Deuteronomy 10:12-13
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today, for your own good?
God loves us so much that He's laid out for us all the details of how to have a good life, all our lives. When we admire and appreciate who God is, and understand His ways, then we will form our attitudes and thoughts in alignment with our environments of place and family. Then we will make decisions that will be good for our world and for our relationships, and we will get the benefits ("for your own good"), and God gets the glory, the credit, for planning it all out.
When I find that my world isn't going the way I want it to, or my relationships are strained or broken, I need to see and discern my own attitudes, thoughts and actions to understand where I have not "feared the Lord" or "walked in obedience" to whatever "commands and decrees" God has revealed to me from His word. Then I will know how to make amends for the wrongs I have perpetrated upon others to heal these relationships I have with both the people in my life and the environment in which I live.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Friday, April 1, 2016
Barbs And Thorns
Numbers 33:55-56
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.
God knew that the inhabitants of Canaan had lived their lives against the good that God desires for His creation, and embraced darkness and evil instead. So God chose one particular nation to have His actual "rule book" to explain how to live in accordance with how God designed life to work in this world. He wanted this nation to be the example to teach other nations His goodness and how He prospers those who live in accordance with His ways. So He warned them, that if they allow these pagans to remain among them in the land, then they would learn their errant ways and do the things that bring destruction.
God always provides His Word for us to learn His ways, and whenever anyone, Hebrew or not, pays attention to Him and obeys His rules, then they will be sowing good seed in their lives, and reap the benefits and bountifulness God designed into His creation, and God gets the credit. But anyone who refuses His ways, or ignores His rules, doing something else instead; they will not be aligned with the way God designed this world to work, and will suffer the consequences of their poor choices. They will reap disease (dis-ease), poverty and brokenness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.
God knew that the inhabitants of Canaan had lived their lives against the good that God desires for His creation, and embraced darkness and evil instead. So God chose one particular nation to have His actual "rule book" to explain how to live in accordance with how God designed life to work in this world. He wanted this nation to be the example to teach other nations His goodness and how He prospers those who live in accordance with His ways. So He warned them, that if they allow these pagans to remain among them in the land, then they would learn their errant ways and do the things that bring destruction.
God always provides His Word for us to learn His ways, and whenever anyone, Hebrew or not, pays attention to Him and obeys His rules, then they will be sowing good seed in their lives, and reap the benefits and bountifulness God designed into His creation, and God gets the credit. But anyone who refuses His ways, or ignores His rules, doing something else instead; they will not be aligned with the way God designed this world to work, and will suffer the consequences of their poor choices. They will reap disease (dis-ease), poverty and brokenness.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 31, 2016
"A Consuming Fire"
Hebrews 12:25-29
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks --
We are responsible to pay attention and take to heart into our personal lives what God is saying to us.
If they did not escape --
They were called to account.
when they refused Him who warned them on Earth, --
From Mount Sinai with Moses.
how much less will we, --
We won't escape from accountability, either.
if we turn away from Him who warns us from Heaven? --
God is on His Throne in Heaven.
At that time --
Back in Moses' time.
His voice shook the Earth, --
The Mountain was quaking, an earthquake.
but now He has promised, --
God always does what He said, this is stronger, a promise.
"Once more I will shake not only the Earth but also the Heavens." --
God will "shake;" dislodge, scramble (like dice), destroy, not just the Earth, but also all the "Heavens," the whole Universe!
The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
So all Creation, the whole material Universe, will not only be re-arranged, but totally destroyed, completely burned up, and what will remain will be what always was, God and His Kingdom.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, --
God's own, that can never be damaged or destroyed, that will last, perfect, forever.
Let us be thankful, --
Remember to thank God.
and so worship God acceptably --
This is the worship He wants, that He will accept.
with reverence and awe, --
Recognizing His holiness, power, sovereignty, greatness, etc, etc, etc.
for our "God is a consuming fire." --
God is the Maker of all, owner of all, and can dispense with all whenever He wants.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks --
We are responsible to pay attention and take to heart into our personal lives what God is saying to us.
If they did not escape --
They were called to account.
when they refused Him who warned them on Earth, --
From Mount Sinai with Moses.
how much less will we, --
We won't escape from accountability, either.
if we turn away from Him who warns us from Heaven? --
God is on His Throne in Heaven.
At that time --
Back in Moses' time.
His voice shook the Earth, --
The Mountain was quaking, an earthquake.
but now He has promised, --
God always does what He said, this is stronger, a promise.
"Once more I will shake not only the Earth but also the Heavens." --
God will "shake;" dislodge, scramble (like dice), destroy, not just the Earth, but also all the "Heavens," the whole Universe!
The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
So all Creation, the whole material Universe, will not only be re-arranged, but totally destroyed, completely burned up, and what will remain will be what always was, God and His Kingdom.
Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, --
God's own, that can never be damaged or destroyed, that will last, perfect, forever.
Let us be thankful, --
Remember to thank God.
and so worship God acceptably --
This is the worship He wants, that He will accept.
with reverence and awe, --
Recognizing His holiness, power, sovereignty, greatness, etc, etc, etc.
for our "God is a consuming fire." --
God is the Maker of all, owner of all, and can dispense with all whenever He wants.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Skin Color
Numbers 12:1,9-10
Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. ... The anger of the Lord burned against them, and He left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous--it became as white as snow. ...
Moses' wife was a Cushite, she had black skin. The Israelites were Middle-Eastern, people with light brown skin. When Aaron and Miriam complained because of her shade of complexion, God, in effect, said, "You object to black skin? You want white skin? Okay, Poof! your skin is white!"
When God told the Israelites not to intermarry with the peoples in the Promised Land, He wasn't concerned about skin color; He was keeping them from idolatry and immoral practices. He allowed Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, to marry Salmon, and be the mother of Boaz, then Boaz married Ruth, who was a Moabitess, whose son was Obed, who was King David's grandfather, in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5-6). These foreign ladies had embraced Israel's God, rejecting the idols they had previously worshiped. God is always wanting the very best for each of us, morally and eternally, and He is not concerned about our skin color: He made each of us just the color He knew would be best for us. His primary concern is the "color" of our souls: are they scarlet, the deep red of sin? or are they as white as snow, having been washed in the "crimson flood" of the Cross?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. ... The anger of the Lord burned against them, and He left them. When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam's skin was leprous--it became as white as snow. ...
Moses' wife was a Cushite, she had black skin. The Israelites were Middle-Eastern, people with light brown skin. When Aaron and Miriam complained because of her shade of complexion, God, in effect, said, "You object to black skin? You want white skin? Okay, Poof! your skin is white!"
When God told the Israelites not to intermarry with the peoples in the Promised Land, He wasn't concerned about skin color; He was keeping them from idolatry and immoral practices. He allowed Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, to marry Salmon, and be the mother of Boaz, then Boaz married Ruth, who was a Moabitess, whose son was Obed, who was King David's grandfather, in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:5-6). These foreign ladies had embraced Israel's God, rejecting the idols they had previously worshiped. God is always wanting the very best for each of us, morally and eternally, and He is not concerned about our skin color: He made each of us just the color He knew would be best for us. His primary concern is the "color" of our souls: are they scarlet, the deep red of sin? or are they as white as snow, having been washed in the "crimson flood" of the Cross?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Protection From The Ark Of The Covenant
Numbers 1:52-53
The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law, so that My wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law.
God protected the Levites from the lethal effects of proximity to the Mercy Seat where God appeared between the Cherubim. They were the barrier between the Ark and the Israelites. Others who got too close to it or touched it either died (see I Chronicles 13:9) or were afflicted with tumors (see I Samuel 6), or to be put to death, maybe so as to not spread its effects to the rest. Even the Kohathites who were to carry them were never to look at or touch the holy things: they were to first be covered by Aaron and his sons first, then the Kohathites could come in to carry them out (Numbers 4:20). God gave us guidelines to observe so we could be healthy and prosper, while honoring His holy Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law, so that My wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the Tabernacle of the Covenant Law.
God protected the Levites from the lethal effects of proximity to the Mercy Seat where God appeared between the Cherubim. They were the barrier between the Ark and the Israelites. Others who got too close to it or touched it either died (see I Chronicles 13:9) or were afflicted with tumors (see I Samuel 6), or to be put to death, maybe so as to not spread its effects to the rest. Even the Kohathites who were to carry them were never to look at or touch the holy things: they were to first be covered by Aaron and his sons first, then the Kohathites could come in to carry them out (Numbers 4:20). God gave us guidelines to observe so we could be healthy and prosper, while honoring His holy Name.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 28, 2016
If -- Then
Proverbs 2:1-22
If ---- Then
My son, if you accept My words, ... and if you call out for insight ... and if you look for it as ... for hidden treasure, Then you will understand the fear of the Lord ... then you will understand what is just and right and fair--every good path.
Guard you, protect you, save you ... from wicked, perverse, dark ways, crooked paths; also from seductive, sexual sin.
For the upright, the blameless, will live in the land and remain in it; but the wicked, the unfaithful, will be cut off and torn from the land.
God always gives us the choice, whether we want to do right and trust that what He says really is true. It's our own decision to want what is wise or to seek out worldly things and attitudes, which is foolishness. This world is very seductive, in both its attitudes and philosophies, and also in its moral standards that ignore the harm that results from the perverseness and worldly pleasures.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If ---- Then
My son, if you accept My words, ... and if you call out for insight ... and if you look for it as ... for hidden treasure, Then you will understand the fear of the Lord ... then you will understand what is just and right and fair--every good path.
Guard you, protect you, save you ... from wicked, perverse, dark ways, crooked paths; also from seductive, sexual sin.
For the upright, the blameless, will live in the land and remain in it; but the wicked, the unfaithful, will be cut off and torn from the land.
God always gives us the choice, whether we want to do right and trust that what He says really is true. It's our own decision to want what is wise or to seek out worldly things and attitudes, which is foolishness. This world is very seductive, in both its attitudes and philosophies, and also in its moral standards that ignore the harm that results from the perverseness and worldly pleasures.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Easter - Resurrection To Ascension
Jesus rises very early sometime after midnight on the first day of the week.
There is an earthquake when an Angel rolls the stone away from the entrance to the tomb and sat on it, scaring the soldiers half to death (Matt. 28:2-4).
While still dark, Mary Magdalene leads the women to the tomb, and they see that the stone is already rolled away (Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1).
The Angels remind the women what Jesus had said about His suffering and rising from the dead on the third day; then tells them to tell His disciples and Peter to meet with Him in Galilee. Then the women leave (Luke 24:6-8, Mark 15:5-6, Matt. 28:5-7).
Mary runs to Peter and John, saying, "They've taken His body!" (John 20:2).
Peter and John run to the tomb, followed by Mary (Luke 24:12).
Peter doubts, John believes, and they go home (John 20:2-10).
Mary stays, crying. Jesus appears to her first, saying, "Mary!" She believes. Jesus then tells her to tell His brothers to come to the meeting with Him in Galilee (John 20:11-17).
Jesus then appears to the women who are on their way and tells them to tell His brothers to come to the meeting in Galilee. (Matt. 28:8-10).
Mary joins the women and they tell the disciples about Jesus' Resurrection, but they don't believe it (Matt. 28:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).
That same day, two disciples are travelling "in the country" to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them. They only recognize Him later as He breaks bread, and then He disappears (Luke 24:13-35).
The two disciples rush back to the other disciples (Luke 24:33).
That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not with them (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:16-49, John 20:19-23).
A week later Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time Thomas is with them (John 20:24-29).
Jesus keeps His appointment to meet with the disciples and His brothers in Galilee, and stays on Earth for 40 days, eating, walking and teaching (Matt 28:16-20 Acts 1:3).
Sometime during this 40 days, Jesus fixes breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23).
Also during this 40 days, Jesus meets with over 500 people at one time (I Cor. 15:6).
Back in Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascends into Heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50, Acts 1:2, 9-11)
This is as accurate as I have been able to put together all these events in order. If anyone else, by their own Bible study and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can improve on this timeline, I would appreciate your input. Thank you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There is an earthquake when an Angel rolls the stone away from the entrance to the tomb and sat on it, scaring the soldiers half to death (Matt. 28:2-4).
While still dark, Mary Magdalene leads the women to the tomb, and they see that the stone is already rolled away (Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1).
The Angels remind the women what Jesus had said about His suffering and rising from the dead on the third day; then tells them to tell His disciples and Peter to meet with Him in Galilee. Then the women leave (Luke 24:6-8, Mark 15:5-6, Matt. 28:5-7).
Mary runs to Peter and John, saying, "They've taken His body!" (John 20:2).
Peter and John run to the tomb, followed by Mary (Luke 24:12).
Peter doubts, John believes, and they go home (John 20:2-10).
Mary stays, crying. Jesus appears to her first, saying, "Mary!" She believes. Jesus then tells her to tell His brothers to come to the meeting with Him in Galilee (John 20:11-17).
Jesus then appears to the women who are on their way and tells them to tell His brothers to come to the meeting in Galilee. (Matt. 28:8-10).
Mary joins the women and they tell the disciples about Jesus' Resurrection, but they don't believe it (Matt. 28:8, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).
That same day, two disciples are travelling "in the country" to Emmaus, and Jesus walks with them. They only recognize Him later as He breaks bread, and then He disappears (Luke 24:13-35).
The two disciples rush back to the other disciples (Luke 24:33).
That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples, but Thomas is not with them (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:16-49, John 20:19-23).
A week later Jesus appears to the disciples again, this time Thomas is with them (John 20:24-29).
Jesus keeps His appointment to meet with the disciples and His brothers in Galilee, and stays on Earth for 40 days, eating, walking and teaching (Matt 28:16-20 Acts 1:3).
Sometime during this 40 days, Jesus fixes breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23).
Also during this 40 days, Jesus meets with over 500 people at one time (I Cor. 15:6).
Back in Jerusalem, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus ascends into Heaven (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50, Acts 1:2, 9-11)
This is as accurate as I have been able to put together all these events in order. If anyone else, by their own Bible study and the leading of the Holy Spirit, can improve on this timeline, I would appreciate your input. Thank you.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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