This morning I am reading from Isaiah 29:13-14 NIV:
[13] "The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. [14] Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. ”
This verse always makes me think about my own heart engagement, my own focus on the Lord, and whether my words and my heart are in alignment. Saying it another way, are the things I profess actually things that are in my heart?
Am I just going through the motions, but my heart is somewhere else? As an example - do I really mean it when I tell my wife that I love her, or are they empty words?
Is my faith based on my experience of God's love for me, or is it something that that I learned from my parents or someone else?
I see in these verses God's desire and intention, that our worship of Him would be infused with passion, stirring our hearts! He wants to be loved and worshipped, known intimately by each of us. He wants us to be engaged not because someone taught us, but because we know through experience. This gives me great hope when crying out for God to move -I know He wants people to experience Him that way.
Verse 14 is a perfect answer, because of our condition, He will astound us with wonders. I like the NASB translation of this verse: Isaiah 29:14 NASB
Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed."
The Hebrew for wondrously marvelous is actually the same word twice - pala pala. In other words, not just marvelous, but for those who have regular experiences of things they can't do (those we would consider wonder workers), this would be even beyond their comprehension, or even their thoughts.
Its actually kind of funny, we want a God we can understand, and He wants to completely blow us away with wonder. Lord, I know I want to know You this way. I want my worship of you and my faith in You to be, in part, based on experiences of your marvelous wonders. Come Lord!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sin and Responsibility
I was reading out of Mark today.
Mark 7:21-23 NIV
[21] "For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come---sexual immorality, theft, murder, [22] adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. [23] All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
I was thinking about how this reality is so different than what we sometimes choose to believe. We would blame external forces, even temptation for our sin, but the reality is that it comes out of us, out of our heart and out of our mind. We need to take personal responsibility for that which we allow to remain in us.
If our house is full of junk, we would like to blame someone else, but in reality, we brought it all into our house in the first place, and have not chosen to remove it, thus it remains. In the same way, I think we must recognize our own duplicity in our sin.
It is this sense of personal responsibility for our sin that will bring us to God. Jesus is our redeemer and the one who died for all our sins. The Holy Spirit has been given to live within us and enable us to renew our minds and give us new hearts. Our call is to have living water flowing out of us, rather than sin flowing out of us. As James 3:11 says: "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Ever Increasing Glory
This morning I am reading from Haggai.
Haggai 2:6-9 NIV
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. [7] I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, ’ says the Lord Almighty. [8] ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. [9] ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace, ’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
I love this verse because it reminds me of three truths:
1) God is capable of shaking everything, every system, every nation, every person. He is God over everything, and everything is under His authority.
2) All the silver and all the gold are His. He is our true source of all provision and blessing. If we are lacking, we should turn to Him.
3) His Kingdom is increasingly glorious. He is not defeated or being beaten. The future in God is always better than the present.
I am reminded of a few verses in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, 17-18 NIV:
[7] "Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? [9] If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! [10] For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. [11] And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
[17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
We are, despite how things look to us with our limited sight and understanding, being transformed into His image with EVER INCREASING glory!
Hallelujah!
Haggai 2:6-9 NIV
“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. [7] I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, ’ says the Lord Almighty. [8] ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. [9] ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace, ’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
I love this verse because it reminds me of three truths:
1) God is capable of shaking everything, every system, every nation, every person. He is God over everything, and everything is under His authority.
2) All the silver and all the gold are His. He is our true source of all provision and blessing. If we are lacking, we should turn to Him.
3) His Kingdom is increasingly glorious. He is not defeated or being beaten. The future in God is always better than the present.
I am reminded of a few verses in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, 17-18 NIV:
[7] "Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? [9] If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! [10] For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. [11] And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
[17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
We are, despite how things look to us with our limited sight and understanding, being transformed into His image with EVER INCREASING glory!
Hallelujah!
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Simple Call
This morning I am reading from Zechariah 7:8-10 NIV:
[8] "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: [9] “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. [10] Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’
-and -
Zechariah 8:16-17 NIV:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; [17] do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
Immediately before the first verses, the people had been inquiring of God, exactly what religious observances, fasts, festivals, and such, they should do. These verses were God's reply - basically to love one another, especially those in hardship and difficult circumstances.
The verses from chapter 8, are God telling them how He plans to bless them, and these are His main requirements on them as a people - to treat each other fairly and speak the truth to one another.
I am reminded of a few verses in the New Testament that parallel these verses:
John 13:34 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Matthew 7:12 NIV
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
In both of these verses, Jesus was speaking, and bringing our focus to a simple call to follow His example in loving and caring for others. So often people get caught up in the outward observances of going to church, or saying certain prayers, or keeping certain observances, and they forget about these most important things. I've heard it said in the restaurant business that the one shift no one wants to work is the Sunday, after church shift, because of the way the church people treat them. I've heard others, who are Christian friends say they don't want to do work for other Christians because of the way they are treated.
Our love for others is supposed to be a light to others, one that draws them in to the Kingdom and allows them to be filled with life.
Lord, help me to embrace this simple call to love others, and treat them the way I would want to be treated, paying special attention to those who are in difficult situations or downtrodden
[8] "And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: [9] “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. [10] Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’
-and -
Zechariah 8:16-17 NIV:
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; [17] do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.
Immediately before the first verses, the people had been inquiring of God, exactly what religious observances, fasts, festivals, and such, they should do. These verses were God's reply - basically to love one another, especially those in hardship and difficult circumstances.
The verses from chapter 8, are God telling them how He plans to bless them, and these are His main requirements on them as a people - to treat each other fairly and speak the truth to one another.
I am reminded of a few verses in the New Testament that parallel these verses:
John 13:34 NIV
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Matthew 7:12 NIV
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
In both of these verses, Jesus was speaking, and bringing our focus to a simple call to follow His example in loving and caring for others. So often people get caught up in the outward observances of going to church, or saying certain prayers, or keeping certain observances, and they forget about these most important things. I've heard it said in the restaurant business that the one shift no one wants to work is the Sunday, after church shift, because of the way the church people treat them. I've heard others, who are Christian friends say they don't want to do work for other Christians because of the way they are treated.
Our love for others is supposed to be a light to others, one that draws them in to the Kingdom and allows them to be filled with life.
Lord, help me to embrace this simple call to love others, and treat them the way I would want to be treated, paying special attention to those who are in difficult situations or downtrodden
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Of Fear And Anxiety
This morning I am reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians.
Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I am primarily focused on verses 6 & 7- and the ability of the Lord to reach into our situations and bring us peace. Its interesting to note that in addition to feeling peace, this peace will actually guard our hearts and minds. I know much of our anxiety comes from the gyrations of our mind, thinking of all the possible things that could happen. In the place of anxiety, we don't think well or make good decisions, for they are based on fear. These fearful thoughts can become a whirlpool that draws us in. Its in this place that we need God's peace, and we need our mind guarded.
In a place of fear and anxiety our hearts are not reliable guides either, for we will give our hearts to the things that make the fear and anxiety stop in the shortest period of time. Often the shortest path is not the best path. I can think of many examples of these types of fear and anxiety inducing situations, such as teen pregnancy, volatile home situations, etc. In these times, we are likely to jump at the first opportunity to escape the fear and anxiety. Its in this place that we need to turn to God in prayer and seek His wisdom and peace, and let His peace guard our hearts.
Finally, we need to learn to focus our thoughts on positive things - "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy", for we are what we think!
Lord, help us to turn to You in prayer, a place of of personal communication and communion, and help us to hear what You have to say. Your words and Your love do bring peace, which extinguishes fear and anxiety !
Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8] Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I am primarily focused on verses 6 & 7- and the ability of the Lord to reach into our situations and bring us peace. Its interesting to note that in addition to feeling peace, this peace will actually guard our hearts and minds. I know much of our anxiety comes from the gyrations of our mind, thinking of all the possible things that could happen. In the place of anxiety, we don't think well or make good decisions, for they are based on fear. These fearful thoughts can become a whirlpool that draws us in. Its in this place that we need God's peace, and we need our mind guarded.
In a place of fear and anxiety our hearts are not reliable guides either, for we will give our hearts to the things that make the fear and anxiety stop in the shortest period of time. Often the shortest path is not the best path. I can think of many examples of these types of fear and anxiety inducing situations, such as teen pregnancy, volatile home situations, etc. In these times, we are likely to jump at the first opportunity to escape the fear and anxiety. Its in this place that we need to turn to God in prayer and seek His wisdom and peace, and let His peace guard our hearts.
Finally, we need to learn to focus our thoughts on positive things - "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy", for we are what we think!
Lord, help us to turn to You in prayer, a place of of personal communication and communion, and help us to hear what You have to say. Your words and Your love do bring peace, which extinguishes fear and anxiety !
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Faith, Free-Will and Salvation
I am reading from Colossians this morning:
Colossians 2:9-15 NIV
[9] "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
I started reading at verse 13, and if read alone, it sounds like all the salvation and forgiveness in God is all done by Him, and done for us before we were saved, and even aware it has happened. This is absolutely true, for nothing we have done, or can do will bring us salvation and complete forgiveness of all our sins. However, the application of this gift into our life is through faith- see verse 12. Without our faith, which is also a gift from God, this glorious reality is not appropriated into our lives. God pours out faith to us, but we must willfully engage this faith and belief. It is this freedom of our will (free-will) that is critical in our walk with God. He has paid the price, has sacrificed himself for our salvation, but it is our willingness to accept this and believe it that determines our experience.
This also demonstrates the danger of reading verses out of context, or setting one verse as primary theological statement, that overrides or contradicts other verses. We must be careful and balanced in our approach, recognizing that the Bible is to be read and understood, and studied as a whole. It is not to picked apart and only certain parts kept or held to be true, which is something that Marcion, one of the first heretical teachers, did in wanting to throw out most of the Old Testament, and everything but Luke and the writings of Paul in the New Testament. We can study verse by verse, but must apply what we learn to the overall truth of scripture.
A nice analogy I just thought of is the restoration of a large painting. The restorer works on one small section of a time, analyzing and restoring the correct hues and colors exactly as they were meant to be by the original painter, buts its only in the context of the complete painting that the full affect of that little section, which is being restored, is fully appreciated. And it is always within the context of the complete work that decisions about how to restore the tiny section are made. I hope that makes sense.
Lord, we pray that You will guide us and teach us as You promised in John 16:12-13 NIV:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
Colossians 2:9-15 NIV
[9] "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
I started reading at verse 13, and if read alone, it sounds like all the salvation and forgiveness in God is all done by Him, and done for us before we were saved, and even aware it has happened. This is absolutely true, for nothing we have done, or can do will bring us salvation and complete forgiveness of all our sins. However, the application of this gift into our life is through faith- see verse 12. Without our faith, which is also a gift from God, this glorious reality is not appropriated into our lives. God pours out faith to us, but we must willfully engage this faith and belief. It is this freedom of our will (free-will) that is critical in our walk with God. He has paid the price, has sacrificed himself for our salvation, but it is our willingness to accept this and believe it that determines our experience.
This also demonstrates the danger of reading verses out of context, or setting one verse as primary theological statement, that overrides or contradicts other verses. We must be careful and balanced in our approach, recognizing that the Bible is to be read and understood, and studied as a whole. It is not to picked apart and only certain parts kept or held to be true, which is something that Marcion, one of the first heretical teachers, did in wanting to throw out most of the Old Testament, and everything but Luke and the writings of Paul in the New Testament. We can study verse by verse, but must apply what we learn to the overall truth of scripture.
A nice analogy I just thought of is the restoration of a large painting. The restorer works on one small section of a time, analyzing and restoring the correct hues and colors exactly as they were meant to be by the original painter, buts its only in the context of the complete painting that the full affect of that little section, which is being restored, is fully appreciated. And it is always within the context of the complete work that decisions about how to restore the tiny section are made. I hope that makes sense.
Lord, we pray that You will guide us and teach us as You promised in John 16:12-13 NIV:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
Friday, January 25, 2013
Deeper in Love
This morning I was praying about loving Him more and more and I was reminded of a few verses in Philippians.
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God."
I see in this prayer, my own prayer as well. I have been praying that my love for God would drive me deeper into His word, and there find a deeper insight and knowledge of Him, not head knowledge but knowledge and insight based on relationship. Its in this place of deep intimacy and pursuit, that I will be changed to become more and more like Him. Its also in this place of intimacy that we begin to see what is best for us, what is His good and perfect will. Lord, I want to love You more and more.
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God."
I see in this prayer, my own prayer as well. I have been praying that my love for God would drive me deeper into His word, and there find a deeper insight and knowledge of Him, not head knowledge but knowledge and insight based on relationship. Its in this place of deep intimacy and pursuit, that I will be changed to become more and more like Him. Its also in this place of intimacy that we begin to see what is best for us, what is His good and perfect will. Lord, I want to love You more and more.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Lord's Correction
This morning I felt called to read from Job 5:17-18 NIV (page 431 to be exact):
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."
These verses continue on with some awesome promises - Job 5:19-26 NIV:
[19] "From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will touch you. [20] In famine he will deliver you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. [21] You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes. [22] You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. [23] For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you. [24] You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing. [25] You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth. [26] You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season."
These verses speak of a victorious life in God, not that there wont be struggles and battles, but that Lord will preserve us through them all. I really like the last verse - coming to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season. This speaks of a fullness and fruitfulness of ones life! Amen Lord, that is how I want to go to the grave - having achieved the maximum fruitfulness possible for Your Kingdom!
I felt led to turn to page 672 which in my Bible is Jeremiah 33:1-16 NIV:
[1] While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: [2] “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it---the Lord is his name: [3] ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
[4] For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the houses in this city and the royal palaces of Judah that have been torn down to be used against the siege ramps and the sword [5] in the fight with the Babylonians : ‘They will be filled with the dead bodies of the people I will slay in my anger and wrath. I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness.
[6] “ ‘Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. [7] I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. [8] I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. [9] Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
[10] “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more [11] the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; his love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before, ’ says the Lord. [12] “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In this place, desolate and without people or animals---in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks. [13] In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them,’ says the Lord.
[14] “ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
[15] “ ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. [16] In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’
In verses 4 & 5 the Lord speaks of judgement on Israel, and prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem - things we don't like to read or hear. However, it is out of that place that the Lord works, never forgetting His 'good promise'. We must not lose site of the fact that discipline and correction are followed by blessing, health, healing and bounty. In the case of Jerusalem, it took more than 70 years to see these promises of restoration fulfilled. The work of the Lord is faithful and complete, and thorough beyond comprehension.
Lord, help me to welcome Your discipline , cleansing and purifying with open arms, complete humility, and a willingness to help.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Unity In The Spirit
This morning I opened my bible to Psalm 133.
Psalm 133:1-3 NIV
[1] "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! [2] It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. [3] It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."
In other words, there is an abundant anointing released in the place of unity. There is a heavenly blessing released through unity that refreshes and brings life. This is the place where the Lord bestows blessing, other translations call it the commanded blessing, a place where there is no doubt about the blessing to come.
Some of the commentators speak of the oil representing the Holy Spirit, and this represents an abundant, overflowing outpouring. This reminds me of Jesus speaking of living water flowing out of those who believe: John 7:37-39 NIV
[37] "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
I am also reminded of this passage from 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Lord, we pray that we will see a great outpouring of unity and love for each other in this nation. We confess that we have become a nation of people that thinks of themselves first, full of selfishness. We pray for true unity and for Your blessing Lord. We pray that this unity would start in Your church, Lord.
Psalm 133:1-3 NIV
[1] "How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! [2] It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. [3] It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore."
In other words, there is an abundant anointing released in the place of unity. There is a heavenly blessing released through unity that refreshes and brings life. This is the place where the Lord bestows blessing, other translations call it the commanded blessing, a place where there is no doubt about the blessing to come.
Some of the commentators speak of the oil representing the Holy Spirit, and this represents an abundant, overflowing outpouring. This reminds me of Jesus speaking of living water flowing out of those who believe: John 7:37-39 NIV
[37] "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
I am also reminded of this passage from 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body---whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free---and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. [14] Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Lord, we pray that we will see a great outpouring of unity and love for each other in this nation. We confess that we have become a nation of people that thinks of themselves first, full of selfishness. We pray for true unity and for Your blessing Lord. We pray that this unity would start in Your church, Lord.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Baptizo With The Holy Spirit
I felt led to read from Acts 1 this morning:
Acts 1:4-9 NIV
[4] "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
[9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight."
As I was reading back through these verses I was reminded of how important the Holy Spirit is to us. This was the last thing Jesus talked about while still on earth in bodily form. We tend to believe that if a person knows they are leaving they will make sure to say that which is most important, that which they want people to remember more than anything else.
In this situation the disciples are asking about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, in other words the end of the Roman occupation, which was at the forefront in their minds, and Jesus redirects their focus to that which is the most important - the Holy Spirit, specifically as He says in verse 5, being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
In my study of this verse I came across this definition of the Greek word used by Luke:
Baptizo: Definition 1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3. to overwhelm
"Not to be confused with bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!" Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
So, this baptism with the Holy Spirit is meant to change us, inside and out, and is absolutely critical in our lives as Christ's followers. So much so that this is the last thing that Jesus talked about while on earth.
Lord, that I might know this baptism with the Holy Spirit in its fullest form!
Acts 1:4-9 NIV
[4] "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” [7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
[9] After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight."
As I was reading back through these verses I was reminded of how important the Holy Spirit is to us. This was the last thing Jesus talked about while still on earth in bodily form. We tend to believe that if a person knows they are leaving they will make sure to say that which is most important, that which they want people to remember more than anything else.
In this situation the disciples are asking about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, in other words the end of the Roman occupation, which was at the forefront in their minds, and Jesus redirects their focus to that which is the most important - the Holy Spirit, specifically as He says in verse 5, being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
In my study of this verse I came across this definition of the Greek word used by Luke:
Baptizo: Definition 1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) 2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe 3. to overwhelm
"Not to be confused with bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. 'He that believes and is baptised shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle!" Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.
So, this baptism with the Holy Spirit is meant to change us, inside and out, and is absolutely critical in our lives as Christ's followers. So much so that this is the last thing that Jesus talked about while on earth.
Lord, that I might know this baptism with the Holy Spirit in its fullest form!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Come and Listen
First a quick apology to those that read this blog regularly. I was out of the country with limited internet access and even less time. I know its been several days since I wrote. My prayer is that you have been well blessed.
This morning I am reading from Isaiah:
Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. [2] Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. [3] Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
The two main operative words for us in these three verses are come and listen. I was just thinking about how dry and disconnected, and hungry for the Lord I feel after three very busy days where I wasn't able to spend much time with the Lord in prayer. I opened my Bible right to these verses.
The directions are simple, come and listen. If I am feeling thirsty and dry, if I am feeling hungry for more, if I need encouragement, love or more life, the prescription for change is the same, come and listen. It is in listening that we will be fed the richest of fare. Its in listening that we will be filled with life.
He calls us to come near, so that we can get beyond the distractions that are surrounding us. He calls us near because He loves us and enjoys our presence. He calls near so that we might receive from Him directly the very best. I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 NIV:
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary chose to go to Jesus and listen to Him. Jesus said this was really the only thing that was needed!
The invitation has been given - "come and listen!"
Lord help us to make the time to do exactly that! Amen!
This morning I am reading from Isaiah:
Isaiah 55:1-3 NIV
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. [2] Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. [3] Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
The two main operative words for us in these three verses are come and listen. I was just thinking about how dry and disconnected, and hungry for the Lord I feel after three very busy days where I wasn't able to spend much time with the Lord in prayer. I opened my Bible right to these verses.
The directions are simple, come and listen. If I am feeling thirsty and dry, if I am feeling hungry for more, if I need encouragement, love or more life, the prescription for change is the same, come and listen. It is in listening that we will be fed the richest of fare. Its in listening that we will be filled with life.
He calls us to come near, so that we can get beyond the distractions that are surrounding us. He calls us near because He loves us and enjoys our presence. He calls near so that we might receive from Him directly the very best. I am reminded of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 NIV:
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, [42] but few things are needed---or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary chose to go to Jesus and listen to Him. Jesus said this was really the only thing that was needed!
The invitation has been given - "come and listen!"
Lord help us to make the time to do exactly that! Amen!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Unchanging One
This morning I am reading from Daniel 10:4-9 NIV:
"On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, [5] I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. [6] His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. [7] I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. [8] So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. [9] Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground."
As I read this verse I was reminded of John's vision at the beginning of the Book of Revelations - Revelation 1:10-17 NIV
"On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, [11] which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” [12] I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. [15] His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
The parallels between the two passages are remarkable and in my mind, very encouraging. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend about when the Presence of the Lord comes into a place and all fall face down. This response is a very appropriate response to the presence of God!
I also am encouraged the Jesus appears basically the same in both encounters, especially since the vision Daniel had occurred about 550 years before Jesus came in human form, and John's vision occurred after Jesus resurrection, when He was glorified. One can conclude that there is an eternal and consistent character and nature to Jesus. I am also encouraged that He is unchanging, so that whether a revelation of who He is occurred 500 years ago, two years ago, or two thousand years ago, we can depend on it being accurate to who He is today. His eyes still blaze with fire, His legs still appear as bronze glowing in the furnace, and His voice still sounds like a great multitude or many rushing waters.
Oh Lord that we might experience the awesomeness of Your Presence, and Your unchanging character!
"On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, [5] I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. [6] His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. [7] I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. [8] So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. [9] Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground."
As I read this verse I was reminded of John's vision at the beginning of the Book of Revelations - Revelation 1:10-17 NIV
"On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, [11] which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” [12] I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. [15] His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
The parallels between the two passages are remarkable and in my mind, very encouraging. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend about when the Presence of the Lord comes into a place and all fall face down. This response is a very appropriate response to the presence of God!
I also am encouraged the Jesus appears basically the same in both encounters, especially since the vision Daniel had occurred about 550 years before Jesus came in human form, and John's vision occurred after Jesus resurrection, when He was glorified. One can conclude that there is an eternal and consistent character and nature to Jesus. I am also encouraged that He is unchanging, so that whether a revelation of who He is occurred 500 years ago, two years ago, or two thousand years ago, we can depend on it being accurate to who He is today. His eyes still blaze with fire, His legs still appear as bronze glowing in the furnace, and His voice still sounds like a great multitude or many rushing waters.
Oh Lord that we might experience the awesomeness of Your Presence, and Your unchanging character!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
A Tongue Of Fire
I was just reading James 3, where he is talking about the tongue. Its quite an interesting section of scripture.
James 3:5-10 NIV
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. [7] All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, [8] but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Verse 6 is actually a bit startling - "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." The significance of our words, brought to life by our tongue, and these days email and text, is huge. Our words truly can affect our whole lives. I think of the fact that jobs are often won or lost based on the verbal interview. Our words reveal out thoughts and what is in our hearts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18 NIV "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them."
Clearly the encouragement today is to be very careful of what we speak, guarding our tongue. I am reminded of a funny DQ commercial for a very spicy burger, where the man takes a bite, then wipes his mouth with a paper napkin. The napkin starts on fire, and gets worse when he blows on it, because fire is coming out of his mouth. I think this describes perfectly what James is writing about - our mouth, our words can enflame, can start fires, can cause pain and destruction to ourselves and those around us. We would be wise to closely guard our words, in all there forms, and make sure that which is coming forth from us is life giving.
Lord help us!
James 3:5-10 NIV
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. [7] All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, [8] but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Verse 6 is actually a bit startling - "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." The significance of our words, brought to life by our tongue, and these days email and text, is huge. Our words truly can affect our whole lives. I think of the fact that jobs are often won or lost based on the verbal interview. Our words reveal out thoughts and what is in our hearts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18 NIV "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them."
Clearly the encouragement today is to be very careful of what we speak, guarding our tongue. I am reminded of a funny DQ commercial for a very spicy burger, where the man takes a bite, then wipes his mouth with a paper napkin. The napkin starts on fire, and gets worse when he blows on it, because fire is coming out of his mouth. I think this describes perfectly what James is writing about - our mouth, our words can enflame, can start fires, can cause pain and destruction to ourselves and those around us. We would be wise to closely guard our words, in all there forms, and make sure that which is coming forth from us is life giving.
Lord help us!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Offended at God?
This morning I am reading from Luke 4-5. I am reading Luke 4:14-29 NIV:
[4] Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. [15] He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
[20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” [22] All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
[23] Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” [24] “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. [25] I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. [26] Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. [27] And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed---only Naaman the Syrian.”
[28] All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. [29] They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.
I had a couple of reflections as I was reading through this:
1. Jesus is experiencing wide-spread favor in the region, and appears to be welcomed home, yet by the end of His sermon there, they wanted to kill Him. I think this is important to note how quickly people will reject God if they don't like what they hear.
2. If you look closely at Jesus statements to the people of Nazareth, He was telling them He wasn't really sent to them, nor was He going to do much there. Other Gospel writers talk about how Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. I think that this was driven by a sense of offense. They were offended that He could do all these wonderful things, yet He had never done them in His own home town, and now was telling them that was part of the plan. Being offended at God definitely affects our belief, because at the very core of that offense is a judgement about God and how He acts and thinks toward us. I believe they thought that He was rejecting them and withholding something from them, that was rightfully theirs, or at least something they were due for welcoming Him into their community for all those years.
So my reflection this morning is whether or not I am offended with God? Has he said something I don't like or agree with? Have I turned away or limited Him access to my life based on unfulfilled expectations or disappointments? Have we seen or heard God working in others lives, and had expectations we would see the same thing in our ow lives, only to be disappointed or frustrated by God's apparent lack of interest or concern for us? In our woundedness, hurt or disappointment we can become angry and turn away from God.
The truth of it all is that God does love us incredibly much. He is concerned about every situation, every circumstance and every bit of pain we experience. He is also so aware of everything that is happening in our lives and the lives of all around us that His perspective is completely different than ours. In our place of need, we can only see ourselves and our immediate source of pain. He sees everything, including our future, and our potential and acts in perfect coordination with everything.
We need to learn to trust God, to trust His love and His faithfulness. I am reminded of what it was like when my children were young and I had to tell them no about something they wanted, but that was ultimately bad for them. They felt like I didn't understand their need, so they kept expressing their need. When that wouldn't work, they might express their belief that I didn't love them. The truth was simply that I had a different perspective and a better plan, they just couldn't see it in the place of their need. I loved them, and wanted the best for them always.
God is like that, just billions of times better.
So, let us choose to believe that God loves us and has our best in mind for us always, regardless of how it might look. Let us not reject God because of something He said that we don't like. His love for us is beyond compare and sometimes beyond comprehension.
[4] Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. [15] He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, [17] and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
[18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
[20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” [22] All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
[23] Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” [24] “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. [25] I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. [26] Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. [27] And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed---only Naaman the Syrian.”
[28] All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. [29] They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.
I had a couple of reflections as I was reading through this:
1. Jesus is experiencing wide-spread favor in the region, and appears to be welcomed home, yet by the end of His sermon there, they wanted to kill Him. I think this is important to note how quickly people will reject God if they don't like what they hear.
2. If you look closely at Jesus statements to the people of Nazareth, He was telling them He wasn't really sent to them, nor was He going to do much there. Other Gospel writers talk about how Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. I think that this was driven by a sense of offense. They were offended that He could do all these wonderful things, yet He had never done them in His own home town, and now was telling them that was part of the plan. Being offended at God definitely affects our belief, because at the very core of that offense is a judgement about God and how He acts and thinks toward us. I believe they thought that He was rejecting them and withholding something from them, that was rightfully theirs, or at least something they were due for welcoming Him into their community for all those years.
So my reflection this morning is whether or not I am offended with God? Has he said something I don't like or agree with? Have I turned away or limited Him access to my life based on unfulfilled expectations or disappointments? Have we seen or heard God working in others lives, and had expectations we would see the same thing in our ow lives, only to be disappointed or frustrated by God's apparent lack of interest or concern for us? In our woundedness, hurt or disappointment we can become angry and turn away from God.
The truth of it all is that God does love us incredibly much. He is concerned about every situation, every circumstance and every bit of pain we experience. He is also so aware of everything that is happening in our lives and the lives of all around us that His perspective is completely different than ours. In our place of need, we can only see ourselves and our immediate source of pain. He sees everything, including our future, and our potential and acts in perfect coordination with everything.
We need to learn to trust God, to trust His love and His faithfulness. I am reminded of what it was like when my children were young and I had to tell them no about something they wanted, but that was ultimately bad for them. They felt like I didn't understand their need, so they kept expressing their need. When that wouldn't work, they might express their belief that I didn't love them. The truth was simply that I had a different perspective and a better plan, they just couldn't see it in the place of their need. I loved them, and wanted the best for them always.
God is like that, just billions of times better.
So, let us choose to believe that God loves us and has our best in mind for us always, regardless of how it might look. Let us not reject God because of something He said that we don't like. His love for us is beyond compare and sometimes beyond comprehension.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hearing More From God
This morning I am reading from Mark's Gospel, chapter 4.
Mark 4:21-25 NIV
He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? [22] For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. [23] If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” [24] “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you---and even more. [25] Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”
My focus was drawn to verse 23 and 24. Verse 23 is the operative focus of the remaining verses, and here Jesus is speaking about hearing. In verse 24 the Greek is even more specific. Jesus says that we should pay careful attention to what and who we hear. He also says that with the same measure we use to measure, more will be measured out and added to us (speaking about what we are hearing).
I think sometimes we read things like this and just pass on by with out grasping the significance of the statement. Jesus is saying that its by our measurement, that we hear more.
I think an analogy is in order - if you walk into a QuikTrip or 7-11 with a tiny cup and get a refill, you will only walk out with a tiny cup full of your choice of beverage. If you walk in with a 5 gallon container, you will receive a 5 gallon refill. With the measure we choose and bring, it will be measured out to us.
Putting it into the hearing context, if we are satisfied with one new word a month, that will be the measurement of what is given to us, in addition to what we have now, one new word a month. Jesus says to pay close attention to what and who we are hearing or listening to, for this is significant and important for our lives.
I believe that He is encouraging us to look at our lives, and consider who and what we listen to throughout the day. The level of our desire (measure) to hear more will determine how much we receive from Him. If we are satisfied with little, we will be given a little more. If we are only satisfied by gallons, then gallons will be given. It is our choice what measure is used to fill us up, and He is talking about His words.
At one time in my walk with the Lord, I did not take much time to listen and when I did I was easily distracted, and did not really remember what I heard. I was always happy when I heard something, but just did not have an understanding of the principle lined out in these verses. At one point I distinctly heard the Lord say to me that if I wasn't going to listen, He was going to stop talking. His encouragement to me was to take my time with Him seriously, and to write down what He said, so that I would remember. That one encouragement completely changed my relationship with the Lord, one could say that I chose a new cup to have filled with hearing His word that day. Throughout my life, since that time, I have been constantly trading out my old cup, with a new bigger cup, for my desire to hear more from Him keeps increasing.
Lord, I pray that You will increase our desire for You and Your Word. That we might be constantly desiring and hearing more!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Life is in the Blood
Yesterday Tina and I were talking about Kosher meats and the command to drain all the blood from the meat, due to the fact that the hamburger I used recently had been weird, when I defrosted it all the blood drained out. Anyway, last night I opened up my bible to read, turned right to Leviticus 17, the particular chapter where God forbids the eating of meat with the blood still in it. So I figure there must be something about this that the Lord wants to impart.
Leviticus 17:10-11 NIV
“ ‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. [11] For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.
Burton Coffman writes this in his commentary:
"The reason for Israel's avoidance of eating blood is set out here more fully than anywhere else in the O.T." F8 It is clearly the religious significance of blood as being the device by which God procured atonement for sinners, not only under the O.T., but under the N.T. as well, that lay back of the prohibition. It should be remembered that this prohibition PRECEDED the Law of Moses (Genesis 9:4-6), and also that it was not relaxed even under the liberty and freedom of the New Covenant (Acts 15:20). The fact that a great many Christian people are not aware of this, coupled with the light esteem that some have for Divine regulations, makes it appropriate to explore the reasons back of this remarkable commandment a little more fully.
ON EATING BLOOD
Right here in this short paragraph lies the basis for the Jews' insistence upon eating only that which is "kosher," even to this day. The reasons for God's requirement in this particular are easy to see.
(1) It created and cultivated in the people of Israel a reverence and respect for their sacrifices, many of which required the shedding of blood.
(2) It was a perpetual reminder to them of the means of forgiveness and salvation. Even under the law, "Without the shedding of blood, there was no remission of sins" (Hebrews 9:22).
(3) It was designed to direct their attention to the Holy One, even Christ, who in the fullness of time would make an atonement for the sins of all people by the shedding of his blood.
(4) It was to provide a wall of separation between the Israel of God and the pagan world of unbelievers whose sacrifices included the eating, even the drinking, of blood.
(5) Also, "By refraining from eating flesh with blood in it, a man is honoring life." F9
Invariably, the loss of the blood is loss of the life, and it appears here that by the prohibition of eating blood God inculcated a respect for all life. Life is indeed a unique gift from God, and the sacredness of life is recognized and honored by this Divine regulation.
In the light of this, God intended that every man, upon seeing the blood of an animal, even slain for his food, should behold a reminder of the cost at which he himself had been cleansed. It was not a light thing in those ages for a man to "despise the blood." Therefore, mankind was instructed to honor it, even the blood of an animal, because that animal's blood was typical of the blood of Christ himself, the only means of human redemption.
Note, in the verses above, that all blood was considered sacred. Even the blood of a creature unfit for sacrifice was to be covered with dust, as a symbol of the inherent respect due to all blood. Even under the current dispensation of the grace of God, the ultimate sin is that of despising the blood of Christ:
"A man that set at naught Moses' law died without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:28-29).
I was just thinking about this all, in light of the fact that Jesus' blood was poured out for us. In the O.T. understanding, the life of all creatures is a gift of God and His to give and His to claim. Upon the sacrifice, the blood, symbolic of the creatures life is returned to God, by pouring it onto the altar. It is also in this act that atonement for sins is extended to the one who offers the sacrifice. So in this model, the blood of every creature is God's and given back to God, by the people. With Jesus its God's blood that is given to us. Jesus himself gave the cup of His blood to us to drink (Matt 26:27-28). He is literally giving us His blood, His life.
That will take a while to unpack and understand.
Lord, I pray that You will help me to understand the full significance of Your Blood, given for me
Monday, January 7, 2013
Loving In All We Do..
This morning I felt that thinking about love would be good. I was reading Paul's famous chapter on love ad thought that he should have swapped the order of the verses, because he gives the definition of love after talking about operating in love. Here are the same verses, just in a different order, to help us logical thinkers follow his thought:
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 [changed order]
[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails... [1] If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
In verses 1-3, if I replace love, with the definition of love given in verses 4-8, I find a very interesting meditation on our call to be loving in all we do. Verse one would read something like this:
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but am not patient, kind, humble, honoring, seeking the best for others, peaceful, unwilling to hold a grudge, rejoicing in the truth and speaking only good things, protecting, trusting, hoping and persevering, then I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. Etc.
Oh Lord, help us to be truly loving in all we do, at all times.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Dead to the Law, In Christ
I felt like reading from Romans 7 this morning.
Romans 7:1-2, 4-6 NIV
"Do you not know, brothers and sisters---for I am speaking to those who know the law---that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him."
[4] "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. [5] For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."
I guess that I have read these verses before, but there was something about the simplicity of verses 1 & 2 that caught my attention today. Paul is talking about a spiritual reality here that we have a hard time grasping and appropriating in our lives. The fact that in Christ, through His death and resurrection, we are set free from the law and its requirements because we have died and risen in Him, is simple to write, and nearly impossible to fully grasp. The grace, favor, life and power that is actually available to us because of this reality is far beyond what we generally experience.
This is a spiritual reality that should have affect in the realms of our body and mind as well. Our problem is that we are so in tune to our mind and body, we often miss the spiritual reality available to us. My prayer is that I will learn to live as much in the spiritual reality, as I do the others. I want to learn to serve in the new way of the Spirit, learning to appropriate into my life all that is available to me, through Jesus my Savior.
Romans 7:1-2, 4-6 NIV
"Do you not know, brothers and sisters---for I am speaking to those who know the law---that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him."
[4] "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. [5] For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. [6] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."
I guess that I have read these verses before, but there was something about the simplicity of verses 1 & 2 that caught my attention today. Paul is talking about a spiritual reality here that we have a hard time grasping and appropriating in our lives. The fact that in Christ, through His death and resurrection, we are set free from the law and its requirements because we have died and risen in Him, is simple to write, and nearly impossible to fully grasp. The grace, favor, life and power that is actually available to us because of this reality is far beyond what we generally experience.
This is a spiritual reality that should have affect in the realms of our body and mind as well. Our problem is that we are so in tune to our mind and body, we often miss the spiritual reality available to us. My prayer is that I will learn to live as much in the spiritual reality, as I do the others. I want to learn to serve in the new way of the Spirit, learning to appropriate into my life all that is available to me, through Jesus my Savior.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Cleansing a Home of Sickness
This morning my meditation went a very different way than normal. Hopefully this in encouraging to those that are experiencing sickness and disease this flu season. The following is a direct extract from my journal...
It seems like a lot of sickness is going around, and people are under it. Lord, we pray that You would bring healing and health to our friends and families.
Its interesting that I was just thinking about the homes, and people sick within them, and I sat down to read scripture. I thought I heard 1444, and spent a bit of time looking to see if there was a book with a 14:44, and Leviticus seems like the only one. Anyway, this particular section has to do with the cleansing of a house from disease, mold or mildew. The original Hebrew word is the same as what is translated leprosy in the body, but for the home it can mean mold, mildew, or some other plague of sickness.
Leviticus 14:48-53 NIV
“But if the priest comes to examine it and the mold has not spread after the house has been plastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the defiling mold is gone. [49] To purify the house he is to take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop. [50] He shall kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. [51] Then he is to take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the dead bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. [52] He shall purify the house with the bird’s blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn. [53] Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way he will make atonement for the house, and it will be clean. ”
I was reading the Matthew Henry commentary about this and was interested in the symbolism of the birds, the cedar, the yarn and the hyssop. The blood of the first bird, is as one would expect, a prophetic symbol pointing towards Jesus death and atoning sacrifice. God said the life was in the blood, so this is bringing life into the house. The cedar wood is very resistant to any rot or molding, and is symbolic of a new wholeness and resistance to disease that is long lasting and even permanent. The hyssop produced a fresh fragrance that rid the house of even the scent of sickness or disease. The scarlet yarn is indicative of life and wholeness returning, as leprosy turned the affected areas white, the yarn signifies the return of wholeness and wellness (think rosy cheeks). Finally the second bird is released into the air, and this is symbolic of the new life and freedom that is evident once sickness is lifted and purged from the house.
This whole process was one of temporary atonement. Jesus provides for us the only permanent and everlasting atonement. Romans 3:24-25 NIV ..."and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness,...". Concerning the permanence of Jesus' atonement, the author of Hebrews writes: Hebrews 7:27 NIV " Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
So, if cleansing and purification is available under the old covenant, how much more is it available under the new covenant, with Jesus as the perfect sacrifice. The old testament provides insight into the fullness of God's promises that are available through Jesus, and clearly that which He accomplished is better and eternal.
I believe that Lord wants to encourage those of us who are experiencing sickness and disease in our homes to look to Him and to lay hold of the promise of a purified, sickness-free home. Lord, come and cleanse and purify our homes, our families and our lives.
It seems like a lot of sickness is going around, and people are under it. Lord, we pray that You would bring healing and health to our friends and families.
Its interesting that I was just thinking about the homes, and people sick within them, and I sat down to read scripture. I thought I heard 1444, and spent a bit of time looking to see if there was a book with a 14:44, and Leviticus seems like the only one. Anyway, this particular section has to do with the cleansing of a house from disease, mold or mildew. The original Hebrew word is the same as what is translated leprosy in the body, but for the home it can mean mold, mildew, or some other plague of sickness.
Leviticus 14:48-53 NIV
“But if the priest comes to examine it and the mold has not spread after the house has been plastered, he shall pronounce the house clean, because the defiling mold is gone. [49] To purify the house he is to take two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop. [50] He shall kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. [51] Then he is to take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the dead bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. [52] He shall purify the house with the bird’s blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn. [53] Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields outside the town. In this way he will make atonement for the house, and it will be clean. ”
I was reading the Matthew Henry commentary about this and was interested in the symbolism of the birds, the cedar, the yarn and the hyssop. The blood of the first bird, is as one would expect, a prophetic symbol pointing towards Jesus death and atoning sacrifice. God said the life was in the blood, so this is bringing life into the house. The cedar wood is very resistant to any rot or molding, and is symbolic of a new wholeness and resistance to disease that is long lasting and even permanent. The hyssop produced a fresh fragrance that rid the house of even the scent of sickness or disease. The scarlet yarn is indicative of life and wholeness returning, as leprosy turned the affected areas white, the yarn signifies the return of wholeness and wellness (think rosy cheeks). Finally the second bird is released into the air, and this is symbolic of the new life and freedom that is evident once sickness is lifted and purged from the house.
This whole process was one of temporary atonement. Jesus provides for us the only permanent and everlasting atonement. Romans 3:24-25 NIV ..."and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness,...". Concerning the permanence of Jesus' atonement, the author of Hebrews writes: Hebrews 7:27 NIV " Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself."
So, if cleansing and purification is available under the old covenant, how much more is it available under the new covenant, with Jesus as the perfect sacrifice. The old testament provides insight into the fullness of God's promises that are available through Jesus, and clearly that which He accomplished is better and eternal.
I believe that Lord wants to encourage those of us who are experiencing sickness and disease in our homes to look to Him and to lay hold of the promise of a purified, sickness-free home. Lord, come and cleanse and purify our homes, our families and our lives.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The Faithfulness of God
This morning I am reading out of Romans 3:3-4 NIV:
"What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? [4] Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
As I read this first verse, I thought of the reality that God's real character is unaffected by our actions. As the church, we present God's character imperfectly to those around us, but His real character is unaffected by our mistakes, misunderstandings and wrong beliefs. Thank God that is the case! For how else could He be the rock on which we stand?
I am also mindful of a flow of secular humanistic thinking that God is not needed in our lives, and is somehow even a affected by our unbelief. There are people that boldly proclaim their unbelief, as if in someway they are laughing at the idiocy of believing in a God that is greater than us, and that somehow their defiance of God weakens Him. The belief was that the Greek gods required praise from the people to have strength and power, and the reduction in worship for an particular god would affect their ability to act in the world. This reminds me of the story of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, where she needed people to believe in neverland, so that she could regain her strength.
God is gloriously not like this! He loves our affections, our faith, our praises and our worship, but He doesn't need them to maintain His throne and His power! His Word and His Power are eternal, and unchanging. I am reminded of an early creed statement found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV:
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
I am so grateful that His promises are true and I can depend completely on Him, always. His gifts to us are always available, the righteousness bought for us by Jesus sacrifice is always available. The payment or atonement for our sins has already been made and is always available to us! It is our faith that opens our lives to these irrevocable gifts and blessings available in Him. Regardless of our faith, or faithfulness God is faithful.
Lord, help us to turn to You, and return to You if necessary, our Rock, and let us embrace and experience Your faithfulness!
"What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? [4] Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
As I read this first verse, I thought of the reality that God's real character is unaffected by our actions. As the church, we present God's character imperfectly to those around us, but His real character is unaffected by our mistakes, misunderstandings and wrong beliefs. Thank God that is the case! For how else could He be the rock on which we stand?
I am also mindful of a flow of secular humanistic thinking that God is not needed in our lives, and is somehow even a affected by our unbelief. There are people that boldly proclaim their unbelief, as if in someway they are laughing at the idiocy of believing in a God that is greater than us, and that somehow their defiance of God weakens Him. The belief was that the Greek gods required praise from the people to have strength and power, and the reduction in worship for an particular god would affect their ability to act in the world. This reminds me of the story of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, where she needed people to believe in neverland, so that she could regain her strength.
God is gloriously not like this! He loves our affections, our faith, our praises and our worship, but He doesn't need them to maintain His throne and His power! His Word and His Power are eternal, and unchanging. I am reminded of an early creed statement found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV:
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; [13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
I am so grateful that His promises are true and I can depend completely on Him, always. His gifts to us are always available, the righteousness bought for us by Jesus sacrifice is always available. The payment or atonement for our sins has already been made and is always available to us! It is our faith that opens our lives to these irrevocable gifts and blessings available in Him. Regardless of our faith, or faithfulness God is faithful.
Lord, help us to turn to You, and return to You if necessary, our Rock, and let us embrace and experience Your faithfulness!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Things of God and Our Actions
This morning I am reading from the book of Joshua, and specifically the story of Achan, and the defeat of Israel at the hands of the people of Ai. The defeat was the result of disobedience to the Word of the Lord, and Achan had claimed things for himself, that were devoted to the Lord. Here are a couple fo the verses that are most critical:
Joshua 7:1, 10-12 NIV
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things ; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
[10] The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? [11] Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. [12] That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
I think there are important points here, that we must not miss. First, those things devoted to God are His alone and we dare not try to hold onto them or own them. This also relates to praise and worship, glory and honor, His people, His word's, everything that God has specifically accomplished by His own hand. How quickly do we want to personally profit from our relationship to God, or grab onto things that are His for our own pleasure or benefit.
Our approach must be to recognize the source of all we have, everything good and give proper honor to God in all. He is the source of all provision, and Life. He should receive all the praise, adoration, worship, glory and honor, for all the awesome things we see! We are merely administrators of His grace and mercy, compassion, healing and signs and wonders. It all originates with Him, it all comes from Him.
Secondly, one person's actions within the body of believers can have impact on all the members of the body! In this case, the sin of one man caused the death of 36 of his people. Thankfully, under the new covenant of Jesus' Blood, all our sins are already paid for, and we are forgiven, as we come to Jesus. He has already born the punishment for our sins, so we do not experience the Lord's punishment in our lives, yet our sins can still affect others. There is often fruit born out of decisions we make that are not in line with what God desires.
As Paul writes in Galatians 6:7-8 NIV: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
So, as we are in relationship with others in the Body of Christ, they will be impacted by our sowing and reaping, because they are connected in relationship. When one suffers in the Body, all are affected. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Let us be mindful of those things that belong to God, and give to Him all the is due Him, and let us be aware of our actions and how they impact those we love, or families, and those we are connected to in the Body of Christ. Let us sow into the things of God that we, and those we love, might be honored, blessed and reap eternal life.
Joshua 7:1, 10-12 NIV
But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things ; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
[10] The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? [11] Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. [12] That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
I think there are important points here, that we must not miss. First, those things devoted to God are His alone and we dare not try to hold onto them or own them. This also relates to praise and worship, glory and honor, His people, His word's, everything that God has specifically accomplished by His own hand. How quickly do we want to personally profit from our relationship to God, or grab onto things that are His for our own pleasure or benefit.
Our approach must be to recognize the source of all we have, everything good and give proper honor to God in all. He is the source of all provision, and Life. He should receive all the praise, adoration, worship, glory and honor, for all the awesome things we see! We are merely administrators of His grace and mercy, compassion, healing and signs and wonders. It all originates with Him, it all comes from Him.
Secondly, one person's actions within the body of believers can have impact on all the members of the body! In this case, the sin of one man caused the death of 36 of his people. Thankfully, under the new covenant of Jesus' Blood, all our sins are already paid for, and we are forgiven, as we come to Jesus. He has already born the punishment for our sins, so we do not experience the Lord's punishment in our lives, yet our sins can still affect others. There is often fruit born out of decisions we make that are not in line with what God desires.
As Paul writes in Galatians 6:7-8 NIV: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
So, as we are in relationship with others in the Body of Christ, they will be impacted by our sowing and reaping, because they are connected in relationship. When one suffers in the Body, all are affected. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26 NIV: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Let us be mindful of those things that belong to God, and give to Him all the is due Him, and let us be aware of our actions and how they impact those we love, or families, and those we are connected to in the Body of Christ. Let us sow into the things of God that we, and those we love, might be honored, blessed and reap eternal life.
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