Do you know what God has done for you? Hosea 8-14

Hosea 11:3-4

Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,

 I took them in My arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,

And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;

And I bent down and fed them.

In Hosea 8-14 we have God's indictment against Israel as He brings the nation of Assyria into their land to take them captive.   Like a prosecuting attorney this section is filled with points and sub-points about the guilt of Israel and their waywardness in light of God's great love.   In the verses above we get a glimpse into God's character and what He did for the nation, despite their unfaithfulness.   Israel was God's children.  And, like a loving father He did things for them they didn't see, recognize or care to admit.   Like an unfaithful child they chided His great love and only thought of pursuing their own loves and own wicked devices.   Yet, it was God who "healed" them.  It was God who "took them into His arms."    It was God who "taught" them.  It was God who led them "with bonds of Love."  And, in times that would have been devoured and crushed it was God "who lifts the yoke from their jaws."  It was God who "bent down and fed them."  Are we not the same.  Do we not go through lives more concerned about American Idol than the Worship of the One who feeds us every day?  Do we not fulfill our day with wrapping our arms around our stuff and not even acknowledge that His arm is around us for protection and love?   We are bond by the cords of Love by Him.   Why do we take those cords and bring in our own desires and not His.   Remember, He "bent" down and fed them.   We worship the only God who fed us with the love of His Son.   He has shown us great love.   Embrace it and honor it.  Don't do what Israel did.   Keep pure before Him.  

Leadership that can lead a nation - Proverbs 20-21

Proverbs 20:8

A king who sits on the throne of justice

 Disperses all evil with his eyes.

Leadership has so many responsibilities that any leader can quickly fall into the "manager" mode.   There has been much written about the differences between leadership and management.  This small devotional won't do much to exhaust that debate.   However, Solomon does give us a keen insight into the leader's mindset and implies something about leadership that far exceeds management.   A leader is responsible for the flow of justice - doing what is right - within the country, organization, institution, etc.   In this proverb Solomon stresses that the leader (the King) is so in tune with justice that he "sits on the throne of justice."  This implies it is not a mere thought that crosses his mind but the actual core of his culture.   His throne is known for being a just.   The throne is where he makes all his decisions.   The throne is the symbol of his authority.    A king who sits on the throne of justice has established a culture of justice.   But, it doesn't end there.   Not only does he sit on a throne of justice but his presence and power are so filled with justice evil runs from his sight.  He "disperses all evil with his eyes."  Think through that thought.   He merely looks and evil has no place to hide.    That is leadership.   Managers could not do that if the leader in the group didn't support that type of culture.   Leadership ... Godly Leadership ... disperses evil by a mere glance.   People would not do things around that type of leader they would to others.   If you want to be a leader in your home, your business, your office, your community, be a Proverbs 20:8 leader.   Sit in justice and disperse evil with your eyes.  

He knows your FRAME - Psalm 102-104

Psalms 103:14

For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.

Think about the above verse for a moment.  God knows our frame!  He knows we are but dust!  Part of the problem we often have with others is that they seldom rise up to the level of expectation we have for them.  We expect so much from others.  We expect them to be always kind, to be ever true, to demonstrate great character in all situations (while we ourselves fail in those very areas).   When they don't reach the bar of competency we have set for them we reject them, abandon them, and/or abuse and criticize them.   We seldom take into account their "frame".  We never consider they were formed from the "dirt" of the earth.   But, our Creator is not like us.  He knows our frame.  He is very mindful that He created us out of the "dust of the earth" prior to our becoming a living soul.   God knows us and knows we will do dirty things since we hail from dirt.   Perhaps that is the one thing the evolutionist have right.  We are from the dirt of the ground ... but, not by evolving, but by a Creator who knows us.  Because God knows us He knows we need a Redeemer and that is why He sent His son.  Because God knows us He knows we need guidance and that is why He gave us the Spirit.   Because God knows us He knows we need instruction and that is why He gave us the Word of God.   God knows us and has given us everything we need to continue to serve Him and Worship Him.   There is a bad side, of course, to His knowing our frame.  He knows our thoughts, our actions, our motives, our darkest moments.   To those who wish to hide from Him and reject the afore mentioned gifts, that can be a scary thought.   Absent a Redeemer, Guide, and Instruction Book, His knowing our frame is like light shined on a roach invested kitchen ... everyone is running for cover.   But, the true believer can take solace in the fact that God knows our frame and provides for us what that frame needs.  

I want to be a professional "Thanks-giver" - 1 Chronicles 15-19

1 Chronicles 16:7

Then on that day David first assigned Asaph and his relatives to give thanks to the Lord.

When I grew up I dreamed of being either a professional baseball player (Al Kaline of the Tigers was my hero), or a truck driver. Obviously, those two things are on complete ends of the spectrum. I am not sure how or what made me desire these two occupations. They have nothing in common except that I am sure many truck drivers attend baseball games and pay the salary for a few baseball players. I since dreamed of being many things. I see many occupations I would like to do but it is has never crossed my mind to be a professional "give thanks to the Lord-er." David, in his new found understanding of Scripture decides to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem, THE RIGHT WAY (if you don't remember, the first time he did it they tried to carry the Ark in a way no ascribed by God and lost a life ... this time he would do it according to the Word of God). And, by faith, David knew that if he did it the RIGHT WAY it would be a time of blessing and thanks giving. So, "Prior" to bringing the Ark back he assigns singers and musicians to make the joyful sound (chapter 15). But, in 16;7 he now assigns Asaph to "continue" the job of thanking the Lord. If you have ever read any of Asaph's Psalms in the book of Psalms you will see that Aspah was the right man for the job. Asaph must have had a heart for God and a positive personality. God had placed in him the heart of thanks. Not everyone is that way. Not everyone remembers to be thankful. Many of us simply are too busy to stop in the middle of a great blessing to say thanks. Even to say thanks for our food is a difficult step for some. God deserves our praise and thanks. David knew that and gave someone that job.  In 16:34 we see that he left Asaph there to do the thanks giving that was required for the work.   Wow!!   I want that job ... but, do I have the heart to say thanks continually? 

Stop! Wait! Listen? Numbers 9-12

There are certain people you can trust when they give their opinion of something.   I don't know them personally, but I assume their are some.  The rest of us ought to be careful how we answer a question or inquiry for counsel.   Moses, the great Israelite leader, would be one of those leaders we could ask a question and expect a good answer ... right off the top of his head.   Yet, Moses, did not do that. When asked to solve a problem he did not use his authority or power to wax eloquent.   I need to learn this principle.  Look at what Moses does when he is asked to resolve an issue about men who missed the passover due to touching a dead body.   Moses doesn't make something up, give his own opinion, tell us what they did in the old days, or ignore it.  Here is his response: 

Numbers 9:8

Moses therefore said to them, “ Wait, and I will listen to what the Lord will command concerning you.”

Wow!!   Wait?   Listen?   Two phrases we ought to piggy back on for the rest of our lives.    And what is he "waiting" and "listening" to?  The "command" of the Lord!   Late one night, late in the evening I was sent an email by a client who wanted my thoughts on an email he had received.   Before I knew what I was going to say I was typing a response.  I didn't stop to "wait" and "listen" to my own thoughts.   I just started typing a response and hit send.  The next morning I sent him another response ... "in addition to" the other response.   I never thought of saying to him, "wait" as I go "listen" to what the Lord has to say about this thing.   I am extroverted and tend to think with my mouth and, I think, Moses was more of the introverted type.  Yet, the lesson of waiting and listening and seeking God's commands about something FIRST should be a practice for either type and preference.   Today, when you are asked to give a response to something, repeat Moses' practice ... Wait and listen and seek the command of the Lord.   

How do we fight the apostasy in the world and protect ourselves? 1 Timothy 4-6

Paul makes a big deal about young Timothy's responsibilities. The books of 1 and 2 Timothy are literal a "how to book" on how to "do the ministry" and "how to do preaching." It should be weekly required reading for all those in the ministry. Note in particular how Paul tells young Timothy to handle his job in light of false teachers and the end time (something we are closer to than Timothy was). Paul is talking to him about using God's Word to fight false teachers:

4:6 - "In pointing out these things ..."

4:7 - "... on the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."

4:10 - "For it is for this we labor and strive ..."

4:11 - "Prescribe and teach these things."

4:13 - "Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture."

Paul was concerned about Timothy's content both in character and in message.   The two must go together if we are to profitable in our fight of false teachers.   The life of the ministry depends upon our ability to teach the Word and live the Word.   In any generation God demands that His spokesmen handle the Word and all the Word to handle them.  That is the defense against apostasy.  

Free INDEED! John 7-9

I really don't need to write anything today about this section of John. It speaks so much for itself. Every portion is full of so, so much, but read this again:

John 8:32-36

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “ We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free ’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

You can't help but wonder if these words weren't remembered and passed around the early church since Paul made it the cornerstone of Justification by Faith in Romans. Even though John's gospel was written later than the other gospels you can see John's capturing of Jesus' words in even Paul's writings. The concept of freedom and slavery is so void in our modern day society. Non-believers don't recognize the slavery to sin in their lives. They believe they are free, as the Pharisees did in this passage. The don't see the sin that enslaves them. Believers should see it. They know they have been set free from it (Note the last verse of that portion: "So if the Son makes you free you will be free INDEED". We miss that in our lives. I am so captured by my sin and it continues to wrap is ugly, cold chains around me. I continue to be held, despite the fact that Jesus died for my freedom and John and Paul tell of it. Yet, I don't see it. Like the Pharisees of old, I walk around with eyes of the flesh and succumb to my inner depravity - not fully realizing the statement: IF the Son makes you free you will be free INDEED. By faith we should celebrate our freedom and not allow the chains of sin that Jesus died for to once again hold us in their grip. Faith is the key that unlocks them and destroys them. Faith says believe in Christ and something better will happen. Flesh says succumb and have it now. Faith says Christ beat it and there is something better later. Flesh says come enjoy it now.  If you believe in the Son you are free INDEED.

If you are uncomfortable in life, read this. Hosea 1-7

When we live God and pursue other "lovers" God intervenes in our lives to make sure we return to Him.   In Hosea 2 we have a picture of that very truth.   God had told Hosea to marry a harlot women to demonstrate how Israel had left God and God was willing to bring them back.   Hosea tells us just how God was going to help him get his harlot wife back.  He does the same for us.   Note the following:

Hosea 2:6-7

“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her way with thorns,

And I will build a wall against her so that she cannot find her paths.

“She will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them;

And she will seek them, but will not find them.

Then she will say, ‘ I will go back to my first husband,

For it was better for me then than now! ’

God tells Hosea that He will "hedge up her way with thorns" referring to Gomer, his wife.   He is going to make her "despised" in the eyes of her new lovers.   This would not be comfortable for Gomer.   Having your way hedged in with thorns is not comfortable.   Gomer would not be comfortable.   It says the "hedge" would be a like a "wall against" her.   It would make it so she can't "overtake her lovers."  When we leave God He makes it uncomfortable for us and hard for us to find our lovers.   He wants us to "return" to Him.   This is similar to the prodigal son in Luke 15.  Once he was with the pigs he was ready to return home.   If you are uncomfortable you might want to ask  yourself the question as to why?   God is in the business of using our discomfort to put us back on track for Him.  God uses thorns to get us back on the right road.  

How does the world think we "gain wisdom?" Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:20

Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

That you may be wise the rest of your days.

If you were to ask the average guy on the street on how he obtains wisdom it would be the majority who said through years of experience and study. If you ask them to relate what they meant by "years of experience" you might, however, get a variety of answers.   In this proverb we see that wisdom comes from, at least, two sources:  Listening to others and allowing discipline to correct you (... perhaps, the discipline of life).   We seldom think of a season of "discipline" as a way to gain wisdom.   However, later in  this same chapter Solomon tells us: "Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge" (19:27).   Perhaps what Solomon is saying to us in the above proverb is not two things that provide wisdom, but one.  When we listen to the counsel of others as they give us discipline, we will have wisdom the rest of our days. You are never too old to receive this type of counsel from others. They can, and will, provide corrective reproof that can gain wisdom for us. We don't gain wisdom simply from living and experiencing life.   We do so by being corrected and repenting in the light of that correction and humbling coming to Christ who provides that correction through friends and strangers.   God uses others in our lives to humble us with counsel. As we heed their words we heed His discipline and gain His wisdom. 

He created us ... He gets to publish us!! Psalm 99-101

I haven't made much with my hands.  I am speaker, writer but not much of a producer of tangible stuff.   Unless you count words I put on a page.   However, having written a book or two I know what it is like to create something and call it  your creation. When my first book was going through the editing and publishing process I realized how tough it is to keep something "your own."  Editors wanted to change my words and phrases in favor of their words and phrases.   They often were able to implement their way because "they were publishing" the manuscript.   I may have created but they thought "publishing" it gave them the right to do what they wanted.   Aren't we the same way?   God "created" us but we think since we are "publishing" our life to the world we can do what we want.   Note the psalmist words below:

Psalms 100:3

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

We are to "know" that God is God and He "made" us ... we are not our own!!   The creator gets to say how we will be published in the world.   We are to be "published" according to His Word and His design.  We don't think of ourselves as being created.   But, we were created by God ... our very existence is based upon His will and power.   Let's not fight the publishing aspect of HIS creation.  He designed us and therefore knows what is best for us.  

Do you have mighty men in your life? 1 Chronicles 10-14

We know that God favored David (1 Chronicles 11:9 and 14:17).  David pursued God in his heart so God gave him favor with His.   But, in chapter eleven of 1 Chronicles we see what happens when a leader fears God and is favored by God ... the men around him are blessed, as well.   Since David decided to seek God, God surrounded him with strong men of faith and of war.   The list of "thirty" men is not meant to glorify the men but the God who gave them to David.   When we choose to walk with God, God will bring others to our aide ... believers and non-believers.   Think of Joseph who was tossed into a pit by his brothers, God used a band of traders, a wicked women, a forgetful servant of the king and the king himself to put Joseph in the exact places God wanted him to be for the appointed time.   God brought Moses his brother Aaron.  God brought, for a season, to Paul, Barnabas.  When we decide to follow Christ, we can be assured that we will not be alone.   King Josiah had a faithful priest.   As did King Hezekiah.  Daniel had three friends who stood with him.   If you are following God you only have to look around you and God will bring others to your aide.  We may not have thirty, but God will give us mighty "men" (and women) in our lives to assists us in our work for Him.  Rejoice in God's gift of "mighty men" in your life.  

He doesn't bless where He doesn't rule - Numbers 5-8

When you "invoke" a name  you are putting that name up "in place" of your own, or others, and relying on the name to do something. So, if you are pulled over by a local law enforcement officer and you "invoke" the name of his chief, you are putting that name out there and expecting that name to trump your issue.   To invoke the 5th is to allow a measure of the constitution to protect you.   With this understanding, read below:

Numbers 6:27

So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”

Aaron, the priest, and his sons were given the special privilege of saying a "blessing" over the nation. The "blessing" was designed as a formal way to "invoke" God's name over the nation.   The blessing would place God's name "in place" of any other name as the sovereign ruler of the people.   The blessing was tied to the invoking.   You don't get the blessing without placing the name in the proper position.   You can't ask for God's blessing without all His name to be the sovereign ruler over you heart and head.  Too many people what God's blessing without God's rule.   The two are one and the same in God's world.   He doesn't bless where He doesn't rule.  If you are lacking God's blessing it may mean because you are lacking God's rule.  

Don't listen to myths - 1 Timothy 1-3

Those who minister, preach or lead churches can't do whatever they want to do, or teach whatever they want to teach.  Some of today's churches pride themselves on "freedom" of thought and the "pursuit" of truth - as though there is no truth and our pursuit of it is "spiritual" and "salvation." The Gnostics in Paul's day had that very idea as part of their "religion."   They, like many today, would say truth is relevant and the pursuit of it a higher calling than the actual acquisition of it ... since one can never really find "real" truth, but only our perception of it.   So, their churches and meetings are spent with no sound teaching but rather the ramblings of men who have depraved minds.  The Church of Christ is not to be so. We don't get to pick our text or our thought for the day.   We are sworn to sound teaching from God's Word, which is the everlasting truth. Note the following written to young preacher Timothy on how to be a good preacher: 

1 Timothy 1:4

... nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

In the previous verse to this Paul had told Timothy to "instruct men not to teach strange doctrines ..." True Biblical Christianity is based upon the doctrine of the Word.  There is no variation of it.   This is the truth of God's Word and it is to preached and practiced. Our world has its own philosophies.  We are not to trust them, proclaim them or practice them.  We are to examine them through the lens of the eternal Scriptures and declare them myths.   We have a responsibility to study the Word and preach it and hear it. 

Does your pride prevent you from believing Jesus? John 5-6

Is pride keeping you from coming to God, or believing in God?  Is your desire for the fame and approval of men (your friends, your family, your co-workers) keeping you from coming to Jesus? When you think about the seriousness of that question, in a logical way, you would morn. Let's suppose that all non-believers KNEW that God offers salvation through His Son, Jesus.   That salvation will give them life and keep them from a death of fire.  Yet, because their friends might laugh at them they refuse to believe.  That would be a shame. That would be devastating. Yet, that was the exact problem of the religious leaders of the day. They refused to to believe because they sought the approval of men.  Note the following:

John 5:44

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?

The concept of "receive glory from one another" has to do with seeking the approval and acceptance of men.   Today, so many people what acceptance of men more than the acceptance of God.   We leverage our "acceptance" of men with power, position and possessions.   When we are "accepted" by men we get more money for what we do.  If non-believers were to come to Christ they fear men.  They fear men will reject them.  They fear that man will over look them for positions and power.   Christ demands that we believe on Him and that is how we get accepted by Him.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that unless we have "faith" we can't please God.   We please men when we don't believe in God.  We please God when we reject men and put our faith in Him.  The religious leaders of the day, feared men.   Solomon tells us that the "fear of man" brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25).   Don't fear men, fear God. 

   

Would you take time to worship in another time zone? Daniel 7-12

Daniel is my hero. Yes, he did some great things ... the lion's den thing was quite cool. It is easy to admire and put Daniel up as your hero when you read his great accomplishments and his deep, deep prophecies. However, what makes Daniel a hero for me is his attention to obeying the little things of God's Word. In 9:21 we read that Daniel was praying "at the time of the evening sacrifice". We have to ask the question, "Was there an evening sacrifice in Babylon?" Apparently, Daniel still had his watch set for Jerusalem time. Daniel had been in Babylon for quite some time by this chapter. Most people would have changed their watch by now. When I traveled to a city with a different time frame I would change my watch immediately. Daniel, however, obeyed God no matter where he was and no matter what others said, and, no matter the time zone. Some believers in the church today have trouble being in church when they are home but less on vacation ... in another time frame. Daniel had an encounter with God because he was where God expected him to be ... worshiping at the evening sacrifice. Many people wonder why God doesn't act in their lives and yet, they seldom come to God to worship to give God an opportunity to work in this lives. God sends His holy angels and other messengers to us when we are in places we are supposed to be. Yes, worship is a time to come to God ... but God often uses those times to come to us.

Can you turn down the R.S.V.P. invitation? Proverbs 17-18

Proverbs 17:19

He who loves transgression loves strife;

He who raises his door seeks destruction.

You see the door and you want to walk through it ... like a big invitation in the sky it calls out for you to take the opportunity.  You know it probably might not work out, but you want to step into it anyhow.   What it is?   According to the above proverb "It" is the opportunity for a fight, an argument, a chance to enter into strife.   Every day people toss out for us  the opportunity to fight with them, argue with them, strife with them.   Some people, I am convinced, live only to offer those invitations.   They love to invite strife into their lives.  Solomon is telling us to avoid it.  When we show a love for strife we show a love for sin (transgression) for the two are the same.   The second line carries an even clearer message: It states that if we open the door to strife we invite certain destruction in our lives.  The phrase "raise the door" has a literal meaning and Solomon uses it as a metaphor.   In Biblical times if you left the door of the city or tent or home open there was no telling what might wander through.  So too when we open our defenses for strife.   But, there is also a metaphor here by Solomon.  The term door is often used for mouth.   When, in pride, we raise the talk (to offer our opinion) we invite destruction.   Solomon is telling us that when pride enters the relationship we invite destruction (pride comes before the fall).   So, when you see the banner in the sky to step into strife avoid it.   Don't open your mouth and walk into that door.   Keep your own door shut and move one.  You will find peace on the other side of the invitation.  

If you had to stand before the judge today, what would you do? Psalm 96-98

What is your attitude about judgment? If you had to go to court and stand before the judge from something how is your pulse? How is your blood pressure? Are you dancing in the streets with great anticipation? Most would be nervous, feeling down but lawyered up.   It wouldn't be natural to want to sing and shout the praises of the judge who was about to condemn you.   So, why Psalms 96:12-13 do we read the following:

Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

Before the Lord, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.

The writer tells the fields and all that is in them to sing for joy, "for" the Lord is coming; "for" He is coming to judge the earth.  How does that work? The only way anyone could shout in joy about coming judgement is if they knew they were not going to be judged.   That is were the writer of this beloved Psalm, stands.   He shouts for joy that God WILL judge the earth (see also 98:9), but more importantly that God will judge in "righteousness" and "faithfulness". That means God has to judge according to the standard He alone has set.   The Psalmist uses human reasoning to deduce that if God said He would save those who put their trust in Him, then any impending judgment can't be on those who trust Him but on those who don't.   You can't rejoice about judgment if you are standing in the way of it.  But, if your lawyer is Jesus and He paid the price for the judgment for you, than you don't have to worry about the Judge.   The Judges Son doesn't just stand beside you to defend you, He stands in your place to pay for you.   The Judge doesn't just let you off because you had a VERY GOOD lawyer.   The Judge let's you off because your lawyer (Christ) took the judgment you deserve.   So, let's do this today:

Psalms 96:12-13

Let the field exult, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

13 Before the Lord, for He is coming,

For He is coming to judge the earth.

 He will judge the world in righteousness

And the peoples in His faithfulness.

"I can do it self, umpa!" 1 Chrociles 5-9

We sometimes need help.   But, we also see growth as "independence."  When one of my grandson's was three years old I was putting him in the car to take him for a burger at the drive-through.   Because he was young he had to be buckled in the back seat securely.   As I attempted to buckle him into his car seat he looked up at me and said, "I can do self, umpa."   In todlerize he was declaring his independence.   However, when we arrived at McDonalds, he didn't say that ... he needed my help to pay for the Happy Meal.   We are very selective in our independence and our interdependence.  In this section today, in the middle of the lists of names, we have a brief commentary on this subject in regard to the Israelite tribes of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh.   As Moses is telling us about their land acquisition he tells us the following:

1 Chronicles 5:20 They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him.

They were fighting off the several cities and God helped them.   It latter says "many fell slain, "because they were helped by God."   In the midst of the battle it is important to know who can help - but it is even better to reach out for help in the midst of the battle.  As believers we try so many times to conquer things ourselves.  And, like my grandson we shout out to God, "I can do self, Father."   However, that is not faith.   Hebrews tells us "without faith it is impossible to please God."   We have to be willing to humble ourselves and realize we can't do things on our own.   Conquering that sin in our lives is not as much about developing self control within us as it is expressing faith that God will provide us self-control through the Spirit within us.   We need to cry out for help.  God is the God of HELP.   Our battles are much easier when we offer prayers for help to Him.   He delights to do so.  In the midst of all these names God stops to give us a brief commentary on one group of His people who cried out for help.  God remembers that and records it for our instruction.   Are you conscious of that God is ready and willing to buckle you in?  Ask Him for help and quit acting and saying through those actions, "I can do self, umpa!"

Did God call you into His Service? Numbers 1-4

I don't remember when I thought God actually "called" me into the ministry but I know it was when I was very young. I remember walking forward in a church service at my dad's church (well, Christ's church that my dad was allowed to Pastor). There was some missionary speaking and I came forward at the end of the service with two other boys. I am not sure who the other boys were, or why they came forward, or what God did with them. But, I do know that God took me serious and the rest, as they say, is history. When we make a commitment to do something for God He takes it very seriously. In Numbers chapter three, in the midst of all these names, we have the introduction of the priest who will serve before God. They did not choose to serve God in the "priesthood", God choose them. They were "born a Levite" and therefore they were "ordained to serve" (3:3). In much the same sense so, too, was I and all others who come to Christ. I do remember walking forward and committing to full Christian service. But, it was God who choose me to serve Him. The Hebrew text in Numbers 3:3 says, "... ordained to serve ...". The literal meaning is to have "ones hands full of spiritual services" (that I can relate to).  These priest were "anointed" which carries the meaning of endowed by God.    Believers are all called for special service. We have been anointed to have our hands full of spiritual service.   Not like Aaron and his sons, but in the same sense; to serve a holy God in holy acts.   I do remember a special time of dedication in my youth.  But, in reality that was just the moving of the Spirit in my life to fulfill what God had already intended for me.   I rejoice in the work He does in us.  

Do we envy unbelievers or invoke a warning? 2 Thessalonians

When believers watch the world there can and often is a sense of jealousy or desire to be with them, or have what they have. The seemingly go about life with little fear and less effort. They enjoy their life with their things and toys. Smiles light their face and sparks ignite their steps ... or so it seems. In our pious efforts to justify our own existence believers toy in our minds that these apostates may party during the day but at night, when no one is looking, they tremble and fear about their own existence. However, although that might be true in some cases, the truth is those who reject truth have no consciousness of it and relax in their own ways. They even go about making the life of believers tough and a suffering act in "their" society. Yet, instead of being jealous of their frivolity and ease we ought to pay attention to Paul's words about this poor souls.   We ought to quit looking at them with envy and cry out to them in fear.   For if we don't get their attention with the truth of the gospel here is what Paul says, through the Spirit, will happen:

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Do you see spiritual opportunities around you? John 3-4

Some people have absolutely no "sensitivity" toward spiritual things, much less, issues of salvation.   They are so concerned about their physical needs and well being they fail to recognize the opportunities and activities of God around them.   Such is the case in John 4.   Jesus had broken all the "norms" of the day and engaged in a spiritual conversation about spiritual things with a Samaritan women - who, He points out, is living in an unwedded relationship with her sixth man.   Jesus finally turns the conversation to salvation and just as He might be able to "convert" her or bring her to the point of a decision His chosen disciples show up.  Instead of perceiving Jesus was in the midst of a possible salvation, the disciples question why He was talking to a women, much less a Samaritan women (4:27).   The women leaves her water pot and heads to town.   Opportunity missed!!!  The disciples, still void of the spiritual activity going on, ask Jesus if he was hungry.   LIke Martha who was too busy to see spiritual things going on, the disciples were too material and physical minded to see the activity of the Spirit in their midst.  We are the same.  We go to church and we are worried about parking, seating, volume, air conditioning, tempo, pocket change, length of time, fellowship, etc.   And that is during the one-hour we are supposed to be spiritually sensitive.   What about the other 167 hours in a week?   Are we so fleshly visioned that we lost all sight of faith?   We have to train our eyes to see spiritual activity.  We have to season our tongues to talk spiritual activity.  It is not about water and food it is about Jesus and the Spirit. 

Weight loss in ten days on water and vegtables? Daniel 1-6

Seeing things through the eyes of the flesh vs. seeing things through they eyes of faith is a completely different world view.   Daniel was taking away, into captivity by the King of Babylon.  The King took only the best young man and placed them into his "educational" system to train them ... Babylonian University.   While at B.U. Daniel was to be educated about Babylon, their God and educated "there way" - which meant that he would have to do some things contrary to God's way; how he was taught by his parents.   Looking at the situation through the eyes of the flesh he simply could have rationalized the situation away.   After all, he WAS in a strange land (and, dietary laws were for the nation of Israel).  He WAS "ordered" to do so under fear of death.  He WAS "only" a youth.  What could he do against the King?   Those are all logical ways to look at it through the eyes of faith.  However, through the eyes of faith it always looks different.   The eyes of faith looks first to God's Word.   The eyes of faith believes God's Word and the acts on His Word knowing that God promises something better when we do.  Daniel simply requested of his "boss" to give ten days to God to do a miracle in his life.   At the end of ten days it would be up to God.   Daniel was a man of extreme faith.  He was away from his parents, his law and his normal responsibilities.   But, he still had a view of the world through the eyes of faith.  You can look at things in life with the eyes of the flesh and you will have great peace that you have a logical conclusion.  However, through the eyes of faith water comes out of rocks (Moses); fire can't burn you (Daniel's three friends); you can walk on water (Peter).   The eyes of faith see things completely different.   Like the fact that God can do something great in your bodies with water and vegetables in just ten days.  

Decisions, Decisions! Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:10

A divine decision is in the lips of the king;

His mouth should not err in judgment.

The first line of this proverb is playing on the thought that the kings of the day would often ask "diviners" to tell them what the "gods" were saying or what the "gods" desired. The diviner would be hired for money and would often adjust their "divine pronouncement" to their clients wishes (see the story of Balaam in Numbers 22). However, Solomon is not advocating that we seek "fleshly diviners" if we are in the position of authority. When we read the second line of the proverb we can see the true meaning as the second adds to the first. The king (or any person in authority ... parent, teacher, leader) should not "err" in judgment. The word "err" carries the meaning of breaking faithfulness to God's truth and God's judgments. The meaning of the proverb is that whatever message the king has (whether purchased by the flesh or obtained by faith) must make sure it doesn't cause us to "err" in judgment, or "break faith" with God's Word. We will get a lot of counsel in our life from a lot of different people. Many of flesh, some of faith. But, God wants us to make sure whatever "divine decision" we hear or obtain from others we must be careful to not err, or break faith from God's Word. So, the next time someone gives you advice that you think might be good to follow, make sure the advice, however obtained, doesn't cause you to err from the truth.

Can you learn anything from a spanking? Psalm 93-95

Have you ever considered all the ways we learn something? Teachers tend to think we can only learn something in a classroom where they are up front "teaching" us ... the unlearned. Preachers think we can only learn when they preach. Coaches think we can only learn when they yell. However, in the real truth of life we learn in many, many ways. When it comes to God we find there are many ways to know Him and to learn about Him. His Word is the best sources for learning about Him. When we read it and believe it and act upon it we have great blessings. But, there is another way He "blesses" us. Read the following out of Psalm 94:

Psalms 94:12

Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord,

And whom You teach out of Your law;

God tells us in this verse that He will bless us "through chastening." Many would agree that we learn through the "school of hard knocks" and maybe that is what God means here. He uses discipline to teach us ... probably because we fail to read, believe and act upon His Word: The more positive approach to learning. God, however, uses all chastening in our lives to bring us ultimate blessing. We are blessed to be chastened by Him. Hebrews tells us that God chastens "those He loves." (Hebrews 12:6).    So, we need to realize that we can learn by taking hold of God's testimonies and be blessed for that.   But, we ought not look at His chastening in any less form.   He wants to bless us and when we fail to heed His Word we can blessed by heeding His divine and loving Hand.   Both are a blessing to the believer.  

Does God want us to ask for more? 1 Chronicles 1-4

Is God offended that we ask for more?  In this brief biography of the man, Jabez, we have the answer to that question.   Jabez, in the midst of the "phone-book" chronicle of God's people stands out as a man who wasn't content with what God had sovereignly given him.  He wanted more.   He wanted more, but instead of following the world's methods of getting more (applying himself, working his business, doing mass-marketing, etc.) he acted in faith and came to God.   Note Jabez's prayer to God:

1 Chronicles 4:10 - Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.

God inspires the writer of this vast book to stop the pen and remember the prayer.  Of all the things God could say about all the people listed here, He stops to tell us Jabez's prayer.   God is not offended when we ask for more.   In James we are told, "we have not because we ask not" and "we ask and receive not because we ask with the wrong motives, wanting to consume it on our own lusts" (James 4:2-3).   Let's realize that God desires us to ask and to ask with the right motives.   God wants us to build our homes and to expand our "tents" (enlarge our boarders).  And He has the power and will to do that for us.   But, only if we do so for the right reasons.   To build our retirement plan so we can take off from our responsibilities He left us here for is not a good motive to expand our "boarders."   If we want to be able to do more for Christ and to expand and continue His mission and message, that would be a good reason to ask for an enlarged tent.   Let's realize that God wants us to come to Him with these type of things.  He delights in given His people "MORE."   But, He also knows our hearts and what we will do with MORE.   Sometimes He simply knows we can do more with LESS.  

How do you treat someone who is down and out? Leviticus 25-27

When you see someone down and out on their luck, what do you do?   Far too many times we see people take advantage of such a person.  They have had something bad happen in their life and have to sell their car ... they have to sell it quick ... what do you do?   Do you give them top dollar on it or do you give them "what they'll take?"   This is perhaps one of the greatest test of our faith in regard to those who fall into trouble.   In our society the rich prey on those in this situation.  The recent housing market has injured the reputations and resources of many people.   The rich have preyed on these foreclosures as an opportunity to "scarf-up" some great deals on a home.   What is one man's failure becomes another man's future.   Just think what can happen to a nation if that is the realistic way we progress.   That is what is happening in our society and class warfare takes over.   God did not want that to happen in the nation of Israel so He put in place some laws for them to follow in regard to those who through poor management, tragedy, or disobedience to God would lose their home and property.   Note just one of those laws outlined in our reading today that protects the down and out from becoming the property and servant of the one who has money, power and property:

Leviticus 25:36 - Do not take usurious interest from him, but revere your God, that your countryman may live with you.

Do you see the truth in this verse.   If someone has lost everything and needs a helping hand, God does not want us to take advantage of them.  He wants us to "revere" God in the situation.   He doesn't tell us to avoid interest because the person deserves that kind of treatment, but because the person is a child of God and God deserves the reverence.   God's reason for how we treat others is to show our fear of Him ... our awe of Him.   How we treat others shows God's character and our love for that character.   We are not to treat others with respect and goodwill because they are fellow humans ... we are to do so because they are made in the image of God and, if they are believers, they are God's children.   Let's be careful to not want to seize up a good deal when we see others who's lives are in shambles.   Let's look to revere God through the process and remember that this is what God did for us and to us when we were lost in our sin.   

How does God view sex? 1 Thessalonians 4-5

Believers ought to approach sexual pleasures differently than the world does!   This statement can and should be made based upon Paul's admonishment in 1 Thessalonians 4:4&5. Read it below:

"... that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;"

The word "vessel" in verse four is the Greek word, skeúos.   In classical Greek it has a literal meaning of something used to carry something in, like a water pot, etc.  However, it is often used in a figurative sense for the reproductive organ of the body.  That is Paul's use here.  Note what he says.  He is telling the believers in this church to make sure their desire for sexual pleasures does not mimic the world but rather in sanctification (holiness toward God) and in honor (again, it would be implied, "toward God").   What Paul is telling us here is that their is not a sense in which we are believers in the church room and not in the bedroom.   We are not to worship in the spiritual area of our lives and indulge in the sexual areas of our lives.   He has already told the Corinthian believers that whatever they do they are to do to the glory of God.   Here, Paul takes time to tell them what "whatever" means.   We cannot separate our sex drive from our spiritual drive.  God created sexual pleasures and He created them for a purpose of pleasure for us but for the glory of Him.   It is doubtful that many think of sexual pleasures as an act to glorify God but that is exactly what God has Paul tell us here.   God uses many things to sanctify us.  He uses discipline, His Word, His People, His Spirit.  Here, in this text, He tells us He uses His creation of sexual pleasure.   If you enter the bedroom with the same Spirt you enter the worship house you will sill what God is saying here.   Sex is an act of worship to God when we do so the way He tells us.  We are not to treat it like the world ... like unbelieving Gentiles who do not know God.   We are to treat sex like we treat any other area of our lives that we are wishing to use for the Glory of God ... in sanctification and in honor.    

Would you recognize Jesus if you saw Him? John 1-2

Note what the Apostle John has to say about how man "perceives" or has a "conscious" understanding of God ... via Christ:

John 1:5 - "... The shines in the darkness, and the darkness DID NOT COMPREHEND IT."

John 1:10 - "He was in the world and the world was made through Him, and the world DID NOT KNOW HIM."

John 1:26 - "John answered them saying, "I baptize in water, but among you stands One WHOME  YOU DO NOT KNOW."

John 1:31 - (John says this, speaking of himself) -  "I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water."

John 1:33 - (Restating the previous) - "I DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIM, ..."

If it were not for God's intervention in the life of man NO ONE would recognize Christ, the Savior.   Yes, God tells us in the first chapter of Romans that creation, alone, gives us enough information to know there is a God and that, coupled with our internal consciousness about good and evil, there is enough information for us to know that we NEED a Savior.   However, absent God's work in our lives, we are dead to Christ and blinded by our own sin and Satan's work in our lives (Romans 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 4:4). We only "come" to Christ because God draws us to Him (John 12:32; John 6:44).   Left to our own skills sets and understanding NO MAN would come to Christ.  We can say all we want about "if I had lived during the days of Christ" but the truth is that we, like all men of that day, would have remained in the dark unless Christ would have opened our eyes. Even the disciples did not recognize many things until "after" Christ died and rose again (John 2:17).   So, let's make sure we rejoice in God's work in our lives - before our salvation, as He opened our hearts and eyes to see the truth that is in Christ.  You can think what you want about your salvation, but apart from God, you would be like others and NEVER RECOGNIZE HIM even though He stood right in front of you.  

God's glory can be seen in His wrath - Ezekiel 43-48

God's glory is revealed in His wrath.  We don't think of God's Wrath as a place that His glory "shines", but that is certainly the case.  God's character is NOT dichotomous ... at least not if we see it in its entirety.   God is not on one side of the coin full of grace and the other side full of wrath and justice.   There are many who believe that.   And, they believe that once you flip the coin that is "the" God you get.   But, that is not what we see in Scripture.   God is Holy and Just in His Grace and He is Gracious and Merciful in His Justice and Wrath.   God is always all those qualities at all times.  Take a look at the following two verses from Ezekiel 43 and you can see this truth:

Ezekiel 43:2-3 "... and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. And it was like the appearance of the vision which I saw, like the vision which I saw when He came to destroy the city. And the visions were like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face."

You can see that God's Glory in Ezekiel's vision was the same both times He saw God and one of the times God was on a wrathful and destructive mission to destroy those who sinned.   We tend to think we can only see God's glory in His grace; or, when He He is gracious.  We love to worship and praise His grace and His mercy.  And, that is a good time to praise Him.   But, we should also praise God, equally, in His wrath and His justice and His discipline.   God is full of glory in all aspects of His character.   Don't limit your worship of Him for times He is "good" to you ... He is always "good" to you.  If you get that job or your job is saved, He is good.  If you don't get that job or your job is cut, He is good.   We may not like the tribulation or discipline or difficulty, but God is good none-the-less.  Praise His whole character.  

What is your attitude toward sin? Proverbs 14-15

Proverbs 14:9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is good will.

How does a fool "mock at sin?"  Fools do not take heart that their lives are an offense to a righteous God.   They do not mourn, they do not repent at the mention that their actions are missing the mark of a holy and just God.  Fools rather laugh in the face of sin ... using a jesting manner to diminish the seriousness of their actions.   Fools, rather than look at sin in the face to deal with it appropriately would rather make a coarse joke and pass it off as part of their personality or, tritely, tells us, "That's just the way I am."  They dare not look at it seriously; for then they would be forced to repent and deal with the sin in sorrow and change their ways.  The pass sin off as part of the new norm of society ... "everyone is doing it" is their motto.  In opposition of the fool is the upright person who is not upright do their "perfect" life but because they repent of their sin and find "favor" (good will) from God as a result of the repentance.  God is a gracious God and tells us if we confess our sin (agree with God that we missed the mark of His righteousness) we will receive forgiveness (1 John 1:9).   That confession ushers in God's good will into our lives.   The implication is that the fool will miss that good will and favor of God and therefore be condemned in his mockery.   We seldom see sinners repent.  Josiah, the young King of Judah, read God's Word and repented in sackcloth and ashes (2 Kings 24).  The Ninavites, much to Jonah's frustration, heard God's wrath about to come on their lives and stopped the laughter and began to weep.   God will forgive but only when we take sin serious in our lives that it is indeed sin and not simply a mis-step in a flawed personality.  Don't mock sinful actions.  Take them serious and obtain God grace and forgiveness.  Let's avoid mocking sin like this:

1. Justify it 2. Ignore it 3. Laugh it off 4. Rationalize it 5. Excuse it 6. Accept it 7. Blame others for it 8. Count it as part of your heritage 9. Believe it is harmless 10. Use it for entertainment

Will your "work" outlast you? Psalm 90-92

Psalms 90:17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

In Psalm 90 we have a Hebrew song/poem that causes us to focus on the brevity of life and the dependance of God for life.   It is God who holds our lives in His hands and He can leave us or take us off this spinning globe at His will.   After making sure we grasp this truth of God's sovereign control the writer ends with the above verse.   In summary the verse says that it is only by God's favor (His grace) that we can hope to have the work of hands made secure.   In two lines the author (Moses) affirms that it is God who "confirms" the work of our hands.   The actual word in the Hebrew is "kun" (pronounced, koon) and it means, "to make firm."   The thought here is that not only does God hold our life in His hands, He also makes our work to be established or not to be established.   What we do each day is only sustained and maintained by God's favor.   We tend to think that the work we do is long-lasting and permanent, if we do it well, or in a great manner.  But, in reality, not only are we sustained by God's sovereign will, but so too our work.   The writer pleads with God, twice, to make sure that the work he is doing is not temporal, like he is.   We are but for a moment but God has the ability to sustain our work well after we are gone.  Since the writer here is Moses we can be assured that God "confirmed" his work ... it has been established for thousands of years.   God and God alone makes our work everlasting.  Anything not done for Him or in His strength is but stubble, like we are ... destined to last only as long as a breath.