May 31, 2009
Mark 7
This is a difficult passage. There aren't difficult names to read. The story isn't really difficult to understand. Jesus' words are difficult, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. ' " (verse 6). This is more horrific than any scary movie or nightmare. No printed word can effectively communicate the shriek of fear in my soul when I face the fact that my heart can go adrift, away from God (and does more than I'd like to admit). I am reminded of the words of a great hymn, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love!"
It is difficult also that this passage serves as a mirror into our relationship with Him! The following verses, 7-8, are also very convicting. They prompt these questions in my heart: Do I worship God in vain? Am I neglecting the commandment of God to hold my own traditions? I love the fact that this passage falls on a Sunday. These are important questions to ask about ourselves and about our church body. Psalm 139 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
This sets the tone for the next several verses. Jesus continues to differentiate the outward from the inward, tradition from true worship. "There is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him, but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man," (verse 15). What proceeds out of you and me? No matter what it is, it reveals the same thing: whether or not you and I are truly worshiping God.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." O God, give us ears to hear!!
This passage should not cause us to despair or to focus on our works or failures. It should prompt us to press into God more and more every day. It should prompt us to remember and give thanks that God began the work in us and He will finish it (Philippians 1:6)!! I conclude with more text from that great hymn, "Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it, mount of Thy redeeming love!"
May God bless the reading of His word!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Today’s Passage: Numbers 21-22
I am pumped that I get the chance to comment on these two chapters; really chapter 22 because it is such a bazaar story. Actually, it is probably not a passage of Scripture that is discussed very often. Before the story of the talking donkey, chapter 21 records the actions of Moses with the bronze serpent.
Chapter 21 records the impatience of the Israelite people and God’s response to their sin. If we recall, the Israelites were imprisoned/slaves in Egypt. Then God miraculously rescued His people using the leadership of Moses. Here we see their impatience turns to frustration and “what they really thought,” comes out in the open against God and Moses. Because of their sin, we see that God performs another miracle using the bronze serpent. This may have been done because it would have been somewhat familiar to the people while also reminding them that God is in control.
From this particular chapter, I’ve tried to think back in my own life where I’ve asked God to do something, then along the way I’ve gotten impatient and scolded God for the place/position He had put me in. We know that when we asked God for things, He does hear us and He replies with one or three answers: yes; no; and not yet. Often times when I asked God for something, I don’t get exactly what I wanted, but in a “round-about” way I get it – I am provided for on God’s terms not mine. I think this is what the Israelites where taking for granted! The next chapter, we see that Balaam did the same exact thing. At least I know that I am not the only one!
Chapter 22 records the TRUE story of Balaam’s donkey talking to him. Now, the donkey did not merely start speaking. Instead, God spoke through the donkey to get the attention of Balaam. WOW, what an interesting way for God to use to get the attention of Balaam. What I found striking about this is that the donkey saw the angel of the Lord before Balaam was able to see Him. This tells me that Balaam’s focus was definitely not where it was supposed to be. It reminded me of those times when I’m in my car and I am so frustrated at the horrible driver in front of me, so I veer around and give the look of death at the other driver. Then later I think of how I was not displaying the love of Christ! At any rate, God used a talking donkey to get the attention of Balaam. Does God need to get your attention? How hard is it for God to get your attention? It is very important to know that God will do whatever it is necessary to get your attention and focus back on Him! It was once said to me that God will go as far as you are willing and one step more to get your attention!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Today's Passage: Numbers 19-20
In the two chapters we have today, there are two very distinct thoughts. Chapter 19 is all about the process of ritual cleansing. If a person came in contact with death (or even walked into the tent of someone who died), they had to go through this ritual cleansing process...and even after that, they were considered "unclean" for seven days. When someone was unclean they were cut off from everything that was "clean"...that meant the other people and their access to the tabernacle tent. In essence, they were cut off from God until they were clean again.
I'm so grateful that when Jesus came and died on the cross for me, He made me a clean that does not go away. When I sin, I'm coming into contact with death..this time, an eternal death. But when I ask Him to come into my life as Savior, His blood (as we talked about last Sunday in John 6) cleanses me from all unrighteousness once and for all. Although I continue to stumble and sin, I know the blood of Jesus covers me. I'll never be cut off from God again!
In Chapter 20, the people are once again griping and complaining about the method of God's deliverance. God tells Moses to go and speak to a rock and water will flow...but Moses, in his anger, strikes the rock with his staff. He doesn't bring honor to God because he does it his way, not God's way. This move will ultimately keep Moses from entering into the promised land. He will get a glimpse of it, but he will never set foot inside its boundaries.
I'm learning that I spend way too much energy on things I can't control and not enough on the things I can. Let me explain...Moses can't control the people or their grumbling. He lets his anger over this get the best of him. What he can control is his obedience to God, but instead he lets the other stuff get to him. I want to listen to God and do what He says. Time and time again in scripture it's proven that when we follow God with our whole heart, good things happen. When we don't, as Moses shows here, we're taking our chances.
How are you spending your energy...is it to increase your devotion to God? You have total control over that no matter the circumstances!
In the two chapters we have today, there are two very distinct thoughts. Chapter 19 is all about the process of ritual cleansing. If a person came in contact with death (or even walked into the tent of someone who died), they had to go through this ritual cleansing process...and even after that, they were considered "unclean" for seven days. When someone was unclean they were cut off from everything that was "clean"...that meant the other people and their access to the tabernacle tent. In essence, they were cut off from God until they were clean again.
I'm so grateful that when Jesus came and died on the cross for me, He made me a clean that does not go away. When I sin, I'm coming into contact with death..this time, an eternal death. But when I ask Him to come into my life as Savior, His blood (as we talked about last Sunday in John 6) cleanses me from all unrighteousness once and for all. Although I continue to stumble and sin, I know the blood of Jesus covers me. I'll never be cut off from God again!
In Chapter 20, the people are once again griping and complaining about the method of God's deliverance. God tells Moses to go and speak to a rock and water will flow...but Moses, in his anger, strikes the rock with his staff. He doesn't bring honor to God because he does it his way, not God's way. This move will ultimately keep Moses from entering into the promised land. He will get a glimpse of it, but he will never set foot inside its boundaries.
I'm learning that I spend way too much energy on things I can't control and not enough on the things I can. Let me explain...Moses can't control the people or their grumbling. He lets his anger over this get the best of him. What he can control is his obedience to God, but instead he lets the other stuff get to him. I want to listen to God and do what He says. Time and time again in scripture it's proven that when we follow God with our whole heart, good things happen. When we don't, as Moses shows here, we're taking our chances.
How are you spending your energy...is it to increase your devotion to God? You have total control over that no matter the circumstances!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Today's Passage: Numbers 17-18
Isn’t it funny how just last week I said that it looked like the Israelites were in a really good place right now? Just a few chapters back they were on a great high and doing so well. Today, they see a dead limb not only come back to life but produce almonds and the chapter does not mention anything about them being in awe of God’s great miracle. He brought a dead stick back to life and produced almonds and they do not even given Him a “Nice one God.” I am amazed at how God continues to show up for the Israelites and it seems like they continue to act as if they are waiting on Him to do something.
As I read the history of the Israelites I am continually reminded that we have not progressed that much in the thousands of years that separate us. We have all had those times where it seems as if God is really doing great things and we are in stride with what we are supposed to do. Then, for some reason we wake up one morning, see the miracles that God has done around us and we stumble and forget how great it feels we are walking obediently. We too become like the Israelites and say, “if only God would do…” It is amazing how blind we become to the great things that God is doing around us.
God is doing amazing things everyday, and just like the Israelites thousands of years ago we sometimes forget to stop and tell God how great He is. I think we can take a lesson from Moses to help remember the great things that God has done and is doing. After Moses showed the staff to the leaders of the tribes, God had him take it and place it in the tent so that he and the rest of the people would remember. Today I want to challenge you to start placing down markers when God does something amazing in your life. Keep a journal, take a picture, just do something, so that the next time you say, “If only God would do…” you can look back and see how much He has already done. Someday this may become a great thing you can share with your children to teach them about how amazing God is. I would love to hear some of the amazing things God is doing if you would like to share in the comments.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Today's Passage: Mark 6
Mark is an action-packed gospel and today's chapter definitely does not veer from that pattern...the sick are being healed, evil spirits subdued and demons driven out, conspiracy and murder, five-thousand people are miraculously fed, and one of Jesus' most recognized miracles: walking on water. I've read through this wealth of adventure several times today and every time the same thing catches my attention--it's odd, really--verse 19, "So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him."
The verb used here for "nursed a grudge" indicates that Herodias was entangled in the grudge. She was so entangled that she actually wanted John dead and plotted his murder. I've never actually been that upset with someone, but I have felt entangled before. In my life, entanglement usually occurs because I have simply failed to guard against it. I almost stumble into it and by the time I realize it I'm stuck. With Herodias, it became so out of control that it had reached the point of conspiracy and murder! It also seems that the harder I try to loosen myself from the entanglement, the more entangled I become. Join me in considering what possible things you may have unknowingly allowed yourself to become entangled in...whether it be a flagrant sin, an unhealthy habit, or a lack of spiritual discipline...and pray for God to untangle you!
Mark is an action-packed gospel and today's chapter definitely does not veer from that pattern...the sick are being healed, evil spirits subdued and demons driven out, conspiracy and murder, five-thousand people are miraculously fed, and one of Jesus' most recognized miracles: walking on water. I've read through this wealth of adventure several times today and every time the same thing catches my attention--it's odd, really--verse 19, "So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him."
The verb used here for "nursed a grudge" indicates that Herodias was entangled in the grudge. She was so entangled that she actually wanted John dead and plotted his murder. I've never actually been that upset with someone, but I have felt entangled before. In my life, entanglement usually occurs because I have simply failed to guard against it. I almost stumble into it and by the time I realize it I'm stuck. With Herodias, it became so out of control that it had reached the point of conspiracy and murder! It also seems that the harder I try to loosen myself from the entanglement, the more entangled I become. Join me in considering what possible things you may have unknowingly allowed yourself to become entangled in...whether it be a flagrant sin, an unhealthy habit, or a lack of spiritual discipline...and pray for God to untangle you!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Today's Passage: Numbers 15-16
"Everything has a consequence." This is often said when parents are raising a child and want the child to understand the importance of decision making. The same rule applies to the spiritual lives of everyone today. As an adult every action that we make has a consequence; the consequence may be positive or it may be negative.
When we sin there are consequences. It does not matter if we intentionally sin or unintentionally sin. However, the consequences for the wandering Israelites were much more significant than they are today. If a man intentionally sinned during the time of Moses, then he would be cut off from the entire group (Num. 15:30). What if the same were true for today? If a person really wanted to sin (adultery, drunkenness, gossip, stealing, judging. etc.) and decided to intentionally do it, then he would be removed from the church immediately.
Fortunately, the church today abides by the grace of Christ and not the Mosaic Law. However, while we might not be immediately removed from the church because of one sin, there still is steep consequences for our sin. As we live out our lives as a disciples of Jesus, I pray that when we sin we immediately repent and thank God for his grace. There will be some opportunities to sin today; walk away from them and look towards God.
"Everything has a consequence." This is often said when parents are raising a child and want the child to understand the importance of decision making. The same rule applies to the spiritual lives of everyone today. As an adult every action that we make has a consequence; the consequence may be positive or it may be negative.
When we sin there are consequences. It does not matter if we intentionally sin or unintentionally sin. However, the consequences for the wandering Israelites were much more significant than they are today. If a man intentionally sinned during the time of Moses, then he would be cut off from the entire group (Num. 15:30). What if the same were true for today? If a person really wanted to sin (adultery, drunkenness, gossip, stealing, judging. etc.) and decided to intentionally do it, then he would be removed from the church immediately.
Fortunately, the church today abides by the grace of Christ and not the Mosaic Law. However, while we might not be immediately removed from the church because of one sin, there still is steep consequences for our sin. As we live out our lives as a disciples of Jesus, I pray that when we sin we immediately repent and thank God for his grace. There will be some opportunities to sin today; walk away from them and look towards God.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Today's Passage: Numbers 14
This chapter highlights an attitude that we all have fall into. In the vision that God shared with me for Bear creek's student ministry, He brought my attention to a simple point. Here is the first half of it: Life changes... Now I would assume that most of you would agree with that statement, yet that same number of you more than likely have found yourselves fighting to keep some part of your life the same.
Changes in life are inevitable. Whether they are the natural stages such as turning 5, 13, 16, 18, 21, 25, 40 and 55, or the more unpredictable stages like finding your future spouse, graduating from college, having kids, and retiring. With or without our consent life is constantly changing. That is why we find ourselves clinging to things that we know and can predict. You see we fool ourselves into believing that if we can predict what is next then we can control it too. Unfortunately prediction is not control, it is a false sense of security that causes us to let our guard down to change.
So how does this tie into the passage? Well God led His people into a big change. One that He promised would be well worth it if they would just trust Him. Instead of trusting Him however, they complained that they should have stayed in Egypt where things were predictable, where things required less faith, where they were "in control." We fall into this trap too, but we all know that God is the one in control not us. That is why the second part of the point is this: God's will doesn't (change).
In this story God had a plan, it was to lead His people into the promise land. His people unfortunately didn't trust His plan and they suffered the consequences. We will suffer consequences as well if we choose to seek anything other than the will of God.
Life changes, but God's will doesn't.
Trust and cling to His will and you will not fear change.
This chapter highlights an attitude that we all have fall into. In the vision that God shared with me for Bear creek's student ministry, He brought my attention to a simple point. Here is the first half of it: Life changes... Now I would assume that most of you would agree with that statement, yet that same number of you more than likely have found yourselves fighting to keep some part of your life the same.
Changes in life are inevitable. Whether they are the natural stages such as turning 5, 13, 16, 18, 21, 25, 40 and 55, or the more unpredictable stages like finding your future spouse, graduating from college, having kids, and retiring. With or without our consent life is constantly changing. That is why we find ourselves clinging to things that we know and can predict. You see we fool ourselves into believing that if we can predict what is next then we can control it too. Unfortunately prediction is not control, it is a false sense of security that causes us to let our guard down to change.
So how does this tie into the passage? Well God led His people into a big change. One that He promised would be well worth it if they would just trust Him. Instead of trusting Him however, they complained that they should have stayed in Egypt where things were predictable, where things required less faith, where they were "in control." We fall into this trap too, but we all know that God is the one in control not us. That is why the second part of the point is this: God's will doesn't (change).
In this story God had a plan, it was to lead His people into the promise land. His people unfortunately didn't trust His plan and they suffered the consequences. We will suffer consequences as well if we choose to seek anything other than the will of God.
Life changes, but God's will doesn't.
Trust and cling to His will and you will not fear change.
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