Greatest Words Ever Written - Psalm 102-104

I am not much on quotes from men. I have a friend who's office is completely covered by quotes from famous people. I often wonder what is wrong with me, that as a reader and a motivational speaker I don't remember or use more quotes like that. However, in reading this morning's text I did come across what I believe may be the greatest words ever written:

Psalm 103:10-12: "He has not dealt with us according to our sins , Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities . 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth , So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west , So far has He removed our transgressions from us."

Are there any words that have a greater meaning or more important implications. Put Lincoln, Washington, King, Plato, or any famously quoted orator up against these words and they will pale by comparison. What David says here strikes at the very heart of life. David is telling us what God will do with our sin. David should know. He had a numerous wives and killed to get one more. He committed adultery and fathered a baby out of that adultery. David would not be able to preach in any of our pulpits today (he could never be ordained) and he could not teach in any of our schools. He has a felony arrest record. He couldn't coach any of our athletes even though he once conquered giants. More than likely he couldn't sit on any board but he once lead a nation. David had a good understanding of the need for these words. God accepted and forgave David. David bathed himself in these truths. When David brought his sins before God, God would say, "What sins?" As far as the east is from the west they have been removed from us!

Prepare to rejoice before you need to rejoice - 1 Chronicles 15-19

The last we read in 1 Chronicles David had attempted to bring the ark to Jerusalem; to the place he had prepared for it. However, instead of carrying the ark in the prescribed manner, David and friends put the ark on a cart. When the ox that was pulling the cart stumbled and the ark started to fall, Uzzia stuck out a hand to steady it and was struck dead by the anger of the Lord. In chapter 15 we have, "Moving the Ark to Jerusalem, Act II." This time David takes time to read the instructions. This time David instructs the Levi's to carry the ark with the poles, as ordained by God. David expects great things this time. This time he not only tells the to follow the instructions but to prepare the singers and the players to get ready to celebrate and rejoice (15:16). In 15:22 we read that David actually appointed someone in charge of the singing (Chenaniah). This is all an act of faith for David. He saw that when God's Word is obeyed, rejoicing should be planned for. He didn't wait "to see" if things would turn out well. He simply believed that if he obeyed God things would turn out well. He was ready to rejoice when it was time to rejoice because he knew rejoicing was about to come because it always comes when you believe and obey God!. Let's plan on some rejoicing today!

Heavenly Cloud for guidance still needs earthly eyes? Numbers 9-12

At the end of chapter ten of Numbers we read the story of the clound and the fire leading Israel. When God wanted them to move He would move the cloud or fire and they were to follow. The "cloud" of course kept them cool in during the day and the "fire" kept them warm at night. However, at the end of chapter ten we read that Moses asked his father-in-law to "be their eyes" on the journey. This begs the question, "Why do you need earthly eyes when you have a heavenly cloud guiding you?" I think the answer is you don't, but you should! God also commanded them in the begging of chapter ten to construct two trumpets for calling the Israelites to order or to battle. God doesn't need horns to do this but He instructed Moses to construct them. God incorporates the earthly to accomplish the heavenly. From the beginning it was so. When He created Adam His answer for Adam's "aloneness" was to create Eve. God was to be Adam's friend and Adam's companion. God was to be Adam's "complete me" person. However, in God's wisdom He created Eve. God uses the earthly to complete the heavenly. God used David with a "sling" to accomplish the victory over a giant. God uses the earthly to complete the heavenly. So, when you and I need wisdom we could rely completely on the "Spirit" of God who knows the mind of God who is Wisdom (1 Corinthians 2). But, we are to ask others and get advice because in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom (Proverbs 24:6). God gives us the heavenly and expects us to incorporate the earthly in that task.

Focus on the essentials of life ... the after life (1 Timothy 4-6)

Paul tells young Pastor Timothy to not get caught up in the false doctrines and false focus of the day (chapter 4). He tells him while others may be focused on their physical bodies (both in pleasing it and in profiting it ... 4:8-10) that he should focus on the spiritual aspect of body development. He states at the end of chapter four that Timothy is not to "neglect" spiritual development (vs. 14); to take "pains" with spiritual development; to be "absorbed" in spiritual development; and to "pay close attention" to spiritual development. Here you have a man of God being told by another man of God to spend as much time as possible with God. There is to be no relaxation when it comes to God. We are to passively go through this life without focusing on life ... the after life part of this life. We get so engrossed in the media world of television and shows that we fail to realize our main focus is to be on the development of our spiritual life. We are to foster it and protect it and to further it. We can use all these things as tools to further it but we have to careful we don't use things as the focus. Paul tells us that the end of being focused on spiritual things is our salvation and that of others around us (4:16). Does your focus in life reflect a growing desire to care of the physical body or the spiritual body?

Discernment change direction = John 7-9

In 7:1 it says that Jesus didn't go up immediately to Judea and stayed in Galilee because He knew that the Jews wanted to kill Him and it wasn't yet His time. That discernment changed His direction. How many times do we allow discernment to change our direction? That is the reason why God gives us discernment. To change our direction. However, we often, even after being equipped with discernment fail to alter our course and move right into the foolishness God is giving us discernment about. Maybe it is our pride, maybe it is our desire for the pleasures of sin, maybe we simply are too dull and don't see the discernment when it is offered, but in the case of Jesus, He discerned something and changed His course. We too ought to allow the Spirit of God to show us the dangers on the path ahead and then change the course we take. Discernment ought to change direction.

In our affliction we will return to God - Hosea 1-7

Read again Hosea 5:15 and 2:7. God uses our afflictions for a purpose in our lives. In 6:1 Hosea makes that very clear by saying, "... for He has torn us, but He will heal us ...". We see that God does allow afflictions to come into our lives and will use them in a great way to heal us and to sharpen us for righteousness. In Psalm 119:50, 67, 71, 76, and 107 David gives us the same thought: God uses affliction and matches them with His comfort and healing. The next time we are in an affliction let's look to the God of Healing and realize He has a purpose bigger than us and can use this affliction, if we allow it, to bring us closer to Him.

Money talks and poverty walks ... or does it? Proverbs 19

In chapter 19 of Proverbs we have several written on the subject of wealth and poverty. As I write this I am leaving for a small missions trip to Chicago that, along with soccer fun, we will be packing food for the poor of third world countries. I thought these truths were appropriate to meditate upon. In our country money talks and poverty is asked to take walk where we can't see them. But, notice Solomon's wisdom on this subject:

19:1 - "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool."

19:4 - "Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friends."

19:6 - "Many will seek the favor of a generous man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts."

19:7 - "All the brothers of a poor man hate him, He pursues them with words, but they are gone."

19:17 - "One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed."

19:22 - "What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar."

As the above verses point out, poverty has its privileges. We don't believe that in our society and wealth certainly has its earthly pluses. But, God is in the life of the poor and we are to recognize their need for companionship, promotion and love - above weatlh.

Be just without being judgmental - Psalm 99-101

In Psalm 99 the writer tells us in verse four that the strength of leadership is to love "justice" and "equity." The exact rendering of this verse might be read, "You have established in equity the strength of the King who loves justice" or "judgment" (NASV notes). What we see here is that a leader has a responsibility to make judgments and evaluations but must do so with justice and equity (in fairness and in a righteous manner). To illustrate this point the writer tells us that Moses, Aaron and Samuel all "worked" for God. God was their leader. He spoke to them; they followed His direction; they often asked Him for clearer directions and He answered them. But, it says that they also disobeyed Him and He was the "avenger" of their "evil deeds." So, God, as the Leader, had to practice and evaluation process and had to judge those whom He lead. Yet, in the midst of the leading God was no "judgmental" for it says, "you are a forgiving God to them." God is the perfect leader who loves justice and equity. He can forgive and yet avenge the evil that is done. Our goal, as in Psalm 99, is to balance our responsibility of justice and love; forgiveness and avenging evil. We can see why in 99:9 why we are told to "Exalt the LORD our God ... for Holy is the LORD our God!" He is the perfect leader. In Psalm 101 we see these things being proclaimed by the king. He is making a decision to act out justice and equity. He is evaluating those around him and practicing justice, equity and love. The key to leadership in the evaluation process is to be just without being judgmental.

Success = God + Migthy Men - 1 Chronicles 10-14

I love this section of God's Word. God has done some great work in my heart over the years with this double-edged sword. God gives us, in these chronicles of the kings, the key to success in leadership: Allow God to surround you with mightily men and with that combination you can't go wrong. David was chosen by God from the sheepfolds to lead Israel. He was young and he was inexperienced on how to lead people. However, God brought to his side great warriors and counselors who were not only loyal to him but also to God. God brought Noah animals two-by-two; God brought David mighty men (it seems in groups of "three"). These mighty men were skilled and fearless warriors. But, they were also loyal to David. Only God can surround you with type of support. However, you have to be humble enough to realize it and faithful enough to pray for it. God wants us to be great leaders in our families, churches, business ventures and communities. However, we have to trust Him to grow them and our leadership by surrounding us with His chosen mighty men in our lives.

"The Lord Bless You and Keep you ..." Numbers 5-8

It is quite amazing that in the middle of this section of "laws" and "procedures" that we have one of the most quoted benedictions in all Scripture and life. In 6:24-26 we read Aaron's prescribed benediction: "The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace." In the "law" we see the gift of grace. The LORD is to "bless" us. The LORD is to make His face "shine." The LORD lifts up countenance. The benediction is the perfect picture of God's grace in the midst of Law. God is the one who blesses us and shines on us and lifts up our countenance. Let's rejoice in the fact that God is looking to bless His people and to make our life a life of rejoicing. God is wanting to bless us. Stand by and wait for Him to bless us.

Peace at work comes from Prayer at work - 1 Timothy 1-3

The book of 1 Timothy was written to a young pastor to show him how to pastor and lead his church. Young Pastor Timothy was in a tough gig. Ephesus was a very lustful and sensual town. The goddess Diana was worshiped in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41). There is so much teaching in this book that settling on a single devotional is like going to the Grand Canyon and taking onne picture. However, in 2:1,2 Paul instructs us that prayer is to be made for all in authority. And "if" we make prayer for those in authority it says we will live in peace and tanquility with dignity and godliness. If I read this right, there is a direct corelation between my prayers for others in authority over me and the ease of my life. Paul makes no distinction between praying for those who are in authority who are believers or unbelievers. God wants us to pray for those "He" puts in authority over us. We are not to hold a grudge toward those above us. We are not to be bitter or resentful to those in authority over us. We are not to work in a passive-aggresive manner toward those over us because we don't like them or don't agree with them. We are to pray for them. We are to hold them up in earnest prayer. We are to pray for their welfare, their vision, their leadership and their willingness to follow God. God will direct them as He did the three leaders in Daniel's life. Daniel prayed for those leaders and advised them. We ought to do nothing else.

A different kind of food - John 5-6

It is important that you understand John's theme for writing another Gospel. It states it in John 20:31 as follows: "But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John's gospel was written so that you and I would believe the Jesus was God's son and that in that belief we would have life and not death. In this section of the book we see John's writing providing us with the very words and story we need to believe to have "life in HIs name." The Jewish leaders were not pleased with Jesus doing miracles and especially on the Sabbath. They were furious that He, through His words and actions, was making Himself "equal with God." That was the point!!! It is amazing how religious people can be the most dull when it comes to spiritual things. In these stories and teachings we see that truth demonstrated so much. The teaching of chapter six (eat my flesh - drink my blood) was so difficult that many "disciples" left Jesus at the lecture hall as a result. Peter, being Peter, is quick to add he "gets it." However, earlier in the passage they all sat around scratching their heads. Only God can reveal Biblical truth. Preachers, teachers and the like can make it as clear as day but only God can reveal the truth in it in a way that converts the soul and causes belief. Let's not think we are so "wise" that "we get it" and "others just don't." God reveals truth through writers like John, but it is the Spirit who makes us understand (6:63,34).

God's Word makes me sick - Daniel 7-12

As we read these famous six chapters of Daniel we can find ourselves in the midst of murky prophesy and lost in the sea of the unknown. These are heavy words, hard to understand and match the Book of the Revelation toe to toe for difficulty. As we read them we might easily become distracted, bored, confused, or even frustrated. But, when you heard the words of Daniel (and, actually the visions from God) did you get sick to your stomach, pale and so depressed you needed a mighty angel to come to minister to you? That is exactly what happened to Daniel. When Daniel saw the vision of God and heard the explanation he became physically sick and psychologically disturbed. Read again 7:28 and 8:27. In 9:3-5 he throws himself to the ground in confession and supplication. In 9:20 he is lost in the sea of confession for sin as a result of these visions. In 10:8 he is said to be depleted of all strength. In 10:9 he actually falls into a deep sleep. Now these are unusual responses to the hearing of God's Word. Can you imagine someone coming up to the Pastor after a Sunday morning message has been delivered and telling him that the Word of the Lord delivered that day made them diseased, depleted, depressed and in a state of despair? I think most preachers would take that as an insult. But, when God delivered this vision to Daniel that is how he felt. God's Word has that affect on us when we see the entirety of His plans. Even, like Daniel, when we don't actually know the details and understanding of the plan, we can get sick. Are we really seeing God's Word and the Plans of God to get the real feelings of what God is trying to say? If every time you leave an encounter with God's Word in a happy state you might not be fully seeing God's Word.

Empty barrels make the most noise - Proverbs 17-18

Proverbs 18:2 - "A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind." I have observed that those who have no understanding of God and lack a desire to want to pursue that knowledge of Him have no problem airing their foolishness. When you have nothing in the barrell and you hit it you get more noise. So, too in life. When you have little in the heart the noise coming out of it can be deefening. These two chapters are fool of proverbs about the fool. He/she is a grief to his parents (17:25). He goes against all that is true and right and it makes no sense for him to evey buy wisdom if he could (17:16). He struggles to find what is right and know it when he sees it (17:24). He is better off not talking than to simply reveal his ignorance and foolishness (17:28; 18:6,7). Foolish people are not hard to locate. They reveal themselves rather quickly and do so with they emptiness that is in their heart through the foolishness that comes through their lips. What is in the well comes up in the bucket ... in the case of the fool, there is not much in the bucket ... so says Solomon.

Let the seas roar? Only dirt dwellers can write this stuff - Psalm 96-98

So, the morning when I was about to write this blog I was set to shove-off and take my 40' boat (our home) up to the next town north to a Chrisitan music festival. The marine forecast is calling for 6-8 foot swells on Lake Michgan and winds 15-20 mph with gusts into the 30 mph range. There is a "small" craft advisory in affect. I just called the Coast Guard to see if that was accurate and what is the definition of a "small" craft? They tell me the forecast is accurate (that is why "they post it" on-line ... who knew?) and a small craft in the Coast Guard world is 33' and below. I decided before I would make the decision to launch or not launch I would read my scheduled reading today. So, I turn to Psalm 96 and come across verse eleven. In speaking about God's glory, power and beauty the writer says,, "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the SEA ROAR, and all it contains." Then I get to Psalm 98:7 and speaking in the same manner the writer says, "Let the SEA ROAR and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it." This is a writer who is sitting at a desk over looking the beauty of the waves crashing on the shore. What a great vision. However, if you are in a slightly larger than a small craft out in open seas and the SEA IS ROARING, these are not great words. But, during the two-hour (only 15 mile) trip of up and down motion I was struck by what I saw. This really is God's displaying His power and glory and strength. The sea roars so that we might stand in marvel of it. Since I left early enough the sea was not as bad as it was a little later in the day. But, the beauty of the roaring sea is amazing to behold. It speaks so much of God's great power. However, I would have to agree it looks better from land than in the bottom of an 8 foot swell.

Its not the job in the Lord's house, it's the way it is done - 1 Chronicles 5-9

Once again we have a running list of names and family relationships. When I grew up and we had "family devotions" and we read through the Bible each year, I used to hate these chapters. My dad really believed that "all scripture" was profitable for my training (2 Timothy 3:16). So, we would read through these names. Today I have come to realize the names are important but it is the running commentary that is profitable. In this section we see that God is not as concerned about "what" everyone did in the temple but rather "how" they did it. The nation was taken into captivity for their "unfaithfulness" (5:25-26). However, those mentioned with favor from God in this list are gatekeepers to warriors to rulers ... each of which were faithful to God. God is not big on position but on faithfulness to the position He gives us. I am always worried about "being in full-time ministry," yet God keeps showing me that full-time faithfulness to the ministry He gives me is more important. Let's not worry what position God has us fulifilling in His kingdom but rather that we are faithful to that position - from gatekeeper to warrior to ruler.

Organization drives some people nuts - Numbers 1-4

Well, if you are the basic "type A" personality and highly motivated by organization and structure you will love this section of reading. Of course you also have to love reading name after name after name, but it is the structure and organizational aspect of it that catches my attention. I wouldn't say I am that structured, although I learned in my educational process that if you want good grades, teachers love organization. If you want a raise, your boss probably rewards organization and structure. If you want to watch something on TV at a certain time there is probably someone in charge of the organization and structure (of course, that is why someone invented TiVo). Man seems to have something in his spirit that structures and organizes things. As I write this I am waiting for a couple to show up who want me to perform their marriage ceremony. We are going to meet to "plan" their wedding. One of the two of them will be energized by structure and one of them probably won't be. In these chapters we see that God is a structured and organized being. Since He created us we have that from Him. We are made after His likeness. So, despite the fall, we have some semblance to organizational things. That will drive some people nuts but that doesn't change the fact that we reward those in our society who are highly structured. You can't find too many companions that don't have structure. In this section God organized the tribes and told them where He wanted them to camp, who was to lead them and who was in charge of the tabernacle. God planned it and expected the nation to carry it out. The only thing worse than organization is when when you have it and someone ignores it. God wants us to appreciate His organization an structure. We can be creative beings and fly by the seat of our pants and that, too, is after the creative image of God. In God's world these two things co-exist. In our world they are often at odds with each other. Go out today and enjoy the structure God has given us. The sun will come up and set at a particular time. It is structured by Him to do so.

God uses trials to fertilize our growth - 2 Thessalonians

When we recently visited some friends of ours in Pennsylvania we observed some corn that was planted by and grown by the Amish. I don't know what they put on their corn stalks but it was the fourth of July and instead of knee high it was neck high. Three weeks later I hear it is even higher. I don't know what the Amish put on the corn but apparently it is some secret formula they use that affects the plants in such a way it grows the corn in an unusual manner. When we begin to read this little letter Paul wrote to the great Christians in the church at Thessalonica, we read that their faith toward God was growing and their love for each other was growing (1:3-5). We read right after this that this growth spurt was happening during a time of great crisis and suffering. Paul goes on to say that the suffering and the crisis they were dealing with was a result of something God had allowed or brought into their lives. God uses a great type of fertilizer in our lives to make our faith toward Him and our love toward others grow ... it is called suffering and hardships. We are allowed to go through tough times for God because it is used by God to produce love and faith and hope in our hearts. We ought not to shy away from the suffering but rather learn to embrace it as the growth agent it is meant to be. Let's try to rejoice when God uses His special fertilizer on our lives. He is only trying to expand the waistline of our faith and the height of our love.

Can you go beyond your comfort zone? John 3-4

When Jesus met the "women at the well" He stepped out of the norm of the day. He was willing to go beyond what everyone else did and set a new course of action. Samaritan people were not looked at favorably by the Jewish or Gentile world. A "kind of half-breed" group they were despised, ignored, or rejected. So, when Jesus starts talking to one at the well, He did something most would not. He also "crossed over" by talking to a "women." Unlike today where the average man would go out of he way to talk to a women in Jesus day Jewish men didn't just talked to women. The middle east still has some of that stereotype difficulty today. To make matters worse, this "women at the well" was at best a social deviant, but at worst a harlot-type, having five husbands in the past and currently in a "live in" relationships ... something you didn't do in those days that is almost normal today. When the disciples arrived back from a shopping trip they were struck that He was speaking to the women. It is noticeable that when they arrive, she leaves. I imagine they were uncomfortable with her and she with them. When she leaves, however, she leaves her pot. Perhaps this indicates her rush to tell others about Jesus, or, better, her rush to leave in the presence of 12 Jewish men who thought it "wrong" to talk to "loose Samaritan women." If you and I, however, are ever going to reach others for Christ we are going to have to get out of our "comfort zone" and touch people at the well of their lives. They have questions, concerns, baggage and needs (all of which are visible in this women's story). We have the answer, the "living water" at our disposal. Can we ever get out of our comfort zone and our worry about what others think of us to touch their lives with truth? Or, are we just too comfortable with our stereotypes and prejudices?

God can change the mind and lives of Kings - Daniel 1-6

You can't help but read this section and see God's work in the lives of man and especially in the lives of those in charge. We sometimes see people worry about government and what they are doing. And, we have a certain part in that government via our vote and our voice. However, in these six chapters we have a wonderful display of God working in His sovereign will in the lives of three kings in Daniels life. God had put Daniel exactly where He wanted Him to be. God gave Daniel the wisdom and gifts He wanted him to have. He then put Daniel in front of all three kings to let them know that God was in charge and that He was working in their lives. Daniel was not embarrassed about telling the kings "who he worked for" and "who gave him the wisdom." God uses Daniel to talk to the kings, to advise the kings, to warn the kings, to encourage the kings. Daniel shows great respect and great love for each of these kings. God works in these kings lives and even turns one into a wild ox. God can do that to people in charge ... or people not in charge. When God puts you somewhere He can use you in the same manner with your boss or some other authority in your life. We don't have to resist the authorities in our lives or make their life and our difficult. God works in the lives of leaders through men and women of God who are willing to stand of Him and proclaim His truths to them.

Can you allow God the freedom to do what He wants? Proverbs 16

You can't help but read Proverbs 16 and see that God is in charge:

16:1 - "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." (You may think it and plan it but what actually happens comes from God.)

16:3 - "Commit you works to the Lord and you plans will be established." (God is so in charge of plans and the completion of them only those that are truly in His will can be established or perfected.)

16:4 - "The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil." (God is so in control even the evilness of man is used for His plans and His glory.)

You can fight and resist the sovereignty of God but you do so at your own peril. Read further 16:9, 16:11, and especially 16:33 (even the roll of the dice is in His control). How do people disregard God's sovereign control? If you take one small event and give that to chance or to your own control than God can't be sovereign. You can be 99% sovereign. When we take some of God's control away from Him we don't glorify Him. When we worry about something that has happened or might happen we don't glorify Him. Either He is in control or He is not. Stop worrying about something God already has in His control. If it is a something good, and God wants you to experience it, it will happen as we walk in obedience to Him and it will bring Him glory. If it is something bad God must want it in your life for something that will bring Him glory. God is control. Rejoice in it. Praise Him for it. Be safe in it. Quit trying to ignore it or change it.

If it weren't for God's continued love - Psalm 93-95

Psalm 93:17-19: If the Lord had not been my help, My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I would say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.

Do we need to write anything than those three verses? Commit them to memory today simply by reading them at the top of each hour. Just mediate on them today and then try to have a bad day. You can't have a bad day meditating on these verses dispite what Satan may do to you and through you. Meditate on them today.

Is there an asterisk by your name? 1 Chronicles 1-4

The baseball world has a problem. When it comes to sports they have a tremendous history and ability to chart statistics. They can tell you how many hits a batter gets in his career, his on-base-percentage, the number of walks against left-handed pictures, etc. But, because they are a sport giving to so much stat keeping they have a real problem in regard to the "steroid" era. What do they do for the stats over the past 10 years they may have been expanded due to players taking illegal and or strength enhancing drugs? As we watched our favorite players "expand" in front of us we also watched their stats expand. Many have suggested these athletes have an asterisk behind their name. I have no opinion of that but did notice in our reading today that God lists out a lot of names in His Word and seems to make note and put an asterisk by many names. Take a look at Achar in 2:5 whose asterisk reads, "who violated the ban." Of course we know he and his entire family were stoned to death. Many of those in this section have no asterisks at all. I don't know what that means. They may have simply lived non-impacting lives in regard to those around them. Many have an asterisk because they did bad things ... look at Er in 2:3. How would you like that asterisk behind your name. God doesn't miss this stuff. But, many had a positive asterisk behind their name. The most famous in this section is, of course, Jabez, in 4:9-10. Books have been written about his prayer. Do you have an asterisk behind your name and is it because of something positive or something negative? God keeps great notes and knows all of our lives? Do we have an asterisk behind our name when people talk about us and what have we done with it to make it positive for God?

The Solution to Credit and Debt Crisis - Leviticus 25-27

With our current credit and debt crisis in government going on you would think someone would turn to God for the answer. Just think of the difficulty God had with His people. A million plus people in the desert having just escaped from slavery under Egypt's rule. How would you care for them? How would you administrate justice for them? Instant population with no infrastructure or system of government. When we read Leviticus we forget that is was God's method of dealing with an entire nation. The laws and procedures were for the purpose of keeping everyone safe and from harm ... from each other! In chapter 25 we read the information about the "sabbatical" year ... the year that the land and the slaves and the family and everyone were to take a break. No work was to be done on the land and not work was to be done by the people. It was a year off. (I can't believe we haven't grabbed hold of this concept in today's society). In the seventh year the land was to get a rest. The sixth year would produce enough food for the sixth, seventh and eight years (this was a matter of faith in God to provide). If that wasn't hard enough, in the 49th year the land would be left alone and then again in the 50th, which was referred to as the year of Jubilee. In the Year of Jubilee not only did the land sit still but property was returned to owners and slaves were set free. If you went poor over the course of the past 49 years you could find relief and obtain land again (under strict guidelines). God's solution for the treatment of the land and the people was based upon the fact that He was their God (25:17). In that verse He tells them, "they are not to wrong one another." This is why we can't practice this in today's litigious society. Capitalism is about getting something from others. In God's system it was about the giving of yourself to others. This is what makes the gospel so strange. God, to redeem HIS people, sent HIS son to pay the price of redemption. You can see the gospel message as far back as Leviticus. God wanted the people of Israel to practice grace and mercy (for the land and for the people). He demonstrated grace and mercy via the gospel but He outlined it in Leviticus. The answer for the debt ceiling is to raise the grace and mercy ceiling. God has a method if we will but apply it to our lives.

Get More Purer - (My mom would hate the uses of "Purer" - 1 Thessalonias 4-5

My mom was a Junior High English teacher for over 25 years. That was back in the day when you learned to diagram sentences to discover the verbs, nouns, adverbs, adjective, etc. She used to make us to this at home at the dinner table. Especially if we used one of these in an improper manner. So, if I was sitting at the dinner table and told my family that the point of Paul's Words in 1 Thessalonians 4-5 is to get more purer ... it wouldn't matter that I hit a home run theologically. It would only matter to mom that I struck out grammatically. And, I would agree with her. But, in truth, that is what Paul is trying to tell us. He is stating that because God saved us and gave us the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell within us (4:8) that our "sanctification" is a matter of urgency and necessity. He wants us to "excel" in sanctification (killing sin and become pure for God)! (see 4:1 and 4:10) He outlines for them what he means by using the word sanctification in 4:3-7. He uses, as an example of sanctification (I don't think this is meant to be an exclusive list of sanctification issues) sexual areas of our lives. That is a great area to look at in regard to sanctification. He doesn't want us to use our bodies like the unsaved world does in regard to sexual things. This serves as an example of the process of sanctification. He wants us to "excel" even more in that regard. Our sanctification IS the "WILL OF GOD" (4:3). If we refuse to pursue sanctification (purity in our lives) it is walking outside God's will and a "rejecting" of God and His Spirit that dwells within us. We struggle to know what God's will is in our lives and here it is right in front of us ... Sanctification toward purity ... or more planner; get more purer! (Sorry Mom ... I'll diagram that out later today.)

Light up the World - John 1-2

John is a very crafty writer. Whereas the other gospel writers (Matthew, Mark and Luke) are trying to give us an account of the activities of Jesus and include His travel, His miracles, His teaching and His interactions (kind of an all inclusive look at the Savior), John is giving us very specific and very direct information about Jesus. He wants us to know something and chooses carefully His examples and what teachings of Jesus he includes in his writing. He begins with a dialogue about John the Baptist. In that dialogue he tells us that John, although quite dynamic and engaging was not the Light, but only a messenger for the light. Others came to John the Baptist to see if he was the Christ (Messiah), Elijah, or a prophet, or someone else of great importance. If John the Baptist had a marking agent he would have been advised to "go with it!" John was popular and had a good following of people. He was odd, but in an engaging way. But rather than take the place of the Light, John points out that he was sent to simply "bear witness to the light" (1:6-8). This is something we all should take note of. WE ARE NOT THE LIGHT! We are to bear witness of the true Light of the World. Our ability to complete our mission while here on this earth is tied to understanding that fact. We are here to testify to the Light of the World. No matter how charismatic or eloquent we are, we are to bear witness to the light. No matter how insignificant or uninteresting we are we are to bear witness to the light. No matter how rich or how poor; how healthy or how sick; our popular or how isolated we are - we are to bear witness to THE LIGHT. Our job is to the light up the world and not with ourselves but with the Light of the Gospel which is the story of Jesus. Or, as John the Baptist will say in our next weeks reading, "He must increase but I must decrease" (3:30)

Teach the difference between the holy and the profane - Ezekiel 43-48

In this last section of Ezekiel we see the real meaning and purpose for the book. The very last section describes the City even further, the city that God will dwell in. The last line of the book says, "The Lord is there." This gives us the key to the book and we can learn how to read it based upon the fact that God is present and revealing Himself to them. In chapter 43 we read that God's solution for their sin is for them to learn about the temple and His presence in the temple. In chapter 44 we are told that the priest had the responsibility to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane (44:23). Today, the church has the same responsibility. We are to teach each other what is holy for God and what is profane and contrary to God. Satan wants us to see the profane as "holy enough." He wants us to convert the profane in our mind to a little bit of holiness and be comfortable with it. If we can be comfortable with the Lord's name in vain, Satan has done his job. The priest were to make sure the people knew the difference between holy and profane. When the priest refused to do this or simply neglected to do this they allowed the nation of Israel to go astray. God is holy and He is in the church. We can't compromise the holiness of God. We can call it something else but we can't really change it to the profane. We simply try to convert the profane to make it look holy. In our daily walk we have the responsibility to know the difference between the holy and the profane and to choose, through the Spirit's ministry in our life, the way of holiness. We need to discern between the two and not be lost in the profane that has become morally acceptable.

Refuse instructions and reap the consequences - Proverbs 14-15

Proverbs 15:12 - A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not to the wise. (You can tell the wisdom of someone by the people he seeks out for counsel and/or his willingness to listen to the counsel of others. Those who refuse to listen will reap that failure.)

Proverbs 15:31-33 - He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom and before honor comes humility. (The reception of wisdom must be proceeded by the act of humility and willingness to listen. Those who refuse to listen will reap the consequences of refusing wisdom. Humility is the first step in the acquisition of wise counsel.)

We can tell if someone is a fool or a wise person by their willingness to take correction and instruction. We sometimes think of receiving instruction and corrections as having to do with "gravity" ... it simply flows down hill. However, instruction and correction are not dependent upon rank or authority, nor is wisdom. Wisdom is dependent upon a heart of humility and cooperation with the one who gives the instruction. Pride hinders wisdom. When we think we know we are not open to knowing.

New Post - Same Truth - Psalm 90-92

I date passages in my Bible. If I read something that is important and really worked in my heart I put a date in the margin to remind me of that time frame and the occasion. Apparently in 2009 the passage in 92:12-15 made an impression on me for it bears the date. In this section God is telling us that age has little to do with bearing fruit. In 2009 I was about to turn 55. Little did I know it but within the next three months I would suffer a heart attack and stare death in the face. Yet, this truth was and is fundamental to my life. Righteousness and fruit bearing isn't limited by our age. Those who have "seasoned" (nice way of saying "grown old") can still bear fruit. We can still be "full of sap" (no jokes here, please) and look "very green." The purpose of this is found in verse 15: "To declare that the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." So, as we grow old our righteousness (given by God) is provided to grow old in green and bear fruit and to declare the glory of God. Our growing old is not to find a safe place to retire. It is not to find a life of ease and to be content in life. God provides righteousness and wants us to grow and bear the fruit that glorifies God. Our end of life experience is to be one that glorifies God. It is not to find peace and rest on a ranch or cottage or condo. We are to bear fruit for God. In 2009 I am sure I wrote something similar. New post - same truth.

Everyone needs a Kidron Valley. 2 Kings 21-25

King Josiah is another breath of fresh air in a very musty smell. Although young when he began his reign as king (8 years old) he grew to be wise and righteous. When he is confronted by God's Word (22:11-13) he responds by cleaning house and restoring the Lord's rule. As he is cleaning, however, he comes across his predecessor's idol materials. He took the idols, the books, the tools and the instruments to a place on the east side of Jerusalem called The Kidron Valley. Jerusalem is surrounded by valleys. The Kidron Valley has a lot of history to it and will have more in the years after Josiah. (Jesus walks across the Kidron Valley on the way to the Mount of Olives). The Kidron Valley was a place Josiah used to burn the instruments of sin he found in his kingdom. We all need a place we dispose of sin in our lives. Our main focus is to glorify God and we are instructed by Paul to be in the process of the "mortification" (Killing) of sin in our lives. Taking sin to the Kidron Valley is our goal. We are, like Josiah, to burn and grind sin and the instruments of sin into dust and dispose of them in our own Kidron Valley. Do you have a Kidron Valley ... a place you can rid yourself of sin? God is honored when we mortify sin in our lives. Make it a practice today to find a Kidron Valley and mortify some sin.

Just how sensitive to sin around should we be? Leviticus 22-24

If someone uses God's name in vain near you, what is your response? When someone blasphemes your savior within your ear-shot what do you do? What do you "feel" like doing? Do you cringe? Do you speak up? Do you say something? Do you want to say something? At the end of this section we have the story of a young man who blasphemed God's name. Those around him were so sensitive they put him into custody until the matter could be sorted out with Moses (the earthly authority) and according to God's will (the heavenly authority). God is holy and to be treated as holy. We are not to violate that holiness in any way for any matter in even the slightest manner. Taking God's name in vain violates God's holiness. Men and women who do so will be held accountable. I am not sure what we can do in an unbelieving world when others have no regard for the holiness of God. I prefer to walk away from people who continually defame God. There are times when I have confronted them and had a good response and times I have had no response. I can't remember having a bad response. The key in this issue is not what their response is to me (should I choose to confront them) but it is in my respons to hearing them defame God. In today's society we have become so unsenstive to God being defamed we hardly take notice. The Isrealites will soon become the same way. They will not soon care that God is being defamed. This is an unusual example in their history they would have been wised to learn and to remember. When others take God's name in vain we ought to be hurt and defamed ourselves. How we respond may have to do with a lot of different variables. However, that we are offended or have grown numb to hearing it is our responsibility. God will and must take care of defending His holiness. We must be sensitive to it, however. God isn't pleased when we grow accustomed to His defamation.