073 Deuteronomy 26 – 28; Galatians 3.1 – 3.27
What do you do when you feel or know that God has blessed you? When the Israelites were once in the land and the land produced fruit, they were to take the first-fruits to a place that is set apart for worship unto the Lord. Do something this week to celebrate His blessing on your life.
By now you have noticed that there is quite a bit of reminding being done in this book. It's as if God is saying that nothing should be taken for granted--never assume that people have or that they are getting it. Remind them, review with them, and do the same thing over again.
If you have Jesus you have everything. Do you believe it? Most people give an intellectual ascent to this statement but, in their experience, they look to the future for something more when the Bible teaches everything we need is found in Christ. Our focus is to be on Christ and to live our life in and through Him. Our experience is to be Bible based and Christ centered. What are you looking for? Perhaps you already have it in your savior, Christ Jesus. This is what Paul is teaching in the book of Galatians.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
072 Friday, March 13, 2009
072 Deuteronomy 23 – 25; Galatians
Don't get above your raisin. Many times people make it in life and forget where they came from. Moses is encouraging the Israelites to treat foreigners and orphans in the right way for once they were slaves. Don't get above your raisin.
Did you notice the Jewish people could charge interest to gentiles but not to their people? If you loan money to your neighbor do not go into their house but wait outside. It is about respect for your people. God was building more than a nation, the Lord was building a community. What does it take to build an authentic community? God was answering this question for His people.
"I quit being a law man so I could be God's man.." is Paul's summary of his new calling in Christ. Trying to keep the law to please God does not work, so says Paul. The book of Galatians is about our freedom in Christ and how to be good stewards of this new found freedom. You are free and that means we are free to serve Christ and people.
Don't get above your raisin. Many times people make it in life and forget where they came from. Moses is encouraging the Israelites to treat foreigners and orphans in the right way for once they were slaves. Don't get above your raisin.
Did you notice the Jewish people could charge interest to gentiles but not to their people? If you loan money to your neighbor do not go into their house but wait outside. It is about respect for your people. God was building more than a nation, the Lord was building a community. What does it take to build an authentic community? God was answering this question for His people.
"I quit being a law man so I could be God's man.." is Paul's summary of his new calling in Christ. Trying to keep the law to please God does not work, so says Paul. The book of Galatians is about our freedom in Christ and how to be good stewards of this new found freedom. You are free and that means we are free to serve Christ and people.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
071 Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sorry for the delay.
071 Deuteronomy 20 – 22; Galatians 1
Brutal and unbelievable is what God wants done to the nations that occupy the land. The land is what God has promised to the Israelites. Kill all the men, women, and children is the command of God. Why? God knows our hearts and that we can be led astray. Perhaps we underestimate how we can be led astray. This command has to be put into context of the promise of the Messiah is coming through Israel. At all costs protect the people that will bring the world redemption. At all costs do not allow this mission to fail.
Paul has a similar problem with the Galatians in that they had been led done the wrong path concerning their salvation in Christ. You receive Christ by grace through faith and that they believe. However, someone had come in to teach them that they could work out their salvation in their own strength. Led astray by false teaching was their problem.
God is a God of truth. The world is full of grey but there is a whole lot of black and white. The people of God always had a discernment problem. Many times it was worse than a discernment problem; it was a matter of just plain old disobedience. In John we are told to test the spirits. Let us pray for an obedient heart and a heart of discernment.
071 Deuteronomy 20 – 22; Galatians 1
Brutal and unbelievable is what God wants done to the nations that occupy the land. The land is what God has promised to the Israelites. Kill all the men, women, and children is the command of God. Why? God knows our hearts and that we can be led astray. Perhaps we underestimate how we can be led astray. This command has to be put into context of the promise of the Messiah is coming through Israel. At all costs protect the people that will bring the world redemption. At all costs do not allow this mission to fail.
Paul has a similar problem with the Galatians in that they had been led done the wrong path concerning their salvation in Christ. You receive Christ by grace through faith and that they believe. However, someone had come in to teach them that they could work out their salvation in their own strength. Led astray by false teaching was their problem.
God is a God of truth. The world is full of grey but there is a whole lot of black and white. The people of God always had a discernment problem. Many times it was worse than a discernment problem; it was a matter of just plain old disobedience. In John we are told to test the spirits. Let us pray for an obedient heart and a heart of discernment.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
069 Tuesday, March 10, 2009
069 Deuteronomy 17 – 19; Romans 16
Used tea bags are sent to missionaries because they should be thankful they are getting anything at all. Used toys are dropped off for the church nursery, used lumber for the church steps and the list goes on. Maybe these things can be rationalized but never, never are we to give seconds to God. Don't sacrifice anything to God that is defective. God deserves our best, period! Moses also warns the Israelites that they must guard against taking up the practices of the people whose land they are taking. Our temptation is to forget that the land, for us the world we live in, is not our home. The practices of this world are of this world and are not from the Lord above. Don't forget that where we are headed is what we ought to practice.
Hello. Say hello to so and so. Paul was really connected. Paul knew and worked with a lot of different people. Paul was on a mission. Paul was about getting the message out to those who did not know. Our money, time, talent, and anything else has to be pointed in that direction. We need to network for the kingdom of God. A lot of people out there who do not know our Savior are counting on us. We can count on the Savior to get us the tough times because people are counting on us.
Used tea bags are sent to missionaries because they should be thankful they are getting anything at all. Used toys are dropped off for the church nursery, used lumber for the church steps and the list goes on. Maybe these things can be rationalized but never, never are we to give seconds to God. Don't sacrifice anything to God that is defective. God deserves our best, period! Moses also warns the Israelites that they must guard against taking up the practices of the people whose land they are taking. Our temptation is to forget that the land, for us the world we live in, is not our home. The practices of this world are of this world and are not from the Lord above. Don't forget that where we are headed is what we ought to practice.
Hello. Say hello to so and so. Paul was really connected. Paul knew and worked with a lot of different people. Paul was on a mission. Paul was about getting the message out to those who did not know. Our money, time, talent, and anything else has to be pointed in that direction. We need to network for the kingdom of God. A lot of people out there who do not know our Savior are counting on us. We can count on the Savior to get us the tough times because people are counting on us.
Monday, March 9, 2009
068 Monday, March 9, 2009
068 Deuteronomy 14 – 16; Romans 15
- Watch what you eat.
- Watch your heart and make sure you have a giving heart.
- Give ten percent of your produce.
- At the end of the seventh year cancel all debt.
- When someone needs help don't turn your back on them.
- Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
The nation of Israel was to reveal through their beliefs and behavior who God is. Not much different for us today. The resources we have to accomplish that mission are much greater as well as a clearer understanding of who God is. We are to be salt and light. You are to be salt and light.
Welcome! A while ago I did my first baptism by using the method of sprinkling. Welcome Mike, who came to know Christ about two years ago through members of our home group. Welcome. Mike has some physical problems that prohibited him from being baptized by going under the water, therefore we had a baptism service at his house. Welcome. Paul writes that we are to reach out and welcome one another to God's glory just as Christ did.
Welcome is a powerful word. Welcome to God's family. Who have you helped welcome lately to the kingdom of God? Who have you prayed for lately that does not know the Savior? Welcome. Let us keep the welcome mat out.
- Watch what you eat.
- Watch your heart and make sure you have a giving heart.
- Give ten percent of your produce.
- At the end of the seventh year cancel all debt.
- When someone needs help don't turn your back on them.
- Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
The nation of Israel was to reveal through their beliefs and behavior who God is. Not much different for us today. The resources we have to accomplish that mission are much greater as well as a clearer understanding of who God is. We are to be salt and light. You are to be salt and light.
Welcome! A while ago I did my first baptism by using the method of sprinkling. Welcome Mike, who came to know Christ about two years ago through members of our home group. Welcome. Mike has some physical problems that prohibited him from being baptized by going under the water, therefore we had a baptism service at his house. Welcome. Paul writes that we are to reach out and welcome one another to God's glory just as Christ did.
Welcome is a powerful word. Welcome to God's family. Who have you helped welcome lately to the kingdom of God? Who have you prayed for lately that does not know the Savior? Welcome. Let us keep the welcome mat out.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
067 Sunday, March 8, 2009
067 Deuteronomy 11 – 13; Romans 14
Coach, could you tell us why your team lost the game? ‘We didn't score enough points’ or the more positive coach would say ‘we ran out of time’. The rules are laid out before any competition and everyone knows when the time runs out the winner is the one with the most points. On page 328 the blessing and curse principle is placed before Israel. If you understand this principle then you understand the rest of the O.T.. When reading the prophets you will understand that this principle of blessing or curse was taught to the Israelite nation. It should clear up some confusion as to whether or not a prophecy was fulfilled or is it God's judgment. Much of what is prophecy is simply the spokesman for God who is telling how the curse is going to come based upon the principle of blessing or curse.
Grace, where is it? It is in the commandment. These people did not deserve to know how God works, but the Lord gave them secrets that no one else had. We forget that knowledge is power and God is revealing Himself in these commandments.
Do not build your world around those who are weak. You build your world around Jesus Christ. Always be sensitive but carry yourself as a mature follower of Christ. I have witnessed entire Christian organizations built around those who might be offended. It does not work because you have given control over to those who may just want control. They may not really be offended but just wanting to be in charge.
Love God and love others. Where can you do that today?
Coach, could you tell us why your team lost the game? ‘We didn't score enough points’ or the more positive coach would say ‘we ran out of time’. The rules are laid out before any competition and everyone knows when the time runs out the winner is the one with the most points. On page 328 the blessing and curse principle is placed before Israel. If you understand this principle then you understand the rest of the O.T.. When reading the prophets you will understand that this principle of blessing or curse was taught to the Israelite nation. It should clear up some confusion as to whether or not a prophecy was fulfilled or is it God's judgment. Much of what is prophecy is simply the spokesman for God who is telling how the curse is going to come based upon the principle of blessing or curse.
Grace, where is it? It is in the commandment. These people did not deserve to know how God works, but the Lord gave them secrets that no one else had. We forget that knowledge is power and God is revealing Himself in these commandments.
Do not build your world around those who are weak. You build your world around Jesus Christ. Always be sensitive but carry yourself as a mature follower of Christ. I have witnessed entire Christian organizations built around those who might be offended. It does not work because you have given control over to those who may just want control. They may not really be offended but just wanting to be in charge.
Love God and love others. Where can you do that today?
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