Thursday, January 31, 2013

Thursday, January 31

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Exodus 12:14–13:16

Matthew 20:29–21:22

Psalm 25:16–22

Proverbs 6:12–15



In today’s reading, we find the powerful juxtaposition of Israel’s triumphant exit from Egypt and Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on what has become known as Palm Sunday. 

 

In the Exodus passage, the Lord guides His people from Egypt in a hasty escape, emphasized by their preparations of unleavened bread, which may become ready quickly.  The Israelites would later commemorate this original Passover as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  The Exodus emerged from the Egyptians’ overwhelming devastation at the hands of this final plague, leading to the death of each firstborn.

 

Meanwhile, the Matthew account points to the side-by-side 1) humility and 2) authority and majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Unlike any other leader, Jesus received rightful praise and worship upon His entry into Jerusalem.  Yet, contrary to common expectations, the King of kings arrives riding a donkey’s colt amid shouts of “Hosanna!”  This coming King would indeed save His people, yet the teachers of the Law would harbor jealousy.  Jesus explains that true praises emerges “from the lips of children and infants.”(Matthew 21:16)

 

Please note the parallelism in the Exodus and the triumphant entry and the imminent crucifixion of Christ:

 

1.       In the plague of the firstborn, God orchestrates freedom (redemption) of His people from bondage at the hands of the Egyptians.  In the death of Christ – “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15) – God provided a means of freedom (redemption) from bondage to sin.

 

2.       The Exodus brings shape to this new nation of Israel, while the sacrifice of Christ creates “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

 

3.       The Egyptian Passover Lamb sets forth the key principle of sacrifice, as explained in Hebrews 9:22:  “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  The blood of Christ, as the true Passover Lamb, would indeed bring forgiveness and secure victory over the spiritual separation from God and certain death we all deserve:

 

a.       Colossians 1:22:  “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation… ”

 

b.       1 Peter 1:18–21:  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

 

c.        Ephesians 1:7:  “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace… ”

 

 

Looking ahead, we will find the Israelites to stumble frequently, becoming quickly forgetful of the immense mercy that God has demonstrated to them.  A faithful remnant will persevere, but the crowds will fall away.  Throughout history, the wicked human heart has sought to avoid God’s presence, despite full knowledge of His glory (Psalm 19:1–4).  Yet, God desires to reward those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

 

I pray that we would seek His strength in order to seek Him wholeheartedly, remembering the truth of Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,/ for they will be filled.”  May we find fulfillment of these words because we treasure the presence of the Living God more greatly than all the world’s riches.

 


QUESTIONS

1.       How have you witnessed the effects of redemption in your own life?

2.       How may you “hunger and thirst for righteousness” today?


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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Exodus 10 – 12:13, Matthew 20, Psalm 25, Proverbs 6:6-11

Exodus 10 – 12:13, Matthew 20, Psalm 25, Proverbs 6:6-11
 
            Last year I had this same passage in Exodus and I remember writing it…sitting on the couch and watching American Idol.  I went over a couple of the ABC's that I remember of God – A for Almighty and O for Omnipresent.   When I used to teach first graders about the ten plagues in Egypt, this is how we were all able to see God: Almighty and strong that He could make all these plagues happen and Omnipresent for being with the Hebrew people during Passover.  This morning I was getting ready and listening to this passage off my app and the translation was a little different… striking me in a different way than it did last year.  I am reminded of the letter W and G…God is Wise and Glory…He does everything for His glory. 
 
            I am amazed at God's wisdom and control through this story in Exodus.  In His great plan and sovereignty he was creating a plan that would impact history, the Jewish people, and how we live today (through Passover and the cross.)  We know from our readings the past few days that God heard the cries of the slaves in Egypt and that it was always his promise and plan that they dwell in the land He choose for them (Promised Land flowing with milk and honey.)  Knowing this, I read and looked at these chapters differently (looking at the W and the G.)  God kept hardening Pharaoh's heart over and over again.  Locusts that covered the ground, darkness for three days and finally the worst of all of them – the pass over where the eldest Egyptian son was killed.  God could have allowed Pharaoh's heart to be softened after the first couple plagues or didn't even have to send the plagues at all!!  We know that God had a plan and Passover and The Exodus was the final plan.  That was God's wisdom shining through.  I'm sure there were times that Pharaoh, Moses, or the Hebrews wondered what was going to happen next.
 
            Looking at God's glory is all over these pages as well.  He freed the people of Israel not necessarily for their freedom, or because He felt sorry for them, or so they could go live and experience new things.  It was all for God's glory.  He freed them do they would KNOW who God was, so their generations would know who He was and so that His name would be known!  He sent plague after plague and harden hearts just so He could show His glory.  I identified with Pharaoh for the first time in my life.  I think he knew that God was Lord of all and he definitely saw His wonders, but he still had a stubborn (as Apryl shared yesterday) and hardened heart.  I think of the times God has challenged and pushed me to do something or believe something.  I say sure God, then I change my mind and become hard headed.  Over and over I have this conversation with God and at the end God does everything for His glory.            

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

January 29

Exodus 8-9
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5

One word came to me as I was reading today's passages: stubborn.

Egypt was continuing to suffer because of Pharaoh's stubbornness. Frogs, gnats, flies, dying livestock, boils, hail... and that won't be the end of it. God's message to Pharaoh was falling on deaf ears and a hard heart. He was refusing to listen despite the undeniable signs all around him.

In Matthew, a rich man asked Jesus what he must do to get eternal life. I have a feeling that this man was expecting a certain answer from Jesus. He may have been hoping to hear that keeping the commandments was the way to eternal life (which is what Jesus first said). This man seemed to think that he was doing pretty good with keeping the commandments. "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Again, I'm wondering if he had expectations. Did he think Jesus would just say, "Nothing! You're good. Keep up the good work!" But Jesus didn't say that. He told the rich man that he had to give away everything he owned. That was probably not what he expected. He went away sad. Now, we don't know if this man eventually listened to Jesus, but in this moment, he was stubbornly holding on to his possessions.

We are all guilty of stubbornness. I don't know what makes us think that we know best, or that we don't have to listen to God, or that we will be fine if we do things on our own. All it brings us is unnecessary suffering. 

So what do we do about our stubbornness? I think the answer can be found in Psalm 24:
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for He founded it upon the sea,
and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart...
Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty -
He is the King of glory."

Acknowledging who we are and who the Lord is. Surrendering our position (which was something we never had to begin with!) and asking God to make us clean and pure. These are the first steps in disspelling stubbornness. Holding on tightly to our ways and our possessions will only lead to suffering. 

January 28, 2013 Blog

January 28, 2013
Radical Debt.  Radical Forgiveness.  
[Matthew 18:23-35]

Jesus gives an illustration of the Kingdom of Heaven, the way things work in the economy of God.  He tells the story of a servant who owed his king 10,000 talents of silver (an insane debt!) 
According to the IVP Bible Background Commentary on the NT, in one time period:1 talent = 6,000 days wages.  Which means:10,000 talents = 60,000,000 days wages.  Which means:10,000 talents = about 164,384 years of salary
So, an average person, like you or I, would have to work over 164,000 years just to pay this guy back (this is a radical debt)!  And, since the servant couldn't pay the king ordered that the servant's wife and children be sold.  But, the servant begged for the king's mercy.  The king had mercy on this man, canceled the debt and let him go (this is radical forgiveness).  After receiving such mercy, the servant runs into a fellow servant who owes him 100 denarii (about 100 days wages).  Like the first servant, this man is unable to repay his debt.  Yet, the servant, who had received so much mercy and forgiveness at the hand of the king, had his fellow servant thrown into prison.  When the king found out about this he was angry and turned the man over to the jailors to be tortured until he paid back ALL that he owed.  The forgiveness of his debt had been canceled because he did not forgive his fellow servant's debt (see Matthew 6:14-15).
God is so serious about forgiveness that He sent Jesus do die for us that we might be forgiven through Jesus' death.  This was radical forgiveness.  What God requires of us is so much less in comparison to what He took upon Himself.
Father God, you have forgiven us so much and so many times.  Show us who we need to forgive today.
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'" (Mat. 16:24)."Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Eph. 5:1)."Be merciful even as your father is merciful" (Lk. 6:36).
-- 
Kenny Sullivan

Sunday, January 27, 2013

January 27

 January 27, 2013

 

We live in a world of excuses. Insurance companies require forms to be filled out when an accident occurs. Here are a few funny quotes taken from these forms:

-In my attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.

-The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.

-An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle, and vanished.

-The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.

-I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.

 

These are not the first excuses used. Three millenniums ago Moses came up with some good ones for not following God's will. The mission given to Moses was clear.

Exodus 3:10   So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.

 

The mission is not complicated. It was spoken in a language Moses could understand. The problem was Moses thought this mission was crazy and he had no intension of doing it. So he came up with three common excuses.  Perhaps they will be familiar to you.

1. I am afraid. Moses had been on the FBI most wanted list in Egypt for the past 40 years. To go back would be suicide and facing his greatest fear. Fear always starts with the hypothetical, "what if."

2. I'm not qualified. Moses says he isn't a good speaker. He might be asked to do public speaking and what if people ask him a question that he might not be able to answer?

3. Someone else can do it. There are other people who can do that job much better than me. Why not send some pastors or missionaries to do your work?

In the end Moses must have felt pretty good about his excuses and the chances of being taken off the hook. But God is not looking for qualified people; He is looking for available people.

 

Exodus 4:11-12  The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

 

I want to pause and say something that needs to be said. Some of us are being led by God to step out in faith and do something that seems impossible. It is easy to come up with excuses. But excuses don't work with an all-powerful God. God is looking for people who are willing. He doesn't expect us to have all the answers, all the ability and all the power. He is asking us to be available for his power and wisdom to flow through us.

Are you willing?

Saturday, January 26, 2013

January 26 - Who am I?

Exodus 2:11-3:22

Matthew 17:10-27

Psalm 22:1-18

Proverbs 5:7-14

Moses asked that question of God - "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"  I ask the same question of myself. Who am I?

I am a stockbroker, and my clients are investors - analysts, who study companies to see if they are good investments, and portfolio managers who ultimately decide which of the stocks the analysts think are good investments are actually bought.  Their job is to pick winners - stocks that will do better than all the others.

There are many winners, but the biggest stock winners are those an investor sees and recognizes well before anyone else does.  A good stock picker, for example, would have recognized Apple was a good investment in January 2009.  He would've bought the stock at $78.20, and watched it rise 9fold, to over $700.  Even today, after it had fallen so much, to $439.88, he still would have done well.  The investor that got in late, after others had recognized the opportunity, who had bought at, say, $600?  Not so good.

In this context, I marvel at how consistently God recognizes winners where I would only see losers.  Moses was a killer dumb enough to throw away a life of protected comfort!  Peter was a seemingly inept fisherman - the only time he seems to have caught anything was when a Carpenter told him what to do - and an uneducated man who presumed to speak for the Master in the matter of the temple tax.  The stories go on and on - Matthew was a tax collector, David a murderer, Saul a persecutor of Christians.  Yet God was able to find them during their respective January 2009s and turn them into instruments of His salvation - for the enslaved Hebrews, and for the whole world.

I think Moses was right to ask "Who am I?". I mean, who am into be husband and father to a wonderful woman and three great children?  Who am I to think i can credibly give investment advice to anyone? 

The answer to that question, I believe, is I am - correction, we all are - winners God has chosen as part of His plan.  God had already chosen Moses before He was born; He didn't choose Moses without knowing what was to come - the murder, the unwillingness to serve without his brother, the doubt that would lead him to strike the rock twice.  He didn't choose Peter without knowing Peter would deny Him three times, and would be carried off against his will.  No, He chose them because, in the context of His plan, they were the winners.  And, as they submitted to His will, they were.

So we have all been chosen - to be husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, friend, colleague...by a God, in Whose plan, we are destined to be winners according to His definition, however complete our shortcomings and imperfections might be.  The only way that does not happen is if we choose not to submit to His will.

So when the burden of our imperfection, of the daily struggle we fight takes its toll on us, perhaps it might help to think of today as our own January 2009, remember God has chosen us, God loves us - we are just winners waiting to realize we are worth far more than $78.20 per share.

Friday, January 25, 2013

January 25th 2013

'Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him." The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus. As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."' (Matthew 17:1-9 NLT)

I guess I never quite got the significance of this passage. I think I am starting to understand it now. Jesus decides that he needs some alone time with his top three students, to perhaps get away from the crowds, or at least I think this might be their thought. When they get up to the top of the mountain, two of the greatest hero's in the history of Israel appear before their eyes. I'm sure amazement and wonder don't even come close to describing what is going through their minds. Jesus is here, along with two of the greatest men to ever walk on this planet....

Think of it this way. 'Peter, James and John, you are the next contestants on the game show "Who Is Greater," Wednesday's at 11am on CBS.' The point of the game show is to rank the three leaders, Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Peter is the first contestant to step up to the plate..."uh..., this isn't fair?.. Maybe all three?.. Let's build all three of them shelters...." Let's see what he's won, Johnny....the voice of the judge comes out of the sky and says "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy," and the other two choices disappear. God needed to show these future leaders of the Jesus movement that Jesus is far greater than any man that had ever stepped foot on this earth. Jesus and Jesus alone. Jesus wanted these men to know who they were dealing with, to get rid of any doubt. Jesus is greater far than any other person, ever! I am not so sure that the most important part of "the transfiguration" is even that Jesus is transfigured. I think it might be the change of his three top student's view of him that is most important.

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Thursday, January 24, 2013

January 24

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

Genesis 48:1–49:33

Matthew 15:29–16:12

Psalm 20:1–9

Proverbs 4:20–27



Today’s reading prompted reflection on the following themes:

 

1.                   Trusting in God’s direction and provision.

 

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

                but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

                but we rise up and stand firm.”

Psalm 15:7,8

 

Today’s reading from the Psalms strikes a hopeful tone, reassuring the believer that God will preserve his best interests.  While many people trust in the world’s trappings, the Christ-follower should lean wholly upon the Lord God, confident in the promises of Romans 8:28,29; Philippians 1:6; and Hebrews 13:5, among others.  God promises to persevere on behalf of His children, who will have the desire to pursue Him consistently as part of their calling.

 

The Psalms may provide the Bible’s rawest look into the vagaries of the human experience, ranging from deep, relishing joy to confident assurance to white-knuckle fear to downright despair.  As my circumstances mirror these themes, I often find myself thinking of a passage from the Psalms or a praise song in order to reflect.  During times of doubt and struggle, I turn to Psalm 34:18:

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

 

In looking for protection, I turn to Psalm 3:3,4:

 

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

    you bestow glory on me and lift[b] up my head.

To the Lord I cry aloud,

    and he answers me from his holy hill.

 

 

For chastening during a racing life, Psalm 46:10: 

 

“’Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth.’”

 

 

For underscoring the beauty of His presence, Psalm 73:23–26:

 

“Yet I am always with you;

    you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

    and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever.”

 

 

In searching around during a challenging time, I came across a pastor’s blog, where he wrote:  “There are no disasters if we are seeking after God’s will.”  Put another way, God will not derail us from His plan, even if the circumstances seem disastrous.  From Romans 12:2, we learn of His “good, pleasing and perfect will.”  In these challenging moments, may we look first to the Lord Jesus, asking, “How would You have me handle this situation?  What do You desire me to discover here?”

 

Through His Holy Spirit, we will have “streams of living water” (John 7:37–39), allowing us to “rise up and stand firm” to meet challenges for today and tomorrow.  Lamentations 3:22,23 encourages us – and leads to the beautiful hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”:

 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.”

 

 

2.                   Protecting against the lie’s infiltration

 

Jesus explains in Matthew 16:8–12:  “Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, ‘You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?  Do you still not understand?  Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?  How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’  Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

 

In Proverbs 4:20–27, we read:

 

“My son, pay attention to what I say;

    listen closely to my words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

    keep them within your heart;

for they are life to those who find them

    and health to a man’s whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart,

    for it is the wellspring of life.

Put away perversity from your mouth;

    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Let your eyes look straight ahead,

    fix your gaze directly before you.

Make level paths for your feet

    and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;

    keep your foot from evil.”

 

 

In both passages, we quickly glean that we must take an active role in incorporating wisdom into our lives and shunning the world’s lies.  Sometimes, these lies stare us boldly in the face, stirring our consciences and allowing us to flee like the young man Joseph from Potiphar’s seducing wife.  Other times, however, these lies prove much more insidious, creeping into our minds over time and wearing down our defenses.  We must guard our hearts through active means.  We must cling to the truth of God’s Word and avoid the filth.  As you reflect on daily situations, I encourage you to sort through the truth and the lies.  You might consider the following questions:

 

a.       What do the Scriptures have to say about this matter?

b.       What truths must I uphold in this situation?

c.        What lies are trying to take me off course?

d.       How may I remove these lies and avoid their further spread?

e.        What may I do in order to build more truth into my life surrounding this topic?

 

 

May we partake joyfully of the fresh fruit of wisdom.

 


QUESTIONS

1.       How may you rise up to meet today’s challenges with God’s help?

2.       How may you guard your heart in relation to today’s inputs?


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Genesis 46 – 47, Matthew 15, Psalm 19, Proverbs 4:14-19

Genesis 46 – 47, Matthew 15, Psalm 19, Proverbs 4:14-19
 
            I know I'm a day late, but as I'm writing this in my kitchen, the sun is shining in, I have hot coffee next to me (espresso roast) and I know what I want to say…yesterday I didn't.  Yesterday was a very busy, packed day, and I came home exhausted, I did my reading last night on the couch, fell asleep by 10:30 (even though Divan gave me "ojos" as we call it, because I had not blogged.)  He graciously let me sleep.  This morning I met with two wonderful friends and we talked and we prayed.  I shared some of my struggles and what my relationship with God was like and what I want/need/focusing on this year.  My word/concept/theme for the year of 2013 is "faith" and everything that can be formed from that: faithfulness, faithful, loyal, devoted, etc.  This is what I am working on in my life and my heart.  This will extend and geared towards God, my husband, my family, my dear sisters, and my friends. 
           
            Last night when I was reading the passage, I was drawn to Matthew 15:8-9 because it can be a reality in my life, but this morning it was the end of this chapter that got my attention (verses 22 – 28.)  Let's set up the scene:  Jesus with his disciples (great men of "faith"), Jesus has been teaching and is traveling, Jesus just confronted the Pharisees (teachers and spiritual leaders of the "faith") and Jesus just slammed them for their hypocrisy…not the greatest guys to piss off.  The woman, a Canaanite woman (meaning not a Jew…a woman not of "faith," a Gentile, unclean, from the outside) comes to Jesus with her problem.  Her daughter, her flesh and blood, is suffering from demon-procession.  This is how she acknowledged Jesus: as "Lord, Son of David;" she knew who Jesus was and she knew where he came from.  First request:  "Have mercy on me."  Second request: "Help me."  They continued I'm sure for only a few more moments and Jesus declared her to all that were near by, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."  She went to Jesus because he was a Healer, a Healer of the heart and physical ailments.  She asked for both (indirectly.)  Because of her faith her daughter was completely healed.  Because of her faith, I believe her heart was healed.  Jesus saw her faith and called her faith "great."  I wonder how many times he called Peter's faith "great."  The disciples were all with his at this time and they were the ones who had the smallest amount of faith at one time or another.     
 
            My prayer for myself is that I will one day be recognized as a woman of great faith, but I know that it is a way of living and trusting.  I know that I have to deny myself daily and take up my cross.  I know that I have to be faithful in the Word.  Practically, I want to be a better wife, a more faithful friend, a faithful daughter and sister.  I'm a messy work in progress, but I have examples that I can learn from.  This Canaanite woman is one of them.  She was a loving mother, worried about the well being of her daughter, but I believe she was also came to Christ worried about the well being of her heart and her family's hearts.  Jesus showed mercy on them and healed them.  We must be faithful.  We must learn what it means and how to live it.