Kind of Obedient?
Read Deuteronomy 1
Deut 1:3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the LORD had commanded him concerning them.
YOU KNOW that by reading Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, and now through Moses’ summary, the Hebrews have sometimes preferred being “lost in the desert” to following God’s clear direction. They have gone to places they shouldn’t have gone, and they have not gone to places God told them to go.
The Hebrews have been obedient at times, rebellious at times, and somewhere “in-between”—”kind of obedient”.
The truth is “kind of obedient” is really disobedience. And now Moses is reminding them of the difficulties they faced in their disobedience.
This lesson is so clear. Why is it so hard to say to God, “Show me the way. I’m coming!” We are all on a journey through life from birth to its end. And when we get to the end, what will be our final destination? Will it be spiritual destruction or spiritual victory?
We must not be as the wandering Hebrews. We must be as the obedient Hebrews in our journey. Their personal, loving, guiding God is right here for you today. He has passionately and personally shown himself in the person of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. He continues to passionately, personally show himself through the Holy Spirit.
How are you doing following your passionate, personal God? I know that generally I’m trusting myself more than I want to trust God. I think I’m “kind of obedient”. Hmm.
Pause and Consider: is there any way today you can move from “Kind of” to “fully” obedient?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
February 28, 2011 Eternal Cleanser
Eternal Cleanser
Read Numbers 31-33
Num 33:51-52 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.’”
WHAT DO you do when you move into a new house? Generally, you clean out your old house, remove what you don’t need and take only the “essentials” to the new house. You also (I assume) take precautions to keep the dirt out—you want to keep your new house clean!
God’s people were about to move into their new house. The Promised Land was ahead. But before they move in, God specifically instructs them to get the dirt out of their lives, to remove their false gods.
It’s easy to get dirty, isn’t it? We walk outside in the rain, slip in a puddle, and we are dirty. We spill food on a clean shirt. Dust is on the window sill and all over the furniture. Regardless of how new your house is, dirt moves in with you.
Dirt showed up with the snake in the Garden of Eden. Dirt will show up in the Promised Land. God, of course, knows how dirty his house can get when his peole keep the door open and let the dust come.
So he warns them, in essence, to keep the dust rag handy, to sweep up the spiritual dirt and keep a spiritually clean home by cleaning out the idols.
Is there too much dirt in your life? Trust God to be your cleaning agent. Invite Jesus to come and clean your house (your soul) with his blood—the eternal dirt cleaner.
Pause and Consider: doesn’t it feel great to be clean in Jesus?
Read Numbers 31-33
Num 33:51-52 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.’”
WHAT DO you do when you move into a new house? Generally, you clean out your old house, remove what you don’t need and take only the “essentials” to the new house. You also (I assume) take precautions to keep the dirt out—you want to keep your new house clean!
God’s people were about to move into their new house. The Promised Land was ahead. But before they move in, God specifically instructs them to get the dirt out of their lives, to remove their false gods.
It’s easy to get dirty, isn’t it? We walk outside in the rain, slip in a puddle, and we are dirty. We spill food on a clean shirt. Dust is on the window sill and all over the furniture. Regardless of how new your house is, dirt moves in with you.
Dirt showed up with the snake in the Garden of Eden. Dirt will show up in the Promised Land. God, of course, knows how dirty his house can get when his peole keep the door open and let the dust come.
So he warns them, in essence, to keep the dust rag handy, to sweep up the spiritual dirt and keep a spiritually clean home by cleaning out the idols.
Is there too much dirt in your life? Trust God to be your cleaning agent. Invite Jesus to come and clean your house (your soul) with his blood—the eternal dirt cleaner.
Pause and Consider: doesn’t it feel great to be clean in Jesus?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
February 27, 2011 A Pleasing Aroma
A Pleasing Aroma
Read Numbers 28-30
Num 29:13 Present an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.
I’VE often wondered how burnt animals could be a pleasing aroma to God. Burning flesh is anything but pleasing, but that is how God described it. How is this relevant to us today?
The lesson I see for us today is this: I see God calling us to trust him with as LORD. “LORD” is a title for God that means he is Jehovah—Provider. And to God, this title must be real to his people. They (we) need to know he provides what we need.
To emphasize that truth, God is commanding his people to sacrifice their best to him. The aroma of the burning flesh tells God his people have obeyed. They have sacrificed prime livestock for him. They have honored him. They have worshiped him. And they are trusting him to provide in the future.
The aroma is the reality of God’s people trusting him to offer a sacrifice. “Sacrifice” means giving up something of value to another. God called his people to give up their best for him because he had offered himself to them to free them and call them into his Kingdom.
We can look now and see how God has given his best even more personally in his Son, Jesus Christ, for you.
Now, God wants your best. He doesn’t want your leftover money, energy or time. Give to God your best, and you be a pleasing aroma to him.
Pause and Consider: your smile is a pleasing aroma to God.
Read Numbers 28-30
Num 29:13 Present an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect.
I’VE often wondered how burnt animals could be a pleasing aroma to God. Burning flesh is anything but pleasing, but that is how God described it. How is this relevant to us today?
The lesson I see for us today is this: I see God calling us to trust him with as LORD. “LORD” is a title for God that means he is Jehovah—Provider. And to God, this title must be real to his people. They (we) need to know he provides what we need.
To emphasize that truth, God is commanding his people to sacrifice their best to him. The aroma of the burning flesh tells God his people have obeyed. They have sacrificed prime livestock for him. They have honored him. They have worshiped him. And they are trusting him to provide in the future.
The aroma is the reality of God’s people trusting him to offer a sacrifice. “Sacrifice” means giving up something of value to another. God called his people to give up their best for him because he had offered himself to them to free them and call them into his Kingdom.
We can look now and see how God has given his best even more personally in his Son, Jesus Christ, for you.
Now, God wants your best. He doesn’t want your leftover money, energy or time. Give to God your best, and you be a pleasing aroma to him.
Pause and Consider: your smile is a pleasing aroma to God.
Friday, February 25, 2011
February 26, 2011 God Killed His Son
God Killed His Son
Numbers 23-25
Num 25:3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.
SIN—it’s easy to do, isn’t it? See something you like to do, you go do it. Feel the pleasure of worldly things, and they become your god. Enjoy the pleasures of temptation, and you get to have fun.
Yes, sin is an easy thing to do because it’s our nature. Sin often brings quick, fleshly pleasures since Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit.
Sin entered into the Hebrew camp. They couldn’t deal with sin on their own. Their lack of trust in God, their fears, pleasures and pride made them easy targets for the gods of pleasure.
How does God respond? Does God pat them on the back and say, “That’s okay. I’m sure you’ll do better next time.”? No. His anger burned. And he judged because the nation he had formed had turned against him.
Burning anger is God’s response to sin. His anger burned so hot, he had to quench it. And he had two options: One, he could judge his people and destroy them, or…
Two, he could destroy sin. He chose to save his people and destroy sin. Following his own law, God had to offer a sacrifice to himself for all of humanity. God’s burning anger against sin ultimately caused him to send his own Son to the cross.
Then his anger was quenched, and his judgment satisfied. Do you see how bad sin is? God killed his Son to kill sin, to save you.
Pause and Consider: how precious you are to God.
Numbers 23-25
Num 25:3 So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.
SIN—it’s easy to do, isn’t it? See something you like to do, you go do it. Feel the pleasure of worldly things, and they become your god. Enjoy the pleasures of temptation, and you get to have fun.
Yes, sin is an easy thing to do because it’s our nature. Sin often brings quick, fleshly pleasures since Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit.
Sin entered into the Hebrew camp. They couldn’t deal with sin on their own. Their lack of trust in God, their fears, pleasures and pride made them easy targets for the gods of pleasure.
How does God respond? Does God pat them on the back and say, “That’s okay. I’m sure you’ll do better next time.”? No. His anger burned. And he judged because the nation he had formed had turned against him.
Burning anger is God’s response to sin. His anger burned so hot, he had to quench it. And he had two options: One, he could judge his people and destroy them, or…
Two, he could destroy sin. He chose to save his people and destroy sin. Following his own law, God had to offer a sacrifice to himself for all of humanity. God’s burning anger against sin ultimately caused him to send his own Son to the cross.
Then his anger was quenched, and his judgment satisfied. Do you see how bad sin is? God killed his Son to kill sin, to save you.
Pause and Consider: how precious you are to God.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
February 24, 2011 Leaders At Risk
Leaders at Risk
Numbers 16-19
Num 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
LEADERS are at risk. An effective leader at best can only please some of the people some of the time. But trouble comes to a structure when people rebel. It happens in the church all the time. It happened to Moses.
Here, a number of men came against Moses and Aaron and wondered in essence, “Who put you in charge?” They think they can be better leaders.
So they come, and they threaten Moses. But Moses has been following God. So God steps in. He confirms Moses, and says, in effect, to the rebels: “To get to Moses, you’ve got to go through me.” and God grows the buds on Aaron’s staff.
Many times churches divide or lose their passion and effectiveness when members resist their leadership. Many godly men and women have been driven out of the church because the members resisted change and the pathway to the future.
Because of their rebellion, the Hebrews stayed in the desert 40 years! Men and their families lost their lives because they opposed Moses, God’s chosen leader. A generation missed the Promised Land, the Kingdom opportunities God had prepared for them.
When you know your leaders are following God, follow them. Trust the ones he has appointed. And experience the blessing of new Kingdom opportunities God has prepared for you.
Pause and Consider: how can you support your church leaders today?
Numbers 16-19
Num 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
LEADERS are at risk. An effective leader at best can only please some of the people some of the time. But trouble comes to a structure when people rebel. It happens in the church all the time. It happened to Moses.
Here, a number of men came against Moses and Aaron and wondered in essence, “Who put you in charge?” They think they can be better leaders.
So they come, and they threaten Moses. But Moses has been following God. So God steps in. He confirms Moses, and says, in effect, to the rebels: “To get to Moses, you’ve got to go through me.” and God grows the buds on Aaron’s staff.
Many times churches divide or lose their passion and effectiveness when members resist their leadership. Many godly men and women have been driven out of the church because the members resisted change and the pathway to the future.
Because of their rebellion, the Hebrews stayed in the desert 40 years! Men and their families lost their lives because they opposed Moses, God’s chosen leader. A generation missed the Promised Land, the Kingdom opportunities God had prepared for them.
When you know your leaders are following God, follow them. Trust the ones he has appointed. And experience the blessing of new Kingdom opportunities God has prepared for you.
Pause and Consider: how can you support your church leaders today?
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 22, 2011 Join the Feast
Join the Feast
Read Numbers 10-12
Numbers 11:4-6 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost — also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
THE DESERT was a most unfriendly place for God to send his people, don’t you think? Although they were slaves in Egypt, the Hebrews ate vegetables from the garden, fish from the sea, and meat from their herds. But now they had a paste-tasting manna.
Worse, they lived in tents. And they had a bunch of new rules to follow. Freedom? Give me slavery.
But wait a minute, the God of the universe is at work. He is the freedom giver, manna provider, rule maker. What’s he doing?
When we check out the bible, I can think of few, if any, who entered into God’s “born again” freedom easily. God is so far above us, we can never get close to him unless we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death”—unless we deal with loss and learn to trust him.
For on the other side of the valley is a feast! There is a cup overflowing. There is goodness and mercy all the days of your life. (check out Psalm 23).
God calls you into his freedom for an eternity of joy and wonder, an eternity of feasting. To get there, we must learn to trust him, lean on him, love and worship him. Join the feast forever!
Pause and Consider: what “feast”—blessing—has God given to you this day?
Read Numbers 10-12
Numbers 11:4-6 The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost — also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. 6 But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
THE DESERT was a most unfriendly place for God to send his people, don’t you think? Although they were slaves in Egypt, the Hebrews ate vegetables from the garden, fish from the sea, and meat from their herds. But now they had a paste-tasting manna.
Worse, they lived in tents. And they had a bunch of new rules to follow. Freedom? Give me slavery.
But wait a minute, the God of the universe is at work. He is the freedom giver, manna provider, rule maker. What’s he doing?
When we check out the bible, I can think of few, if any, who entered into God’s “born again” freedom easily. God is so far above us, we can never get close to him unless we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death”—unless we deal with loss and learn to trust him.
For on the other side of the valley is a feast! There is a cup overflowing. There is goodness and mercy all the days of your life. (check out Psalm 23).
God calls you into his freedom for an eternity of joy and wonder, an eternity of feasting. To get there, we must learn to trust him, lean on him, love and worship him. Join the feast forever!
Pause and Consider: what “feast”—blessing—has God given to you this day?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
February 21, 2011 Total Commitment
Total Commitment
Read Numbers 7-9
Numbers 9:21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.
THIS IS faithfulness and trust—a total commitment to God’s leading. Oh, how I desire to live such a life!
Out in the desert, a place the Israelites had never been, over 1 million people paid attention to God’s leading. Probably nowhere in Scripture is there such a determined pattern of obeying God’s direction by so many people. What a wonder it must have been to see God act so personally and clearly with his people. I wonder what they thought?
Perhaps they thought of the future. Where was God leading them? Would their new home be better than Egypt? Would their families thrive? Would the land be good for crops and bear fruit and olives for oil? Would he always be such a personal God?
Do you wonder such things as you look to God leading you? Do you wonder if God will provide a job, care for your family, help you in times of trouble and bless your health? Do you wonder if God will lead you to the right place?
Wonder no longer. We know the Hebrews struggled, and we know life will have its struggles, but this we also know: God has always shown he is with those who follow his leading. He will protect and bless you as you trust his path for you.
Pause and Consider: where do you see God leading you?
Read Numbers 7-9
Numbers 9:21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.
THIS IS faithfulness and trust—a total commitment to God’s leading. Oh, how I desire to live such a life!
Out in the desert, a place the Israelites had never been, over 1 million people paid attention to God’s leading. Probably nowhere in Scripture is there such a determined pattern of obeying God’s direction by so many people. What a wonder it must have been to see God act so personally and clearly with his people. I wonder what they thought?
Perhaps they thought of the future. Where was God leading them? Would their new home be better than Egypt? Would their families thrive? Would the land be good for crops and bear fruit and olives for oil? Would he always be such a personal God?
Do you wonder such things as you look to God leading you? Do you wonder if God will provide a job, care for your family, help you in times of trouble and bless your health? Do you wonder if God will lead you to the right place?
Wonder no longer. We know the Hebrews struggled, and we know life will have its struggles, but this we also know: God has always shown he is with those who follow his leading. He will protect and bless you as you trust his path for you.
Pause and Consider: where do you see God leading you?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
February 20 , 2011 It's about Worship
It’s About Worship
Read Numbers 4-6
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
THIS MAY be one of the most common blessings in the Christian church. It is a blessing given by pastors to send people from worship as they enter into a world that challenges their faith. In this case, God sends his people away from the Tent of Meeting with a reminder that the LORD desires to bless them.
If you’ve read the rest of this passage for today, you may think this blessing is out of place. After all, Numbers 4, 5, and most of 6 is about punishment for wrongdoing—some very severe. And the scripture is about very proper and exacting duties to serve God, to come before him and to make commitments to him.
In other words, it is about worship. Worship is the act of obedience, honor and humility before the LORD. Worship is loving God because he is God.
Yes, God demands worship. And why not? He is holy. He is creator. He is freedom-giver and life-fulfiller. He cares for you and gives to you the essence of himself, his holiness.
Why would you not want to worship such a God? Worship him. Celebrate him Trust him. And receive his blessing of life.
Pause and Consider: what’s your favorite way to worship your LORD?
Read Numbers 4-6
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
THIS MAY be one of the most common blessings in the Christian church. It is a blessing given by pastors to send people from worship as they enter into a world that challenges their faith. In this case, God sends his people away from the Tent of Meeting with a reminder that the LORD desires to bless them.
If you’ve read the rest of this passage for today, you may think this blessing is out of place. After all, Numbers 4, 5, and most of 6 is about punishment for wrongdoing—some very severe. And the scripture is about very proper and exacting duties to serve God, to come before him and to make commitments to him.
In other words, it is about worship. Worship is the act of obedience, honor and humility before the LORD. Worship is loving God because he is God.
Yes, God demands worship. And why not? He is holy. He is creator. He is freedom-giver and life-fulfiller. He cares for you and gives to you the essence of himself, his holiness.
Why would you not want to worship such a God? Worship him. Celebrate him Trust him. And receive his blessing of life.
Pause and Consider: what’s your favorite way to worship your LORD?
Friday, February 18, 2011
February 19 You Need to Trust Him
We Need to Trust Him
Read Numbers 1-3
Num 1:1-5 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. 4 One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you. 5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you.”
&
Num 1:53 The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony.
DO YOU note God’s precision? Do you see the date this was written and the very specific instructions for a census to be taken? He tells who is to do this and how it is to be done. He also tells who is to care for the tabernacle of the Testimony. God’s way is holy—pure—and precise. When he speaks, you and I need to listen.
But we have such a problem with that, don’t we? We don’t want to trust him that we should love the unlovable, give to the poor, tithe our income, be faithful to our spouse, worship him only…and so many more good ways he commands us.
Why must we struggle so when God has clearly shown us right from wrong? I don’t know—I think we need to trust him.
Pause and Consider: are you ready to listen?
Read Numbers 1-3
Num 1:1-5 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. 4 One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you. 5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you.”
&
Num 1:53 The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony.
DO YOU note God’s precision? Do you see the date this was written and the very specific instructions for a census to be taken? He tells who is to do this and how it is to be done. He also tells who is to care for the tabernacle of the Testimony. God’s way is holy—pure—and precise. When he speaks, you and I need to listen.
But we have such a problem with that, don’t we? We don’t want to trust him that we should love the unlovable, give to the poor, tithe our income, be faithful to our spouse, worship him only…and so many more good ways he commands us.
Why must we struggle so when God has clearly shown us right from wrong? I don’t know—I think we need to trust him.
Pause and Consider: are you ready to listen?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
February 17, 2011 Celebrate
Celebrate
Read Leviticus 23-25
Lev 23:44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD.
THE FEAST and festivals the Lord God gave his people were designed to celebrate God and remember his great works. God set these feasts for his people to remember his goodness and praise his grace. God had delivered them from bondage, provided food and shelter in the desert, gave them a land to live in and established an order to their society.
These remembrances looked forward. From this time, God continued to set the stage for the Hebrews. Some of the Feasts and Festivals—the Day of Atonement, the Passover, the Feast of the Unleavened Bread—would be fulfilled in Jesus, the Savior.
As a result, these celebrations are now for you, to remember God for his mighty work in your lives as he draws you closer to him.
Today we have the church to be our “celebration place”. The church worship each Sunday should be a time of remembering what God has done and desiring to respond to him with lives of faith.
When you stop and consider the wonder of God’s creation, the glory of his salvation and the promise of our eternal resurrection, how can you not celebrate?
Wow!
Pause and Consider: how can your home be a celebration place?
Read Leviticus 23-25
Lev 23:44 So Moses announced to the Israelites the appointed feasts of the LORD.
THE FEAST and festivals the Lord God gave his people were designed to celebrate God and remember his great works. God set these feasts for his people to remember his goodness and praise his grace. God had delivered them from bondage, provided food and shelter in the desert, gave them a land to live in and established an order to their society.
These remembrances looked forward. From this time, God continued to set the stage for the Hebrews. Some of the Feasts and Festivals—the Day of Atonement, the Passover, the Feast of the Unleavened Bread—would be fulfilled in Jesus, the Savior.
As a result, these celebrations are now for you, to remember God for his mighty work in your lives as he draws you closer to him.
Today we have the church to be our “celebration place”. The church worship each Sunday should be a time of remembering what God has done and desiring to respond to him with lives of faith.
When you stop and consider the wonder of God’s creation, the glory of his salvation and the promise of our eternal resurrection, how can you not celebrate?
Wow!
Pause and Consider: how can your home be a celebration place?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February 16, 2011 God is Good
God is Good
Read Leviticus 20-22
Lev 20:2-3 “If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death.”
“GOD IS GOOD.” How many times have you said that or heard someone else say it? Usually one is responding to some good thing that has happened in his or her life—a surprise gift from someone, avoiding an accident, being healthy. These are good things, and God deserves praise in all things. But I want you to see how truly good (a word that means “of God”) is our God.
Horrible things were happening in the world when God spoke these words. People who were worshiping false idols were killing their children. There was a ritual of worship that occurred to the god Molech in which parents would literally throw their 4-year-old child into a fire. One shudders at the thought.
Of course, God detested that murderous practice. And he could have easily destroyed those who did such an awful act. But he didn’t. His intent was to save them and to turn their hearts to him.
So he commanded his people to stop it. He commanded his people to be different—to be people of life who worshiped the God of life.
God’s goodness gave him the grace to turn people from their sin and save them. Trust God’s goodness for you. It is life forevermore.
Pause and Consider: God is life for you now.
Read Leviticus 20-22
Lev 20:2-3 “If any of them offer their children as a sacrifice to Molech, they must be put to death. The people of the community must stone them to death.”
“GOD IS GOOD.” How many times have you said that or heard someone else say it? Usually one is responding to some good thing that has happened in his or her life—a surprise gift from someone, avoiding an accident, being healthy. These are good things, and God deserves praise in all things. But I want you to see how truly good (a word that means “of God”) is our God.
Horrible things were happening in the world when God spoke these words. People who were worshiping false idols were killing their children. There was a ritual of worship that occurred to the god Molech in which parents would literally throw their 4-year-old child into a fire. One shudders at the thought.
Of course, God detested that murderous practice. And he could have easily destroyed those who did such an awful act. But he didn’t. His intent was to save them and to turn their hearts to him.
So he commanded his people to stop it. He commanded his people to be different—to be people of life who worshiped the God of life.
God’s goodness gave him the grace to turn people from their sin and save them. Trust God’s goodness for you. It is life forevermore.
Pause and Consider: God is life for you now.
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 15, 2011 God True to His Word
God True to His Word
Read Leviticus 17-19
Lev 17:11 for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
WHEN I hear people talk of those they admire, one remark I often hear is this: “He’ll do anything for you. He walks his talk. You know that when he says something he means it. He’ll never ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself.”
Do you know someone like that? I do. His name is God.
When you read God’s reason for establishing the blood sacrifice system, you can then see why Jesus, the Son of God, would have to die a death where he would bleed. And you can see how his death would cancel your sin.
God’s law said to sacrifice an animal and let it bleed out. Don’t just kill it. Be sure its lifeblood comes out. That’s the only way your sin will be canceled—temporarily. You’ll need to come back and do it again.
When God canceled your sin forever, he had to follow his own law, live by his own word. And so he did. Jesus has died a sacrificial death because God said it is “the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”
You can trust your God who lives by His Word.
Pause and Consider: give a good word to someone who needs your help today.
Read Leviticus 17-19
Lev 17:11 for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
WHEN I hear people talk of those they admire, one remark I often hear is this: “He’ll do anything for you. He walks his talk. You know that when he says something he means it. He’ll never ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself.”
Do you know someone like that? I do. His name is God.
When you read God’s reason for establishing the blood sacrifice system, you can then see why Jesus, the Son of God, would have to die a death where he would bleed. And you can see how his death would cancel your sin.
God’s law said to sacrifice an animal and let it bleed out. Don’t just kill it. Be sure its lifeblood comes out. That’s the only way your sin will be canceled—temporarily. You’ll need to come back and do it again.
When God canceled your sin forever, he had to follow his own law, live by his own word. And so he did. Jesus has died a sacrificial death because God said it is “the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”
You can trust your God who lives by His Word.
Pause and Consider: give a good word to someone who needs your help today.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
February 14, 2011 The Greatest Valentine
Jesus, the Scapegoat
Read Leviticus 13-16
Lev 16:21-22 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites — all their sins — and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
HERE WE see instructions to Aaron, Israel’s first priest, on how to approach the Lord. One of the requirements is to provide two goats—one for sacrifice, and one to be the scapegoat—on the Day of Atonement. This represents the complete removal of guilt from Israel.
Note how this parallels Jesus’ first acts of his ministry. He was baptized. Certainly John the Baptist laid hands on him, and the baptism was symbolic of atonement, the cleansing of our guilt. What did Jesus do next?
He went into the desert to confront sin in the Devil’s temptations. He resisted the Devil and took the next steps to teach, preach and heal the world of sin. And he carried the sin of the world with him to the cross, the sacrificial altar.
And now we can approach God through Jesus’ blood.
As we learn of God’s law requirements, we see how perfectly he fulfilled the law’s requirements to welcome us into his presence.
God is God of the Old Covenant and the New. Thank him for that today. Thank him that he offers to you a way to be made righteous through Jesus Christ, the scapegoat for your sins and mine.
Pause and Consider: Feel Jesus’ nail-pierced hands on you, freeing you.
Read Leviticus 13-16
Lev 16:21-22 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites — all their sins — and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert.
HERE WE see instructions to Aaron, Israel’s first priest, on how to approach the Lord. One of the requirements is to provide two goats—one for sacrifice, and one to be the scapegoat—on the Day of Atonement. This represents the complete removal of guilt from Israel.
Note how this parallels Jesus’ first acts of his ministry. He was baptized. Certainly John the Baptist laid hands on him, and the baptism was symbolic of atonement, the cleansing of our guilt. What did Jesus do next?
He went into the desert to confront sin in the Devil’s temptations. He resisted the Devil and took the next steps to teach, preach and heal the world of sin. And he carried the sin of the world with him to the cross, the sacrificial altar.
And now we can approach God through Jesus’ blood.
As we learn of God’s law requirements, we see how perfectly he fulfilled the law’s requirements to welcome us into his presence.
God is God of the Old Covenant and the New. Thank him for that today. Thank him that he offers to you a way to be made righteous through Jesus Christ, the scapegoat for your sins and mine.
Pause and Consider: Feel Jesus’ nail-pierced hands on you, freeing you.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
February 13, 2011 Are You Holy?
Are You Holy?
Read Leviticus 9-12
Lev 11:45 “I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
WHAT IS HOLY? We need to know because God said “Be Holy.”
Holiness is perfection, and holiness is being set apart. God is perfect. His perfection sets him apart. Yet, he lovingly calls his people then, and he calls you and me now to be holy as he is holy.
Think about that! God’s purpose for his long list of “do’s” and “don’t’s” is to set his people apart from others to make them like him. When we are like him in our holiness, we can be in relationship with him.
Think about that!
But there is a big problem. Our human nature is to disobey God. We are naturally “unholy”.
How, then, do we become holy? God has made it possible for us to become perfect and to be with him through Jesus’ death on the cross.
God has offered himself to you to welcome you as holy by the blood of Jesus into his holy presence forever.
Yes, you can be holy with God for all eternity. All you need to do is turn to him and say, “Father, thank you for sending Jesus to the cross to make me holy. I welcome Jesus into my heart to be the Lord of my life.”
Trust Jesus as your Savior and enter into the holy presence of God.
Pause and Consider: God’s holy presence pleases your soul.
Read Leviticus 9-12
Lev 11:45 “I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
WHAT IS HOLY? We need to know because God said “Be Holy.”
Holiness is perfection, and holiness is being set apart. God is perfect. His perfection sets him apart. Yet, he lovingly calls his people then, and he calls you and me now to be holy as he is holy.
Think about that! God’s purpose for his long list of “do’s” and “don’t’s” is to set his people apart from others to make them like him. When we are like him in our holiness, we can be in relationship with him.
Think about that!
But there is a big problem. Our human nature is to disobey God. We are naturally “unholy”.
How, then, do we become holy? God has made it possible for us to become perfect and to be with him through Jesus’ death on the cross.
God has offered himself to you to welcome you as holy by the blood of Jesus into his holy presence forever.
Yes, you can be holy with God for all eternity. All you need to do is turn to him and say, “Father, thank you for sending Jesus to the cross to make me holy. I welcome Jesus into my heart to be the Lord of my life.”
Trust Jesus as your Savior and enter into the holy presence of God.
Pause and Consider: God’s holy presence pleases your soul.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
February 11, 2010 God's Perfect Sacrifice
God’s Perfect Sacrifice
Read Leviticus 1-4
Lev 3:1-2 “If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the LORD an animal without defect.”
FIRST OF ALL, please don’t get bogged down or bored with the Law of God. It is easy to see these laws as irrelevant to our lives. But my desire is to show you how vital they are to you right now, thousands of years “later”.
Remember this: These words are God’s Word. Sometimes they are difficult to understand. Yet, they are words of life, and they are words of truth. Please stay with these words of life and truth for you.
In Leviticus 1-4, as God defines the way his people are to be cleansed of their sins, there is one constant truth: The animal is to be without defect--perfect.
Here the LORD sets the stage for Jesus Christ’s sin-removing sacrifice. To fulfill his Laws of Repentance, the LORD has presented his Son to the altar as the perfect “Lamb”. God brings his Son to the cross for a slow, agonizing death. Why?
Sin tears us away from God, and sin destroys the joy in our hearts. No animal could cleanse that sin. To remove sin once and for all from our souls, God required a perfect human representative. That is Jesus Christ—the only perfect man who ever lived. His blood atones for your sin, makes you eternally perfect before God.
Yes, Knowing the Law, we see God forming his eternal plan of Salvation. You can trust God’s plan for you.
Pause and Consider: how amazing it is our perfect God invites us to be perfect with him.
Read Leviticus 1-4
Lev 3:1-2 “If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the LORD an animal without defect.”
FIRST OF ALL, please don’t get bogged down or bored with the Law of God. It is easy to see these laws as irrelevant to our lives. But my desire is to show you how vital they are to you right now, thousands of years “later”.
Remember this: These words are God’s Word. Sometimes they are difficult to understand. Yet, they are words of life, and they are words of truth. Please stay with these words of life and truth for you.
In Leviticus 1-4, as God defines the way his people are to be cleansed of their sins, there is one constant truth: The animal is to be without defect--perfect.
Here the LORD sets the stage for Jesus Christ’s sin-removing sacrifice. To fulfill his Laws of Repentance, the LORD has presented his Son to the altar as the perfect “Lamb”. God brings his Son to the cross for a slow, agonizing death. Why?
Sin tears us away from God, and sin destroys the joy in our hearts. No animal could cleanse that sin. To remove sin once and for all from our souls, God required a perfect human representative. That is Jesus Christ—the only perfect man who ever lived. His blood atones for your sin, makes you eternally perfect before God.
Yes, Knowing the Law, we see God forming his eternal plan of Salvation. You can trust God’s plan for you.
Pause and Consider: how amazing it is our perfect God invites us to be perfect with him.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
February 10, 2011 God Gives More
God Gives More
Read Exodus 37-39
Ex 39:43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
MOSES inspected the completed tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Moses was God’s representative to determine that those whom God had gifted to craft, carve, sew, measure, and shape Jehovah Lord’s dwelling on earth had competed the work as instructed.
I’m thinking that Bezalel, the gifted craftsman, and the others must have been overjoyed to hear they had pleased Jehovah with their gifts.
Yes, Jehovah had gifted them to complete this particular work. And he has gifted you to complete some work for him today—and throughout your life.
On some days God calls you to respond with the gift of love or forgiveness or helps in the normal course of your life. On other days, he invites you to walk into a new place to respond with his gifts to do something brand new. Perhaps you will be called to teach a Sunday school class or pray for someone you don’t really know or lead a bible study or ask your spouse for forgiveness.
In each place you use God’s gifts, you show him to those around you, and in this way you are building a “tabernacle”, a place where God’s Spirit can come and make a difference.
The tabernacle will be the place he’s invited you to go and meet with him and to do his work.
To tabernacle, means to dwell with God. And when you trust God’s gifts to do his work well, God will come in His Spirit and he will say, “I am here with you.”
Pause and Consider: invite God to sit down beside you.
Read Exodus 37-39
Ex 39:43 Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them.
MOSES inspected the completed tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Moses was God’s representative to determine that those whom God had gifted to craft, carve, sew, measure, and shape Jehovah Lord’s dwelling on earth had competed the work as instructed.
I’m thinking that Bezalel, the gifted craftsman, and the others must have been overjoyed to hear they had pleased Jehovah with their gifts.
Yes, Jehovah had gifted them to complete this particular work. And he has gifted you to complete some work for him today—and throughout your life.
On some days God calls you to respond with the gift of love or forgiveness or helps in the normal course of your life. On other days, he invites you to walk into a new place to respond with his gifts to do something brand new. Perhaps you will be called to teach a Sunday school class or pray for someone you don’t really know or lead a bible study or ask your spouse for forgiveness.
In each place you use God’s gifts, you show him to those around you, and in this way you are building a “tabernacle”, a place where God’s Spirit can come and make a difference.
The tabernacle will be the place he’s invited you to go and meet with him and to do his work.
To tabernacle, means to dwell with God. And when you trust God’s gifts to do his work well, God will come in His Spirit and he will say, “I am here with you.”
Pause and Consider: invite God to sit down beside you.
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 7 Accept the Altar of Sacrifice
Accept the Altar of Sacrifice
Read Exodus 29-31
Exodus 29:44-46 “So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”
THERE’S a universe of competition for our devotion and love. God knew his chosen people would be tempted daily to follow other gods, to ignore his law, and to live life in the way they desired.
The amazing thing, though, is that God wanted this people group to be his people. And to make that happen, he would connect more personally with them through priests who would be among his people to represent his love and his law to them.
All things that the priest would do would be for the purpose of reminding them who their LORD was. Their sacrifices and rituals and feasts were to keep alive the memory of their LORD, whose miracles brought them out of Egyptian slavery.
Then he sent another Priest—Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He clearly showed God’s law and love to us. And because of Jesus’ great sacrifice of love, we need no other priest.
Now the Holy Spirit represents God to remind us that Jesus freed us from bondage. And because of the bible, we can know the truth and keep his Word alive in our heart and our mind. The Spirit opens our minds to teach us and remind us we can trust the God, who has freed us from sin’s slavery.
Pause and Consider: God wants to be your God.
Read Exodus 29-31
Exodus 29:44-46 “So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.”
THERE’S a universe of competition for our devotion and love. God knew his chosen people would be tempted daily to follow other gods, to ignore his law, and to live life in the way they desired.
The amazing thing, though, is that God wanted this people group to be his people. And to make that happen, he would connect more personally with them through priests who would be among his people to represent his love and his law to them.
All things that the priest would do would be for the purpose of reminding them who their LORD was. Their sacrifices and rituals and feasts were to keep alive the memory of their LORD, whose miracles brought them out of Egyptian slavery.
Then he sent another Priest—Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Great High Priest. He clearly showed God’s law and love to us. And because of Jesus’ great sacrifice of love, we need no other priest.
Now the Holy Spirit represents God to remind us that Jesus freed us from bondage. And because of the bible, we can know the truth and keep his Word alive in our heart and our mind. The Spirit opens our minds to teach us and remind us we can trust the God, who has freed us from sin’s slavery.
Pause and Consider: God wants to be your God.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
February 6, 2011 God's Light
God’s Light
Read Exodus 27-28
Ex 27:20-21 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. 21 The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant.”
“WHEN JESUS spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world . Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
What does Jesus’ claim about being the Light of the World have to do with the light continually burning in the Tabernacle? When you read the Old Testament and study what God is doing in that time in history, it becomes clear he has a specific plan for the future.
In the desert, God gives the light to be at the altar of the tabernacle to show his people he is constantly present with them and to show them the way to his blessings.
And God has plans to more clearly show a life of victory when he sends Jesus, the Light of the World, to the altar we know as the cross.
God’s story of salvation is evident throughout the bible. The bible repeatedly shows God is with us to give us his Light. The bible is the story of God’s ultimate victory of salvation.
God the Father has sent God the Son to the cross as a sacrifice for your sins. You don’t have to take a sacrifice to the altar. You must accept the sacrifice of the altar.
When you do, you will accept Jesus, the Light of the World. Then he will send his Spirit to guide you in the light you can trust, to be present with you forever.
Pause and Consider: Jesus’ light destroys any darkness.
Read Exodus 27-28
Ex 27:20-21 “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. 21 The lampstand will stand in the Tabernacle, in front of the inner curtain that shields the Ark of the Covenant.”
“WHEN JESUS spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world . Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
What does Jesus’ claim about being the Light of the World have to do with the light continually burning in the Tabernacle? When you read the Old Testament and study what God is doing in that time in history, it becomes clear he has a specific plan for the future.
In the desert, God gives the light to be at the altar of the tabernacle to show his people he is constantly present with them and to show them the way to his blessings.
And God has plans to more clearly show a life of victory when he sends Jesus, the Light of the World, to the altar we know as the cross.
God’s story of salvation is evident throughout the bible. The bible repeatedly shows God is with us to give us his Light. The bible is the story of God’s ultimate victory of salvation.
God the Father has sent God the Son to the cross as a sacrifice for your sins. You don’t have to take a sacrifice to the altar. You must accept the sacrifice of the altar.
When you do, you will accept Jesus, the Light of the World. Then he will send his Spirit to guide you in the light you can trust, to be present with you forever.
Pause and Consider: Jesus’ light destroys any darkness.
Friday, February 4, 2011
February 5, 2011 God Lives With You
God Dwells with You
Read Exodus 24-26
Ex 25:8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.
PROMISES—the bible is full of God’s promises. Other names for promises are covenants and testaments. God promises much to his people in the desert. Those promises are part of his plan to give you the promise of salvation today and forever.
Do you see the promise here? God says he will dwell among them. Do you grasp the wonder of the promise? God dwells among his people. Pause, my friend, and consider this. (Are you pausing and considering?)
The God, who has created the vast and impenetrable universe, promises to dwell among his people!
Conditions come with this promise. In the desert, the Hebrews must do certain things and prepare a special place for God made exactly as God instructs them. They respond, and God comes.
Then Jesus, the Son of God, came to dwell among us and show God’s love. Jesus instructs his people in the truth. And today, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within you as you trust Jesus as your Savior.
Do you see God’s plan and progression? The Father comes. The Son comes. The Spirit comes. And it is all for one purpose: Your Salvation!
Prepare your heart to welcome the Spirit to dwell inside you. Spend time each day in the bible. Know the truth to pray and listen with your heart for the Spirit to teach you. Dwelling within you, the Spirit will guard your heart and guide your house.
Pause and Consider: it is easy to trust your God when you invite him to dwell with you.
Read Exodus 24-26
Ex 25:8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.
PROMISES—the bible is full of God’s promises. Other names for promises are covenants and testaments. God promises much to his people in the desert. Those promises are part of his plan to give you the promise of salvation today and forever.
Do you see the promise here? God says he will dwell among them. Do you grasp the wonder of the promise? God dwells among his people. Pause, my friend, and consider this. (Are you pausing and considering?)
The God, who has created the vast and impenetrable universe, promises to dwell among his people!
Conditions come with this promise. In the desert, the Hebrews must do certain things and prepare a special place for God made exactly as God instructs them. They respond, and God comes.
Then Jesus, the Son of God, came to dwell among us and show God’s love. Jesus instructs his people in the truth. And today, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within you as you trust Jesus as your Savior.
Do you see God’s plan and progression? The Father comes. The Son comes. The Spirit comes. And it is all for one purpose: Your Salvation!
Prepare your heart to welcome the Spirit to dwell inside you. Spend time each day in the bible. Know the truth to pray and listen with your heart for the Spirit to teach you. Dwelling within you, the Spirit will guard your heart and guide your house.
Pause and Consider: it is easy to trust your God when you invite him to dwell with you.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February 4, 2011 God's Heart of Care
God’s Heart of Care
Read Exodus 21-23
Ex 22:22-24 You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.
WIDOWS and orphans in the Hebrew culture were very vulnerable. A widow was without means to live. If she had no son, she had to rely on family or friends to support her. Orphans were outcasts, vulnerable to others’ abuse. Widows and orphans could legitimately be rejected in many cultures and literally left to die.
But our creator God gave life to those without hope. God seems to have a special heart for widows and orphans. Throughout scripture God pays special attention to them. The book of Ruth is about God bringing hope and new life to two widows, one of whom, Ruth, is a foreigner who marries into the lineage of Jesus’ human birth.
In these laws from today’s reading, you see God caring for women in many ways. As one who follows God, the direction is clear: care for those in need. God passionately hates those who take advantage of the broken and lost. His passion is that people experience blessing. He calls on those who have material goods to share them with those who have legitimate needs. He commands those who have authority to protect the weak and vulnerable.
Is there someone you know who needs special care today? Trust your heart to know God is speaking to you. Care for those God cares for and please your God.
Pause and Consider: God’s loving heart
Read Exodus 21-23
Ex 22:22-24 You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.
WIDOWS and orphans in the Hebrew culture were very vulnerable. A widow was without means to live. If she had no son, she had to rely on family or friends to support her. Orphans were outcasts, vulnerable to others’ abuse. Widows and orphans could legitimately be rejected in many cultures and literally left to die.
But our creator God gave life to those without hope. God seems to have a special heart for widows and orphans. Throughout scripture God pays special attention to them. The book of Ruth is about God bringing hope and new life to two widows, one of whom, Ruth, is a foreigner who marries into the lineage of Jesus’ human birth.
In these laws from today’s reading, you see God caring for women in many ways. As one who follows God, the direction is clear: care for those in need. God passionately hates those who take advantage of the broken and lost. His passion is that people experience blessing. He calls on those who have material goods to share them with those who have legitimate needs. He commands those who have authority to protect the weak and vulnerable.
Is there someone you know who needs special care today? Trust your heart to know God is speaking to you. Care for those God cares for and please your God.
Pause and Consider: God’s loving heart
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 3, 2011 Time to Rest
Time to Rest
Read Exodus 18-20
Ex 18:14 “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
SOMETIMES our tasks in life are overwhelming. We’ve all been there—too much to do and no time to do it. We get worn out and irritable. We become ineffective, resenting the tasks God has laid before us.
But take heart. God has ways to help you with the tasks he gives you. In this story from so long ago, we see how Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, helps Moses get a break. Moses was overwhelmed with dozens, even hundreds of people coming to him daily to have him decide on their issues. There was far too much for one man to do.
So Jethro gave Moses a plan. And Moses’ began to enjoy life again. He had time to be the leader God called him to be. He had time to work and time to rest.
If you are overwhelmed with tasks in your household, workplace, or volunteer jobs, seek help. God doesn’t want you to wear down. He gave you gifts to work, and he gave you time to rest.
Get some rest and enjoy your work. Trust God to send you good help.
Pause and Consider: are you open to getting some help?
Read Exodus 18-20
Ex 18:14 “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
SOMETIMES our tasks in life are overwhelming. We’ve all been there—too much to do and no time to do it. We get worn out and irritable. We become ineffective, resenting the tasks God has laid before us.
But take heart. God has ways to help you with the tasks he gives you. In this story from so long ago, we see how Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, helps Moses get a break. Moses was overwhelmed with dozens, even hundreds of people coming to him daily to have him decide on their issues. There was far too much for one man to do.
So Jethro gave Moses a plan. And Moses’ began to enjoy life again. He had time to be the leader God called him to be. He had time to work and time to rest.
If you are overwhelmed with tasks in your household, workplace, or volunteer jobs, seek help. God doesn’t want you to wear down. He gave you gifts to work, and he gave you time to rest.
Get some rest and enjoy your work. Trust God to send you good help.
Pause and Consider: are you open to getting some help?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 2 Blame or Credit God?
Blame or Credit God?
Read Exodus 15-17
Exodus 16:8 Moses continued, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and abundant bread in the morning, for He has heard the complaints that you are raising against Him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.”
MOSES and Aaron were criticized for not providing for their people. Some might see Moses as shifting the blame away from himself. After all, that’s what we are prone to do. When we are challenged, we readily point our finger and say, “It’s ‘his’ fault!”.
So what’s Moses actually doing? He is instructing the people that God has full authority over all things. This is vital in the life of the Hebrew nation. They need to get to know God (YHWH). They must understand that they are his people. And they must obey his authority.
When we accept God’s authority, we are ready to see his glory. In other words, we understand “God did it!” And, instead of blaming him, we accept his ways, and we praise him for his care over us.
If Moses had taken the blame, he might have received the credit. Moses is telling the people, “God is listening to you. Be prepared for his response to help you. When you see what he does, you’ll find him to be most amazing.”
God’s relationship with you is always moving, always growing if you trust him. He tests you. He challenges you. He rewards you.
And most of all, he saves you.
Pause and Consider: God always wants you to grow in him.
Read Exodus 15-17
Exodus 16:8 Moses continued, “The LORD will give you meat to eat this evening and abundant bread in the morning, for He has heard the complaints that you are raising against Him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.”
MOSES and Aaron were criticized for not providing for their people. Some might see Moses as shifting the blame away from himself. After all, that’s what we are prone to do. When we are challenged, we readily point our finger and say, “It’s ‘his’ fault!”.
So what’s Moses actually doing? He is instructing the people that God has full authority over all things. This is vital in the life of the Hebrew nation. They need to get to know God (YHWH). They must understand that they are his people. And they must obey his authority.
When we accept God’s authority, we are ready to see his glory. In other words, we understand “God did it!” And, instead of blaming him, we accept his ways, and we praise him for his care over us.
If Moses had taken the blame, he might have received the credit. Moses is telling the people, “God is listening to you. Be prepared for his response to help you. When you see what he does, you’ll find him to be most amazing.”
God’s relationship with you is always moving, always growing if you trust him. He tests you. He challenges you. He rewards you.
And most of all, he saves you.
Pause and Consider: God always wants you to grow in him.
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