God reminded His people over and over about the blessings they would receive from Him when they obeyed Him and the curses they would receive from Him when they disobeyed Him. “If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands, I will send the seasonal rains (Lev. 25:3).....I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep without fear” (vs.6).....All your enemies will fall beneath the blows of your weapons” (vs.8)......I will live among you, and I will not despise you. I will walk among you.....”(vss.11&12). “I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high” (vs.13). Slavery changes our whole disposition; whether it is slavery to a human master or slavery to sin. Our appearance and our countenance takes on the look of defeat.
The period of the Judges pictures the cycle that took place when the Israelites wavered between obeying God and disobeying God. When they disobeyed God, He would eventually let their enemies rule over them. They were fearful of their enemies until such time that they repented of their disobedience and turned to God for help. God would raise a judge or a military ruler who would lead the Israelites to victory over their enemies and restore their dignity to them again. This cycle repeated itself over and over during this time of their history.
History can be a great teacher if we watch and learn. Paul tells us in Romans 15:4, “these things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises.” But, history will only prove helpful if we learn from it. For some reason, we are prone to repeat the mistakes of our past and the mistakes of our ancestors. Each of us must choose for ourselves whether we will listen to God and obey Him, or stubbornly disobey Him. But, in that decision we also choose for ourselves the consequences of obedience or disobedience. Those consequences are spelled out for us over and over in Scripture. Joshua had it right when he said, “if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve.....But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). What choice will you make?
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
February 22
“You are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light” (I Peter 2:9). “You are the salt of the earth.....You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13&14). “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (II Corinthians 6:14&15).
Throughout all of scripture, there is a very definite command to be different and live different from those of the world. God has not called us to be like the world, but to transform the world. As God brought the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, He had these instructions for them: “do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the Lord, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them” (Leviticus 18:1-5). There was a reason God eventually freed His people from Egypt and there was a reason God was displacing the people of Canaan with the Israelites. God does not want His people living like the pagans of this world. All the laws given the Israelites were practical ways of distinguishing between the holy lifestyle God wanted them to follow from the unholy lifestyle of those in the world. And whether we fully understand each and every regulation or not, the fact is, God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8&9). God has reasons for the rules and laws He gives us. Faith is trusting God sufficiently to do what God commands, knowing that those who do will enjoy the blessings of their obedience to Him.
Throughout all of scripture, there is a very definite command to be different and live different from those of the world. God has not called us to be like the world, but to transform the world. As God brought the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, He had these instructions for them: “do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all my regulations and be careful to keep my laws, for I, the Lord, am your God. If you obey my laws and regulations, you will find life through them” (Leviticus 18:1-5). There was a reason God eventually freed His people from Egypt and there was a reason God was displacing the people of Canaan with the Israelites. God does not want His people living like the pagans of this world. All the laws given the Israelites were practical ways of distinguishing between the holy lifestyle God wanted them to follow from the unholy lifestyle of those in the world. And whether we fully understand each and every regulation or not, the fact is, God’s ways are not our ways and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8&9). God has reasons for the rules and laws He gives us. Faith is trusting God sufficiently to do what God commands, knowing that those who do will enjoy the blessings of their obedience to Him.
February 18
You are waiting in the doctor’s office when he/she enters and delivers the news you really didn’t want to hear. “Unless you quit smoking/lose weight/quit drinking, etc., you will die.” You’ve known that certain habits were not good for you and news reports continually reminded you that a change in habits would be a good idea. But, now the doctor’s prognosis is to either change or die. Most of us make whatever changes are necessary, regardless of how difficult they may be, because we would rather live than die. Surprisingly, there are some people for whom change is so difficult, they choose death by default, because they can’t bring themselves to change their habits.
When Aaron and his sons were being consecrated to serve the Lord as priests, God com-manded them not to leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven whole days, as this was how long it would take for their ordination ceremony to be complete. They were to do “everything the Lord requires” (Leviticus 8:35). And then these words, “If you fail in this, you will die.” Those are powerfully motivating words, are they not? When our behavior determines our immediate dest-iny, it’s amazing how our behavior can change when necessary.
Is it any wonder then, why we should live each day as though it were our last? What if, we lived each day with the urgency that it might be the last chance we had to tell someone how much we loved them? What if, we knew that after today there would be no more opportunity to reconcile a relationship with someone from whom we’ve been estranged for a long time? How different would our attitude be if we knew that today was our last day on earth? How might we do things differently if we knew that today was the last day we would see those we really love, for a long time? “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like a morning fog - - it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14). All too often, we make plans as if we are going to live forever in this life, or we fail to make plans for the same reason (Luke 12:16-20). As Christians we have nothing to fear about the life beyond. We have God’s promises that it will be far greater than anything our minds can imagine (I Corinthians 2:9; Romans 8:18; II Cor. 4:17&18; Revelation 21&22). But, as Christians we also want to make the biggest impact for our Lord in this life that we possibly can. As Christians, our desire is to be a vessel through whom people come in contact with Jesus Christ. For that reason, may we view each day and every day as though it were on last here on earth.
When Aaron and his sons were being consecrated to serve the Lord as priests, God com-manded them not to leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven whole days, as this was how long it would take for their ordination ceremony to be complete. They were to do “everything the Lord requires” (Leviticus 8:35). And then these words, “If you fail in this, you will die.” Those are powerfully motivating words, are they not? When our behavior determines our immediate dest-iny, it’s amazing how our behavior can change when necessary.
Is it any wonder then, why we should live each day as though it were our last? What if, we lived each day with the urgency that it might be the last chance we had to tell someone how much we loved them? What if, we knew that after today there would be no more opportunity to reconcile a relationship with someone from whom we’ve been estranged for a long time? How different would our attitude be if we knew that today was our last day on earth? How might we do things differently if we knew that today was the last day we would see those we really love, for a long time? “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like a morning fog - - it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (James 4:14). All too often, we make plans as if we are going to live forever in this life, or we fail to make plans for the same reason (Luke 12:16-20). As Christians we have nothing to fear about the life beyond. We have God’s promises that it will be far greater than anything our minds can imagine (I Corinthians 2:9; Romans 8:18; II Cor. 4:17&18; Revelation 21&22). But, as Christians we also want to make the biggest impact for our Lord in this life that we possibly can. As Christians, our desire is to be a vessel through whom people come in contact with Jesus Christ. For that reason, may we view each day and every day as though it were on last here on earth.
February 15
Where do my tithes and offerings go? Am I free to distribute them amongst the many and various organizations of my choice? Can I pick and choose organizations worthy of receiving any part of my tithe that I decide upon? When the Tabernacle and it’s contents were finally completed, and Moses had the Tabernacle set up, he also consecrated it and all the furnishings as holy to the Lord (Numbers 7:1). The leaders of each tribe then brought gifts from their respective tribe to the Lord. And God’s instructions to Moses were to receive the people’s gifts on His behalf and present them to the Levites so they might do the work God had assigned them. The people’s offerings would both supply wages for the Levites so they could devote themselves to the Lord’s work, as well as the finances to keep the Tabernacle in tip top shape.
The same principle holds true under the new covenant. Our tithes go to the local church, both to supply the wages of those who labor for the Lord there, and to finance the work that needs to be carried on at the local church. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructed Timothy as he set up local churches that, “elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain’ (Deuteronomy 25:4). And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’ (I Timothy 5:17&18; I Corinthians 9:3-14). Jesus also said, “Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay” (Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:9-15). Under the old covenant God said, “No one is allowed to appear before me without a gift” (Exodus 34:20). The same is true under the new covenant. In fact, Paul wrote the Corinthian church to bring their gifts each Lord’s Day, or Sunday (I Corinthians 16:1&2). Why? Because obviously, we who have freely received from God, are obligated to freely give back to God (Matthew 10:8).
An offering really isn’t an offering until we have first given our tithe (Malachi 3:6-15). Only after our tithes have been given to the local church, can we then decide where our offerings will go. A tithe is something we give out of gratitude to God and an offering is something we give when prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. When we are willing, it is our offerings which we pick and choose to give, both where and when (Exodus 35:5,21&22,26&29; I Chronicles 29:5&6,9,17).
The same principle holds true under the new covenant. Our tithes go to the local church, both to supply the wages of those who labor for the Lord there, and to finance the work that needs to be carried on at the local church. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructed Timothy as he set up local churches that, “elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain’ (Deuteronomy 25:4). And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’ (I Timothy 5:17&18; I Corinthians 9:3-14). Jesus also said, “Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay” (Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:9-15). Under the old covenant God said, “No one is allowed to appear before me without a gift” (Exodus 34:20). The same is true under the new covenant. In fact, Paul wrote the Corinthian church to bring their gifts each Lord’s Day, or Sunday (I Corinthians 16:1&2). Why? Because obviously, we who have freely received from God, are obligated to freely give back to God (Matthew 10:8).
An offering really isn’t an offering until we have first given our tithe (Malachi 3:6-15). Only after our tithes have been given to the local church, can we then decide where our offerings will go. A tithe is something we give out of gratitude to God and an offering is something we give when prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. When we are willing, it is our offerings which we pick and choose to give, both where and when (Exodus 35:5,21&22,26&29; I Chronicles 29:5&6,9,17).
February 12
As the Israelites were leaving Egypt, they plundered the Egyptian people by asking for clothing and articles of gold and silver (Exodus 12:35&36). That may seem bold to us, but through the plagues God had prepared the Egyptians to be generous and happy to be rid of the Israelites. Now, even though the Israelites knew they had been unusually blessed, it is still natural to become possessive and selfish. Such was not the case. When Moses put out an appeal for “free will offerings” to build the Tabernacle and it’s furnishings, no one was forced to give. And yet, the people were very, VERY generous. So much so, that one of the most unusual things of all time, happened. All the materials were given, including: gold, fine linens, silver, bronze, acacia wood, and much more. The workers began the task of building and constructing the Tabernacle and it’s furnishings while the gifts continued to come in every day. At one point, the workers had to leave what they were doing to meet with Moses and this was their request: “Tell the people to quit giving. We have more than enough materials to complete the project!” (Exodus 36:5). You heard right! Moses gave the command and the people quit giving. When was the last time the leaders told people in your congregation to quit giving because there was already more than enough to complete a project?
As Paul wrote in the New Testament, that kind of generosity can only occur when people first give themselves to the Lord (II Corinthians 8:1-5). When we truly belong to the Lord, then everything in our possession belongs to the Lord also. Consequently, whenever the Lord has need of something in our possession, it really is not that difficult to give up because we’ve never perceived it as belonging to ourselves anyway. As Job said, “the God who gave me all things is the same God who can easily take it away” (Job 1:21). The first century church had people selling their land and property and giving it to the apostles to be distributed amongst those who were truly in need (Acts 4:32-37). And how did they do it? Why did they do it? They were compelled by Christ’s love for them (II Cor.5:14) and their love for one another. They were sold out to Jesus and they had a vision of what Jesus would have them do, rather than what they wanted to do. When God’s people sell out to Jesus today and see a vision of what Jesus would have them to do, the results are still the same. When more people have that same attitude, the church will possess a more powerful witness (Acts 4:33).
As Paul wrote in the New Testament, that kind of generosity can only occur when people first give themselves to the Lord (II Corinthians 8:1-5). When we truly belong to the Lord, then everything in our possession belongs to the Lord also. Consequently, whenever the Lord has need of something in our possession, it really is not that difficult to give up because we’ve never perceived it as belonging to ourselves anyway. As Job said, “the God who gave me all things is the same God who can easily take it away” (Job 1:21). The first century church had people selling their land and property and giving it to the apostles to be distributed amongst those who were truly in need (Acts 4:32-37). And how did they do it? Why did they do it? They were compelled by Christ’s love for them (II Cor.5:14) and their love for one another. They were sold out to Jesus and they had a vision of what Jesus would have them do, rather than what they wanted to do. When God’s people sell out to Jesus today and see a vision of what Jesus would have them to do, the results are still the same. When more people have that same attitude, the church will possess a more powerful witness (Acts 4:33).
Sunday, February 2, 2014
February 5
People tend to forget, even significant events and promises. Legions have been those through the centuries who pledged to change their lives or dedicate their lives to the Lord if He would only get them out of the mess they were in at the moment. While some remembered and kept their promises, the vast majority soon forgot their pledge, even after God kept His end of the bargain. The visit of God’s death angel to Egypt, the miraculous sparing of Israel’s firstborn, and the freeing of the Israelites from Egypt were all major events. Only by remembering how God had saved the Israelites in this way, would God’s people feel confident in God’s protections and provisions in the future. God established the Passover celebration as a feast to remember how He had liberated Israel from it’s captivity. Each year when the Israelites observed the Pass-over by carefully following the instructions God had given them, they were keeping alive that part of their history. And whenever the Hebrew children asked their parents what the meaning of the Passover was, the parents would explain how God’s Death Angel had passed over the houses of the Israelites where the blood of the Passover Lamb appeared on the doorposts (Exodus 12:12-16; 24-30). This feast would be a visible reminder that God had brought His people out of Egypt with great power (Exodus 13:9,14,16).
With the death of Jesus Christ, his burial and resurrection, God made it possible for people from every land and every time in history to be forgiven and liberated from their slavery to sin. So, that we would not forget the blessings of our redemption, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper. His instructions were that we observe this memorial feast symbolizing the sacrifice of his body (bread) and his blood (fruit of the vine), whenever we gather in his name (I Corinthians 11:23-25). It was no coincidence or accident that Jesus established this observance on the night of the Passover meal (Luke 22:13-30). Even as the Passover symbolized God’s deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper symbolizes God’s deliverance of believers in Christ from their bondage to sin. Interestingly enough, those with children have often had the same questions posed before them that the Hebrew children asked of their parents. “Why do we do this?” The Lord’s Supper is not only a reminder to all who are redeemed of God’s wonderful grace, but also an opportunity to tell the story to their children and an unbe-lieving world about the love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (I Cor.11:26).
With the death of Jesus Christ, his burial and resurrection, God made it possible for people from every land and every time in history to be forgiven and liberated from their slavery to sin. So, that we would not forget the blessings of our redemption, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper. His instructions were that we observe this memorial feast symbolizing the sacrifice of his body (bread) and his blood (fruit of the vine), whenever we gather in his name (I Corinthians 11:23-25). It was no coincidence or accident that Jesus established this observance on the night of the Passover meal (Luke 22:13-30). Even as the Passover symbolized God’s deliverance of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper symbolizes God’s deliverance of believers in Christ from their bondage to sin. Interestingly enough, those with children have often had the same questions posed before them that the Hebrew children asked of their parents. “Why do we do this?” The Lord’s Supper is not only a reminder to all who are redeemed of God’s wonderful grace, but also an opportunity to tell the story to their children and an unbe-lieving world about the love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (I Cor.11:26).
February 3
Only God knows the number of people who have ignored Him until they found themselves in a self-constructed pig pen (Luke 15:11-21). Their foolish choices, their lack of discipline, their selfish lifestyles, and their immoral indulgence have all resulted in the loss of everything and everyone of any meaning in their lives. Sin always has consequences (James 1:13-16), and when people have nowhere and no one else to turn to, they often look for God. “Please help me Lord. If you’ll only get me out of this situation, I’ll give my life to you.” God often comes to that individual’s aid, so they might turn their lives over to Him in true repentance (Romans 2:4). But, as soon as the crisis is over, many return to the same old stupid and foolish decisions and habits that got them in trouble in the first place.
We can all probably see ourselves in Pharoah. It is easy for us to look at his stubbornness and judge him for not seeing the light. It’s hard for us to comprehend how he could subject himself and his people to such horrible hardships inflicted on them by the plagues. And each time Pharoah offered to let the Israelites go and worship God with their sacrifices, he would demonstrate that he simply couldn’t be trusted. No sooner was the plague stopped and Pharoah would change his mind. We may think we are fooling others and we may even think we are fooling God when we make promises to Him that we don’t keep. But, God has set natural and spiritual laws in motion. And we are only fooling ourselves when we think no one will see our evil and selfish behavior. “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:7& 8). God is wanting and willing to send us the relief we are seeking. God wants us to find the “seasons of refreshing” our souls are longing for (Acts 3:19). But, we must first repent of our selfish and sinful ways, admit that His ways are right by doing what He tells us to do (Romans 12:2), and live the way Jesus taught us and showed us to live (John 13:15). We can continue getting out of life what we’ve always gotten, if we continue making the same decisions we’ve always made. Or, we can find the kind of life God created us for when we humbly come to Him. Pharoah would have saved himself and his people a lot of grief if he had come to his senses a lot sooner than he did.
We can all probably see ourselves in Pharoah. It is easy for us to look at his stubbornness and judge him for not seeing the light. It’s hard for us to comprehend how he could subject himself and his people to such horrible hardships inflicted on them by the plagues. And each time Pharoah offered to let the Israelites go and worship God with their sacrifices, he would demonstrate that he simply couldn’t be trusted. No sooner was the plague stopped and Pharoah would change his mind. We may think we are fooling others and we may even think we are fooling God when we make promises to Him that we don’t keep. But, God has set natural and spiritual laws in motion. And we are only fooling ourselves when we think no one will see our evil and selfish behavior. “Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:7& 8). God is wanting and willing to send us the relief we are seeking. God wants us to find the “seasons of refreshing” our souls are longing for (Acts 3:19). But, we must first repent of our selfish and sinful ways, admit that His ways are right by doing what He tells us to do (Romans 12:2), and live the way Jesus taught us and showed us to live (John 13:15). We can continue getting out of life what we’ve always gotten, if we continue making the same decisions we’ve always made. Or, we can find the kind of life God created us for when we humbly come to Him. Pharoah would have saved himself and his people a lot of grief if he had come to his senses a lot sooner than he did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
