Specificall Exodus 16:4 - God "admits" that he tests his people. I do not like this much since I so often fail. But it's not my opinion that counts. Now he never tempts us to sin. There is nothing wrong with gathering more of the bread from heaven except God says not to. Assuming you do not take so much that it deprives someone else of enough to eat. But that does not seem to be the problem here.
But if God told you not to, to do it anyway is disobedience. God also tells them not to save any over until the next day. People tried to do both things.
When has God tested us like this? Were we obedient?
I am at a bit of a loss here. I really need to have better understanding. I tend to think if is not obeying one of the ten commandments then it is OK to do. But I suspect God tells us to do things, or not do things simply as a test of our obedience. I am afraid I bull right through many tests without even noticing. I ignore the still small voice. That is probably why God has never been able to use me much. It's probably true of many of us.
Right now I can think of one thing God is telling me to not do. I am to stop teasing. I really do not think there is anything wrong with teasing. But I am to hold my tongue. I know it hurts some people. I also know from past experience that in situations where I have refrained from teasing God has given me favor. I do have a misguided idea that teasing makes people closer.
One need not know why God gives us an instruction. The people of God in Exodus found out why when they disobeyed. But God did not tell them beforehand. Maybe they could figure it out but they insisted on testing God, not trusting his word. Moses was angry with them. I suspect God was too, but his feeling was mostly disappointment. They had proved that they could not be trusted.
God told them to pick enough for each day. More will be supplied the next day, enough for that day too. God was testing to see if they would trust God for their daily bread. There was one exception. On the day before Sabbath they would pick enough for two days and this time it would not spoil. God wanted them to make this seventh day, this Sabbath a special day.
So God has sent a test for Israel, his people. We can expect that we too, if we are God's people, will be tested. Lord help me to listen and know when you are testing me. He me to be obedient to your instructions trusting that you have a reason in my life.
God was checking to see if his people would be faithful in a little thing so he could trust them with bigger things. I think that is why he tests us too.
Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, See, I will send down bread from heaven for you; and the people will go out every day and get enough for the day's needs; so that I may put them to the test to see if they will keep my laws or not.
Deuteronomy 8:2 Don't forget how the LORD your God has led you through the desert for the past forty years. He wanted to find out if you were truly willing to obey him and depend on him, (16) He also gave you manna, a kind of food your ancestors had never even heard about. The LORD was testing you to make you trust him, so that later on he could be good to you.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Psalm 6
When things are not going my way I tend to put my head down and try to gut it out. I do not often think to ask God for help. If I think that God is punishing me for my sins I figure I deserve it and I do not think to ask God to forgive me and take away the punishment.
I read Psalm 6. I do not resonate with a lot of this psalm. I do not cry on my bed. I do not see attacks of my enemies. Usually when thinks go badly I figure it's my own darn fault. Yet people may be against me. If so its out of my understanding. People usually do not say, "I am out to get you here." No they smile and say nice things while trying to put one over on you.
The Psalmist sees his failures and immediately asks God for forgiveness and more than that asks for deliverance. Often I phrase it as "God's blessings". "God bless me today. Give me your favor in all the situations that I come up against at work and at home."
For me personally I add "Help me to be patient and loving with my family and my co-workers." Because I am constantly impatient and not loving. I need to ask God for help in those areas. I often add, "Send you Holy Spirit to dwell with me today."
I do not do this every day. But I should. Lately I have had problems at work. It is helpful to pray before I go to work. I can pray in the car, pray at the gym. There is a holy fear that comes over me. I need God's help.
The psalmist recalls that God is faithful and full of lovingkindness (a wonderful Hebrew word "hesed" that means both of those things.) The Lord hears my prayer. I do not identify with all my enemies being ashamed but if I do have smiling enemies, let them all repent of what they are doing and be ashamed.
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Psalm 6:1-10 [1] O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath. [2] Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed. [3] And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O LORD--how long? [4] Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. [5] For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? [6] I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. [7] My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries. [8] Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. [9] The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. [10] All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed. NASB
I read Psalm 6. I do not resonate with a lot of this psalm. I do not cry on my bed. I do not see attacks of my enemies. Usually when thinks go badly I figure it's my own darn fault. Yet people may be against me. If so its out of my understanding. People usually do not say, "I am out to get you here." No they smile and say nice things while trying to put one over on you.
The Psalmist sees his failures and immediately asks God for forgiveness and more than that asks for deliverance. Often I phrase it as "God's blessings". "God bless me today. Give me your favor in all the situations that I come up against at work and at home."
For me personally I add "Help me to be patient and loving with my family and my co-workers." Because I am constantly impatient and not loving. I need to ask God for help in those areas. I often add, "Send you Holy Spirit to dwell with me today."
I do not do this every day. But I should. Lately I have had problems at work. It is helpful to pray before I go to work. I can pray in the car, pray at the gym. There is a holy fear that comes over me. I need God's help.
The psalmist recalls that God is faithful and full of lovingkindness (a wonderful Hebrew word "hesed" that means both of those things.) The Lord hears my prayer. I do not identify with all my enemies being ashamed but if I do have smiling enemies, let them all repent of what they are doing and be ashamed.
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Psalm 6:1-10 [1] O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath. [2] Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed. [3] And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O LORD--how long? [4] Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness. [5] For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks? [6] I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. [7] My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries. [8] Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. [9] The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. [10] All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed. NASB
Friday, January 20, 2012
Don't expect the worst, expect God
Don't expect the worst, expect God - Lloyd John Ogilvie. My dad always taught me to expect the worst. Be prepared for the worst. Then be pleasantly surprised when things did not turn out so bad. :)
Reading Exodus 14 and following. I immediately began to wonder, what did God expect? What does God expect from us? Does he expect the worst? Or does he fear the worst? The Israelites in the wilderness. Already at the Red Sea the Israelites are grumbling. They want to go back to Egypt. There are a series of disappointments for God. What did he expect?
How is it that God can know what will happen but do it anyway? It is too confusing for me, surely.
God chooses weak, insecure, untrustworthy people to do his work through. That is how, often seemingly accidentally, God gets the glory. So when I find myself inadequate for the job God calls me to, I am excited. When I see that I am getting wisdom. I see the truth. I desire God to get the glory.
Expect God to come through. Be confident in his ability. Even what seems like failure can still be to God's glory. God is doing things unknown to me, perhaps in the people around me, that I barely notice. It's amazing.
Like the Israelites on the other side of the Red Sea, I get excited to see God do a miracle in my life, save me. I get excited. But also like the Israelites I soon forget and get discouraged by new circumstances. Thank God for his continual faithfulness.
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Exodus 13:17-14:18 (NASB) [17] Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." [18] Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. [19] Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you." [20] Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. [21] The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. [22] He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. [1] Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2] "Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. [3] For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' [4] Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so. [5] When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" [6] So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; [7] and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. [8] The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. [9] Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. [10] As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. [11] Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? [12] Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." [13] But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. [14] The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." [15] Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. [16] As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. [17] As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. [18] Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen."
Reading Exodus 14 and following. I immediately began to wonder, what did God expect? What does God expect from us? Does he expect the worst? Or does he fear the worst? The Israelites in the wilderness. Already at the Red Sea the Israelites are grumbling. They want to go back to Egypt. There are a series of disappointments for God. What did he expect?
How is it that God can know what will happen but do it anyway? It is too confusing for me, surely.
God chooses weak, insecure, untrustworthy people to do his work through. That is how, often seemingly accidentally, God gets the glory. So when I find myself inadequate for the job God calls me to, I am excited. When I see that I am getting wisdom. I see the truth. I desire God to get the glory.
Expect God to come through. Be confident in his ability. Even what seems like failure can still be to God's glory. God is doing things unknown to me, perhaps in the people around me, that I barely notice. It's amazing.
Like the Israelites on the other side of the Red Sea, I get excited to see God do a miracle in my life, save me. I get excited. But also like the Israelites I soon forget and get discouraged by new circumstances. Thank God for his continual faithfulness.
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Exodus 13:17-14:18 (NASB) [17] Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." [18] Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. [19] Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you." [20] Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. [21] The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. [22] He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. [1] Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [2] "Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. [3] For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' [4] Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so. [5] When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" [6] So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; [7] and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. [8] The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. [9] Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. [10] As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD. [11] Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? [12] Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." [13] But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. [14] The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." [15] Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. [16] As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. [17] As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. [18] Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen."
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Holy Spirit
MP spoke on the Holy Spirit this Sunday. We need to be continually reminded about the Holy Spirit. His role in the Godhead is often misunderstood and minimized.
We need to renew our spiritual side, call upon the Holy Spirit to dwell with us richly and use us.
Be open to be used by the Holy Spirit. Exercise the gifts.
We need to renew our spiritual side, call upon the Holy Spirit to dwell with us richly and use us.
Be open to be used by the Holy Spirit. Exercise the gifts.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Party!! - Levi threw a party
Luke 5 - Churches often host wonderful parties with the hope of attracting new people. The communion service is a reenactment of a dinner party. It is a celebration. Let's make it a party. We rejoice (in a dignified manner of course) and then eat together.
Levi's party brought together his new found friend Jesus and his old friends. He hoped to reach his friends for Jesus. When you find something good you want to share it. Levi wanted to share Jesus with his friends.
Jesus knew his coming as a man invited a party. In response to the Pharisees Jesus said, "You do not fast when you have the bridegroom with you, no you party!" A wedding was a good example of a long and joyful party. You saluted the new married couple and celebrate hope of new life that comes with it. There is hope for happiness, hope for new life in the form of children to come.
A party is truly a gospel event when you invite new people, people who do not know the good news. Reach out and invite those in need to your party. If you churches services do not include new people it is not as exciting. Invite new people to the party.
Church festivals are good opportunities to invite new people. In the fall we had a soccer festival. At Christmas we did a Posada. Just this last Sunday a bunch of us got up early and had a cheering party for the marathoners. The praise band played for over two hours from the porch of a house in the neighborhood. It was a celebration. Many of the runners smiled as they passed the five mile point behind our church.
From 7 until a little after 9 we encouraged the runners, cheered and sang the praise songs. Neighbors did come by to see what we were doing and say hi. We told them we were from the church on E. 11th Street. Some seemed interested. It was a low keyed outreach.
Church parties can be a good way to draw in new people.
Levi's party brought together his new found friend Jesus and his old friends. He hoped to reach his friends for Jesus. When you find something good you want to share it. Levi wanted to share Jesus with his friends.
Jesus knew his coming as a man invited a party. In response to the Pharisees Jesus said, "You do not fast when you have the bridegroom with you, no you party!" A wedding was a good example of a long and joyful party. You saluted the new married couple and celebrate hope of new life that comes with it. There is hope for happiness, hope for new life in the form of children to come.
A party is truly a gospel event when you invite new people, people who do not know the good news. Reach out and invite those in need to your party. If you churches services do not include new people it is not as exciting. Invite new people to the party.
Church festivals are good opportunities to invite new people. In the fall we had a soccer festival. At Christmas we did a Posada. Just this last Sunday a bunch of us got up early and had a cheering party for the marathoners. The praise band played for over two hours from the porch of a house in the neighborhood. It was a celebration. Many of the runners smiled as they passed the five mile point behind our church.
From 7 until a little after 9 we encouraged the runners, cheered and sang the praise songs. Neighbors did come by to see what we were doing and say hi. We told them we were from the church on E. 11th Street. Some seemed interested. It was a low keyed outreach.
Church parties can be a good way to draw in new people.
Monday, January 16, 2012
call of Nathaniel - what city would you liken Nazareth to?
We read the call of disciples from John's gospel last night.
RC added some fun details. I love the nerdy tidbits. For example John the Baptist showed a couple of disciples Jesus and they went to follow Jesus. When Jesus asked them what they wanted, they responded by asking where he was staying. RC said this was the equivalent of asking themselves for dinner. Jesus did not say "no". He just said, "Keep following." RC mentions this is the start. Three men eating together. From this more people were asked and his followers grew. Now we too eat with Jesus in the form of communion.
Secondly Andrew is named as one of the pair. The unnamed disciple, RC said, was John himself. This fits in well with John never naming himself in his gospel.
A question came to me concerning Nathaniel's response. He said, "What good ever came out of Nazareth?" Nazareth was a sleepy little hamlet off the beaten path. No roads went through Nazareth. If you took the path to Nazareth you went not passing through. So my question is. "What small town in Texas would be equivalent to Nazareth?
I asked this question of my fellow chorus members after church. One man mentioned Waco. Another lady said Pasadena. Both of these town have some of the qualities I think Nathaniel had in mind but not all of them. Waco is too big. Pasadena is a suburb of Houston. It is not isolated.
I do not have a perfect one either. In east Texas I can think of Woodville or Jasper. Not isolated enough. People go through Woodville to get to Jasper. Leabau? Anyone heard of that? It's too small though. But the people I met there were very countrified. Marathon is small and isolated. But the times I have been there so many people I met had left the big city to go to a place that ran at a slower pace. They were not true country bumpkins.
RC added some fun details. I love the nerdy tidbits. For example John the Baptist showed a couple of disciples Jesus and they went to follow Jesus. When Jesus asked them what they wanted, they responded by asking where he was staying. RC said this was the equivalent of asking themselves for dinner. Jesus did not say "no". He just said, "Keep following." RC mentions this is the start. Three men eating together. From this more people were asked and his followers grew. Now we too eat with Jesus in the form of communion.
Secondly Andrew is named as one of the pair. The unnamed disciple, RC said, was John himself. This fits in well with John never naming himself in his gospel.
A question came to me concerning Nathaniel's response. He said, "What good ever came out of Nazareth?" Nazareth was a sleepy little hamlet off the beaten path. No roads went through Nazareth. If you took the path to Nazareth you went not passing through. So my question is. "What small town in Texas would be equivalent to Nazareth?
I asked this question of my fellow chorus members after church. One man mentioned Waco. Another lady said Pasadena. Both of these town have some of the qualities I think Nathaniel had in mind but not all of them. Waco is too big. Pasadena is a suburb of Houston. It is not isolated.
I do not have a perfect one either. In east Texas I can think of Woodville or Jasper. Not isolated enough. People go through Woodville to get to Jasper. Leabau? Anyone heard of that? It's too small though. But the people I met there were very countrified. Marathon is small and isolated. But the times I have been there so many people I met had left the big city to go to a place that ran at a slower pace. They were not true country bumpkins.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Luke 5:16
"He would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."
Why did he have to do this? Wasn't he completely God so he and God were to same? If he already is God and knows God why must he pray?
Well yes but he was also completely man. We believe Jesus was God. But we also understand him to be completely man. I believe he was limited in his human body. He could only be in one place at a time, an obvious human limitation. Also he needed to get to a quiet place to hear God's still small voice, just like we do.
I do not believe Jesus, as a man, had the ability to heal. His ability was simply as ours is, to ask God to heal. He gave up that ability when he became a man. Only God can heal. We pray to God for healing. The difference was that Jesus had perfect faith. And it was God's will. Jesus knew God's perfect will.
So Jesus needed to get off by himself to pray. And he did it often. He wanted to because he loved his father and desired to be with him as closely as he could. Just like when we love someone deeply we want to spend time with them. Jesus prayed to be with his Father.
DW suggested Jesus needed to pray so as to resist temptation. I'm sure there is that aspect of it too.
I pray. I sort of know how to pray. Did Jesus pray differently than I do? I suspect it was different but I do not know how. I suspect Jesus did more listening than I do. It must have had similarities to my own. I pray for people. Jesus must have prayed for people that he met. I pray for guidance. I am sure Jesus prayed for guidance as well.
Four verses later in 5:20 Jesus is teaching in front of some Pharisees and a man is lowered in on a stretcher for healing. Jesus wants to make a point so he sees that the men have faith so he tells the man on the stretcher that his sins are forgiven.
The scribes and Pharisees rightly agree that only God can forgive sins. The reader agrees but they have faith too and believe Jesus is right, he is God. He prays like a man prays but he is certainly God as well.
The Pharisees see this as blasphemy because they cannot even consider that Jesus might be right. To them he is a normal man claiming to be God. I can certainly understand their consternation. How can a man also be God? It is a lot to take in. Yet his signs show him to be not an ordinary man. He asserts he is God. We know it to be true.
Why did he have to do this? Wasn't he completely God so he and God were to same? If he already is God and knows God why must he pray?
Well yes but he was also completely man. We believe Jesus was God. But we also understand him to be completely man. I believe he was limited in his human body. He could only be in one place at a time, an obvious human limitation. Also he needed to get to a quiet place to hear God's still small voice, just like we do.
I do not believe Jesus, as a man, had the ability to heal. His ability was simply as ours is, to ask God to heal. He gave up that ability when he became a man. Only God can heal. We pray to God for healing. The difference was that Jesus had perfect faith. And it was God's will. Jesus knew God's perfect will.
So Jesus needed to get off by himself to pray. And he did it often. He wanted to because he loved his father and desired to be with him as closely as he could. Just like when we love someone deeply we want to spend time with them. Jesus prayed to be with his Father.
DW suggested Jesus needed to pray so as to resist temptation. I'm sure there is that aspect of it too.
I pray. I sort of know how to pray. Did Jesus pray differently than I do? I suspect it was different but I do not know how. I suspect Jesus did more listening than I do. It must have had similarities to my own. I pray for people. Jesus must have prayed for people that he met. I pray for guidance. I am sure Jesus prayed for guidance as well.
Four verses later in 5:20 Jesus is teaching in front of some Pharisees and a man is lowered in on a stretcher for healing. Jesus wants to make a point so he sees that the men have faith so he tells the man on the stretcher that his sins are forgiven.
The scribes and Pharisees rightly agree that only God can forgive sins. The reader agrees but they have faith too and believe Jesus is right, he is God. He prays like a man prays but he is certainly God as well.
The Pharisees see this as blasphemy because they cannot even consider that Jesus might be right. To them he is a normal man claiming to be God. I can certainly understand their consternation. How can a man also be God? It is a lot to take in. Yet his signs show him to be not an ordinary man. He asserts he is God. We know it to be true.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Luke 4:18
Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2a. He stops before the second part of verse 2: "the day of vengeance of our God." That part was not yet. Jesus did not come to judge. That was later, he will judge after all.
However today he proclaims that he has come to bring salvation. He speaks of the Messiah, the Savior. He has come to turn the world up side down. All those in attendance will remember the rest of Isaiah 61. This prophesy is about the servant-messiah. The people will be restored. Those living in Jesus' time had mixed all this in with revolt against the hated overseers, the Romans. They cannot imagine how liberty and restoration can occur without release from Roman rule.
But Jesus leaves off vengeance.
It is clear to all who hear that Jesus is proclaiming himself messiah. We will bring release, freedom, a double portion. We will be comforted, given oil of gladness, rejoice with everlasting joy.
Verses 1-6 are in the voice of the savior himself. Verses 7-9 are God's response. Verses 10-11 are Isaiah's reaction to this proclamation.
Isaiah prophesied his coming. Jesus proclaimed he was here. Because of his actions, the signs and wonders and his final resurrection from the dead, we see that he fulfilled his mission. It did not work out as the Jews expected. But Jesus came for all men, Jews and Greek. He is my savior. Is he yours?
ISAIAH 61:1-11 [1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; [2] To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, [3] To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. [4] Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. [5] Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. [6] But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. [8] For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Then their offspring will be known among the nations, And their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them Because they are the offspring whom the LORD has blessed. [10] I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [11] For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations. NASB
However today he proclaims that he has come to bring salvation. He speaks of the Messiah, the Savior. He has come to turn the world up side down. All those in attendance will remember the rest of Isaiah 61. This prophesy is about the servant-messiah. The people will be restored. Those living in Jesus' time had mixed all this in with revolt against the hated overseers, the Romans. They cannot imagine how liberty and restoration can occur without release from Roman rule.
But Jesus leaves off vengeance.
It is clear to all who hear that Jesus is proclaiming himself messiah. We will bring release, freedom, a double portion. We will be comforted, given oil of gladness, rejoice with everlasting joy.
Verses 1-6 are in the voice of the savior himself. Verses 7-9 are God's response. Verses 10-11 are Isaiah's reaction to this proclamation.
Isaiah prophesied his coming. Jesus proclaimed he was here. Because of his actions, the signs and wonders and his final resurrection from the dead, we see that he fulfilled his mission. It did not work out as the Jews expected. But Jesus came for all men, Jews and Greek. He is my savior. Is he yours?
ISAIAH 61:1-11 [1] The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; [2] To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, [3] To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. [4] Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. [5] Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. [6] But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. [7] Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. [8] For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery in the burnt offering; And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them. [9] Then their offspring will be known among the nations, And their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them Because they are the offspring whom the LORD has blessed. [10] I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [11] For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations. NASB
Sunday, January 8, 2012
adventure awaits
Life can be an adventure. But what happens after this life? I suspect the next life will be an adventure too. We will all see someday. So friends and relatives went to find out last year. It's pretty real sometimes.
Are we preparing? How do we prepare? Jesus says, "be like me." Paul says, "Be like me." Do we know living examples of people we can emulate. To prepare we need to be working to be more like God. God is loving, forgiving, helpful. He also judges, discerns. We do that too but remember God withholds judgment on us and when he does bring consequences they are always much less than we deserve.
Jesus said he came to release, comfort, restore. As much as is in our power that is what we are to do as well.
I am thinking of the scene in Field of Dreams where the James Earl Jones character is about to enter the afterlife. In the movie he enters it be going into the cornfield. I know corny huh? But it is only the boundary for those who are ready, who God has called. (Well of course God is never mentioned.) This is one man's fantasy. In this fantasy afterlife some men play baseball. Will there be baseball in heaven? I hope so.
The character in the scene seems to see this movement into the afterlife as a new adventure. He sticks his arm into the cornfield and it disappears. Then he pulls it back. He laughs and looks back at his new friends who will be left behind. He sees it as a new adventure. He is apprehensive of course. But he seems joyful. He is no longer depressed as he was when we first meet him. His new friends have cheered him up. He has seen signs of a reason for life. I will interject here that God has allowed circumstances to occur so that he can see that. And now he is going on to the next adventure. It is his time.
We too have a time here on earth. But soon we will go on to our next adventure. Many who love us will be left behind to continue on. Are we preparing? Will we be ready? I know some who leave out scared out of their senses. Part of our preparation is to learn to trust God more.
Are we preparing? How do we prepare? Jesus says, "be like me." Paul says, "Be like me." Do we know living examples of people we can emulate. To prepare we need to be working to be more like God. God is loving, forgiving, helpful. He also judges, discerns. We do that too but remember God withholds judgment on us and when he does bring consequences they are always much less than we deserve.
Jesus said he came to release, comfort, restore. As much as is in our power that is what we are to do as well.
I am thinking of the scene in Field of Dreams where the James Earl Jones character is about to enter the afterlife. In the movie he enters it be going into the cornfield. I know corny huh? But it is only the boundary for those who are ready, who God has called. (Well of course God is never mentioned.) This is one man's fantasy. In this fantasy afterlife some men play baseball. Will there be baseball in heaven? I hope so.
The character in the scene seems to see this movement into the afterlife as a new adventure. He sticks his arm into the cornfield and it disappears. Then he pulls it back. He laughs and looks back at his new friends who will be left behind. He sees it as a new adventure. He is apprehensive of course. But he seems joyful. He is no longer depressed as he was when we first meet him. His new friends have cheered him up. He has seen signs of a reason for life. I will interject here that God has allowed circumstances to occur so that he can see that. And now he is going on to the next adventure. It is his time.
We too have a time here on earth. But soon we will go on to our next adventure. Many who love us will be left behind to continue on. Are we preparing? Will we be ready? I know some who leave out scared out of their senses. Part of our preparation is to learn to trust God more.
Friday, January 6, 2012
"The truth is that if we would be acceptable to God at all times, we can take it for granted that we will be unacceptable to others some of the time" (John N. Gladstone).
Jesus provokes his neighbors here, doesn't he? My commentator thinks their anger rises out of the anger Jewish people have developed towards all non-Jews. The members of the synagogue cannot deny what he is saying. It is in the book. But they hate being reminded that God helps non-Jews.
Jesus spends most of his time ministering to fellow Jews. But he never denied Gentiles when they sought him out. Many great stories are of how he helped Gentiles in need. Jesus had compassion for all. No one is excluded unless they choose to be.
Why can't his fellow villagers simply accept his teaching and deal with it? Or "agree to disagree" so to speak? They would certainly have been better off if they had listened. But the Jews, as a group, were so bent on rebellion. Each succeeding rebellion caused stronger and stronger reprisals from Rome until finally in 70 AD they massacred all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and tore down the temple. (And robbed the temple treasury.) They forbid Jews from living in the city.
The Jews were expecting a messiah. Daniel's prophesies seemed to say they were living in the times. They never lost that expectation. But they would not consider that the messiah God would send would be so different. Jesus never stopped trying to tell them, like he did here in the synagogue of Nazareth.
This was an act of extreme caring. Yet the people could not accept it and even wanted to kill him.
Jesus' first desire was to bring the truth, not to win a popularity contest. What he told them: he was the messiah bringing peace and not war. He was bringing Good News to all men, not just to Jews.
=====================================================================
LUKE 4:22-30 [22] And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" [23] And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'" [24] And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. [25] But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; [26] and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. [27] And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." [28] And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; [29] and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. [30] But passing through their midst, He went His way. (NASB)
Jesus provokes his neighbors here, doesn't he? My commentator thinks their anger rises out of the anger Jewish people have developed towards all non-Jews. The members of the synagogue cannot deny what he is saying. It is in the book. But they hate being reminded that God helps non-Jews.
Jesus spends most of his time ministering to fellow Jews. But he never denied Gentiles when they sought him out. Many great stories are of how he helped Gentiles in need. Jesus had compassion for all. No one is excluded unless they choose to be.
Why can't his fellow villagers simply accept his teaching and deal with it? Or "agree to disagree" so to speak? They would certainly have been better off if they had listened. But the Jews, as a group, were so bent on rebellion. Each succeeding rebellion caused stronger and stronger reprisals from Rome until finally in 70 AD they massacred all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and tore down the temple. (And robbed the temple treasury.) They forbid Jews from living in the city.
The Jews were expecting a messiah. Daniel's prophesies seemed to say they were living in the times. They never lost that expectation. But they would not consider that the messiah God would send would be so different. Jesus never stopped trying to tell them, like he did here in the synagogue of Nazareth.
This was an act of extreme caring. Yet the people could not accept it and even wanted to kill him.
Jesus' first desire was to bring the truth, not to win a popularity contest. What he told them: he was the messiah bringing peace and not war. He was bringing Good News to all men, not just to Jews.
=====================================================================
LUKE 4:22-30 [22] And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" [23] And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'" [24] And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. [25] But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; [26] and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. [27] And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." [28] And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; [29] and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. [30] But passing through their midst, He went His way. (NASB)
Life group
We discussed new year's resolutions or more politely put, goals for the year. Marvin is so tactful. That was a much better term.
I think the most important one offered was to reduce stimuli so you can hear God better. I was not so sure that I wanted to do that. My games addiction is still alluring. I should cut some out. But instead I try to spend less time with each one.
Yet that is a great goal. And going along with that is more time at prayer, more time reading helpful things, and reading the Bible and listening to sermons.
My Greek practice is important but only if it helps me get closer to God.
I hesitate to mention my goal to blog each day. This is a very poor effort. I am pretty discouraged about it.
I think the most important one offered was to reduce stimuli so you can hear God better. I was not so sure that I wanted to do that. My games addiction is still alluring. I should cut some out. But instead I try to spend less time with each one.
Yet that is a great goal. And going along with that is more time at prayer, more time reading helpful things, and reading the Bible and listening to sermons.
My Greek practice is important but only if it helps me get closer to God.
I hesitate to mention my goal to blog each day. This is a very poor effort. I am pretty discouraged about it.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Brighton Gardens
I am still amazed I am doing messages at Brighton. I'm not sure how together it was. But it was cool that the normal message giver added a good charge for the folks to leave with.
Several of the people there give me comments after it is over and we go around and sa hi. One lady said it was good to hear the message of the gospel again. Yeah it was.
One lady who really knows her stuff asked me if I knew where in the OT the appearance of the wise men is prophesied. I did not know about that. She said she would search and tell me next time I come. I'll be interested.
The lady who told me last time I did not speak loud enough was not here this week. But I did speak louder.
The Joneses were very nice. I think I was able to make the message last 20 minutes. DW said it was coherent. I was less sure. But yes I guess so.
No evening service tonight. So I am relaxing with the football game on the TV.
Tomorrow is a holiday and the library is closed. I wish it was going to be open.
Several of the people there give me comments after it is over and we go around and sa hi. One lady said it was good to hear the message of the gospel again. Yeah it was.
One lady who really knows her stuff asked me if I knew where in the OT the appearance of the wise men is prophesied. I did not know about that. She said she would search and tell me next time I come. I'll be interested.
The lady who told me last time I did not speak loud enough was not here this week. But I did speak louder.
The Joneses were very nice. I think I was able to make the message last 20 minutes. DW said it was coherent. I was less sure. But yes I guess so.
No evening service tonight. So I am relaxing with the football game on the TV.
Tomorrow is a holiday and the library is closed. I wish it was going to be open.
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