In the parable of the Talents, Jesus said the Master was clearly happy with the two servants who had been faithful in managing what he had entrusted to them. Though the size of the talents given them was different, each had multiplied the original amount. And the Master commended them both. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities” (Matthew 25:21, 23). In another place Jesus said, “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones” (Luke 16:10). Because Jesus was obedient to His heavenly Father in every way, God raised him up and gave him a name that is above every name. Our attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11).
David is a good example of what happens when we are faithful with the talents, the respons-ibilities, and the opportunities God has given us. David did all that God required of him, just like Jesus did, and God elevated him accordingly. In fact, God promised, “And now I will make your name famous throughout the earth” (II Samuel 7:9; I Chronicles 17:8). “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (II Sam.8:6; I Chron.18:6). And David recognized that his wealth, his fame, and his good fortune were all blessings from God. And while David was not sure why God had been so good to him (II Sam.7:18-21; I Chron.17:16-19), he is a good example of the truth that God humbles those who are proud and God elevates those who are humble (Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18:14). Because David concentrated on doing the right thing, God blessed him. Had David been primarily concerned with gaining riches and fame, God most certainly would have humbled him. Is there a lesson in David’s life and in Jesus’ life that we might learn from? What is our priority in life? Whom are we seeking to elevate? Ourselves? Or, God? The One who sees our heart is the same One who knows how to either punish or reward accordingly.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
April 23
We may not always understand why God tells us to do the things He does (Isaiah 55:8&9 ), but the God who knows all and sees all can be trusted in all things He has commanded us to do. God had given very specific instructions for moving the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 4: 8,15). The Levite priests were to insert the poles made for the Ark (Exodus 37:1-5) and carry it from one place to the next without ever touching the Ark itself. Whether David was unaware of those instructions, or he knew them and carelessly ignored them, the first time he attempted to move the Ark of the Covenant, resulted in disaster. Instead of carrying the Ark by the poles made for that purpose, and instead of the Levite priests carrying the Ark, David and all the people of Israel participated in moving the Ark. Furthermore, they placed it on a cart and when the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, a man named Uzzah reached up to keep the Ark from falling to the ground and the Lord struck him dead for touching the Ark (I Chronicles 13:1-11; II Sam. 6:1-11). Maybe that seems harsh to us. It certainly did to David. But, God has His reasons in all He does and we must trust Him even when we don’t understand (Isaiah 55:8-11).
When David eventually chose again to move the Ark to Jerusalem, he did so this time in the way that God had prescribed (I Chron.15:11-28; II Sam.6:12b-15), and all Israel rejoiced. There was music. There was celebration the likes of which had not been seen in a long time. Even the great King David joined in the festivities. But, there are always those rigid, stuffy, and unhappy people who think that misery is a spiritual gift. Because it is hard for them to be happy, they don’t think others should be happy either. One of David’s wives, Michal, who was the daughter of Saul, found it disgustful that David should be dancing, celebrating, and rejoicing with the people in the way that he was. Perhaps, it was because David was so transparent and he acted like one of the people that they loved him so much. It was more important to David that he please God than it was for him to please his wife and in the end she was punished for her failure to worship God ((II Sam.6:23).
As Jesus entered into Jerusalem for the last time, the people celebrated and worshipped him. But, the religious leaders were indignant and disgusted with the whole thing. In fact, they told Jesus that he should rebuke his followers for behaving in the manner they were. Instead, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for remaining silent. “If they kept quiet, the stones along the roads would burst into cheers” (Luke 19:40). When it comes to worship of the Lord, are you more like David or more like the Pharisees?
When David eventually chose again to move the Ark to Jerusalem, he did so this time in the way that God had prescribed (I Chron.15:11-28; II Sam.6:12b-15), and all Israel rejoiced. There was music. There was celebration the likes of which had not been seen in a long time. Even the great King David joined in the festivities. But, there are always those rigid, stuffy, and unhappy people who think that misery is a spiritual gift. Because it is hard for them to be happy, they don’t think others should be happy either. One of David’s wives, Michal, who was the daughter of Saul, found it disgustful that David should be dancing, celebrating, and rejoicing with the people in the way that he was. Perhaps, it was because David was so transparent and he acted like one of the people that they loved him so much. It was more important to David that he please God than it was for him to please his wife and in the end she was punished for her failure to worship God ((II Sam.6:23).
As Jesus entered into Jerusalem for the last time, the people celebrated and worshipped him. But, the religious leaders were indignant and disgusted with the whole thing. In fact, they told Jesus that he should rebuke his followers for behaving in the manner they were. Instead, Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for remaining silent. “If they kept quiet, the stones along the roads would burst into cheers” (Luke 19:40). When it comes to worship of the Lord, are you more like David or more like the Pharisees?
Sunday, April 6, 2014
April 11
Someone has said, “the heart of the problem, is the problem of the heart.” The Lord des-cribes the condition of the human heart for us when He says that it “is most deceitful and desper-ately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Left unchecked, the unredeemed human heart leads to a human being who is deceitful and desperately wicked. Genesis says of the people in Noah’s day, “all their thoughts were consistently and totally evil” (6:5). We can medicate a person all we want, hospitalize or imprison them to protect society, provide them therapy in the hopes of modifying their behavior, but, “the heart of their problem is the problem of their heart.” And only God has the power to change the human heart.
A great example of that is Saul. When Samuel informed Saul that he would be Israel’s king, Saul was either admirably humble or terribly frightened (I Samuel 9:21). In either case, Saul did not see himself as anything special. Saul certainly didn’t see himself capable of leading Israel (I Samuel 10:20-23). But, God’s Holy Spirit can produce miracles in us and Samuel prophesied of Saul, “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power.......You will be changed into a different person” (I Sam.10:6,9). Furthermore, God supplied Saul with, “a band of men whose hearts God had touched” and they became Saul’s fellow warriors and friends (I Sam.10:26). Later, when the citizens of Jabesh-gilead asked for help from their fellow Israelites to save them from King Nahash of Ammon, it was the newly crowned King Saul who mobilized the Israelites to do battle. Again, it was “the Spirit of God” that “came mightily upon Saul” (I Sam.11:6) and enabled him to do what he did not see himself capable of doing.
Today, God’s Spirit is given to all who obey Him (Acts 5:32). And with His Spirit, God is still changing hearts (II Corinthians 5:17). God is still diligently searching the whole earth to “strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (II Chronicles 16:9). God still wants to empower people to do far greater things than they could ever do on their own. Are you interested in being one of those people?
A great example of that is Saul. When Samuel informed Saul that he would be Israel’s king, Saul was either admirably humble or terribly frightened (I Samuel 9:21). In either case, Saul did not see himself as anything special. Saul certainly didn’t see himself capable of leading Israel (I Samuel 10:20-23). But, God’s Holy Spirit can produce miracles in us and Samuel prophesied of Saul, “the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power.......You will be changed into a different person” (I Sam.10:6,9). Furthermore, God supplied Saul with, “a band of men whose hearts God had touched” and they became Saul’s fellow warriors and friends (I Sam.10:26). Later, when the citizens of Jabesh-gilead asked for help from their fellow Israelites to save them from King Nahash of Ammon, it was the newly crowned King Saul who mobilized the Israelites to do battle. Again, it was “the Spirit of God” that “came mightily upon Saul” (I Sam.11:6) and enabled him to do what he did not see himself capable of doing.
Today, God’s Spirit is given to all who obey Him (Acts 5:32). And with His Spirit, God is still changing hearts (II Corinthians 5:17). God is still diligently searching the whole earth to “strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (II Chronicles 16:9). God still wants to empower people to do far greater things than they could ever do on their own. Are you interested in being one of those people?
April 7
The Bible is very practical in the directions given to those who read it and obey it on how to live. Consider some of the advice given to employers on how they should treat their employees. “Masters treat your slaves right. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and He has no favorites” (Ephesians 6:9). That sounds a lot like, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). In other words, employers should treat their employees in the same way they would like to be treated if the roles were reversed. Similarly, Paul writes to the Colossian Christians, “You slave owners must be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master - - in heaven” (4:1).
Other sound advice for employers comes from Leviticus 19:13, “Do not cheat or rob anyone. Always pay your hired workers promptly.” “Pay them their wages each day before sun-set because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin” (Deuteronomy 24:15; see also James 5:4). “Those who work deserve their pay” (I Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:10).
It is always refreshing when we see someone who actually implements their faith in God into the way they treat their employees. One such individual was named Boaz. He treated those who worked for him with dignity and respect and they responded to him in the same way (Ruth 2:4). It appears that Boaz fed his workers (2:14&15) and those who worked for him imitated his kind and considerate way of life in the way they treated others (2:6&7). And rather than giving to the poor and making the poor dependent upon him, Boaz made it possible for the poor to gather whatever grain was left over after his harvesters went through the field (2:8&9,15-18,23; Leviticus 19:9&10; 23:22). How we as employers treat those who work for us, can go a long way in how seriously they will listen to the eternal message of God’s grace they need to hear from us. What a testimony it would be for many workers to come to know Jesus Christ, through the Christlike way they are treated by their employers.
Other sound advice for employers comes from Leviticus 19:13, “Do not cheat or rob anyone. Always pay your hired workers promptly.” “Pay them their wages each day before sun-set because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they might cry out to the Lord against you, and it would be counted against you as sin” (Deuteronomy 24:15; see also James 5:4). “Those who work deserve their pay” (I Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:10).
It is always refreshing when we see someone who actually implements their faith in God into the way they treat their employees. One such individual was named Boaz. He treated those who worked for him with dignity and respect and they responded to him in the same way (Ruth 2:4). It appears that Boaz fed his workers (2:14&15) and those who worked for him imitated his kind and considerate way of life in the way they treated others (2:6&7). And rather than giving to the poor and making the poor dependent upon him, Boaz made it possible for the poor to gather whatever grain was left over after his harvesters went through the field (2:8&9,15-18,23; Leviticus 19:9&10; 23:22). How we as employers treat those who work for us, can go a long way in how seriously they will listen to the eternal message of God’s grace they need to hear from us. What a testimony it would be for many workers to come to know Jesus Christ, through the Christlike way they are treated by their employers.
April 2
Great crowds were following Jesus. He made sure they knew that he was not simply wanting thousands of people following him so much as he wanted committed disciples who were totally sold out to him (Luke 14:25-27). He then said, “don’t begin until you count the cost. What king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him......So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me” (14:28,31,33).
Count the cost before making a decision. Wise advice. So, it is that God sends an army of 300 Israelites (Judges 7:2-8) against a Midianite army numbering 135,000 soldiers (8:10). Now, if we were counting the cost as Jesus said we should, how many of us would be willing to fight against those odds? Those are nearly impossible odds and normally it would be suicidal going into battle with those numbers against us.
When the ten spies told the Israelites that the people of Canaan were like mighty giants, their advice to the Israelites was to retreat. The odds were not in favor of the Israelites. But, Joshua and Caleb factored the One on their side who tipped the scales in their favor whatever the size of the other army. “If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us safely into that land and give it to us......Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:8&9). Remember, this is the same God who scattered the entire Aramean army without any help from the Israelites (II Kings 7).
Whatever the odds may be against you, never forget the God factor. Not only does His presence and His power tip the odds in our favor, but in truth, His presence and His power makes us the overwhelming favorite, regardless of the human odds against us. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?.......Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?......No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:31b,35b, 37). No matter what the Devil or life throws your way, you are more than a conqueror because of the power and strength of Jesus Christ. So, go claim your destiny.
Count the cost before making a decision. Wise advice. So, it is that God sends an army of 300 Israelites (Judges 7:2-8) against a Midianite army numbering 135,000 soldiers (8:10). Now, if we were counting the cost as Jesus said we should, how many of us would be willing to fight against those odds? Those are nearly impossible odds and normally it would be suicidal going into battle with those numbers against us.
When the ten spies told the Israelites that the people of Canaan were like mighty giants, their advice to the Israelites was to retreat. The odds were not in favor of the Israelites. But, Joshua and Caleb factored the One on their side who tipped the scales in their favor whatever the size of the other army. “If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us safely into that land and give it to us......Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:8&9). Remember, this is the same God who scattered the entire Aramean army without any help from the Israelites (II Kings 7).
Whatever the odds may be against you, never forget the God factor. Not only does His presence and His power tip the odds in our favor, but in truth, His presence and His power makes us the overwhelming favorite, regardless of the human odds against us. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?.......Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?......No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Romans 8:31b,35b, 37). No matter what the Devil or life throws your way, you are more than a conqueror because of the power and strength of Jesus Christ. So, go claim your destiny.
March 30
It’s a shame, but it’s amazing how easily and how quickly we forget important things we’ve learned or observed. After God had delivered the Israelites from Egypt, and provided for them during the entire forty years they wandered in the wilderness, Moses gave them a long discourse that covered the entire book of Deuteronomy, to remind them not to forget God. “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9,23,31; 6:12; 8:11,14,19; 9:7; 25:19).
In light of that, you really can’t blame the half-tribe of Manasseh, as well as the tribes of Reuben and Gad for building the memorial near the Jordan River. After Joshua released them to return to their families on the eastern side of the Jordan River, they felt it necessary to build an altar. Their purpose was not so they could burn sacrifices and offerings on it, but so their brothers and sisters on the western side of the Jordan would remember the relationship between the tribes on the eastern and the western side of the Jordan River (Joshua 22:24-29). In light of their history, it made perfect sense.
And now as Joshua speaks to the nation of Israel for the last time, he reminds them as Moses had, never to forget the Lord. “The Lord fights for you, just as He promised” (23:10). He, “gave you land you had not worked for, and cities you did not build” (24:13). “He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes” (24:17). Joshua reminded them not to serve the foreign gods of the people they were displacing in Canaan. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But, as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (24:15). They followed Joshua’s advice and example by choosing to follow the Lord. In fact, after Joshua died, the Bible tells us, “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him - - those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel” (24:31; see also Judges 2:7). On the one hand, that is a tribute to the faith of Joshua. On the other hand, it is a testimony as to why we need constant reminders of what God has done and is doing for us. For the people soon forgot God’s goodness, soon forgot the covenant they had made with Joshua to serve God, and began to worship the pagan gods of the people still living in Canaan. The book of Judges will detail for us the cycle and history of a people who forget God, and then remember Him when they find themselves in dire straits.
In light of that, you really can’t blame the half-tribe of Manasseh, as well as the tribes of Reuben and Gad for building the memorial near the Jordan River. After Joshua released them to return to their families on the eastern side of the Jordan River, they felt it necessary to build an altar. Their purpose was not so they could burn sacrifices and offerings on it, but so their brothers and sisters on the western side of the Jordan would remember the relationship between the tribes on the eastern and the western side of the Jordan River (Joshua 22:24-29). In light of their history, it made perfect sense.
And now as Joshua speaks to the nation of Israel for the last time, he reminds them as Moses had, never to forget the Lord. “The Lord fights for you, just as He promised” (23:10). He, “gave you land you had not worked for, and cities you did not build” (24:13). “He performed mighty miracles before our very eyes” (24:17). Joshua reminded them not to serve the foreign gods of the people they were displacing in Canaan. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But, as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (24:15). They followed Joshua’s advice and example by choosing to follow the Lord. In fact, after Joshua died, the Bible tells us, “Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the leaders who outlived him - - those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel” (24:31; see also Judges 2:7). On the one hand, that is a tribute to the faith of Joshua. On the other hand, it is a testimony as to why we need constant reminders of what God has done and is doing for us. For the people soon forgot God’s goodness, soon forgot the covenant they had made with Joshua to serve God, and began to worship the pagan gods of the people still living in Canaan. The book of Judges will detail for us the cycle and history of a people who forget God, and then remember Him when they find themselves in dire straits.
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