"Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.
Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand." Deuteronomy 9:24-26
In the 9th Chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the events surrounding God's giving of the Ten Commandments and the people's fall into idolatry. As a result we see an illustration of what made Moses great and why God chose him to lead. Chapter 32 of the Book of Exodus tells us about God's great anger with the people and how Moses interceded on their behalf to save them. Moses' primary concerns were doing the will of God and getting the people of God to the promise land. So great was Moses' concern that he laid down before God and prayed 40 days and 40 nights on their behalf. How many of us have that type of dedication? Yet we want God to move and do great signs and wonders on our behalf. So I ask you today, are you ready to sweat? Are you ready to lay down before the Lord and pray for the lost? Understand, these were not innocents who just made a mistake, they (according to Moses) had been rebellious from the day he first met them. Nonetheless he labored and sweat on their behalf. Understand, God didn't say He was planning to kill Moses, just the people. God told Moses He would give him a new people to lead, but Moses said no. Would we have said no? Or would we have said, whatever your will is God, they are rebellious. Jesus, as always, said it best. "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Promise Is Yours
"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Hebrews 6:13-15
Hebrews 6:18 tells us that it is "impossible for God to lie". Therefore it is important for us to stop constantly questioning/doubting God. If God made you a promise know that it will happen. How quickly it happens is dependent upon us. Remember, God promised the children of Israel that they would inherit the promise land, but they delayed the promise 40 years by their lack of faith. Lacking faith is the same thing as calling God a liar. If God made you a promise rest in it and endure as Abraham endured. If you are afraid lean on Philippians 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Do not let the enemy distract you with fear, instead cling to the promise. If you are facing a challenge to your faith, take a moment and read Genesis 22. Abraham didn't hesitate in placing Isaac upon the altar because he had confidence in the promise God had made to him. God promised him a son and numerous heirs. Abraham knew that no matter the path he was told to walk the outcome would be the same. He would have a son and heirs. God honored Abraham's faith and rewarded him with even greater blessings. When doubt creeps in meditate on the promise Jesus made to those of us who believe, "If ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:14
Hebrews 6:18 tells us that it is "impossible for God to lie". Therefore it is important for us to stop constantly questioning/doubting God. If God made you a promise know that it will happen. How quickly it happens is dependent upon us. Remember, God promised the children of Israel that they would inherit the promise land, but they delayed the promise 40 years by their lack of faith. Lacking faith is the same thing as calling God a liar. If God made you a promise rest in it and endure as Abraham endured. If you are afraid lean on Philippians 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Do not let the enemy distract you with fear, instead cling to the promise. If you are facing a challenge to your faith, take a moment and read Genesis 22. Abraham didn't hesitate in placing Isaac upon the altar because he had confidence in the promise God had made to him. God promised him a son and numerous heirs. Abraham knew that no matter the path he was told to walk the outcome would be the same. He would have a son and heirs. God honored Abraham's faith and rewarded him with even greater blessings. When doubt creeps in meditate on the promise Jesus made to those of us who believe, "If ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it." John 14:14
Friday, June 5, 2009
I Feel You
"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Matthew 26:38
One of the great benefits of being a christian is that we serve a God who can relate to us. Hebrews 2:17-18 says it best, "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." In other words, Jesus could have come to Earth in any form He chose, but Jesus purposely came in the form of a man so that He might feel and experience what we experience. Now here is the key: because Jesus knows what it feels like to suffer and be tempted He can "succour" (run to the rescue, bring aid, help, relief- The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) those of us who are suffering or being tempted. What an awesome God we serve. Think about it, God thought enough about us to not only redeem us, but to redeem us in such a way that would allow Him to actually feel what we feel. God knows just what we need because He has felt what we feel. We have often read or have often been taught about Christ being tempted in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11) But what about the temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane? What about the temptation to give up and not go to the cross? Jesus could have said I can't do it. I am so grateful that didn't happen. Feel like giving up? Think maybe it's not worth it? Reach out to the only true and living God who understands how you feel. The next time you feel like quitting, think about how Jesus confronted His most difficult hour (head on) and call on Him. "Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." Matthew 26:46
One of the great benefits of being a christian is that we serve a God who can relate to us. Hebrews 2:17-18 says it best, "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." In other words, Jesus could have come to Earth in any form He chose, but Jesus purposely came in the form of a man so that He might feel and experience what we experience. Now here is the key: because Jesus knows what it feels like to suffer and be tempted He can "succour" (run to the rescue, bring aid, help, relief- The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) those of us who are suffering or being tempted. What an awesome God we serve. Think about it, God thought enough about us to not only redeem us, but to redeem us in such a way that would allow Him to actually feel what we feel. God knows just what we need because He has felt what we feel. We have often read or have often been taught about Christ being tempted in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11) But what about the temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane? What about the temptation to give up and not go to the cross? Jesus could have said I can't do it. I am so grateful that didn't happen. Feel like giving up? Think maybe it's not worth it? Reach out to the only true and living God who understands how you feel. The next time you feel like quitting, think about how Jesus confronted His most difficult hour (head on) and call on Him. "Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." Matthew 26:46
Thursday, June 4, 2009
HOPE
"Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:19-26
It is easy to maintain one's faith when things are going well and we are able to see God's blessings manifesting in wondrous ways. But what happens to faith when we can't see God moving in our lives. That is not to say that God isn't always moving on our behalf, but sometimes it is easier to see than others. That was the situation facing the author of The Book Of Lamentations. God had destroyed Jerusalem due to the sins of the people. It was so bad that the author named the book "Ekah" which is the Hebrew word for "How". (KJV Study Bible-Zondervan) Can you imagine facing a situation so seemingly desperate that the only thing you can say is how? How did this happen? How did I wind up here? How do I get out of this? Yet in spite of the situation the author has the presence of mind to remember that God is still in charge. He remembers that his situation could be worse. It is only through God's great mercy that he is still breathing. As long as we are alive and breathing we have hope. There is still an opportunity for God to move in our lives. No matter how desperate your situation looks, know that God is still there moving on your behalf. David said it best in Psalm 139:8, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." God is always there. We just have to put our complete faith and trust in Him. Faith is the key as Jesus related to the blind men in Matthew 9:29, "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."
It is easy to maintain one's faith when things are going well and we are able to see God's blessings manifesting in wondrous ways. But what happens to faith when we can't see God moving in our lives. That is not to say that God isn't always moving on our behalf, but sometimes it is easier to see than others. That was the situation facing the author of The Book Of Lamentations. God had destroyed Jerusalem due to the sins of the people. It was so bad that the author named the book "Ekah" which is the Hebrew word for "How". (KJV Study Bible-Zondervan) Can you imagine facing a situation so seemingly desperate that the only thing you can say is how? How did this happen? How did I wind up here? How do I get out of this? Yet in spite of the situation the author has the presence of mind to remember that God is still in charge. He remembers that his situation could be worse. It is only through God's great mercy that he is still breathing. As long as we are alive and breathing we have hope. There is still an opportunity for God to move in our lives. No matter how desperate your situation looks, know that God is still there moving on your behalf. David said it best in Psalm 139:8, "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." God is always there. We just have to put our complete faith and trust in Him. Faith is the key as Jesus related to the blind men in Matthew 9:29, "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Whose Will?
"But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see." Deuteronomy 3:26-28
In the days of my youth there was a popular secular song entitled, "How Deep Is Your Love?". For the world this is mostly a theoretical question. The world as most of you have discovered is centered around the individual. Therefore, their answer to the musical question raised by the songwriter is: skin deep. In other words, as long as I don't have to suffer, experience pain or discomfort I'm your man 100 grand. Now, contrast that attitude with the one exhibited by Moses in The Book Of Deuteronomy. Because of his disobedience, illustrated in The Book Of Numbers 20:7-12, Moses was forbidden by God to enter into the Promise Land. Yet, God commanded Moses to "encourage " and "strengthen" Joshua. Now, imagine for a minute, you have spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness with a people because of their disobedience and now they get to enter into the promise land and you don't. Not only that, but God commands you to train and equip your replacement. Could you do? Would you murmur and complain? Moses didn't complain, instead he proceeded to train and prepare Joshua and the people for their new life across the Jordan River. Moses understood that God is the center, and not he himself. Meditate on that the next time you are faced with a choice between your flesh and God's will. As great as Moses' actions were, they still pale in comparison to Jesus' display of love. Moses did after all sin against God, but Jesus was innocent and without sin. In spite of that fact we find these words in Matthew 26:42, "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."
In the days of my youth there was a popular secular song entitled, "How Deep Is Your Love?". For the world this is mostly a theoretical question. The world as most of you have discovered is centered around the individual. Therefore, their answer to the musical question raised by the songwriter is: skin deep. In other words, as long as I don't have to suffer, experience pain or discomfort I'm your man 100 grand. Now, contrast that attitude with the one exhibited by Moses in The Book Of Deuteronomy. Because of his disobedience, illustrated in The Book Of Numbers 20:7-12, Moses was forbidden by God to enter into the Promise Land. Yet, God commanded Moses to "encourage " and "strengthen" Joshua. Now, imagine for a minute, you have spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness with a people because of their disobedience and now they get to enter into the promise land and you don't. Not only that, but God commands you to train and equip your replacement. Could you do? Would you murmur and complain? Moses didn't complain, instead he proceeded to train and prepare Joshua and the people for their new life across the Jordan River. Moses understood that God is the center, and not he himself. Meditate on that the next time you are faced with a choice between your flesh and God's will. As great as Moses' actions were, they still pale in comparison to Jesus' display of love. Moses did after all sin against God, but Jesus was innocent and without sin. In spite of that fact we find these words in Matthew 26:42, "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done."
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Can I Talk About My Jesus
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" Jude 24-25
Hallelujah! If Jude's words don't make you want to give a shout of praise you may need to check your body for a pulse. Not only can Jesus keep us from falling (no small feat if you are like me). He can present us faultless before Himself. Wrap your mind around this, if you can. Jesus, who died for our sins, who therefore knows how wicked and vile we were, is still able to look upon us and find no fault! What a mighty God we serve! Think about it. You love your parents, your spouse, your children but are you able to look upon them and not see fault? This goes way beyond forgiveness. You can forgive and still see fault. To look upon someone knowing that you were executed not for anything you did, but for what the person standing before you did and find no fault. Praise Him! Jude then lets us in on something even more remarkable! Jesus not only keeps us from falling and sees us as blameless before Himself, He does it with exceeding joy. Can you imagine not only seeing the person you died for as faultless, but rejoicing in the fact that they are standing before you in your glory? Amazing! When was the last time you gave God a sho nuff praise? Not one prompted by the pastor or the choir sing your favorite song, but a praise motivated just by the thought of Jesus: His goodness, His sacrifice and His great love. "For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost." Matthew 18:11
Hallelujah! If Jude's words don't make you want to give a shout of praise you may need to check your body for a pulse. Not only can Jesus keep us from falling (no small feat if you are like me). He can present us faultless before Himself. Wrap your mind around this, if you can. Jesus, who died for our sins, who therefore knows how wicked and vile we were, is still able to look upon us and find no fault! What a mighty God we serve! Think about it. You love your parents, your spouse, your children but are you able to look upon them and not see fault? This goes way beyond forgiveness. You can forgive and still see fault. To look upon someone knowing that you were executed not for anything you did, but for what the person standing before you did and find no fault. Praise Him! Jude then lets us in on something even more remarkable! Jesus not only keeps us from falling and sees us as blameless before Himself, He does it with exceeding joy. Can you imagine not only seeing the person you died for as faultless, but rejoicing in the fact that they are standing before you in your glory? Amazing! When was the last time you gave God a sho nuff praise? Not one prompted by the pastor or the choir sing your favorite song, but a praise motivated just by the thought of Jesus: His goodness, His sacrifice and His great love. "For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost." Matthew 18:11
Monday, June 1, 2009
Don't Believe The Hype
"And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded saying, Go draw toward mount
Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh." Judges 4:6-9
Far too often we are led to believe that in Christianity women are only to play a role behind the scenes. Some misguided souls would like us to believe that women should be like children, seen and not heard. Well, if you've heard that let me just ask you to take a look at Deborah. Judges 4:4 reads, "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." Notice the first thing the scripture says about her, "a prophetess" (female prophet). Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines a prophet as, "a person who spoke for God and who communicated God's message courageously...". So we know Deborah could not have been in the background or quiet. God instead used her to convey His message to the people. Also notice that though she led the people of God her second role was as a wife. Despite what some may tell you today, you can lead the body of Christ and still be a wife. Deborah's, third role was as a judge. The judge played a little different role in ancient Israel than what we think of today. The Judges ruled Israel as God's earthly representatives between the death of Joshua and the days in which people demanded a king (Saul). Deborah was a strong woman of faith, who was not afraid to lead. She was an example to all us of the type of leader we should all strive to be. While she never wavered in doing the will of God, she exhibit grace toward those she was charged with leading. Notice in the 4th chapter of the Book of Judges, she never called Barak out of his name nor belittled him. She didn't threaten to take his command, she encouraged him and led him by never wavering from what God said. So tell the devil and the world no. You don't have to behave like a female dog to garner respect and lead. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "What shall we then say to these Things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 Sexism, unfortunately is still a very real problem in some "churches". But whenever some one tries to bound you with tradition, remember Luke 13:12, "And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman thou art loosed from thy infirmity."
Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh." Judges 4:6-9
Far too often we are led to believe that in Christianity women are only to play a role behind the scenes. Some misguided souls would like us to believe that women should be like children, seen and not heard. Well, if you've heard that let me just ask you to take a look at Deborah. Judges 4:4 reads, "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time." Notice the first thing the scripture says about her, "a prophetess" (female prophet). Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines a prophet as, "a person who spoke for God and who communicated God's message courageously...". So we know Deborah could not have been in the background or quiet. God instead used her to convey His message to the people. Also notice that though she led the people of God her second role was as a wife. Despite what some may tell you today, you can lead the body of Christ and still be a wife. Deborah's, third role was as a judge. The judge played a little different role in ancient Israel than what we think of today. The Judges ruled Israel as God's earthly representatives between the death of Joshua and the days in which people demanded a king (Saul). Deborah was a strong woman of faith, who was not afraid to lead. She was an example to all us of the type of leader we should all strive to be. While she never wavered in doing the will of God, she exhibit grace toward those she was charged with leading. Notice in the 4th chapter of the Book of Judges, she never called Barak out of his name nor belittled him. She didn't threaten to take his command, she encouraged him and led him by never wavering from what God said. So tell the devil and the world no. You don't have to behave like a female dog to garner respect and lead. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "What shall we then say to these Things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 Sexism, unfortunately is still a very real problem in some "churches". But whenever some one tries to bound you with tradition, remember Luke 13:12, "And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman thou art loosed from thy infirmity."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)