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Month: September 2024

My Mean Strict Parents

Because the LORD hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. Deuteronomy 1:27 When I was a kid, I observed that some of my friends had a lot fewer rules at home. In fact, it seemed that for some…
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Boundaries for Marriage and Life

This is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders. Numbers 34:2 When my wife and I married, we entered a relationship with an expectation of specific boundaries that limited our behavior. For some reason, the idea of anything confining my behavior has a…
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What’s Your Poison?

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. Numbers 33:55 At our jail Bible study/recovery meeting last…
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10 Years Sober

We will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Numbers 32:17 In recovery communities, we often celebrate clean time. When someone passes a significant sobriety milestone, that accomplishment is acknowledged as the entire group asks in unison – How’d you do it? Then…
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I Don’t Want to Be the Only One Drinking

Why will you discourage the heart of the people of Israel from going over into the land that the LORD has given them? Numbers 32:7 Back when I drank alcohol, I had no qualms about drinking alone, in secrecy. If I was with others though, in a fishing boat for example, I didn’t want to…
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The Danger of Comfortable

If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Do not take us across the Jordan. Numbers 32:5 For many years, I remained unwilling to get up early to go to the gym before work. I wanted to be in shape, but waking up early…
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When I Thought I Got Away with It

And they also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. Numbers 31:8 The first time I diverted opioids for my own use, I was terrified of the consequences. I was sure that I’d get caught as I laid awake at night, worrying about it. When a week went by and nothing happened, I…
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Do I Live As I Claim to Believe?

If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. Numbers 30:2 I thought he was a good guy, only to find out he had this terrible secret…
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The Opposite of the Me-Life

Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd. Numbers 27:16-17 So…
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When Some Things Can’t Be Fixed

When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes. Numbers 27:13-14 In Christianity, we appropriately celebrate redemption. When someone’s…
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