Do you keep your word? Numbers 29-32

Numbers 30:2 (NASBStr)

If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

The commitments we make matter to God. The same principle and truth given in the above passage to Moses by God was stated by His Son in the book of Matthew:

Matthew 5:33 (NASBStr)

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘ You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord. 

Since God keeps His Word He expects others to do so, as well.  That is what it means to keep the character of God.   However, what began to happen as a result of this text was the silly commitment of vows and the over emphasis of it as a means to demonstrate my holiness.  The larger the vow, the more rash, the more I appeared holy and religious.   That is why Jesus added the following teaching in His sermon on the mount:

Matthew 5:34-37 (NASBStr)

But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes ’ or ‘No, no ’; anything beyond these is of evil.

What God in Numbers to Moses and Jesus in Matthew to His disciples was trying to tell us was that our commitments and our words reflect our character.  When we make a promise to God we are to keep it because He is God, not because we are special.   Our words and our promises should carry the character of God.  When we fail to keep our word, or we make an overstatement of promise, we do not demonstrate the character and person of God.   When Christ reigns in us we are to speak the truth in love because Christ is truth.    Falsehood, in any form, does not reflect our relationship with God in Christ. 

Are you afraid of death? Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NASBStr)

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

When Jesus came to earth it was for the purpose of doing the will of His Father.  That will was that man would be set free from the pain of death; the club of Satan to destroy God's creation.  God created man to live.   Satan entered the garden and, through envy, enticed man to sin, which introduced death into creation.   Death became, and still is, the hammer Satan uses to bludgeon man.   Man lived in fear of death from that day forth.   If Jesus was to be our complete sacrifice He had to taste death.  That is the message of Hebrews and this passage specifically.  Christ, however, didn't suffer death as a fear.  He didn't approach death like man does.  Men fear death.   Christ's embraced death.  Death became the avenue by which Christ would defeat Satan and set man free from the fear of death, Satan's sole weapon of destruction.   When Christ defeated death by embracing and conquering it through the resurrection He demolished our fear of death, as well.   He didn't just crush the fear, however.   Christ's work on the cross and the resurrection took Satan's tool and turned it into a positive avenue for believers.  We now not only don't fear death, we, too, embrace it.  Death no longer ends something for us, it is the beginning of something for us.  Rather than separate us from God (Satan's intent), death unites us with God.   God's will was not to abolish death; His will was to take Satan's threat over us and turn it into our greatest desire.   Paul tells us that he would prefer to die in Galatians.   That is the center of all believers desire.   We are no longer in fear of death and therefore not slaves to Satan's mastery.   We live knowing we will live forever and death on this earth is just the avenue to get there.   

What do you do when you feel abandoned and all your dreams have faded? Acts 1-2

Acts 1:14 (NASBStr)

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

The disciples had just left The Lord.   He had ascended to heaven, while they stood by and watched.   Upon their return to Jerusalem, to that same upper room where John had laid on Jesus lap and Jesus had washed their feet, they began to wait and pray.   It says, "with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer ...".   One lesson here, perhaps, is not in what they did, but in what they didn't do.  It was a day's journey to get back to the upper room from where Jesus ascended.   They could have abandoned the cause right there.   Previously Peter already convinced them to go fishing.   Jesus showed up on the shore and they were convinced to leave their boat and nets, a second time.   It would not have been too hard to simply go back to what they knew.   They could have argued.  They could have moved ahead to start a church without waiting on the gift of the Holy Spirit.   They could have denied what they just saw.  Again, Peter could lead them in the denial.   But, what they did do, was pray.  In one of the hardest times of their lives; in the darkest moment of the movement (from their point-of-view) they moved together in prayer.   Prayer may be one of the most underused weapons in the believer's life.   We soon forget that we even have the privilege.  We also forget the power of it.   Coming together in prayer is so, so powerful.   Christ had told them that when they come together He would be in their midst (Matthew 18:20).   What better way to deal with the ascension of Jesus from them than to join together and cause Him to return and be in your midst through prayer.   We too often think of prayer as simply a requisition conduit and supply chain.   In reality it is a place where we communion with the risen Savior and bring Him into our midst.   They may have felt abandoned by Him.   So, they prayed to bring Him back to them, in the Spirit.   It was rudimental in the early days.  Peter, John and the others would perfect their communion, worship and serving together.   But, this moment set the standard for how to deal with the issues of life:  Come together in prayer.  

Can "we reap what we sow" be a positive, encouragement thought? Obaiah

Obadiah 1:15 (NASBStr)

 “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.

 As you have done, it will be done to you.

Your dealings will return on your own head.

To fully grasp the truths found in Obadiah you have to recall the feud, or struggle between Jacob and Essau.   Jacob would become Israel, the father of the nation.   Essau, who was actually first born and in light to receive all the blessings from Isaac, sold his birthright and blessing to his younger, twin brother, Jacob.   From that day forth and forever Essau failed through sins of commission (doing things agains Jacob/Israel) and sins of omission (failing to do good for Jacob/Israel).   The above verse in Obadiah tells us two great truths that God wants us to remember; negative and positive.   From a negative point of view we have a verse that rehearses the words of Paul in Galatians: Whatever you sow you reap (Galatians 6:7).   If we do wrong you can be assured that the punishment of that wrong will be meted out.   We might think we are the soul person on the earth that God doesn't see and will not exact discipline, but we are mistaken.   It will come.   For the believer the punishment for the wrong of the sin has been delivered to and on Christ.  He paid for the punishment of our sin.  But, we still must handle the circumstances of our sin and the outcome of it.  You can sin for decades in the area of finances.   God can and will forgive you for that.   But, you are in debt the next day.   The lesson above is that God will provide correction for all of our sin.   The positive in the above verse, however, is from Israel's perspective.   If you have someone who is hurting you, has treated you unfairly, does egregious acts against you, or, simply fails to provide you water on your journey, you can be assured that God will deal with them.   "As you have done, it will be done to you," is an assurance for everyone who has has suffered wrong at the hands of a sinful person.   You can rest that God sees it and will deal with it.  It is just better, by God's grace, that we are Israel and not Essau in these life stories.  

Will your check book last forever? Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 27:24 (NASBStr)

For riches are not forever,

Nor does a crown endure to all generations.

This proverbs is really in the context of Proverbs 27:23-27.  Solomon is telling us to make sure we take care of our resources because it is those resources that will really care for us, because "riches are not forever."   We tend to think, when we have money, stocks, bonds, regular paychecks, contracts and a great material outlook, that these things will sustain us.   Solomon, in his day, had so much silver and gold and ivory that he would overlay the ivory with silver and than cover it with gold.   It is said that silver in his day was as common as the rocks of the field (2 Chronicles 1:15 - The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the lowland.)  Yet, we don't have to go far in the story of Israel's history to see the foreign kings of the earth come and take captive note only the gold and silver, but the people themselves.   It is so easy to rely on the weekly paycheck or the job and think we are set.   Yet, when something happens and the job, money and insurance are suddenly gone, what do we have?   God wants us to enjoy the gifts He gives us, but not put our trust in them.  God wants us to praise Him for the material goods He bestows on us but not allow them to separate us from Him.   God wants us to pray and walk in obedience and be in the place He can, in His grace, shower us with blessings but He wants us to never, ever put our trust in them and not Him.  

Why does the earth quake at God? Psalm 114-116

Psalms 114:7-8 (NASBStr)

Tremble, O earth, before the Lord,

Before the God of Jacob,

 Who turned the rock into a pool of water,

The flint into a fountain of water.

Psalm 114 is a praise hymn that speaks metaphorical of the mountains and the land asking what would make her tremble?   It is a praise psalm asking the reader to consider that if the land trembles, why don't you and I?   What would make nature tremble?   What would cause the mountains to quake?   The writer calls to mind the past history of Israel in their journey from Egypt to the Promise Land.   He reminds them of the time when "mother nature" was trying to get her best of the nomads.  Here were a million men, women and children and livestock stuck in the desert with no water.   Moses was the leader and his brother Aaron his side-kick.   Here is the reminder that in life we come up against the forces of nature that have no mercy and no prejudice.  Jew or Gentile, nature will consume us in the desert by dehydration.   Yet, here is God, taking a rock, mother natures formidable fortress, and causing water to flow like a Biblical flood.   Despite the forces of nature, God can turn the rock into water.   This is why nature trembles in the psalm.   It fears The Lord.   Jesus calmed the storm.   Noah was consumed by a big fish who  suddenly lost its ability to digest and became a boat rather than a consuming animal.   The lions had their mouths frozen shut because God wanted to honor Daniel.   The consuming torch of the flames were cooled by the word of God to protect the three Hebrew children.   God used a donkey's voice, never heard before or since, to talk to a rebellious prophet.   Why does the earth tremble?  Because it knows that God can transform the rocks into wells.    God can take the hardest and most difficult circumstance and change the course and bent of nature to accomplish His tasks.   Don't fear the circumstances.   Fear the God who can change the rock into water.   That is where real faith and trust change the hard life into streams of living water.  

Are people breathless after you give them wisdom? 2 Chronicles 6-9

2 Chronicles 9:1-4 (NASBStr)

Visit of the Queen of Sheba

 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test Solomon with difficult questions. She had a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and a large amount of gold and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was on her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from Solomon which he did not explain to her. When the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house which he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, she was breathless.

Have you ever given such great wisdom to others that they were in awe of your God and stood breathless?    The litmus test for anyone who ever gave any counsel, advice, wisdom or insight to the world should be the above passage.   The Queen of Sheba had "heard" of Solomon's wisdom.  Solomon didn't go forward with a great marketing plan he had.  God gave him wisdom and that was enough.   God would provide whoever needed to hear Solomon's wisdom.  God revealed everything Solomon needed to know about the Queen of Sheba and kept nothing from him.  This can be done only by God.   Solomon had no magical powers.   God gave Solomon all the answers.   No answer was conjured up by Solomon's skill set.   It was all from God.   God had so blessed Solomon that the Queen was in awe and God took her breath away.   This is what it means to do  your works before men that they may see them and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 7).   Solomon did not attempt to highjack God's glory.  He did not attempt to build a name for himself.  But, God would build it for him.  This is what it means to ask God for wisdom and to use it for His glory.   Don't try to steal God's wisdom and claim it for your own.  You and I are not that smart or wise.  We are fools.    But, if we ask for wisdom God will give it to us.  If we use it for His glory He will get the praise.   We will simply be the vessel He uses to convey it to the lost world.      

When you don't know, who do you ask? Numbers 25-28

Numbers 27:5 (NASBStr)

So Moses brought their case before the Lord.

The background for the above verse is found in the story before it.   The daughter's of a man named Zelophehad came to Moses with an unusual request.  By God's command, Moses had just finished listing out the "heads" of the twelve tribes of Israel for the purpose of dividing up the promise land according to lot for their inheritance.   Since it was divided up by the head "man" of the tribe, the daughter's of Zelophehad were going to be without since Zelophehad was now dead.   They realized neither they, nor their children after them, would have an inheritance among the nation once they reached the promise land.   What was Moses to do?  Moses could have turned to Joshua, who was recently commissioned by God and asked advice.  He could hav just decided and made up his own mind.   After all, there was no Biblical imperative, yet.   But, this is the way Leadership should handle issues.  They should not turn to their college degree; their friends; their intuition.   Turn to God!!   God wants to speak to the issues of our life.  He wants to interact with us.  He wants to be the sole source of our needs.   This is why it is so important to read God's Word everyday, without fail.  God speaks to us through His Word.   Don't turn to friends for advice (like Rehoboam would, later in Israel's history).   Turn to God and ask Him what you should do.    He alone gives counsel through His Word that will not fail.  

Why do you do good works? Philemon

Philemon 1:6-7 (NASBStr)

and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

In order to understand the above prayer of Paul for Philemon we have to recall the purpose Paul is writing this little letter.   Paul, while in prison had run into a young man named later in the letter as, Onesimus.    Onesimus, apparently, had been arrested in tossed in the same prison system as Paul.  Paul, as Paul did in prison, leads him to The Lord.     In their dialogue they discover they have a mutual acquaintance:  Philemon.   However, Philemon had a different relationship with each.  To Paul, Philemon was a friend.   To, Onesimus, Philemon was his previous owner and someone he must have stolen from and ran away from his slavery.   Paul wanted Philemon to show his continuous Christian love and faith by taking Onesimus back and forgiving him and letting Paul pay for his offense; just as Christ paid for Philemon's sin.   Paul begins his request of Philemon by remembering the good love and faith he has expressed solidly within the Christian community.   Paul's prayer, above, is that that type of Christian love would be heard, observed and known by all those who knew of such love to enable them to praise God and come to the same joy in Christ that Paul was experiencing.   Paul knew the power of a great example of love.  He prayed that Philemon's entire life would be on display to the Christian community.   Paul wanted Philemon's example of Christian love to "become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake."   Any good that we do is for the purpose of being on display for God's glory.   Christ told us in the Sermon on the Mount to let our good works show before men so that they will see them and praise and glorify God.  This prayer and story is an example of what Jesus was talking about.   When we do a good work we ought not do it to get praise from men but we ought to do it so that men, when they see it, praise God.  

Do you know the full extent of your salvation? John 19-21

John 20:17 (NASBStr)

Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God. ’”

Perhaps the greatest news in the Gospel that is still not developed completely in the minds of the believer is what Jesus says to Mary, at the tomb, after the resurrection.  Peter and John had come to the tomb and stayed only long enough to see it was empty.   Mary had been first to arrive and last to leave (as a result she gets more instruction and inspiration ... a lesson all by itself).   While she lingers at the empty tomb angels arrive to comfort her and inform her.   And then, to her surprise, The Lord, Himself, arrives.  Jesus tells her to go back to the disciples (again) and tell them that He was about to ascend to "My Father AND your Father, and MY God AND your God."    The aspect of the Gospel was to provide payment for the sins of man.   That is the fundamental teaching of the gospel to the lost.   The lost are sinners, can't pay the price for their sin and, hence, need Christ's death, burial and resurrection to pay for it.  However, Jesus stresses something important in this text.  He wants Mary to know and to tell the disciples that He is ascending to His Father AND their Father.  He wants them to know that now that He has paid the price for their sin they have a special relationship with the God of the universe.   He wants them to know that His Father is Their Father.   We not only have a payment for our sin, we now have a special relationship with God.  Paul writes to us that the relationship is so close and so genuine that the relationship enables to call Him, "Daddy" (Romans 8:15).  Our relationship with God is now both established and permanent.  We are saved from hell, but even more exciting, we are granted relationships and privileges in heaven with the Father.   Our salvation is from something and to or for something.   Rejoice in your relationship with God through faith in Christ. Take time to develop the relationship.  

What is your plumb line? Who do you measure yourself against? Amos 5-9

Amos 7:8 (NASBStr)

The Lord said to me, “ What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,

“Behold I am about to put a plumb line

In the midst of My people Israel.

I will spare them no longer.

I am not a builder.  In fact, the truth be told, my family hides tools from me.  They either laugh or run if I suggest I can fix something.   It will typically cost me twice as much if I try to fix something myself.   This is especially true if I were to build something.   In my youth, however, I was not nearly as aware of this character flaw as I am today.   I remember trying to construct a small room in my garage.   Fortunately someone came over and fixed it.    Nothing was straight and nothing was level.   In our above text God provides us with a picture to capture our understanding of what was happening in Israel in Amos' day.   Nothing was straight and nothing was level.   A plumb line in construction (so I am told) is a weight on the end of a string.  You hang it from above and the weight makes the string taught and straight.   You then build you wall even with that plumb line.   What God is saying is that God and His Word were the plumb line for the nation of Israel.  When compared with God's plumb line the nation came up crooked.  They did not measure up to the standards God has set for them.   For other references of the same indictment see also:  2Ki 21:13; Isa 28:17; 34:11; La 2:8.   The point God is making is that He sets the standards for His people.  He will measure them according to His Word and if they fail to be even with His standards He cannot spare them.   We tend to compare ourselves with the world around us.  If the world around us is okay we tend to think we are okay.  As long as we aren't like them we think we are straight.   However, the standard for God's people is holiness.  God is holiness and God's infallible and inerrant  Word.  The standard is not my neighbor.   I might look good next to some of societies worse, but when God is the standard I fail.  That is why we need Christ to stand in our stead.  He is our righteousness and He measures up to God's plumb line for us.   By faith we can rejoice in the fact that God is the standard in us and for us.   Don't compare yourself to the world around you.  Compare yourself to the holiness of God and allow Him to fulfill it in you and through you by faith in Christ. 

Do you control your spirit? Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:28
"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit."


The only way to really understand this proverb is to understand how cities had to have walls around them for safety during Biblical times. Think of a fort in our day. If a city didn’t have walls to protect itself not only would the enemy be able to enter and destroy, but wild animals would come in at night and devour. So, the proverb is stating that those who have no self-control are like an unsafe city where destruction will soon take place. In a city whose walls are broken down there may be a semblance of safety, but soon darkness will come and so too peace will slip into the night with the light. If we want to have safety and security in our lives we have to make sure we practice self-control. And, since self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, we simply have to submit each day and each moment to His control. He, in turn, builds a wall around our lives … like a wall around a city.

What is the formula for success? Psalm 111-113

Psalms 112:5-9 (NASBStr)

It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;

He will maintain his cause in judgment.

 For he will never be shaken;

The righteous will be remembered forever.

 He will not fear evil tidings;

His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

 His heart is upheld, he will not fear,

Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries.

 He has given freely to the poor,

His righteousness endures forever;

His horn will be exalted in honor.

The formula for success trumpeted by Wall Street and Hollywood and the NFL is that you can be tough, mean and must kick others to get to the top.  The person who is the most aggressive is the one who will be successful.  The toughest gets the most power, possessions and position in our economy.  But, note the above commentary, written by God, on what true blessing and success looks like and what the reward for such behavior looks like.   First, the goal is to be gracious and generous.   The writer above the above Hebrew poem tells us that it will be "well" with the one who has mercy for others and that mercy carries out into action.  Note what it means that it will be "well" with such a person.  It says that when this type of person is judged they will be able to maintain their cause.  That means that false judgement or true judgement will not hinder their good work.   The poem tells us that they will not be shaken; that they will be remembered forever; they won't fear when evil news comes; they will persevere; they will feel safe when others fear.   Finally, the writer tells us that the righteousness of this person will endure forever and their position in life will be exalted.   All of this blessing is a result of being gracious and generous to others.   This type of person is others focused.   God is that way.  He is focused on us.   To be blessed we must be gracious and generous.   

Can you count what you gave to God? 2 Chronicles 1-5

2 Chronicles 5:6 (NASBStr)

And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him before the ark, were sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

Giving to God has never been an issue of logistics or mathematics or fiscal campaigns.   Giving to God is a matter of the heart.  In the above passage from Chronicles we see that after Solomon built the Temple for God the people came together to worship.  In order to worship in the old economy there was a need for sheep and oxen.  The sacrifice of what they owned showed their commitment to God and the sacrifice of blood showed their obedience to God.   Since they owned sheep and oxen they were giving up their possessions to praise God.  This was sacrificial giving and worship.   They didn't just give an hour on a Sunday morning.   They brought their possessions and offer them to God.  Imagine a church service today where you brought food from your cupboard.  You only have one box of cereal and you bring that to offer to God.  Or, you empty the refrigerator and bring it to church and offer it.   Or, you bring in the keys to your car, motorcycle or boat.   Imagine a type of worship that you are so consumed with the glory of God and have such faith in God that He will provide that you don't worry about what you give, only that you give.  You rush how to get another sheep or ox.   This is giving of the heart.  They people were so excited about what God had built through the obedience of Solomon that they wanted to worship and praise God.   If you come to God and you find that you hesitant and apprehensive about giving you have a sick heart.   If you are worried if you give 10% off the gross or the net of your check you are showing a heart problem.    Worship from a true heart doesn't worry about the amount or where it is coming from.  It just gives.   It gives to the point it can't be counted or numbered.  

Can you handle a "yes" answer from God? Numbers 21-24

Numbers 22:20-22 (NASBStr)

(v. 20-21) God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise up and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you shall you do.”

 So Balaam arose in the morning, and saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab.

(v. 22) But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey and his two servants were with him.

Sometimes, when we continue to ask God for something, He grants it; but that doesn't mean we have His permission.   In the story above we King Balak enticing and persuading a prophet (Balaam) to curse the nation of Israel.   Balak had sent two sets of representatives to Balaam to entice him to come and curse Israel.  The first set was not enough, but apparently when Balak upped the anti it was enough for Balaam to go.   God allowed it but told Balaam he would be able to go but not be allowed to curse Israel, but rather bless them.   After Balaam sets out we read that God's anger was set against the prophet. In the narrative we might be confounded as to why God would tell him to go and then become angry because he went.   But, God doesn't see what we see. What God sees is the heart of his servants.  He, and He alone, sees the motives of the prophet.   Note what God tells us thousands of years later about Balaam's journey.  In speaking to the early church about false prophets and their desire for filthy gain, Peter states the following:

2 Peter 2:15 (NASBStr)

... forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Although Balaam clothed his desire to go under the covering of "it must be God's will", it was not.   Inside his heart, Balaam wanted the power and property promised by King Balak.   God allowed him to go but he could not keep within the spirit of journey.   His desire for riches, prestige and renown trumped his desire to follow after God's heart.   Balaam becomes an example used countless times in Scripture as a man who hungered for the temporal while pretending to stand for the eternal.   Peter uses him as an example to us all to avoid such wonderings after the "wages of unrighteousness."  When we continue to ask God for something He previously says no too we put ourselves in a similar spot.   Rest in the "no's" of God.   But, IF He says yes, rest in the guidelines He gives you for the yes.  

Why do we produce fruit? Titus

Titus 3:14 (NASBStr)

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.

Doing good deeds does not come natural ... even for Christians.   According to the above verse, Paul is admonishing Titus to instruct and teach his congregation on both the importance and purpose of good deeds.   The church was tempted to fall into a knowledge is power mindset.  This was a theme of the day throughout the land and Paul instructs Titus to set things in order for the purpose of teaching and admonishing the church to practice good deeds and not simply rest on their knowledge about Christ.   Paul wanted the knowledge of Christ to empower them to do something for others.   The metaphor of the tree and producing fruit does that.   A tree has no need of its own fruit.  It may produce it, but it does not partake of it.   Christians have no need of their own fruit.   Their "work" (fruit) is for the benefit of others and to meet the needs of others.   In this case, as the text says, "pressing needs."    There are three aspects, then, of this instruction for Titus.   The man of God must "Teach" believers to do good works (the Greek word here for learn is an on-going learning process); he must focus them on the most important works to be done; and, he must help them produce fruit whereby others can benefit.   This is the theme of the book of Titus and the main thrust for believes today.  Our work ought not to fulfill our needs, desires, wants or aspirations.   Our work out to be profitable for others, even to the suffering, costs or, even, boredom to us.  

Does God want us to fail? John 16-17

John 16:1 (NASBStr)

 “ These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.

Jesus is concerned about His disciples.  He has given them firm warnings and keen insight into the things that will take place in the future.   It would be easy for a disciple to simply give up in view of the difficulties forecasted ahead.   Turning back in the view of the coming storm is typically considered good judgement.  But, any wise Captain would both know of the fear of the storm and the remedy.  This is where we find ourselves in chapter 16 and Christ's words above.   Even though He has dutifully, officially and correctly warned them of the offense that will come to them as a result of the cross, He doesn't want to lose them.  He wants to encourage them.    He is about to tell them that not only will the temptations and trials come, but that He has provided the tools and resources they need to go through the storm.  He is going to leave them a Comforter.  That alone would encourage them in the midst of the trial.   He also will answer their prayers, see them after His resurrection and provide a peace they will not understand or be able to explain through that Comforter. God's Word is honest and doesn't hide anything.   But, at the same time the trials of life are predicted the tools of life to manage the trials are fully evident and available to the one who puts their faith in Christ.   "These things I have spoken ..."  The Word of God is the answer and resource in the midst of the Plan of God.   By faith we believe the things He has spoken and our spirits are enable and empowered to follow Him through the storm.   He does not want us to stumble; fall way or be scandalized by the Cross of Christ.  He who saves us also enables us.   

Do we weigh God down? Amos 1-4

Amos 2:13 (NASBStr)

“Behold, I am weighted down beneath you

As a wagon is weighted down when filled with sheaves.

It is hard to imagine that the God of the universe becomes "burdened" by something.   The God who holds the whole world by the word of His power compares Himself to a meager cart weighed down by sheaves of wheat.  Yet, it is not wheat, but sin.   God's Word gives us many statements similar to Amos' in regard what sin does to God.   In Psalm 95:10 we read He is grieved.   In Ezekiel 6:9 He is broken.  In Isaiah 1:14 we read He is weary.  In Romans 8:22 we understand that creation itself groans.   When we sin we need to realize that the God of Holiness, Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness is grieved.   We are old in Ephesians that we are to not grieve the Holy Spirit.   When we sin we grieve and burden and weigh God down.   Like any father who hurts when his children disobey, our God is burdened over the sin of His children.   In Amos we see God make the statement to the nation so they see the gravity of their sin and necessity of their discipline.   Our lives ought to bring joy to God, not a burden.  He saved us to show His glory not burden Him.  

How do we avoid over-indulgence? Proverbs 23-24

Proverbs 23:31 (NASBStr)

Do not look on the wine when it is red,

When it sparkles in the cup,

When it goes down smoothly;

When we are ruled by our senses and not by our convictions the story of Proverbs 23:29-35 is bore out in a life.  Wine, like all alcohol, has an appeal that can move us, even by its sight.   Our world today display image after image of the "virtues" of drink.   The party scene; the gregarious nature; the sexual appeal all lay a part in the marketing of the "wine."  In Solomon's day wine was a staple of the diet.  In his world the "red wine" would have been the best wine.   Red wine was so good it was said to "speak to you."    The flashy appeal is described.  The smoothness of it when consumed is laid out before us.   Solomon is not forbidding wine, as much as he is drunkenness.  However, he is telling us that the best way to avoid being deceived by her titillation is to abstain.  DO NOT LOOK!   This has a familiar ring to it when we remember our Savior's words that if our right eye or right hand offend us:  PLUCK IT OUT, CUT IF OFF, was His admonishment (Matthew 18:19).   If we are lead into the temptation of over indulgence the only relief is complete avoidance.   We can try to manage it, but in the end, wine will win.   We are not to be controlled by our senses but by our conviction and our sense of purpose.   Much of this world can draw us into sin by the appeal of the senses.   The only way to avoid that type of temptation and indulgence is complete eradication of opportunity.   Take away the look and the wine loses its power. Paul tells us in the book of Romans to make no provision for the flesh which would allow the lust of our bodies to be fulfilled. (Romans 13:14). That should be our guidepost throughout our days. It will keep us from the ways of red wine.

Have you ever repeated a prayer to God? Psalm 108-110

Psalms 108:1-4 (NASBStr)

 My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.

 Awake, harp and lyre;

I will awaken the dawn!

 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples,

And I will sing praises to You among the nations.

 For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens,

And Your truth reaches to the skies.

Have you ever said the same to God, over and over, in your prayer life?  In the above words the Psalmist restates what was previously utter in Psalm 60.  In fact, Psalm 108 is the repeat of what was already prayed in the last half of Psalm 60 and Psalm 57.  In both the petitioner declares his declaration of intent (My heart is steadfast) and his method of praise (in song and on instruments).   He declares that his praise will be with such passion and enthusiasm and so early, it will "awaken the dawn."   He declares, again, that his praise won't be in hiding, either.  He states, "I will sing praises to You among the nations."   This is a writer who has utter the words before and here again.   Perhaps he failed the first time.   Perhaps he is simply reminding himself of his earlier commitment.   Whatever the reason for the repetition the reason for the prayer and declaration is based solely in the riches of God's love and steadfast truth.  He is not making this utterance because there is some greatest within him.  HIs praise and commitment are based solely on the fact that God is great and His love rich and His truth unmeasurable.   We ought never be afraid that our repetitious words in prayer are lost on God.   He has heard it all.   We might forget what we said earlier.  We might fail in what we said earlier.   We might need to stress it again for our own good.   We might say it again because it was so true the first time and bears repeating.    It is not how many times we pray it ... it is the meaning for us and if we worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).   God wants our worship if it is genuine in love for Him.  He cares not if it is repetitious.  

What is your job in the Kingdom? 1 Chronicles 25-29

1 Chronicles 27:25-31 (NASBStr)

Various Overseers

 Now Azmaveth the son of Adiel had charge of the king’s "storehouses". And Jonathan the son of Uzziah had charge of the storehouses in the country, in the cities, in the villages and in the towers. Ezri the son of Chelub had charge of the agricultural workers who tilled the "soil". Shimei the Ramathite had charge of the "vineyards"; and Zabdi the Shiphmite had charge of the produce of the vineyards stored in the "wine cellars". Baal- hanan the Gederite had charge of the "olive and sycamore trees"in the Shephelah; and Joash had charge of the stores of "oil". Shitrai the Sharonite had charge of the "cattle" which were grazing in Sharon; and Shaphat the son of Adlai had charge of the cattle in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite had charge of the "camels"; and Jehdeiah the Meronothite had charge of the "donkeys". Jaziz the Hagrite had charge of the "flocks". All these were overseers of the "property" which belonged to King David.

It takes many hands to rule and run a kingdom.  Here, in this brief passage, we see the men King David put in charge of various and non-clamorous aspects of his kingdom.   We forget about these type of jobs, but someone has to fulfill the role to make sure they are done and done right.   Here we have listed the names of those in charge of storehouses, the gardens, the vineyards, the wine cellars, the olive trees, the oil, the cattle, the camels, the donkeys, the flocks and the property.   We often think of the kingdom in terms of kings, princess and rulers.  We seldom think of those who do the necessary tasks to make sure the kingdom runs smoothly.   The same is true in regard to Christ's church.   In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4 we see some of the "side" jobs of the church.   Not everyone is the king and not everyone is the pastor.   Paul is partial to the analogy of the body ... not everything is the head; the foot has a role, as does the hand.   Let's make sure we realize that God took time in the passage above to list out the names of the people who did a great job and great work in the kingdom of Israel.   You won't attend Sunday School and see a lesson on Shitrai the Sharonite who was in charge of David's cattle.  David's shadow outshines Shitrai.   Yet, God took time to list his name in the Holy Writ.   God has given us each a role in the Kingdom of His Son.   Be the best overseer of your assignment.  It might be the cattle or it might be the crown.   It matters not to God.  We are all special and notice by Him.  

Does God bless, even when we disobey? Numbers 17-20

Numbers 20:11 (NASBStr)

Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank.

Much has been written about this passage and these words will fail to reach the beauty of those other theologians who see much more here.   However, the words written are mostly on the disobedience of Moses and Aaron and their "striking" the rock, rather than "speaking" to the rock.   As a result they are forbidden to enter the promise land.  The forty years, almost expired, took their tool on them, as well as the Nation.   Yet, perhaps missed in the commentary on this passage, God does provide the water the nation needed and wanted.   God, in His abundant mercy, still grants them their desire despite the hard heart it came from and the disobedient servants who delivered it.   Perhaps this is the perfect example of the modern church.   Congregations who arrive to entertainment and preacher who preach for popularity and yet, God still shows up and shows His glory.    The theory that blessing indicates obedience would be lost on Moses and Aaron here.   In this story you have blessing flowing despite disobedience and lack of faith.  Most commentators believe Moses and Aaron were disciplined because of both ill-temper and, perhaps more, lack of faith.   God tells us that we need faith to please Him (Hebrews 11:6) so, when He is displeased, we lack faith.   This is all true but the fact that water still flows shows that God can and will provide blessing and mercy despite our disobedience.   Everyone at the foot of the cross had rejected the Messiah.  Yet, He still utter the words, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."   God is constantly giving us His blessing despite our utter failure and lack of faith.   We need to realize that our entire life walk with Him is predicated on a faithful God and a very unfaithful follower.   Even in our meager obedience we fail to express the faith we should.  God still brings water out of a rock.  

Are you equipped for the day? 2 Timothy 3-4

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASBStr)

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

In 3:15-17 we read Paul's formula for life's preparation. If we want to be "equipped" as we leave the house each morning we have several choices. Some like to make sure they watch the morning news first - they are equipped for the discussions of the day. Some like to check their social network status - equipping them for the relationships of the day. Some like to check the sports broadcast - equipping them for the fun of the day. Paul tells young Timothy to remember the Holy Scriptures - they will equip him for the good words needed throughout the day. The scripture is said to make Timothy wise - leading to His salvation; it is said to be the key source in correcting us; instructing us; teaching us. The final outcome of the study of Scripture is to equip us for any and all good works. Since, in Ephesians 2:8, 9 it is stated that we have been "created in Christ Jesus onto good works" in 2 Timothy 3:17 we are told how to be equipped for those good works. God has not only given us a mission to complete them, but the tool to assure their furtion. You might leave the house with your keys, cell phone and credit cards and feel equipped for the day. But, if you are not filling your heart and mind with God's word, chances are you will not be ready to complete the necessary good works ahead of you.

Do you have peace different than the world's peace? John 13-15

John 14:27 (NASBStr)

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples for the last time ... as far has His earthly ministry goes.   He has told them in the beginning of chapter 14 that He is leaving, will build a home for them and return to get them (14:1).  He tells them He will not leave them as "orphans" (v. 18) but will leave them the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, remind, protect and, most importantly, be His presence in their lives.   His "departure" speech adds the above line, as well.   Jesus is leaving them a peace that only can come from God.   Even though peace (shalom in the Hebrew) was a typical greeting (like you and I say, "Hi, how are you?") it was easy to say it and use the word and mean little in regard to peace for someone.  But, the Messiah was about providing peace to mankind.  (For the concept of the Messiah as the bringer of peace cf. Isa 9:6- 7; 52:7; 57:19; Ezek 37:26; Hag 2:9; Acts 10:36; Rom 14:17.)  Since Peace is a Fruit of the Spirit and the statement Christ makes here is in the middle of a discussion on leaving them the Holy Spirit to comfort them, we could conclude that the peace God leaves us is the same presence of the Spirit who is producing peace in our lives.  This is why it is not like the world's peace.  The world's peace is simply the absent of war.    God's peace is not the absence of something but the presence of something ... the Spirit of God.   Jesus would send the disciples and us the ministry of the Holy Spirit to produce a peace that would exceed anything man could produce.   In the midst of trial and tribulation the Spirit is producing peace in our lives to show us that reality and comfort of His presence.   

Does the earth like our lifestyle? Joel

Joel 1:18-20 (NASBStr)

How the beasts groan!

The herds of cattle wander aimlessly

Because there is no pasture for them;

Even the flocks of sheep suffer.

 To You, O Lord, I cry;

For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness

And the flame has burned up all the trees of the field.

 Even the beasts of the field pant for You;

For the water brooks are dried up

And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Man's sin affects the beast of the earth.  Today men are so concerned about the environment.   If they only knew and recognized the correlation between their own sin and the damage to the earth.  Note what Paul tells us in the book of Romans:

Romans 8:22 (NASBStr)

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

The earth, like us, groans for redemption.   When Adam and Eve sinned the first thing to suffer was an animal.   Blood had to be spilt to redeem them and cover their nakedness.  A flood was sent to purge the earth only to have the sin of man immediately grip the heart again through Noah and his boys.   God was speaking, through Joel, to warn us that the pain in the earth has a direct relationship with our disobedience to God.   The next time we get so concerned with the destruction of the ozone layers, let's remember that the cause if the sin of man.   The earth is being destroyed.   Let's quit denying it.   God will use the destruction of the world to bring judgement on us.   But, the reason is not my carbon footprint.   The reason is my heart of stone.  

Do you know the advantages of humilty? Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:4 (NASBStr)

The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord

Are riches, honor and life.

Not the similarity of the above proverb with the following:

Proverbs 21:21 (NASBStr)

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Solomon realizes that humility and the pursuit of righteousness and mercy have the same end ... life and honor.   When you seek to be promoted you lose both life and honor.   But, when you seek humility, righteousness and kindness you obtain the very things the proud, arrogant and powerful want ... life, honor and riches.   Christianity is the upside-down religion.  While other faiths tell you to work hard for your righteousness, Christianity tells you to stop working and simply believe.   When other religions tell you to work for riches and honor, even killing others to get it, Christianity tells you to seek humility, righteousness and kindness to find the same things.   Typically the humble are not rewarded by the world.  The world is looking for the powerful and the aggressive.  Those seeking and fulfilling the "warrior" mentality are much more rewarded in our society than the one who seeks humility, meekness and the fear of The Lord.   James tells us that God rewards the humble:

James 4:6

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “ God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is given to the humble.  Grace helps us to accept the circumstances where we struggle.   Grace helps us to deal with the pain that afflicts us; the disappointment that upsets us; the expectations that fail us.    God gives grace to those who trust in Him.  The proud trust in themselves.   The humble realize they have nothing to offer God and therefore need to simply allow Him to work in their lives and produce something good out of it.   The reward for humility and the fear of The Lord is life.   A great life.  

Do you know why your journey is like it is? Psalm 105-107

Psalms 105:17-22 (NASBStr)

He sent a man before them,

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

 They afflicted his feet with fetters,

 He himself was laid in irons;

 Until the time that his word came to pass,

The word of the Lord tested him.

 The king sent and released him,

The ruler of peoples, and set him free.

 He made him lord of his house

And ruler over all his possessions,

 To imprison his princes at will,

That he might teach his elders wisdom.

Joseph is a great example to us of someone who was mistreated and unfairly dealt with in life and, yet, God used it all for His glory and Israel's blessing.   When you see the entire story from beginning to end you can rejoice in what God did with Joseph and allowed to happen to him.    However, like Job of old, Joseph didn't know the whole story while he was living it.  He only knew part of it.   He didn't know that God was not only "in" it, He was behind it.   God used the evil jealousy and envy in the hearts of Joseph's brothers to get them to sell him to slave traders headed to Egypt.   God used those greedy slave traders to get Joseph into Potipher's house.  He used the sexual desires of Potifpher's wife to have Joseph falsely accused of rape and tossed into jail, just so Joseph would run into the kings chief baker and chief cupbearer.   God used the dreams of the cupbearer and the Pharaoh, the King, to see Joseph promoted to the second most powerful man in the land.   Here, a  young man tied in ropes and chains for the better part of his young life was now powerful enough to imprison even Pharaoh's leaders at his will.  Yet, he was a man of grace and man of mercy.   When the wicked brothers showed up later, begging for food (due to a famine sent by God), Joseph had a chance to forgive and accept God's hand in his life.   All the things that happened to Joseph were for a purpose greater than himself.   The "word of The Lord tested him" the above passage states.   He was in jail "until the time that his word came to pass" it adds.   Joseph was a man of grace and a man of compassion because he came to know the God of compassion and grace behind his life's story.   God had not abandoned him.   God had used the very scars of his past to be the victory medal of his future.   God does not leave us in a place He doesn't also have a complete and wonderful reason for it to happen.  He wants to use each event in our lives to display His grace and His mercy in us and through us.  

Are you moved enough by discipline to experience God's mercy? 1 Chronicles 20-24

1 Chronicles 21:17 (NASBStr)

David said to God, “Is it not I who commanded to count the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done? O Lord my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father’s household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”

The story behind the above confession of King David is key to embracing his words.   David had been moved by Satan to "number" all the men of war ... taking inventory to show your muscle and might (21:1).   Because it was based upon pride and lacked any sense of faith God sent a plague to discipline the King.  In Chronicles 21:13 David declares a desire for the plague to be God's instrument of discipline rather than allowing his enemies to be used by God for the correction process (this is similar to a child choosing to have his mother spank him than his father ... mothers are filled with compassion; dad's judgement).   The reason David chooses the rod of the plague over the rod of his enemies is that he knew God is full of compassion and mercy.   As God is "administrating" the punishment via the plague, David's above words are uttered. The King wanted mercy to be shown to his people.  The plague had taken 70,000 of David's "sheep."   As a former shepherd, David could not take the slaughter of innocence.   Hence the above confession and plea to God's mercy.   The significant aspect of this story is that although King David was moved with ego by Satan, God used this opportunity to show His mercy.   At the very place that God stopped the plague, David would dedicate to God.  God eventually would have the Temple built by Solomon in that very spot.   The place of the plague would become the place of worship.   The place of David's ego would become the place of his humility.   The place of God's wrath would become the place of His abundant mercy.   This is what God does with us in the midst of our sin.   God takes our sins and turns them into scars that show His mercy and love.   God is a God of mercy.  He moves us to humility to show us His mercy in the midst of our sin.