Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (ESV Strong's)
“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
Subject: Care for the Poor
We react to the poor when we sense they are poor due to their own bad choices. We lose our mercy when we think they are poor because they are getting what they deserve. However, in the nation of Israel, God actually had a system to care for the poor and God, Himself, draws little discussion as to the reason they are poor. Yes, there are some New Testament passages that talk about working and making sure laziness is not rewarded. But, note what one commentary states about the above couple of verse. Verses that speak of a "tithe" (something we give to God) known as the "triennial tithe." This was a tithe to God via opening our blessings to the poor:
(UBC OT) The triennial tithe. This use of the tithe in the third year is a unique provision of Deuteronomy, not found in the other texts. Its importance, however, is underlined by the repetition of its obligation in the solemn religious affirmations of 26:12–15. This triennial tithe was an element of Israel’s welfare system for the relief of poverty. Other provisions included the annual gleaning rights (24:19–22), the sabbatical fallow year (cf. Exod. 23:11), and the range of legislation regarding debt, etc. The OT makes a structural, systemic response to economic disparities. Proper storage and controlled distribution of these food stocks would have needed careful supervision, monitoring, and accounting by the civil authorities. Probably the administration of this “social fund” fell among the other responsibilities of community elders. In other words, care for the poor was structured into the regular economic life of the nation. It was not left to private charity. Rather, it was a public duty that the weakest and poorest should also be enabled to eat and be satisfied from the blessing of Yahweh on the whole nation. Only thus, indeed, would that blessing abide (v. 29b). Only by sharing the blessing would the blessing continue—a central spiritual and ethical principle (cf. 15:14, 18).
We are not in the Old Testament anymore. However, this triennial tithe does show us the character of God and His desire for us all to show mercy on those who have less than us. It is a "tithe" that is obligatory to God!.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Subject: Election and Sanctification - 1 Peter 1-3
1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Subject: Election and Sanctification
If you want to split believers into various "camps" just mention to the group you want to discover what is meant by "election" and "sanctification." Despite the clarity in God's Word, as we will see above, man's natural mind cannot wrap their head around the fact that God "elects." Peter is not dissuaded by the complaints that flow from our carnal minds. He boldly just states that his letter is written to "THE ELECT." To deny election would be to say Peter wrote his book to no one. Yet, Peter calls the believers that have been dispersed abroad by persecution and suffering as "elect." He goes on to say that God did this election, in the "sanctification" of the Spirit. Not only does God rob man of any contribution to his own salvation through the thought of election, the perfection of his salvation (sanctification) is also stated as a work completely by God, via the Spirit. Man wants to take some credit for some part of his holiness. Peter states right up front in this book, NO!! God started man's salvation ("according to the foreknowledge of God"); elected man on the basis of that foreknowledge; purifies that election (sanctification) via the Spirit. Outside of Paul's long opening sentence in his letter to the Ephesians believers, these two opening verses are one of the best opening statements as to the character of Salvation. The fruit of our salvation is that it "grace and peace" will be multiplied to us. Having grace and peace in our lives is the benefit of a God who acts sovereignly in our lives to bring us to Him. We should be humbled at the thought!! We should rejoice in His choosing us. Some reject these thoughts because we can't understand them. Yet, some make it an issue of what God is allowed or not allowed to do as God. Rejoice in what He has done, not what you would do!!1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Subject: Election and Sanctification
If you want to split believers into various "camps" just mention to the group you want to discover what is meant by "election" and "sanctification." Despite the clarity in God's Word, as we will see above, man's natural mind cannot wrap their head around the fact that God "elects." Peter is not dissuaded by the complaints that flow from our carnal minds. He boldly just states that his letter is written to "THE ELECT." To deny election would be to say Peter wrote his book to no one. Yet, Peter calls the believers that have been dispersed abroad by persecution and suffering as "elect." He goes on to say that God did this election, in the "sanctification" of the Spirit. Not only does God rob man of any contribution to his own salvation through the thought of election, the perfection of his salvation (sanctification) is also stated as a work completely by God, via the Spirit. Man wants to take some credit for some part of his holiness. Peter states right up front in this book, NO!! God started man's salvation ("according to the foreknowledge of God"); elected man on the basis of that foreknowledge; purifies that election (sanctification) via the Spirit. Outside of Paul's long opening sentence in his letter to the Ephesians believers, these two opening verses are one of the best opening statements as to the character of Salvation. The fruit of our salvation is that it "grace and peace" will be multiplied to us. Having grace and peace in our lives is the benefit of a God who acts sovereignly in our lives to bring us to Him. We should be humbled at the thought!! We should rejoice in His choosing us. Some reject these thoughts because we can't understand them. Yet, some make it an issue of what God is allowed or not allowed to do as God. Rejoice in what He has done, not what you would do!!1
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Subject: The Gospel - Acts 13-14
Acts 14:27 (ESV Strong's)
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Subject: The Gospel
In chapters 13 and 14 of Acts we have the story of the first formal missionary journey of the church. Paula and Barnabas went from city to city and declared the Gospel of Christ. In each city they were meet with opposition and yet saw great fruit. The above verse is the summary of their work that they declared to the Church. The key to the passage is the statement that they declared "all that God had done with them" and "how He had opened a door of faith." The work that was accomplished was accomplished by God. This is not a report of how skilled Paul was as an orator or as an apologist for the Gospel: Although this might be true. God did not need either of these two men to accomplish the task He wanted to accomplish: Faith the Gentiles. The work we do in presenting the Gospel is the work of Christ. It is God's work in man's lives and He simply chooses to use us. He doesn't need us. Paul and Barnabas gave praise to God for the door "He opened." We ought not to fear presenting the Gospel - it is the power of God unto Salvation. The above verse is the proof of it in the early church.
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Subject: The Gospel
In chapters 13 and 14 of Acts we have the story of the first formal missionary journey of the church. Paula and Barnabas went from city to city and declared the Gospel of Christ. In each city they were meet with opposition and yet saw great fruit. The above verse is the summary of their work that they declared to the Church. The key to the passage is the statement that they declared "all that God had done with them" and "how He had opened a door of faith." The work that was accomplished was accomplished by God. This is not a report of how skilled Paul was as an orator or as an apologist for the Gospel: Although this might be true. God did not need either of these two men to accomplish the task He wanted to accomplish: Faith the Gentiles. The work we do in presenting the Gospel is the work of Christ. It is God's work in man's lives and He simply chooses to use us. He doesn't need us. Paul and Barnabas gave praise to God for the door "He opened." We ought not to fear presenting the Gospel - it is the power of God unto Salvation. The above verse is the proof of it in the early church.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Subject: Motivation - Haggai
Haggai 1:13 (ESV Strong's)
Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
Subject: Motivation
The book of Haggai is a book about motivating the people of Israel to finish the rebuilding of the Temple after the captivity. Haggai becomes a motivational speaker. His job is to convey the message of God, which, in turn, will motivate the people to complete the work God assigned them. He uses several motivational tools to do this work. In the above verse we see him remind the people that they are not alone in the work: God is with them. The presence of God in our lives ought to be highly motivational to the people of God. When Jesus ascended into heaven, the last words He said was that He would be with them always ... even to the ends of the earth. Twice in this book Haggai states that God is with them (2:4-5). This book very much shows the activity of the Spirit in the lives of the workers and leaders. God has promised us the Spirit of God as our comforter and our peace. He is with us. Whatever our fear and whatever our foe, we have One greater than all with us. We step on no battle field, into no urgent care, or sit around no board room without the constant presence of Him!! The operating room has all the medical staff assigned by the hospital protocol - the Great Physician is with us!! The nation of Israel had the cloud by day and the fire by night to remind of God's constant presence and His ever care. We have the Spirit of God. God is with us!!! That might be the greatest motivation, ever!!
Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
Subject: Motivation
The book of Haggai is a book about motivating the people of Israel to finish the rebuilding of the Temple after the captivity. Haggai becomes a motivational speaker. His job is to convey the message of God, which, in turn, will motivate the people to complete the work God assigned them. He uses several motivational tools to do this work. In the above verse we see him remind the people that they are not alone in the work: God is with them. The presence of God in our lives ought to be highly motivational to the people of God. When Jesus ascended into heaven, the last words He said was that He would be with them always ... even to the ends of the earth. Twice in this book Haggai states that God is with them (2:4-5). This book very much shows the activity of the Spirit in the lives of the workers and leaders. God has promised us the Spirit of God as our comforter and our peace. He is with us. Whatever our fear and whatever our foe, we have One greater than all with us. We step on no battle field, into no urgent care, or sit around no board room without the constant presence of Him!! The operating room has all the medical staff assigned by the hospital protocol - the Great Physician is with us!! The nation of Israel had the cloud by day and the fire by night to remind of God's constant presence and His ever care. We have the Spirit of God. God is with us!!! That might be the greatest motivation, ever!!
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Subject: Enjoyment of Life - Ecclésiastes 5-6
Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
Subject: Enjoyment
In our society we do a lot to find enjoyment. The budget of a family has much set aside just to enjoy life. We actually think we have some control over our own enjoyment. However, in the above text we see that WITHOUT God's intervention, even having a ton of money won't bring enjoyment IF God doesn't so will it. If ANYONE has victory and prosperity, it comes from God, not their own strength. That prosperity, however, can't be enjoyed unless God gives them enjoyment. God has to give us the "power to enjoy" that prosperity. That comes from God. We have here the picture of the man who is working so hard to keep the money flowing he has no time to enjoy it and the stress of the money is killing him inside out. The family gets destroyed by the prosperity because God did not give them, also, the power to enjoy it. Victory is not the thing ... enjoyment of the victory is the thing. That can only come from God.
There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
Subject: Enjoyment
In our society we do a lot to find enjoyment. The budget of a family has much set aside just to enjoy life. We actually think we have some control over our own enjoyment. However, in the above text we see that WITHOUT God's intervention, even having a ton of money won't bring enjoyment IF God doesn't so will it. If ANYONE has victory and prosperity, it comes from God, not their own strength. That prosperity, however, can't be enjoyed unless God gives them enjoyment. God has to give us the "power to enjoy" that prosperity. That comes from God. We have here the picture of the man who is working so hard to keep the money flowing he has no time to enjoy it and the stress of the money is killing him inside out. The family gets destroyed by the prosperity because God did not give them, also, the power to enjoy it. Victory is not the thing ... enjoyment of the victory is the thing. That can only come from God.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Subject: Blessings of God - Psalm 128-130
Psalms 128:1 (ESV Strong's)
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
Subject: Blessings from God
This is one of the psalms the nation of Israel would sing when they were, as a group, making their way to Jerusalem for the Passover, or Pentecost, etc. This is a song they would sing during that long walk. It begins by affirming to God that blessings from God only flow from those who know God and revere Him. God does not shower blessings without some discrimination. True, God does have common grace He gives to all. Jesus told us this while He taught on the earth:
Matthew 5:45 (ESV Strong's)
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
But, the blessings we see in this Psalm are for those who "fear the Lord." In verse two we see the blessing of fruit from our labor. To some this might sound like money. Perhaps it is. If what God is saying is that we will earn a living from our labor when we fear the Lord, many might say that their are many who earn a living from their labor and DON'T fear the Lord. The key here is that when God gives us the earnings they don't come with pain and difficulty (Note what Solomon tells us about much money in the book of Ecclesiastes.) When God gives blessing (money or other fruit from our labor) it doesn't come with stress. In verse three we read the blessing is on the family. The man who fears the Lord will have a fruitful wife (children or labor or character) and children who are like "olive shoots around your table." This means they are children who are productive and provide blessing and not cursing. In verse five we are told our worship will be blessed when we fear God. In verse six it tells us that our legacy will be blessed when we fear God. We will see our children's children. This is a true blessing. Fear the Lord ... it comes with blessing.
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
Subject: Blessings from God
This is one of the psalms the nation of Israel would sing when they were, as a group, making their way to Jerusalem for the Passover, or Pentecost, etc. This is a song they would sing during that long walk. It begins by affirming to God that blessings from God only flow from those who know God and revere Him. God does not shower blessings without some discrimination. True, God does have common grace He gives to all. Jesus told us this while He taught on the earth:
Matthew 5:45 (ESV Strong's)
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
But, the blessings we see in this Psalm are for those who "fear the Lord." In verse two we see the blessing of fruit from our labor. To some this might sound like money. Perhaps it is. If what God is saying is that we will earn a living from our labor when we fear the Lord, many might say that their are many who earn a living from their labor and DON'T fear the Lord. The key here is that when God gives us the earnings they don't come with pain and difficulty (Note what Solomon tells us about much money in the book of Ecclesiastes.) When God gives blessing (money or other fruit from our labor) it doesn't come with stress. In verse three we read the blessing is on the family. The man who fears the Lord will have a fruitful wife (children or labor or character) and children who are like "olive shoots around your table." This means they are children who are productive and provide blessing and not cursing. In verse five we are told our worship will be blessed when we fear God. In verse six it tells us that our legacy will be blessed when we fear God. We will see our children's children. This is a true blessing. Fear the Lord ... it comes with blessing.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Subject: God's Promise of Discipline - 2 Chronicles 33-36
2 Chronicles 36:15-17 (ESV Strong's)
The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.
Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand.
Subject: God's promise of discipline
We love to tout the promises of God. We love to claim them and rejoice in them. We fail, however, to remember that God not only has promises of blessings, He also has promises of cursing. God sent, time and again, His "messengers" to the Kings of Judah. But, "they kept mocking the messengers of God." They kept "despising His words and scoffing at His prophets." As a result, God allowed Babylon (the Chaldeans) to capture and pilage the great city Jerusalem. The very Word of God is coming true in the midst of them, even though they refused to believe it when it was prophesied to them. God's promises are true. The are abundantly true. Even if the promise is for discipline when we disobey God and refuse to repent when God sends messengers to us to confront us with His word. ALL His promises are true.
The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy.
Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand.
Subject: God's promise of discipline
We love to tout the promises of God. We love to claim them and rejoice in them. We fail, however, to remember that God not only has promises of blessings, He also has promises of cursing. God sent, time and again, His "messengers" to the Kings of Judah. But, "they kept mocking the messengers of God." They kept "despising His words and scoffing at His prophets." As a result, God allowed Babylon (the Chaldeans) to capture and pilage the great city Jerusalem. The very Word of God is coming true in the midst of them, even though they refused to believe it when it was prophesied to them. God's promises are true. The are abundantly true. Even if the promise is for discipline when we disobey God and refuse to repent when God sends messengers to us to confront us with His word. ALL His promises are true.
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