. God showed me some wrong thinking on my part, and opened up some wounds that I'd covered up and tried to ignore. Over the course of a couple of years God completely redeemed our relationship and now I couldn't love my mum more! I've been able to love my mum for who she is, and know God's blessing over that relationship. It can only be a work of the Spirit and a very big and complex answer to prayer at that. God knows and loves and cares and redeems. I'm now praying my mum would come to know the Lord Jesus for herself! He can do it! (Anonymous)

DAILY PERSONAL BIBLE DEVOTIONAL WEEK 7 – NUMBERS 10

MONDAY: LISTEN FOR THE TRUMPET OF GOD

Numbers 10:1-7 The Lord said to Moses: “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out.  When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. If only one is sounded, the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—are to assemble before you.  When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out.  At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out. To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the signal for setting out.

God requires them to make two trumpets to use to communicate God’s leading to the people. They were used for 5 reasons: gathering the people, gathering the leaders, to set out, in battle, and during worship.

The church is to follow the voice of God – listen to the ‘trumpet’ and follow. The Holy Spirit speaks in many ways but principally through His word, prophets and inner promptings. Pray for God’s guidance on the church and that we would have hearts to listen and go. God invites us to ‘go with Him and He will do us good’ but that good comes to those who will obey rather than go their own way.

TUESDAY: FOLLOW OUR HIGH PRIEST

Numbers 10:8-9 “The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to blow the trumpets. This is to be a lasting ordinance for you and the generations to come. When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies. 

It was the priests who called the people to action through the trumpets. We often look to politicians, secular councilors, self-help proponents, business leaders… Jesus is our high priest who leads by His Spirit. Will we allow our lives to be led by Jesus, through His word often delivered through leaders? Where will we principally seek to get our guiding wisdom?

WEDNESDAY: IT’S TIME TO GO/IT’S TIME TO STAY

Numbers s 10:11-13 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law. Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and travelled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.

After nearly a year at Sinai the journey begins again; they were on their way to the Promised Land! God leads us through different seasons; some are static and others more active. There are times to move city or nation, there are times to stay still; there are key moments of marriage, having a child, a new job, a new school… but much of life is routine. Let’s enjoy all of life and not be addicted to the new – it’s not activity or the new that satisfies, it’s God Himself.

THURSDAY: GO AHEAD OF US

Numbers 10:17, 21 Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out… Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.

The temple workers (Levites) were to carry this portable temple. God’s presence was at the heart of this community and teaches us to ask God to be with us and go before us; May His presence ‘be set up before we arrive’, ask for him to go ahead into your day. Let Moses prayer by our prayer,

Exodus 33:15 “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 

FRIDAY: COME WITH US

Numbers 10:29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel. He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”

Moses desires that his relative also enter into the Promised Land and blessings of God. Let’s pray and look for opportunities to encourage Christians and share the gospel with unbelievers, that we would have a heart like Moses.

Let’s also pray for ways that we can do good. God is gracious to all, and we show Him as we serve others.

Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

SATURDAY: PROTECT AND EMPOWER

Exodus 10:33-36  So they set out from the mountain of the Lord and travelled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. The cloud of the Lord was over them by day when they set out from the camp. Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, Lord!  rest, he said, “Return, Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.”

They follow the presence of God represented by the cloud and ark. Moses’ prayer is reminiscent of what we read in the Lord’s Prayer,

Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Let us pray for God’s protection against enemies and for His presence to be more and more evident in us and the church of God – “Return Lord!”

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12/2/18 THE JOURNEY PT.6 – FOLLOWING GOD'S PRESENCE (EX. 33-40, NUM. 9:15-23)

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COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 6: FOLLOWING GOD’S PRESENCE

What does it mean to journey with God’s presence? The Israelites were led by the visible presence of God in a cloud; He spoke to Moses ‘face to face’! How is the church and its individuals to be led? I’m convinced that God does not change, that we still need leading and so I hope you’re excited about learning to journey with God’s presence. Let’s pray that God would teach you and this church to hear and follow. 

THE COMPASS

A compass helps one to orientate and know which direction we are facing. Without a compass a map is useless. If we are going to be led by God we need His compass - His Spirit in us that orientates our hearts towards God.

•      What does Heb. 10:16 say about our heart’s desires being shaped in salvation?

•      The compass of our hearts is maintained as we spend time with God in prayer, as we get to know Him and ask Him to lead us and the church. What does Exodus 33:11 inspire us to pray and to imitate?

•      What does Numbers 13:30-31 and 14:24 say about how a heart of faith directs our willingness to hear God? 

•      Fear or selfishness will cause us to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to God. Is there anything that you know that you are refusing to hear from God?

THE MAP

For us to journey with God we need His map - His bible. The bible shows us God’s will and ways. Throughout Israel’s journey, God will cause them to stop and receive additions to His law. To journey with God in life requires our studying, understanding and obeying the bible.  What does 2 Timothy 3:16 have to say about God’s word, it’s inspiration, use and the outcome for those who will read and obey? 

ADVISORS 

God has given us elders and mature Christians who can pray and give us wise advice. If you think that you can hear God’s voice and so don’t need council, you are heading for a fall!

•      Are you greater than Moses? Does God speak to you face to face with such clarity (the answer is no!) but what happens in Exodus 18:17-19?

•      We see in Exodus 18:21-22 that, in the church, their are various leaders from whom to seek direction - How does this protect us?

THE BODY

In the church there are various gifts that God gives to us or others that help to direct us and his church. Prophetic gifts  (including visions and dreams) help to direct us. Teaching gifts and moments when we feel God speaking directly as someone teaches. Remember, whatever God is saying to your local church, He is saying to you! 

•      What does 1 Corinthians 14:29 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 say about how we treat prophecy?

NOW PRAY AND WORSHIP TOGETHER

•      Spend some time thanking God and praying together out of today’s text and discussions.

•      A key text that God has given us as a church is Exodus 33:15-16 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Pray that the church would ‘go up together’ inheriting all that God has for us together. 

TESTIMONIES OF FOLLOWING GOD’S PRESENCE

Ruth Byrne writes,

‘One of our sons had a very difficult class at school. It had been going on for a long time so looked to move him to a different school. We got two offers for other schools in the area. When we prayed about it I felt God say very clearly not to move it. In human terms it didn't make sense, but we trusted God and kept him at the same school. The following year we moved house in completely the opposite direction from the school we had considered. Within 6 weeks of moving we were able to move him to a new school that he loved. Even in the small details of the new school we could see God's hand at work. He knew the big picture, when we couldn't see it and worked for the good of all of us in the situation as we trusted Him.’

Susie Howe wrote,

I have learned that you will never ‘enter the Promised Land’ staying comfortable and safe. Neither can we walk through the waters without taking God and his word. Through my work with The Bethany Children’s Trust over the past two decades, the assignments God has given us has meant that I have had to face some pretty hairy situations like angry street mobs; corrupt government officials; extreme sickness and serious accidents in countries that most people avoid. I also have to address very difficult issues like tackling witchcraft accusations and associated abuse against children. So many people have said, ‘it’s impossible!’ ‘It’s too dangerous. Don’t go there! Don’t get into that!’ But if God has said do it, then it’s doable and I know he has my back covered. It’s not a question of courage but rather simple obedience and coming to know just how sovereign, mighty, able and trustworthy God is.  That’s why BCT is able to go above and beyond what is humanly possible and beyond the sum total of our resources. It’s because God is faithful and He is with us. So with the child witch issue for instance, God has privileged us with leading the way in the Christian response, and we are starting to see real change come about. But I would never dream of taking one-step forward unless God has said to take that step. Like Moses, I often say to God, ‘If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.’ (Exodus 33:15) Trying to move without Him would be foolhardy. But if He is with us, we can expect to see the impossible happen.’  

DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONAL

PERSONAL BIBLE STUDIES WEEK 6 – EXODUS 33–40 & Numbers 9:15–23

MONDAY: WE CAN LOSE GOD’S PRESENCE ON THE WAY

Exodus 33:1-3 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

We cannot lose our salvation but a person or a church can stop expecting to hear God. We can also grieve the Spirit so as to diminish His presence amongst us; it’s not true to say that sin has no effect on the Spirit’s power among us! (See Ephesians 4:30) Are you expecting to hear God in His word as you read it and hear it taught? Are you making notes of prophecies so as to pray into them? Are you grieving God through willful sin? Let’s invite God to speak to us again and lead us by His presence - He is more than willing if we are! 

TUESDAY: ARE YOU THIRSTY FOR GOD?

Exodus 33:10-11 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

I love this image of Joshua not wanting to leave the tent. He was a man who loved God’s presence and whose devotion would lead them to enter the Promised Land. How can you make more time to spend in the ‘tent of meeting’? 

WEDNESDAY: DO WE WANT GOD TO GO WITH US?

Exodus 33:12-16 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’  If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”  The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

This is a key text that has shaped our church vision.  Pray that the church would ‘go up together’ - that we would be united in our pursuit of God, we would work together rather than each of us pursuing our personal vision, that we would inherit all that God has for us together. 

THURSDAY: WE CAN MEET GOD ON THE JOURNEY

Exodus 33:17-20 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”  Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

These words are picked up by Paul in the New Testament, 

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Jesus makes His presence available to all Christians - He dwells in us by the Spirit. God is with you, but we can have more intensive and transformative encounters with God through prayer and faith - ask Him to fill you and the church every day. 

FRIDAY: WILL WE BUILD A TENT OF MEETING? 

Exodus 35:20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.

God directed Moses to build The Tabernacle - a moveable temple, as a place of God’s presence on their journeys. Those who were willing gave generously in order to make this a reality. Is your heart moved to build the local church? The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Will you give prayer, time, money, your gifts etc. to build a dwelling place for God?  

SATURDAY: FOLLOWING GOD ON THE JOURNEY

Numbers 9:15-17 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped.

The people of Israel were to follow the presence of God. During these studies this week we have been considering how this is a call on us together. So will you and I follow God? Will we respond to His word, prophetic direction, leadership direction etc.? I know of many Christians who have squandered their potential because they are proud, bitter and will not be led. My prayer for myself and all of us is that we would journey together with God’s presence - it will be tough, but it has eternal reward. 

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