Numbers 17:8-9
On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the Lord to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff.
Truth: God chooses leadership and affirms it
The above passage is the story of God's once and for all leadership decision. On a number of occasions the people of Israel rebelled against Aaron and Moses' leadership. They thought, at several times, that "others" should be able to lead. They wanted to turn an Theocratic society (where God ruled), into a Democratic society (where they selected who ruled). Since this had happened a number of occasions already, God instructed the one person from each tribe should bring a staff (long, walking type stick) to the Tabernacle. Moses would put all them into the Holy of Holies, along with Aaron's staff. Aaron was God's choice. Moses told them whichever staff was "made alive" with green leaves would be God's statement as to who He wanted to lead this group. Aaron's staff didn't just come back with leaves, but with buds, flowers and ripe almonds. God performed a miracle to indicate who He wanted to lead. God places into leadership His choices, not ours. We might think we have something to say about the process (especially in a democratic society), but it is God who places one leader above another. Notice what the writer of this psalm says about the same subject of God's sovereign rule over leadership:
Psalms 75:7
but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
There is NO level of leadership given to chance. God puts people in the positions He gives them and wants them. When we envy others positions we fight against God and sin against God. We may not like the leadership we have and we might voice our thoughts to them. But, that needs to be done with the understanding that God will use that leader the way He wants. We only have to look at the leaders of Babylon, Assyria and Rome to see how God did that in His Word. Don't fight the leadership and envy their jobs and attempt to undermine their roles. God takes that sin very seriously. It is God who chooses leadership and affirms it.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Truth #245 - We will suffer in the ministry - it is part of God's plan - 2 Timothy 1-2
2 Timothy 2:3-7
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Truth: We WILL suffer in ministry - it is part of God's plan
Somewhere along the line the Christian Church (along with societies interpretation of the Christian Church) the picture has been painted that to become a Christian (and, especially a Christian minister) is rosy and wonderful. We have been convinced that when we come to Christ we have all the things we want and not only is our spirit changed and our destiny changed, but also our circumstances have changed. We have been convinced that if we have suffering in our life it is directly related to sin in our lives. Christians aren't supposed to have sin and therefore should not suffer. Paul is writing to his young student, Timothy, who at this time is the Elder in the Church at Ephesus. Ephesus is the home town of the goddess, Diana. The town was in an uproar ever since Paul was there to spread the Gospel. The more the Gospel took root, the more the people saw the worship of Diana as a flaw and the more they quit spending money on her. That loss of money put the power brokers in a bind and that increased the suffering of those leading the Christian Church ... i.e. Timothy, who Paul left there to build the church. Paul's second letter to Timothy was sent to encourage him despite that suffering. Paul uses three metaphors to let Timothy know suffering is normal with those who have a mission given to them. He uses the picture of soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. These are not three different word pictures. Each of the three illustrations have these areas of character in common: All three (soldier, athlete and farmer) have made a commitment towards something; all three have suffering that comes as a result the field they have pursued; all three will receive some reward once they get through the suffering. Suffering is part of training for war ... war is suffering. To train for the "games" in Paul's day it was a ten-month commitment for the athlete to push yourself (today it is a year round project for four years). To farm is to deal with the difficulties of unexpected droughts and/or too much rain and/or pestilence and/or, in Paul's day, thieves. If we are going to serve Christ we must come to the understanding that we will have suffering. Paul tells Timothy to "think over what I say" and to trust God because "the Lord will give you understanding in everything." Enduring in suffering, however, is unlike the soldier, the athlete and farmer. They do it, in the world, through their strength of their own will and even boast about that thought. We do suffering through the strength of Christ in faith, only He can provide. Suffering is part of our mission to serve Christ. The greater we serve the more suffering we ought to experience.
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Truth: We WILL suffer in ministry - it is part of God's plan
Somewhere along the line the Christian Church (along with societies interpretation of the Christian Church) the picture has been painted that to become a Christian (and, especially a Christian minister) is rosy and wonderful. We have been convinced that when we come to Christ we have all the things we want and not only is our spirit changed and our destiny changed, but also our circumstances have changed. We have been convinced that if we have suffering in our life it is directly related to sin in our lives. Christians aren't supposed to have sin and therefore should not suffer. Paul is writing to his young student, Timothy, who at this time is the Elder in the Church at Ephesus. Ephesus is the home town of the goddess, Diana. The town was in an uproar ever since Paul was there to spread the Gospel. The more the Gospel took root, the more the people saw the worship of Diana as a flaw and the more they quit spending money on her. That loss of money put the power brokers in a bind and that increased the suffering of those leading the Christian Church ... i.e. Timothy, who Paul left there to build the church. Paul's second letter to Timothy was sent to encourage him despite that suffering. Paul uses three metaphors to let Timothy know suffering is normal with those who have a mission given to them. He uses the picture of soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. These are not three different word pictures. Each of the three illustrations have these areas of character in common: All three (soldier, athlete and farmer) have made a commitment towards something; all three have suffering that comes as a result the field they have pursued; all three will receive some reward once they get through the suffering. Suffering is part of training for war ... war is suffering. To train for the "games" in Paul's day it was a ten-month commitment for the athlete to push yourself (today it is a year round project for four years). To farm is to deal with the difficulties of unexpected droughts and/or too much rain and/or pestilence and/or, in Paul's day, thieves. If we are going to serve Christ we must come to the understanding that we will have suffering. Paul tells Timothy to "think over what I say" and to trust God because "the Lord will give you understanding in everything." Enduring in suffering, however, is unlike the soldier, the athlete and farmer. They do it, in the world, through their strength of their own will and even boast about that thought. We do suffering through the strength of Christ in faith, only He can provide. Suffering is part of our mission to serve Christ. The greater we serve the more suffering we ought to experience.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Truth #244 - When God speaks, those who KNOW Him, hear Him - John 10-11
John 10:4-6
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Truth - When God speaks, those who KNOW Him hear Him and follow Him
Hearing a familiar voice is very comforting ... especially to children. A baby might be confused by the voices around them, but they are suddenly soothed when their mother or father speaks. When we hear the voice of our loved one over the phone after a long separation, we are suddenly and wonderfully calmed. At creation we have been programed with a highly technical and highly competent voice recognition system. The same is true spiritually. God has a distinct voice. He has a voice known to those who know Him. Those who do not know God and/or walk contrary to God, do not know His voice. When we don't know Him we don't know His voice (His Word) and that is when we mistake other voices for His authoritative Word. Note what God says through two of His prophets in regard to this thought, when they speak to a rebellious Israel that had, for a long time, forgot who God was:
Hosea 8:12
Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,
they would be regarded as a strange thing.
Daniel 11:32
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Notice, especially in the Daniel passage, that when we "Know" God we will not be seduced by the "flattery" of this world. This is what Jesus is talking about in the above passage out of John 10. At this point in Jesus' teaching, even the disciples didn't understand this type of speech. They will, however!! John is now writing about this teaching of Jesus and admits, at the time, "I" didn't get it either. This theme of knowing God's voice and, therefore, following God's voice will become a central theme in John's first epistle. When we know God's Word we are not lead astray by the words that flatter us and attempt to seduce us. The story of Eve in The Garden with that snake Satan is a great example of being lead astray by flattering words and failing to hear God's Word over the sounds of dissonance. Christ is telling us that if we KNOW Him we will KNOW His voice and follow that voice ... like a small child.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Truth - When God speaks, those who KNOW Him hear Him and follow Him
Hearing a familiar voice is very comforting ... especially to children. A baby might be confused by the voices around them, but they are suddenly soothed when their mother or father speaks. When we hear the voice of our loved one over the phone after a long separation, we are suddenly and wonderfully calmed. At creation we have been programed with a highly technical and highly competent voice recognition system. The same is true spiritually. God has a distinct voice. He has a voice known to those who know Him. Those who do not know God and/or walk contrary to God, do not know His voice. When we don't know Him we don't know His voice (His Word) and that is when we mistake other voices for His authoritative Word. Note what God says through two of His prophets in regard to this thought, when they speak to a rebellious Israel that had, for a long time, forgot who God was:
Hosea 8:12
Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,
they would be regarded as a strange thing.
Daniel 11:32
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Notice, especially in the Daniel passage, that when we "Know" God we will not be seduced by the "flattery" of this world. This is what Jesus is talking about in the above passage out of John 10. At this point in Jesus' teaching, even the disciples didn't understand this type of speech. They will, however!! John is now writing about this teaching of Jesus and admits, at the time, "I" didn't get it either. This theme of knowing God's voice and, therefore, following God's voice will become a central theme in John's first epistle. When we know God's Word we are not lead astray by the words that flatter us and attempt to seduce us. The story of Eve in The Garden with that snake Satan is a great example of being lead astray by flattering words and failing to hear God's Word over the sounds of dissonance. Christ is telling us that if we KNOW Him we will KNOW His voice and follow that voice ... like a small child.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Trtuh #243 - Our response to God's Word determines the frame of our lives - Hosea 8-14
Hosea 8:12
Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands,
they would be regarded as a strange thing.
Truth: Our response to God's Word determines the frame of our lives.
God is speaking through the prophet Hosea and telling Israel why He is destroying them. They had forsaken His word and gone after man-made gods and worshipped silver and gold and power and prestige. God is saying to them, in the above verse, it would not have matter if He would have given them 10,000 verses of Scripture, they would have not understood it and would have looked at it as a strange thing. The word in this verse for "strange" is translated 70 times in the Old Testament and it is often translated as "foreign." What God is saying in this verse concerns how they understood God and came to know Him and what HIs plan was for them. God is saying that if He would have given them countless prophets, who wrote and spoke countless words the Word would have been foreign to them. We might imagine traveling to another country, which speaks a different language. Think of going to Russia and trying to navigate the world around you, only being able to speak English. If someone spoke 10,000 Russian words to you, you would still not know where the nearest restaurant would be located. God is telling us that if we hope to have changed lives we must be able to properly respond to God's word. Think of Josiah, the King of Judah, when they discovered the "law" while cleaning the temple. It was like a new discovery. Josiah brought reforms and repentance to the nation because he heard the Word and took it to heart. He mixed the Word with Faith and the result was holiness and living for God. In the passage above, God is showing what happens when His Word is heard but not mixed with faith ... it is as if God is speaking a foreign language.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Truth #242 - Only God is qualified to judge evil - Proverbs 20
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Truth: God is the only one qualified to judge evil
It is natural to want to fight back. But, before Christ or Paul ever uttered words about not rendering evil for evil, Solomon had already given us quite powerful words. In this proverb Solomon gives us one line as a precept and another as a principle. We are not to pay back wrong for wrong. The reason for that is the principle that God will deliver us from the wrong. We are to wait on Him to deliver us. That must be one of the hardest things we ever do. We are to wait! We seldom can wait at the drive-up window at the fast food stop. But, God wants us to wait for Him to deliver us from the wrongs done to us! This is a great verse to commit to memory. Are you hanging onto anger for a wrong done to you and you want to get your vengeance? Wait … That is God’s job. We’re to let God take care of wrongs done to us.
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Truth: God is the only one qualified to judge evil
It is natural to want to fight back. But, before Christ or Paul ever uttered words about not rendering evil for evil, Solomon had already given us quite powerful words. In this proverb Solomon gives us one line as a precept and another as a principle. We are not to pay back wrong for wrong. The reason for that is the principle that God will deliver us from the wrong. We are to wait on Him to deliver us. That must be one of the hardest things we ever do. We are to wait! We seldom can wait at the drive-up window at the fast food stop. But, God wants us to wait for Him to deliver us from the wrongs done to us! This is a great verse to commit to memory. Are you hanging onto anger for a wrong done to you and you want to get your vengeance? Wait … That is God’s job. We’re to let God take care of wrongs done to us.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Truth #241 - God is our supplier and sustainer - Psalm 102-104
Psalms 104:27-30
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
Truth: God is the supplier and sustainer of all things.
The above truth is very similar to what Paul wrote the Colossians in his letter:
Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In both these passages we see the sustaining power of God. Not only did God create all things, but it is by His voice He holds all things together. The word, "These" at the beginning of these verses refers back to all the things the writer previously stated that God created and sustains. The animals, the oceans, the heavens and even man's work are all mentioned and therefore included in this term "these." All these things "look to" God for food. God simply opens His hands and we have "good things." God can "take away their breath" and their life is ended. God can take away all that is, and then, through His Spirit, create all new again. God is the sustainer and supplier of all we need or could ever want. This passage is what makes jealous, envy and want an act of sin. God gives us exactly what He wants us to have. He never supplies anything less. He never supplies anything more. God gives us exactly what He wants to both endure (through strength in His Son) and what He wants us to enjoy (again, through strength in His Son). We ought not to look at our lives in want of something. We ought not look at our lives in jealousy of what others have. We ought not look at our lives in the desire for more. God knows what we need, can handle and gives us blessings accordingly.
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
Truth: God is the supplier and sustainer of all things.
The above truth is very similar to what Paul wrote the Colossians in his letter:
Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
In both these passages we see the sustaining power of God. Not only did God create all things, but it is by His voice He holds all things together. The word, "These" at the beginning of these verses refers back to all the things the writer previously stated that God created and sustains. The animals, the oceans, the heavens and even man's work are all mentioned and therefore included in this term "these." All these things "look to" God for food. God simply opens His hands and we have "good things." God can "take away their breath" and their life is ended. God can take away all that is, and then, through His Spirit, create all new again. God is the sustainer and supplier of all we need or could ever want. This passage is what makes jealous, envy and want an act of sin. God gives us exactly what He wants us to have. He never supplies anything less. He never supplies anything more. God gives us exactly what He wants to both endure (through strength in His Son) and what He wants us to enjoy (again, through strength in His Son). We ought not to look at our lives in want of something. We ought not look at our lives in jealousy of what others have. We ought not look at our lives in the desire for more. God knows what we need, can handle and gives us blessings accordingly.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Truth #240 - God is making us what He wants us to be - 1 Chronicles 15-19
1 Chronicles 17:7-8
Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
Truth: God makes us what He wants us to be and not, we, ourselves.
We live in such a corrupt society. From brith on we are taught to learn, to excel, to advance and to conquer. We are indoctrinated with plausible teachings that we can make something out of ourselves. Young children are taught they can perform because they are smart, athletic, and even because they are beautiful and charming. We are taught to work hard and good things will happen. Study hard and get a degree and that is the path of fortune and fame. Non-believers are more dedicated to these truths than believers, but believing parents teach the same things and then add the addendum, "Do it to the glory of God." In the above text we have God's initial response to David making the statement he is going to build a temple for God ... to take God out of the tent and into a real building. In the preceding chapter David had just returned the Ark to its proper place in the Tabernacle and then went home to bless his house (16:43). Once home, however, he realized that he was living in a nice home and the Ark of God was in a tent. He forgot, however, that this is where God wanted the Ark to be and God, in this chapter, reminds him. In that reminder, God also tells David that he is what he is because God made him the way he was. It is so, so easy for us to clam what little fame we have as something we have done. Yet, God is in the process of making us what He wants us to become. We are to accept that form and fashioning of our lives in humility and in praise. God can bring us low (think of King Nebuchadnezzar suddenly eating grass like a cow), or, He can take a poor shepherd boy and turn him into a giant killer and king! God took twelve disciples who were fishing one day and leading a movement of faith the next. He took a simple tax collector and made him an author of a great Gospel book. He took a muderer and made him the leader of His people (Moses) and He took one and made him the pillar of teaching in the church (Paul). In the above verse God says, "I took you ...". God does that for all of us. He takes us from the place we are and puts us in the place He wants us to be. Rejoice in that thought; worship that truth; in humility rest in that knowledge. You are not a mistake. You are exactly what God is fashioning you to be.
Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.
Truth: God makes us what He wants us to be and not, we, ourselves.
We live in such a corrupt society. From brith on we are taught to learn, to excel, to advance and to conquer. We are indoctrinated with plausible teachings that we can make something out of ourselves. Young children are taught they can perform because they are smart, athletic, and even because they are beautiful and charming. We are taught to work hard and good things will happen. Study hard and get a degree and that is the path of fortune and fame. Non-believers are more dedicated to these truths than believers, but believing parents teach the same things and then add the addendum, "Do it to the glory of God." In the above text we have God's initial response to David making the statement he is going to build a temple for God ... to take God out of the tent and into a real building. In the preceding chapter David had just returned the Ark to its proper place in the Tabernacle and then went home to bless his house (16:43). Once home, however, he realized that he was living in a nice home and the Ark of God was in a tent. He forgot, however, that this is where God wanted the Ark to be and God, in this chapter, reminds him. In that reminder, God also tells David that he is what he is because God made him the way he was. It is so, so easy for us to clam what little fame we have as something we have done. Yet, God is in the process of making us what He wants us to become. We are to accept that form and fashioning of our lives in humility and in praise. God can bring us low (think of King Nebuchadnezzar suddenly eating grass like a cow), or, He can take a poor shepherd boy and turn him into a giant killer and king! God took twelve disciples who were fishing one day and leading a movement of faith the next. He took a simple tax collector and made him an author of a great Gospel book. He took a muderer and made him the leader of His people (Moses) and He took one and made him the pillar of teaching in the church (Paul). In the above verse God says, "I took you ...". God does that for all of us. He takes us from the place we are and puts us in the place He wants us to be. Rejoice in that thought; worship that truth; in humility rest in that knowledge. You are not a mistake. You are exactly what God is fashioning you to be.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Truth #239 - God's hand is not short!!! Numbers 9-12
Numbers 11:21-23
But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
Truth: When God says He is going to do something, we are to believe He CAN do something.
At this point in the exodus of the people from Egypt, God is directing them, via the Cloud and Fire, to move from one place to another. Within a few short miles the people of Israel start to complain about the manna they were given to eat. The manna was not like what they had in Egypt. Their flesh wanted what the flesh wants. Although God was miraculously providing them food each day, they were not satisfied (sound familiar?). God, hearing their complaints, brings the leadership together and tells them He is going to provide meat for them. He is not going to provide it once, or twice, but enough for a full month. (In the next few verses it says Quail was flown in from the sea; enough to walk a mile in either direction and 36 inches deep on the ground.) The issue here, however, is that Moses wondered "how" God could provide meat to 600,000 plus people in the desert? That was not a shinning moment for Moses, captured in Hebrews 11 and the Hall of Faith. It was impossible for Moses to think beyond the natural when presented with the idea of providing food for the nation. Like the disciples with the feeding of the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fishes, Moses assumed it couldn't be done. Or, in this case, he assumed they would kill all the livestock and then what would they do for sacrifices for worship? God responds with one of the best statements in all God's Word, "Is the Lord's hand shortened?" God goes on to tell Moses and the elders they will now "see whether my word will come true for you or not." God loves to show His power, but in this case, Moses missed the opportunity to express His faith immediately. As we all would have done. We do the same thing today in our lives. We wonder where God will give us people for our church, money for our ministries, miraculous interventions in our situations, salvation to our lost loved ones. We pray as though God's hand's are shortened. Like Moses and the disciples we have to shown that God can care for many with unusual methods. It is not a miracle if it is normal. Ordering Kentucky Fried Chicken for 600,000 is not a miracle. Having quail fly in from the sea at His command - that's a miracle. God controls even the small animal to do something unnatural (fly into the desert to die) in order to show His glory. God is a God of miracles. We are to believe and not question His ability to make miracles happen.
But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.”
Truth: When God says He is going to do something, we are to believe He CAN do something.
At this point in the exodus of the people from Egypt, God is directing them, via the Cloud and Fire, to move from one place to another. Within a few short miles the people of Israel start to complain about the manna they were given to eat. The manna was not like what they had in Egypt. Their flesh wanted what the flesh wants. Although God was miraculously providing them food each day, they were not satisfied (sound familiar?). God, hearing their complaints, brings the leadership together and tells them He is going to provide meat for them. He is not going to provide it once, or twice, but enough for a full month. (In the next few verses it says Quail was flown in from the sea; enough to walk a mile in either direction and 36 inches deep on the ground.) The issue here, however, is that Moses wondered "how" God could provide meat to 600,000 plus people in the desert? That was not a shinning moment for Moses, captured in Hebrews 11 and the Hall of Faith. It was impossible for Moses to think beyond the natural when presented with the idea of providing food for the nation. Like the disciples with the feeding of the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fishes, Moses assumed it couldn't be done. Or, in this case, he assumed they would kill all the livestock and then what would they do for sacrifices for worship? God responds with one of the best statements in all God's Word, "Is the Lord's hand shortened?" God goes on to tell Moses and the elders they will now "see whether my word will come true for you or not." God loves to show His power, but in this case, Moses missed the opportunity to express His faith immediately. As we all would have done. We do the same thing today in our lives. We wonder where God will give us people for our church, money for our ministries, miraculous interventions in our situations, salvation to our lost loved ones. We pray as though God's hand's are shortened. Like Moses and the disciples we have to shown that God can care for many with unusual methods. It is not a miracle if it is normal. Ordering Kentucky Fried Chicken for 600,000 is not a miracle. Having quail fly in from the sea at His command - that's a miracle. God controls even the small animal to do something unnatural (fly into the desert to die) in order to show His glory. God is a God of miracles. We are to believe and not question His ability to make miracles happen.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Truth #238 - We are to keep true to the things deposited to us - 1 Timothy 4-6
1 Timothy 6:20-21
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.
Truth: We are to guard the truth and charge deposited to us.
Paul and Timothy, as ministers of the Gospel. were constantly fighting the false teaching that continued to enter the church. There was a constant threat from those diluting the Gospel and/or expanding the Gospel. Paul wrote the books of Galatians and Colossians for the same reason ... warning the church about these "babblers" who spoke about matters and falsely called it knowledge. There is some question as to what was "deposited" to Timothy. The obvious answer is the Gospel. He was given the Gospel and was to pass it on to other believers; those believers would then pass it on to others (2 Timothy 2:2). However, perhaps there is more to this "deposit" than the Gospel. Paul is writing this book so that Timothy will know how to handle issues in the church (see 1 Timothy 3:14-15). Throughout the book, however, Timothy is charged with making sure that the gifts, truths and responsibilities he has been given are properly charged. Note one such command in this letter, among many others:
1 Timothy 4:13-14
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
As a leader in the Church Timothy most certainly had a responsibility to make sure the gospel message was preached, protected and promoted. Yet, the gifts Timothy were given was also to be part of that deposit to him. Note a few of those statements in Paul's words to young Timothy:
1 Timothy 1:18-19
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
1 Timothy 4:11-15
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
Timothy was given a charge by Paul and that charge was to be kept. We, too, as believers have the same charges and responsibilities. We are not to be lead astray by other words that sound like "knowledge" but to follow the Word of God and to assure that they do not creep into the walls of the church.
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you.
Truth: We are to guard the truth and charge deposited to us.
Paul and Timothy, as ministers of the Gospel. were constantly fighting the false teaching that continued to enter the church. There was a constant threat from those diluting the Gospel and/or expanding the Gospel. Paul wrote the books of Galatians and Colossians for the same reason ... warning the church about these "babblers" who spoke about matters and falsely called it knowledge. There is some question as to what was "deposited" to Timothy. The obvious answer is the Gospel. He was given the Gospel and was to pass it on to other believers; those believers would then pass it on to others (2 Timothy 2:2). However, perhaps there is more to this "deposit" than the Gospel. Paul is writing this book so that Timothy will know how to handle issues in the church (see 1 Timothy 3:14-15). Throughout the book, however, Timothy is charged with making sure that the gifts, truths and responsibilities he has been given are properly charged. Note one such command in this letter, among many others:
1 Timothy 4:13-14
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
As a leader in the Church Timothy most certainly had a responsibility to make sure the gospel message was preached, protected and promoted. Yet, the gifts Timothy were given was also to be part of that deposit to him. Note a few of those statements in Paul's words to young Timothy:
1 Timothy 1:18-19
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
1 Timothy 4:11-15
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
Timothy was given a charge by Paul and that charge was to be kept. We, too, as believers have the same charges and responsibilities. We are not to be lead astray by other words that sound like "knowledge" but to follow the Word of God and to assure that they do not creep into the walls of the church.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Truth #237 - Satan is THE father of lies and liars - John 7-9
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Truth: Satan tells lies and fathers lies and liars.
Jesus, in this section of John, is being accused of lying about himself and about things of God. He turns the tables on the religious leaders that are questioning him and, instead, not only calls them liars, but shows them that their heritage is from the greatest liar: Satan. This must have been quite a shock to them to have someone, anyone, to talk to them in this manner. Later in chapter nine a blind man will be asked his opinion about Jesus and after he tells the religious leaders what he thinks, they will chastise him for speaking to them in that manner. They will tell him he is "untaught and born in sin" and has no business teaching them (John 9:34). Imagine their disdain for Jesus. He boldly calls them liars. He further adds that their heritage is from Satan, the father of lies. These are men who thought they were from God. Yet, what Jesus is pointing out is that THEY were born in sin and are the children of the Evil One. When they refuse to accept Jesus (the Way, the Truth and the Life), they are operating in falsehood. Satan is the father of false teaching, belief and living. He does a fantastic job of making the false promises and false statements SOUND like truth. He convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, confusing her knowledge of the truth with a slight lie. That deception sent sin in motion in the life of man. Satan did a great job of convincing King David to commit adultery and later murder to cover the adultery. Satan is the master of deception. He wants man to believe the lie so that they reject the Truth. Satan's entire mission is to confuse the world about the truth, so that they can't find it. The reason there are so many "religions" in the world is because it is easier to confuse what truth looks like than it is to simply reject the truth. We have numerous variations of faith in this world ... each with enough truth to make it plausible. In the church at Colossee there were false teachers teaching a variation of Paul's gospel that was "almost" like Paul's gospel. Note what Paul tells the believers there:
Colossians 2:4-8
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
We must stay rooted, built up and established in the faith if we hope to avoid the plausible and persuasive arguments of the one who has lied from the beginning and is a master at the art of deception. This is why we are to know God and Jesus and the Gospel so well. So that when the deceiver comes, we reject his lies. He fathers others who lie. We must be able to recognize the lie and embrace the truth.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Truth: Satan tells lies and fathers lies and liars.
Jesus, in this section of John, is being accused of lying about himself and about things of God. He turns the tables on the religious leaders that are questioning him and, instead, not only calls them liars, but shows them that their heritage is from the greatest liar: Satan. This must have been quite a shock to them to have someone, anyone, to talk to them in this manner. Later in chapter nine a blind man will be asked his opinion about Jesus and after he tells the religious leaders what he thinks, they will chastise him for speaking to them in that manner. They will tell him he is "untaught and born in sin" and has no business teaching them (John 9:34). Imagine their disdain for Jesus. He boldly calls them liars. He further adds that their heritage is from Satan, the father of lies. These are men who thought they were from God. Yet, what Jesus is pointing out is that THEY were born in sin and are the children of the Evil One. When they refuse to accept Jesus (the Way, the Truth and the Life), they are operating in falsehood. Satan is the father of false teaching, belief and living. He does a fantastic job of making the false promises and false statements SOUND like truth. He convinced Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, confusing her knowledge of the truth with a slight lie. That deception sent sin in motion in the life of man. Satan did a great job of convincing King David to commit adultery and later murder to cover the adultery. Satan is the master of deception. He wants man to believe the lie so that they reject the Truth. Satan's entire mission is to confuse the world about the truth, so that they can't find it. The reason there are so many "religions" in the world is because it is easier to confuse what truth looks like than it is to simply reject the truth. We have numerous variations of faith in this world ... each with enough truth to make it plausible. In the church at Colossee there were false teachers teaching a variation of Paul's gospel that was "almost" like Paul's gospel. Note what Paul tells the believers there:
Colossians 2:4-8
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
We must stay rooted, built up and established in the faith if we hope to avoid the plausible and persuasive arguments of the one who has lied from the beginning and is a master at the art of deception. This is why we are to know God and Jesus and the Gospel so well. So that when the deceiver comes, we reject his lies. He fathers others who lie. We must be able to recognize the lie and embrace the truth.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Truth #236 - God choose us to serve Him - Hosea 1-7
Hosea 1:2
When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.”
Truth: When God chooses us to serve Him, we don't get to choose the circumstances.
Perhaps the hardest thing in life for believers to assimilate into their walk of faith is the truth we have in this verse in regard to the prophet Hosea. Hosea was choose by God to take a special message to the kings, priests and people of Israel and Judah. He was a prophet, called by God to serve during the time of four of Israel's kings and one of Judah's kings. He was told by God to take a wife. But, not just any women for a wife, Hosea was told to take a wife from the prostitute section of time. He was to take a wife who would be unfaithful to him and who would, despite give birth to his children, would leave him at some point. God was going to use that marriage and those children as an object lesson to the nation to show them how He had reached to them in their whoredom and choose to love them. Despite God's love for them and taking them from the life of sin and enable them to bear more and more children, the nation would continue to return to whoredom and reject God's love. Hosea was to be the living example of this same thing so that the nation of Israel would see first hand what God was experiencing. Hosea may have wanted, in his life, to marry a great women, raised two kids, had a nice dog and a white picket fence around his house. But, God had other plans for his life. We talk so much about walking with God by faith and "serving" Him, wherever He tells us to serve, but how convenient that this service often is in our home town, near our family, with all the comforts of home and seldom difficult. Society tells us to go to school, to get a great degree, to earn a good income, to buy all the things in life that make us comfortable. The world sells the idea of "comfortability" in our lives and for our lives. That is given to us as a goal. God, instead, isn't concerned about our creature comforts, as much as He wants us to serve Him in regard to His plan and His message about HIs steadfast love and His uncommon grace and mercy. We ought not to think our life as our own. We were bought with a price and that means God, as our Creator, Redeemer and Provider can call upon us to serve Him where, how, when and for whatever reason. The truth is, He choose us to serve Him!
When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.”
Truth: When God chooses us to serve Him, we don't get to choose the circumstances.
Perhaps the hardest thing in life for believers to assimilate into their walk of faith is the truth we have in this verse in regard to the prophet Hosea. Hosea was choose by God to take a special message to the kings, priests and people of Israel and Judah. He was a prophet, called by God to serve during the time of four of Israel's kings and one of Judah's kings. He was told by God to take a wife. But, not just any women for a wife, Hosea was told to take a wife from the prostitute section of time. He was to take a wife who would be unfaithful to him and who would, despite give birth to his children, would leave him at some point. God was going to use that marriage and those children as an object lesson to the nation to show them how He had reached to them in their whoredom and choose to love them. Despite God's love for them and taking them from the life of sin and enable them to bear more and more children, the nation would continue to return to whoredom and reject God's love. Hosea was to be the living example of this same thing so that the nation of Israel would see first hand what God was experiencing. Hosea may have wanted, in his life, to marry a great women, raised two kids, had a nice dog and a white picket fence around his house. But, God had other plans for his life. We talk so much about walking with God by faith and "serving" Him, wherever He tells us to serve, but how convenient that this service often is in our home town, near our family, with all the comforts of home and seldom difficult. Society tells us to go to school, to get a great degree, to earn a good income, to buy all the things in life that make us comfortable. The world sells the idea of "comfortability" in our lives and for our lives. That is given to us as a goal. God, instead, isn't concerned about our creature comforts, as much as He wants us to serve Him in regard to His plan and His message about HIs steadfast love and His uncommon grace and mercy. We ought not to think our life as our own. We were bought with a price and that means God, as our Creator, Redeemer and Provider can call upon us to serve Him where, how, when and for whatever reason. The truth is, He choose us to serve Him!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
truth #235 - Wisdom is both available and understandable - Proverbs 18-19
Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Truth: wisdom is both available and understandable
Have you ever listened to someone talk and not understood a thing they said? If you tell them you don’t understand they start all over and you are twice confused. It is even more complicated when you realize people may tell lies, stretch the truth and, or hide their real meaning. So that is why Solomon says the words of man’s mouth are deep waters. But, the second line of this proverb gives us great hope. True Biblical and Godly wisdom is as understandable and is as available as a bubbling brook. When men speak philosophical they like to make it confusing and complicated (and if they don't "like to" it still often is). They like others to listen to their refined speech and their hundred dollar words. But, when God speaks wisdom He puts the “cookies on the bottom shelf” for anyone to reach. Man’s words are high and lofty and say nothing. God’s wisdom is humble and unassuming and says everything. Hear wisdom and speak true wisdom.
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Truth: wisdom is both available and understandable
Have you ever listened to someone talk and not understood a thing they said? If you tell them you don’t understand they start all over and you are twice confused. It is even more complicated when you realize people may tell lies, stretch the truth and, or hide their real meaning. So that is why Solomon says the words of man’s mouth are deep waters. But, the second line of this proverb gives us great hope. True Biblical and Godly wisdom is as understandable and is as available as a bubbling brook. When men speak philosophical they like to make it confusing and complicated (and if they don't "like to" it still often is). They like others to listen to their refined speech and their hundred dollar words. But, when God speaks wisdom He puts the “cookies on the bottom shelf” for anyone to reach. Man’s words are high and lofty and say nothing. God’s wisdom is humble and unassuming and says everything. Hear wisdom and speak true wisdom.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Truth #234 - God hears us and answers us - Pslam 99-101
Psalms 99:6-8
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.
O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Truth: God answers us (like He did to those great men in the past)!
In this psalm the writer is telling us the worthiness of God as a reason we ought to praise Him. The writer has already talked about God's sovereign rule and His supreme justice. Those, alone, are reasons to break forth in praise. In the above set of verse the writer reminds us that the great men of faith (Moses, Aaron and Samuel) all called upon God ... and God ANSWERED them!!! What a blessed truth to behold and to rejoice over and about and in!!! To know that simply me, can call upon God just like Moses, Aaron and Samuel is a truth in and of itself. To have that boldness to enter into the throne of the Almighty God, who reigns, is a truth beyond our imagination. Hebrews 10 tells us we can enter boldly into the throne of grace to find mercy in time of need. Moses, Aaron and Samuel each did that. But, note what the writer of this Psalm tells us in the above passage as to what these great men of faith needed: Forgiveness. Even though it says He gave them statutes to follow and they DID keep them, they still needed forgiveness. God saw their human condition and they still, despite their great faith, needed to come to God in repentance and ask forgiveness. And it says, "O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them." What a blessed assurance and truth to rest in and rely upon. Those who reject God's truth and even God's existence can't know His forgiveness. You must come to God to get forgiveness. But, note the last line of these verses. God does forgive but He is also, "... an avenger of their wrongdoings." There is some debate as to whether the writer is referring to the wrong done "against them" or the wrong done "by them." It seems more to indicate, that even though God does forgive, there are consequences to disobedience. Note how this passage is similar to the following:
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
Granted, this is an Old Testament passage but remember, Moses was forgiven but not allowed to enter the promise land because of his failure to obey God in relationship to the water coming out of the rock, incident. Aaron's wife and two boys were stuck down for disobedience, despite Aaron's position in the nation. Samuel also was disciplined by God. So, we must rejoice in the God who hears and forgives, but also we are to rejoice in the God who loves us enough to discipline EVERY son He receives ... even Moses, Aaron, Samuel and me!
Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they kept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.
O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Truth: God answers us (like He did to those great men in the past)!
In this psalm the writer is telling us the worthiness of God as a reason we ought to praise Him. The writer has already talked about God's sovereign rule and His supreme justice. Those, alone, are reasons to break forth in praise. In the above set of verse the writer reminds us that the great men of faith (Moses, Aaron and Samuel) all called upon God ... and God ANSWERED them!!! What a blessed truth to behold and to rejoice over and about and in!!! To know that simply me, can call upon God just like Moses, Aaron and Samuel is a truth in and of itself. To have that boldness to enter into the throne of the Almighty God, who reigns, is a truth beyond our imagination. Hebrews 10 tells us we can enter boldly into the throne of grace to find mercy in time of need. Moses, Aaron and Samuel each did that. But, note what the writer of this Psalm tells us in the above passage as to what these great men of faith needed: Forgiveness. Even though it says He gave them statutes to follow and they DID keep them, they still needed forgiveness. God saw their human condition and they still, despite their great faith, needed to come to God in repentance and ask forgiveness. And it says, "O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them." What a blessed assurance and truth to rest in and rely upon. Those who reject God's truth and even God's existence can't know His forgiveness. You must come to God to get forgiveness. But, note the last line of these verses. God does forgive but He is also, "... an avenger of their wrongdoings." There is some debate as to whether the writer is referring to the wrong done "against them" or the wrong done "by them." It seems more to indicate, that even though God does forgive, there are consequences to disobedience. Note how this passage is similar to the following:
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation."
Granted, this is an Old Testament passage but remember, Moses was forgiven but not allowed to enter the promise land because of his failure to obey God in relationship to the water coming out of the rock, incident. Aaron's wife and two boys were stuck down for disobedience, despite Aaron's position in the nation. Samuel also was disciplined by God. So, we must rejoice in the God who hears and forgives, but also we are to rejoice in the God who loves us enough to discipline EVERY son He receives ... even Moses, Aaron, Samuel and me!
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Truth #233 - Great leaders point others toward God's purpose - 1 Chronicles 10-14
1 Chronicles 13:1-4
David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
Truth: The best rally-cry is one that pursues God!
In these chapters we have the rise of King David as the new leader of Israel. King Saul dies in the first chapter of this section of reading and David is anointed by God as the new king. His Immediately men from David's past (when he was on the on run from Saul) join him as his immediate body guards and confidants (known as David's Mighty Men). But, each tribe in Israel also sends highly qualified and equipped troops to come and support the "new" king. The kingdom did not have much to cheer about since Saul turned into a tyrant and David was on the run. Now they had a person to follow. But, following a personality is never as powerful as following the Person of God!. We live in a society were charisma in leaders often trumps the mission or the cause. People like to follow leaders with great big personalities. These "natural born" leaders tend to solicit enthusiasm and, at times, a blind loyalty. David did not want to be that type of leader. Saul was somewhat that type of leader when the nation of Israel first saw him (he was taller and stronger looking than any of the other men around him). David, however, rallies the nation around the cause of God ... to pursue the Ark of the Covenant. David knew that the longevity of his kingship was not going to be because he was such a great personality (and, yet, he was), but because he could influence the soldiers around him to fight for God and follow God. Solid leadership is not about being a big personality, but about getting others to follow a plan for God. In the natural world, even the unbelievers know the power of a single minded purpose that must be laid out for follower-ship. But, David doesn't just want a single-minded purpose, he wants a purpose that is God-centered. He solidifies his leadership by getting follower-ship to focus on God's glory, not his own. That is godly leadership.
David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and from the Lord our God, let us send abroad to our brothers who remain in all the lands of Israel, as well as to the priests and Levites in the cities that have pasturelands, that they may be gathered to us. Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us, for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.” All the assembly agreed to do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
Truth: The best rally-cry is one that pursues God!
In these chapters we have the rise of King David as the new leader of Israel. King Saul dies in the first chapter of this section of reading and David is anointed by God as the new king. His Immediately men from David's past (when he was on the on run from Saul) join him as his immediate body guards and confidants (known as David's Mighty Men). But, each tribe in Israel also sends highly qualified and equipped troops to come and support the "new" king. The kingdom did not have much to cheer about since Saul turned into a tyrant and David was on the run. Now they had a person to follow. But, following a personality is never as powerful as following the Person of God!. We live in a society were charisma in leaders often trumps the mission or the cause. People like to follow leaders with great big personalities. These "natural born" leaders tend to solicit enthusiasm and, at times, a blind loyalty. David did not want to be that type of leader. Saul was somewhat that type of leader when the nation of Israel first saw him (he was taller and stronger looking than any of the other men around him). David, however, rallies the nation around the cause of God ... to pursue the Ark of the Covenant. David knew that the longevity of his kingship was not going to be because he was such a great personality (and, yet, he was), but because he could influence the soldiers around him to fight for God and follow God. Solid leadership is not about being a big personality, but about getting others to follow a plan for God. In the natural world, even the unbelievers know the power of a single minded purpose that must be laid out for follower-ship. But, David doesn't just want a single-minded purpose, he wants a purpose that is God-centered. He solidifies his leadership by getting follower-ship to focus on God's glory, not his own. That is godly leadership.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Truth #232 - God recognizes the seasons of our lives - Numbers 5-8
Numbers 8:23-26
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”
Truth: God recognizes seasons of our life
The title in my Bible for this section states, "Retirement of the Levites." Those who laid out this version of the Holy Scriptures read the above passage and connected it with "retirement." And, as we read the text it certainly does state that at the age of 50 the Levites were no longer to be used to do the work of the Tabernacle. The concept of retirement seems to be something, however, that is more born out of the industrial revolution, then something taught in Scripture. There is no doubt that the passage does say, at a specific age (50), there is going to be a change in the duty assignments of the Levitical Priests. At the age of 50 it states they are no longer to be included in the "assigning their duties." However, the "older" Levitical priest was to still "minister to their brothers" by "keeping guard." Their ministering didn't stop, but it did change its focus. I was recently given a copy of a book entitled, "Refire Don't Retire" (Ken Blanchard and Morton Schaevitz). The mindset of most people in our society is to earn enough money were we can sunset our lives into relaxed and easy living. The American dream is a focus on possessions and retirement. The concept taught to us is: Work hard enough that you can buy enough and that you can stop working to enjoy all the stuff you bought. Even some great Christian financial teachers have an emphasis on our retirement. Perhaps they use the above passage to do such teaching. However, if we read the text completely, the "refire" concept seems to better fit the text. What Moses is telling the 50 levite is that they will no longer have to do one type of work in the tabernacle, but they will be asked to do something else. Their 25 years of service does not end, but they are to "minister" to the younger priests and the younger priest are to allow that ministry to take place. They are to "guard" the tabernacle. These older men are to be the ones that make sure the tabernacle is treated and respected and cared for in the right manner. Later we will read a number of stories of how the Levitical priest failed in their duty to the nation and the care of the Tabernacle. It would be a concern if these "50-year old" priest were doing their job of "keeping guard." What the text does say is that God is very much in-tune with and recognizing the seasons of our lives. In other passages the young man who gets marries is allowed to take a year off of service for his new bride and him. God recognizes the seasons of our life and makes adjustment. However, as stated in this text, the concept of the modern day retirement does not seem to fit the passage. The New Testament shows us that serving in the body of Christ is continual life activity. John was in his 90s and still writing letters to the Churches (Revelation). God recognizes our seasons of life, but He does not fit the pattern of our society. We need to focus on God's plan for the later years of our life, and not the worlds system.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”
Truth: God recognizes seasons of our life
The title in my Bible for this section states, "Retirement of the Levites." Those who laid out this version of the Holy Scriptures read the above passage and connected it with "retirement." And, as we read the text it certainly does state that at the age of 50 the Levites were no longer to be used to do the work of the Tabernacle. The concept of retirement seems to be something, however, that is more born out of the industrial revolution, then something taught in Scripture. There is no doubt that the passage does say, at a specific age (50), there is going to be a change in the duty assignments of the Levitical Priests. At the age of 50 it states they are no longer to be included in the "assigning their duties." However, the "older" Levitical priest was to still "minister to their brothers" by "keeping guard." Their ministering didn't stop, but it did change its focus. I was recently given a copy of a book entitled, "Refire Don't Retire" (Ken Blanchard and Morton Schaevitz). The mindset of most people in our society is to earn enough money were we can sunset our lives into relaxed and easy living. The American dream is a focus on possessions and retirement. The concept taught to us is: Work hard enough that you can buy enough and that you can stop working to enjoy all the stuff you bought. Even some great Christian financial teachers have an emphasis on our retirement. Perhaps they use the above passage to do such teaching. However, if we read the text completely, the "refire" concept seems to better fit the text. What Moses is telling the 50 levite is that they will no longer have to do one type of work in the tabernacle, but they will be asked to do something else. Their 25 years of service does not end, but they are to "minister" to the younger priests and the younger priest are to allow that ministry to take place. They are to "guard" the tabernacle. These older men are to be the ones that make sure the tabernacle is treated and respected and cared for in the right manner. Later we will read a number of stories of how the Levitical priest failed in their duty to the nation and the care of the Tabernacle. It would be a concern if these "50-year old" priest were doing their job of "keeping guard." What the text does say is that God is very much in-tune with and recognizing the seasons of our lives. In other passages the young man who gets marries is allowed to take a year off of service for his new bride and him. God recognizes the seasons of our life and makes adjustment. However, as stated in this text, the concept of the modern day retirement does not seem to fit the passage. The New Testament shows us that serving in the body of Christ is continual life activity. John was in his 90s and still writing letters to the Churches (Revelation). God recognizes our seasons of life, but He does not fit the pattern of our society. We need to focus on God's plan for the later years of our life, and not the worlds system.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Truth #231 - The Church is to be a place of Truth - 1 Timothy 1-3
1 Timothy 3:14-16
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Truth: The Church is to the be the place of truth
You might argue much about "how" a church ought to approach a certain ministry, or "what" is the best style of worship service, or "when" church should meet, or "where" church should meet, and even "who" should be the leaders of the church. However, one thing you can't argue, based upon the above passage is the "why" we have a church to begin with. In these three verses Paul is telling us the reason for writing this letter to Timothy (a "Pastor" at the time in the church of Ephesus). Certain people had entered into the church at Ephesus and were starting to teach a doctrine that was not the doctrine Paul delivered to the Ephesians, not the one he wrote about in the letter entitled Ephesians, not the one he taught to Timothy and not the one based upon the fact that all we need in life is Christ!! In fact, Paul is so on a mission to make sure Timothy doesn't let these false teachers persuade and delude the church, he even names the publicly:
1 Timothy 1:20
among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul, in our above three verses, tells us that the "why" we have a church is to speak the TRUTH, and that TRUTH is the Christ is the Mystery of Godliness. The Church of Christ is to speak the truth about Christ. Men were slipping into the body and were adding things to the Gospel and subtracting things from the Gospel. Paul is telling Timothy that I am writing this to you so that you will know how to "behave" and know your job: To be the "pillar and buttress of the truth." Today's church seems more interested in political correctness, popularity, attraction and customer service than they do speaking and holding up the truth. Like in retail, "the customer is always right," the church has taken on a similar mantra and fashioned ministry and message to attract and retain, rather than challenge with the truth. Every year we slip closer and closer to the Church of Ephesus ... but not the one Paul started ... the John, almost 30-years later, will write about in Revelation:
Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
The church did not listen to Paul's instruction to Timothy, they stopped speaking the truth in fell in love with the world. This was what Paul was trying to prevent. Today's church is on a similar tract.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Truth: The Church is to the be the place of truth
You might argue much about "how" a church ought to approach a certain ministry, or "what" is the best style of worship service, or "when" church should meet, or "where" church should meet, and even "who" should be the leaders of the church. However, one thing you can't argue, based upon the above passage is the "why" we have a church to begin with. In these three verses Paul is telling us the reason for writing this letter to Timothy (a "Pastor" at the time in the church of Ephesus). Certain people had entered into the church at Ephesus and were starting to teach a doctrine that was not the doctrine Paul delivered to the Ephesians, not the one he wrote about in the letter entitled Ephesians, not the one he taught to Timothy and not the one based upon the fact that all we need in life is Christ!! In fact, Paul is so on a mission to make sure Timothy doesn't let these false teachers persuade and delude the church, he even names the publicly:
1 Timothy 1:20
among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Paul, in our above three verses, tells us that the "why" we have a church is to speak the TRUTH, and that TRUTH is the Christ is the Mystery of Godliness. The Church of Christ is to speak the truth about Christ. Men were slipping into the body and were adding things to the Gospel and subtracting things from the Gospel. Paul is telling Timothy that I am writing this to you so that you will know how to "behave" and know your job: To be the "pillar and buttress of the truth." Today's church seems more interested in political correctness, popularity, attraction and customer service than they do speaking and holding up the truth. Like in retail, "the customer is always right," the church has taken on a similar mantra and fashioned ministry and message to attract and retain, rather than challenge with the truth. Every year we slip closer and closer to the Church of Ephesus ... but not the one Paul started ... the John, almost 30-years later, will write about in Revelation:
Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
The church did not listen to Paul's instruction to Timothy, they stopped speaking the truth in fell in love with the world. This was what Paul was trying to prevent. Today's church is on a similar tract.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Truth #230 - Christ came to make us alive - John 5-6
John 5:21
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
Truth: Jesus has the authority to make us ALIVE
We are dead ... or were dead before Christ made us alive. The above verse is so, so important for us to know and remember in regard to our condition prior to Christ making us alive. We were dead.
Ephesians 2:1
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
That is what Paul tells the Church at Ephesus. We were "dead" in our sins. He goes on to add the following:
Ephesians 2:5
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Note, also, what Paul tells the Church at Colossee:
Colossians 2:13
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
When Christ is speaking in the book of John to the Jews and His disciples, He wants them to recognize that they are "dead" and that He is "life." That is the Gospel message. A dead man can do nothing to help himself. We were all dead spiritually and Christ came to "make us alive" in Him and in the power of His resurrection. He defeated death by dying. Christ over came death by raising from the dead and therefore He has the authority to make us come alive. He can give life to "whom He will." Christ died to make us alive. We are ALIVE!!!
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
Truth: Jesus has the authority to make us ALIVE
We are dead ... or were dead before Christ made us alive. The above verse is so, so important for us to know and remember in regard to our condition prior to Christ making us alive. We were dead.
Ephesians 2:1
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
That is what Paul tells the Church at Ephesus. We were "dead" in our sins. He goes on to add the following:
Ephesians 2:5
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Note, also, what Paul tells the Church at Colossee:
Colossians 2:13
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
When Christ is speaking in the book of John to the Jews and His disciples, He wants them to recognize that they are "dead" and that He is "life." That is the Gospel message. A dead man can do nothing to help himself. We were all dead spiritually and Christ came to "make us alive" in Him and in the power of His resurrection. He defeated death by dying. Christ over came death by raising from the dead and therefore He has the authority to make us come alive. He can give life to "whom He will." Christ died to make us alive. We are ALIVE!!!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Truth #229 - Know the REAL and you will avoid the FAKE - Daniel 6-12
Daniel 11:32
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Truth: When we KNOW God we can identify a fake
The Secret Service is the agency of the government that takes care of counterfeiting in our country. A Secret Service agent must have the ability to spot a fake bill by just looking at it and touching it. Imagine the difficulty to learn about all the ways a counterfeiter can produce a $20, $50, or $100 bill! We are told, however, that a agent is not trained on the way the counterfeiter works, but rather is trained on what a REAL bill looks like. In fact they so know the real bill that they can spot the fake easily. They don't spend time studying the fake, they spend all their time learning the real. This is what is being talked about in the above verse out of Daniel eleven. Daniel, in this chapter, is describing the wicked ruler who will arise in later days and will lead many to a war with God and seduce them to follow him. Many will follow this deceptive ruler and leave the covenant of God's Word and fall into his reign and rule. However, those who KNOW God will not be deluded. Those who know God will "stand firm." If we hope to have strength in a day when rulers attempt to lead us astray it will not be because we have studied all the ways people can lead us astray. It will be because we KNOW God. Knowing God (every nuance of His character, plan and purpose) will enable us to identify the fake and stand firm on the real (because if we know God we will know that He gives the strength to stand firm on the Real). Paul was saying something similar when he wrote the letter of Colossians. In that church there were false teachers creeping into the body and Paul wanted to warn the church about them. He spends the entire first chapter of Colossians telling the believers in the church who Christ is and what He did for them. Then, he pens the following:
Colossians 2:4-8
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Alive in Christ
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
You see the similarities to Daniel? Paul tells the who Christ is and reminds them of what the Gospel is all about and that will enable them to avoid delusion and being taken captive by vain things in the world's philosophy. In Paul's words above, "I say this," he is referring to everything in just said in the previous verse(s). The immediate previous verse, speaking of Christ, says:
Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We don't need to look elsewhere, Paul says, because in Christ are ALL the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge. Know the true and you will avoid the fake!!
He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.
Truth: When we KNOW God we can identify a fake
The Secret Service is the agency of the government that takes care of counterfeiting in our country. A Secret Service agent must have the ability to spot a fake bill by just looking at it and touching it. Imagine the difficulty to learn about all the ways a counterfeiter can produce a $20, $50, or $100 bill! We are told, however, that a agent is not trained on the way the counterfeiter works, but rather is trained on what a REAL bill looks like. In fact they so know the real bill that they can spot the fake easily. They don't spend time studying the fake, they spend all their time learning the real. This is what is being talked about in the above verse out of Daniel eleven. Daniel, in this chapter, is describing the wicked ruler who will arise in later days and will lead many to a war with God and seduce them to follow him. Many will follow this deceptive ruler and leave the covenant of God's Word and fall into his reign and rule. However, those who KNOW God will not be deluded. Those who know God will "stand firm." If we hope to have strength in a day when rulers attempt to lead us astray it will not be because we have studied all the ways people can lead us astray. It will be because we KNOW God. Knowing God (every nuance of His character, plan and purpose) will enable us to identify the fake and stand firm on the real (because if we know God we will know that He gives the strength to stand firm on the Real). Paul was saying something similar when he wrote the letter of Colossians. In that church there were false teachers creeping into the body and Paul wanted to warn the church about them. He spends the entire first chapter of Colossians telling the believers in the church who Christ is and what He did for them. Then, he pens the following:
Colossians 2:4-8
I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Alive in Christ
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
You see the similarities to Daniel? Paul tells the who Christ is and reminds them of what the Gospel is all about and that will enable them to avoid delusion and being taken captive by vain things in the world's philosophy. In Paul's words above, "I say this," he is referring to everything in just said in the previous verse(s). The immediate previous verse, speaking of Christ, says:
Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We don't need to look elsewhere, Paul says, because in Christ are ALL the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge. Know the true and you will avoid the fake!!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Truth #228 - You can't buy wisdom - Proverbs 17
Proverbs 17:16
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense (no desire for it)?
Truth: You can't buy wisdom
Some people think they can buy anything. They can buy help; they can buy support. But, if you have no heart that desires wisdom, even if you had money you couldn’t buy it. In this word-picture, a complimentary proverb, Solomon is telling us that even those who have great wealth (money in their hand) can’t buy wisdom if their heart isn’t ready for wisdom. You can’t buy what you can’t handle. If our hearts, minds and souls are not prepared for wisdom (the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) than even if we have money in our hands we can’t get it. Wisdom is available on every street (Proverbs 7) but won’t allow itself to be sold to someone with a foolish heart. If you want wisdom it is not about what you possess, but if you will allow it to reign and possess you through Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense (no desire for it)?
Truth: You can't buy wisdom
Some people think they can buy anything. They can buy help; they can buy support. But, if you have no heart that desires wisdom, even if you had money you couldn’t buy it. In this word-picture, a complimentary proverb, Solomon is telling us that even those who have great wealth (money in their hand) can’t buy wisdom if their heart isn’t ready for wisdom. You can’t buy what you can’t handle. If our hearts, minds and souls are not prepared for wisdom (the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom) than even if we have money in our hands we can’t get it. Wisdom is available on every street (Proverbs 7) but won’t allow itself to be sold to someone with a foolish heart. If you want wisdom it is not about what you possess, but if you will allow it to reign and possess you through Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Truth #227 - God is DUE honor and praise - Psalm 96-98
Psalms 96:7-8
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Truth: God is DUE praise!!
It often seems, in our worship services, that we go away thinking it was a good worship service because it made US feel good. We like to talk about how "uplifting" the music was and how "joyous" we feel after we worship. We tend to leave saying great things about the worship band, or the worship leader. We heap praise on a church because their worship is better than the worship of others. Or, we quit attending a church because the worship is boring or to slow, or ...! When we read Psalm 96 we can't help but walk away and realize that worship has nothing to do with us, other than we are obligated, and should want to, heap all the praise on God and on His name, power and character. Worship is not about how it makes us feel. Worship is about how we approach God and heap praise and honor on Him. God doesn't NEED our worship. God DESERVES our worship. It is his DUE! Until we can get to this understanding and knowledge of worship, we will NEVER really worship in spirit and in truth. We are to "ascribe" to the Lord the glory and strength "due" to His name. The word is a simply word, meaning to "give" to someone, or to "provide" to someone something. In this case it is the glory and honor that is due to God. We know what it means to give someone or something honor. We give honor to sport's stars and pop stars and Hollywood stars. We worship fiberglass, chrome, and power. We idolize big homes, with deep, green grass and large back yards. We give all this honor to temporal things and we have an Eternal, Powerful and Amazing God who is DUE that praise. Let's not give our praise to things that will simply perish soon. Let's give our praise to the One who deserves it.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Truth: God is DUE praise!!
It often seems, in our worship services, that we go away thinking it was a good worship service because it made US feel good. We like to talk about how "uplifting" the music was and how "joyous" we feel after we worship. We tend to leave saying great things about the worship band, or the worship leader. We heap praise on a church because their worship is better than the worship of others. Or, we quit attending a church because the worship is boring or to slow, or ...! When we read Psalm 96 we can't help but walk away and realize that worship has nothing to do with us, other than we are obligated, and should want to, heap all the praise on God and on His name, power and character. Worship is not about how it makes us feel. Worship is about how we approach God and heap praise and honor on Him. God doesn't NEED our worship. God DESERVES our worship. It is his DUE! Until we can get to this understanding and knowledge of worship, we will NEVER really worship in spirit and in truth. We are to "ascribe" to the Lord the glory and strength "due" to His name. The word is a simply word, meaning to "give" to someone, or to "provide" to someone something. In this case it is the glory and honor that is due to God. We know what it means to give someone or something honor. We give honor to sport's stars and pop stars and Hollywood stars. We worship fiberglass, chrome, and power. We idolize big homes, with deep, green grass and large back yards. We give all this honor to temporal things and we have an Eternal, Powerful and Amazing God who is DUE that praise. Let's not give our praise to things that will simply perish soon. Let's give our praise to the One who deserves it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Truth #226 - Leadership is a Priviledge - 1 Chronicles 5-9
1 Chronicles 5:1-2
Genealogy from Reuben Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),
Truth: Leadership is a priviledge not a right
In these chapters of Chronicles the writer is establishing the place for each tribe and head of tribes, within the nation. The overall purpose of the book is to chronological demonstrate the Messianic line of Jesus, as well as trace the unfolding of God's people and God's plan for their lives based upon that unfolding. In the above verses we are given a short statement as to why Reuben, the rightful first born of Israel, was not allowed to lead and why, as a result, the line of the Messiah was taken from him. His sin of sleeping with his father's concubine disallowed him from leadership and the rank he was born in to. Leadership, instead was given to the tribe of Judah and the blessing of the first born was given to Joseph, via his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Reuben's sin affected his life. Sin does that. As we see throughout history, sexual sins, in particular, sully the life and reduce those who could lead, but no longer can. David's building of the temple was not allowed because of his sin with Bathsheba. Solomon's sin with too many wives and following their gods reduced his leadership in his later years. Samson's sexual sin diminished his reputation and strength and his ability to judge Israel and ultimately resulted in his death. Sin reduces our ability to lead. Judah was given leadership over Reuben. God will take away leadership from one and give it to another due to sin. Leadership is a privilege, not a right, simple because you are born into it, or even because you desire it.
Genealogy from Reuben Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph),
Truth: Leadership is a priviledge not a right
In these chapters of Chronicles the writer is establishing the place for each tribe and head of tribes, within the nation. The overall purpose of the book is to chronological demonstrate the Messianic line of Jesus, as well as trace the unfolding of God's people and God's plan for their lives based upon that unfolding. In the above verses we are given a short statement as to why Reuben, the rightful first born of Israel, was not allowed to lead and why, as a result, the line of the Messiah was taken from him. His sin of sleeping with his father's concubine disallowed him from leadership and the rank he was born in to. Leadership, instead was given to the tribe of Judah and the blessing of the first born was given to Joseph, via his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Reuben's sin affected his life. Sin does that. As we see throughout history, sexual sins, in particular, sully the life and reduce those who could lead, but no longer can. David's building of the temple was not allowed because of his sin with Bathsheba. Solomon's sin with too many wives and following their gods reduced his leadership in his later years. Samson's sexual sin diminished his reputation and strength and his ability to judge Israel and ultimately resulted in his death. Sin reduces our ability to lead. Judah was given leadership over Reuben. God will take away leadership from one and give it to another due to sin. Leadership is a privilege, not a right, simple because you are born into it, or even because you desire it.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Truth #225 - God has a part for us each to play - Numbers 1-4
Numbers 4:33
This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”
Truth: There is a part of the work of God for everyone.
In this section of Numbers we have the instruction to Aaron, the priest, through Moses from God. The section is about how to move the Tabernacle. We don't have an equivalent of this concept in our modern-day thought process. We don't have "holy" things in our churches or places of worship. In fact, we have gone so far away from "holy" things that we almost lose the sanctity of a place. Our worship "places" are so common (and we like them that way) that we have, at times, lost the fact that we are worshipping and approaching a Holy, Omnipotent God. With that said, this was not the case in the days of the nation of Israel. The Tabernacle was MOST holy. There were only certain people who could touch each part of the Tabernacle. When the nation was to move (and they moved a lot in their 40 years of wandering in the desert) the Tabernacle had to move, in the exact procedure God describes in this section ... every time it moved. The Levites were responsible for this moving job. Each sub-family in the Tribe of the Levites had a specific role. In the above verse the sons of Merair are given their tasks. There were 6,200 males in this sub-group. They didn't have any fancy function. The most holy objects were already covered and moved by another son of the Levites. The sons of Merari had to carry the framework for the Tabernacle. They had the poles, the frames and the tent stakes. Nothing spectacular, but functional in nature. We sometimes forget that the function of worship always has to be done. Without the frame and the poles and the stakes, the Tabernacle could not stand up. We don't think much about this when we come to our own places of worship. Who sets up the chairs, puts the mic stands up, folds the bulletins, makes sure the toilet paper is in place, or makes sure the coffee and donuts are there for those who can't worship without a cup of coffee in their hands? We can often come to sit and soak up the service and forget that someone had to do all the little things to make the big thing work. God has a place for each of His servants. This is why David wrote what he wrote in the Psalms:
Psalms 84:10
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Perhaps David had a thought about the sons of Merari. Or, note what Paul tells the Colossian believers:
Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
In Paul's passage we see that the Body of Christ (Christ is the Head) is put together by joints and ligaments and they all grow because God makes them grow. We so much celebrate the big parts and forget the little parts. Each time that Tabernacle moved the sons of Merari would take the poles, the frame and the stakes down and carry them. Once they arrived at their place they would reassemble the entire Tabernacle frame. God has a part for us each. No matter how small.
This is the service of the clans of the sons of Merari, the whole of their service in the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”
Truth: There is a part of the work of God for everyone.
In this section of Numbers we have the instruction to Aaron, the priest, through Moses from God. The section is about how to move the Tabernacle. We don't have an equivalent of this concept in our modern-day thought process. We don't have "holy" things in our churches or places of worship. In fact, we have gone so far away from "holy" things that we almost lose the sanctity of a place. Our worship "places" are so common (and we like them that way) that we have, at times, lost the fact that we are worshipping and approaching a Holy, Omnipotent God. With that said, this was not the case in the days of the nation of Israel. The Tabernacle was MOST holy. There were only certain people who could touch each part of the Tabernacle. When the nation was to move (and they moved a lot in their 40 years of wandering in the desert) the Tabernacle had to move, in the exact procedure God describes in this section ... every time it moved. The Levites were responsible for this moving job. Each sub-family in the Tribe of the Levites had a specific role. In the above verse the sons of Merair are given their tasks. There were 6,200 males in this sub-group. They didn't have any fancy function. The most holy objects were already covered and moved by another son of the Levites. The sons of Merari had to carry the framework for the Tabernacle. They had the poles, the frames and the tent stakes. Nothing spectacular, but functional in nature. We sometimes forget that the function of worship always has to be done. Without the frame and the poles and the stakes, the Tabernacle could not stand up. We don't think much about this when we come to our own places of worship. Who sets up the chairs, puts the mic stands up, folds the bulletins, makes sure the toilet paper is in place, or makes sure the coffee and donuts are there for those who can't worship without a cup of coffee in their hands? We can often come to sit and soak up the service and forget that someone had to do all the little things to make the big thing work. God has a place for each of His servants. This is why David wrote what he wrote in the Psalms:
Psalms 84:10
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Perhaps David had a thought about the sons of Merari. Or, note what Paul tells the Colossian believers:
Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
In Paul's passage we see that the Body of Christ (Christ is the Head) is put together by joints and ligaments and they all grow because God makes them grow. We so much celebrate the big parts and forget the little parts. Each time that Tabernacle moved the sons of Merari would take the poles, the frame and the stakes down and carry them. Once they arrived at their place they would reassemble the entire Tabernacle frame. God has a part for us each. No matter how small.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Truth #224 - We are to pray that the gospel is spread - 2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
Truth: We are to pray for the Gospel to spread
In this finally chapter of the second letter Paul writes to the Church in Thessolonica, Paul requests that the believers pray. Specifically that they will pray that the gospel will spread. Paul speaks as the Gospel being "independent," as the "word of the Lord." Note the following from the Old Testament:
Psalms 147:15
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
Psalms 19:3-4
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
God's word is independent from us, but God chooses to use us to relay and convey His word. So, the prayer that Paul asks the believes to pray is that he will have the freedom to speak the Gospel to others. Note the next verse in this chapter:
2 Thessalonians 3:2
and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
We can see the connection between verse one and verse two. Paul asks that the Gospel be not hindered as it goes forth, but that going forth will be in and through him. Paul realizes that the same resistance and suffering they are experiencing (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), he will experience. Paul knows that prayer is the powerful weapon giving to the believers to enable the resistance to the gospel to me matched and conquered by all the spiritual powers of Christ. We are not sit back idlely and wait for the Gospel to happen. We are not to sit back and enjoy our salvation and not pray for the spread of grace to others, both in our community and around the world. This request for prayer was for believers to remember that the gospel goes forth by the power of God and the power of God is furthered in this world through our prayers ... this is by God's choice and design. We are to constantly be praying that the gospel is spread and that those spreading the gospel are not impeded by the cares of this world or the characters of this world.
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
Truth: We are to pray for the Gospel to spread
In this finally chapter of the second letter Paul writes to the Church in Thessolonica, Paul requests that the believers pray. Specifically that they will pray that the gospel will spread. Paul speaks as the Gospel being "independent," as the "word of the Lord." Note the following from the Old Testament:
Psalms 147:15
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
Psalms 19:3-4
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
God's word is independent from us, but God chooses to use us to relay and convey His word. So, the prayer that Paul asks the believes to pray is that he will have the freedom to speak the Gospel to others. Note the next verse in this chapter:
2 Thessalonians 3:2
and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
We can see the connection between verse one and verse two. Paul asks that the Gospel be not hindered as it goes forth, but that going forth will be in and through him. Paul realizes that the same resistance and suffering they are experiencing (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), he will experience. Paul knows that prayer is the powerful weapon giving to the believers to enable the resistance to the gospel to me matched and conquered by all the spiritual powers of Christ. We are not sit back idlely and wait for the Gospel to happen. We are not to sit back and enjoy our salvation and not pray for the spread of grace to others, both in our community and around the world. This request for prayer was for believers to remember that the gospel goes forth by the power of God and the power of God is furthered in this world through our prayers ... this is by God's choice and design. We are to constantly be praying that the gospel is spread and that those spreading the gospel are not impeded by the cares of this world or the characters of this world.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Truth #223 - God uses changed lives to change lives - John 3-4
John 4:39-42
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Truth: God uses those He saves to witness to others He will also save
In the story of the Woman at the Well we have many truths to discover and to rejoice over. Jesus meeting with a downcast and rejected woman at this public place is one such truth. Men didn't talk to women, especially women with the immoral, sorted past of this women. Jews didn't talk to Samaritans. This was as special moment, capture by the Apostle John to convey to us much truth. One particular truth is seen in the above set of verses. After Jesus talks with women and reveals His knowledge of her past, offers her new life, and encourages her to "know Him" (thus discovering "living water"), she returns to her village to tell everyone. Imagine that scene. Here is a woman who has slept with many of the men in the town who has an encounter with Jesus. She was already as social outcast. Yet, because of this excitement for Who she had meet and what He had said, she breaks across this social barrier and testifies for Christ!!! While the disciples where consumed with the temporal needs of food for the Savior, He was speaking life-giving words to this woman, who would, in-turn, give life giving words to the village. God was using this women to further the Gospel message. In the Gospel record we have many of these examples of God using social mis-fits of their day to proclaim the great news of Christ. The wild man of Gerasenes in Mark 5 is a great example. The man was possessed with demons and no chain could hold him down. However, once meeting Jesus he was found by the entire town sitting at Jesus' feet with a complete change of wardrobe. In John 9 we will read about the young man born blind who testifies to the religious leaders of the day about his changed life. Over and over God changes lives and those changed lives become the testimony of what God has done in their lives. God uses changed lives as a way to convey to entires towns that God is at work and does a complete work. God is about changing lives. This is what Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus in the previous chapter. A life with Christ is a changed life. This Samaritan woman at the well had her life changed that day. She testified about Jesus. That brought others to Him. At that point His words would win them over to Him and they would believe. But, God used the testimony of a social misfit to draw them to Christ. God does that today, as well.
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Truth: God uses those He saves to witness to others He will also save
In the story of the Woman at the Well we have many truths to discover and to rejoice over. Jesus meeting with a downcast and rejected woman at this public place is one such truth. Men didn't talk to women, especially women with the immoral, sorted past of this women. Jews didn't talk to Samaritans. This was as special moment, capture by the Apostle John to convey to us much truth. One particular truth is seen in the above set of verses. After Jesus talks with women and reveals His knowledge of her past, offers her new life, and encourages her to "know Him" (thus discovering "living water"), she returns to her village to tell everyone. Imagine that scene. Here is a woman who has slept with many of the men in the town who has an encounter with Jesus. She was already as social outcast. Yet, because of this excitement for Who she had meet and what He had said, she breaks across this social barrier and testifies for Christ!!! While the disciples where consumed with the temporal needs of food for the Savior, He was speaking life-giving words to this woman, who would, in-turn, give life giving words to the village. God was using this women to further the Gospel message. In the Gospel record we have many of these examples of God using social mis-fits of their day to proclaim the great news of Christ. The wild man of Gerasenes in Mark 5 is a great example. The man was possessed with demons and no chain could hold him down. However, once meeting Jesus he was found by the entire town sitting at Jesus' feet with a complete change of wardrobe. In John 9 we will read about the young man born blind who testifies to the religious leaders of the day about his changed life. Over and over God changes lives and those changed lives become the testimony of what God has done in their lives. God uses changed lives as a way to convey to entires towns that God is at work and does a complete work. God is about changing lives. This is what Jesus was trying to tell Nicodemus in the previous chapter. A life with Christ is a changed life. This Samaritan woman at the well had her life changed that day. She testified about Jesus. That brought others to Him. At that point His words would win them over to Him and they would believe. But, God used the testimony of a social misfit to draw them to Christ. God does that today, as well.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Truth #222 - In the face of evil we are to show the face of faith - Daniel 1-6
Daniel 6:10
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Truth: The character of a man is demonstrated by his living for God in the face of evil.
At this point in Daniel's life and age he must have been amused by the things that are taking place to bring about the above response. Daniel, by this time, has been a recognized leader in for three kings and, in the next chapters, will be recognized by a fourth. In his leadership we find that those who were jealous of him constantly sought his destruction and wished to undermine the influence he had over the kings God gave him to serve. In the above section the jealousy of the other "wisemen" sought to make a rule that no one could pray to anyone other than the king. The king (Darius), in his pride, signed such a decree and that put Daniel in a precarious situation. They presented this concept to King Darius because they knew this was the only way to entrap Daniel. They knew Daniel was a praying man. What better way to get a praying man in trouble than to make a law against praying. However, up to this point, Daniel has already outlived and survived so many rivals. By now Daniel is no longer a young lad. Daniel knows and believes God has His hand on Daniel. So, as the above verse states, "when Daniel knew that the document had been signed" he went to his house to pray. What better way to diminish a law against prayer than to pray. The reason Daniel prayed and, intentionally praying toward Jerusalem, was because the promise Daniel knew about in God's Word. Note what God's Word says about what happens when those in captivity continue to pray toward Jerusalem:
2 Chronicles 6:38
if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name,
Although his adversaries thought they were going to trap Daniel and destroy him, instead they put him in a place to fulfill the promises of God. When we face evil God expects us to continue to obey His word and have faith in Him to fulfill it. Daniel didn't just go and pray. He intentionally prayed "when" he knew about this law and he intentionally prayed with the windows open and he intentionally prayed toward Jerusalem. Daniel was a man of great character. He was a man of faith. He showed that character of faith in the midst of evil. God rewards that faith by delivering Daniel "from" the mouth of the lions, not from the lions den. Daniel had faith that God would deliver him and simply prayed. In the face of evil he showed the face of faith.
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
Truth: The character of a man is demonstrated by his living for God in the face of evil.
At this point in Daniel's life and age he must have been amused by the things that are taking place to bring about the above response. Daniel, by this time, has been a recognized leader in for three kings and, in the next chapters, will be recognized by a fourth. In his leadership we find that those who were jealous of him constantly sought his destruction and wished to undermine the influence he had over the kings God gave him to serve. In the above section the jealousy of the other "wisemen" sought to make a rule that no one could pray to anyone other than the king. The king (Darius), in his pride, signed such a decree and that put Daniel in a precarious situation. They presented this concept to King Darius because they knew this was the only way to entrap Daniel. They knew Daniel was a praying man. What better way to get a praying man in trouble than to make a law against praying. However, up to this point, Daniel has already outlived and survived so many rivals. By now Daniel is no longer a young lad. Daniel knows and believes God has His hand on Daniel. So, as the above verse states, "when Daniel knew that the document had been signed" he went to his house to pray. What better way to diminish a law against prayer than to pray. The reason Daniel prayed and, intentionally praying toward Jerusalem, was because the promise Daniel knew about in God's Word. Note what God's Word says about what happens when those in captivity continue to pray toward Jerusalem:
2 Chronicles 6:38
if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name,
Although his adversaries thought they were going to trap Daniel and destroy him, instead they put him in a place to fulfill the promises of God. When we face evil God expects us to continue to obey His word and have faith in Him to fulfill it. Daniel didn't just go and pray. He intentionally prayed "when" he knew about this law and he intentionally prayed with the windows open and he intentionally prayed toward Jerusalem. Daniel was a man of great character. He was a man of faith. He showed that character of faith in the midst of evil. God rewards that faith by delivering Daniel "from" the mouth of the lions, not from the lions den. Daniel had faith that God would deliver him and simply prayed. In the face of evil he showed the face of faith.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Truth #221 - Wisdom in the heart produces persuasion on the lips - Proverbs 15-16
Proverbs 16:23 (NASBStr)
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Proverbs 16:23 (ESV)
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Truth: Wisdom in the heart produces persuasion on the lips
Solomon (and writers of Scripture in general) use the"heart of the wise", frequently (Solomon uses it four times, himself; see Proverbs 10:8; 16:21; 23:19). In this proverb Solomon is making a familiar connection: Mouth, Heart, Lips. The ingredients are familiar, as well: Wisdom, Instruction, Persuasion. When we have the fear of The Lord in our hearts, we will have instruction coming from our mouths, and that will produce fruit, persuasion, on our lips. Solomon is a product of this recipe. The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon seeking wisdom. Solomon let it role off his lips. Nebuchadnezzar came to Daniel seeking it. Daniel let what was in his heart (the fear of The Lord) roll of his tongue. Joseph spoke the wisdom of his heart to Pharaoh. If we wish to speak truth to our neighbor we need to have wisdom in our hearts. If we have wisdom in our hearts we can be assured we will provide truth to those who ask an answer about the hope that is in us. It all begins with the wisdom in our hearts. It WILL produce persuasive language that is worthy for our hearers to hear.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Proverbs 16:23 (ESV)
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Truth: Wisdom in the heart produces persuasion on the lips
Solomon (and writers of Scripture in general) use the"heart of the wise", frequently (Solomon uses it four times, himself; see Proverbs 10:8; 16:21; 23:19). In this proverb Solomon is making a familiar connection: Mouth, Heart, Lips. The ingredients are familiar, as well: Wisdom, Instruction, Persuasion. When we have the fear of The Lord in our hearts, we will have instruction coming from our mouths, and that will produce fruit, persuasion, on our lips. Solomon is a product of this recipe. The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon seeking wisdom. Solomon let it role off his lips. Nebuchadnezzar came to Daniel seeking it. Daniel let what was in his heart (the fear of The Lord) roll of his tongue. Joseph spoke the wisdom of his heart to Pharaoh. If we wish to speak truth to our neighbor we need to have wisdom in our hearts. If we have wisdom in our hearts we can be assured we will provide truth to those who ask an answer about the hope that is in us. It all begins with the wisdom in our hearts. It WILL produce persuasive language that is worthy for our hearers to hear.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Truth #220 - You can't make the immoral legal and think God will miss it! - Psalm 93-95
Psalms 94:20-23
Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
those who frame injustice by statute?
They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the Lord has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.
He will bring back on them their iniquity
and wipe them out for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will wipe them out.
Truth: Just because someone makes a law saying something is legal, doesn't make that something right and just!
There may be no better passage to describe the past and recent activities of the U.S. Supreme Court. They have, on two separate occasions, separated by decades, ruled that abortion is legal and, now, just recently, homosexual behavior is legal. If we look at the first verse, above, we can see in today's context, the writer of this psalm's words: Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statue? The injustice in our context is ruling that it is legal to kill a child and to live a life of sodomy, both moral injustice acts. God has ruled that life is God's to take and to give. God has ruled that sex is between married men and a women and ANY other sex act is contrary to God's will. You can't ally yourself with leaders who, by their own decree, make what God has deemed unjust, just. That is what the writer is saying. We can't be loyal to those who take God's plan and make another plan, based upon statue. God sees these acts of man, who attempt to change justice and try to oppress God's righteousness and God's righteous people. That is what the writer in this psalm is saying. We are not to turn to the lawyer or the judge of this earth to protect us. We are to turn to God, who is "my God the rock of my refuge." God notices the U.S. Supreme Court. God puts other in positions of power. God "will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out of the wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out." Others can make laws to legalize what they want. But, God is in control. God is the God of justice. He will require from those who legalize the illegal, certain and final justice. For, even though they skewed justice, God will not.
Can wicked rulers be allied with you,
those who frame injustice by statute?
They band together against the life of the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the Lord has become my stronghold,
and my God the rock of my refuge.
He will bring back on them their iniquity
and wipe them out for their wickedness;
the Lord our God will wipe them out.
Truth: Just because someone makes a law saying something is legal, doesn't make that something right and just!
There may be no better passage to describe the past and recent activities of the U.S. Supreme Court. They have, on two separate occasions, separated by decades, ruled that abortion is legal and, now, just recently, homosexual behavior is legal. If we look at the first verse, above, we can see in today's context, the writer of this psalm's words: Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statue? The injustice in our context is ruling that it is legal to kill a child and to live a life of sodomy, both moral injustice acts. God has ruled that life is God's to take and to give. God has ruled that sex is between married men and a women and ANY other sex act is contrary to God's will. You can't ally yourself with leaders who, by their own decree, make what God has deemed unjust, just. That is what the writer is saying. We can't be loyal to those who take God's plan and make another plan, based upon statue. God sees these acts of man, who attempt to change justice and try to oppress God's righteousness and God's righteous people. That is what the writer in this psalm is saying. We are not to turn to the lawyer or the judge of this earth to protect us. We are to turn to God, who is "my God the rock of my refuge." God notices the U.S. Supreme Court. God puts other in positions of power. God "will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out of the wickedness; the Lord our God will wipe them out." Others can make laws to legalize what they want. But, God is in control. God is the God of justice. He will require from those who legalize the illegal, certain and final justice. For, even though they skewed justice, God will not.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Truth #219 - We are to use whatever gifts we are given by God for God - 1 Chronicles 1-4
1 Chronicles 1:10
Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.
Truth: We are to use our physical gifts for God.
In this section of 1 Chronicles we have a "chronological" outline of the famous and not-so-famous people in the earliest time of the earth. Although, in most cases, the names simply appear in a list (think 'phone book' style), there are some names that have a brief commentary attached to them. In the above verse, Nimrod is said to be the son of Cush and he is said to be not just a "mighty man," but the first of the mighty men on the earth. The Hebrew term for "mighty" is commonly used as a "warrior." The word implies that Nimrod is a man who inflicted his power and his might in a waring kind of way. In Genesis we have a further description of Nimrod. There he is also referred to as a "mighty man" but there is more added to the commentary:
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.”
Nimrod was a mighty man "before the Lord." The implication is that the Nimrod was a man who was of great strength and power. You don't get to be called a "mighty" man unless you have the physical nature and makeup of a strong man. Nimrod, unlike many physically strong and powerful men today, used his strength, honor and duty for God. In fact, the reference in Genesis 10:9 is a quote that was said of others, who also had gifts of strength and power, similar to Nimrod. You might be compared to Nimrod. Nimrod becomes what might be referred to as the "cognitive anchor" for mighty man ... he is the "benchmark" for others. In the 1 Chronicles passage we see that he was the "first" of mighty men. In the Genesis passage we see that he used that reputation for God's glory. We can't know everything about Nimrod's reputation from these two verses. But, we can know that he was gifted and used the gift for God. We might not be a mighty man like Nimrod, but we can use the gifts we have been given by God for God's glory ... or, "before the Lord." We all have been given gifts by God, each as determined by God. And, we are to use them for God's glory. He gives us gifts so that we can use the gifts to set a bench-mark for others to follow.
Cush fathered Nimrod. He was the first on earth to be a mighty man.
Truth: We are to use our physical gifts for God.
In this section of 1 Chronicles we have a "chronological" outline of the famous and not-so-famous people in the earliest time of the earth. Although, in most cases, the names simply appear in a list (think 'phone book' style), there are some names that have a brief commentary attached to them. In the above verse, Nimrod is said to be the son of Cush and he is said to be not just a "mighty man," but the first of the mighty men on the earth. The Hebrew term for "mighty" is commonly used as a "warrior." The word implies that Nimrod is a man who inflicted his power and his might in a waring kind of way. In Genesis we have a further description of Nimrod. There he is also referred to as a "mighty man" but there is more added to the commentary:
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.”
Nimrod was a mighty man "before the Lord." The implication is that the Nimrod was a man who was of great strength and power. You don't get to be called a "mighty" man unless you have the physical nature and makeup of a strong man. Nimrod, unlike many physically strong and powerful men today, used his strength, honor and duty for God. In fact, the reference in Genesis 10:9 is a quote that was said of others, who also had gifts of strength and power, similar to Nimrod. You might be compared to Nimrod. Nimrod becomes what might be referred to as the "cognitive anchor" for mighty man ... he is the "benchmark" for others. In the 1 Chronicles passage we see that he was the "first" of mighty men. In the Genesis passage we see that he used that reputation for God's glory. We can't know everything about Nimrod's reputation from these two verses. But, we can know that he was gifted and used the gift for God. We might not be a mighty man like Nimrod, but we can use the gifts we have been given by God for God's glory ... or, "before the Lord." We all have been given gifts by God, each as determined by God. And, we are to use them for God's glory. He gives us gifts so that we can use the gifts to set a bench-mark for others to follow.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Truth #218 - God owns everthing - Leviticus 25-27
Leviticus 25:23
“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.
Truth: God owns everything ... we are just tenants.
This statement must have come as a shock to the nation of Israel. They have been and will continue to wander for quite sometime before they enter the promise land. Upon entering, however, they must come to the realization that the land they were to "inherit" was not to be their land, but God's land. They were simply tenants in the land. In their wandering they owned nothing. When the enter the Promise Land, they will continue to own nothing. God is the owner of everything and they were to be good stewards of what God had given them and will give them. This is an important truth for us, even today. The talents we have, are Gods. The possessions we have, are Gods. The stuff we own, is Gods. We need to make sure we know that we don't own things, as believers. We are simply stewards, tenants and keepers of what God gave us. We tend to want to own, accumulate and claim things. That claiming and owning gives society a feeling of power and position. Land owners tend to have more power ... the more you own the more power you have. This is why God says in the above passage that the land was not to be sold permanently or completely (perpetuity). The land was to go back to the primary owner in the year of Jubilee. God wants us to remember that He owns it!! Remembering that truth makes our power in Him, verses in ourselves.
“The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.
Truth: God owns everything ... we are just tenants.
This statement must have come as a shock to the nation of Israel. They have been and will continue to wander for quite sometime before they enter the promise land. Upon entering, however, they must come to the realization that the land they were to "inherit" was not to be their land, but God's land. They were simply tenants in the land. In their wandering they owned nothing. When the enter the Promise Land, they will continue to own nothing. God is the owner of everything and they were to be good stewards of what God had given them and will give them. This is an important truth for us, even today. The talents we have, are Gods. The possessions we have, are Gods. The stuff we own, is Gods. We need to make sure we know that we don't own things, as believers. We are simply stewards, tenants and keepers of what God gave us. We tend to want to own, accumulate and claim things. That claiming and owning gives society a feeling of power and position. Land owners tend to have more power ... the more you own the more power you have. This is why God says in the above passage that the land was not to be sold permanently or completely (perpetuity). The land was to go back to the primary owner in the year of Jubilee. God wants us to remember that He owns it!! Remembering that truth makes our power in Him, verses in ourselves.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Truth #217 - We don't sanctify ourselves; God sanctifies us, just as He justifies us! 1 Thessalonians 4-5
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truth: We don't sanctify ourselves; God sanctifies us, just as He justifies us!
The confusion over sanctification is not really a confusion as to what the Bible says, as much as how to apply what the Bible says. As an example, in the above passage it is quite plan that the agent for sanctification is God. You would be hard pressed to make an argument that anyone else does the sanctification. The problem arises in the practical working out of that truth. Some believe our efforts are part of the equation to the sanctification process. They look at our sanctification like you would look at one of those moving walkways in the airport. When you step on the walkway, it is a conveyor belt. Since the belt is moving and you are standing on it, you are not doing anything. But, if you start to walk, yourself, you move faster, with very little effort. To "some" this is the Doctrine of Sanctification. God is moving us and we are moving us toward holiness. However, since we are dead in trespasses and sin and have nothing in us, it is impossible to see how we can do even the lightest of walking. Once we are regenerated and are indwelled by the Spirit, it is the Spirit that produces fruit. So, the conveyor belt picture works if we agree that God chooses us from our deadly state and puts us on the conveyor belt, Christ makes the belt move because He died for us and the Spirit empowers us to walk on the belt. That would be the picture of sanctification as we see in the above passage. God not only, "himself", sanctifies us, He does so "completely" and keeps our "whole spirit and soul and body" blameless. Our part is faith in God, Christ and the Spirit to do all that. And, God even gives us the faith. He causes that faith to grow as we study His Word. He gives us the Word and the Spirit interprets it for us. We are to believe it as we hear it. We don't sanctify ourselves. God does it all ... just like justification.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truth: We don't sanctify ourselves; God sanctifies us, just as He justifies us!
The confusion over sanctification is not really a confusion as to what the Bible says, as much as how to apply what the Bible says. As an example, in the above passage it is quite plan that the agent for sanctification is God. You would be hard pressed to make an argument that anyone else does the sanctification. The problem arises in the practical working out of that truth. Some believe our efforts are part of the equation to the sanctification process. They look at our sanctification like you would look at one of those moving walkways in the airport. When you step on the walkway, it is a conveyor belt. Since the belt is moving and you are standing on it, you are not doing anything. But, if you start to walk, yourself, you move faster, with very little effort. To "some" this is the Doctrine of Sanctification. God is moving us and we are moving us toward holiness. However, since we are dead in trespasses and sin and have nothing in us, it is impossible to see how we can do even the lightest of walking. Once we are regenerated and are indwelled by the Spirit, it is the Spirit that produces fruit. So, the conveyor belt picture works if we agree that God chooses us from our deadly state and puts us on the conveyor belt, Christ makes the belt move because He died for us and the Spirit empowers us to walk on the belt. That would be the picture of sanctification as we see in the above passage. God not only, "himself", sanctifies us, He does so "completely" and keeps our "whole spirit and soul and body" blameless. Our part is faith in God, Christ and the Spirit to do all that. And, God even gives us the faith. He causes that faith to grow as we study His Word. He gives us the Word and the Spirit interprets it for us. We are to believe it as we hear it. We don't sanctify ourselves. God does it all ... just like justification.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Truth #216 - When God changes us, He does it right! John 1-2
John 2:9-10
When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
Truth: When God changes you, He does it right and complete
The "turning water into wine" is the first miracle Christ did, according to John's own words in John 2:11. It seems to be such an insignificant miracle. Lives were not miraculously transformed and changed. No one received their sight, walked their first steps, or heard their first birds. The miracle wasn't asked for by a desperate widow, a fearful father, or a great leader asking for a favor for his favorite slave. This miracle was at the request of Jesus mom, Mary. Apparently Mary had been invited to a wedding and she brought Jesus along (it is good to know that our Lord was social in nature). At the wedding the wine order comes up short and rather than go down to the local Kroger, Mary asks her son, Jesus to do something. Mary must have, at this point, knew that Jesus had power that no one else was aware of or had tested. Jesus, at this simply request, takes barrels of water and turns them into not just wine, but the best wine. Why this miracle? There are a lot of reasons for this simply act to be recorded by John, but perhaps the most instructive for us is that this miracle is a word picture of the rest of John's book and Christ's ministry. Christ, in the rest of the book is the life changer of people. He will take average people, simply water in the world, and turn their lives into beautiful wine, good for the Master's use. Note that in chapter three of the book, the next chapter, Jesus talks to a religious leader about being "born again" (changing a life from empty religion to a life of faith in Christ). Chapter four follows where Christ introduces himself to an immoral women at the well, as the "living water." In both of these cases John is recording stories of transformation. This turning the water into wine is all about transformation. God can take something so simply and make it something so special. That is what He is doing with believers. We are sinners He is saving by grace to make us fit for the Master. The transformation of our lives will be thorough and complete. Note what Paul tells us about this transformation:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Or,
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Or,
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is transforming us, like turing water into wine. We can rejoice that, when completed at glorification, we will be exactly what God wants. When the master of the feast, in the above story, tasted the wine he recognized the beauty of what Christ had created. The same is truth when the Master, God, sees the finished product ... complete and the best!
When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
Truth: When God changes you, He does it right and complete
The "turning water into wine" is the first miracle Christ did, according to John's own words in John 2:11. It seems to be such an insignificant miracle. Lives were not miraculously transformed and changed. No one received their sight, walked their first steps, or heard their first birds. The miracle wasn't asked for by a desperate widow, a fearful father, or a great leader asking for a favor for his favorite slave. This miracle was at the request of Jesus mom, Mary. Apparently Mary had been invited to a wedding and she brought Jesus along (it is good to know that our Lord was social in nature). At the wedding the wine order comes up short and rather than go down to the local Kroger, Mary asks her son, Jesus to do something. Mary must have, at this point, knew that Jesus had power that no one else was aware of or had tested. Jesus, at this simply request, takes barrels of water and turns them into not just wine, but the best wine. Why this miracle? There are a lot of reasons for this simply act to be recorded by John, but perhaps the most instructive for us is that this miracle is a word picture of the rest of John's book and Christ's ministry. Christ, in the rest of the book is the life changer of people. He will take average people, simply water in the world, and turn their lives into beautiful wine, good for the Master's use. Note that in chapter three of the book, the next chapter, Jesus talks to a religious leader about being "born again" (changing a life from empty religion to a life of faith in Christ). Chapter four follows where Christ introduces himself to an immoral women at the well, as the "living water." In both of these cases John is recording stories of transformation. This turning the water into wine is all about transformation. God can take something so simply and make it something so special. That is what He is doing with believers. We are sinners He is saving by grace to make us fit for the Master. The transformation of our lives will be thorough and complete. Note what Paul tells us about this transformation:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Or,
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Or,
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is transforming us, like turing water into wine. We can rejoice that, when completed at glorification, we will be exactly what God wants. When the master of the feast, in the above story, tasted the wine he recognized the beauty of what Christ had created. The same is truth when the Master, God, sees the finished product ... complete and the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)