In continuing my meditation, looking towards Easter, I am reading from Luke 22:
(NIV)Luke 22:19-20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
The new covenant that Jesus is referring to is linked to Jer. 31:31
(NIV)Jeremiah 31:31-33
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
I am filled with hope when I read this passage from Jeremiah. When combined with the verses I read yesterday and the day before about the Fathers Love being in us, Jesus Himself being in us, His joy being in us, the Holy Spirit being in us (Jn 17:13, 26; Jn 20:22 ) and now His law being in us, I am greatly encouraged that God is putting everything we need into us!
What an incredible treasure we have in God! The fact is that by Your death Jesus, You made this great treasure possible. You had planned and made known since the time of Jeremiah that You were going to establish a new covenant. Who would have guessed at that time, that it would be through Your own blood that You would open the way for You to come and take up residence in our hearts, and pour into us these great treasures. How can we not celebrate Your sacrifice and power?
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
God's Love For Jesus Within Us!
Continuing my reading of John 17, the following verse caught my attention:
(NIV)John 17:26
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Another one of those mind blowing statements and prayers that Jesus prays. He prays that two things might be in us, the Love the Father has for Him, and secondly, that. He might be in us too.
First the Love the Father has for Him, is beyond any measure. If You were to take the Love God has for every person, and all creation and bundle it together it wouldn't compare to the Love the Father has for the Son. I believe that we could even say this is the most powerful thing in all eternity - the Love of the Father and Son, and Jesus is praying that it will be within us. Wow!
Also, I've heard it said the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the Physical manifestation of the love that the Father and Son have for each other. So, in a very real way, Jesus' prayer is answered by the Holy Spirit coming to us and residing in us, when we are saved. That is a direct answer to this prayer.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus, so clearly His (Holy Spirit) coming to us fulfills the second prayer as well. For what other Spirit would Jesus have within Himself, except the Holy Spirit? We are all triune beings, body, mind and spirit, and so was Jesus. So, He literally sends us part of Himself, to be with us. Amazing!
All of this is only made possible through the sacrifice the Jesus made for us all. For its in His death and resurrection, that we are made righteous, and our sins are forgiven. Its through His sacrifice that the veil that separates God from man is torn in two. It is for restoration of intimacy with God that Jesus gave himself freely.
Lord, we clearly will never fully understand the glorious reality of this all. Help us to more fully live in this reality, the reality that Your love and Spirit is within us, and as such, we have within us the most powerful force in all eternity. Help us to discover this, and embrace this truth.
(NIV)John 17:26
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Another one of those mind blowing statements and prayers that Jesus prays. He prays that two things might be in us, the Love the Father has for Him, and secondly, that. He might be in us too.
First the Love the Father has for Him, is beyond any measure. If You were to take the Love God has for every person, and all creation and bundle it together it wouldn't compare to the Love the Father has for the Son. I believe that we could even say this is the most powerful thing in all eternity - the Love of the Father and Son, and Jesus is praying that it will be within us. Wow!
Also, I've heard it said the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the Physical manifestation of the love that the Father and Son have for each other. So, in a very real way, Jesus' prayer is answered by the Holy Spirit coming to us and residing in us, when we are saved. That is a direct answer to this prayer.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus, so clearly His (Holy Spirit) coming to us fulfills the second prayer as well. For what other Spirit would Jesus have within Himself, except the Holy Spirit? We are all triune beings, body, mind and spirit, and so was Jesus. So, He literally sends us part of Himself, to be with us. Amazing!
All of this is only made possible through the sacrifice the Jesus made for us all. For its in His death and resurrection, that we are made righteous, and our sins are forgiven. Its through His sacrifice that the veil that separates God from man is torn in two. It is for restoration of intimacy with God that Jesus gave himself freely.
Lord, we clearly will never fully understand the glorious reality of this all. Help us to more fully live in this reality, the reality that Your love and Spirit is within us, and as such, we have within us the most powerful force in all eternity. Help us to discover this, and embrace this truth.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
For the Joy Set Before Him
Continuing my meditation leading up to Easter, I was thinking much about the following verses:
(NIV)John 17:4, 13
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [13] “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Specifically verse 13, where Jesus says that He has completed the work the Father gave him to do. He clearly hadn't gone through His Passion and death, or His resurrection, but was saying the work was completed in the Father's eyes. One of the commentaries I read said that this is how the Father relates to us all, not as we are, but we are in our future perfected state. I guess, seeing the beginning and the end is helpful perspective, which is a complete understatement.
Also, these verses clearly indicates Jesus is looking forward to all that He will endure, and speaks about the full measure of joy that He has while looking toward His brutal Passion and death. Hebrews 12 says the following:
(NIV)Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So Jesus, as He looks forward, sees the Joy of the completed sacrifice, the salvation and redemption of those who are His. He sees the results, understands the sacrifice and is filled with joy by it all. In fact, He wanted His disciples to be filled with the same joy that He had, being filled to the full measure of His joy. Another one of those unfathomable statements.
He was, by His obedience into death, going to provide the way for all people to be restored to relationship with the Father. He was going to pay the price for all sins. He was going to shatter the power of the enemy. He was going to break the bonds of death. He said that all the angels in heaven rejoice over a single sinner who repents, what must the celebration been like in heaven when the veil was torn in two?
So, as we contemplate the Passion and death of Jesus, let us remember His joy, and His prayer that we might be filled to the full measure of His joy.
(NIV)John 17:4, 13
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [13] “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Specifically verse 13, where Jesus says that He has completed the work the Father gave him to do. He clearly hadn't gone through His Passion and death, or His resurrection, but was saying the work was completed in the Father's eyes. One of the commentaries I read said that this is how the Father relates to us all, not as we are, but we are in our future perfected state. I guess, seeing the beginning and the end is helpful perspective, which is a complete understatement.
Also, these verses clearly indicates Jesus is looking forward to all that He will endure, and speaks about the full measure of joy that He has while looking toward His brutal Passion and death. Hebrews 12 says the following:
(NIV)Hebrews 12:2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So Jesus, as He looks forward, sees the Joy of the completed sacrifice, the salvation and redemption of those who are His. He sees the results, understands the sacrifice and is filled with joy by it all. In fact, He wanted His disciples to be filled with the same joy that He had, being filled to the full measure of His joy. Another one of those unfathomable statements.
He was, by His obedience into death, going to provide the way for all people to be restored to relationship with the Father. He was going to pay the price for all sins. He was going to shatter the power of the enemy. He was going to break the bonds of death. He said that all the angels in heaven rejoice over a single sinner who repents, what must the celebration been like in heaven when the veil was torn in two?
So, as we contemplate the Passion and death of Jesus, let us remember His joy, and His prayer that we might be filled to the full measure of His joy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Jesus - God and Man
NIV)John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
This morning, this sentence has grabbed my attention. Jesus, clearly aware of who He is and from where He came, is praying that the Father would restore Him to His rightful place. He had possessed this place before the world, before time, and was going back in His humanity.
Adam Clarke writes, " Let the glory of my eternal divinity surround and penetrate my humanity, in its resurrection, ascension, and in the place which it is to occupy at thy right hand, far above all creatures."
I like that phrase - that His eternal divinity might surround and penetrate His humanity. In a very real sense, this is our prayer too, concerning the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit might surround and penetate our humanity, living in our hearts and bringing into us that eternal divinity. Clearly a thought that is really beyond comprehension. Lord I pray that You might help me to understand this glorious truth - that You made the way for us to be joined to You. As Jesus said in John 17:21 -
(NIV)John 17:21
"... May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Also, as I think about this reality, I am reminded that Jesus is truly God. So often we struggle with fully comprehending this reality - which is understandable since its an unknowable mystery. He wasn't just a man, a wise teacher, a prophet, etc. He is God! He was God before the world began, and is God now, in time and outside of time. He was so perfect in taking on humanity, that we can totally relate to Him as a man, but we must never forget that He is God. In the midst of our familiarity, we must remember that He is God, and He loved us so much that He came down to earth and became man. God became man - that is more impossible than taking the entire world and every person on it and stuffing them on the head of a pin. He didn't just take on a human form, like we see in some of the fantasy Greek mythologies. He really became man fully, so much so, that He could and did die! Mind blowing stuff....
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
This morning, this sentence has grabbed my attention. Jesus, clearly aware of who He is and from where He came, is praying that the Father would restore Him to His rightful place. He had possessed this place before the world, before time, and was going back in His humanity.
Adam Clarke writes, " Let the glory of my eternal divinity surround and penetrate my humanity, in its resurrection, ascension, and in the place which it is to occupy at thy right hand, far above all creatures."
I like that phrase - that His eternal divinity might surround and penetrate His humanity. In a very real sense, this is our prayer too, concerning the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit might surround and penetate our humanity, living in our hearts and bringing into us that eternal divinity. Clearly a thought that is really beyond comprehension. Lord I pray that You might help me to understand this glorious truth - that You made the way for us to be joined to You. As Jesus said in John 17:21 -
(NIV)John 17:21
"... May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Also, as I think about this reality, I am reminded that Jesus is truly God. So often we struggle with fully comprehending this reality - which is understandable since its an unknowable mystery. He wasn't just a man, a wise teacher, a prophet, etc. He is God! He was God before the world began, and is God now, in time and outside of time. He was so perfect in taking on humanity, that we can totally relate to Him as a man, but we must never forget that He is God. In the midst of our familiarity, we must remember that He is God, and He loved us so much that He came down to earth and became man. God became man - that is more impossible than taking the entire world and every person on it and stuffing them on the head of a pin. He didn't just take on a human form, like we see in some of the fantasy Greek mythologies. He really became man fully, so much so, that He could and did die! Mind blowing stuff....
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Meditation on Eternal Life
Since it will be Holy Week next week, I am thinking of reading the passion and preceding chapters the next several days. Lord, I want to better appreciate Your sacrifice, and Your last words, and increase my love and passion for you!
This morning I am starting John's Gospel, chapter 17:
(NIV)John 17:1-3
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
In the 3rd verse, Jesus equates eternal life with knowing Him and the Father! (NIV)John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Jesus can give this eternal life to those whom He chooses.
I am so grateful that You invite us and call us to know You more, Lord. My desire is that I would come to know You more and more in these coming days and years. I want to know You, know Your Word, and know Your heart. I want to walk in this knowledge, wrapped in the understanding and sensitivity to the present situation, of what You are doing and desire to do. Lord, You have issued the invitation, and I am taking You up on it. Your promise is to give eternal life to this You choose, and I am asking that You choose me.
This morning I am starting John's Gospel, chapter 17:
(NIV)John 17:1-3
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
In the 3rd verse, Jesus equates eternal life with knowing Him and the Father! (NIV)John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Jesus can give this eternal life to those whom He chooses.
I am so grateful that You invite us and call us to know You more, Lord. My desire is that I would come to know You more and more in these coming days and years. I want to know You, know Your Word, and know Your heart. I want to walk in this knowledge, wrapped in the understanding and sensitivity to the present situation, of what You are doing and desire to do. Lord, You have issued the invitation, and I am taking You up on it. Your promise is to give eternal life to this You choose, and I am asking that You choose me.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Courage and Cowardice
Yesterday at Church, the preacher used a quote from C.S. Lewis that I really liked. The quote follows -
“We have made men proud of most vices, but not of cowardice. Whenever we have almost succeeded in doing so, God permits a war or an earthquake or some other calamity, and at once courage becomes so obviously lovely and important even in human eyes that all our work is undone, and there is still at least one vice of which they feel genuine shame.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (which is book talking about temptation from a demons point of view . its a very good read)
This morning I happened to be reading from Ephesians 6:
(NIV)Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Interesting thoughts this morning, the quote from CS Lewis talking about the vice of cowardice, and the verse from Ephesians, talking about being strong and courageous. I find it interesting that in our world today, taking a stand for Christ is becoming more and more looked down upon. The present encouragement is to be inclusive of all things, even that which is clearly not of God, in an effort to not be seen as divisive.
The reality is that the truth, when proclaimed, does cause separation from the things of this world. The truth should bring conviction of sin. We must not be afraid of proclaiming the truth through our lives. We need to be able to stand our ground, unashamebly acknowledging our Savior and faith in Him. Its important to remember that we are not fighting against other people - our call is to love all people - but against spiritual forces.
Lord, I pray that You will strengthen us, and help us to stand our ground in the face of the constant onslaught of the world, telling us that our faith is wrong, and that by holding to the truth we are bigoted, self-righteous, judgemental, and generally trying to force our beliefs on others. Lord, we pray that by Your strength and love working through us, that the Church might be known for its love and power.
Lord, I pray, like Paul, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I may fearlesly make known the glorious mystery of the Gospel. The truth is that You loved us so much, that You came and took our punishment upon Yourself, Jesus, so that we could enter into eternal life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. That is indeed a glorious mystery.
“We have made men proud of most vices, but not of cowardice. Whenever we have almost succeeded in doing so, God permits a war or an earthquake or some other calamity, and at once courage becomes so obviously lovely and important even in human eyes that all our work is undone, and there is still at least one vice of which they feel genuine shame.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (which is book talking about temptation from a demons point of view . its a very good read)
This morning I happened to be reading from Ephesians 6:
(NIV)Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Interesting thoughts this morning, the quote from CS Lewis talking about the vice of cowardice, and the verse from Ephesians, talking about being strong and courageous. I find it interesting that in our world today, taking a stand for Christ is becoming more and more looked down upon. The present encouragement is to be inclusive of all things, even that which is clearly not of God, in an effort to not be seen as divisive.
The reality is that the truth, when proclaimed, does cause separation from the things of this world. The truth should bring conviction of sin. We must not be afraid of proclaiming the truth through our lives. We need to be able to stand our ground, unashamebly acknowledging our Savior and faith in Him. Its important to remember that we are not fighting against other people - our call is to love all people - but against spiritual forces.
Lord, I pray that You will strengthen us, and help us to stand our ground in the face of the constant onslaught of the world, telling us that our faith is wrong, and that by holding to the truth we are bigoted, self-righteous, judgemental, and generally trying to force our beliefs on others. Lord, we pray that by Your strength and love working through us, that the Church might be known for its love and power.
Lord, I pray, like Paul, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I may fearlesly make known the glorious mystery of the Gospel. The truth is that You loved us so much, that You came and took our punishment upon Yourself, Jesus, so that we could enter into eternal life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. That is indeed a glorious mystery.
Friday, March 23, 2012
An Unfaithful and Distracted Heart
This morning I turned to Ezekiel 16 and was thinking about this story about Jerusalem.
(NIV)Ezekiel 16:10-19
"I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. [11] I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, [12] and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. [13] So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. [14] And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
[15] “ ‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. [16] You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. [17] You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. [18] And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. [19] Also the food I provided for you---the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat---you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord."
I was reading this section of Ezekiel this morning, which is an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, and as I was thinking about this I realized that in many ways this is how I live. Obviously not in blatant promiscuity, but with the same attitude as Jerusalem. The theme, as I read this story, is that everything that the Lord gave her (Jerusalem) she used for her own enjoyment and pleasure, turning away from God in the process. God's purpose was that through lavishing her with love, she would return that love and affection, and be in relationship with Him.
Instead she took those things that He had given her, and basically ran towards everyone and everything else, literally giving her love away, to the point of worshipping those other things. The very things that were meant to draw her to Him, became the objects of her affection. Rather than thankfulness and gratitude, she used what she had been given for her own gratification.
I think of the incredible blessings that I have received and wonder how I have responded to God's gracious outpouring of blessings. Have I been grateful and thankful for all that I have been given, returning thanks to God, my true provider? Have I even been thankful for the clothes, food, shelter, countless blessings and provisions I have received? Am I aware of and remembering where I came from, the state of my soul prior to receiving salvation and forgiveness for my sins? Do I pursue my provider in relationship, or do I use these gifts for my own gratification and pleasure? Have I spent more time and effort pursuing other things, than God?
If I were to look at my thoughts and actions throughout the day, how often am I of the attitude of Jerusalem (in this allegory) and how often am I of the attitude of a grateful and thankful, redeemed and rescued, loved and provided for child of God?
Lord, I must confess that so often, I am the former and not the latter. So often I do not return thanks to You for all You have provided. I do not acknowledge You as my provider, and redeemer, as I should. I do use those things that You have blessed me with for my own gratification, rather than for Your purposes. I am so easily distracted from and easily forgtting the incredible things that You have done for me.
Lord, I ask that You would forgive me for my unfaithful and distracted heart. I ask You to forgive me for giving my affections and attention to anything other than You. You are calling out to me daily, showing me Your love in countless ways! I choose to return Your affection and attention, turning my heart fully towards You, Lord.
(NIV)Ezekiel 16:10-19
"I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. [11] I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, [12] and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. [13] So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. [14] And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
[15] “ ‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. [16] You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. [17] You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. [18] And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. [19] Also the food I provided for you---the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat---you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord."
I was reading this section of Ezekiel this morning, which is an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, and as I was thinking about this I realized that in many ways this is how I live. Obviously not in blatant promiscuity, but with the same attitude as Jerusalem. The theme, as I read this story, is that everything that the Lord gave her (Jerusalem) she used for her own enjoyment and pleasure, turning away from God in the process. God's purpose was that through lavishing her with love, she would return that love and affection, and be in relationship with Him.
Instead she took those things that He had given her, and basically ran towards everyone and everything else, literally giving her love away, to the point of worshipping those other things. The very things that were meant to draw her to Him, became the objects of her affection. Rather than thankfulness and gratitude, she used what she had been given for her own gratification.
I think of the incredible blessings that I have received and wonder how I have responded to God's gracious outpouring of blessings. Have I been grateful and thankful for all that I have been given, returning thanks to God, my true provider? Have I even been thankful for the clothes, food, shelter, countless blessings and provisions I have received? Am I aware of and remembering where I came from, the state of my soul prior to receiving salvation and forgiveness for my sins? Do I pursue my provider in relationship, or do I use these gifts for my own gratification and pleasure? Have I spent more time and effort pursuing other things, than God?
If I were to look at my thoughts and actions throughout the day, how often am I of the attitude of Jerusalem (in this allegory) and how often am I of the attitude of a grateful and thankful, redeemed and rescued, loved and provided for child of God?
Lord, I must confess that so often, I am the former and not the latter. So often I do not return thanks to You for all You have provided. I do not acknowledge You as my provider, and redeemer, as I should. I do use those things that You have blessed me with for my own gratification, rather than for Your purposes. I am so easily distracted from and easily forgtting the incredible things that You have done for me.
Lord, I ask that You would forgive me for my unfaithful and distracted heart. I ask You to forgive me for giving my affections and attention to anything other than You. You are calling out to me daily, showing me Your love in countless ways! I choose to return Your affection and attention, turning my heart fully towards You, Lord.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Losing Sight of What's Important
Last night I was reading from Mark 6 and was praying that we would see Jesus glorified like he was in verses 54-56:
(NIV)Mark 6:54-56
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he went---into villages, towns or countryside---they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Continuing my reading of Mark, I saw these verses:
(NIV)Mark 7:5-9, 13
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” [6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [7] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ [8] You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” [9] And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! [13] Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Especially verse 8: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” What a terrible indictment from the Son of God. His recognition that their worship of Him and the Father had lost all connections to their hearts and was being supplanted by religion and selfishness and man-made rules. Here He was in their midst, and they were more worried about the washing of hands and ritual observances, rather than God's Word and His purpose. The people were getting lost as their hearts grew cold.
Thinking more about these verses, Jesus and His disciples are having a huge impact in the area of Galilee, and this was attracting the attention of many people. The Pharisees He is talking to were from Jerusalem, having obviously come down to observe His ministry. Having no real power from God, all they can do is look for ways to discredit this ministry that is having such a great effect. They have critical hearts that judge, not the results, but rather the methods and adherance to 'their ways'!
Lord, I can see some of this in my own critical nature, often times not believing someone is of you if they act or look differently than I think someone who is following You should be. Lord, please forgive me for judgement, and forgive me for holding back in any way, when You call me out of my comfort zone. Lord, help me to value Your presence more than look and feel, or religious observances.
(NIV)Mark 6:54-56
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he went---into villages, towns or countryside---they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Continuing my reading of Mark, I saw these verses:
(NIV)Mark 7:5-9, 13
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” [6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [7] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ [8] You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” [9] And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! [13] Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Especially verse 8: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” What a terrible indictment from the Son of God. His recognition that their worship of Him and the Father had lost all connections to their hearts and was being supplanted by religion and selfishness and man-made rules. Here He was in their midst, and they were more worried about the washing of hands and ritual observances, rather than God's Word and His purpose. The people were getting lost as their hearts grew cold.
Thinking more about these verses, Jesus and His disciples are having a huge impact in the area of Galilee, and this was attracting the attention of many people. The Pharisees He is talking to were from Jerusalem, having obviously come down to observe His ministry. Having no real power from God, all they can do is look for ways to discredit this ministry that is having such a great effect. They have critical hearts that judge, not the results, but rather the methods and adherance to 'their ways'!
Lord, I can see some of this in my own critical nature, often times not believing someone is of you if they act or look differently than I think someone who is following You should be. Lord, please forgive me for judgement, and forgive me for holding back in any way, when You call me out of my comfort zone. Lord, help me to value Your presence more than look and feel, or religious observances.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Meditation on Forgiveness
This morning I was reading out of Jeremiah, and the following verses caught my attention, and started me thinking about forgiveness.
(NIV)Jeremiah 14:20-22
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. [22] Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
After reading that, I was reminded of Psalm 32.
(NIV)Psalm 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [2] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. [6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. [7] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. [8] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. [9] Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [10] Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. [11] Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
I was just thinking about the first verse of Psalm 32, how we are so blessed to have our sins forgiven. I was thinking that otherwise our sin would be piled up like our national debt, a list of sins that just keeps getting larger and larger, to the point that its almost unfathomable, certainly with no hope of ever clearing the debt or record. I am so grateful Lord, that You freely offer us forgiveness of sins. Thank You Lord for dying to set me free from my sin. We really have no real sense of the value of Your sacrifice, but even so, we are grateful. Lord, our hope is in You, for you are the only one who brings forgiveness, and life. Lord, surround me with Your unfailing love.
(NIV)Jeremiah 14:20-22
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. [22] Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
After reading that, I was reminded of Psalm 32.
(NIV)Psalm 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [2] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. [6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. [7] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. [8] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. [9] Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [10] Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. [11] Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
I was just thinking about the first verse of Psalm 32, how we are so blessed to have our sins forgiven. I was thinking that otherwise our sin would be piled up like our national debt, a list of sins that just keeps getting larger and larger, to the point that its almost unfathomable, certainly with no hope of ever clearing the debt or record. I am so grateful Lord, that You freely offer us forgiveness of sins. Thank You Lord for dying to set me free from my sin. We really have no real sense of the value of Your sacrifice, but even so, we are grateful. Lord, our hope is in You, for you are the only one who brings forgiveness, and life. Lord, surround me with Your unfailing love.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Holiness and the Church
This morning I was reading from Ezekiel 8, where the Lord takes Ezekiel and shows him the abominations that are occurring in the temple and within the house of Israel, detestable practices, worship of other Gods, blatant turning of their backs to God to worship other gods. I was thinking about how God clearly watches over His church with the same vigilance, and sees all the detestable things that are being done in His name, or under his supposed authority. He sees the spiritual abuse, the deception, the lies, the sin, the chasing after money, the mixing of other religions or streams of thought, all are detestable to Him. Lord we pray that You will have mercy and not treat us as our sins deserve. We pray that for the sake of Your name that You would purify Your Church, and make her a shining example to all the world, of Your glory and power.
(NIV)Leviticus 20:22-23, 26
"Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. [23] You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. [26] You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
In the same way, we in the church, must not allow the ways of the people around us to infiltrate the church. There is supposed to be a holiness to the church, a setting apart and separation. Israel constantly allowed the practices of the nations around them into their lives, and were constantly subjecting themselves to the judgement of God, who had clearly warned them against this very thing. They combined the practices and thinking of the nations around them, and followed the practices openly.
The early church experienced this very same trouble. Shortly after the Church was birthed, there were those who tried to insert Greek thought into the truths that Christ had revealed. These were the first hereses, and the Church had to protect the truth. We are called, in the same way to know the truth, and to hold onto the truth, not giving ourselves to the ways and thinking of the world around us.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
(NIV)Leviticus 20:22-23, 26
"Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. [23] You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. [26] You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
In the same way, we in the church, must not allow the ways of the people around us to infiltrate the church. There is supposed to be a holiness to the church, a setting apart and separation. Israel constantly allowed the practices of the nations around them into their lives, and were constantly subjecting themselves to the judgement of God, who had clearly warned them against this very thing. They combined the practices and thinking of the nations around them, and followed the practices openly.
The early church experienced this very same trouble. Shortly after the Church was birthed, there were those who tried to insert Greek thought into the truths that Christ had revealed. These were the first hereses, and the Church had to protect the truth. We are called, in the same way to know the truth, and to hold onto the truth, not giving ourselves to the ways and thinking of the world around us.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Choosing our Battles
This morning I was reading from 2 Chronicles, about King Josiah:
(NIV)2 Chronicles 34:29-31, 33
Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites---all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. [31] The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord---to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. [33] Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 35:20-24
"After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
This is such an interesting story and example to us. Here is a King, one who finally is following God's law, who is leading the people to follow God, and He gets himself killed, by fighting a battle that he wasn't supposed to be fighting. I am sure there was a rationalization that He was following God, but it doesn't say that He sought God's will, but that He saw the enemy marching toward Him and marched out to meet Him. This would be te sin of presumption. He presumed that this was God's plan, and his duty. We need to be very careful to only engage in the battles we are called by the Lord to fight, else we might end up like Josiah, and the people that follow us, the same.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 34:29-31, 33
Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites---all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. [31] The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord---to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. [33] Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 35:20-24
"After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.
23 Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, “Take me away; I am badly wounded.” 24 So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him."
This is such an interesting story and example to us. Here is a King, one who finally is following God's law, who is leading the people to follow God, and He gets himself killed, by fighting a battle that he wasn't supposed to be fighting. I am sure there was a rationalization that He was following God, but it doesn't say that He sought God's will, but that He saw the enemy marching toward Him and marched out to meet Him. This would be te sin of presumption. He presumed that this was God's plan, and his duty. We need to be very careful to only engage in the battles we are called by the Lord to fight, else we might end up like Josiah, and the people that follow us, the same.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Concerning Our Families
Yesterday while praying, I felt led to these verses where caring for family members is addressed very specifically:
(NIV)1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. [4] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
[8] Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Lord this is so clear. Part of our walk of faith includes taking care of our family members, relatives, and parents. I am reminded of Isaiah 58 - where You talk about part of true fasting (verse 7):
(NIV)Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? [8] Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Amen!
(NIV)1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. [4] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
[8] Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Lord this is so clear. Part of our walk of faith includes taking care of our family members, relatives, and parents. I am reminded of Isaiah 58 - where You talk about part of true fasting (verse 7):
(NIV)Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? [8] Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Amen!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Wonder of the Church
Yesterday I was thinking about how God chooses to make Himself known through us, through the Church. How, as creator of all, all powerful, all knowing, King over all, He chooses to make Himself known through a bunch of sinners.
First, we see in Christ the unthinkable, that God would come to earth and become man!
(NIV)Philippians 2:6-8
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!"
Even more amazing, I think is the fact that Jesus then left the Church, His Bride, entrusted into the hands of men. I see great humility in God, even allowing His name to be associated with us, allowing us to be His representives, especially with our propensity to screw things up. As Paul writes in Ephesians:
(NIV)Ephesians 3:8-12
"Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Lord, what an amazing and unthinkable plan, eternally purposed and accomlished through Jesus, to entrust Your manifold wisdom to man, to the Church, that through us this wisdom might be made known, might be proclaimed, might be shown to all rulers and authorities, even in the heavenly realms.
Lord, we pray that we might truly represent You to the world! We trust Your plan, but we know we are woefully incapable of doing this on our own!
First, we see in Christ the unthinkable, that God would come to earth and become man!
(NIV)Philippians 2:6-8
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!"
Even more amazing, I think is the fact that Jesus then left the Church, His Bride, entrusted into the hands of men. I see great humility in God, even allowing His name to be associated with us, allowing us to be His representives, especially with our propensity to screw things up. As Paul writes in Ephesians:
(NIV)Ephesians 3:8-12
"Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Lord, what an amazing and unthinkable plan, eternally purposed and accomlished through Jesus, to entrust Your manifold wisdom to man, to the Church, that through us this wisdom might be made known, might be proclaimed, might be shown to all rulers and authorities, even in the heavenly realms.
Lord, we pray that we might truly represent You to the world! We trust Your plan, but we know we are woefully incapable of doing this on our own!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
You are the Salt of the Earth
Continuing my meditation and study of Salt, I am led to Matt 5:13:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Burton Coffman commentary adds this about the salt losing its flavor:
The surface waters of the Dead Sea, on evaporation, have a chemical salts content of about 31 percent sodium chloride, 13 percent calcium chloride, and 48 percent magnesium chloride, together with other impurities. The calcium and magnesium chlorides are hygroscopic (take water out of the air) and will thus literally dissolve the sodium chloride. A bitter tasting composition results. It was the custom to store vast amounts of this salt in houses that had earthen floors. In time, the salt next to the ground spoiled because of the dampness (the water drawn in by the calcium and magnesium literally dissolves the sodium - the good tasting salt). Since it would be harmful to fertile land because of its salt content, no man would allow it to be thrown on his field. The only place left was the street, where it was trodden under foot of man. Thus the Bible was proved scientifically accurate, even in its many small details - for this was just a lone example.
So, taking this characteristic of the salt in Israel into account, Jesus is saying that if our faith is dissolved or negatively impacted by things that are not pure truth (adding to it, religion, heretical teaching, etc.). We will lose our flavor and become useless. The truth (flavor) is slowly dissolved out of us by those things around us that are not of Him, that we allow in our life. I can see how this creates a lifeless church that is so given over to religion, that there is no truth left. I see the corruption of the world creeping into the church so that over time the truth is lost all together.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
This aroma is looking back at the incense before the Lord, which was required to be salted and pure (Exodus 30:35). In our call from Jesus to be the salt of the earth, we are in essence this aroma, this incense. Our presence is supposed to help sanctify and purify those around us, and lead them to God and His eternal covenant of life - made possible through Jesus sacrifice.
Amen - help us Lord. Who is equal to such a task? Lord without your quidance and empowerment, none of us is capable.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Burton Coffman commentary adds this about the salt losing its flavor:
The surface waters of the Dead Sea, on evaporation, have a chemical salts content of about 31 percent sodium chloride, 13 percent calcium chloride, and 48 percent magnesium chloride, together with other impurities. The calcium and magnesium chlorides are hygroscopic (take water out of the air) and will thus literally dissolve the sodium chloride. A bitter tasting composition results. It was the custom to store vast amounts of this salt in houses that had earthen floors. In time, the salt next to the ground spoiled because of the dampness (the water drawn in by the calcium and magnesium literally dissolves the sodium - the good tasting salt). Since it would be harmful to fertile land because of its salt content, no man would allow it to be thrown on his field. The only place left was the street, where it was trodden under foot of man. Thus the Bible was proved scientifically accurate, even in its many small details - for this was just a lone example.
So, taking this characteristic of the salt in Israel into account, Jesus is saying that if our faith is dissolved or negatively impacted by things that are not pure truth (adding to it, religion, heretical teaching, etc.). We will lose our flavor and become useless. The truth (flavor) is slowly dissolved out of us by those things around us that are not of Him, that we allow in our life. I can see how this creates a lifeless church that is so given over to religion, that there is no truth left. I see the corruption of the world creeping into the church so that over time the truth is lost all together.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
This aroma is looking back at the incense before the Lord, which was required to be salted and pure (Exodus 30:35). In our call from Jesus to be the salt of the earth, we are in essence this aroma, this incense. Our presence is supposed to help sanctify and purify those around us, and lead them to God and His eternal covenant of life - made possible through Jesus sacrifice.
Amen - help us Lord. Who is equal to such a task? Lord without your quidance and empowerment, none of us is capable.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Salt Covenant - 2
Continuing my study of the Salt Covenant, as mentioned in Lev. 2:13:
Salt was the food preservative par excellence in biblical times. According to priestly law, all sacrifices were to be salted as well: "You shall season your every offering of meal with salt; you shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt." (Lev. 2:13) It is easy to understand this law in the context of meat sacrifices, as salt functioned to remove whatever blood remained after slaughter. What is surprising and unexpected is the requirement to use salt in grain offerings as well:
Scholar Jacob Milgrom notes that salt stands in contrast to leaven and other fermentatives, whose use is forbidden on the altar. He thus perceives salt as a symbol of permanence, as opposed to leaven which produces change. Therefore, a "salt covenant" suggests an unbreakable covenant.(1)
Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant. For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly – it deserves serious respect. To the ancient Hebrews, salt represented purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty (2Kin.2:19 -21; 2Chr.13:5). Today some Eastern people still use the phrase: “There is salt between us.” Having no salt, meant disloyalty and barrenness. (2)
So what God was indicating in the "Covenant of Salt" that this is an everlasting covenant, unbreakable, and one that brings preservation, and purity. In other words, this Salt Covenant is looking forward to the Sacrifice that REALLY provided preservation (Salvation), purity (Righteousness) and unbreakable (Eternal) - that of Jesus on the Cross. In making sure that all offerings were salted, God is providing a pattern, calling us to remember constantly His covenant of Love with us, the New Covenant.
Tomorrow - our role of "salt of the earth" and how that should impact our lives.
Salt was the food preservative par excellence in biblical times. According to priestly law, all sacrifices were to be salted as well: "You shall season your every offering of meal with salt; you shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt." (Lev. 2:13) It is easy to understand this law in the context of meat sacrifices, as salt functioned to remove whatever blood remained after slaughter. What is surprising and unexpected is the requirement to use salt in grain offerings as well:
Scholar Jacob Milgrom notes that salt stands in contrast to leaven and other fermentatives, whose use is forbidden on the altar. He thus perceives salt as a symbol of permanence, as opposed to leaven which produces change. Therefore, a "salt covenant" suggests an unbreakable covenant.(1)
Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant. For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly – it deserves serious respect. To the ancient Hebrews, salt represented purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty (2Kin.2:19 -21; 2Chr.13:5). Today some Eastern people still use the phrase: “There is salt between us.” Having no salt, meant disloyalty and barrenness. (2)
So what God was indicating in the "Covenant of Salt" that this is an everlasting covenant, unbreakable, and one that brings preservation, and purity. In other words, this Salt Covenant is looking forward to the Sacrifice that REALLY provided preservation (Salvation), purity (Righteousness) and unbreakable (Eternal) - that of Jesus on the Cross. In making sure that all offerings were salted, God is providing a pattern, calling us to remember constantly His covenant of Love with us, the New Covenant.
Tomorrow - our role of "salt of the earth" and how that should impact our lives.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Salt Covenant - part 1
In prayer I was led to Lev 2:13 speaking about a covenant salt, which I had never really noticed before. I decided to do a bit of research and see what the significance of this covenant was to the Jews, and what meaning it should have for me. It was mentioned three times in scripture:
(NIV)Leviticus 2:13
Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.
(NIV)Numbers 18:18-19
Their meat is to be yours, just as the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh are yours. [19] Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the Lord I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring.”
(NIV)2 Chronicles 13:5
Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?
I was looking up the covenant of salt online and it talks about this being the most extraordinary of all the covenants. This was an eternal, enduring, pure and preserving covenant. This is the root of the verse where Jesus speaks about being the salt of the earth, for there was a requirement that all sacrifices be salted when offered to God, for it makes them an acceptable sacrifice. The salt was also added to the incense, as a pleasing offering.
(NIV)Exodus 30:34-35
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices---gum resin, onycha and galbanum---and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, [35] and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.
God clearly has established significance in the Covenant of Salt. Tomorrow I will dive deeper - for this has meaning for us all.
(NIV)Leviticus 2:13
Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.
(NIV)Numbers 18:18-19
Their meat is to be yours, just as the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh are yours. [19] Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the Lord I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring.”
(NIV)2 Chronicles 13:5
Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?
I was looking up the covenant of salt online and it talks about this being the most extraordinary of all the covenants. This was an eternal, enduring, pure and preserving covenant. This is the root of the verse where Jesus speaks about being the salt of the earth, for there was a requirement that all sacrifices be salted when offered to God, for it makes them an acceptable sacrifice. The salt was also added to the incense, as a pleasing offering.
(NIV)Exodus 30:34-35
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices---gum resin, onycha and galbanum---and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, [35] and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.
God clearly has established significance in the Covenant of Salt. Tomorrow I will dive deeper - for this has meaning for us all.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Knowing the Father
This morning I was reading from the Gospel of John and was thinking about how important it is to know God. I was reminded of Jesus' statement to Philip in the 14th chapter.
(NIV)John 14:8-14
"Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” [9] Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Recently my meditation has been on the person-hood of the Godhead. I have been trying to get to know them as individuals. So often I only relate to God from a distance, or as a petition hearing entity, but the truth is that they are distinct persons. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are each knowable. I have been focusing on the Holy Spirit, as in my own walk, I have been least aware of Him. Books like "Good Morning Holy Spirit" by Benny Hinn and the "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by R.A. Torrey have been very helpful to me.
In this particular verse, Jesus shows us the way to understand and see the Father - He (Jesus) reveals Him to us, through His (Jesus) words and actions. If we read the Bible and endeavor to see the person behind Jesus actions, we will come face to face with the Father.
Amen - help me Lord, for I want to discover the great treasure. As it says in Matt. 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
(NIV)John 14:8-14
"Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” [9] Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? [10] Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
Recently my meditation has been on the person-hood of the Godhead. I have been trying to get to know them as individuals. So often I only relate to God from a distance, or as a petition hearing entity, but the truth is that they are distinct persons. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are each knowable. I have been focusing on the Holy Spirit, as in my own walk, I have been least aware of Him. Books like "Good Morning Holy Spirit" by Benny Hinn and the "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by R.A. Torrey have been very helpful to me.
In this particular verse, Jesus shows us the way to understand and see the Father - He (Jesus) reveals Him to us, through His (Jesus) words and actions. If we read the Bible and endeavor to see the person behind Jesus actions, we will come face to face with the Father.
Amen - help me Lord, for I want to discover the great treasure. As it says in Matt. 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
No Sickness in the Kingdom of God
I was reading from Luke 9 before going to sleep.
(NIV)Luke 9:1-9
"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey---no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
[7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, [8] others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. [9] But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him."
I was thinking about how simple this impartation was - Jesus called them together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. He asked them to proclaim the the Kingdom of God, and heal the sick.
This isn't meant to be rocket science, but the proclamation of the Kingdom has those two key components - power and authority. They are meant to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom in overcoming the power of the enemy and the effects his work, and sickness. All of these are not part of God's Kingdom, that is why the proclamation of His Kingdom involves defeating them and driving them away.
So in summary:
1. Proclaiming His Kingdom requires Power and Authority which comes from Him.
2. Proclaiming His Kingdom is meant to establish His Kingdom, as the enemy is defeated through this proclamation and demonstation.
3. Demons, unclean spirits, and sickness are all not a part of His Kingdom, thus when His Kingdom established they must go.
Lord, we believe this is true. Help us to grasp this truth completely and experience this truth in our lives.
(NIV)Luke 9:1-9
"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, [2] and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [3] He told them: “Take nothing for the journey---no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. [4] Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. [5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” [6] So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
[7] Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, [8] others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. [9] But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him."
I was thinking about how simple this impartation was - Jesus called them together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. He asked them to proclaim the the Kingdom of God, and heal the sick.
This isn't meant to be rocket science, but the proclamation of the Kingdom has those two key components - power and authority. They are meant to demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom in overcoming the power of the enemy and the effects his work, and sickness. All of these are not part of God's Kingdom, that is why the proclamation of His Kingdom involves defeating them and driving them away.
So in summary:
1. Proclaiming His Kingdom requires Power and Authority which comes from Him.
2. Proclaiming His Kingdom is meant to establish His Kingdom, as the enemy is defeated through this proclamation and demonstation.
3. Demons, unclean spirits, and sickness are all not a part of His Kingdom, thus when His Kingdom established they must go.
Lord, we believe this is true. Help us to grasp this truth completely and experience this truth in our lives.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Welcoming God
Last night I was reading from Luke 9-10.
(NIV)Luke 9:52-53
"And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; [53] but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem."
I was thinking about the last sentence - how people did not welcome Jesus. He was heading to Jerusalem, and as such the Samaritans did not welcome Him, for there was a disagreement about where they should worship, and the Samaritans were generally looked down upon by the Jews. Clearly, as Jesus was actually planning to stay there, He was breaking from normal Jewish tradition of not associating with Samaritans as is described in John 4. In addition to the financial blessing this would have brought, one would think, they would have experienced the blessing of God's literal presence, in Jesus. I am reminded of the effects that the presence of God had on Obed-Edom's house when David left the Ark there -
(NIV)2 Samuel 6:10-12
He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. [11] The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household. [12] Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.
In the same way, when Jesus visited a city, they experienced the blessings of God, see Matt 8 - where Jesus comes into town, heals the Centurion's servant, healed Peter's mother-in-law, then healed everyone that was brought to Him. There was the natural blessing that came from crowds of people following Jesus, they needed food and places to stay, most likely bought at local rates, and there was the blessing of health and wholeness that was poured out through Jesus ministry, the kingdom of darkness was vanquished as Jesus cast out the demons. All of this would have greatly uplifted the town or city.
Yet we see this Samritan village rejecting His presence, most likely because of their religious affiliation. It makes me wonder how often we miss God's presence because of some denominational differences, affiliations or even religious preferences? It makes me sick to think that someone would reject the very presence of God - but I know I have likely fallen into the same spirit, not trusting that God was really moving due to a groups history, or affiliation.
Continuing on in Luke 10, Jesus gives a stern warning concerning towns and villages that do not welcome his followers, in the following verses:
(NIV)Luke 10:10-12, 16
"But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
[16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
Lord, help me to always welcome You! I am reminded of what Jesus' response was to the Samaritan village, He just went somewhere else (Luke 9:56).
I am also thinking this relates to how we welcome His word in our lives. There are many times that He visits us with a word of encouragement, a calling, an invitation that challenges us, and its always really an invitation to increase our intimacy with Him. How often do we reject Him in rejecting His word, or even His emissaries (preachers or teachers) because we don't like what we hear, or are challenged to get out of our comfort zone?
Lord, I don't want you to go anywhere else. I want to welcome You in my life, my home. Lord, that You might find a welcome sign in my heart and home, that you might take up residence here!
(NIV)Luke 9:52-53
"And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; [53] but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem."
I was thinking about the last sentence - how people did not welcome Jesus. He was heading to Jerusalem, and as such the Samaritans did not welcome Him, for there was a disagreement about where they should worship, and the Samaritans were generally looked down upon by the Jews. Clearly, as Jesus was actually planning to stay there, He was breaking from normal Jewish tradition of not associating with Samaritans as is described in John 4. In addition to the financial blessing this would have brought, one would think, they would have experienced the blessing of God's literal presence, in Jesus. I am reminded of the effects that the presence of God had on Obed-Edom's house when David left the Ark there -
(NIV)2 Samuel 6:10-12
He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. [11] The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household. [12] Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.
In the same way, when Jesus visited a city, they experienced the blessings of God, see Matt 8 - where Jesus comes into town, heals the Centurion's servant, healed Peter's mother-in-law, then healed everyone that was brought to Him. There was the natural blessing that came from crowds of people following Jesus, they needed food and places to stay, most likely bought at local rates, and there was the blessing of health and wholeness that was poured out through Jesus ministry, the kingdom of darkness was vanquished as Jesus cast out the demons. All of this would have greatly uplifted the town or city.
Yet we see this Samritan village rejecting His presence, most likely because of their religious affiliation. It makes me wonder how often we miss God's presence because of some denominational differences, affiliations or even religious preferences? It makes me sick to think that someone would reject the very presence of God - but I know I have likely fallen into the same spirit, not trusting that God was really moving due to a groups history, or affiliation.
Continuing on in Luke 10, Jesus gives a stern warning concerning towns and villages that do not welcome his followers, in the following verses:
(NIV)Luke 10:10-12, 16
"But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ [12] I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."
[16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
Lord, help me to always welcome You! I am reminded of what Jesus' response was to the Samaritan village, He just went somewhere else (Luke 9:56).
I am also thinking this relates to how we welcome His word in our lives. There are many times that He visits us with a word of encouragement, a calling, an invitation that challenges us, and its always really an invitation to increase our intimacy with Him. How often do we reject Him in rejecting His word, or even His emissaries (preachers or teachers) because we don't like what we hear, or are challenged to get out of our comfort zone?
Lord, I don't want you to go anywhere else. I want to welcome You in my life, my home. Lord, that You might find a welcome sign in my heart and home, that you might take up residence here!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
God's Generational Perspective
This morning I was reading out of Isaiah 61:
(NIV)Isaiah 61:3-7
..."and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. [5] Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. [6] And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
There is a replacement, a restoration that's tapping into the heart of the Lord, promised here. Verse 8 starts out:
(NIV)Isaiah 61:8
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them."
This restoration and replacement is because of the Lord's heart for justice. When His people suffer, and experience sorrow, He plans to bring them the opposite, because of His heart of Justice. In the case of Israel, this took place over generations. As I typed that, I realized that we really don't have a generational context, that God has, and acts within. Beginning in Genesis there is a constant theme of God applying a blessing or covenent with the individual and His generations to come.
(NIV)Genesis 9:11-12
"I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. ” [12] And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:"
(NIV)Genesis 17:7
"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."
(NIV)Psalm 33:11
"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
(NIV)Psalm 100:5
"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
(NIV)Ephesians 3:21
"...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Lord, clearly you have a different perspective than we do. I know I can barely see past the next week. Help us to begin to understand and see as you see. Lord, help us to lay claim to Your promises as You mean them, as multi-generational. Help us to see that our actions can have generational significance. When we step into Your promise and blessing, its something that affects the generations after us!
(NIV)Isaiah 61:3-7
..."and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. [5] Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. [6] And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
There is a replacement, a restoration that's tapping into the heart of the Lord, promised here. Verse 8 starts out:
(NIV)Isaiah 61:8
“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them."
This restoration and replacement is because of the Lord's heart for justice. When His people suffer, and experience sorrow, He plans to bring them the opposite, because of His heart of Justice. In the case of Israel, this took place over generations. As I typed that, I realized that we really don't have a generational context, that God has, and acts within. Beginning in Genesis there is a constant theme of God applying a blessing or covenent with the individual and His generations to come.
(NIV)Genesis 9:11-12
"I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. ” [12] And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:"
(NIV)Genesis 17:7
"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."
(NIV)Psalm 33:11
"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."
(NIV)Psalm 100:5
"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
(NIV)Ephesians 3:21
"...to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Lord, clearly you have a different perspective than we do. I know I can barely see past the next week. Help us to begin to understand and see as you see. Lord, help us to lay claim to Your promises as You mean them, as multi-generational. Help us to see that our actions can have generational significance. When we step into Your promise and blessing, its something that affects the generations after us!
Note: no relation to me - but 6 generations of a single family!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
The Trouble With Troubles
I was reading from the psalms this morning, and I have a question for You Lord.
(NIV)Psalm 121:7
The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life;
In this psalm, You clearly say you will keep us from all harm, those that look to You. Yet, in the case of people we know, who have been living a life focused on You, depending on You, they are afflicted with a terrible cancer which clearly has harmed them. I ask for Your help in understanding this verse in light of our experience.
The NASB translates this verse:
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
OK, so after some research, the key word to understanding this verse is the last word of the sentence. The NIV translates this life, so in my thinking this means a person's life, the outward experiences, etc. The Hebrew word 'nephesh', is more correctly translated soul as shown in the NASB. This word means the inner person, see below:
soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
a. that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
b. living being
c. living being (with life in the blood)
d. the man himself, self, person or individual
e. seat of the appetites
f. seat of emotions and passions
So another way of reading this verse would be something like this:
The Lord will guard your soul, and keep it safe, as you encounter hardships and trouble.
I can understand this Lord, Thank You for Your instruction. Scripture clearly teaches us that we will encounter hardship and struggles ( Psalm 9:9, John 16:33, Rom 8:35, 1Peter 4:12, etc.), so a verse like this could seem contradictory.
In fact, as I have looked at many of the verses where trouble is mentioned, its often within the context of that situation that God provides shelter, rescue, or miracles. He is a God who saves. He is the Redeemer, one who goes into the enemies camp and frees the captives and sets them free. Its in trouble, that we encounter these characteristics of the Lord. As Jesus says in John 16:33:
(NIV)John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
So going back to the beginning of Psalm 121, we are encouraged to lift our eyes up to Him. For in Him, our souls are safe and helped.
(NIV)Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
(NIV)Psalm 121:7
The Lord will keep you from all harm---he will watch over your life;
In this psalm, You clearly say you will keep us from all harm, those that look to You. Yet, in the case of people we know, who have been living a life focused on You, depending on You, they are afflicted with a terrible cancer which clearly has harmed them. I ask for Your help in understanding this verse in light of our experience.
The NASB translates this verse:
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
OK, so after some research, the key word to understanding this verse is the last word of the sentence. The NIV translates this life, so in my thinking this means a person's life, the outward experiences, etc. The Hebrew word 'nephesh', is more correctly translated soul as shown in the NASB. This word means the inner person, see below:
soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
a. that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
b. living being
c. living being (with life in the blood)
d. the man himself, self, person or individual
e. seat of the appetites
f. seat of emotions and passions
So another way of reading this verse would be something like this:
The Lord will guard your soul, and keep it safe, as you encounter hardships and trouble.
I can understand this Lord, Thank You for Your instruction. Scripture clearly teaches us that we will encounter hardship and struggles ( Psalm 9:9, John 16:33, Rom 8:35, 1Peter 4:12, etc.), so a verse like this could seem contradictory.
In fact, as I have looked at many of the verses where trouble is mentioned, its often within the context of that situation that God provides shelter, rescue, or miracles. He is a God who saves. He is the Redeemer, one who goes into the enemies camp and frees the captives and sets them free. Its in trouble, that we encounter these characteristics of the Lord. As Jesus says in John 16:33:
(NIV)John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
So going back to the beginning of Psalm 121, we are encouraged to lift our eyes up to Him. For in Him, our souls are safe and helped.
(NIV)Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Friday, March 2, 2012
The Importance of Small Things
This morning I was reading in Zechariah.
Zech 4:10
“Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel."
I was thinking earlier about how its the small decisions I make throughout the day that generally determine my focus and level of obedience. In the big areas, I generally stay on the path, but its in the small areas that I either don't pay attention to the consequences, or feel like I can disobey without any affect.
In this scripture Zerubbabel is commissioned to rebuild the temple, and the plumb-line is the tool they used to make sure the walls, especially the foundations, were straight. I know that in laying bricks for a brick wall, if one brick is slightly out of line, it can cause the whole wall to get out of balance, and become unstable, as that out-of-line brick is used to guide the placement of all the bricks around it, and the above it.
In the same way, small areas of my life that are out of line with God, can cause other areas to get out of line as well. In fact as I honestly look at times of disobedience, I can usually trace it back to one small little thing where I chose to do something slightly out of line with what I know is God's will for me. This then seems to cause a weakness in my will, and in related areas I make more choices that are out of line, so that disobedience, builds upon disobedience. Soon I find myself choosing disobedience in larger areas as well, due to my weakness of will.
Clearly, it is important to pay attention to the small things, for by them the course of my day, and life is often set. Lord, help me to hold true to Your Word and Will always, not just in the big areas, but in small things as well.
Zech 4:10
“Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel."
I was thinking earlier about how its the small decisions I make throughout the day that generally determine my focus and level of obedience. In the big areas, I generally stay on the path, but its in the small areas that I either don't pay attention to the consequences, or feel like I can disobey without any affect.
In this scripture Zerubbabel is commissioned to rebuild the temple, and the plumb-line is the tool they used to make sure the walls, especially the foundations, were straight. I know that in laying bricks for a brick wall, if one brick is slightly out of line, it can cause the whole wall to get out of balance, and become unstable, as that out-of-line brick is used to guide the placement of all the bricks around it, and the above it.
In the same way, small areas of my life that are out of line with God, can cause other areas to get out of line as well. In fact as I honestly look at times of disobedience, I can usually trace it back to one small little thing where I chose to do something slightly out of line with what I know is God's will for me. This then seems to cause a weakness in my will, and in related areas I make more choices that are out of line, so that disobedience, builds upon disobedience. Soon I find myself choosing disobedience in larger areas as well, due to my weakness of will.
Clearly, it is important to pay attention to the small things, for by them the course of my day, and life is often set. Lord, help me to hold true to Your Word and Will always, not just in the big areas, but in small things as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)