SCRIPTURE
"No man should appear before the Lord empty-handed. Each man is to bring a gift in proportion to the way God blessed you." (Deut. 16:16)
OBSERVATION
There were appointed times for the people to appear before the Lord and when they did they were not to show up empty-handed. They were to bring an offering. I'm sure some of them felt like they couldn't give, and the economy of a nation who has wandered for forty years couldn't have been the most stable. The Israelites probably gave the same excuses we give.
God's command was fairly simple to figure out. The gift was to be proportional to the way God blessed them. They all did not have to bring the same amount which proved to be a very equitable method of giving. Those who received more gave more and those who received less gave less. Everyone sacrifice equally. But they were not to give out of their leftovers. The giving was in proportion to the blessing of God. It was based on total income not net income.
APPLICATION
It's not God's fault how I spend my money. He blesses me and wants me to give in proportion to that blessing. Period. He doesn't want me to give from my leftovers. This is the money left after I've paid the rent, cable bill, cell phone, Internet, food, clothes, and for overpriced coffees. He did not ask me to incur the expenses that I do. I chose to do those things. Those things are not bad. In fact I enjoy them. But they cannot interfere with my giving. My giving should not be influenced by my standard of living or cash flow. My giving needs to reflect God's goodness in my life. It is to be in proportion to his blessing which means I can be far more generous.
PRAYER
Lord, you have blessed me. I'm always able to give because you always bless.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Break Camp
SCRIPTURE
"The Lord your God said to us at Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites." (Deuteronomy 1:6)
OBSERVATION
It was at Horeb where the angel of the Lord first appeared to Moses in a burning bush and commissioned him to lead his people out of slavery. Sometime later, it was where Moses struck the rock and God provided water for the people to drink. It was a place where God had demonstrated his power.
Here, in Deuteronomy, the people are camped at Horeb. A journey which so far should have taken 11 days, took 40 years, because of the people's disobedience. God told them to break up camp and move. The Israelites destination, after being freed from Egypt, was the Promised Land. They were not to camp in the wilderness.
God does not want us to get comfortable. Don't think so? To advance into the hill country of the Amorites meant they had to go through "all the vast and dreadful desert." Maybe that's why he had to tell them to break camp. They knew what lie ahead. He had to nudge them into the dreadful place so they could reach their destination.
APPLICATION
I tend to forget I am a sojourner in this life and want to be a builder. Get comfortable, settle down and stay awhile. But he won't let me. It is too easy to get comfortable with my stage in my spiritual journey. To excuse my lack of growth. It would be nice to kick back and rest awhile but his message is "break camp and move on." Until I reach the ultimate promised land of heaven I am on a journey. Whenever I want to drive in a stake God says break camp. I've got far more planned for you than you can imagine. You'll only find it as you journey on.
PRAYER
Lord, what a great reminder to not get too comfortable. As Paul writes, to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
"The Lord your God said to us at Horeb, 'You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites." (Deuteronomy 1:6)
OBSERVATION
It was at Horeb where the angel of the Lord first appeared to Moses in a burning bush and commissioned him to lead his people out of slavery. Sometime later, it was where Moses struck the rock and God provided water for the people to drink. It was a place where God had demonstrated his power.
Here, in Deuteronomy, the people are camped at Horeb. A journey which so far should have taken 11 days, took 40 years, because of the people's disobedience. God told them to break up camp and move. The Israelites destination, after being freed from Egypt, was the Promised Land. They were not to camp in the wilderness.
God does not want us to get comfortable. Don't think so? To advance into the hill country of the Amorites meant they had to go through "all the vast and dreadful desert." Maybe that's why he had to tell them to break camp. They knew what lie ahead. He had to nudge them into the dreadful place so they could reach their destination.
APPLICATION
I tend to forget I am a sojourner in this life and want to be a builder. Get comfortable, settle down and stay awhile. But he won't let me. It is too easy to get comfortable with my stage in my spiritual journey. To excuse my lack of growth. It would be nice to kick back and rest awhile but his message is "break camp and move on." Until I reach the ultimate promised land of heaven I am on a journey. Whenever I want to drive in a stake God says break camp. I've got far more planned for you than you can imagine. You'll only find it as you journey on.
PRAYER
Lord, what a great reminder to not get too comfortable. As Paul writes, to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
What a Pane
SCRIPTURE
"The Lord replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory...not one of them will ever see the land I promised to their forefathers.'" (Numbers 14:20,23)
OBSERVATION
Once again the people were complaining and wanted to go back to Egypt. This time it was after the spies Moses sent out to scope out the promised land came back. They reported that it would be difficult to conquer the land because the people were giants. What do the Israelites do? Grumble and complain. God was about to wipe them out but Moses interceded for them. Here's the interesting thing: God said he would forgive them but they would still not see the land. Whoa, back up the manna truck. God forgave them for their actions but they would still suffer the consequences.
APPLICATION
I'm not so sure I like this. Ok, I definitely don't. I mean I'm all for the forgiveness part and in my mind that means all of the guilt and consequences vanish too. Choices always have costs. Yes, God can forgive but he doesn't magically erase the memory or the results of my poor choices. If the ball goes through the neighbor's window I want his forgiveness but I also want the glass to magically reassemble itself in the window so there is no reminder of my action. But it doesn't (what a pane). But maybe that's the point. If I forget, if there are no consequences, no repercussions on my life personally, what will prevent me from doing it again? What will cause me to stop and think about my next decision? What will remind me of how much my sin costs? God, in his infinite wisdom, knows what's best for me. That includes living with consequences. Instead of them holding me back I can learn from the experience and lean on God's grace and mercy. Consequences smash the idols of perfectionism and performance that makes me think God will love me more.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't always like the consequences. I would have you remove them at all costs. But in the midst of facing results of choices I've made I'm reminded of your forgiveness and mercy.
"The Lord replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory...not one of them will ever see the land I promised to their forefathers.'" (Numbers 14:20,23)
OBSERVATION
Once again the people were complaining and wanted to go back to Egypt. This time it was after the spies Moses sent out to scope out the promised land came back. They reported that it would be difficult to conquer the land because the people were giants. What do the Israelites do? Grumble and complain. God was about to wipe them out but Moses interceded for them. Here's the interesting thing: God said he would forgive them but they would still not see the land. Whoa, back up the manna truck. God forgave them for their actions but they would still suffer the consequences.
APPLICATION
I'm not so sure I like this. Ok, I definitely don't. I mean I'm all for the forgiveness part and in my mind that means all of the guilt and consequences vanish too. Choices always have costs. Yes, God can forgive but he doesn't magically erase the memory or the results of my poor choices. If the ball goes through the neighbor's window I want his forgiveness but I also want the glass to magically reassemble itself in the window so there is no reminder of my action. But it doesn't (what a pane). But maybe that's the point. If I forget, if there are no consequences, no repercussions on my life personally, what will prevent me from doing it again? What will cause me to stop and think about my next decision? What will remind me of how much my sin costs? God, in his infinite wisdom, knows what's best for me. That includes living with consequences. Instead of them holding me back I can learn from the experience and lean on God's grace and mercy. Consequences smash the idols of perfectionism and performance that makes me think God will love me more.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't always like the consequences. I would have you remove them at all costs. But in the midst of facing results of choices I've made I'm reminded of your forgiveness and mercy.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
High Calling of Holiness
SCRIPTURE
"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (Leviticus 20:26)
OBSERVATION
Our holiness is based on God's holiness. We are to exhibit his characteristics in our lives. We can observe a couple of things about holiness from this verse.
"You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (Leviticus 20:26)
OBSERVATION
Our holiness is based on God's holiness. We are to exhibit his characteristics in our lives. We can observe a couple of things about holiness from this verse.
- We are holy to him. It's with a view or direction towards him. He is the source of our motivation to be holy.
- God is holy. He does not ask us to do or become something he is not.
He has set us apart from the nations. Holiness itself means to be set apart, distinct from the world around us. There needs to be a qualitative difference in our lives. - We are his possession. We belong to him. God has loved us enough to call us to be his people. We belong to him. We are not our own. Paul reminds us we were bought with a price.
- We are his own. God wants us in a relationship with him. How do we related to a holy God? By growing in holiness ourselves.
APPLICATION
My motivation for holiness is God himself. I'm only done growing in holiness when I am like him (so far, no good). Life is challenging and the temptations are many. Therefore, my whole life should be on a growth curve, learning to be set apart from the world while living in the world. I'm God's. I was bought with a price. My desire for holiness is also grounded in Christ. His work on the cross and what he has done should motivate me to be holy as he is holy.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to grow in holiness.
I'm Disturbed
SCRIPTURE
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:11)
OBSERVATION
In this Psalm, the writer details various hardships in his life: mourning, being oppressed by the enemy, bones suffering mortal agony, and his foes taunting him. Enough apples to upset the proverbial cart. He had plenty of reasons to be downcast. And it seems that he was.
In a personal moment he talks to himself. Why, soul, are you downcast? Why am I disturbed? Well, there are plenty of reasons. But in the Psalmists' style he surveys the situation and comes to a strong conclusion. He could have hope in God. He could praise God. He could hope because God is trustworthy and will keep his promises. God will do exactly what he said. We can praise because God is good and holy in spite of our circumstances.
APPLICATION
It's easy to be disturbed and downcast. Especially with all of the doom and gloom that comes with every economic report or newscast. But it's good to be reminded by God's word that I don't have to be. When I ask, "Why so downcast?" or "Why so disturbed?" the answer can be, "I don't have to be...at least for long." When I'm downcast my gaze is cast down. I'm looking at myself and my problems. Praising God lifts my gaze and I see the panoramic view of his power and might. I see him for who he truly is and I will yet praise him. I'm disturbed that I get disturbed. God's still in control
PRAYER
Lord, in you I hope. In you I trust. In you I praise.
"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:11)
OBSERVATION
In this Psalm, the writer details various hardships in his life: mourning, being oppressed by the enemy, bones suffering mortal agony, and his foes taunting him. Enough apples to upset the proverbial cart. He had plenty of reasons to be downcast. And it seems that he was.
In a personal moment he talks to himself. Why, soul, are you downcast? Why am I disturbed? Well, there are plenty of reasons. But in the Psalmists' style he surveys the situation and comes to a strong conclusion. He could have hope in God. He could praise God. He could hope because God is trustworthy and will keep his promises. God will do exactly what he said. We can praise because God is good and holy in spite of our circumstances.
APPLICATION
It's easy to be disturbed and downcast. Especially with all of the doom and gloom that comes with every economic report or newscast. But it's good to be reminded by God's word that I don't have to be. When I ask, "Why so downcast?" or "Why so disturbed?" the answer can be, "I don't have to be...at least for long." When I'm downcast my gaze is cast down. I'm looking at myself and my problems. Praising God lifts my gaze and I see the panoramic view of his power and might. I see him for who he truly is and I will yet praise him. I'm disturbed that I get disturbed. God's still in control
PRAYER
Lord, in you I hope. In you I trust. In you I praise.
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