Today's Passage: Exodus 39
Have you ever noticed that nearly every special job position that requires a set of skills, also requires special equipment or clothing? Take football for example, each position requires different kinds of equipment to best prepare them to play the game. The running back will generally have large shoulder pads and not a lot of knee padding. However, a lineman will have knee pads, knee braces, and so on. Here in Exodus we see the specifics concerning the garments that the priests wear. The text of Exodus is very descriptive, and Moses gives the purpose of many of these materials. Each piece of the holy garments was significant to God. It is amazing the detail in which God spoke to Moses and his people, and how He desired their worship.
But that is not where the story ends! If you have been to Bear Creek recently you may have noticed there are not specific rooms that are more holy than others. You also may have noticed Brett, or other staff members are not required to wear odd and ornately designed garments in order to preach and teach. That is because we are not under this law anymore. Moses and Aaron are not our priests. Jesus is our High Priest! Look at the this amazing verse: Hebrews 3:1b "consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession." God had an order and place for the priesthood in the days of Moses, but now that priesthood is all in the authority of Jesus. If God desired so much from the priest in the days of Moses, how much more does he desire from His Son, Jesus? Jesus is able to fulfill this role like no human ever can. We should first be in awe of the detail and energy that was put on the priest and their garments in the days of Moses. This awe should continue as we worship our Savior and Lord, who is the one and only High Priest!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Today's Scripture: Matthew 23
This is one the first passages that I taught, and also one of my favorites. I can still remember asking my mentor what the best explanation of a Woe was. He described it to me in several ways but the one that seemed to stick with me was the saying "it stinks to be you". Basically Jesus was trying to say to the teachers and Pharisees, your life is a mess.
From the outside looking in at their lives it looked like they had it all together, but as soon as you get past the pretty and clean exterior you find a funky, bad smelling, mess. This passage is great because we get to read, in Jesus' own words, how He feels about those who put on a religious show for the people around them. We aren't fooling God when we do this, and this passage tells us that He has no problem pointing out where we are faking it.
It is in my personal opinion that the most common reason for hypocrisy and "churchy" games among believers, is when we stop realizing that it's not about us. Church, worship, bible study, prayer, service none of those things are about us. They ARE about God and what he wants from and for us as His children. That is what the teachers and Pharisees missed, they got so wrapped up in defining what they were about, that they stopped being about God.
As a beliver I have to constantly ask myself a question: "Am I doing what I am doing because it is what God wants, or am I doing it because it makes me look good?"
It's a hard question to answer honestly, but we must if we truly want God to be the center of our lives.
This is one the first passages that I taught, and also one of my favorites. I can still remember asking my mentor what the best explanation of a Woe was. He described it to me in several ways but the one that seemed to stick with me was the saying "it stinks to be you". Basically Jesus was trying to say to the teachers and Pharisees, your life is a mess.
From the outside looking in at their lives it looked like they had it all together, but as soon as you get past the pretty and clean exterior you find a funky, bad smelling, mess. This passage is great because we get to read, in Jesus' own words, how He feels about those who put on a religious show for the people around them. We aren't fooling God when we do this, and this passage tells us that He has no problem pointing out where we are faking it.
It is in my personal opinion that the most common reason for hypocrisy and "churchy" games among believers, is when we stop realizing that it's not about us. Church, worship, bible study, prayer, service none of those things are about us. They ARE about God and what he wants from and for us as His children. That is what the teachers and Pharisees missed, they got so wrapped up in defining what they were about, that they stopped being about God.
As a beliver I have to constantly ask myself a question: "Am I doing what I am doing because it is what God wants, or am I doing it because it makes me look good?"
It's a hard question to answer honestly, but we must if we truly want God to be the center of our lives.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Exodus 37-38
These two chapters at first glance seem a little repetitive. Just a few chapters back in Exodus, we read about the Lord giving Moses all the instructions for the tabernacle and now we are reading about the actual construction of the tabernacle. They sound almost exactly the same. That is what is amazing to me! They sound exactly the same because the people who were building the tabernacle followed God's instructions exactly the way He gave them. I love that! The focus of these chapters is all about the obedience of Bezalel and his crew carrying out the important task of the construction of such an important thing. I imagine that the job seemed pretty daunting at times, and yet these men and women did what they knew the Lord wanted, using the talents that He gave them to accomplish it.
In light of Easter, I think about this passage along side the story of Jesus dying on the cross for us and our sins. In Exodus 25:8, God is explaining to Moses that He wants them to build the tabernacle so that He can "dwell among" the people. He desired close fellowship with the Israelites and by having a tabernacle in which He could dwell and the people could present their sacrifices, that was possible. So of course, the Israelites built the tabernacle just as the Lord had said. They desired that close fellowship with Him too. Thankfully for us, we do not have to rely on the tabernacle and offering system anymore! By sending Jesus to the earth to die on the cross, God is letting us know loud and clear that He desires close fellowship with us. It is now by believing in Him and relying on the saving blood of Jesus shed on the cross to wash us clean of our sins. Also, Jesus of course did not stay dead, in the grave. He is very much risen and alive! That is how was have true fellowship with the God of Creation. We should be thankful beyond words that Jesus was obedient to His Father and took the weight of our sins upon Himself so that we can enjoy that close fellowship and relationship with God that was not possible before. Have you really thought about that? Have you stopped to think about how much God loves you and desires to "dwell among" you? Perhaps today we should take some time to sit with the Lord and thank Him for dwelling among us, not in a tabernacle, but in our hearts and lives because of the sacrifice of His Son, that we celebrate today.
These two chapters at first glance seem a little repetitive. Just a few chapters back in Exodus, we read about the Lord giving Moses all the instructions for the tabernacle and now we are reading about the actual construction of the tabernacle. They sound almost exactly the same. That is what is amazing to me! They sound exactly the same because the people who were building the tabernacle followed God's instructions exactly the way He gave them. I love that! The focus of these chapters is all about the obedience of Bezalel and his crew carrying out the important task of the construction of such an important thing. I imagine that the job seemed pretty daunting at times, and yet these men and women did what they knew the Lord wanted, using the talents that He gave them to accomplish it.
In light of Easter, I think about this passage along side the story of Jesus dying on the cross for us and our sins. In Exodus 25:8, God is explaining to Moses that He wants them to build the tabernacle so that He can "dwell among" the people. He desired close fellowship with the Israelites and by having a tabernacle in which He could dwell and the people could present their sacrifices, that was possible. So of course, the Israelites built the tabernacle just as the Lord had said. They desired that close fellowship with Him too. Thankfully for us, we do not have to rely on the tabernacle and offering system anymore! By sending Jesus to the earth to die on the cross, God is letting us know loud and clear that He desires close fellowship with us. It is now by believing in Him and relying on the saving blood of Jesus shed on the cross to wash us clean of our sins. Also, Jesus of course did not stay dead, in the grave. He is very much risen and alive! That is how was have true fellowship with the God of Creation. We should be thankful beyond words that Jesus was obedient to His Father and took the weight of our sins upon Himself so that we can enjoy that close fellowship and relationship with God that was not possible before. Have you really thought about that? Have you stopped to think about how much God loves you and desires to "dwell among" you? Perhaps today we should take some time to sit with the Lord and thank Him for dwelling among us, not in a tabernacle, but in our hearts and lives because of the sacrifice of His Son, that we celebrate today.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Today’s Passage: Exodus 36
I wish that I could have seen what the tabernacle really looked like after it was built. After reading today’s Scripture passage, I could not help but be enamored at the shear detail and various intricacies that the Lord commanded His people to build.
The Lord has given each of us a special gift or ability. Like in this passage, He had given some the ability to be skillful craftsmen in order that they might use that ability to construct the Lord’s tabernacle. I’m also sure that they did so with all their might and ability in order to give the Lord their best work. Verses 3-4 show that the people went above and beyond to serve, to the point where Moses had to ask them to cut back.
I think about my own life and how He has given my special gifts, talents and abilities. Even the opportunities that I have that maybe others would not. Am I using these for the Lord’s benefit? Am I doing the tasks set before me to the best of my ability. Am I thankful for how the Lord has gifted me in the various areas of my life? I have to admit that often times I take for granted the gifts and talents the Lord has given me. The tendency is also to use them for my benefit most of the time. How are you using your gifts and abilities the Lord has given you?
God has a specific work and task that He wants us to carry out if we would be willing to do so. The Lord has equipped us with the gifts and abilities to carry out these things. Just as the Israelites had come to put to use their craftsmen abilities, we too must be aware of our gifts and abilities so that we can put them to good use for the Lord. So I challenge you to seek the Lord for Him to show you how to best serve Him and do so to the best of your ability!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Today's Passage: Exodus 34-35
Ten Commandments, take two....Moses once again goes up to the mountain, but this time after coming down the first time and seeing the "people of God" dancing around and worshiping a golden calf. Moses understands that this time is different, in that he acknowledges to God that the people waiting below are "stiff-necked".
Do you know what it means to be stiff-necked? Literally, it means unwilling to bend your neck to bow before another...and the Israelites, in their stubbornness, had certainly shown that to be true. There eyes were focused on a golden calf...a man-made treasure of this world...and they could not be swayed to bow before God. There eyes were focused on the temporary...."Where will the water come from?" "We're tired of manna!"...and they could not be swayed to bow before God. There eyes were focused on the attacking enemies..."It would have been better for us to stay in Israel!"...and they could not be swayed to bow before God and submit to his will and plan for their lives.
What are your eyes focused on today? Is it something bringing fear that paralyzes you? Is it your current circumstances that weighs you down? Is it the lure of the world? Are your eyes focused on something other than God? If so, your neck may be feeling a little stiff.
I want to focus my eyes on God this week (especially this Holy Week!) so that I can look more like Moses in 35:29-35. I want to shine with His Glory so that when people meet me, they see He's changed my life forever through the power of the cross. When we focus squarely on His will and His worship, we are forever changed and used by Him to bring His Glory to a lost and dying world! There would be no better way to celebrate Easter than renewing our commitment to turning our eyes upon Jesus.
Ten Commandments, take two....Moses once again goes up to the mountain, but this time after coming down the first time and seeing the "people of God" dancing around and worshiping a golden calf. Moses understands that this time is different, in that he acknowledges to God that the people waiting below are "stiff-necked".
Do you know what it means to be stiff-necked? Literally, it means unwilling to bend your neck to bow before another...and the Israelites, in their stubbornness, had certainly shown that to be true. There eyes were focused on a golden calf...a man-made treasure of this world...and they could not be swayed to bow before God. There eyes were focused on the temporary...."Where will the water come from?" "We're tired of manna!"...and they could not be swayed to bow before God. There eyes were focused on the attacking enemies..."It would have been better for us to stay in Israel!"...and they could not be swayed to bow before God and submit to his will and plan for their lives.
What are your eyes focused on today? Is it something bringing fear that paralyzes you? Is it your current circumstances that weighs you down? Is it the lure of the world? Are your eyes focused on something other than God? If so, your neck may be feeling a little stiff.
I want to focus my eyes on God this week (especially this Holy Week!) so that I can look more like Moses in 35:29-35. I want to shine with His Glory so that when people meet me, they see He's changed my life forever through the power of the cross. When we focus squarely on His will and His worship, we are forever changed and used by Him to bring His Glory to a lost and dying world! There would be no better way to celebrate Easter than renewing our commitment to turning our eyes upon Jesus.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Today's Passage: Matthew 22
Matthew has always been one of my favorite books to read, and this chapter reminds me why. It is full of great stories about the time of Christ. I love how He not only answers their questions, but then throws one back at them that leaves them speechless. I think my favorite part of this chapter is the greatest commandment section.
I love this section because the answer that Jesus gives them is pretty clear and expected, at first. I mean the Old Testament would be pretty clear that you are to put God above all else. Most of them would have been totally on board with that. It makes perfect sense. 'Love the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind' covers basically all you need to know about your relationship with God. If you are doing that, then you are living right.
It is the second part he throws in that I think probably caught them off guard on so many levels. I mean they just asked for one answer and Jesus goes and adds in a second. It is as if Jesus was saying to them and “when you figure that one out, why don’t you try this one on.” They were probably so shocked that they did not even process what he said. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” What does that even mean? I know I did not really process that for most of my life. But then one day a light just came on and the statement, love your neighbor as yourself screamed out at me!
It took a deep contemporary theologian named Terrell Owens for this passage to finally make sense for me. (Yes that Terrell Owens, and by deep contemporary theologian, I mean self-absorbed football player.) He has a quote that I love for the sheer shock value, “I love me some me!” That just about sums up how we all feel about ourselves, he just has the courage to admit it on national television. I think the word is courage? Anyways, from that point on it made total sense to me.
I love me some me too. I mean I care for myself and do not want any harm to come to me, I do not want to go without a meal, I do not let myself go without clothing, I do not want myself to go without shelter, I do not want to be lonely, and I really did not want myself to spend eternity separated from God. Oh how that light bulb turning on convicted me. I am supposed to love my neighbor just like I love myself!! Everything I would not go without, I should want the same for my neighbor. Everything that I would not want to go through, Hell, I should want the same for my neighbor. So, I should do everything in my power to make sure they don’t. I would never let bad things happen to myself that I could prevent, and I would never go without if I could prevent it. I, we, are supposed to have that same love for our neighbor that we have for ourselves, and by neighbor, Jesus means basically anyone you could come in contact with. How revolutionary would it be if we took this command to love our neighbor as ourselves and made it our life goal? This type of love is the type of love that allows God to do things that only He can do. This type of love is the type of love that only God can help you have. Jesus, as he always is, was spot on with Love the Lord your God having to come first. We are fallen people and cannot sustain a love for our neighbor if the love for God is not the support for it. God is the only one that can break that selfish streak we have and give us a heart for our neighbor. My prayer today is that God breaks my heart and yours for our neighbors and we start seeing things that only God can do. Four little verses rocked my world and the way that I see everything. Today, I hope you look at those verses again, and I pray that they ruin your view on life like they ruined mine a while back.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Today's Passage: Exodus 32-33
I have a confession. I have seen The Ten Commandments countless times. For some reason, I LOVED watching it when I was growing up. My brother was already a proficient movie-quoter at the age of 4 and The Ten Commandments was definitely in his repertoire. He didn't just say goodbye to people, he declared, "Farewell, my one-time brother." When our mom or dad or a teacher would give instructions or go over rules, he would justify their statement with, "So let it be written, so let it be done." All in a dead-on Yul Brynner (Pharaoh) by the way.
So any time I read these chapters, I picture Charlton Heston coming off the mountain to the wild and even eerie scene of the Israelites dancing around the golden calf as they worship it. I never understood it. It always seemed so silly to me that people would WORSHIP something that they knew they had made themselves...especially after they had eye-witnessed the truth and power of the one, true God. Because this scene is so outlandish and obviously crazy, I often misunderstood what an idol was. I would hear a message on having idols and think, "No worshiping golden statues...check."
Well, one day, I learned that an idol can be anything that I allow to become more important than God. Once I understood that, God began to show me a list of things that I had allowed to become idols in my life: relationships, school, worry, work, appearance, even money. I'd never considered these things to be idols and yet I knew that they consumed my thoughts! I've even heard various speakers and writers confess that their children had become idols. This teaches us that idols can even be seemingly GOOD things (i.e. work, church, service)...but if they become more important to us than God, they are idols nonetheless. Today's passage has challenged me to take a step back and consider what I have possibly allowed to become an idol in my life now. I encourage you to do the same. Gauging my thoughts and intentionally turning my focus to God can only be good for my relationship with Him...and all the other things will go much more smoothly if I keep God first.
I have a confession. I have seen The Ten Commandments countless times. For some reason, I LOVED watching it when I was growing up. My brother was already a proficient movie-quoter at the age of 4 and The Ten Commandments was definitely in his repertoire. He didn't just say goodbye to people, he declared, "Farewell, my one-time brother." When our mom or dad or a teacher would give instructions or go over rules, he would justify their statement with, "So let it be written, so let it be done." All in a dead-on Yul Brynner (Pharaoh) by the way.
So any time I read these chapters, I picture Charlton Heston coming off the mountain to the wild and even eerie scene of the Israelites dancing around the golden calf as they worship it. I never understood it. It always seemed so silly to me that people would WORSHIP something that they knew they had made themselves...especially after they had eye-witnessed the truth and power of the one, true God. Because this scene is so outlandish and obviously crazy, I often misunderstood what an idol was. I would hear a message on having idols and think, "No worshiping golden statues...check."
Well, one day, I learned that an idol can be anything that I allow to become more important than God. Once I understood that, God began to show me a list of things that I had allowed to become idols in my life: relationships, school, worry, work, appearance, even money. I'd never considered these things to be idols and yet I knew that they consumed my thoughts! I've even heard various speakers and writers confess that their children had become idols. This teaches us that idols can even be seemingly GOOD things (i.e. work, church, service)...but if they become more important to us than God, they are idols nonetheless. Today's passage has challenged me to take a step back and consider what I have possibly allowed to become an idol in my life now. I encourage you to do the same. Gauging my thoughts and intentionally turning my focus to God can only be good for my relationship with Him...and all the other things will go much more smoothly if I keep God first.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)