God's Word is our Guide in every age - Deuteronomy 10-12

Moses is still in the process of telling the "new" generation (those who were under 21 years of age when those over 21 began to die in the wilderness) about the Glory of God and the blessings of God.   In this section the theme of that "exposition" is their relationship with God's Word.   God has established His Word for them and they are to obey it ... every aspect of it ... and will thereby receive a blessing for that obedience.  We may think this is true only in Old Testament times.   However, obeying God's Word is true in ever generation or dispensation.   God is working with His people (those who express faith in Him) through His Word.  Obeying it is never optional.  We tend to want to obey it on Sunday and to use the Word for our salvation.  However, when we are in Monday - Saturday circumstance we don't look to the Word for guidance.   When we are in the sanctification process we tend to read the latest literature before we read God's Litany.   Let us realize the power and reality of His Word in our lives.   It is by keeping this word that we walk with Him.  It is by ignoring it that we fail to fellowship properly with Him.

There a war inside - James 4-5

James 4:1&2 - "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?"  

Make no mistake about it, there is a war going on every day and without Christ we will lose every time - EVERY TIME!   If you are in a conflict with someone it is because of this war.  If you are in a quarrel with someone it it because of this war.   What is the source of the fighting and difficulty?  James is pretty clear about it.  It is not some psychological gibberish that he is pouring out.   This is God's Holy Word.   James, the brother of Jesus, tell us that the source of all fighting and quarrels among us (believers) is a war that is going on inside of us where we are trying to satisfy the "pleasures" of our "members."   By "members" James means the same thing Paul is talking about in Romans 6.   They both mean our tongue, our ears, our sexual organs, our desire for ego gratification, our pride, our sight.   Those are members.  In and of themselves these members are neutral parties in the fight against evil and sin.  However, sin, as our slave master, uses these members to inflict harm inside us and toward others.   We desire to please our own members (desires given to the members by God) in ways that God didn't intend.   So, we attempt to please a natural desire in a wrong way and that causes harm with others.   There is a war going on inside of us.  We need to recognize and submit to the one who can give us strength and set us free from meeting those desires in the wrong way.   God is in the process of doing that through His Son.  Both Paul (Romans 6:23) and James (4:7-8) give us the solution by coming to God through Christ for that freedom.

Look at life through the lens of God's Word - Acts 11-12

In Acts eleven we have the reaction of the "church" to Peter going to the Gentiles in chapter ten. In that chapter Peter had been directed by the Spirit to a Gentile's house, Cornelius, who was seeking God. The "church" objected to his "mission" trip according to 11:3. Failing to see God's mission in the world or remember Christ's final words, or not realizing the prophets prophecy that salvation would come to the "world" the members of the new "church" failed to accept Peter's actions. There is a lesson there for us all. We often jump to judgement before we search God's Word. God's Word is clear from the very beginning of it. God is in the porcess of saving the world. He sent His son to do so. However, the "Jewish" Christians were attempting to hijack God's plan based upon ethnicity. God was clear throughout Scripture of what His plan was. The first part of chpater eleve is a clear example of what happens when we don't view the events of this world through the lens of God's plans and God's Word. At the end of this section (11:18) we see them accept Peter's explanation, but more importantly God's overall plan. Their willingness to submit to God's Word and God's plan is imperative for the growth of the church. When looking at the events of this world we need to make sure we always see them through the lens of God's Word.

God wants to rejoice over us - Zephaniah

3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exalt over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

Zephaniah was a member of the royal family (1:1) and was well connected with the ins and outs of the Judah establishment. That didn't prevent him from speaking out when God told him to speak and when he saw the sin of his nation. Priviledge does not exempt from responsibility - it brodens it. Zephaniah had jus told the nation that judgment was coming because of their sin against God, their pride and their failure to trust and seek refuge in God (1:6; 1:17; 2:3; 3:1). In this verse (17) we read that God, having become the "victorious warrior" now wants to rejoice over them. How is God the "victorious warrior?" We have here an Old Testement picture of the risen Savior. Christ becomes the victorious warrior over sin and even over God's wrath, as He pleases God's wrath and meets its demands. He is the victorious warrior. As a result God wants to and does "rejoice over us with that." He is "quiet" with His love (as opposed to loud with His wrath). HE is the victory but he WANTS to share the fruits of victory with us. Let's praise HIM for HIS victory; but let us also rejoice in His willingness and love to share those fruits of victory with us.

Laziness, Industry, Balance and Greed - Ecclesiastes 3-4

Solomon was a business man, an entrepreneur, a king and an observer of life.   In chapter four of this section he gives us great insight into the world of business and industry in regard to our balance for life.  Read the following again from 4:4-6 ...

(4) "I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor.  This too is vanity and staving after wind.  (5) The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.  (6) One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind."


In simple Hebrew poetry Solomon gives us some great truths for life in regard to labor.  He talks of those who work out of:  1) Envy (v. 4)   2) Laziness (v. 5)  and, 3) Greed (v. 6).    He gives us a reality check by observing that those in verse four who work out of envy (Proverbs 24:7) do more damage to themselves by having this "rivalry" with their neighbors.   We ought to avoid trying to have what the neighbor has and simply relax and find contentment in our own lives.   In verse five above he tells us about those, who instead of envying their neighbor and striving for what their neighbor has, instead simply fold their arms, do nothing and have only their own flesh to eat.   We see this with a lot of lazy people.  They refuse to work and then end of selling what they have to live on (that is what it looks like to eat your flesh).   Finally, in verse six we see the insight in regard to those who are using both fists to grab the wind (greed) and instead don't realize that one fist can get you want you need and the other ought to balance you for life with rest.   Envy, laziness and greed seem to be earmarks of today's society.   We ought to be careful to make sure that doesn't become our outline for life.   We are to find the balance with work and allow our work to become something we can offer to God.   Let's not try to grab so much to keep up with others or try to rest so much that we fail to work.   The moderation found in Christ is the solution for Greed, Envy and Slothfulness.

Mountains on every side - Psalm 125-127

Unless you lived in Jerusalem it is tough for you to see and understand the power of Psalm 125:1-2.    Mount Zion in verse one and Jerusalem in verse two are the same place; one place - two names.   The writer is drawing attention to the safety and security that is found within the city of Jerusalem because of the geographical position and makeup.  But, he is really drawing us to the theological implications of this. Just like mountains provide a measure of safety for Jerusalem, so too does God provide safety for His people.  The mountains are not going anywhere - neither is God.   The mountains are unmovable - so too is God.  The mountains are always there - so to is God.  The mountains are the a symbol of power and might - God is power and might.   The only area where the two don't fit in the writers use of them as a metaphor is in the fact that the mountains are seen every time  you look up.  God is not always seen.  We sometimes think we are in a desert place where the wind, the beasts, the armies of this world and the storms of life can attack us.   But, in reality we are surrounded by God's powerful presence, like unseen mountains of protection.   We might not see Him, but like Mt. Everest, He stands towering over us and protects us from the elements of life.   We don't see physically see Him so we don't practically feel Him.   But, He is there.  No storm can break through the mountain to affect the people in the village when the mountain of God keeps us safe in the valley.   Rejoice in the unseen mountains that surround you.   They are there whether you see them or not.

God is testing the hearts of His people - 2 Chronicles 29-32

God wants to know what is in our hearts.  He wants to measure it and see if He fills our hearts or if we have something else taking His place.   In this section we see the reforms of Hezekiah.   As a King, he brought reforms and restored proper reforms to Judah.   Others mocked him (30:10) and some of the priest didn't prepare themselves for the worship (29:34)   Just because you have a heart for worship that doesn't mean others are prepared or desirous of it.   And, just because you do seek God with all your heart (31:20-21) that doesn't mean that you won't have difficulty.   In chapter thirty-two we read that the King of Assyria came up against Hezekiah, despite is willingness to worship and consecrate God in his life and in the life of his nation.   We might wonder why the pain and suffering of the siege was brought upon a man of God but in 32:30-33 we see why:  "Even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him (Hezekiah) alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  God is in the process of testing our hearts.  He wants to know where our aligence is.   He wants to know who we are loyal to.  Hezekiah, it is mentioned earlier, was actually "unfaithful" at one point (32:24-26).  Hezekiah let his riches pump up his heart in pride.    God is concerned about how we start AND finish the course of our life.  He wants to be completely on the throne of our lives.   Is He completely enthroned on yours? On mine?