September 15 Reading (Job 25-31)
Bildad tries to soften his remarks by reminding Job that everyone is a schmuck! Job still will not relent on his position that he has not sinned. "I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live."
In chapter 29, I see Job answering some of the alligations from earlier in the readings. He lays his claim how how "good" and "righteous" he was. This only leads him to lament about how bad he has it now. Why is it that our minds often think back to the "good ol' days." I find, too, that our memory is usually softer than reality. Was it really as good as I remember it to me?? Likely not.
Job ends this long reading with a clear defense of his position. This is his closing arguement. Have you ever just wanted to be heard? That's Job. He just wants to know that God is listening. He wants justice. "Prove me wrong, God!" is what he is declaring.
I'm connecting well with Job and realize that he is living his faith out in very practical and powerful ways. Much better than I am. My faith pales in comparison to his ...
Friday, November 21, 2008
September 14 Reading (Job 22-24)
This reading was much of the same. I noticed that Eliphaz waged some pretty serious aligations against Job that Job never addresses. Interesting.
The other thought that struck me was that Job has a pretty sombered approach to humanity ... lot's of talk about how we are going to be eaten by worms and such ... pretty gruesome!
This reading was much of the same. I noticed that Eliphaz waged some pretty serious aligations against Job that Job never addresses. Interesting.
The other thought that struck me was that Job has a pretty sombered approach to humanity ... lot's of talk about how we are going to be eaten by worms and such ... pretty gruesome!
September 12-13 Readings (Job 15-21)
Some of the coolest sections of Job are in these chapters ...
"Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." I'm amazed my this view point of God. I actually believe that Job has been given a vision of the Messiah ... Jesus ... as he serves as our "High Priest" going to the Father on our behalf.
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart years within me!" I want this kind of faith! I now can see why God told Satan that he could mess with Job ... he could handle it! His faith is rock solid and this statement is a beautiful expression of his understanding of God's future deliverance!
Some of the coolest sections of Job are in these chapters ...
"Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." I'm amazed my this view point of God. I actually believe that Job has been given a vision of the Messiah ... Jesus ... as he serves as our "High Priest" going to the Father on our behalf.
"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart years within me!" I want this kind of faith! I now can see why God told Satan that he could mess with Job ... he could handle it! His faith is rock solid and this statement is a beautiful expression of his understanding of God's future deliverance!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
September 11 Reading (Job 11-14)
Friend #3 ... Zophar ... he doesn't buy into Job's "holiness" speech. He is convinced beyond reason that God only condemns the sinners and if Job is getting knocked around this bad, he had lot's of sin in his life to deserve it. I'm finding that in a perfect world, I like the advice I'm hearing from Job's friends. "Yet if you devote your heart to him ... you will stand firm and without fear." There is good stuff here ... but this argue is muted when we come back to reality. Good people get cancer for no reason. Good people are in car accidents and suffer great loss. Good people lose the jobs and struggle to find work. Good and God fearing people!! That's what makes their arguements not worth the paper they are written on. We need to be careful not to use such reasoning in the advice we give to be people as well.
"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before Him."
Friend #3 ... Zophar ... he doesn't buy into Job's "holiness" speech. He is convinced beyond reason that God only condemns the sinners and if Job is getting knocked around this bad, he had lot's of sin in his life to deserve it. I'm finding that in a perfect world, I like the advice I'm hearing from Job's friends. "Yet if you devote your heart to him ... you will stand firm and without fear." There is good stuff here ... but this argue is muted when we come back to reality. Good people get cancer for no reason. Good people are in car accidents and suffer great loss. Good people lose the jobs and struggle to find work. Good and God fearing people!! That's what makes their arguements not worth the paper they are written on. We need to be careful not to use such reasoning in the advice we give to be people as well.
"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him; Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before Him."
September 10 Reading (Job 8-10)
Today it's friend #2's chance at Job ... Bildad weighs his thoughts. Right away, Bildad's words cut like a knife at Job. My interpretation ... "Dude, your kids were sinful brats and they got what they deserved. Now get up, humble yourself and you'll get back on your feet." However, I will say that those words are pretty common ... but not what Job wants to hear I'm guessing. Bildad's words also speak of the blind faithfulness that I believe trips many people up. God does "fill our mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy"; however, God also allows calamity to come to the just and the unjust. God is NOT some giver of only good to the good people and evil only to the evil people. It's not that easy. Bildad's approach to God is more mechanical than reality.
Job's response is beautiful. He clearly understands the depth of God's sovereignty. Who can argue with God? "IF it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who will summon him?" Job clearly understands the role of man in God's world.
"If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,' I still dread my sufferings." I believe this is what many of us try to do ... forget our pain and put on a smile. But eventually we break. Job understands that there is no sense in covering up our expression. There is no value in hiding our feelings (especially toward God himself).
Today it's friend #2's chance at Job ... Bildad weighs his thoughts. Right away, Bildad's words cut like a knife at Job. My interpretation ... "Dude, your kids were sinful brats and they got what they deserved. Now get up, humble yourself and you'll get back on your feet." However, I will say that those words are pretty common ... but not what Job wants to hear I'm guessing. Bildad's words also speak of the blind faithfulness that I believe trips many people up. God does "fill our mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy"; however, God also allows calamity to come to the just and the unjust. God is NOT some giver of only good to the good people and evil only to the evil people. It's not that easy. Bildad's approach to God is more mechanical than reality.
Job's response is beautiful. He clearly understands the depth of God's sovereignty. Who can argue with God? "IF it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who will summon him?" Job clearly understands the role of man in God's world.
"If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,' I still dread my sufferings." I believe this is what many of us try to do ... forget our pain and put on a smile. But eventually we break. Job understands that there is no sense in covering up our expression. There is no value in hiding our feelings (especially toward God himself).
September 9 Reading (Job 4-7)
Today's reading is the first time we see Job state his case, his first friend Eliphaz replies, and Job responds to his words. I've come to realize once again that poetry and Terry don't go together very well. This is a tough read for me since it's written with such eloquence. No doubt, you can experience the level of Job's dispare in these words. You can hear his pain and confusion. I'm struck that instead of demanding justice (which we often do) Job accepts what has happened to him and simply asks to die (in an effort to remove the pain).
He is left with a perplexing question ... "What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention?" Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever doubted that God even knows about you or gives you "attention"? Job says this because he just wants to be left alone ... but ultimately, down deep inside, he realizes an amazing trait about the Almighty ... He is aware of Job ... the Lord is aware of what Job is going through ... the eyes of the Lord God are on him ... and I believe somewhere ... down deep in Job's spirit ... that comforts him.
Today's reading is the first time we see Job state his case, his first friend Eliphaz replies, and Job responds to his words. I've come to realize once again that poetry and Terry don't go together very well. This is a tough read for me since it's written with such eloquence. No doubt, you can experience the level of Job's dispare in these words. You can hear his pain and confusion. I'm struck that instead of demanding justice (which we often do) Job accepts what has happened to him and simply asks to die (in an effort to remove the pain).
He is left with a perplexing question ... "What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention?" Have you ever wondered that? Have you ever doubted that God even knows about you or gives you "attention"? Job says this because he just wants to be left alone ... but ultimately, down deep inside, he realizes an amazing trait about the Almighty ... He is aware of Job ... the Lord is aware of what Job is going through ... the eyes of the Lord God are on him ... and I believe somewhere ... down deep in Job's spirit ... that comforts him.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
September 8 Reading (Job 1-3)
If I weren't depressed reading about the exile, now I get to read about Job's troubles! Yeah! I wish now that Job would have been placed in the more traditional spot of near the front of our reading. Many scholars believe that the Job narrative actually takes place more during the time of Abram. In either case ... 10 days of Job ... here we go!
A couple of observations about our opening scene:
1) Job loved his children and was willing to sacrifice for them with a grateful heart.
2) Satan is limited in time and space ... he is a created being ... not diety
3) Satan could do nothing outside of the parameters that God established. He didn't ask for
more ... he knows that God is the one who sets the rules.
Job's perspective is radically different than King Nebuchadnezzar's in our previous story. He starts this ordeal by saying "The Lord have and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Perspective.
Job and his wife do not see eye to eye on their journey ... the wife is ready to give up. Even as Job's own life experience worsens, she can't stand his faithfulness and steadfastness. In many ways, she is used to work against him just like the sores on his skin and his broken heart.
Finally, Job is broken and he settles into the beginning stages of a depression ... wishing his life would have never begun ... I can understand why.
If I weren't depressed reading about the exile, now I get to read about Job's troubles! Yeah! I wish now that Job would have been placed in the more traditional spot of near the front of our reading. Many scholars believe that the Job narrative actually takes place more during the time of Abram. In either case ... 10 days of Job ... here we go!
A couple of observations about our opening scene:
1) Job loved his children and was willing to sacrifice for them with a grateful heart.
2) Satan is limited in time and space ... he is a created being ... not diety
3) Satan could do nothing outside of the parameters that God established. He didn't ask for
more ... he knows that God is the one who sets the rules.
Job's perspective is radically different than King Nebuchadnezzar's in our previous story. He starts this ordeal by saying "The Lord have and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Perspective.
Job and his wife do not see eye to eye on their journey ... the wife is ready to give up. Even as Job's own life experience worsens, she can't stand his faithfulness and steadfastness. In many ways, she is used to work against him just like the sores on his skin and his broken heart.
Finally, Job is broken and he settles into the beginning stages of a depression ... wishing his life would have never begun ... I can understand why.
September 7 Reading (Ezekiel 29, Daniel 4, Jeremiah 52)
This is a crazy story of Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to faith in the Lord Almighty. We've experienced him offer lip service to God before (through Daniel's dream interpretations and the firey furnace scene) but this time was personal. The miracle wasn't some hebrew boy ... the miracle was seen and experienced in his own life! This did something to change King Neb's perspective ... the perspective that "he controlled the world." Pride is the biggest stumbling block that we have today ... and pride had taken it's toll on this King. So God humbled him by taking his ability to control his own actions ... he went crazy! And when God gave him his right mind back, King Neb bowed before the Almighty with a fresh perspective ... this time he realized that "God controlled the world" and not King Nebuchadnezzar.
What do we take from this? Well, we are not in control. Not of the economy. Not of our investments. Not of our income. Not of many things. God "does what he wants" and is all powerful and knowing. Instead of controling the experiences of life around, let's surrender to what God is already at work doing. What is God doing in your life? What is he doing in mine? Let's live there!! Let's spend time letting God lead (that's how he has designed us to be in the first place).
This is a crazy story of Nebuchadnezzar's conversion to faith in the Lord Almighty. We've experienced him offer lip service to God before (through Daniel's dream interpretations and the firey furnace scene) but this time was personal. The miracle wasn't some hebrew boy ... the miracle was seen and experienced in his own life! This did something to change King Neb's perspective ... the perspective that "he controlled the world." Pride is the biggest stumbling block that we have today ... and pride had taken it's toll on this King. So God humbled him by taking his ability to control his own actions ... he went crazy! And when God gave him his right mind back, King Neb bowed before the Almighty with a fresh perspective ... this time he realized that "God controlled the world" and not King Nebuchadnezzar.
What do we take from this? Well, we are not in control. Not of the economy. Not of our investments. Not of our income. Not of many things. God "does what he wants" and is all powerful and knowing. Instead of controling the experiences of life around, let's surrender to what God is already at work doing. What is God doing in your life? What is he doing in mine? Let's live there!! Let's spend time letting God lead (that's how he has designed us to be in the first place).
Monday, November 17, 2008
September 4 Reading (Daniel 3)
A familiar story from the exile ... as Tony Evans calls it: "Shadrach, Meshach and One Bad Negro!"
My favorite: " O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Praise the Lord for going INTO the furnace with these 3 and proving faithful in the midst of great struggle!! Praise your most AWESOME Name!!
This story never gets old.
A familiar story from the exile ... as Tony Evans calls it: "Shadrach, Meshach and One Bad Negro!"
My favorite: " O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Praise the Lord for going INTO the furnace with these 3 and proving faithful in the midst of great struggle!! Praise your most AWESOME Name!!
This story never gets old.
September 3 Reading (Ezekiel 32-33)
perhaps the most perplexing verse I've read in the scriptures ... "Although I had him [Pharaoh] spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumsized..." declares the Lord." This is tough to wrestle with ... why would the Lord have Pharaoh do this, only to punish him for it later? Could this be interpreted "I allowed him to spread his terror ...?" Or is it "I had him do it ..."? There is a huge difference.
Honestly, this can really challenge my inclination on predestination. I'm not sure what to do with this other than investigate a little deeper.
The role of the Watchman: Watch for danger, sound the trumpet, save the people. If the people (who hear the trumpet) don't respond, their blood is on themselves. If the watchman sees the danger, but doesn't sound the trumpet, then their blood is on the watchman!
Application :: I see the pastors of our society as the watchmen of our country and faith in general. If we see the danger of the sin around us, we MUST sound the alarm! If we do - and the people don't respond - that's not on us. But the greater danger is that if we don't sound the alarm, then everyone who is lost, will be on US! Did I really sign up for this?? Which takes me right back to my issue earlier in this post ... God's sovereignty and learning I'm not in control of JACK-POO! Help me God rest in that knowledge today and help me have the courage to sound the alarm!!
"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!"
"If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so."
perhaps the most perplexing verse I've read in the scriptures ... "Although I had him [Pharaoh] spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumsized..." declares the Lord." This is tough to wrestle with ... why would the Lord have Pharaoh do this, only to punish him for it later? Could this be interpreted "I allowed him to spread his terror ...?" Or is it "I had him do it ..."? There is a huge difference.
Honestly, this can really challenge my inclination on predestination. I'm not sure what to do with this other than investigate a little deeper.
The role of the Watchman: Watch for danger, sound the trumpet, save the people. If the people (who hear the trumpet) don't respond, their blood is on themselves. If the watchman sees the danger, but doesn't sound the trumpet, then their blood is on the watchman!
Application :: I see the pastors of our society as the watchmen of our country and faith in general. If we see the danger of the sin around us, we MUST sound the alarm! If we do - and the people don't respond - that's not on us. But the greater danger is that if we don't sound the alarm, then everyone who is lost, will be on US! Did I really sign up for this?? Which takes me right back to my issue earlier in this post ... God's sovereignty and learning I'm not in control of JACK-POO! Help me God rest in that knowledge today and help me have the courage to sound the alarm!!
"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!"
"If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so."
September 2 Reading (Ezekiel 37-39)
I wonder if bad times strike just for the sake of restoration. Having friendships restored is great ... but that comes after a period of silence. Something makes that process special. What about the steady friendships, the steady commitments, those that never never, never grow cold?
I love restoration, but can't we just stick with God consistenty, faithfully, and passionately?
I wonder if bad times strike just for the sake of restoration. Having friendships restored is great ... but that comes after a period of silence. Something makes that process special. What about the steady friendships, the steady commitments, those that never never, never grow cold?
I love restoration, but can't we just stick with God consistenty, faithfully, and passionately?
September 1 Reading (Ezekiel 33-36)
I'm reminded again that the Lord is angry with his people for the fact that they: defiled His great name, and that they relied on their sword/strength over His power and might. How true is this of us today? Do we honor His great name enough? Do we give God enough credit for His work in our life? Do we rely on His strength and power? Or do we trust in our own understanding and logic more? The "pride" if Israel, lead to its fall.
Does this strike you? [the Lord speaking to Ezekiel about his followers] "(they) sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain." Do I listen, but do not act? I'm afraid my "action" button hasn't been hit enough lately in the practical everyday opportunities that God has given me.
I want this:
I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
That's good stuff! Remove that bad - put in the AWESOME!!
I'm reminded again that the Lord is angry with his people for the fact that they: defiled His great name, and that they relied on their sword/strength over His power and might. How true is this of us today? Do we honor His great name enough? Do we give God enough credit for His work in our life? Do we rely on His strength and power? Or do we trust in our own understanding and logic more? The "pride" if Israel, lead to its fall.
Does this strike you? [the Lord speaking to Ezekiel about his followers] "(they) sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain." Do I listen, but do not act? I'm afraid my "action" button hasn't been hit enough lately in the practical everyday opportunities that God has given me.
I want this:
I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
That's good stuff! Remove that bad - put in the AWESOME!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
August 31 (todays reading includes parts of 2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 40, 42, 42, 43, 44)
By the way, did you hear Buddah is back? The reincarnated Buddah came out of the jungle today ... I read about it on Fox News.com. I thought the idea of Buddism is reincarnate to higher levels and then join the divine ... so why would Buddah (the holiest buddist ever) be back in human form? Things to ponder.
The drama in Judah's existence continues as the Babylonian appointed governor is assasinated and those left behind enquire of God - only to do the exact opposite of what God tells them to do. Therefore, they suffer the consequences. Determining God's will is challenging. Honestly, I am REALLY struggling with that. Judah's heart seemed in the right place ... "Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." The answer from God was "stay". They rejected that option and left for Egypt. Is this MY word for the day? Stay?
What is more intriuging to me is that later we see that God sends a prophesy about those from Judah who left (against the word of God) and have now settled in Egypt. "He will come and attack Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword." So what's the point. If we are all destined for something, then we should just live our life the way we want and then take what we get ... what we are destined for. I don't know ... I'm torn with how I feel about this area.
By the way, did you hear Buddah is back? The reincarnated Buddah came out of the jungle today ... I read about it on Fox News.com. I thought the idea of Buddism is reincarnate to higher levels and then join the divine ... so why would Buddah (the holiest buddist ever) be back in human form? Things to ponder.
The drama in Judah's existence continues as the Babylonian appointed governor is assasinated and those left behind enquire of God - only to do the exact opposite of what God tells them to do. Therefore, they suffer the consequences. Determining God's will is challenging. Honestly, I am REALLY struggling with that. Judah's heart seemed in the right place ... "Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do." The answer from God was "stay". They rejected that option and left for Egypt. Is this MY word for the day? Stay?
What is more intriuging to me is that later we see that God sends a prophesy about those from Judah who left (against the word of God) and have now settled in Egypt. "He will come and attack Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword." So what's the point. If we are all destined for something, then we should just live our life the way we want and then take what we get ... what we are destined for. I don't know ... I'm torn with how I feel about this area.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
August 30 (Lamentations 3, 4)
Take this in today ...
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to hose whose hope is in him, to hte one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
"Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?" This trips many of us ... we want a God that is all good all the time. We need to grow up and understand consequences of SIN stink but there is nothing we can do about it but stop SINNING and beg for God's protection ... still, it will rain.
Justice ... we all want it. We tell our kids that life isn't fair and then we demand fairness everywhere we turn ... are we really this shallow? What have I done recently to make the right real injustices of our world? What did I do to help the man at McDonald's Sunday who was looking through the trash for bottles and cans? NOTHING! How can ... who am I to demand justice when I'm not offering it to those around me?????
You O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.
Take this in today ...
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to hose whose hope is in him, to hte one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
"Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?" This trips many of us ... we want a God that is all good all the time. We need to grow up and understand consequences of SIN stink but there is nothing we can do about it but stop SINNING and beg for God's protection ... still, it will rain.
Justice ... we all want it. We tell our kids that life isn't fair and then we demand fairness everywhere we turn ... are we really this shallow? What have I done recently to make the right real injustices of our world? What did I do to help the man at McDonald's Sunday who was looking through the trash for bottles and cans? NOTHING! How can ... who am I to demand justice when I'm not offering it to those around me?????
You O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
August 29 (Lamentations 1-2)
"Her fulthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future."
I thought it was striking that Jeremiah laments about the fact that Israel wasn't seeing the big picture. When was the last time you considered where you were heading ... your future? I believe that we can only make effective choices for today when we have a clear vision for where we are headed ... our future. This is deep for me these days.
Let's consider our sins ... "My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength." Sin has a way of weighing us down. When we allow the temptations of life to creep in, and we act on them, then we are slowed in our journey toward righteousness. Jeremiah was a holy man. God's lone prophet to his people. Why would he be talking about his sins in this way?
"Her fulthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future."
I thought it was striking that Jeremiah laments about the fact that Israel wasn't seeing the big picture. When was the last time you considered where you were heading ... your future? I believe that we can only make effective choices for today when we have a clear vision for where we are headed ... our future. This is deep for me these days.
Let's consider our sins ... "My sins have been bound into a yoke; by his hands they were woven together. They have come upon my neck and the Lord has sapped my strength." Sin has a way of weighing us down. When we allow the temptations of life to creep in, and we act on them, then we are slowed in our journey toward righteousness. Jeremiah was a holy man. God's lone prophet to his people. Why would he be talking about his sins in this way?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
August 28 (2 Kings 25 some of Jeremiah 39 & 40)
I must admit, I've never taken time to thoroughly discover what spiritual impact that is in the Jewish exiles. I appears from our reading that they have been under attack forever! Today, however, the fall of Jerusalem finally happens and the end of the kingdom seems to be at hand ...
The Babylonia commander, Nebuzaradan, destroyed Jerusalem - knocking down the outer wall, ransacking the temple, killing all the leaders and even sending many people away. I see this little "good" in him when he gets to the poor people of the city ... he lets them stay. Even more, he gave to them vineyards and fields ... imagine the role reversal taking place in their minds.
I must admit, I've never taken time to thoroughly discover what spiritual impact that is in the Jewish exiles. I appears from our reading that they have been under attack forever! Today, however, the fall of Jerusalem finally happens and the end of the kingdom seems to be at hand ...
The Babylonia commander, Nebuzaradan, destroyed Jerusalem - knocking down the outer wall, ransacking the temple, killing all the leaders and even sending many people away. I see this little "good" in him when he gets to the poor people of the city ... he lets them stay. Even more, he gave to them vineyards and fields ... imagine the role reversal taking place in their minds.
Monday, November 3, 2008
August 25 (Ezekiel 25, 30)
This reading is a clear indication of what life could be like when you are on God's "bad side." I'm ready for some uplifting readings!
August 26 (Ezekiel 26-28)
Today is about the realization of "who" is in control. The great sailors or Tyre thought they had the seas figured out - they were prideful about their naval accomplishments ... and then God humbled them and said, "In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god." ... But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." Isn't this where we find ourselves today? With 50% of western Europe now believing there is no God, aren't we in danger of following a path that says, "I understand - I am self-sovereign." I see so much of this in our world today ...
Again I'm noticing that God is doing alot of destruction and humbling of these nations all for the purpose of "then you will know that I'm the Lord their God." Hmmm ... can you find another way to get my attention??
August 27 (Jeremiah 37-38)
Today is about doing what the Lord says. King Zedekiah is told to surrender to the Babylonians in order to spare his life. He thinks that's not of God so he decides to change those plans. I wish I had a prophet telling me what God's plan is for me. That would be sweet ... but would I follow it ... would I believe it? Hard to say on this side.
This reading is a clear indication of what life could be like when you are on God's "bad side." I'm ready for some uplifting readings!
August 26 (Ezekiel 26-28)
Today is about the realization of "who" is in control. The great sailors or Tyre thought they had the seas figured out - they were prideful about their naval accomplishments ... and then God humbled them and said, "In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god." ... But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." Isn't this where we find ourselves today? With 50% of western Europe now believing there is no God, aren't we in danger of following a path that says, "I understand - I am self-sovereign." I see so much of this in our world today ...
Again I'm noticing that God is doing alot of destruction and humbling of these nations all for the purpose of "then you will know that I'm the Lord their God." Hmmm ... can you find another way to get my attention??
August 27 (Jeremiah 37-38)
Today is about doing what the Lord says. King Zedekiah is told to surrender to the Babylonians in order to spare his life. He thinks that's not of God so he decides to change those plans. I wish I had a prophet telling me what God's plan is for me. That would be sweet ... but would I follow it ... would I believe it? Hard to say on this side.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
August 22 (Jeremiah 21, 22, 34, 32, 33)
Right off the bat ... I find our order of the reading interesting. Now on to more meater things ...
King Zedekiah decides that it's time to seek the Lord - that's because the Babylonians are about to blow them away. After years of evil living and evil leading, this King turns to God and what he finds out is startling: God isn't interested. The Lord says even I will be fighting against you in this battle!
Here's the key for me as I read this: too often we wait to call on God until we are desperate. We do everything on our own strength until we see nothing but doom around us and then we call on God to act ... enough of that! We should cling to the Lord EVERYDAY for EVERYTHING and then His love and protection will be with us. We should never expect that we can live our normal selfish and Godless lives until the news is bad and then turn to God ... He may not be found.
Now, the beauty of God is seen that He does provide a way out for His people ... surrender. They must throw themselves at the mercy of the Babylonians if they want to live. THIS IS PROFOUND! If we are serious about seeking the Lord; if we are genuine in our desire to recieve His rescue; if we are truthful about calling on His name to save the day ... then we must SURRENDER. We must humble ourselves. We must get our eyes off of our possessions and our life and put our attention on HIM.
I'm going to preach on this passage some day ... this is good stuff.
The commentator in this Bible uses a word that we don't often use in the Nazarene Church to describe what is going on for Israel ... "penitence." I think of the Catholic faith when I hear this word but I think it's quite acurate for this period of time. Israel will go through a period of discipline and mourning for their evil ways (their sin - their lack of dependence on God) and then God will restore them. I wonder if this practice would be good for us today ... a designated time of grieving our sins, and then a wonderful celebration of restoration. Now that would be a parrr-tay!!
Right off the bat ... I find our order of the reading interesting. Now on to more meater things ...
King Zedekiah decides that it's time to seek the Lord - that's because the Babylonians are about to blow them away. After years of evil living and evil leading, this King turns to God and what he finds out is startling: God isn't interested. The Lord says even I will be fighting against you in this battle!
Here's the key for me as I read this: too often we wait to call on God until we are desperate. We do everything on our own strength until we see nothing but doom around us and then we call on God to act ... enough of that! We should cling to the Lord EVERYDAY for EVERYTHING and then His love and protection will be with us. We should never expect that we can live our normal selfish and Godless lives until the news is bad and then turn to God ... He may not be found.
Now, the beauty of God is seen that He does provide a way out for His people ... surrender. They must throw themselves at the mercy of the Babylonians if they want to live. THIS IS PROFOUND! If we are serious about seeking the Lord; if we are genuine in our desire to recieve His rescue; if we are truthful about calling on His name to save the day ... then we must SURRENDER. We must humble ourselves. We must get our eyes off of our possessions and our life and put our attention on HIM.
I'm going to preach on this passage some day ... this is good stuff.
The commentator in this Bible uses a word that we don't often use in the Nazarene Church to describe what is going on for Israel ... "penitence." I think of the Catholic faith when I hear this word but I think it's quite acurate for this period of time. Israel will go through a period of discipline and mourning for their evil ways (their sin - their lack of dependence on God) and then God will restore them. I wonder if this practice would be good for us today ... a designated time of grieving our sins, and then a wonderful celebration of restoration. Now that would be a parrr-tay!!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
August 21 (Ezekiel 24)
Another short reading ... thank you Lord! What a deep and meaningful reading it is. If it hasn't been a trying time for Ezekiel already, now he is to become a "living example" of the people. The Lord will take the life of his wife and give him specific directions on how to respond. This symbolizes how God is going to take away the sanctuary in Jeruselm (the one thing the people still revear).
God is really cutting his people down to the bone. In many ways, I wonder if I would still be able to have a faith in a God who took me to the end of the rope like this. Especially for Ezekiel, a man who has sploken the Word of God, and the result was the loss of his wife ... he remained perfectly faithful (from what I can tell at this point) throughout the process. Do I have that faith and strength?
Another short reading ... thank you Lord! What a deep and meaningful reading it is. If it hasn't been a trying time for Ezekiel already, now he is to become a "living example" of the people. The Lord will take the life of his wife and give him specific directions on how to respond. This symbolizes how God is going to take away the sanctuary in Jeruselm (the one thing the people still revear).
God is really cutting his people down to the bone. In many ways, I wonder if I would still be able to have a faith in a God who took me to the end of the rope like this. Especially for Ezekiel, a man who has sploken the Word of God, and the result was the loss of his wife ... he remained perfectly faithful (from what I can tell at this point) throughout the process. Do I have that faith and strength?
August 20 (Ezekiel 23)
A strange story is a part of this reading ... The Lord tells more of the rebellion through the story of two daughters who were prostitutes. One daughter represented Symaria, the other daughter represented Jerusalem. I guess this is just another way to for the Lord to state his claim to why His people must suffer the consequences of His judgement.
It seems obvious to me by now ...
A strange story is a part of this reading ... The Lord tells more of the rebellion through the story of two daughters who were prostitutes. One daughter represented Symaria, the other daughter represented Jerusalem. I guess this is just another way to for the Lord to state his claim to why His people must suffer the consequences of His judgement.
It seems obvious to me by now ...
August 19 (Ezekiel 19 - 22)
This reading is really quite depressing. It's just more lament toward the actions of Israel. Makes me wonder when they will wake up. Then we see the Elders of Israel approach Ezekiel and the Lord tells him to tell the Elders, "it's too late for you ... I won't listen until I bring you back to Jeruselm."
As my study of "covenant" continues, I see tons of that type of language written throughout these passages, as well.
"I raise my hand to you."
"I strike my hands together"
"The Sabbaths were a sign between us"
"I will bring you into the bond of the covenant"
Wierd question: in Ez.21 the King of Babylon will do several things to figure out what decision to make in the fork in the road set before him. One of the ways is to "examine the liver." Seriously! How would you do that?? Strange.
I found this profound: among the many things that the priest were doing to defile the Lord, one of the things was teaching that "there was no difference between what is clean and what is unclean." I find this profound in the age that we live in. Today's postmodern society and "emergent ministry" models seem to be bringing what is holy and what is "permissible" together. I believe that we (as pastors) must stand on what is righteous and what is holy. We need to encourage and challenge our people to live as close to righteous living as they can!!
This reading is really quite depressing. It's just more lament toward the actions of Israel. Makes me wonder when they will wake up. Then we see the Elders of Israel approach Ezekiel and the Lord tells him to tell the Elders, "it's too late for you ... I won't listen until I bring you back to Jeruselm."
As my study of "covenant" continues, I see tons of that type of language written throughout these passages, as well.
"I raise my hand to you."
"I strike my hands together"
"The Sabbaths were a sign between us"
"I will bring you into the bond of the covenant"
Wierd question: in Ez.21 the King of Babylon will do several things to figure out what decision to make in the fork in the road set before him. One of the ways is to "examine the liver." Seriously! How would you do that?? Strange.
I found this profound: among the many things that the priest were doing to defile the Lord, one of the things was teaching that "there was no difference between what is clean and what is unclean." I find this profound in the age that we live in. Today's postmodern society and "emergent ministry" models seem to be bringing what is holy and what is "permissible" together. I believe that we (as pastors) must stand on what is righteous and what is holy. We need to encourage and challenge our people to live as close to righteous living as they can!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Today's reading (Aug. 18) starts in Ezekiel 15
This reading is quite interesting. The Lord is reminding us that we were nothing before He found us, called us, cleaned us up and gave us every good gift. "I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you ... and you became mine." That is powerful love talk there.
But then ... "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute." God's people didn't continue to rely on their God ... they began to rely on themselves. On what they could touch. On what they could see. On what gave them pleasure. Can we not learn from this lesson in our culture today?? Help us Lord not repeat the sins of the past!
What is the result of this behavior? God is going to turn the tables on them. All those that they thought were friends (aka "lovers" in the text) will turn on them, ransack their homes, and destroy all that they know. I'm amazed again that God uses those 'outside' the faith to bring judgement on His people. Just shows that God is really in control of all things!
On a side note, I'm studying about "covenant" right now for a class I'm teaching on Wednesday nights. Covenant language is all over this reading! "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." They covenant that the Lord made with Abraham is still in effect for his children even today. Covenants could not be broken ... they were for a lifetime. "Then I will make atonement for you for all you have done." The beauty of this is that part of the covenant process is the pronouncement of the blessings and curses. Curses would be the consequences of your actions if you don't live up to your end of the covenant. Well here, the Lord says, I'll make atonement for you ... that is opposite of the way we Westerners woudl think ... if you blow it, then you need to make it right! God says ... since you've blown it, I'll make it right ..." That's crazy talk ... but that's the kind of love God has for his children.
The reading today ends with a sprint on repentence ... it's really great stuff!! The interesting part of it all is that God announces that he is no longer judging a nation (all it's people) but rather looking at the heart of the individual. "The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." This is new material for the prophet to consider.
I found this interesting in terms of "eternal security":
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered." Sound unjust? What if we reverse this ... "But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed as turns away from them, he will surely live."
"I will judge you , each one according to his ways ... repent! and get a new heart and new spirit. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone ... Repent and live!"
This reading is quite interesting. The Lord is reminding us that we were nothing before He found us, called us, cleaned us up and gave us every good gift. "I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you ... and you became mine." That is powerful love talk there.
But then ... "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute." God's people didn't continue to rely on their God ... they began to rely on themselves. On what they could touch. On what they could see. On what gave them pleasure. Can we not learn from this lesson in our culture today?? Help us Lord not repeat the sins of the past!
What is the result of this behavior? God is going to turn the tables on them. All those that they thought were friends (aka "lovers" in the text) will turn on them, ransack their homes, and destroy all that they know. I'm amazed again that God uses those 'outside' the faith to bring judgement on His people. Just shows that God is really in control of all things!
On a side note, I'm studying about "covenant" right now for a class I'm teaching on Wednesday nights. Covenant language is all over this reading! "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." They covenant that the Lord made with Abraham is still in effect for his children even today. Covenants could not be broken ... they were for a lifetime. "Then I will make atonement for you for all you have done." The beauty of this is that part of the covenant process is the pronouncement of the blessings and curses. Curses would be the consequences of your actions if you don't live up to your end of the covenant. Well here, the Lord says, I'll make atonement for you ... that is opposite of the way we Westerners woudl think ... if you blow it, then you need to make it right! God says ... since you've blown it, I'll make it right ..." That's crazy talk ... but that's the kind of love God has for his children.
The reading today ends with a sprint on repentence ... it's really great stuff!! The interesting part of it all is that God announces that he is no longer judging a nation (all it's people) but rather looking at the heart of the individual. "The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." This is new material for the prophet to consider.
I found this interesting in terms of "eternal security":
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered." Sound unjust? What if we reverse this ... "But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed as turns away from them, he will surely live."
"I will judge you , each one according to his ways ... repent! and get a new heart and new spirit. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone ... Repent and live!"
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Aug 15 ... (Ezekiel 1)
This helped me greatly: "What Jeremiah is to the people of Judah in Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel is to the captives in Babylonian exile." That was great perspective for me to understand the timing in which his words are coming to the original hearers of them.
As a pastor, these words were interesting: "The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn." OUCH! "You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you." This is tough stuff for me. Honestly, I don't want to pastor obstinate and stubborn people! I don't want to speak and have those words bounce of my audience like a bouncy ball. I want hungry people to listen to the words of God. I want people are ready to do the crazy things to share their love and commitment to Christ. I want people who are willing to be thought of as nuts for HIS NAME SAKE. Lord, don't make me be Jeremiah or Ezekiel ... please!!!
I think the warning here, too, is that these words are echoed by Christ himself. Ezekiel is told "listen to what I say and then tell the people what you've heard." In the same way, Christ proclaimed, "I do nothing on my own but only what the Father tells me." How dependent are we on hearing from God? How obedient are we to Him when we sense Him speaking to us? Do we act only when God says to? Or do we act when it seems right according to human logic? This is penetrating stuff for me these days.
August 16: Ezekiel 8-11
This is a strange scene from Ezekiel's minstry. These chapters describe a vision that Ezekiel was given about detestible things taking place in Jerusalem at the time (even though he was personally in Babylon). He is lifted to see these things (like the Scrooge) and the Lord is deeply grieved.
As the reading ends, the Lord reminds Ezekiel about the bigger picture. In the midst of death and judgement, God is doing a new thing: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God."
August 17: Ezekiel 12-14
As I'm reading this section of scripture, I am overwhelmed by God's desire to bring his people back to him. His punishment has one purpose "Then you will know that I am God." He wants to "recapture the hearts of his people" and allow them to see him again as their God, their provider, their protector, and their friend. He's accomplishing this through judgement.
"... for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the sovereign Lord." In all things, in all circumstances, God is working!
This helped me greatly: "What Jeremiah is to the people of Judah in Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel is to the captives in Babylonian exile." That was great perspective for me to understand the timing in which his words are coming to the original hearers of them.
As a pastor, these words were interesting: "The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn." OUCH! "You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you." This is tough stuff for me. Honestly, I don't want to pastor obstinate and stubborn people! I don't want to speak and have those words bounce of my audience like a bouncy ball. I want hungry people to listen to the words of God. I want people are ready to do the crazy things to share their love and commitment to Christ. I want people who are willing to be thought of as nuts for HIS NAME SAKE. Lord, don't make me be Jeremiah or Ezekiel ... please!!!
I think the warning here, too, is that these words are echoed by Christ himself. Ezekiel is told "listen to what I say and then tell the people what you've heard." In the same way, Christ proclaimed, "I do nothing on my own but only what the Father tells me." How dependent are we on hearing from God? How obedient are we to Him when we sense Him speaking to us? Do we act only when God says to? Or do we act when it seems right according to human logic? This is penetrating stuff for me these days.
August 16: Ezekiel 8-11
This is a strange scene from Ezekiel's minstry. These chapters describe a vision that Ezekiel was given about detestible things taking place in Jerusalem at the time (even though he was personally in Babylon). He is lifted to see these things (like the Scrooge) and the Lord is deeply grieved.
As the reading ends, the Lord reminds Ezekiel about the bigger picture. In the midst of death and judgement, God is doing a new thing: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God."
August 17: Ezekiel 12-14
As I'm reading this section of scripture, I am overwhelmed by God's desire to bring his people back to him. His punishment has one purpose "Then you will know that I am God." He wants to "recapture the hearts of his people" and allow them to see him again as their God, their provider, their protector, and their friend. He's accomplishing this through judgement.
"... for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the sovereign Lord." In all things, in all circumstances, God is working!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Todays reading: Aug. 12 ... Jer. 23
This reading reminds me just how important it is as a pastor today to be humble and before the Lord at all times. As leaders in the church, we MUSt hear from God and follow His lead - often I feel like that step can be lost over following logic. This is one thing I appreciate about High Pointe ... a real sense of dependence from our Pastor from the Lord.
I think this reading speaks clearly that we can't be "soft" about sin with our flocks, either. "THey strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness" ... "But if they stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds." The key phrase in these verses stands out to me as "to turn" ... we need to hear the Word of God, see our sin, and turn from it. Stop being passive about it. Leave it. The result will be more of God through faithfull dependence on His presence.
Aug 13: Jer. 51:59, Jer.50
This reading is all about the pending destruction of Babylonia and the exiles returning back to Jerusalem (or where ever they came from). I'm wondering if it has been 70 years already .. I can't remember reading the valient stories of Daniel, Shad, Mesh, and Abend ... have we done that?
In the midst of all this talk of destruction, we read:
"Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name." I like that verse!
Aug. 14 (finish Jer. 50, then 51)
This is the longest reading yet ... and it's all about God's pending judgement on Babylon. I guess the Lord is a long-winded preacher, too! Glancing ahead, I see that the destruction of Babylon is still some time off ... even though our recent readings make it seem very soon.
This reading reminds me just how important it is as a pastor today to be humble and before the Lord at all times. As leaders in the church, we MUSt hear from God and follow His lead - often I feel like that step can be lost over following logic. This is one thing I appreciate about High Pointe ... a real sense of dependence from our Pastor from the Lord.
I think this reading speaks clearly that we can't be "soft" about sin with our flocks, either. "THey strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness" ... "But if they stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds." The key phrase in these verses stands out to me as "to turn" ... we need to hear the Word of God, see our sin, and turn from it. Stop being passive about it. Leave it. The result will be more of God through faithfull dependence on His presence.
Aug 13: Jer. 51:59, Jer.50
This reading is all about the pending destruction of Babylonia and the exiles returning back to Jerusalem (or where ever they came from). I'm wondering if it has been 70 years already .. I can't remember reading the valient stories of Daniel, Shad, Mesh, and Abend ... have we done that?
In the midst of all this talk of destruction, we read:
"Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name." I like that verse!
Aug. 14 (finish Jer. 50, then 51)
This is the longest reading yet ... and it's all about God's pending judgement on Babylon. I guess the Lord is a long-winded preacher, too! Glancing ahead, I see that the destruction of Babylon is still some time off ... even though our recent readings make it seem very soon.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Today's reading: Aug. 9 (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 48) ...
This verse stands out to me ... "Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive." I wonder, what do you trust in? Good works? Bank accounts? Most of us would say that we are "good people" and in that God should back off on his judgement of us ... many of us too probably feel like their need for God isn't really strong since they can "take care of themselves" according to their investments and savings.
I think the news to ponder here is that we can see all of that kind of security taken from us with no justice provided. Wealth is a paper thin layer of security (one that I don't have). True security - the kind we should put our trust in - comes from the Lord on High! I need to trust the Lord more with my ...
... children
... marriage
... occupation
... daily provisions
... my relationships
There are several pages detailing the wrath that the Lord is going to bring on Moab as a nation. I can't help but see some striking parallels betweeen how He describes Moab to America (that's just for me - I'm not saying this is a curse against America ...). Then, at the end of this amazing amount of wrath and pain, the Lord declares ... "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come." Strange ... why restore a nation like this? The answer ... is because our God is a God of 2nd chances ... 3rd chances ... 300th chances ... isn't our God Amazing!!??!! This nation deserved nothing, but after God get's their attention ... He's going to give them another chance to get it right. I love that about our God!
August 10 ... (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, 2 Chronicals 36)
It's interesting that during the largest deportation of Jerusalem, that the Babylonians took the fighting men, the artists, craftsman and such ... but they were happy to leave the poor behind. THere's nothing profound about it in my mind other than it was worth mentioning in the writers perspective of this process. As humans, it seems to be unilateral thing to devalue the poor as not needed ... even when taking prisoners of war to another land ...
The final King of Judah is established ... and God isn't done reaching out to this rebellious land. "The Lord ... sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets ..."
Do we have messengers today? We have pastors like ants but I'm wondering if God is using a particular group (a small group) of people to be His divine messengers to our nation? If He did, are we listening? Are we open to the harsh words that a messenger of the Lord might bring us? Would we turn from our wicked ways? Would we stop defiling our homes with porn, inappropriate TV, irreligious music, foul mouths, abuse on our children, and the such? (I'm not laying a list of my own defilements here ... don't panic ... I'm just saying as a nation these are things I think that some issues that are getting swept under the rug and not discussed and dealth with).
Would we change? Who do we love more ... God? Self?
August 11 ... (Jeremiah 24, 29, 27, 28)
One of the greatest passages of scripture occurs in the reading today (Jeremiah 29:11) but I love reading this in context. So much pain has just occurred - so much judgement - I would imagine tons of confusion rests on the people of Judah ... and then the Lord comes to them while in exile and encourages their heart, lifts them up, gives them hope ...
"When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
That's good stuff!!
This verse stands out to me ... "Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive." I wonder, what do you trust in? Good works? Bank accounts? Most of us would say that we are "good people" and in that God should back off on his judgement of us ... many of us too probably feel like their need for God isn't really strong since they can "take care of themselves" according to their investments and savings.
I think the news to ponder here is that we can see all of that kind of security taken from us with no justice provided. Wealth is a paper thin layer of security (one that I don't have). True security - the kind we should put our trust in - comes from the Lord on High! I need to trust the Lord more with my ...
... children
... marriage
... occupation
... daily provisions
... my relationships
There are several pages detailing the wrath that the Lord is going to bring on Moab as a nation. I can't help but see some striking parallels betweeen how He describes Moab to America (that's just for me - I'm not saying this is a curse against America ...). Then, at the end of this amazing amount of wrath and pain, the Lord declares ... "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come." Strange ... why restore a nation like this? The answer ... is because our God is a God of 2nd chances ... 3rd chances ... 300th chances ... isn't our God Amazing!!??!! This nation deserved nothing, but after God get's their attention ... He's going to give them another chance to get it right. I love that about our God!
August 10 ... (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, 2 Chronicals 36)
It's interesting that during the largest deportation of Jerusalem, that the Babylonians took the fighting men, the artists, craftsman and such ... but they were happy to leave the poor behind. THere's nothing profound about it in my mind other than it was worth mentioning in the writers perspective of this process. As humans, it seems to be unilateral thing to devalue the poor as not needed ... even when taking prisoners of war to another land ...
The final King of Judah is established ... and God isn't done reaching out to this rebellious land. "The Lord ... sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets ..."
Do we have messengers today? We have pastors like ants but I'm wondering if God is using a particular group (a small group) of people to be His divine messengers to our nation? If He did, are we listening? Are we open to the harsh words that a messenger of the Lord might bring us? Would we turn from our wicked ways? Would we stop defiling our homes with porn, inappropriate TV, irreligious music, foul mouths, abuse on our children, and the such? (I'm not laying a list of my own defilements here ... don't panic ... I'm just saying as a nation these are things I think that some issues that are getting swept under the rug and not discussed and dealth with).
Would we change? Who do we love more ... God? Self?
August 11 ... (Jeremiah 24, 29, 27, 28)
One of the greatest passages of scripture occurs in the reading today (Jeremiah 29:11) but I love reading this in context. So much pain has just occurred - so much judgement - I would imagine tons of confusion rests on the people of Judah ... and then the Lord comes to them while in exile and encourages their heart, lifts them up, gives them hope ...
"When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
That's good stuff!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Two days in a row! I'm back!
Today's reading begins on Aug. 7: Jerermiah 36 ...
I'm struck right away that God is giving Judah another chance to repent here. The language lately had been "you are about to get crushed, I can no longer hold off on my punishment for you ... blah blah ..." and now God tells Jeremiah, "I'm going to tell them my plan and maybe that will scare them into repentance." The King didn't respond well to the words that God gave Jeremiah ... so the nation went without repentence.
Today's principle for me ... the leadership dictates the heart of the nation. As we near election day in America, let's be aware of which candidate we choose, not by party, but by morality and humbleness and God's leading.
Aug. 8: Daniel 1
This is a great story of God providing for his faithful children. I'm struck by a thought I've never had before. I've always known that Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego were faithful men - honoring God's statutes and such .. but here's the earth shattering news for my day ... why didn't they stand up to their own king the way they do to King Nebuchadnezzar? Judah was a seriously messed up place ... wickedness was everywhere ... where were these dudes then?
Life principle: Many times it's easier to stand up to opposition when it's from an obvious evil source than it is when it's your own family. This needs to be rejected and understand that true love is found in the TRUTH. The entire exile could have been stopped had these 4 boys stood up to the King of Judah and said follow God or else!!
In the story of Daniel interpretting the King's dream, I see:
1) A call to prayer: Daniel tells his friends "plead for mercy from the God of heaven".
2) A testimony of God's Power: Daniel didn't claim to know the dream or possess the power to do so. He clearly told this pagan King that "there is a God in heaven who reveal mysteries" and then he did it. God get's the glory! Not Daniel.
Today's reading begins on Aug. 7: Jerermiah 36 ...
I'm struck right away that God is giving Judah another chance to repent here. The language lately had been "you are about to get crushed, I can no longer hold off on my punishment for you ... blah blah ..." and now God tells Jeremiah, "I'm going to tell them my plan and maybe that will scare them into repentance." The King didn't respond well to the words that God gave Jeremiah ... so the nation went without repentence.
Today's principle for me ... the leadership dictates the heart of the nation. As we near election day in America, let's be aware of which candidate we choose, not by party, but by morality and humbleness and God's leading.
Aug. 8: Daniel 1
This is a great story of God providing for his faithful children. I'm struck by a thought I've never had before. I've always known that Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego were faithful men - honoring God's statutes and such .. but here's the earth shattering news for my day ... why didn't they stand up to their own king the way they do to King Nebuchadnezzar? Judah was a seriously messed up place ... wickedness was everywhere ... where were these dudes then?
Life principle: Many times it's easier to stand up to opposition when it's from an obvious evil source than it is when it's your own family. This needs to be rejected and understand that true love is found in the TRUTH. The entire exile could have been stopped had these 4 boys stood up to the King of Judah and said follow God or else!!
In the story of Daniel interpretting the King's dream, I see:
1) A call to prayer: Daniel tells his friends "plead for mercy from the God of heaven".
2) A testimony of God's Power: Daniel didn't claim to know the dream or possess the power to do so. He clearly told this pagan King that "there is a God in heaven who reveal mysteries" and then he did it. God get's the glory! Not Daniel.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Here you go Linda!
I'm home sick today so I figure I have my computer and I'm reading the Chronological Bible ... why not post?
I started today on Aug 4 reading ... Jeremiah 46:1
I've been struck by the job that Jeremiah was given. As a prophet, he has been speaking to a wall the entire time. No one is listening, no one is turning from their wickedness, and this phrase stands out "...and there is terror on every side." His burden was large.
As sure as the pending distruction is for Judah, God doesn't leave them without hope. Jer. 46:27 "I will surely save you out of a distant place ... I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." God can't turn his back on our evil actions. And that's true for us today. We should be aware of the fact that God hates sin and we can't live in a way that ignores the sin in our life. Jeremiah was telling people that they needed to repent - when that didn't happen, then God said it's time to punish you (but only for justice sake).
Alright ... Aug 5 reading jumps to Habakkuk. This is why I really like the Chronological Reading ... the perspective I'm gaining in the timeline of Judah and Israel is great. The prophet Habakkuk asks a timely question: "how can a righteous and holy God use a wicked nation like Babylonia to bring punishment against God's own people, rebellious and sinful though they may be?" Honestly, the answer isn't clear, but I think this all shows that God is control of ALL things. We can debate forever if God controls evil (like hurricanes, sunami's, etc) but it appears that God has influence over even those who do not call on His name.
Here are a couple of phrases I underlined in this reading :
... in speaking about the Babalonians, God says this "... whose own strength is their god." Warning, our human strengt and influence means nothing!!
... in showing the difference between the righteous and those who are just "puffed up", God says, "... the righteous will live by His faith."
... this made me think of our current financial situation (in the world)
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life."
Hababbuk's prayer in chapter 3 is sweet at the end ...
"... though the fig tree does not bud
... though the olive crop fails
... though there are no sheep in the pen
... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
My final thought from this mornings readings is one of slight confusion. God several times says "my servant Nebuchadnezzar" then "I'm raising the Babylonians" and such ... if God is involved in their uprising, I'm entrigued why God says he will punish them "for their guilt" (Jer. 25.12-ish). Don't get me wrong, these were some nasty people and they were ruthless to everyone around them ... but in some ways, so was Israel. Just thinking ...
I'm home sick today so I figure I have my computer and I'm reading the Chronological Bible ... why not post?
I started today on Aug 4 reading ... Jeremiah 46:1
I've been struck by the job that Jeremiah was given. As a prophet, he has been speaking to a wall the entire time. No one is listening, no one is turning from their wickedness, and this phrase stands out "...and there is terror on every side." His burden was large.
As sure as the pending distruction is for Judah, God doesn't leave them without hope. Jer. 46:27 "I will surely save you out of a distant place ... I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." God can't turn his back on our evil actions. And that's true for us today. We should be aware of the fact that God hates sin and we can't live in a way that ignores the sin in our life. Jeremiah was telling people that they needed to repent - when that didn't happen, then God said it's time to punish you (but only for justice sake).
Alright ... Aug 5 reading jumps to Habakkuk. This is why I really like the Chronological Reading ... the perspective I'm gaining in the timeline of Judah and Israel is great. The prophet Habakkuk asks a timely question: "how can a righteous and holy God use a wicked nation like Babylonia to bring punishment against God's own people, rebellious and sinful though they may be?" Honestly, the answer isn't clear, but I think this all shows that God is control of ALL things. We can debate forever if God controls evil (like hurricanes, sunami's, etc) but it appears that God has influence over even those who do not call on His name.
Here are a couple of phrases I underlined in this reading :
... in speaking about the Babalonians, God says this "... whose own strength is their god." Warning, our human strengt and influence means nothing!!
... in showing the difference between the righteous and those who are just "puffed up", God says, "... the righteous will live by His faith."
... this made me think of our current financial situation (in the world)
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life."
Hababbuk's prayer in chapter 3 is sweet at the end ...
"... though the fig tree does not bud
... though the olive crop fails
... though there are no sheep in the pen
... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
My final thought from this mornings readings is one of slight confusion. God several times says "my servant Nebuchadnezzar" then "I'm raising the Babylonians" and such ... if God is involved in their uprising, I'm entrigued why God says he will punish them "for their guilt" (Jer. 25.12-ish). Don't get me wrong, these were some nasty people and they were ruthless to everyone around them ... but in some ways, so was Israel. Just thinking ...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Catch up day again ...
Mar25:
One of the strangest stories yet. I'll make no comment about this other than the way the story ends ... "there was no king - everyone did as he saw fit." Without a sense of morality that is beyond MY OWN THINKING - which means there will be things I don't like about the law, then there is no purpose for the people. Everyone needs a sense of guidance and direction. Rules aren't fun - but they are necessary for everyone.
Mar25:
One of the strangest stories yet. I'll make no comment about this other than the way the story ends ... "there was no king - everyone did as he saw fit." Without a sense of morality that is beyond MY OWN THINKING - which means there will be things I don't like about the law, then there is no purpose for the people. Everyone needs a sense of guidance and direction. Rules aren't fun - but they are necessary for everyone.
Mar26:
When we went through nearly 2 years of infertility, this story of Hannah was our rock! Hannah's prayer of desperation is a commitment to her son being a Nazirite ... like John the Baptist.
Elkanah must have thought that Hannah was losing her mind. Before, she wept because she had love but no son. Now she has gained that son but talks about leaving him at the temple to live .... women! hehe
I was just thinking about the environment that Samuel was raised in. His "peers" - Eli's sons - were pure evil. Yet, he seemed to be protected from taking on that lifestyle ...
Mar27:
I love what the Lord says to Samuel ... "I'm going to make everyones ears tingle ..." I see that as a great sign of excitement! It also becomes more clear that God's judgement against Eli and his family is because of the sin he KNEW ABOUT but didn't address. Causes me to stop and think ... are their sins that I'm turning a deaf ear to ... of my own, of others in church leadership? There is this fine line of extending grace and expecting righteousness ... it's a tough line to find on our own.
The story of the Ark of the Covenant is cool. That it kept knocking over the statue of Dagon, that it's very presence would send towns into an uproar ... God is powerful. In the first 7 chapters of the book of Samuel, Sam looks like a faithful and God-fearing leader.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Catch up day ...
Mar19: Judges 6 ...
Gideon is a fantastic story! I'm reading this late but it is so timely for me today - I just got my tax bill!! We are used to a refund ... not this year ... I'll be paying it out throughout the year! Not fun ... but if God can take an army of 32,000 down to 300 and still defeat the army of the enemy, then He can take care of my need! And yours!
Some cool thoughts from this story ...
1) God said, "Go in the strength you have ..." In other words, you might not think you have what it takes, but God says, I'll use what you have and do amazing things with it.
2) Gideon was honest and admitted he often had fear: he broke down the Baal altar at night because he was afraid and he spied on the city before he raided it because he was afraid.
3) Despite his fear, God called him a mighty warrior and used him to bring peace to his people for 40 years! That's a long time!
I also appreciate how Gideon handled criticism. He was straightforward and to the point and the problem went away.
Mar20:
The dude (Gideon) had 70 sons! What was he thinking?
Mar21:
I love the honest words of the Lord when he says, "Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble."
This story of Jephthah grips me. We make a big deal about Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac but what about Jep sacrificing his daughter as a burnt offering after his victory? Wow - he told her about the vow before the Lord and then he had to follow through. What is so moving is that she willingly allows it to happen. It's he closest thing to the doctor saying, "you have two months to live." The scriptures seem to gloss right over it but I think it's amazingly powerful!!
Mar22:
Happy Birthday Sis!
Enter the faithful woman - NAOMI. Her husband and her are the earliest people listed from Bethlehem that I've noted in my reading. It's the first time I've heard of this (soon to be) well known city. A famine forces them to leave their home and death follows for Naomi's husband and her two sons. Even more, she releases her daughter-in-laws to leave her ... she has lost everything! But Ruth remained faithfully by her side. Too cool.
Now the power of this story is scene in the heritage that follows. Not only is Ruth redeemed by Boaz but she conceives a son - Obed, who is the grandfather of David - soon to be the 2nd King of Israel's nation! What would have been different if Ruth would have taken the easy road and gone back to her parents? Instead, she chose the righteous path and witnessed a great part of Israel's story and joined the line of people that would eventually give us the Messiah (humanly speaking).
Mar23:
From the pleasant, inspiring story of RUTH to the self absorbed story of Sampson. In my readings today - I've read some heavy hitters! [Gideon, Ruth, Sampson ...]
There's a cool scene in this Sampson story I've never paid close attention to. The angel the tells about Sampson's pending birth and life tells his parents to offer a burnt offering sacrifice to the Lord. While they are watching the fire burn, the angel "ascended in the flame toward heaven." That is too cool! Stuff SciFi is made out of.
Samson's wife choice is interesting. From an outsiders perspective, Sampson is wacked out. But this is from the Lord to choose a Philistine woman. It goes against his law to marry outside of the Jewish family line but then again - God is God.
There's so much to write about in Samson's narrative but the thing that stands out is Delilah's persistence - and Samson's blindness due to his love for her.
Mar24:
Powerful verse for us today: "In those days, Israel had no king;everyone did as he saw fit." Later, this also sounds familiar - "they saw that the people were living in safety, unsuspecting and secure. They were prosperous."
Mar19: Judges 6 ...
Gideon is a fantastic story! I'm reading this late but it is so timely for me today - I just got my tax bill!! We are used to a refund ... not this year ... I'll be paying it out throughout the year! Not fun ... but if God can take an army of 32,000 down to 300 and still defeat the army of the enemy, then He can take care of my need! And yours!
Some cool thoughts from this story ...
1) God said, "Go in the strength you have ..." In other words, you might not think you have what it takes, but God says, I'll use what you have and do amazing things with it.
2) Gideon was honest and admitted he often had fear: he broke down the Baal altar at night because he was afraid and he spied on the city before he raided it because he was afraid.
3) Despite his fear, God called him a mighty warrior and used him to bring peace to his people for 40 years! That's a long time!
I also appreciate how Gideon handled criticism. He was straightforward and to the point and the problem went away.
Mar20:
The dude (Gideon) had 70 sons! What was he thinking?
Mar21:
I love the honest words of the Lord when he says, "Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble."
This story of Jephthah grips me. We make a big deal about Abraham nearly sacrificing Isaac but what about Jep sacrificing his daughter as a burnt offering after his victory? Wow - he told her about the vow before the Lord and then he had to follow through. What is so moving is that she willingly allows it to happen. It's he closest thing to the doctor saying, "you have two months to live." The scriptures seem to gloss right over it but I think it's amazingly powerful!!
Mar22:
Happy Birthday Sis!
Enter the faithful woman - NAOMI. Her husband and her are the earliest people listed from Bethlehem that I've noted in my reading. It's the first time I've heard of this (soon to be) well known city. A famine forces them to leave their home and death follows for Naomi's husband and her two sons. Even more, she releases her daughter-in-laws to leave her ... she has lost everything! But Ruth remained faithfully by her side. Too cool.
Now the power of this story is scene in the heritage that follows. Not only is Ruth redeemed by Boaz but she conceives a son - Obed, who is the grandfather of David - soon to be the 2nd King of Israel's nation! What would have been different if Ruth would have taken the easy road and gone back to her parents? Instead, she chose the righteous path and witnessed a great part of Israel's story and joined the line of people that would eventually give us the Messiah (humanly speaking).
Mar23:
From the pleasant, inspiring story of RUTH to the self absorbed story of Sampson. In my readings today - I've read some heavy hitters! [Gideon, Ruth, Sampson ...]
There's a cool scene in this Sampson story I've never paid close attention to. The angel the tells about Sampson's pending birth and life tells his parents to offer a burnt offering sacrifice to the Lord. While they are watching the fire burn, the angel "ascended in the flame toward heaven." That is too cool! Stuff SciFi is made out of.
Samson's wife choice is interesting. From an outsiders perspective, Sampson is wacked out. But this is from the Lord to choose a Philistine woman. It goes against his law to marry outside of the Jewish family line but then again - God is God.
There's so much to write about in Samson's narrative but the thing that stands out is Delilah's persistence - and Samson's blindness due to his love for her.
Mar24:
Powerful verse for us today: "In those days, Israel had no king;everyone did as he saw fit." Later, this also sounds familiar - "they saw that the people were living in safety, unsuspecting and secure. They were prosperous."
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Mar17:
(Judges 2:10) It blows my mind that Israel's next generation grew up to neither know God nor his commands. Some of the greatest scriptures I've read so far about the commands to "never forget", to "tell your children while lying down, walking, etc", or to "be careful to do all I've commanded." How could these people inherit this land and then so quickly forget about the Lord. Then I think of America. Let's just consider how differently we considered Christian values just one or two generations ago. I read these scriptures and think "how dumb do you have to be" and then I realize, we aren't much different!
I'm sorry ... but I chuckled at the story about Ehud killing the king of the Moabites who was very fat. That they mention the sword he used to kill the king was 18" long, and that the handle actually went in through the fat and that the fat covered it ... well ... it was funny. I'm sorry. Don't mean to be insenstive but it struck me as graphically chuckle-able.
Mar18:
Interesting to see Deborah lead Israel as it's 4th Judge. In it's time, I'm sure women's lib wasn't even thought of. I wonder if it's why her commander would march with out her there ...? She certainly was connected with the Lord, He blessed her and she was a great leader - so far.
(Judges 2:10) It blows my mind that Israel's next generation grew up to neither know God nor his commands. Some of the greatest scriptures I've read so far about the commands to "never forget", to "tell your children while lying down, walking, etc", or to "be careful to do all I've commanded." How could these people inherit this land and then so quickly forget about the Lord. Then I think of America. Let's just consider how differently we considered Christian values just one or two generations ago. I read these scriptures and think "how dumb do you have to be" and then I realize, we aren't much different!
I'm sorry ... but I chuckled at the story about Ehud killing the king of the Moabites who was very fat. That they mention the sword he used to kill the king was 18" long, and that the handle actually went in through the fat and that the fat covered it ... well ... it was funny. I'm sorry. Don't mean to be insenstive but it struck me as graphically chuckle-able.
Mar18:
Interesting to see Deborah lead Israel as it's 4th Judge. In it's time, I'm sure women's lib wasn't even thought of. I wonder if it's why her commander would march with out her there ...? She certainly was connected with the Lord, He blessed her and she was a great leader - so far.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Mar13:
I'm on target! Yipee! "... the Lord said to him, 'You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." I interpret this way " ... you are getting old but your job isn't done - it never is! Don't quit - never give up!"
I also noticed Joseph's tribe complaining a little bit ... "our land is to small" or my words "my house isn't big enough." Joshua stands his ground and says if you want more, you'll have to clear the land yourself - which is great - these people didn't clearn the land or build up these cities! Get a grip! When they complain they mention that the people they'd need to conquer "have better things" than us ... does this sound familiar?? "My house isn't big enough and our neighbors have better things ..." HELLO!?
Joshua holds firm - though they have better things - you can drive them out!
I'm on target! Yipee! "... the Lord said to him, 'You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." I interpret this way " ... you are getting old but your job isn't done - it never is! Don't quit - never give up!"
I also noticed Joseph's tribe complaining a little bit ... "our land is to small" or my words "my house isn't big enough." Joshua stands his ground and says if you want more, you'll have to clear the land yourself - which is great - these people didn't clearn the land or build up these cities! Get a grip! When they complain they mention that the people they'd need to conquer "have better things" than us ... does this sound familiar?? "My house isn't big enough and our neighbors have better things ..." HELLO!?
Joshua holds firm - though they have better things - you can drive them out!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Mar11:
I wonder what they inhabitants of Jericho thought watching this army circle around their town and then return home ... strange. They did respect the power of Israel's God - they had heard about his miraculous acts - Rahab told us that. Still, they had to think this was a stupid strategy.
Even in victory, a small group of Israelites take for themselves and God's anger burns ... The Lord is watching every detail! You can't HIDE from God! Period. The dude hid the plunder in the ground inside his tent ... you can't hide your junk in the trunk! Interesting timing in my reading of this "hidden sin" becoming public as I watched the Gov. of NY resign today from his sex scandal.
If you are trying to hide something from God - stop! You are only fooling yourself! Sins need to be confessed and dealt with severely for the Lord to bless and give great victory!
Mar12:
Israel just secured a wonderful victory at Ai by outsmarting the enemy. No sooner did that happen that they get outsmarted themselves! How did this happen? "... but they did no inquire of the Lord." That's how! They took what they could at face value - the old clothes, the old bread, the old wine skins, everything they could see with they eyes ... and made a LOGICAL decision - without inquiring of the Lord. It leads to frustration and trouble every time! And yet we do it over and over and over again, don't we?? When will we learn?
Learned something new today: The Lord used HAILSTONES to wup up on an enemy army! Too cool God!
I like this verse: "As the Lord commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it." That's a really cool progression of discipleship in many ways. Too cool.
I'm wondering ... after all this war ... what do you do with all those bodies. I mean this is genocide taking place. It would never fly in today's world by the way ... When Israel was divided into it's inheritence, did people have to remove dead bodies from homes? Did they re-settle directly into those built homes and towns? What an amazing time to have been able to witness.
I wonder what they inhabitants of Jericho thought watching this army circle around their town and then return home ... strange. They did respect the power of Israel's God - they had heard about his miraculous acts - Rahab told us that. Still, they had to think this was a stupid strategy.
Even in victory, a small group of Israelites take for themselves and God's anger burns ... The Lord is watching every detail! You can't HIDE from God! Period. The dude hid the plunder in the ground inside his tent ... you can't hide your junk in the trunk! Interesting timing in my reading of this "hidden sin" becoming public as I watched the Gov. of NY resign today from his sex scandal.
If you are trying to hide something from God - stop! You are only fooling yourself! Sins need to be confessed and dealt with severely for the Lord to bless and give great victory!
Mar12:
Israel just secured a wonderful victory at Ai by outsmarting the enemy. No sooner did that happen that they get outsmarted themselves! How did this happen? "... but they did no inquire of the Lord." That's how! They took what they could at face value - the old clothes, the old bread, the old wine skins, everything they could see with they eyes ... and made a LOGICAL decision - without inquiring of the Lord. It leads to frustration and trouble every time! And yet we do it over and over and over again, don't we?? When will we learn?
Learned something new today: The Lord used HAILSTONES to wup up on an enemy army! Too cool God!
I like this verse: "As the Lord commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it." That's a really cool progression of discipleship in many ways. Too cool.
I'm wondering ... after all this war ... what do you do with all those bodies. I mean this is genocide taking place. It would never fly in today's world by the way ... When Israel was divided into it's inheritence, did people have to remove dead bodies from homes? Did they re-settle directly into those built homes and towns? What an amazing time to have been able to witness.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Mar9:
Moses did a lot for the Lord. He went back to a land where he was wanted for murder. He dealt with Israel's constant bickering and complaining. He led them to the edge of the Promised Land and there he failed. Despite that shortcoming, he did a lot. I think (from my limited human perspective) the Lord seems rather tough on this guy. He seemed to score about a 98% on his leadership test and yet - he doesn't even receive a thank you. I'm not expecting a big thank you at the end of my journey but it struck me - what does the Lord think of my work? How would he rate my effort to "lead His people" in my neck of the woods? I'd be happy with a score much lower than Moses' that's for sure - it's tough work. I (with all due respect to the Lord) think Moses should have gotten into the Promised Land. The best part of his character is that despite doing all this for the Lord - and being barred from the Land he desperately wanted to experience - I don't read one word of Moses' complaining or arguing about his fate - could be that he authored these words and he creatively left them out - or it could be that he had a great perspective of the magnitude of God. I vote for the latter.
I like our commentators words here:
Abraham taught his family about faith.
Moses taught this nation about law.
One is coming that will teach the entire world about grace and love. JESUS!
Mar10:
Fantastic words:
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be care to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do no let this Book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Why did the spies go to the house of the prostitute and stay there? Did they use her services? It doesn't clarify this to us at all? One is left to assume they did.
"Be strong and courageous" must have become the "vision statement" of this young nation under Joshua's control. As the Reubenites and Gadites respond to Joshua regarding their commitment to fight, they too, end their discussion with that phrase. Interesting.
Can you imagine the excitement that Israel is feeling on this morning? They are finally crossing over into the land they've heard about all of their lives. Many of these people didn't experience Egypt. They've only known about the journey - which was coming to an end. I can only imagine the excitement - and nervousness.
What is the difference between Moses' experience at the Red Sea and the Jordan River? The Red Sea didn't have a flow ... it had to "wall up" on both sides - creating a crazy experience of walking through a "half pike" in today's terms. This Jordan River had to be "walled up" only upstream, causing an unusual dryness to occur downstream. Of course - in typical God-style - He didn't pick the natural dry season to cross the Jordan - the Lord showed His power and might by holding back the river when it was already at it's traditional flood stage. There had to be great flooding upstream as these waters were miraculously stopped. I would imagine this would also cause a wider space to cross for Israel.
I envision this river being the key to keeping Israel from running back to their "old life" too. Once they crossed the river, they had no way of returning - it was all or nothing now! No turning back! Cool!
God also began to wain his children from himself in many ways ... or began to prepare them for their new homes. The flow of manna stopped just as the produce from Canaan could be enjoyed. God began to put the taste of the Promised Land in their life - a taste that could only be satisfied by conquering the land. This was likely done to give the Israelites the resolve to obey the Lord even more than before.
How cool is the arrival of the "Commander of the Lord's Army"? Really cool!!! Here we go!!
Isn't this better than the law and sacrifices??!!! Go God!!
Moses did a lot for the Lord. He went back to a land where he was wanted for murder. He dealt with Israel's constant bickering and complaining. He led them to the edge of the Promised Land and there he failed. Despite that shortcoming, he did a lot. I think (from my limited human perspective) the Lord seems rather tough on this guy. He seemed to score about a 98% on his leadership test and yet - he doesn't even receive a thank you. I'm not expecting a big thank you at the end of my journey but it struck me - what does the Lord think of my work? How would he rate my effort to "lead His people" in my neck of the woods? I'd be happy with a score much lower than Moses' that's for sure - it's tough work. I (with all due respect to the Lord) think Moses should have gotten into the Promised Land. The best part of his character is that despite doing all this for the Lord - and being barred from the Land he desperately wanted to experience - I don't read one word of Moses' complaining or arguing about his fate - could be that he authored these words and he creatively left them out - or it could be that he had a great perspective of the magnitude of God. I vote for the latter.
I like our commentators words here:
Abraham taught his family about faith.
Moses taught this nation about law.
One is coming that will teach the entire world about grace and love. JESUS!
Mar10:
Fantastic words:
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be care to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do no let this Book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Why did the spies go to the house of the prostitute and stay there? Did they use her services? It doesn't clarify this to us at all? One is left to assume they did.
"Be strong and courageous" must have become the "vision statement" of this young nation under Joshua's control. As the Reubenites and Gadites respond to Joshua regarding their commitment to fight, they too, end their discussion with that phrase. Interesting.
Can you imagine the excitement that Israel is feeling on this morning? They are finally crossing over into the land they've heard about all of their lives. Many of these people didn't experience Egypt. They've only known about the journey - which was coming to an end. I can only imagine the excitement - and nervousness.
What is the difference between Moses' experience at the Red Sea and the Jordan River? The Red Sea didn't have a flow ... it had to "wall up" on both sides - creating a crazy experience of walking through a "half pike" in today's terms. This Jordan River had to be "walled up" only upstream, causing an unusual dryness to occur downstream. Of course - in typical God-style - He didn't pick the natural dry season to cross the Jordan - the Lord showed His power and might by holding back the river when it was already at it's traditional flood stage. There had to be great flooding upstream as these waters were miraculously stopped. I would imagine this would also cause a wider space to cross for Israel.
I envision this river being the key to keeping Israel from running back to their "old life" too. Once they crossed the river, they had no way of returning - it was all or nothing now! No turning back! Cool!
God also began to wain his children from himself in many ways ... or began to prepare them for their new homes. The flow of manna stopped just as the produce from Canaan could be enjoyed. God began to put the taste of the Promised Land in their life - a taste that could only be satisfied by conquering the land. This was likely done to give the Israelites the resolve to obey the Lord even more than before.
How cool is the arrival of the "Commander of the Lord's Army"? Really cool!!! Here we go!!
Isn't this better than the law and sacrifices??!!! Go God!!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Mar4:
Interesting that the Eagle is on the detestible bird list (along with the vulture, several owls, and the bat). How would you feel if you were on God's "detestible list"?
In the midst of these diatery regulations, it's challenging to see this as a sign of "holiness". Yet the Lord consistently says, "Don't defile yourself with these animals but be holy as I am holy." It's so foreign for me to think that eating these things (which I don't) would make me 'unholy'. Hmmm....
Mar5:
Now I'm all about discipline but this is rough > "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and his mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father ... shall take hold of him ... then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge eveil from among you." Deut. 21.18-21 I wonder if they actually obeyed this law or not - if there was a time that Israel actually followed it?
"Deut. 20:4 - For the Lord you God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." That's so encouraging. I think that because we've been defeated in the past, we often think the Lord is absent from our battles. Couldn't be further from the truth.
There's an interesting distinction between cities that Israel will conquer far from them verse the cities/nations of the Holy Land - the Promised Land. Cities far away should be offered peace, and then pummle them if they say no. Cities that are a part of God's inheritance - there will be no negotiations and no survivors. It's like God knows that we can handle daily, repetitive tempation to sin. He says, if you don't purge those cities, those people will show you how to worship their gods, etc. God knows our weaknesses and tried to set this up to avoid the traps that would come.
Mar6:
This reading is interesting. If you obey me, life will be good. If you don't obey me, life will stink. If you continue to disobey me, life will really stink. If you continue to disabey me, life will reek and you'll wish you were dead. But if you repent, I'll remember my covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham and we'll be good again. Hmm....
Interesting that the Eagle is on the detestible bird list (along with the vulture, several owls, and the bat). How would you feel if you were on God's "detestible list"?
In the midst of these diatery regulations, it's challenging to see this as a sign of "holiness". Yet the Lord consistently says, "Don't defile yourself with these animals but be holy as I am holy." It's so foreign for me to think that eating these things (which I don't) would make me 'unholy'. Hmmm....
Mar5:
Now I'm all about discipline but this is rough > "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and his mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father ... shall take hold of him ... then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge eveil from among you." Deut. 21.18-21 I wonder if they actually obeyed this law or not - if there was a time that Israel actually followed it?
"Deut. 20:4 - For the Lord you God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." That's so encouraging. I think that because we've been defeated in the past, we often think the Lord is absent from our battles. Couldn't be further from the truth.
There's an interesting distinction between cities that Israel will conquer far from them verse the cities/nations of the Holy Land - the Promised Land. Cities far away should be offered peace, and then pummle them if they say no. Cities that are a part of God's inheritance - there will be no negotiations and no survivors. It's like God knows that we can handle daily, repetitive tempation to sin. He says, if you don't purge those cities, those people will show you how to worship their gods, etc. God knows our weaknesses and tried to set this up to avoid the traps that would come.
Mar6:
This reading is interesting. If you obey me, life will be good. If you don't obey me, life will stink. If you continue to disobey me, life will really stink. If you continue to disabey me, life will reek and you'll wish you were dead. But if you repent, I'll remember my covenant with Jacob, Isaac and Abraham and we'll be good again. Hmm....
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Mar 1:
Could this reading day be any longer? Wow! Makes up for not having readings on Feb 29 this year.
I was drawn to God's generosity in this reading. I appreciate the fact that God acknowledges that "there will always be poor among you" but we are to treat them with generosity - not look down upon them. How does this impact my life in 2008? In huge ways! How am I meeting the needs of the poor around me? Am I living generously? Honestly, I can't imagine having the financial freedom to be able to meet needs because we live (as a society) so close to the edge of financial ruin ... know what I mean? This is challenging.
Anyone else appreciate that God commanded the widow to spit in her brother-in-law's face if he refused to marry her ... imagine that church function!
Mar2:
This reading was a stretch. I like the first year of marriage - "For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married." New code word for sex = "bring happiness" Moses was not referring to doing the laundry, making the beds, fixing dinner ... bring happiness men!
There are some incredible run-on sentences here ... Deut. 24.1-4 is one example - wow!
I also noticed that God is dealing with these sins very sharply ... he says "you must purge the evil from Israel". Purging is a very difficult and painful process. I've got a couple of friends purging their bodies right now of medications and such - it's a horrible pain of dependency that must be broken. Is there sin/evil that must be purged. I'm going through such a time personally that I won't reveal but it's amazing how purging is beneficial to the good areas of your life! Don't be afraid of eliminating the temptations and evils found in your home in order to purge the act. Be strong and courageous!
Mar3:
I wonder why the priest had to examine those feared to have leprosy? Weren't they busy killing lambs and pigeons and such? I like what the composer says in his notes: "there is a close relationship between cleanliness and godliness." Interesting. I see this too as a way that God was trying to protect his nation from killing itself off with nasty/untreatable diseases that were now a part of his "sinful" creation.
I'm glad my title isn't "Associate Pastor of Infectious Disease Examination" ;)
Could this reading day be any longer? Wow! Makes up for not having readings on Feb 29 this year.
I was drawn to God's generosity in this reading. I appreciate the fact that God acknowledges that "there will always be poor among you" but we are to treat them with generosity - not look down upon them. How does this impact my life in 2008? In huge ways! How am I meeting the needs of the poor around me? Am I living generously? Honestly, I can't imagine having the financial freedom to be able to meet needs because we live (as a society) so close to the edge of financial ruin ... know what I mean? This is challenging.
Anyone else appreciate that God commanded the widow to spit in her brother-in-law's face if he refused to marry her ... imagine that church function!
Mar2:
This reading was a stretch. I like the first year of marriage - "For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married." New code word for sex = "bring happiness" Moses was not referring to doing the laundry, making the beds, fixing dinner ... bring happiness men!
There are some incredible run-on sentences here ... Deut. 24.1-4 is one example - wow!
I also noticed that God is dealing with these sins very sharply ... he says "you must purge the evil from Israel". Purging is a very difficult and painful process. I've got a couple of friends purging their bodies right now of medications and such - it's a horrible pain of dependency that must be broken. Is there sin/evil that must be purged. I'm going through such a time personally that I won't reveal but it's amazing how purging is beneficial to the good areas of your life! Don't be afraid of eliminating the temptations and evils found in your home in order to purge the act. Be strong and courageous!
Mar3:
I wonder why the priest had to examine those feared to have leprosy? Weren't they busy killing lambs and pigeons and such? I like what the composer says in his notes: "there is a close relationship between cleanliness and godliness." Interesting. I see this too as a way that God was trying to protect his nation from killing itself off with nasty/untreatable diseases that were now a part of his "sinful" creation.
I'm glad my title isn't "Associate Pastor of Infectious Disease Examination" ;)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Feb 27:
Deut. 17 speaks of the King writing for himself a copy of the law. This strikes me since writing was a premium back then. Professional scribes were almost always used to write things - paper was too precious to mess up. Also, my mind flashed forward to Josiah when I read about how the King was to revere the law and read it all the days of his life. Josiah became King at a time when the law had been lost completely. He discovered it and said, "hey, we should do this!" Duh!
Feb28:
I remember reading where God had established certain towns where people who "unintensionally" murder someone, this person could go and live. Wierd idea in my mind - it's known as the "city of refuge". That is spoke of again in Ex. 21. The death penalty is a hot topic for many in today's culture. I like what the Lord had to say about it, you can't give the penalty with only one witness - but with at least two - that ensures that there isn't a caspiracy (sort of).
New verse for my kids to memorize: "Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death." Ex. 21.15 That should put some fear into their britches ... not really.
Okay ... I ask why ... "If two men are fighting and the wife of the one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand! Show her not pity." Ouch! Ex 25.11-12
Deut. 17 speaks of the King writing for himself a copy of the law. This strikes me since writing was a premium back then. Professional scribes were almost always used to write things - paper was too precious to mess up. Also, my mind flashed forward to Josiah when I read about how the King was to revere the law and read it all the days of his life. Josiah became King at a time when the law had been lost completely. He discovered it and said, "hey, we should do this!" Duh!
Feb28:
I remember reading where God had established certain towns where people who "unintensionally" murder someone, this person could go and live. Wierd idea in my mind - it's known as the "city of refuge". That is spoke of again in Ex. 21. The death penalty is a hot topic for many in today's culture. I like what the Lord had to say about it, you can't give the penalty with only one witness - but with at least two - that ensures that there isn't a caspiracy (sort of).
New verse for my kids to memorize: "Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death." Ex. 21.15 That should put some fear into their britches ... not really.
Okay ... I ask why ... "If two men are fighting and the wife of the one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand! Show her not pity." Ouch! Ex 25.11-12
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Feb25:
Ah yes - my favorite area of scripture - rules about purification. Really - God was a serious Type A personality!!
As I'm reading about the purification from Leprosy, my mind is with the man that Jesus healed of leprosy. Jesus told him that he had to present himself to the Chief Priest and offer the sacrifices according to the Law of Moses. I just assumed that this was a simple process. This meant that he had to shave himself - every hair - twice! Wow - crazy.
The twisted side of me is alive and well today. Do you think that God was just testing the Israelites to see how devoted they were. I mean, think about all they had to do with these sacrifices. It wasn't enough that someone had to bring a lamb to be sacrificed ... they had a million things to do and sprinkle and dip and wash and such ... I'm wondering if God was thinking "they'll never fall for this ..." but they did. See ... I'm twisted in my inner thoughts.
To go with this twisted thought another step further, we think our worship today can look like just about anything - and take place in just about any order. We intensionally shake things up from time to time. But it appears that God has some enjoyment in order and structure ... hmmm ...
Next twisted thought: It sure stunk to be a pigeon, dove or lamb in this time period. Risky business!
Feb26:
Establishing value for persons - this caught me as strange today. Again my mind flashed forward to Jesus' day. He was bought for 30 shekles of silver - well below the market value of 60.
My first notice of the word holy as it pertains to mankind ... Leviticus 19:1-2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them,"Be hold because I, the Lord your God, am holy." He didn't say - "tell the preachers to be holy" or "tell the rich to be holy" He was instructed to visit the entire assembly and tell them all - BE HOLY!!
Ah yes - my favorite area of scripture - rules about purification. Really - God was a serious Type A personality!!
As I'm reading about the purification from Leprosy, my mind is with the man that Jesus healed of leprosy. Jesus told him that he had to present himself to the Chief Priest and offer the sacrifices according to the Law of Moses. I just assumed that this was a simple process. This meant that he had to shave himself - every hair - twice! Wow - crazy.
The twisted side of me is alive and well today. Do you think that God was just testing the Israelites to see how devoted they were. I mean, think about all they had to do with these sacrifices. It wasn't enough that someone had to bring a lamb to be sacrificed ... they had a million things to do and sprinkle and dip and wash and such ... I'm wondering if God was thinking "they'll never fall for this ..." but they did. See ... I'm twisted in my inner thoughts.
To go with this twisted thought another step further, we think our worship today can look like just about anything - and take place in just about any order. We intensionally shake things up from time to time. But it appears that God has some enjoyment in order and structure ... hmmm ...
Next twisted thought: It sure stunk to be a pigeon, dove or lamb in this time period. Risky business!
Feb26:
Establishing value for persons - this caught me as strange today. Again my mind flashed forward to Jesus' day. He was bought for 30 shekles of silver - well below the market value of 60.
My first notice of the word holy as it pertains to mankind ... Leviticus 19:1-2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them,"Be hold because I, the Lord your God, am holy." He didn't say - "tell the preachers to be holy" or "tell the rich to be holy" He was instructed to visit the entire assembly and tell them all - BE HOLY!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
I've allowed myself to get behind in my Bible reading in '08. Only 7 days ... but that can be tough to make up. So today, Feb 25 I've decided:
1) start running again [check] - ran 3.0 this morning
2) read the bible before doing anything else significant [check] here we go -
Feb18:
As I start this section of the Laws of Moses (given to him by God), I'm reminded of a great podcast I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie on the Ten Commandments ... he had a great series of messages on this area. I'm noticing right away that this section of the Chronological Bible is unigue to any other type of Bible - we are really splattering our way through several books of the OT at once here.
Who is Molech? It appears that this is a name of a common god of the day ... potentially translated as Ba'al later in the OT. Either way, God was making a clear point that we should stay clear of any other God but Him - as the punishment for associating with Molech was death.
"You must purge the evil from among you." Deut. 17:7 -- this is something I think we should take very serious today. The evil in our radio, tv, internet, books, and such is all too accessible. As Andy Stanely said sarcastically in our small group DVD last night, "Don't deliver me from evil - I can find that perfectly fine all by myself."
"You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit ..." Boy does this sound like our current age! Everyone is doing was seems to fit themselves - their agenda, their finances, their kingdoms ... hmmm
Feb19:
The Lord sees our heart more than our physical exterior. True. Yet I just read "The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul." Wouldn't He know that already? Yes - but do we? Sometimes, I believe difficult times happen for us to be reminded of our previous commitment to the Lord and our love for Him. Who do you lean on during difficult times?
False prophets are to be put to death (Deut18:20-22). How can we tell? If what they say doesn't happen, they are not from God. Sounds great - but I've been wrong about things to0 many times for this not to give me concern. How much confidence do I have about what the Lord is sharing with me heart? Enough to place my life on it? Hmmmm ....
Sabath: there is something about this concept that the world is missing. Our bodies were made for this. We need our rest and when we don't get it, the wheels of life seem to fall off. They don't really but they appear to fall of because our perception is all wacked out! What does Sabbath look like - there is no one model in my opinion but we must intentionally look at our schedules and life patterns to see if an adjustment is needed.
Feb20:
Let's party! One thing the Lord allowed the Jews to do well - have a party. There are feasts everytime you turn around! But these are parties with a pupose ... that has a ring to it, doesn't it! "partieswithapurpose.com" Anyway, I think the Christian church could learn from this pattern > let's remind ourselves of our need for the Lord, and let's celebrate what he had done for us!!
I like this term: "sacred assembly" Gives me the feeling of purpose and anticipation.
The Feast of Weeks (or Firstfruits) takes place 50 days after after Passover. Cool side note - the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples during this feast - 50 days after Christ had died - it was known at that time as "Pentecost."
-- I'm noticing more and more that associated with these "laws" it will often be said, "remember, you were slaves in Egypt ..." kind of like God reminding them of their place in this world. We need that reminder too. He is God - we are just dust in the wind (in many ways).
Additionally, the Israelites celebrate an annual Day of Atonement - celebrate is a stretch as this is a mandatory day of fasting. Today, it's known as Yom Kippur. I like that a day is set to consider our spiritual condition and our need for constant atonement - what better activity than fasting for this purpose?
Being the priest was a pretty gorey job - lot's of blood involved!
Feb 21:
I've noticed that offerings of the grain type, are not to include any form of yeast in them. I realize that yeast represented "sin" to the ancient cultures. But I've also just noticed that the Lord commanded the priests to add salt to all of their grain offerings. What is the significance of this? Jesus' words are echoing in my mind - to be the salt of the earth. Is there something to salt that I'm missing ... salt vs. sin / light vs. darkness.
Other than this - I'm not too inspired with all the offering language in the reading for this day ... sorry.
Feb 22:
I'm struck all of the sudden by God's great attention to detail. Life is amazing - how our bodies are made, how this world functions - it's all ridiculously cool to me. But even as God is laying out these offerings and feasts - he is a God of great detail! How cool is that?
Interesting note that the Lord acknowledges sin that is "un-intentional". In saying this however, He also says that we are guilty with sin that is unknown to us. But when we become aware, we must act on that - and present a sin offering. Is there no difference between a willful sin? Other than most sins listed to this point were punished by being cut off from the community or death by stoning ... hmmmm
Forgiven - a term that Christians use often ... I hadn't noticed that word being used with all of these feasts, and offerings until now - Leviticus 4:26. I may have missed it earlier but it struck me ... they will be forgiven.
Feb23:
Sins of Omission - not all sin involves things we have done - sometimes it's things we haven't done: taking care of the poor, visiting the sick or imprisoned, calling a friend to tell them about the Lord, picking up the stranger who is walking along the road (that's mine).
"You must not offer to the Lord an animal whose testicles are bruised crushed, torn or cut." There's that attention to detail again, Lord. Well done!!
Feb24:
The year of Sabbatical. This would be wonderful - work for 6 years and take a year off. My friend Jon Middendorf preached a great sermon that's available via podcast through his church - Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene - on this chapter. This lifestyle would require some planning and preparation. The 50th year gets' even better - the Year of Jubilee. The idea of getting your debt forgiven sounds great until you realize that you would have to also forgive the debt owed to you as well. Unfortuneatly, not even the Israelites kept this going for too long.
2.5 hours later ... I'm caught up.
1) start running again [check] - ran 3.0 this morning
2) read the bible before doing anything else significant [check] here we go -
Feb18:
As I start this section of the Laws of Moses (given to him by God), I'm reminded of a great podcast I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie on the Ten Commandments ... he had a great series of messages on this area. I'm noticing right away that this section of the Chronological Bible is unigue to any other type of Bible - we are really splattering our way through several books of the OT at once here.
Who is Molech? It appears that this is a name of a common god of the day ... potentially translated as Ba'al later in the OT. Either way, God was making a clear point that we should stay clear of any other God but Him - as the punishment for associating with Molech was death.
"You must purge the evil from among you." Deut. 17:7 -- this is something I think we should take very serious today. The evil in our radio, tv, internet, books, and such is all too accessible. As Andy Stanely said sarcastically in our small group DVD last night, "Don't deliver me from evil - I can find that perfectly fine all by myself."
"You are not to do as we do here today, everyone as he sees fit ..." Boy does this sound like our current age! Everyone is doing was seems to fit themselves - their agenda, their finances, their kingdoms ... hmmm
Feb19:
The Lord sees our heart more than our physical exterior. True. Yet I just read "The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul." Wouldn't He know that already? Yes - but do we? Sometimes, I believe difficult times happen for us to be reminded of our previous commitment to the Lord and our love for Him. Who do you lean on during difficult times?
False prophets are to be put to death (Deut18:20-22). How can we tell? If what they say doesn't happen, they are not from God. Sounds great - but I've been wrong about things to0 many times for this not to give me concern. How much confidence do I have about what the Lord is sharing with me heart? Enough to place my life on it? Hmmmm ....
Sabath: there is something about this concept that the world is missing. Our bodies were made for this. We need our rest and when we don't get it, the wheels of life seem to fall off. They don't really but they appear to fall of because our perception is all wacked out! What does Sabbath look like - there is no one model in my opinion but we must intentionally look at our schedules and life patterns to see if an adjustment is needed.
Feb20:
Let's party! One thing the Lord allowed the Jews to do well - have a party. There are feasts everytime you turn around! But these are parties with a pupose ... that has a ring to it, doesn't it! "partieswithapurpose.com" Anyway, I think the Christian church could learn from this pattern > let's remind ourselves of our need for the Lord, and let's celebrate what he had done for us!!
I like this term: "sacred assembly" Gives me the feeling of purpose and anticipation.
The Feast of Weeks (or Firstfruits) takes place 50 days after after Passover. Cool side note - the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples during this feast - 50 days after Christ had died - it was known at that time as "Pentecost."
-- I'm noticing more and more that associated with these "laws" it will often be said, "remember, you were slaves in Egypt ..." kind of like God reminding them of their place in this world. We need that reminder too. He is God - we are just dust in the wind (in many ways).
Additionally, the Israelites celebrate an annual Day of Atonement - celebrate is a stretch as this is a mandatory day of fasting. Today, it's known as Yom Kippur. I like that a day is set to consider our spiritual condition and our need for constant atonement - what better activity than fasting for this purpose?
Being the priest was a pretty gorey job - lot's of blood involved!
Feb 21:
I've noticed that offerings of the grain type, are not to include any form of yeast in them. I realize that yeast represented "sin" to the ancient cultures. But I've also just noticed that the Lord commanded the priests to add salt to all of their grain offerings. What is the significance of this? Jesus' words are echoing in my mind - to be the salt of the earth. Is there something to salt that I'm missing ... salt vs. sin / light vs. darkness.
Other than this - I'm not too inspired with all the offering language in the reading for this day ... sorry.
Feb 22:
I'm struck all of the sudden by God's great attention to detail. Life is amazing - how our bodies are made, how this world functions - it's all ridiculously cool to me. But even as God is laying out these offerings and feasts - he is a God of great detail! How cool is that?
Interesting note that the Lord acknowledges sin that is "un-intentional". In saying this however, He also says that we are guilty with sin that is unknown to us. But when we become aware, we must act on that - and present a sin offering. Is there no difference between a willful sin? Other than most sins listed to this point were punished by being cut off from the community or death by stoning ... hmmmm
Forgiven - a term that Christians use often ... I hadn't noticed that word being used with all of these feasts, and offerings until now - Leviticus 4:26. I may have missed it earlier but it struck me ... they will be forgiven.
Feb23:
Sins of Omission - not all sin involves things we have done - sometimes it's things we haven't done: taking care of the poor, visiting the sick or imprisoned, calling a friend to tell them about the Lord, picking up the stranger who is walking along the road (that's mine).
"You must not offer to the Lord an animal whose testicles are bruised crushed, torn or cut." There's that attention to detail again, Lord. Well done!!
Feb24:
The year of Sabbatical. This would be wonderful - work for 6 years and take a year off. My friend Jon Middendorf preached a great sermon that's available via podcast through his church - Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene - on this chapter. This lifestyle would require some planning and preparation. The 50th year gets' even better - the Year of Jubilee. The idea of getting your debt forgiven sounds great until you realize that you would have to also forgive the debt owed to you as well. Unfortuneatly, not even the Israelites kept this going for too long.
2.5 hours later ... I'm caught up.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Playing catch up ... isn't much fun. The dynamics of the Bible reading plan for 2008 have hit me in the face recently. I haven't loved the past week or so - now I'm only a couple days behind but not tremendously inspired. Even though the readings have been challenging (slower reads for me right now) there has been some great stuff along the way.
Are you reading the Word everyday? You can't go wrong with it! Join the revolution and get on board with our Bible Reading Plan! Email me if you have questions - terry@high-pointe.org.
Are you reading the Word everyday? You can't go wrong with it! Join the revolution and get on board with our Bible Reading Plan! Email me if you have questions - terry@high-pointe.org.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Chronological Readings -
Jan 28: Interesting concept of "fearing God" - to keep us from sinning (exod. 20.20) I've struggled at times fearing God since we've made him our father and our friend ... where is the God of wrath to be feared. We must fear him or else we could abuse his love in our lives.
I was also struck by Exod 23 where it the Lord says he won't drive out these nations all at once since then the wild animals will take over the land. The question I had was - God can wipe out the nations but not control the wild animals? The cool revelation I had was that even too much of a good thing could prove to be a bad thing.
Jan 29: Reading the details of the tabernacle was one of the toughest reads of this plan to date. I can't get a good picture of what this is to look like with words only. I loved the commentary when it spoke of no detail to small for God - he had this tabernacle planned down to the curtains.
Also, I had this cool though - where did these "skilled tradesmen" learn to work with gold and sew these curtains with beautiful designs ... in EGYPT. God's plan of slavery was finally coming full circle!
Jan 30: Time to hire some pastors! I'm happy to be a pastor in this century ... lot's to remember about the order of worship and the detailed formula of incense and the types of offerings back in the day. A sin offering. A burnt offering that was pleasing to God. A wave offering (that was new to me). A census offering. All of the sudden, my job seems really, really easy!
I love the Lord and I'm privileged to serve him today!
Jan 28: Interesting concept of "fearing God" - to keep us from sinning (exod. 20.20) I've struggled at times fearing God since we've made him our father and our friend ... where is the God of wrath to be feared. We must fear him or else we could abuse his love in our lives.
I was also struck by Exod 23 where it the Lord says he won't drive out these nations all at once since then the wild animals will take over the land. The question I had was - God can wipe out the nations but not control the wild animals? The cool revelation I had was that even too much of a good thing could prove to be a bad thing.
Jan 29: Reading the details of the tabernacle was one of the toughest reads of this plan to date. I can't get a good picture of what this is to look like with words only. I loved the commentary when it spoke of no detail to small for God - he had this tabernacle planned down to the curtains.
Also, I had this cool though - where did these "skilled tradesmen" learn to work with gold and sew these curtains with beautiful designs ... in EGYPT. God's plan of slavery was finally coming full circle!
Jan 30: Time to hire some pastors! I'm happy to be a pastor in this century ... lot's to remember about the order of worship and the detailed formula of incense and the types of offerings back in the day. A sin offering. A burnt offering that was pleasing to God. A wave offering (that was new to me). A census offering. All of the sudden, my job seems really, really easy!
I love the Lord and I'm privileged to serve him today!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Got up to date on my Chronological reading again today. Watching the hand of God through dealing 10 plagues to Egypt was tough. I underlined where "Pharaoh hardened his heart" and where it says that "God hardened Pharaoh's heart." I find it interesting that this could go both ways but that God acted in this way.
Page 108 (Ex. 9:13-26) - "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raided you up for this purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
God appears to have control over those who:
- don't fear him
- don't know him
- don't love him
- don't obey him
.... as much as he has influence and control over those of us who do. This is a strong arguement for "predestination." Predestination means that God establishes who will be in His Kingdom and (obviously) those who are not. This is a troubling doctrine for Weslyan doctrine people like me - however, as I read the scriptures, it appears that there is a sense of predestination - when God desires to show His power, His glory, His "ultimateness". There is also a clear call that Jesus came for ALL and that God desires that NO MAN should perish in hell. Can the truth about this be found in the middle? I hope so.
Page 108 (Ex. 9:13-26) - "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raided you up for this purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
God appears to have control over those who:
- don't fear him
- don't know him
- don't love him
- don't obey him
.... as much as he has influence and control over those of us who do. This is a strong arguement for "predestination." Predestination means that God establishes who will be in His Kingdom and (obviously) those who are not. This is a troubling doctrine for Weslyan doctrine people like me - however, as I read the scriptures, it appears that there is a sense of predestination - when God desires to show His power, His glory, His "ultimateness". There is also a clear call that Jesus came for ALL and that God desires that NO MAN should perish in hell. Can the truth about this be found in the middle? I hope so.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Chronological Reading Post:
We've knocked out our first book of the Bible ... onto Exodus. This has been an amazing journey. Joseph's life was filled with so much struggle yet (from what we can see) he didn't complain. It was interesting this time through that I noticed when he finally rises to power in Egypt that he named his first born "because God has helped me forget my trouble ..." (Gen 41:50-52). It wasn't that he was able to forget this junk that happened to him, it's that he was able to see the BIG PICTURE during it all. God is at work in each of our lives ... this means that we don't have to be (and shouldn't be) in control - or manipulate things to go our way! Let God lead - even through Egypt if we may ... for that is the BEST God has to offer us ... not only for today ... but for tomorrow!
I'm really enjoying seeing those who will eventually be in Jesus' family line ... deceiving men, and harlett women ... God can use anyone, can't he!?! Praise the Lord! The difference being that these people recognized their errors and turn from them ... they are sensitive to the LEADING of God and are willing to follow Him anywhere.
We've knocked out our first book of the Bible ... onto Exodus. This has been an amazing journey. Joseph's life was filled with so much struggle yet (from what we can see) he didn't complain. It was interesting this time through that I noticed when he finally rises to power in Egypt that he named his first born "because God has helped me forget my trouble ..." (Gen 41:50-52). It wasn't that he was able to forget this junk that happened to him, it's that he was able to see the BIG PICTURE during it all. God is at work in each of our lives ... this means that we don't have to be (and shouldn't be) in control - or manipulate things to go our way! Let God lead - even through Egypt if we may ... for that is the BEST God has to offer us ... not only for today ... but for tomorrow!
I'm really enjoying seeing those who will eventually be in Jesus' family line ... deceiving men, and harlett women ... God can use anyone, can't he!?! Praise the Lord! The difference being that these people recognized their errors and turn from them ... they are sensitive to the LEADING of God and are willing to follow Him anywhere.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The moral of this BLOG is "don't get behind!" Some great reading today ... Jan 6-8 of the Chronological Bible Reading Plan for 2008.
Gen 15: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This is a powerful statement from God. I need this, too.
The Covenant scene in chapter 15 is absolutely cool. The commentary in our Bible is absolutely right on with the description. It's one of my favorite scenes in this early narrative as God pledges to be with Abrahm and give him a mighty nation. I would love to have seen that smoldering pot and torch pass through that bloody ally - sealing the deal of God's faithfulness to the people who would become Israel.
It's interesting that Hagar (Sarai's maidservant) is from Egypt and that when she gets a wife for her son (Ishmael) she finds and Egyptian girl. (Gen 21.21).
Timeline ... circumcision makes it's debut ... enough said.
I found it really cool that God called a man named Abram. Abram was given a promise and even tried to fullfill that promise by adopting another son, and by having a son by his wife's maidservant. Honorable attempts but they fell short of God's perfect plan. Just before God's perfect plan is set into motion, God confirms his promise with Abram and then does something really cool ... he changes his name. He is made NEW! Now God can do His work in AbraHAMS life! Now Isaac can be conceived and raised ... God took the old man (Abram), and molded him into a new man (Abraham). God's timing is strange but perfect!
Did I like Sarah's sarcasm in chapter 18? You bet! I hear her saying "You wait 'til we can't have sex (because we are worn out) to give me a son ... perrrfect!" Then she denied even being the smart elic ... to which God said ... "Yes you were!" I loved this scene.
Insight into the Lot/Sodom scene that was fresh - the angels actually pulled Lot and his family from Sodom. Lot hesitates, and they grab his family's hands and run out of town pulling them the whole way! Sometimes we have choices ... other times we are getting yanked by our arms ... either way, God is providing for those he loves! Isn't that cool?!!
Blessings on your readings ... email me rather than post ... terry@high-pointe.org!
Gen 15: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This is a powerful statement from God. I need this, too.
The Covenant scene in chapter 15 is absolutely cool. The commentary in our Bible is absolutely right on with the description. It's one of my favorite scenes in this early narrative as God pledges to be with Abrahm and give him a mighty nation. I would love to have seen that smoldering pot and torch pass through that bloody ally - sealing the deal of God's faithfulness to the people who would become Israel.
It's interesting that Hagar (Sarai's maidservant) is from Egypt and that when she gets a wife for her son (Ishmael) she finds and Egyptian girl. (Gen 21.21).
Timeline ... circumcision makes it's debut ... enough said.
I found it really cool that God called a man named Abram. Abram was given a promise and even tried to fullfill that promise by adopting another son, and by having a son by his wife's maidservant. Honorable attempts but they fell short of God's perfect plan. Just before God's perfect plan is set into motion, God confirms his promise with Abram and then does something really cool ... he changes his name. He is made NEW! Now God can do His work in AbraHAMS life! Now Isaac can be conceived and raised ... God took the old man (Abram), and molded him into a new man (Abraham). God's timing is strange but perfect!
Did I like Sarah's sarcasm in chapter 18? You bet! I hear her saying "You wait 'til we can't have sex (because we are worn out) to give me a son ... perrrfect!" Then she denied even being the smart elic ... to which God said ... "Yes you were!" I loved this scene.
Insight into the Lot/Sodom scene that was fresh - the angels actually pulled Lot and his family from Sodom. Lot hesitates, and they grab his family's hands and run out of town pulling them the whole way! Sometimes we have choices ... other times we are getting yanked by our arms ... either way, God is providing for those he loves! Isn't that cool?!!
Blessings on your readings ... email me rather than post ... terry@high-pointe.org!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
January 3:
I'm struck by the details God offers Noah. Incredible. I can't imagine the volume of food required for Noah's family and for the animals. It also struck me that God's wrath was directed at all of his creation - not just humans. Mankind seems to be the evil one; however, God is starting over by wiping out all animals, too. Hmmm ...
I think I need to rent "Evan Almighty".
I'm struck by the details God offers Noah. Incredible. I can't imagine the volume of food required for Noah's family and for the animals. It also struck me that God's wrath was directed at all of his creation - not just humans. Mankind seems to be the evil one; however, God is starting over by wiping out all animals, too. Hmmm ...
I think I need to rent "Evan Almighty".
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
NEW READING PLAN
I've started the Chronological reading plan. I'm on target ... 2 days in! If you would like to learn more about this reading plan - email me at terry@high-pointe.org
Blessings on this new year!
Blessings on this new year!
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