213 Hosea 10 - 14; Acts 22.30 - 23.10 Sat Aug 1
Hosea 10:1 (MSG)
1 Israel was once a lush vine, bountiful in grapes. The more lavish the harvest, the more promiscuous the worship. The more money they got, the more they squandered on gods-in-their-own-image.
When you read this opening verse what comes to mind? Is it mindboggling to you? Is it “what a waste?” Maybe it is, “How could this have happened?” I have all of those questions and many more when I read this verse. The other thing that comes to mind is a warning sign that is flashing with all the brilliance of a highway construction site on I-94. These people had been blessed with goods. These people also knew God and His commandments. These people grew complacent. Warning—it could happen to you or me. It is easy to drift when you live on easy street. What is also true for these people is that when God was even punishing them they still opted for their own way. In other words, just because someone is going through a tough time does not necessarily mean they will have a coming to Jesus meeting.
Hosea 11:1-3 (MSG)
1 "When Israel was only a child, I loved him. I called out, 'My son!'—called him out of Egypt.
2 But when others called him, he ran off and left me. He worshiped the popular sex gods, he played at religion with toy gods.
3 Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim. I rescued him from human bondage, But he never acknowledged my help,
In all that Israel had done in dishonoring God—God still stuck with them! God was made to stick. Trust Him this day for your needs and for your life.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we find Paul just being released because he was a Roman citizen. He was brought before the Jewish council and here we see a wise man at work. Acts 23:6 (MSG)
6 Paul, knowing some of the council was made up of Sadducees and others of Pharisees and how they hated each other, decided to exploit their antagonism: "Friends, I am a stalwart Pharisee from a long line of Pharisees. It's because of my Pharisee convictions—the hope and resurrection of the dead—that I've been hauled into this court."
Paul was able to testify and at the same time stir up a little trouble. The Bible tells us to be as harmless as a dove and as wise as a serpent. Paul was certainly all of that and maybe more. May God give us His wisdom from above.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
212 Friday, July 31, 2009
212 Hosea 5 - 9; Acts 21.40 - 22.29
I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said, “There are only two kinds of people in the world, those who say, Thy will be done, and those to whom God says, Thy will be done.” As you read Hosea you will find more of the second group—not the group of choice. It is really hard to admit how we have this fickleness in us as well. We believe in God with all of heart and yet we run from Him. We say yes to God, but with reservations. We want God, but at arms length. Israel had really slid down a slippery slope. Listen to these words,
Hosea 5:4 (MSG)
4 They couldn't turn to God if they wanted to. Their evil life is a bad habit. Every breath they take is a whore's breath. They wouldn't recognize God if they saw me.
What we have to wrestle with is to make sure that our doubts which are normal part of the faith walk does not turn into cynicism. We do not want the unbelief that accompanies the cynic’s life. God’s chosen people, Israel, had become so addicted to sin that they would not even recognize God if He showed up in 3D. Pray that your heart and those around you stay soft toward the Lord.
In the book of Acts we pick up on Paul’s story. He is not defending himself. Paul is telling of the grace of our Lord Jesus in his life. He tells first of what he was in these words,
Acts 22:2-5 (MSG)
2 When they heard him speaking Hebrew, they grew even quieter. No one wanted to miss a word of this. He continued,
3 "I am a good Jew, born in Tarsus in the province of Cilicia, but educated here in Jerusalem under the exacting eye of Rabbi Gamaliel, thoroughly instructed in our religious traditions. And I've always been passionately on God's side, just as you are right now.
4 "I went after anyone connected with this 'Way,' went at them hammer and tongs, ready to kill for God. I rounded up men and women right and left and had them thrown in prison.
Paul was all out to kill the people of the “Way” and now he is all out for this Jesus—he is one of them now. It is amazing what God can do in a person’s life. What has he done in you?
I believe it was C.S. Lewis who said, “There are only two kinds of people in the world, those who say, Thy will be done, and those to whom God says, Thy will be done.” As you read Hosea you will find more of the second group—not the group of choice. It is really hard to admit how we have this fickleness in us as well. We believe in God with all of heart and yet we run from Him. We say yes to God, but with reservations. We want God, but at arms length. Israel had really slid down a slippery slope. Listen to these words,
Hosea 5:4 (MSG)
4 They couldn't turn to God if they wanted to. Their evil life is a bad habit. Every breath they take is a whore's breath. They wouldn't recognize God if they saw me.
What we have to wrestle with is to make sure that our doubts which are normal part of the faith walk does not turn into cynicism. We do not want the unbelief that accompanies the cynic’s life. God’s chosen people, Israel, had become so addicted to sin that they would not even recognize God if He showed up in 3D. Pray that your heart and those around you stay soft toward the Lord.
In the book of Acts we pick up on Paul’s story. He is not defending himself. Paul is telling of the grace of our Lord Jesus in his life. He tells first of what he was in these words,
Acts 22:2-5 (MSG)
2 When they heard him speaking Hebrew, they grew even quieter. No one wanted to miss a word of this. He continued,
3 "I am a good Jew, born in Tarsus in the province of Cilicia, but educated here in Jerusalem under the exacting eye of Rabbi Gamaliel, thoroughly instructed in our religious traditions. And I've always been passionately on God's side, just as you are right now.
4 "I went after anyone connected with this 'Way,' went at them hammer and tongs, ready to kill for God. I rounded up men and women right and left and had them thrown in prison.
Paul was all out to kill the people of the “Way” and now he is all out for this Jesus—he is one of them now. It is amazing what God can do in a person’s life. What has he done in you?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
211 Thursday, July 30, 2009
211 Hosea 1 - 4; Acts 21.27 - 21.39
It is your first assignment in the military, or as salesperson, or better yet as a prophet for God and you are told to go marry-- what? I hope you have read your chapters first because it will wake you up. Here is the opening verse,
Hosea 1:2 (MSG)
2 The first time God spoke to Hosea he said: "Find a whore and marry her. Make this whore the mother of your children. And here's why: This whole country has become a whorehouse, unfaithful to me, God."
The first time God spoke to Hosea he is told to go and marry a very unfaithful woman. Oh, by the way, have a family with her too! Hosea becomes the sermon unto Israel. He becomes the parable of what has happened between God and the chosen people of Israel. Make sure you catch the names of the children. Hosea is told to dump her and then to take her back. It is to show how the relationship has been between God and Israel. Listen to these words,
Hosea 3:1 (MSG)
1 Then God ordered me, "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy."
Israel has acted as an unfaithful wife and yet God continues to chase after Israel. God could have totally dumped Israel and started over, but He chose not to take that kind of action. God will always come after us. God comes to us with outstretched arms. It is we who run from Him.
Paul is in the temple and actually participating in a Jewish rite. Some Jews discover that he is there and begin to spread the word that the liar is among them. The one who is spreading lies against the Jewish religion. Here is where all that goes wrong,
Acts 21:35-36 (MSG)
35 But when they got to the Temple steps, the mob became so violent that the soldiers had to carry Paul. 36 As they carried him away, the crowd followed, shouting, "Kill him! Kill him!"
With all of this going on Paul has a request and that is, he wants to speak to the crowd. I can think of many requests at this time, but I am pretty sure that speaking to the crowd would not be one of them for me. Yes, I peeked ahead and Paul just has to tell them his story. It is a great story. What is your story? When is the last time you have told your story? Please tell it and let God use it!
It is your first assignment in the military, or as salesperson, or better yet as a prophet for God and you are told to go marry-- what? I hope you have read your chapters first because it will wake you up. Here is the opening verse,
Hosea 1:2 (MSG)
2 The first time God spoke to Hosea he said: "Find a whore and marry her. Make this whore the mother of your children. And here's why: This whole country has become a whorehouse, unfaithful to me, God."
The first time God spoke to Hosea he is told to go and marry a very unfaithful woman. Oh, by the way, have a family with her too! Hosea becomes the sermon unto Israel. He becomes the parable of what has happened between God and the chosen people of Israel. Make sure you catch the names of the children. Hosea is told to dump her and then to take her back. It is to show how the relationship has been between God and Israel. Listen to these words,
Hosea 3:1 (MSG)
1 Then God ordered me, "Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who's in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy."
Israel has acted as an unfaithful wife and yet God continues to chase after Israel. God could have totally dumped Israel and started over, but He chose not to take that kind of action. God will always come after us. God comes to us with outstretched arms. It is we who run from Him.
Paul is in the temple and actually participating in a Jewish rite. Some Jews discover that he is there and begin to spread the word that the liar is among them. The one who is spreading lies against the Jewish religion. Here is where all that goes wrong,
Acts 21:35-36 (MSG)
35 But when they got to the Temple steps, the mob became so violent that the soldiers had to carry Paul. 36 As they carried him away, the crowd followed, shouting, "Kill him! Kill him!"
With all of this going on Paul has a request and that is, he wants to speak to the crowd. I can think of many requests at this time, but I am pretty sure that speaking to the crowd would not be one of them for me. Yes, I peeked ahead and Paul just has to tell them his story. It is a great story. What is your story? When is the last time you have told your story? Please tell it and let God use it!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
209 Tuesday, July 28, 2009
209 Ezekiel 45 – 48; Acts 21.1 – 21.26
Details. In Ezekiel 40-48 we have been delving into details. Why is Ezekiel spending so much time on these details? Better yet, why is God who is speaking through Ezekiel, spending so much time on these details? The answer is sin! The people, the teachers, the priests, and the kings had all forgotten that the details were about how to worship Yahweh. This portion of Scripture is about the future worship of the Lord and the details have to be covered. Sometimes we say that the devil is in the details. We must understand that the Lord is also in the details. Do not lose the big picture that God was calling His people back to worship Him in the correct way. There one devotional thought I would like to share with you and it comes in the first sentence of chapter 45 where it say,
Ezekiel 45:1 (MSG)
1 "When you divide up the inheritance of the land, you must set aside part of the land as sacred space for God: approximately seven miles long by six miles wide, all of it holy ground.
God commands His people to set aside sacred space when they return to the land. For us who live in the Spirit age this does not have the same meaning as it would for them in that day. Today the believer is to live a sacred life wherever their feet carry them. Everyday is a holy day. With all that being said I think in practical terms we all need a sacred space. Carve out some time that is sacred to the Lord. Make it an appointment so you will save that time to refuel and to reconnect with your Savior.
Paul if you remember is headed to Jerusalem. There are people who think he ought not to go because the rumor is that he will not be safe in Jerusalem. Listen to how Paul responds,
Acts 21:13 (MSG)
13 But Paul wouldn't budge: "Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me? You're looking at this backwards. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?"
This is a valuable lesson for all of us to learn. Paul is saying it is not about him, but about the Lord and His work in and through him. Make no mistake there were times Paul did escape out the back door or was lowered over a wall in order to get out of dodge. Paul knew that he had to go to Jerusalem and therefore that his obedience to God was more important than his safety. In the instances that Paul escaped his work was done. The work that God had for Paul in Jerusalem was not done. The work in Jerusalem had to do with God’s grace. Many Jews had come to faith but they were also taking up the Law of Moses with even more zeal. Paul had been leading gentiles to the Lord and telling them that they did not have to follow the law. The Jews in Jerusalem were not happy about what they were hearing. Paul knew that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was on the line. It is by grace you have been saved through faith in Christ and that is the end of the story. You will find that in most cases that people want to add to what God has done in and through His son Christ Jesus. Do you no find that odd? It is as if God just didn’t know how to restore the people that He had created and we have to come along side of Him and give our two cents worth. Have a grace filled day!
Details. In Ezekiel 40-48 we have been delving into details. Why is Ezekiel spending so much time on these details? Better yet, why is God who is speaking through Ezekiel, spending so much time on these details? The answer is sin! The people, the teachers, the priests, and the kings had all forgotten that the details were about how to worship Yahweh. This portion of Scripture is about the future worship of the Lord and the details have to be covered. Sometimes we say that the devil is in the details. We must understand that the Lord is also in the details. Do not lose the big picture that God was calling His people back to worship Him in the correct way. There one devotional thought I would like to share with you and it comes in the first sentence of chapter 45 where it say,
Ezekiel 45:1 (MSG)
1 "When you divide up the inheritance of the land, you must set aside part of the land as sacred space for God: approximately seven miles long by six miles wide, all of it holy ground.
God commands His people to set aside sacred space when they return to the land. For us who live in the Spirit age this does not have the same meaning as it would for them in that day. Today the believer is to live a sacred life wherever their feet carry them. Everyday is a holy day. With all that being said I think in practical terms we all need a sacred space. Carve out some time that is sacred to the Lord. Make it an appointment so you will save that time to refuel and to reconnect with your Savior.
Paul if you remember is headed to Jerusalem. There are people who think he ought not to go because the rumor is that he will not be safe in Jerusalem. Listen to how Paul responds,
Acts 21:13 (MSG)
13 But Paul wouldn't budge: "Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me? You're looking at this backwards. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?"
This is a valuable lesson for all of us to learn. Paul is saying it is not about him, but about the Lord and His work in and through him. Make no mistake there were times Paul did escape out the back door or was lowered over a wall in order to get out of dodge. Paul knew that he had to go to Jerusalem and therefore that his obedience to God was more important than his safety. In the instances that Paul escaped his work was done. The work that God had for Paul in Jerusalem was not done. The work in Jerusalem had to do with God’s grace. Many Jews had come to faith but they were also taking up the Law of Moses with even more zeal. Paul had been leading gentiles to the Lord and telling them that they did not have to follow the law. The Jews in Jerusalem were not happy about what they were hearing. Paul knew that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was on the line. It is by grace you have been saved through faith in Christ and that is the end of the story. You will find that in most cases that people want to add to what God has done in and through His son Christ Jesus. Do you no find that odd? It is as if God just didn’t know how to restore the people that He had created and we have to come along side of Him and give our two cents worth. Have a grace filled day!
Monday, July 27, 2009
208 Monday, July 27, 2009
208 Ezekiel 40 – 44; Acts 20.17 – 20.38
Israel now can see that truly God is going to restore them. The biggest part to the restoration is not the temple being rebuilt, but that the glory of God returns to Israel. It is the glory of God that set Israel apart in the beginning. Lest we forget it is in the book of Ezekiel that the glory of God departed because of Israel’s sin and then punishment upon them by the invading nations. Once you see that the temple is going to be rebuilt the questions of all questions is God going to return and the answer is yes.
Ezekiel 43:1-5 (MSG)
1 The man brought me to the east gate.
2 Oh! The bright Glory of the God of Israel rivered out of the east sounding like the roar of floodwaters, and the earth itself glowed with the bright Glory.
3 It looked just like what I had seen when he came to destroy the city, exactly like what I had seen earlier at the Kebar River. And again I fell, face to the ground.
4 The bright Glory of God poured into the Temple through the east gate.
5 The Spirit put me on my feet and led me to the inside courtyard and—oh! the bright Glory of God filled the Temple!
Three times in these five verses we see the phrase “the Glory of God.” God in His full and abundant presence returns to Israel. Where is God’s glory today? If you said the church you are right. If you said in you, you would also be right. The believer carries in them the Holy Spirit which is to manifest the Glory of God in and through them. We as the church are to be the ones that the world looks to see who God is and what God is up to. Certainly people can look and see His glory is in His creation, but His spirit lives in His church.
In the N.T. reading we find Paul giving testimony as to his coming to Asia. Let us listen to some his words,
Acts 20:20-21 (MSG)
20 I didn't skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public and I taught you in your homes,
21 urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus.
Paul held nothing back from these people. He gave all he had. As you read more of the passage you see he is holding the leaders accountable who have been developed to carry on with the work of Christ. It is put up or shut time for Paul is leaving to go back to Jerusalem. One day we all leave the scene and it behooves us to make sure we leave somebody behind to fight the good fight of faith. Jesus trained his disciples and Paul trained people wherever he went. Are you being trained or are you training someone?
Israel now can see that truly God is going to restore them. The biggest part to the restoration is not the temple being rebuilt, but that the glory of God returns to Israel. It is the glory of God that set Israel apart in the beginning. Lest we forget it is in the book of Ezekiel that the glory of God departed because of Israel’s sin and then punishment upon them by the invading nations. Once you see that the temple is going to be rebuilt the questions of all questions is God going to return and the answer is yes.
Ezekiel 43:1-5 (MSG)
1 The man brought me to the east gate.
2 Oh! The bright Glory of the God of Israel rivered out of the east sounding like the roar of floodwaters, and the earth itself glowed with the bright Glory.
3 It looked just like what I had seen when he came to destroy the city, exactly like what I had seen earlier at the Kebar River. And again I fell, face to the ground.
4 The bright Glory of God poured into the Temple through the east gate.
5 The Spirit put me on my feet and led me to the inside courtyard and—oh! the bright Glory of God filled the Temple!
Three times in these five verses we see the phrase “the Glory of God.” God in His full and abundant presence returns to Israel. Where is God’s glory today? If you said the church you are right. If you said in you, you would also be right. The believer carries in them the Holy Spirit which is to manifest the Glory of God in and through them. We as the church are to be the ones that the world looks to see who God is and what God is up to. Certainly people can look and see His glory is in His creation, but His spirit lives in His church.
In the N.T. reading we find Paul giving testimony as to his coming to Asia. Let us listen to some his words,
Acts 20:20-21 (MSG)
20 I didn't skimp or trim in any way. Every truth and encouragement that could have made a difference to you, you got. I taught you out in public and I taught you in your homes,
21 urging Jews and Greeks alike to a radical life-change before God and an equally radical trust in our Master Jesus.
Paul held nothing back from these people. He gave all he had. As you read more of the passage you see he is holding the leaders accountable who have been developed to carry on with the work of Christ. It is put up or shut time for Paul is leaving to go back to Jerusalem. One day we all leave the scene and it behooves us to make sure we leave somebody behind to fight the good fight of faith. Jesus trained his disciples and Paul trained people wherever he went. Are you being trained or are you training someone?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
207 Sunday, July 26, 2009
207 Ezekiel 38 – 39; Acts 20.1 – 20.16
In Ezekiel 38-39 we have some of the most difficult passages of Scripture to interpret. Is the prophet talking about the end times when Israel will be at the center of Christ’s return? Are the verses referring to a vision that brings hope and comfort to Israel that no one will be able to harm them in the future? Did this prophecy already occur? Biblical Scholars have disagreed over the interpretation of these verses and we will not settle the issues here. What I want to do is pick up on one the themes that is common in this book and that is the glory of God. God wants His name to be praised and lifted up. Why? Yahweh is the true and living God and all the other ways are false and lead to destruction. Listen to these verses,
Ezekiel 39:21-25 (MSG)
21 "I'll put my glory on display among the nations and they'll all see the judgment I execute, see me at work handing out judgment.
22 From that day on, Israel will realize that I am their God.
23 And the nations will get the message that it was because of their sins that Israel went into exile. They were disloyal to me and I turned away from them. I turned them over to their enemies and they were all killed.
24 I treated them as their polluted and sin-sated lives deserved. I turned away from them, refused to look at them.
25 "But now I will return Jacob back from exile, I'll be compassionate with all the people of Israel, and I'll be zealous for my holy name.
People will see that God turned His back on His people because of their sin, not because God is unfaithful. They will also see that the Lord has taken them back and is having compassion on them. Please take note that the Lord will be zealous for His holy name. Who God is and what God does is very important to understand in order to know God. God has to protect His name for our sakes as well as for His sake.
In the book of Acts we pick up the travelogue of Paul. He was very busy on this mission trip. What I want to focus on are his travel companions.
Acts 20:4 (MSG)
4 His companions for the journey were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both Thessalonians; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and the two from western Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
These people had front row seats in what the Lord was doing in and through the apostle Paul. Notice that one them was Timothy which Paul had been helping develop over a period of time. We have a short time on this earth and we need travel companions. We need to also know that some of these are to be people that we help train in order to pay it forward. Paul left the church in better shape than when he had come onto the scene. Are you spending anytime with people in order to be with them and to help develop them for Christ’s service?
In Ezekiel 38-39 we have some of the most difficult passages of Scripture to interpret. Is the prophet talking about the end times when Israel will be at the center of Christ’s return? Are the verses referring to a vision that brings hope and comfort to Israel that no one will be able to harm them in the future? Did this prophecy already occur? Biblical Scholars have disagreed over the interpretation of these verses and we will not settle the issues here. What I want to do is pick up on one the themes that is common in this book and that is the glory of God. God wants His name to be praised and lifted up. Why? Yahweh is the true and living God and all the other ways are false and lead to destruction. Listen to these verses,
Ezekiel 39:21-25 (MSG)
21 "I'll put my glory on display among the nations and they'll all see the judgment I execute, see me at work handing out judgment.
22 From that day on, Israel will realize that I am their God.
23 And the nations will get the message that it was because of their sins that Israel went into exile. They were disloyal to me and I turned away from them. I turned them over to their enemies and they were all killed.
24 I treated them as their polluted and sin-sated lives deserved. I turned away from them, refused to look at them.
25 "But now I will return Jacob back from exile, I'll be compassionate with all the people of Israel, and I'll be zealous for my holy name.
People will see that God turned His back on His people because of their sin, not because God is unfaithful. They will also see that the Lord has taken them back and is having compassion on them. Please take note that the Lord will be zealous for His holy name. Who God is and what God does is very important to understand in order to know God. God has to protect His name for our sakes as well as for His sake.
In the book of Acts we pick up the travelogue of Paul. He was very busy on this mission trip. What I want to focus on are his travel companions.
Acts 20:4 (MSG)
4 His companions for the journey were Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both Thessalonians; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and the two from western Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
These people had front row seats in what the Lord was doing in and through the apostle Paul. Notice that one them was Timothy which Paul had been helping develop over a period of time. We have a short time on this earth and we need travel companions. We need to also know that some of these are to be people that we help train in order to pay it forward. Paul left the church in better shape than when he had come onto the scene. Are you spending anytime with people in order to be with them and to help develop them for Christ’s service?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
