Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard.

 Numbers 2:1-34

Then the tent of meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camps; as they camp, so shall they set out, each in position, standard by standard. Numbers 2:17

I return to my study of Numbers, and in the text today 2:1-34, we see organizing the tribes of Israel in the wilderness as they camp and set out. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks organization and order in the church as He seeks to optimize the efforts of His people - He has a plan and it is a good and perfect plan with each unit of His people having unique gifts and each playing a specific role - see also 1 Corinthians 12.  Of course, here in Numbers the tabernacle (God's house) is in the midst of the camps.  Building on my posts already for Numbers, where we see God setting limits on how He is approached (through the Levites), here we see God (accessed through the Levites) "in the midst" of all the camps.  This is a reminder that God is always with us and always at work.  For believers, Jesus - through the Holy Spirit - is in our hearts and lives and we bear fruit if we abide in Him (John 15:1-10). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v34, we see the people of Israel did "[a]ccording to all that the LORD commanded Moses[.]"  They camped and set out around the tabernacle and church. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid leaning on Your own desires for Your life but instead seek His will and design for Your life.  Claim the promise that God is in your midst and you will bear fruit if you abide in Him.  Follow the example of Israel that put God and His house in the center of your life. Abide in Him and seek His will for your life.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Romans 15

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. Romans 15:14

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter nineteen Great Commission Christians, which covers Romans 15:14-15:33.  My focus today is v15:14-15, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Be Part of a Healthy, Gospel-Centered Church." While I have been posting on how Paul has been focusing on church unity, here, Paul offers words to help us understand where a church should focus around which unity can be built.  Key words from today's verses are "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another."  Goodness implies love; filled with all knowledge implies understanding of the gospel and scripture; and instruct one another implies how we are to study the Word together and to "sharpen" each other, borrowing from Proverbs 27:17.  I am also reminded how in the early formation of the church (Acts 2:42-47), how the new believers "had all things in common" meaning that although they call came from different walks in life with unique challenges, etc, they shared a passion for Jesus Christ - a much stronger bond than say a common interest in reading, movies, or food, etc. We should unite around this shared passion for Christ, and again not let unessential matters divide us. 

As I charge forward with this chapter in my commentary, I read from the commentary that this section (Romans 15:14-33) is a missionary focused, written by the "greatest missionary ever."  As I unpack this section, the commentary will provide eight (8) takeaways, starting with today's which use v15:14-15 to help us understand characteristics of a gospel-centered church.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has placed me in great gospel-centered churches where I am known, loved and where I have grown in Christ!  Huge blessings indeed - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues, including worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.