June 10, 2018 Sunday

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.” (Mark 3:13-19 NKJV)

            Here we have one of the pivotal moments of the ministry of Jesus as He extends what will become the church out by selecting the 12 to serve with Him as a revelation of how we should serve. We should serve by sitting at the Masters feet and learning and growing as we spend time with God, we also serve by using the gifts God gives us through the Holy Spirit and by joining together to extend God’s ministry.

            We see here the gifts for the ministry God appoints the disciples to do.  The disciples are called to preach, to have the power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. Through the power of Jesus and under the authority of God the disciples would be able to not just stand in the face of evil but to conquer evil!

            This call by Jesus to serve with Him would make such a radical change that many would receive a new name! For some these new names were a description of who they were but for others the new names were a description of the call God would place on their lives.

            One of the striking parts of this call is Jesus would knowingly call the man who would betray Him.  The calling of Judas resonates so much in people’s minds we often try to fill in why Jesus did this. Was it an attempt to reform Judas? Did Jesus call Judas just to fulfill the prophecies? These questions are made even more frustrating because they are of the mind of God and beyond our reach.

            We might miss the very last sentence and put it down as just an afterthought but that would be a mistake. Jesus had selected 12 very different and unique people and now they would go together into a house. From now on they would have a unity not of who they were but of following Jesus and becoming who they were called to be. Could it be Jesus is calling us to remember the places of worship here and the houses and mansions God has for us?

            Are you someone who has cast off your old life for the new life through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ? Have you sought God’s call for you? Are you living out the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s call on your life? Are you in the house that is the Church, the body of Christ?

June 9, 2018 Saturday

“« For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. » O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.” (Psalm 139:1-6 NKJV)

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:13-18 NKJV)

            We live in a time when many believe creation is an act of evolution and therefore an act of death. Evolution believes animals evolve and the links from one form to another are eradicated either by evolving to a higher level or by being destroyed by the higher-level. For life to evolve to a different kind there must be a never ending line of death.

            Creation begins with life, first of all because God is the source of all life and then because God “breathed” life into us. Over and over we see in the Bible God’s protection of life. In one of the greatest ironies God protects life by the death of His Son Jesus Christ. Through the sacrifice of Jesus we can see God’s deep abiding protection of life!

            In verses one through six we see the tenderness and the presence of God seeking to not only protect us but to also make us aware of God’s love for us. This knowledge is beyond the understanding of human beings but like the psalmist we too can experience this revelation of God’s love.

            In verses 13 through 18 God reveals to us the intimacy and the depth of God’s knowledge of us. God sees us in the womb and as our parts are formed God fashions us to become the person we were created to be. Even before we are born God reveals Himself to us and over time we can discover some of God’s thoughts and ways.

            Often we are presented with a picture of who we are not through others and also by our own selfish desires to be what we want and not what God has created us to be. But in this passage God reveals to us we are FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

            God created you and from before your birth God continues to work in your life and through your life. The psalmist proclaims the meaning of Emmanuelle as he declares God is still with him.

            We not only sell ourselves short but fall into the trap of evolutionary thought that says we are not enough and are merely a stage of the evolution. But where evolution speaks and cries of death God cries out to humanity the value of life, even those who are weak. 

            Do you see yourself as a mere part of the constant march of death of evolution or do you see yourself as fearfully and wonderfully made by God? Do you believe that God is with you and has given you gifts that will bless you, bless others and glorify God?

I have not been able to share about my days and my condition because the last couple of weeks have been very painful. I seek to pray for so many but I ask for your prayers and your thoughts! Thank you and may you see God’s many blessings in your life!

June 8, 2018 Friday

“Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. “In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. “For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. “And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” And he answered, “Here I am.” And he said, “What is the word that the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you.” Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 3:11-20 NKJV)

            Sometimes when we hear God’s voice and God’s call we wish we wouldn’t have heard. There are times when God reveals to us the suffering of others and reveals the pain and trouble of others. God at times will share with those who do not want to know or do something about the pain of others. God shares with others because they will reach out and help in concern and not enjoy judging others.

            It is almost impossible to fathom what Samuel heard and thought as God shared his plans for Eli’s family. After hearing God’s devastating plan for Eli and his family Samuel did not want to tell anyone, especially Eli. But as it often happens to those who hear God’s call the very person they do not want to tell comes to them.

            After seeing Samuel’s hesitation to share God’s message with him Eli promised to curse Samuel that God would do to Samuel what God was going to do to Eli and his family if he did not share. Often we desire to be nice and not share burdens with people but that will not only destroy them but holds us accountable for their soul through our lack of love.

We are called to be loving rather than nice!

            This is not to say we can save someone or be responsible for someone else’s soul but we can be responsible for our disobedience to God’s call to lead others to God so they can receive salvation.

            Eli’s response to God’s message of judgment is to accept God’s right to do so and an understanding of the sin of his family which brought it about. Both Samuel and Eli respond to God’s call in an amazingly way.

            Do you believe God has called you to share a message with someone?  Will you share the message and how will you share it?  If you are not in a relationship with God where are you?

June 7, 2018 Thursday

“Then the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. Then he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”” (1 Samuel 3:1-10 NKJV)

            It seems many desire to hear God’s call on their lives. Several books I know of have been written trying to guide people to truly hear God’s voice. It is very easy for people to say be still and know He is God, but many cannot teach being close to God because they have not themselves. There is a basic truth in life that you cannot share what you do not have.

            God spoke to Samuel when he was a young boy and Samuel ran to Eli who was the person he looked up to as his spiritual leader. In the middle of the night God called to Samuel and perhaps that was one of the few times Samuel was quiet enough to hear. We can get so busy being religious that we fail to hear and to have a relationship with God.

            Just like Samuel we must be still and rest so we can hear the voice of God. It can also be helpful to have in our life an Eli who will perceive and help us to see what God is doing in our lives. An Eli is someone who is there with you and helps you discover God’s call on your life.

            How do you respond to God’s call? Though that is not dealt with in this passage we can see it as Samuel rose up from bed after hearing God’s voice even when he didn’t know who it was. And when Samuel realized it was God and his response is amazing in his expectation God will speak and his willingness to listen and act.

            Rather than sitting and complaining God doesn’t speak to you be like Samuel who drew near to God by being in the Temple, being a part of worship and being guided by someone who knows God. God is always with those who are hurting and with those worshiping and that is exactly where you need to be to hear God.

            Do you really want to hear God? Are you afraid to hear God’s voice? Are you afraid to hear God’s call? Are you willing to be still and experience God’s voice and call?

(The last days have been very hard and I spent most of the time in bed and my mind was not clear.  Sorry I have fallen so far behind!)

June 6, 2018 Wednesday

“« To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of Asaph. » Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob. This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language I did not understand. “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:1-10 NKJV)

            The psalmist calls for us to sing out loud and to shout with joy as we celebrate the goodness and greatness of God! We are called to sing together with the musicians and those who play instruments and a great chorus of God’s people. But we are also called to sing and shout our praise for God and joyfully celebrate God’s provision and blessing.

            In every possible way we are to celebrate and remember God’s power, God’s salvation, God’s removing our guilt and burden and to see God’s continued blessing upon us. Some may do this with the heart, so will do this with the trumpet, some will use many different instruments and many will use their voice and raise a song to God!

            In the many holy days, which some call holidays, we are given an opportunity to remember God’s work in the past which still continues not only in the world but in our lives. These holy days are also a reminder that we are part of an incredible orchestra and choir that joined together with heaven itself in seeking to give thanks and praise to God.

            Our failure to recognize and to celebrate all that God has done for us and to turn holy days into holidays will lead us away from God and will cause us to lose our relationship with God.

            Without our relationship with God we no longer fall under God’s power and are returned to the slavery that God redeemed us from. Not only are we burdened by the load of our guilt and fear we fall under God’s admonishment. God will use our burden and His admonishment as a chance to call us back to the God who is worthy of our songs and shouts of joy.

            If we are not careful we will fill not only our hearts and minds with our fallen nature but we will also fill our mouth and speak things that will dishonor God and keep others from God. Through our mouth not only are we enslaved but we can help others be enslaved!

            But God’s promise is if we will praise Him with our heart and mind then our mouth will be filled to overflowing with praise and celebration of God and others will be drawn to this God gives abundant and joyful life!

            What is coming out of your mouth? Do you see holidays for your good or holy days where you celebrate God’s goodness? Do you worship with a sense of dread or enjoy and celebration does your mouth sing fourth God’s praise?

June 5, 2018 Tuesday

“‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:12-15 NKJV)

            Some Christians claim they are New Testament Christians and do not need the Old Testament.  But why do we need Jesus to die if we do not accept the fall of humanity we see in Genesis?  How can we know Jesus combines the functions of King and Priest without the lineage from the Old Testament?  How do we know marriage is of a man and a woman without the Creation story?

            Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis says in the first 11 chapters of Genesis we find the foundation of all our basic beliefs and theology.  Throughout the Old Testament we find the meaning of what Jesus did and why. 

In Psalm 22 we can see the suffering of Jesus upon the cross in more depth and detail ever offered in the New Testament.

The book of Isaiah presents a very detailed picture of the “suffering” Messiah and all the blessings the Messiah will bring. 

Much of the Old Testament is quoted by Jesus and others.  More than 2/3’s of the Bible is the Old Testament and that is without counting the many Old Testament quotes.

            Here we see the call for us to have a Sabbath – a day of rest.  God carefully details what the Sabbath, which was held on Saturday, was to be and how it would affect our lives.  The Sabbath is a time for us to rest in God and trust God can and will take care of things so we can rest.

            Later Christians would move their Sabbath to Sunday as a celebration of Easter every week!  The Church believed the impact of Easter was too great to only celebrate once a year!

            Do you understand the purpose and meaning of the Old Testament?  Do you look to see how the Old and New Testaments work together?  Do you celebrate Easter every week?

Still feeling pretty bad.  The new sleep medicine seems to help but because of the incredible pain I still feel weary.  Bonnie and I continue our devotions and time of prayer together.  It really is a blessed time!

June 4, 2018 Monday

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed —  always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2Corinthians 4:5-12 NKJV)

            It is so easy to let our sharing be about our congregation, our denomination and our beliefs.  But Paul reminds us our message is to call people to “Christ Jesus the Lord” and nothing else!  We are also to show and tell that we are servants of God because we have been purchased.

            Paul then goes on to present to us a view of God and a view of what it means to be a Christian.

God is not only the Creator but is also the re-creator of those who come to Jesus and are recycled by God.  God is able to take His excellent power and puts that treasure into “earthen vessels” (cracked pots) of our lives!

Christians are called to serve the God who loves them and redeems them.  We are to be reflections of God’s light into a dark world and share God’s knowledge and power.

            Then Paul offers us a picture of his own life as a Christian and prepares us for the trouble and persecution that often is part of being a Christian.  If we remain faithful in our suffering people will more easily see and understand the suffering of Jesus.

            We are called to always be “carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”  Our lives and faith in the midst of suffering is a manifestation of the death of Jesus and the life we have receive through Jesus!

            Indeed if we live by faith we become a manifestation of God that will help people see Jesus and be more likely to come to Jesus.  There is a story that Gandhi thought the Bible was a book of truth and said he would become a Christian if he ever saw someone live it out.

            Do you think people do not come to God because of how you live?  Do you think people come to God because of how you live?  Are you “carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body”?