"Faulty Assumptions"

A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home · About Us · · Podcast · Free email See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive/print edition Monday, May 5, 2008 Japanese Maple leaf (photo by Doris High) Listen to us share this message on your audio player. "Faulty Assumptions" "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). David Fisher is a sports chaplain and fellow encourager friend of ours from Canada. Several years ago we met after he stopped by our home and joined us for dinner. He was here for a game when the Toronto Blue Jays played Baltimore. Today I want to share an illustrative experience that David sent us regarding a visit to a Canadian Drive Thru restaurant: "Recently I was with several family members and we stopped for a coffee at Canada's favorite watering hole, "Tim Hortons". We didn't go into the coffee shop; we went through the famous Drive Thru. We paused to give the attendant our order and waited for what seemed like an eternity, but nobody was coming on the intercom to take our order. One of us began to murmur and complain using phrases like: "They are awfully slow here." "I've had trouble here before." "There's nobody else in line." "What's the problem?" I added that I had experienced a few "slow" attendants at this particular Tims. The driver was getting very exasperated. It was then that I observed and realized, much to our chagrin, that we had stopped at the menu board, not at the place with the microphone and speaker where you place your order. We were "barking up the wrong tree" so to speak. We drove ahead a few feet, placed our order and were on our way in moments. Great service...and quick, once we got to the right spot!" The above illustration indicates that there was some misunderstanding among David's family members. They had drawn the wrong conclusion regarding where to place their order. I have to admit I've made the same mistake at drive through windows, but caught on just a bit quicker than his party! We can so easily draw the wrong conclusions and make faulty assumptions in life. Chapter 32 of Numbers has some interesting thoughts about misunderstandings and assumptions in human relationships. Let's consider the historical background: the new generation of Israelites is camped east of the Jordan. Leaders from the tribes of Reuben and Gad made a request to Moses to settle and consider as their inheritance the lands east of the Jordan, which were suitable for livestock. Moses initially misunderstood their request, assuming they were attempting to dodge their responsibilities in the conquest of Canaan. However, the leaders further clarified their proposal indicating that they would indeed be sending their fighting men to assist the other tribes and pledging that they would not return until the conquest was complete. Moses' tone changed with the clarification and he accepted their proposal, but reminded them of the consequences of failing to keep their word in our daily verse. Tracking through the history of the conquest we see they did indeed keep their word and were commended by Joshua for their faithfulness in Joshua 22. There's a lot of good teaching in this chapter but let me just focus on the initial faulty assumption and reaction by Moses. I believe it typifies situations that occur frequently in life which leads to strife-filled relationships in the home, church, work and elsewhere. When the tribal leaders approached Moses he drew the wrong conclusion, assuming they were not going to do their part. (Perhaps the tribal leaders also erred in not being clearer in their initial proposal.) Have you ever been like Moses and come to the wrong conclusion? I sure have. Communication and clarification can do a lot to bring healing and understanding in relationships. May God help us today to listen to one another and clarify as needed. And be careful with assumptions, you just may be "barking up the wrong tree!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, help us to be slow to speak, quick to listen, and eager to give the benefit of the doubt to others. We often jump to conclusions that are erroneous due to our own preconceived ideas or based on our past experiences. Give each of us an understanding heart and discerning spirit in our relations with others we intersect with on our daily paths. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen. Numbers 32 (The background of today's passage) Joshua 22 (These tribes are commended for keeping their promise) We met the Haldemans shortly after moving to Lancaster County seven years ago. Their daughter, Julie, recently returned from a YWAM missions trip to Cambodia and Thailand where she worked with children. Yesterday afternoon she shared a slide presentation of her trip. Her adventures were many and it is evident that God is doing a spiritual work in her life. Yesterday we visited the church of a new chaplain friend of ours. Here's a page from the church's hymnal. Can anyone tell me the language or would you care to venture a guess? See below for answer. Everett has worked for the very same company at the very same location for over 55 years! He always has a cheerful greeting. The photo of the above hymn (How Great Thou Art) is from a Vietnamese hymnal! A company where we serve as chaplains has quite a few Vietnamese employees and we have been unable to communicate with them each week (apart from a friendly smile and handshake) over the past year. NGUYỄN HỮU CƯỜNG (Pastor Dave) serves a Vietnamese Church here in Lancaster County and will be assisting us in this ministry. Yesterday we wanted to meet him in his church. People in the congregation were very friendly and the atmosphere quite inviting! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Story Of My Life" Audio "Praise To The Lord The Almighty" Audio "How Great Is Our God" Audio Our friend David Fisher blogs prolifically on Pilgrim Scribblings. Doris High photoblogs here, "Delight In The Lord" Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Administration Information Stephen and Brooksyne Weber "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 04/15/08 Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2008 YTD financial offerings through 5/4/2008 $5,495.00) Join: To receive these free "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. Cancel: To remove your address from this mailing list merely use the link automatically placed by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each message. Weekly Version: The weekly version is designed for those who do not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Please feel free to pass this message on! Daily Encouragement Net Reader Survey We want to thank all of you who have taken a few minutes to fill in our online survey. Here's a brief summary of the results including some comments and tips regarding technical problems several mentioned having. If you haven't taken the survey yet and would like to do so click here. I will continue to monitor the results. Our other blogs: "A Daily Prayer" - The daily prayer from each daily encouragement message. "A Little Foolishness" - A collection of humorous and satirical stories drawn mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile imagination. "Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the church. Daily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Personal Mission Statement "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity." How to become a child of God Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version. © Copyright 2008 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 Contact us "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"