052 Numbers 12 – 14; Romans 3
Oh my! I feel like a mosquito at a nudist colony, so many good places to land I have no idea where to begin. We have Miriam going up against Moses, the twelve spies -- 10 losers and 2 men, God's final answer, and the turn around that was a day late and tear drop short. To think that is just two chapters!. We have not even looked at Romans.
Loyalty is a good thing and should be practiced in truth. Miriam and Aaron were being disloyal and had totally misunderstood their part in God's progress of redemption. God had a special relationship with Moses, Miriam was punished with leprosy for seven days. It's hard to know your place and be content in that place.
We are trying to get to the land and finally scouts are going out to see the land. The problem is all they saw were problems except of course Joshua and Caleb. Joshua and Caleb saw opportunities because they believed God to be bigger than the problems. So which are you a problem reveler or a problem fixer? I believe history teaches us that it is harder and riskier to a problem solver.
God told these people to not going over and the next day they went anyways! Can you imagine this atrocity of moving twice against God within about 24 hours?! Common sense would say that Moses is not moving and neither is the Chest so, I'm sitting still. Be careful when you move and call it God's will.
Romans just keeps pointing out that we humans have a long way to go. The gap is made up by God in Christ. Amen.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
051 Friday, February 20, 2009
051 Numbers 9 – 11; Romans 2
Bugles, cloud of fire, the chest, Taberah (blaze--fire from God) and whining. Which word does not fit? You get one guess. You are right if you said whining. A hard life they had. They didn't have freedom or food that tastes good… and they want the food! I believe Israel is a picture of the human heart. Are we ever satisfied? When is enough, enough? Contentment is a really big word for any culture or individual.
Now before we get on our high horse let's see how the big kahuna handled it. Moses said to God, '"Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"' Oh yea, they are in the cesspool of grumbling. Here is my problem, I whine about the whiners, and feel justified because I didn't start it! I am Moses, in the bad way. I have a bigger problem, I am Israel and Moses--just shoot me! When I am following I feel justified to whine and when I lead I feel justified to grumble. Am I alone in this dilemma of the heart?
Earlier this morning I told God today is a day of praise because of some tough situations that got resolved over the weekend. Praise the Lord. Do you want to hear what the Lord whispered in my heart when I told Him I was going to praise Him for the answers to prayer? What if I (the Lord) had not answered the way you wanted would you still praise me? Wow. God is good all the time, all the time God is good--praise Him, period.
So today wherever you may find yourself may God find you praising and thanking Him!
Bugles, cloud of fire, the chest, Taberah (blaze--fire from God) and whining. Which word does not fit? You get one guess. You are right if you said whining. A hard life they had. They didn't have freedom or food that tastes good… and they want the food! I believe Israel is a picture of the human heart. Are we ever satisfied? When is enough, enough? Contentment is a really big word for any culture or individual.
Now before we get on our high horse let's see how the big kahuna handled it. Moses said to God, '"Why are you treating me this way? What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"' Oh yea, they are in the cesspool of grumbling. Here is my problem, I whine about the whiners, and feel justified because I didn't start it! I am Moses, in the bad way. I have a bigger problem, I am Israel and Moses--just shoot me! When I am following I feel justified to whine and when I lead I feel justified to grumble. Am I alone in this dilemma of the heart?
Earlier this morning I told God today is a day of praise because of some tough situations that got resolved over the weekend. Praise the Lord. Do you want to hear what the Lord whispered in my heart when I told Him I was going to praise Him for the answers to prayer? What if I (the Lord) had not answered the way you wanted would you still praise me? Wow. God is good all the time, all the time God is good--praise Him, period.
So today wherever you may find yourself may God find you praising and thanking Him!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
050 Thursday, February 19, 2009
050 Numbers 6 – 8; Romans 1.18 – 1.32
Focusing on Romans chapter one: Humans are messed up. We are fallen in heart, mind, and body. We will not understand the extent of the cross until we understand the extent of our fall. There is no better translation on Romans one than the Message. I hope it makes your heart sick to see how we have treated God and how we then treat each other.
The biggest problem is we don't want to give God the glory. We are glory thieves. We want to be on the stand receiving the applause. It is all God or nothing. It is not 90% God and 10% us or even 99% God and 1% us; it is all God, all the time. God is in charge and in control when we see it or do not see it.
In this year, in this day, in this moment, yes, this moment, give God the glory…ALL of the Glory. Ask the Lord to forgive you, our church, and nation for being glory hounds.
Focusing on Romans chapter one: Humans are messed up. We are fallen in heart, mind, and body. We will not understand the extent of the cross until we understand the extent of our fall. There is no better translation on Romans one than the Message. I hope it makes your heart sick to see how we have treated God and how we then treat each other.
The biggest problem is we don't want to give God the glory. We are glory thieves. We want to be on the stand receiving the applause. It is all God or nothing. It is not 90% God and 10% us or even 99% God and 1% us; it is all God, all the time. God is in charge and in control when we see it or do not see it.
In this year, in this day, in this moment, yes, this moment, give God the glory…ALL of the Glory. Ask the Lord to forgive you, our church, and nation for being glory hounds.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
048 Tuesday, February 17, 2009
048 Numbers 003 – 005; Romans 1.1 – 1.17
Everyone has a job to do. With that in mind, you see how God handed out the duties for each clan and tribe. I have often thought what would happen in the church if everyone was handed an assignment that they had to do. If every church in America would do that then people who do not ‘do’ would either stay home or start the "Do Nothing" church.
Do you know if your spouse is cheating on you? Do you? Those feelings that you have experienced, maybe, just maybe, they mean something. The bitter water test is what we have for you spouses who are just not sure. If the party is innocent then the water will not affect you, however if you are guilty then the curse will have its way. Wow! Here's a thought, don't sin. Stay away from those things that bring dishonor and shame. People need the Lord. People need to follow the Lord, always.
The book of Romans is to the Bible what the Constitution is to the U.S.A.. Please read this section very slowly. Let God teach you about the Gospel. It is this verse that started it all, "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives." The Gospel in its simplest form is found in this verse. This is the verse that stimulated Martin Luther's thinking that maybe it is faith in Christ plus nothing.
The book of Romans goes to great lengths to prove that it is faith alone that gives us life. Read it, soak it in, and let God reveal to you how marvelous and awesome our Savior, Jesus is and will always be.
A good question to start reflecting upon is: "Does everything that I think, feel, and contemplate always go back to Jesus?"
Everyone has a job to do. With that in mind, you see how God handed out the duties for each clan and tribe. I have often thought what would happen in the church if everyone was handed an assignment that they had to do. If every church in America would do that then people who do not ‘do’ would either stay home or start the "Do Nothing" church.
Do you know if your spouse is cheating on you? Do you? Those feelings that you have experienced, maybe, just maybe, they mean something. The bitter water test is what we have for you spouses who are just not sure. If the party is innocent then the water will not affect you, however if you are guilty then the curse will have its way. Wow! Here's a thought, don't sin. Stay away from those things that bring dishonor and shame. People need the Lord. People need to follow the Lord, always.
The book of Romans is to the Bible what the Constitution is to the U.S.A.. Please read this section very slowly. Let God teach you about the Gospel. It is this verse that started it all, "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives." The Gospel in its simplest form is found in this verse. This is the verse that stimulated Martin Luther's thinking that maybe it is faith in Christ plus nothing.
The book of Romans goes to great lengths to prove that it is faith alone that gives us life. Read it, soak it in, and let God reveal to you how marvelous and awesome our Savior, Jesus is and will always be.
A good question to start reflecting upon is: "Does everything that I think, feel, and contemplate always go back to Jesus?"
Monday, February 16, 2009
047 Monday, February 16, 2009
047 Numbers 001 – 002; Hebrews 013
This promise from God is about people and the land. They are not in the land as of yet, but the people are having to get ready. They are organizing, preparing for battle, and getting a feel for what it means to be together and yet separate as a tribe. These people are one day going to be a country. It is this nation that is to uphold the name of Yahweh. They are to be salt and light for the other nations. Don't forget they had been in slavery for 430 years. They had been bossed around and cared for; in other words institutionalized. Now they have to lead and be ready to fight for themselves. Perhaps, God is preparing you for a new ministry. God is doing something in your life now because the Lord has a new way He wants to use you.
We are witnessing the building of the community, of the nation of Israel. In the book of Hebrews these words are written for the community of faith for today, "Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love." Let it sink in how we as followers of Christ are to view people that are marginalized in our society. Here is one, "Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them." That is one for the books.
Let me highlight what I believe to be an interesting way to talk about witnessing. The author says, "So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is---not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This "insider world" is not our home." What a great way to view how we are to be salt and light. Let's be willing to take some heat for Jesus. Let's risk some friendships, some reputations, let’s be willing to take some abuse. Who are talking to this weekend?
This promise from God is about people and the land. They are not in the land as of yet, but the people are having to get ready. They are organizing, preparing for battle, and getting a feel for what it means to be together and yet separate as a tribe. These people are one day going to be a country. It is this nation that is to uphold the name of Yahweh. They are to be salt and light for the other nations. Don't forget they had been in slavery for 430 years. They had been bossed around and cared for; in other words institutionalized. Now they have to lead and be ready to fight for themselves. Perhaps, God is preparing you for a new ministry. God is doing something in your life now because the Lord has a new way He wants to use you.
We are witnessing the building of the community, of the nation of Israel. In the book of Hebrews these words are written for the community of faith for today, "Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love." Let it sink in how we as followers of Christ are to view people that are marginalized in our society. Here is one, "Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them." That is one for the books.
Let me highlight what I believe to be an interesting way to talk about witnessing. The author says, "So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is---not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This "insider world" is not our home." What a great way to view how we are to be salt and light. Let's be willing to take some heat for Jesus. Let's risk some friendships, some reputations, let’s be willing to take some abuse. Who are talking to this weekend?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
046 Sunday, February 15, 2009
It is the day the Lord has made let us enter his courts with praise.
046 Leviticus 026 – 027; Hebrews 012
Are you catching what God is really saying to His people in these opening verses? If they would trust and obey the Lord they are set for life. Then the Lord let's them know what will happen if they choose to not trust and to be disobedient. We can look back and see what the Jewish nation chose and it is a stern warning to us not to take God for granted. I think what people forget is that God always gives two promises and the Lord always lives up to His promises. The one promise has to do with blessing and the other is God's curse. It is true for us today that God has told us, ‘I have set before you heaven or hell.’ God will live up to His promise.
Hebrews chapter 12 has got to be one of the top chapters in the Bible. You have Genesis chapter one, Hebrews 11 and 12, 1Cor. 13, Romans 1, 8,and12, Rev. 19and 20, Ps.23, 34,and 78 and of course John 1 and 3. What are some of your top chapters in the Bible? Now that we have it straight that Christ is better than anything that has come along and that will ever come along, GO FOR IT! Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in, Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. Notice the last sentence after you go over His story "That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
So go over His story step by step and see if that will not help revive your soul!
046 Leviticus 026 – 027; Hebrews 012
Are you catching what God is really saying to His people in these opening verses? If they would trust and obey the Lord they are set for life. Then the Lord let's them know what will happen if they choose to not trust and to be disobedient. We can look back and see what the Jewish nation chose and it is a stern warning to us not to take God for granted. I think what people forget is that God always gives two promises and the Lord always lives up to His promises. The one promise has to do with blessing and the other is God's curse. It is true for us today that God has told us, ‘I have set before you heaven or hell.’ God will live up to His promise.
Hebrews chapter 12 has got to be one of the top chapters in the Bible. You have Genesis chapter one, Hebrews 11 and 12, 1Cor. 13, Romans 1, 8,and12, Rev. 19and 20, Ps.23, 34,and 78 and of course John 1 and 3. What are some of your top chapters in the Bible? Now that we have it straight that Christ is better than anything that has come along and that will ever come along, GO FOR IT! Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in, Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. Notice the last sentence after you go over His story "That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
So go over His story step by step and see if that will not help revive your soul!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
