Gen 26:12 HNV
(12) Yitzchak sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year one hundred times what he planted. The LORD blessed him.
Most of us who regularly attend church hear about reaping more than we sow. Scripture speaks of it a lot. For me, particularly, this is easy to overlook and I blame it on our modern era of wealth. When I think of reaping one hundred times what I sow, I think of going down to the hardware store, buying $200 worth of seed, planting it on a lot and reaping $20,000 in produce.
Except that doesn't just happen. If it were that easy, we would all be farmers.
Isaac (Yitzchak) planted 1 corn stalk. 100 came up. Explain that.
It isn't explainable. It's God. God blesses in this way. This is a profound blessing from following God!
So how much are we reaping? Is it more than we can carry? If not, let's examine what we have been sowing.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Fire and the Knife
Gen 22:6 HNV
(6) Avraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Yitzchak his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.
In every sacrifice, there are two elements. A knife, and fire. The knife is for killing, while the fire is for transforming. This entire process is a picture of a redemption plan.
To enter the presence of a Holy God, we cannot bring our sinful flesh. The knife puts an end to the flesh, and the fire transforms it to smoke - or spirit. Remember, it's a picture. Ultimately, pictures were only a reminder to God of what He must do to restore us completely - and ultimately - He did it, through Jesus.
The problem with the angels that sinned is they have no blood to shed, nor do they have a transformation to make, for they are already God-like in that they are spirit.
Killing time is a real phenomenon. We can really waste it away. But when sacrificed to God, it is always transformed into something beautiful that we would not trade. Finances are no different. Talents are no different. Anything can be wasted. But when sacrificed to God, something beautiful always comes of it.
(6) Avraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Yitzchak his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.
In every sacrifice, there are two elements. A knife, and fire. The knife is for killing, while the fire is for transforming. This entire process is a picture of a redemption plan.
To enter the presence of a Holy God, we cannot bring our sinful flesh. The knife puts an end to the flesh, and the fire transforms it to smoke - or spirit. Remember, it's a picture. Ultimately, pictures were only a reminder to God of what He must do to restore us completely - and ultimately - He did it, through Jesus.
The problem with the angels that sinned is they have no blood to shed, nor do they have a transformation to make, for they are already God-like in that they are spirit.
Killing time is a real phenomenon. We can really waste it away. But when sacrificed to God, it is always transformed into something beautiful that we would not trade. Finances are no different. Talents are no different. Anything can be wasted. But when sacrificed to God, something beautiful always comes of it.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Swept Away
Gen 19:12-15 And the men said to Lot, Have you anyone here besides yourself? Bring your sons-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whatever you have in the city, bring them out of this place. (13) For we will destroy this place because great is the cry of them before the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah has sent us to destroy it. (14) And Lot went out and spoke with his sons-in-law, who married his daughters, and said, Get up and get out of this place, for Jehovah will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked to his sons-in-law. (15) And when the dawn rose up, then the angels hurried Lot, saying, Rise up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
This is a sad story of a man named Lot who was so mired up in the world that it nearly cost him everything he had - including most of his family. Sodom was a wicked city, but it had attracted Lot from the beginning because of the opportunities it represented. There is little doubt that Lot thought he could remain set-apart, or sanctified, in the city. The argument could certainly be made that he had succeeded in that. After all, he was a judge. His opinion mattered, right? Only it didn't. His neighbors despised him. His daughters had married men who were wicked. Lot had at least two daughters (who were there), but had others that were not. When the time came, only those still living under his roof escaped the city.
Many tout the cost of living a life for Christ. Persecution! Ridicule! Maybe worse! But Lot ended up with only two daughters in the end. Even his own wife could not let go of the city within her soul.
I still take great comfort that God allows the righteous safe passage from judgment - if he will. Not only that, but God allows the righteous to bring 'whoever' and 'whatever' they have with them to safety. What grace! But in the end, each must make up their own mind.
How mired up in the world are we?
This is a sad story of a man named Lot who was so mired up in the world that it nearly cost him everything he had - including most of his family. Sodom was a wicked city, but it had attracted Lot from the beginning because of the opportunities it represented. There is little doubt that Lot thought he could remain set-apart, or sanctified, in the city. The argument could certainly be made that he had succeeded in that. After all, he was a judge. His opinion mattered, right? Only it didn't. His neighbors despised him. His daughters had married men who were wicked. Lot had at least two daughters (who were there), but had others that were not. When the time came, only those still living under his roof escaped the city.
Many tout the cost of living a life for Christ. Persecution! Ridicule! Maybe worse! But Lot ended up with only two daughters in the end. Even his own wife could not let go of the city within her soul.
I still take great comfort that God allows the righteous safe passage from judgment - if he will. Not only that, but God allows the righteous to bring 'whoever' and 'whatever' they have with them to safety. What grace! But in the end, each must make up their own mind.
How mired up in the world are we?
Friday, January 22, 2010
Called to Elam, Stuck in Marah
Exo 15:22-27 HNV
(22) Moshe led Yisra'el onward from the Sea of Suf, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
(23) When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
(24) The people murmured against Moshe, saying, "What shall we drink?"
(25) Then he cried to the LORD. The LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them;
(26) and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his mitzvot, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you."
(27) They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
When Israel was led out of Egypt, they had high expectations. They had just witnessed the destruction of their enemy, Pharaoh. Now they were free! But they were in the desert. The desert has it's own challenges. It's a place where we go through stages. It took Israel 3 days to reach their first stage: bitterness.
Whenever God leads us to a new place, He often allows us to run out of whatever we have packed along with us. In Israel's case - it was water. Three days into the desert, Israel had been drinking water... from Egypt. As long as the canteens were full, they were fine and full of hope. But when the heat turned up and the water levels grew low, bitterness set in.
Notice what the Lord said. "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his mitzvot (commands), and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you." To me, this verse seemed out of place. What did this little guarantee have to do with their current plight? The plague most of us deal with - as Christians - more than anything else is bitterness. We have been offended - by man, by God, by circumstances... we carry bitter spirits.
It is not until we let God make our current bitterness sweet at Marah that we can move on to Elam.
Also take note of the numbers: 3 days, 12 springs, 70 palms. 3 days speaks to the fullness of discontent for Israel. For us, this could be any length of time that we wallow in our own unsatisfied state. The 12 springs speaks of a new FAITH, where 12 tribes 'believed' in God, and 12 disciples 'believed' in their rabbi, this signifies a realization of faith. Once we realize that God provides - even when we cannot see Him at work - we reach a place of FAITH where from that point on, we see the FULLNESS of His provision - the 7(0) palm trees.
This is a natural progression.
When Martha sent for Jesus because her brother was sick, Jesus waited. Why? Because God was letting Mary and Martha run out of what they were carrying on their own - their own expectations. They then arrived at a point of bitterness - which Jesus experienced Himself when He wept. But God threw the wood into the sprint and it because sweet. Lazarus came forth. From that point on, you can bet that the FAITH of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was an Elam faith - one where the provision of God was perfect and full.
Do you have bitterness in your life? What do you carry with you that is still left over from Egypt?
(22) Moshe led Yisra'el onward from the Sea of Suf, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
(23) When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
(24) The people murmured against Moshe, saying, "What shall we drink?"
(25) Then he cried to the LORD. The LORD showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them;
(26) and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his mitzvot, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you."
(27) They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
When Israel was led out of Egypt, they had high expectations. They had just witnessed the destruction of their enemy, Pharaoh. Now they were free! But they were in the desert. The desert has it's own challenges. It's a place where we go through stages. It took Israel 3 days to reach their first stage: bitterness.
Whenever God leads us to a new place, He often allows us to run out of whatever we have packed along with us. In Israel's case - it was water. Three days into the desert, Israel had been drinking water... from Egypt. As long as the canteens were full, they were fine and full of hope. But when the heat turned up and the water levels grew low, bitterness set in.
Notice what the Lord said. "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his mitzvot (commands), and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you." To me, this verse seemed out of place. What did this little guarantee have to do with their current plight? The plague most of us deal with - as Christians - more than anything else is bitterness. We have been offended - by man, by God, by circumstances... we carry bitter spirits.
It is not until we let God make our current bitterness sweet at Marah that we can move on to Elam.
Also take note of the numbers: 3 days, 12 springs, 70 palms. 3 days speaks to the fullness of discontent for Israel. For us, this could be any length of time that we wallow in our own unsatisfied state. The 12 springs speaks of a new FAITH, where 12 tribes 'believed' in God, and 12 disciples 'believed' in their rabbi, this signifies a realization of faith. Once we realize that God provides - even when we cannot see Him at work - we reach a place of FAITH where from that point on, we see the FULLNESS of His provision - the 7(0) palm trees.
This is a natural progression.
When Martha sent for Jesus because her brother was sick, Jesus waited. Why? Because God was letting Mary and Martha run out of what they were carrying on their own - their own expectations. They then arrived at a point of bitterness - which Jesus experienced Himself when He wept. But God threw the wood into the sprint and it because sweet. Lazarus came forth. From that point on, you can bet that the FAITH of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was an Elam faith - one where the provision of God was perfect and full.
Do you have bitterness in your life? What do you carry with you that is still left over from Egypt?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Is Our Bread Really Unleavened?
Exo 13:6-7 KJV
(6) Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
(7) Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
The week of Unleavened Bread is a week-long festival that was instituted by God. This festival began with Passover, included the days of Unleavened Bread, and concluded with First Fruits. This was quite a week! The Jewish people took this extremely seriously, as if the above command from God left much room for otherwise. This was a time of introspection for the Hebrews. They removed all traces of yeast from their homes. They removed anything that 'might' ferment. Many even change the feed for their livestock in order to make the milk more kosher. This is serious!
The first thing we might think as western Christians is 'silliness'. Or 'what legalism!'
To me, this is what we, as western believers, have missed in our walk with Jesus. In our pious quests for righteousness, we have become more like the rich young ruler who was looking for a bare minimum requirement for inheriting the kingdom. (Matt 19:16) We put in our time and we 'call it good'. To the Hebrew, this is a flawed perspective. It fails to treat God as who He really is - Holy. Zephaniah said this:
Zep 1:12 KJV
(12) And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
The Hebrew reads this and concludes in his heart that God is not one to be trifled with. He is one who searches the hearts of men meticulously. The Christian reads this passage and might conclude that God sure had it out for Israel back then. Aren't we grateful for grace!
So we play our grace card... and go back to our lives of part-time righteousness and sin-management.
In my own heart, I find it a travesty to think that we can be saved as of by fire, living life as if God does not care while next to us stands a Jewish man who does not believe Jesus was Messiah yet strains with all his might to walk as his father Abraham did - in faith and purity - believing that God is good and Holy and will keep His promises. This is very difficult for me to reconcile. Salvation is by faith. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Somewhere, however, many of us as Christians have MISSED holiness. We should look to the examples others have set and learn from them.
(6) Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
(7) Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
The week of Unleavened Bread is a week-long festival that was instituted by God. This festival began with Passover, included the days of Unleavened Bread, and concluded with First Fruits. This was quite a week! The Jewish people took this extremely seriously, as if the above command from God left much room for otherwise. This was a time of introspection for the Hebrews. They removed all traces of yeast from their homes. They removed anything that 'might' ferment. Many even change the feed for their livestock in order to make the milk more kosher. This is serious!
The first thing we might think as western Christians is 'silliness'. Or 'what legalism!'
To me, this is what we, as western believers, have missed in our walk with Jesus. In our pious quests for righteousness, we have become more like the rich young ruler who was looking for a bare minimum requirement for inheriting the kingdom. (Matt 19:16) We put in our time and we 'call it good'. To the Hebrew, this is a flawed perspective. It fails to treat God as who He really is - Holy. Zephaniah said this:
Zep 1:12 KJV
(12) And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
The Hebrew reads this and concludes in his heart that God is not one to be trifled with. He is one who searches the hearts of men meticulously. The Christian reads this passage and might conclude that God sure had it out for Israel back then. Aren't we grateful for grace!
So we play our grace card... and go back to our lives of part-time righteousness and sin-management.
In my own heart, I find it a travesty to think that we can be saved as of by fire, living life as if God does not care while next to us stands a Jewish man who does not believe Jesus was Messiah yet strains with all his might to walk as his father Abraham did - in faith and purity - believing that God is good and Holy and will keep His promises. This is very difficult for me to reconcile. Salvation is by faith. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Somewhere, however, many of us as Christians have MISSED holiness. We should look to the examples others have set and learn from them.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
About This Blog
I've had quite a few people ask me about my blogs and teachings especially related to how I study and who my sources are. I thought it might be important to devote at least one entry to this subject. I love this blog because it's an outlet for me to journal some of the really cool stuff that I learn and to share it at the same time. No, the blog doesn't have tons of followers but the ones that do read are fans of scripture and many of us chat daily about our amazement of God and His word.
I'm no genius regarding scripture. If I reveal something profound, it's because someone revealed it to me first. If the writing is particularly good - and sometimes it really is - it's God. I'm often amazed when I go back and read a good entry because often I will not recollect writing it. That's God. If it's lame, poorly constructed, and non-informative, THAT was me - forcing it. I have tried to learn to write when I have something to write, and to rest when I have nothing. Early on, especially, I forced it a lot, and it is painfully obvious. I still do, every now and then. Stay tuned.
My main source is the Bible. I try to read every day and at night before bed. Sometimes I get a nugget, sometimes not. Sometimes I have a season of 'not'. It's these dry times that I miss a lot of posts. There are also rainy seasons where I am so flooded that I can't land on a single thing to post due to being overwhelmed. Most of my friends can tell what season I'm in. I don't read many books. My personal conviction is that God can always show me more in a verse than a writer can show me in a chapter. That's me - however. I'm not knocking books.
I also listen to rabbis and teachers of various denominations and faiths, and I filter these through the inerrant Word of God in order to dig out more nuggets. If we limit ourselves to teachers that believe just as we believe, we will never think outside of the box we are in. By the way, our box can't hold Him. We can't build one that big.
If I had a single hint to offer people who want to study in a deeper way, it would be this: read suspiciously. There are no coincidences in scripture (I think Chuck Missler says this). If something appears oddly out of place in the text, pay especially close attention to that. Look at the Hebrew. Look at the Greek. Where was that used elsewhere? Once you start doing this, you find yourself on the most amazing rabbit trails. Start with Deuteronomy chapter 8, if you want a 'for instance'.
Peace and blessings to you all!
I'm no genius regarding scripture. If I reveal something profound, it's because someone revealed it to me first. If the writing is particularly good - and sometimes it really is - it's God. I'm often amazed when I go back and read a good entry because often I will not recollect writing it. That's God. If it's lame, poorly constructed, and non-informative, THAT was me - forcing it. I have tried to learn to write when I have something to write, and to rest when I have nothing. Early on, especially, I forced it a lot, and it is painfully obvious. I still do, every now and then. Stay tuned.
My main source is the Bible. I try to read every day and at night before bed. Sometimes I get a nugget, sometimes not. Sometimes I have a season of 'not'. It's these dry times that I miss a lot of posts. There are also rainy seasons where I am so flooded that I can't land on a single thing to post due to being overwhelmed. Most of my friends can tell what season I'm in. I don't read many books. My personal conviction is that God can always show me more in a verse than a writer can show me in a chapter. That's me - however. I'm not knocking books.
I also listen to rabbis and teachers of various denominations and faiths, and I filter these through the inerrant Word of God in order to dig out more nuggets. If we limit ourselves to teachers that believe just as we believe, we will never think outside of the box we are in. By the way, our box can't hold Him. We can't build one that big.
If I had a single hint to offer people who want to study in a deeper way, it would be this: read suspiciously. There are no coincidences in scripture (I think Chuck Missler says this). If something appears oddly out of place in the text, pay especially close attention to that. Look at the Hebrew. Look at the Greek. Where was that used elsewhere? Once you start doing this, you find yourself on the most amazing rabbit trails. Start with Deuteronomy chapter 8, if you want a 'for instance'.
Peace and blessings to you all!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Sabbath
Gen 2:2-3 HNV
(2) On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
(3) God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made.
Christians have misunderstood - or ignored - the Sabbath, to some extent, since the time of Jesus. We all have questions. The Sabbath is important! Keep it! Yet... it is made for man, not man for the Sabbath. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath? How can I do it without being 'legalistic'?
Questions. To boot, this all falls under 'the Law' discussion which is a HUGE gray area to most Christians. We have lost much of our Jewish understanding.
First of all, the Sabbath (Shabbat) and 'a sabbath day' are not necessarily the same thing. If a Jewish feast day (hag; holiday) falls on a week day, then that day will be a sabbath day. Later in that week, Shabbat (Saturday) comes also. Two sabbath days in the same week, but only one Shabbat. Shabbat ('the' Sabbath) is always Saturday. Shabbat is equivalent to Saturday - in the Hebrew realm.
That said, can a sabbath be observed on a Sunday? Of course!
So how important is the Sabbath?
Exo 20:8-11 HNV
(8) "Remember the day of Shabbat, to keep it holy.
(9) You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
(10) but the seventh day is a Shabbat to the LORD your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
(11) for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the day of Shabbat, and made it holy.
Obviously this is important! But what does it mean for us? We are not under the law, right?
Fortunately, we are not justified by the law (read Romans 3), but by another law of 'faith'. Does this mean we put aside the law?
I believe everyone would agree that we do not put aside 'You shall not murder' or 'You shall not commit adultery' or 'Honor your parents'. That would be ludicrous! So then, what shall we do with Shabbat?
Paul wrote,
Rom 14:5 HNV
(5) One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
and Jesus said,
Mat 12:5 MKJV
(5) Or have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless?
There is much I do not know about Shabbat. Do I believe it's important? Yes! Because God believed it was important. Does that mean I know how to observe it properly? Unfortunately, not really. When Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the priests in the temple were blameless even though they profaned the sabbath, He was not saying it was okay to profane the sabbath. Yet, there was MUCH importance placed on being a priest! Are you a priest before God? Anyone can be, if they are willing.
Another interesting tidbit... is that the land also was supposed to observe a sabbath. Every seventh year the land was to rest from plowing, sowing, and harvest. From the time Israel came into the Promised Land, they did not let the land rest. They ignored the land's sabbath for 490 years. After many warnings from the prophets, God told them that HE would rest the land. Since 490 years had passed, Israel owed God 70 years of Sabbaths. This was the length of Israel's captivity. For 70 years, Israel was denied a national existence.
Because of this, some teachers say that for every week we ignore a sabbath, God shortens our own lives by a day. Naturally, one cannot prove this, but in a culture where we value the 'get-ahead' mentality at all costs and above all else, this isn't such a stretch. He who dies with the most toys wins, right? Rest.
(2) On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
(3) God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made.
Christians have misunderstood - or ignored - the Sabbath, to some extent, since the time of Jesus. We all have questions. The Sabbath is important! Keep it! Yet... it is made for man, not man for the Sabbath. What does it mean to keep the Sabbath? How can I do it without being 'legalistic'?
Questions. To boot, this all falls under 'the Law' discussion which is a HUGE gray area to most Christians. We have lost much of our Jewish understanding.
First of all, the Sabbath (Shabbat) and 'a sabbath day' are not necessarily the same thing. If a Jewish feast day (hag; holiday) falls on a week day, then that day will be a sabbath day. Later in that week, Shabbat (Saturday) comes also. Two sabbath days in the same week, but only one Shabbat. Shabbat ('the' Sabbath) is always Saturday. Shabbat is equivalent to Saturday - in the Hebrew realm.
That said, can a sabbath be observed on a Sunday? Of course!
So how important is the Sabbath?
Exo 20:8-11 HNV
(8) "Remember the day of Shabbat, to keep it holy.
(9) You shall labor six days, and do all your work,
(10) but the seventh day is a Shabbat to the LORD your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates;
(11) for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the day of Shabbat, and made it holy.
Obviously this is important! But what does it mean for us? We are not under the law, right?
Fortunately, we are not justified by the law (read Romans 3), but by another law of 'faith'. Does this mean we put aside the law?
I believe everyone would agree that we do not put aside 'You shall not murder' or 'You shall not commit adultery' or 'Honor your parents'. That would be ludicrous! So then, what shall we do with Shabbat?
Paul wrote,
Rom 14:5 HNV
(5) One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
and Jesus said,
Mat 12:5 MKJV
(5) Or have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath and are blameless?
There is much I do not know about Shabbat. Do I believe it's important? Yes! Because God believed it was important. Does that mean I know how to observe it properly? Unfortunately, not really. When Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the priests in the temple were blameless even though they profaned the sabbath, He was not saying it was okay to profane the sabbath. Yet, there was MUCH importance placed on being a priest! Are you a priest before God? Anyone can be, if they are willing.
Another interesting tidbit... is that the land also was supposed to observe a sabbath. Every seventh year the land was to rest from plowing, sowing, and harvest. From the time Israel came into the Promised Land, they did not let the land rest. They ignored the land's sabbath for 490 years. After many warnings from the prophets, God told them that HE would rest the land. Since 490 years had passed, Israel owed God 70 years of Sabbaths. This was the length of Israel's captivity. For 70 years, Israel was denied a national existence.
Because of this, some teachers say that for every week we ignore a sabbath, God shortens our own lives by a day. Naturally, one cannot prove this, but in a culture where we value the 'get-ahead' mentality at all costs and above all else, this isn't such a stretch. He who dies with the most toys wins, right? Rest.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Our Daily Bread
Mat 6:9-11 HNV
(9) Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
(10) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
(11) Give us today our daily bread.
When Jesus told His disciples how to pray, He gave them this example. Typically, if we have grown up in Sunday School, we were taught this prayer at a young age. But how many of us pray this as adults?
To ask for today's bread means we do not want tomorrow's bread yet. When we pray this prayer and mean it, we are asking for no more than what we need today. We forfeit the security of tomorrow's provision: our savings account, our college fund, our pantry, our job security, our health report... Do we really want to pray this prayer?
If we wake up some day in a situation not unlike many Haitians today, how do we react? Do we totally go to pieces and change the prayer to "Today and tomorrow, God!"?
It's not that God doesn't want us to have security - but He wants our security to rest in Him. If our security is not in the Lord today, where is it?
(9) Pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
(10) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
(11) Give us today our daily bread.
When Jesus told His disciples how to pray, He gave them this example. Typically, if we have grown up in Sunday School, we were taught this prayer at a young age. But how many of us pray this as adults?
To ask for today's bread means we do not want tomorrow's bread yet. When we pray this prayer and mean it, we are asking for no more than what we need today. We forfeit the security of tomorrow's provision: our savings account, our college fund, our pantry, our job security, our health report... Do we really want to pray this prayer?
If we wake up some day in a situation not unlike many Haitians today, how do we react? Do we totally go to pieces and change the prayer to "Today and tomorrow, God!"?
It's not that God doesn't want us to have security - but He wants our security to rest in Him. If our security is not in the Lord today, where is it?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Close To The Flood
Joshua 3:14-16 LITV
(14) And it happened, as the people pulled up stakes from their tents to cross over the Jordan, and as the priests bore the ark of the covenant before the people,
(15) and as those bearing the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the waters (and the Jordan was full, over all its banks all the days of harvest),
(16) that the waters stood still, those coming down from above rose up into a heap, very far above the city Adam, which is beside Zaretan; and those going down by the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite to Jericho.
The Jordan during the rainy season - although not the Mississippi - was still quite the obstacle. In fact, the nature of this flooding would be multifaceted. Naturally the river would be higher and faster and muddier. But as the water came over the banks, it ran out across a flat land a few inches deep, causing a miry mess for man and animals alike. Imagine treading out across this plain after 300,000 others had just done the same. Make that.... 2.5 million, with cattle in tow.
Scholars say that the distance between the listed landmarks - the City of Adam and the Dead Sea - is about 15 miles. God parted the Jordan River - 15 miles. That means those who went across in the center did not see the walls of water standing 7.5 miles to either direction.
With news of the horrible, catastrophic events in Haiti, some questions have occurred to me. Many of us cannot see what waters the Lord has parted for us. We look in all directions and we only see our neighbor - traveling the same basic direction we travel. We have no idea what God is holding back in order to allow us to pass. We are oblivious.
Perhaps only those who are closest to the eminent destruction can appreciate what we are being saved from.
(14) And it happened, as the people pulled up stakes from their tents to cross over the Jordan, and as the priests bore the ark of the covenant before the people,
(15) and as those bearing the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the waters (and the Jordan was full, over all its banks all the days of harvest),
(16) that the waters stood still, those coming down from above rose up into a heap, very far above the city Adam, which is beside Zaretan; and those going down by the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite to Jericho.
The Jordan during the rainy season - although not the Mississippi - was still quite the obstacle. In fact, the nature of this flooding would be multifaceted. Naturally the river would be higher and faster and muddier. But as the water came over the banks, it ran out across a flat land a few inches deep, causing a miry mess for man and animals alike. Imagine treading out across this plain after 300,000 others had just done the same. Make that.... 2.5 million, with cattle in tow.
Scholars say that the distance between the listed landmarks - the City of Adam and the Dead Sea - is about 15 miles. God parted the Jordan River - 15 miles. That means those who went across in the center did not see the walls of water standing 7.5 miles to either direction.
With news of the horrible, catastrophic events in Haiti, some questions have occurred to me. Many of us cannot see what waters the Lord has parted for us. We look in all directions and we only see our neighbor - traveling the same basic direction we travel. We have no idea what God is holding back in order to allow us to pass. We are oblivious.
Perhaps only those who are closest to the eminent destruction can appreciate what we are being saved from.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The House of the Lord
Psa 23:6 HNV
(6) Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD's house forever.
Dwelling in the Lord's house... has such a great ring to it, doesn't it? When does this happen? After all, we've spent thousands of years now seeing the opposite happen - God with 'us'. Jesus was Emanuel - God with us. That seemed a complete restoration - of sorts - to what we had in Eden.
However, the Jewish people as well as many evangelicals celebrate the High Holy Feast of Succot, or Booths/Tabernacles. The premise of this feast is God sheltering man in the desert of life, just as He did Israel in the desert. God shelters us. We dwell - in Him.
Surely we are heading towards another age - one where He not only dwells within us, but where we dwell in Him. That will be the prophetic fulfillment of Succot - the final, Sabbath millennium. John has a brief description of this:
Rev 21:22 HNV
(22) I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.
We will no longer enter into a temple of stone and mortar, but into God Himself - our Temple. And those who are His shall surely dwell in the House of the Lord (The House - which is the Lord) forever. Amen!
(6) Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the LORD's house forever.
Dwelling in the Lord's house... has such a great ring to it, doesn't it? When does this happen? After all, we've spent thousands of years now seeing the opposite happen - God with 'us'. Jesus was Emanuel - God with us. That seemed a complete restoration - of sorts - to what we had in Eden.
However, the Jewish people as well as many evangelicals celebrate the High Holy Feast of Succot, or Booths/Tabernacles. The premise of this feast is God sheltering man in the desert of life, just as He did Israel in the desert. God shelters us. We dwell - in Him.
Surely we are heading towards another age - one where He not only dwells within us, but where we dwell in Him. That will be the prophetic fulfillment of Succot - the final, Sabbath millennium. John has a brief description of this:
Rev 21:22 HNV
(22) I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.
We will no longer enter into a temple of stone and mortar, but into God Himself - our Temple. And those who are His shall surely dwell in the House of the Lord (The House - which is the Lord) forever. Amen!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Be Dangerous
1Sa 2:18 MKJV
(18) And Samuel served before Jehovah, a child girded with a linen ephod.
From the beginning of his life, Samuel was destined to be a priest of God. He was brought up in the Temple from the time he was weaned, and learned - even from a very lame priest, Eli - the ways of God.
Samuel dealt with lameness most of his life. Saul, Israel's first king, had a problem with loving himself more than he loved God. This was something Samuel could not and did not stomach.
1Sa 15:31-33 MKJV
(31) And Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshiped Jehovah.
(32) And Samuel said, Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came to him daintily. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
(33) And Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women. And Samuel cut Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal.
As we can see, Samuel was a dangerous man. He was not to be trifled with. We know he was raised as a priest, but here he steps in and does what the king should have done. He operated as both priest - and king.
1Ki 18:39-40 MKJV
(39) And when all the people saw, they fell on their faces. And they said, Jehovah, He is the God! Jehovah, He is the God!
(40) And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape. And they took them. And Elijah brought them down to the torrent Kishon and killed them there.
Elijah was another dangerous man. He had just offered a sacrifice to God before an audience of 450 priests of Baal, 400 prophets of Asherah, and the people of Israel. This was a priestly service. Immediately afterwards, he did that which the king should have done - exercised judgment upon the false prophets.
These are two examples of the manafest power of God in men who are willing to be as God called them to be. There is not a more powerful person on earth than a king who is also a priest. Are we to go out and destroy the wicked of the world? No - that is no longer our calling. Our battle is not with flesh and blood. However, there is a serious lack of authority being thrown against the spiritual strongholds in physical places and in real people. It's time to stand and be men and women of God. Study the verses above - where did fear fit into the equation of Samuel and Elijah?
(18) And Samuel served before Jehovah, a child girded with a linen ephod.
From the beginning of his life, Samuel was destined to be a priest of God. He was brought up in the Temple from the time he was weaned, and learned - even from a very lame priest, Eli - the ways of God.
Samuel dealt with lameness most of his life. Saul, Israel's first king, had a problem with loving himself more than he loved God. This was something Samuel could not and did not stomach.
1Sa 15:31-33 MKJV
(31) And Samuel turned again after Saul, and Saul worshiped Jehovah.
(32) And Samuel said, Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came to him daintily. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
(33) And Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women. And Samuel cut Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal.
As we can see, Samuel was a dangerous man. He was not to be trifled with. We know he was raised as a priest, but here he steps in and does what the king should have done. He operated as both priest - and king.
1Ki 18:39-40 MKJV
(39) And when all the people saw, they fell on their faces. And they said, Jehovah, He is the God! Jehovah, He is the God!
(40) And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape. And they took them. And Elijah brought them down to the torrent Kishon and killed them there.
Elijah was another dangerous man. He had just offered a sacrifice to God before an audience of 450 priests of Baal, 400 prophets of Asherah, and the people of Israel. This was a priestly service. Immediately afterwards, he did that which the king should have done - exercised judgment upon the false prophets.
These are two examples of the manafest power of God in men who are willing to be as God called them to be. There is not a more powerful person on earth than a king who is also a priest. Are we to go out and destroy the wicked of the world? No - that is no longer our calling. Our battle is not with flesh and blood. However, there is a serious lack of authority being thrown against the spiritual strongholds in physical places and in real people. It's time to stand and be men and women of God. Study the verses above - where did fear fit into the equation of Samuel and Elijah?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Floods In The Desert - pt2
Imagine yourself as a tree in one of these wadis. You're anchored in the rock in a bend. It hasn't rained in months. All you see in front of you is fine, white sand. When the wind blows hard enough, a few leaves fly away. It's dry. But today is different. Today there is a roar of water getting closer, and closer. Soon the torrent hits and you bend in its wrath. Despite the boulders washing through and the relentless strain, you hang on.
After a while, the torrent has become a slow, steady stream. Then it slows to a crawl. After a day or two, you notice your leaves are green. Another day passes and fruit has begun its growth on your limbs. Finally, the water is gone, and the desert wind dries the floor of the wadi, and there you stand - as before.
Only now, your leaves are green and the fruit is weighing on your limbs. The temperature a few feet above is 120 degrees and there is no sign of water, and yet you have fruit.
So what has it really cost you to bear fruit in your life? What kind of floods have you had to endure in order to be productive in your Christian walk? What kind of floods are you going through right now? God does have a plan. Although this flood is highly unpleasant, your roots will dig deeper into the rock.
Sometimes we meet people who have spent their lives in the floodplain. They are scarred up - beaten up - weathered... and they bear MUCH fruit. We see evidence of water.
Understand, simply by looking at a tree in the wadi, it is impossible to determine how deep its roots run. Outside of church, have you ever seen your pastor study his bible? Have you ever seen him on his face in prayer? If all you have seen is what has been visible at church, then you've only seen the top of the roots. You wont know how deep his roots run until the flood comes.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Floods in the Desert - pt1
In the Middle East, especially in the area around Israel, one of the greatest dangers in the desert is flooding. That sounds strange, doesn't it? But the hills and mountains around the Negev and Judean Wilderness receive quite a lot of rain on a yearly basis, while the desert itself receives almost none. To further complicate things, the soil on the mountains cannot absorb the rain it gets. The result is flash flooding - not unlike what we get in the American west.
Wadis are formed. These are dry riverbeds in the wilderness. Sometimes they are just small canyons carved out by torrents of water. These often offer shade and pools of water in the brutal 120+ degree desert. The problem comes when the rains fall - miles away. On a cloudless day the floods come without warning, washing everything away that isn't firmly rooted.
It's ironic that the wadi offers refuge from the harsh reality of life. Shade. The sun is relentless in the desert. Without shade, death is quite a possibility.
Water. Pools have formed and they do look inviting! The sheep can drink and canteens can be refilled. But this isn't the still water of Psalm 23. This is flood water.
Who knows the difference? Certainly not the sheep. The sheep are content to drink. What they don't know is the flood is coming.
As Christians, do we dabble in sin? Do we attempt 'sin management'? I have been guilty of this. I already know it doesn't work. I know that if I walk in this way... it's only a matter of time before the flood hits. It will be a cloudless day. It will be the VERY SAME as yesterday - when I got by with it. But today... my thirst for immediate gratification might just cost me everything.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Megiddo
Megiddo is a strategic hill in the Jezreel Valley in Israel. It has always been an important location, militarily, and still remains so. Today Israel has an underground airbase in the valley. In ancient times, this was a military outpost that had storehouses and a water supply. It was a city, of sorts.
The Hebrew word for hill or mountain - har - is often used when identifying Megiddo, which is where we get Har Megiddo or Armegeddon. According to historians, archaeologists have discovered seventy-seven layers in this ruined outpost - each representing a time when the city was battled for, destroyed, and rebuilt.
In ancient times, for one culture to war against and conquer another meant that the god of one culture was superior to the god of the conquered culture. Had Goliath killed David, the news on the morning headlines would have read 'Dagon Is the True God!'. In the land of Israel, there is perhaps no greater symbol of strategic possession than Har Megiddo - outside of the city of Jerusalem itself. What does this hint at?
From a Hebraic perspective... if there were going to be a final, symbolic battle to determine once and for all whose god was supreme, this battle would be fought at Megiddo. Isn't that something? Perhaps God thinks so, too! This is exactly why the last battle will be fought at Armageddon.
Rev 16:16 HNV
(16) He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo.
The Hebrew word for hill or mountain - har - is often used when identifying Megiddo, which is where we get Har Megiddo or Armegeddon. According to historians, archaeologists have discovered seventy-seven layers in this ruined outpost - each representing a time when the city was battled for, destroyed, and rebuilt.
In ancient times, for one culture to war against and conquer another meant that the god of one culture was superior to the god of the conquered culture. Had Goliath killed David, the news on the morning headlines would have read 'Dagon Is the True God!'. In the land of Israel, there is perhaps no greater symbol of strategic possession than Har Megiddo - outside of the city of Jerusalem itself. What does this hint at?
From a Hebraic perspective... if there were going to be a final, symbolic battle to determine once and for all whose god was supreme, this battle would be fought at Megiddo. Isn't that something? Perhaps God thinks so, too! This is exactly why the last battle will be fought at Armageddon.
Rev 16:16 HNV
(16) He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
What Shapes Your World?
In the day of Jesus, there were only so many ways to influence the world. Trade. War. Exploration. The Romans understood war, conquest, and occupation. They had a rich culture that spread to the ends of their empire. The Greeks were no different in the time of Alexander. Herod saw the opportunity to build the greatest port of his time, perhaps, at Caesarea. This he did. As a result, Jesus walked in a diverse world of many cultures. Even though His ministry did not physically effect an area much larger than 7 square miles, His message went to the ends of the earth.
Since that time, there has been a massive shift. The only peoples who are still solely effected by trade are the poorest people - those in jungles or in remote outposts. Largely our world today is effected by media, sports, and Hollywood. How have we adapted?
Are our churches setting aside funds to send its kids to seminary? Or are our churches setting aside funds to send its kids to film school? How about... Olympic training camp? Or journalism school?
It's very easy to look back - even past the time of Jesus - and wonder why the Israelites did not seize the opportunity to take control of the trade routes of the world. They could have influenced the entire world for God! But they didn't. It's not as easy to look at the here-and-now and ask the same question.
Mar 16:15 MKJV
(15) And He said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
It seems worldly to focus on such things as - film school. But how are we going to influence a dying world if we cannot speak its language?
Since that time, there has been a massive shift. The only peoples who are still solely effected by trade are the poorest people - those in jungles or in remote outposts. Largely our world today is effected by media, sports, and Hollywood. How have we adapted?
Are our churches setting aside funds to send its kids to seminary? Or are our churches setting aside funds to send its kids to film school? How about... Olympic training camp? Or journalism school?
It's very easy to look back - even past the time of Jesus - and wonder why the Israelites did not seize the opportunity to take control of the trade routes of the world. They could have influenced the entire world for God! But they didn't. It's not as easy to look at the here-and-now and ask the same question.
Mar 16:15 MKJV
(15) And He said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
It seems worldly to focus on such things as - film school. But how are we going to influence a dying world if we cannot speak its language?
Monday, January 04, 2010
A Prophet Without Honor
Mat 13:57 MKJV
(57) And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in his own house.
Moses had grown up in the house of Pharaoh. The call on his life, however, was starting to manifest in strange ways. He saw the injustice of Egypt upon his own people. On a certain day, it was just too much. He saw a Hebrew man being mistreated and he struck the offending Egyptian taskmaster. Moses panicked, naturally, and hid the body in the sand.
One might think the would-be savior would be appreciated and welcomed. Not so.
Soon there-after, seeing an argument between two Hebrew men prompted Moses to act as a peace-maker. They acted as though they resented him, asking if he would kill them as he had the Egyptian. Afraid, Moses disappeared... for a long, long season. When he finally returned, he did so as a redeemer to his people. Sent by God, he led his people out of bondage.
This story does sound familiar. Jesus was also resented by his brethren - although it was for no wrong-doing. When the time was right, He, too, disappeared for a long season. He is going to return, though. Sent by God, He will lead His people out of this world.
Aren't you thankful for the Holy Spirit? For He can lead us out of bondage right now!
(57) And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country and in his own house.
Moses had grown up in the house of Pharaoh. The call on his life, however, was starting to manifest in strange ways. He saw the injustice of Egypt upon his own people. On a certain day, it was just too much. He saw a Hebrew man being mistreated and he struck the offending Egyptian taskmaster. Moses panicked, naturally, and hid the body in the sand.
One might think the would-be savior would be appreciated and welcomed. Not so.
Soon there-after, seeing an argument between two Hebrew men prompted Moses to act as a peace-maker. They acted as though they resented him, asking if he would kill them as he had the Egyptian. Afraid, Moses disappeared... for a long, long season. When he finally returned, he did so as a redeemer to his people. Sent by God, he led his people out of bondage.
This story does sound familiar. Jesus was also resented by his brethren - although it was for no wrong-doing. When the time was right, He, too, disappeared for a long season. He is going to return, though. Sent by God, He will lead His people out of this world.
Aren't you thankful for the Holy Spirit? For He can lead us out of bondage right now!
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