Matthew 20:29-21:22

God knows the pain in his people's lives, whether he gives us the strength to endure pain or quite often heals us in response to persistent prayer. It is not because mastered formulas of prayer, but it is because He cares for us intimately, they were humble in prayer casting themselves upon & referring cheerfully to the mediator's Mercy. They showed Faith in prayer, they persevered in prayer. The word believing is the key to any difficulty in accepting this declaration, we cannot believe whatever we please it is only the spirit of God who can enable s man to believe that God will answer His prayer. Then Jesus will grant the petition. These miracles are our call to Jesus, may we hear it & make it our daily prayer to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of the Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ Amen 🙏

January 30th blog post

As I read todays Old Testament reading, as well as the past few days, regarding Pharaoh and the plagues a verse kept coming to mind:

 

"For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."  Matthew 16:25

 

When I read of Pharaoh's continued stubbornness and his constant pleading for the plagues to end and then reneging on his promise to let the Israelites go I see a man desperate to hold onto the empire, the power, the life he lavishes in and loves.  He likes to be in control, in power.  He likes having a nation of slaves at his mercy.  He likes the comforts of his life.  When God shows up, through Aaron and Moses, Pharaoh is being told that it is time for a change and he is not a very happy man or willing one at that.  He tightens his grip of control on the life he knows.  God sends plagues and when they become unbearable Pharaoh tells Moses to pray for them to go away and he will surrender to the Lord's will.  But as soon as the discomfort is gone so is the need in his mind to give up control of the life he wants and he digs his heels in deep unwilling to surrender.  We see this same scenario play out over and over and over again through all different kinds of plagues.  Then we get to today.  The telling of the final plague, the greatest cost: life will be lost, not Pharaoh's physical life but close enough.  Every first-born male of every household and cattle will die.  Like it or not Pharaoh's life as he knows it is about to be completely lost.

 

It is very easy for me to sit in my kitchen with my cup of tea and read this story and say to myself, "What a fool Pharaoh is.  After the first plague I would have packed the bags for the Israelites myself."  But the truth of the matter is I too have a tendency toward a stubborn heart.  I like to live in the comfort and control of my life (or what I perceive as control).  When the storms and trials (plagues) of my life hit I am shaken and uncomfortable.  I don't want to go through the difficulties and pains and I pray for the Lord to take them away, to get me out of them quickly.  What happens when he does?  I can be quick to raise my hands, praise God, and say Thank you.  Then I go back to quickly pick up the pieces of control from my life and reassemble them, my surrender was temporary when the need was beyond my control.  I can often times be just like Pharaoh and let fear and control prevent me from giving God the complete surrender he calls me to.  From letting him work in my life according to his perfect will.

 

What if Pharaoh had said, "Ok LORD.  I know this is going to greatly change not just my way of life but the way of life for my people.  I'm scared and I don't like the thought of change and uncertainty but I am going to trust you.  I ask you to help me through this process and learn and grow and love the life you have waiting for me."  I firmly believe that God would have been there for him through the adjustment and blessed his new life in ways he had never dreamed.

 

God is constantly calling us to surrender our lives to him, in both the good times and the bad.  We need to prayerful ask the Lord to help us trust him in all circumstances with our lives.  It isn't always a quick transition but it is always trustworthy when we let God lead our surrendered hearts into new territory.

Blog Post Sunday January 29

By Emma Cassell

Matthew 19:13-15

Priority of Children 

The words of Jesus challenged the attitude of many of His contemporaries towards children. Jesus placed His hands on the little children and prayed for them. The disciples felt that Jesus should not be distracted by them. Jesus replied, let the little children come to  me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such  as these. He demonstrated the high priority children should have in our lives. As parents, it is  very important to prioritize our children and not see them as distracting us from our work  or ministry. As a church, we need to see  that our children and youth have priority in terms of  resources and facilities because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them as much as anyone else.

19:16-30

With God  nothing  is  impossible 

In our attempt to rationalize the  words of Jesus,  we miss the  point. The point  is that, it is totally unthinkable for a camel to go through the eye of a  needle. But what is impossible in human terms, is possible with God. 

In context to Jesus words, and in answer to the disciples question - then who has any chance at all? Jesus response.... "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. 

Yes..... every chance in the world if you trust God to  do it. " 

Jesus rarely asked people  to give away everything. But in this case, He did. For everyone, there is a cost to following Jesus. There may be a cost of giving up things that we know  to be  wrong but do not want to give up. Whatever the cost, it is nothing compared to what it cost Jesus. The rich young man missed out on so much. 

With you Father God, all things are possible. Help us to be willing to give up everything for the sake of your kingdom. 

In our own personal  lives, and as a church, Lord Jesus, encourage us to stay on our tracks for children.

Blog Post Sunday January 29

Matthew 19:13-15

Priority of Children 

The words of Jesus challenged the attitude of many of His contemporaries towards children. Jesus placed His hands on the little children and prayed for them. The disciples felt that Jesus should not be distracted by them. Jesus replied, let the little children come to  me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such  as these. He demonstrated the high priority children should have in our lives. As parents, it is  very important to prioritize our children and not see them as distracting us from our work  or ministry. As a church, we need to see  that our children and youth have priority in terms of  resources and facilities because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them as much as anyone else.

19:16-30

With God  nothing  is  impossible 

In our attempt to rationalize the  words of Jesus,  we miss the  point. The point  is that, it is totally unthinkable for a camel to go through the eye of a  needle. But what is impossible in human terms, is possible with God. 

In context to Jesus words, and in answer to the disciples question - then who has any chance at all? Jesus response.... "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. 

Yes..... every chance in the world if you trust God to  do it. " 

Jesus rarely asked people  to give away everything. But in this case, He did. For everyone, there is a cost to following Jesus. There may be a cost of giving up things that we know  to be  wrong but do not want to give up. Whatever the cost, it is nothing compared to what it cost Jesus. The rich young man missed out on so much. 

With you Father God, all things are possible. Help us to be willing to give up everything for the sake of your kingdom. 

In our own personal  lives, and as a church, Lord Jesus, encourage us to stay on our tracks for children.

January 28: Of what Psalm 23 DOESN'T say...

Exodus 5:22-7:24

Matthew 18:21-19:12

Psalm 23

Proverbs 5:22-23

I've always read Psalm 23 for what it said I would have; I've always seen it as a psalm of promise and abundance.  "I shall not want" - how much more direct can God get?  Consider the sheep - they don't lie down when they feel threatened; they don't lie down when they are hungry.  I love the promise that not only will God give us an abundance so great the pastures remain green after we've eaten, He gives us security so we can take our full bellies and lie down and rest, without fear, out in the open where predators roam. 

I read the psalm again today, and was surprised to realize what it DOESN'T say - it doesn't say that if we follow the Good Shepherd, we are promised an easy life, a life free from hardship and challenge.  Consider: 

- It doesn't say we won't have to walk through the darkest valley.

- It doesn't say we won't face evil.

- It doesn't say we won't have enemies.

The OT reading illustrates this.  God called Moses, Moses was obeying God...but Pharaoh wasn't cooperating and the Israelites were grumbling.  Not easy.  Even the NT reading shows this - Jesus talks about how divorce wasn't a conveniently available exit when marriage got difficult.  Again, not easy.  

If you're like me, you don't like difficult.  Not just because it's difficult, but because you're afraid you aren't going to measure up.  The response I found to that worry was in the last verse of the psalm, an unconditional promise that starts with "surely".  Not "maybe", or "if you behave yourself", or "don't screw up and you might get to...".  No - it starts with "surely".  And it promises us goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives.  

What a blessed reassurance.  May we all find comfort in His promise.

Jan 27

Exodus 3,4

We live in a world of excuses. Insurance companies require forms to be filled out when an accident occurs. I have a few 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 intention 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. Going back to the scene of the crime would be crazy. 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 Bob Daniel to do the 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. God might be asking you to step out in faith today and do something that seems impossible. It is easy to come up with excuses and fears can cripple us. 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. Faith and fear cannot exist in the heart at the same time. Today is a great day to step out in faith and trust God for the impossible.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, January 26

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

“During that long period, the king of Egypt died.  The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.  God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.  So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” (‭Exodus‬ ‭2:23-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Even though many years had passed with the Israelites living in Egypt, God had not forgotten or abandoned them.  Pharaoh's government had long since dismissed Joseph's contributions, and the Israelites had come to live in forced servitude.  This change likely created fear among the people, and this fear had separated and divided them.  Powerful governments and other forces have employed this overpower-divide-and-conquer technique with minority populations well after ancient Egypt.

Yet, we read in these verses above about God's amazing compassion for His people.  We see that the people's cries reached God's heart and that He "remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob."  His compassion translated to concern and then to action through Moses.

As we have reflected in this blog in previous entries, Moses's status as a murdered and Egyptian refugee would seemingly have made him unqualified for the role that God had planned.  Nonetheless, we may see great preparation in the 80 years of Moses's life to this point.  Having grown up in Pharaoh's household, he had a firm grasp on Egyptian culture and politics; he likely knew the present Pharaoh personally.  His 40 years of exile, taking care of sheep in desert climates, had prepared him for another 40 years (to come) with the Israelites.  And his previous shortcomings had created a humility in Moses that would allow God to channel His power without having Moses's ego take over.

How may we apply this reading to our present-day life?  I believe that we may be encouraged in knowing that God hears the cries of His people and will not abandon His love to them.  For those who have received Christ, God has sent His Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.  How much confidence may we have in His compassion?  He knows the depths of our hearts!

Secondly, like Moses, God may call us to step into respond to those cries.  If we see a need and cry out to God about it, will we trust Him for the courage and strength to respond?  We may be very much like Moses in the beginning, claiming that we don't hold the right credentials.  But, with God, nothing is impossible (cf. Mary's response to the announcement of Jesus's coming birth).

Praise God that He never forsakes or abandons His children!  What a mighty and loving God we serve!

Lord God, thank You for Your intervention in the lives of Your people.  We thank You for the story of the Exodus -- the demonstrations of Your power and faithfulness.  Give us similar hearts of compassion when we see oppression, and strengthen us with the courage and trust to become involved, even at personal cost.  Help us to avoid small thinking when we consider Your compassion.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

January 25

Matthew 17:1

Mountains must have spiritual significance.  Moses received the Commandments on a mountain and here we Jesus transform into God's glory on top of a mountain.  If you think about it, Jesus could have transfigured Himself anywhere, but He chose to take Peter, James and John up to a high mountain top.  So the three men, who are very much alive, see Jesus and a vision of two other men, Moses and Elijah, (who went to be with God long before this event).  It's an interesting combo but the message behind the vision is very clear.  Moses who represents the Law, Elijah who represents the Prophets, vanish when Christ is revealed in His glory.  The transfiguration shows us that Christ fulfills the law and the prophets and that death cannot the destroy the glory that will follow.  But we already know that, so why did Peter, James and John need to be there?  The revelation was given to the disciples to convince, encourage and strengthen them in their faith and obedience.  God's glory revealed in Jesus is a demonstration of His love and His grace for us.  Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone what they saw and I always wondered why.  If I saw a transfiguration before my eyes, I would probably tell everyone I knew.  Let's look back at Matthew 16:15 -- Jesus asked them "Who do you say I Am?" In witnessing the transfiguration, His three closest disciples now have confirmation that Jesus is Lord and our faith is not in vain. He didn't want them to talk about it, I believe He wanted them to live it.  As disciples, Jesus wants us to not just to talk about our faith, but live in a way that demonstrates that we need not live in fear for there is hope of glory that lies ahead.  I pray for all of us that we have a mountain top experience and the same revelation that was revealed to the disciples sinks deep into our hearts and we also are convinced, encouraged and strengthened in our faith and obedience as we go into our day.  I pray God blesses you and reveals Himself in undeniable ways today.




Randi

January 23rd

 

Psalm 19 describes the word of God to us using the following words:

 

1.     Perfect

2.     Trustworthy

3.     Right

4.     Radiant

5.     Sure and Righteous

6.     Precious and Sweet

 

It follows with examples of how our lives are affected by these descriptions of God's word:

 

1.     Revives the soul

2.     Makes wise the simple

3.     Gives joy to the heart

4.     Gives light to the eyes

5.     Guides toward righteousness (implied)

6.     Desirable (implied)

 

According to these two list, whenever we choose to pick up the bible and read it we have given ourselves the opportunity to:

 

1.     See beyond the scars and hurts of our lives that often times wear us down and take a glimpse of what healing perfection looks like.

2.     Let go of fears and uncertainties that rob us of our hope and grab hold of the trustworthy truths that give us wisdom as we maneuver through our day.

3.     Retreat from a world full of evil and troubles that cause us to be downcast and cling to what is right and good so that our hearts can be filled with inexpressible joy.

4.     Escape from the darkness of the challenges and trials of our lives and to see a light to help guide us when we just don't know how to go on.

5.     Be free from the hurts, mistakes, and failures of our past and find forgiveness that leads us closer to the righteous life we should live.

6.     Trade all our baggage, pain, false hopes, lack of contentment, heart ache, worries, regrets, etc. and trade them in for what our hearts truly desire which is the peace, love, grace, joy, and hope found in the Lord through his word.

 

I encourage everyone of us to pray each time we are about to pick up the bible and read it and to ask God to help us see His word as described in this Psalm and let it minister to us the way it was designed to and the way we so desperately need it to. 

Blog - Emma Cassell - Sunday, Jan. 22

Matthew 14:13-16.  

Jesus loved to get away on his own to pray.  When we are completely on our own with God, we can speak to Him honestly  and from the depth of our hearts.  It was his closeness to God that enabled Jesus to walk on water. He encouraged Peter to do the same. But, when Peter saw the waves, he panicked.   We all know that feeling. When things go wrong, we take our eyes off Jesus, focus on our circumstances, and that causes us  to sink. 

Just like Peter, we pray a panic prayer, Lord save me!  Even though it is a panic prayer, it also is a cry from the heart.

Like his disciples, let us too cry out from our hearts in worship and say, "truly you are the Son of God".  

Lord Jesus, in this life there are many things to fear, yet You want us to look to you and not be afraid. Your words of encouragement are founded on Your limitless power and personal love for all who belong to you. 

January 21: Of Captivity, Man's Eyes and God's Ways

Genesis 42:18-43:34

Matthew 13:47-14:12

Psalm 18:16-36

Proverbs 4:7-10

In today's readings, we see two examples of captivity which, seen from man's perspective, would seem to have had to very different, very contradictory outcomes.  In the Old Testament, Joseph takes the unknowing Simeon captive, and demands that Simeon's brothers return with Benjamin, the youngest sibling, to save Simeon's life.  It isn't clear to me what Simeon's captivity was like, but he does not appear to have had reason to doubt Joseph's threats.  Nowhere do we see that Simeon has repented of selling his brother into slavery, so in man's eyes he would seem to be getting his just desserts, all the more so when we read his brothers didn't turn right back around, but waited till they'd run out of food before returning to redeem him!

In the New Testament, a different story: John the Baptist, who'd shunned human comfort to preach the coming of the Messiah, and who'd called authorities to account, was imprisoned by Herod for pointing out the sin in Herod's marriage to Herodias.  I don't know what JtB was thinking, but I can't imagine he thought things were going to turn out well.  Here, man would tend to conclude his imprisonment was unjust.  

We know what happened to both of them.  Simeon was freed; John the Baptist, beheaded.  And again, in man's eyes, it just doesn't make sense.  

I don't think it's supposed to make sense - not to us, anyway.  Psalm 18:30 says "As for God, His way is perfect; the Lord's Word is flawless"...

So when faced situations we don't understand - a child's illness and suffering, the theft of all one has worked for, the election of a seemingly unqualified misogynist, the crucifixion and death of a Man whom everyone only knew to have preached a puzzling message while healing the sick, feeding the poor and raising the dead - we have a choice.  We can rail against the situation armed with nothing but our own inadequacies and succumb to worry, anger and fear; or we can choose to acknowledge that His thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways above our ways - and though the situation and the result might not be as we would have them, He is in control, and His way is perfect.  

It isn't easy.  I've tried really hard to learn how.  I still find myself overwhelmed by worry for my children, by problems at work...and I don't understand why He chooses to let me continue to struggle.  So paradoxically I have yet another opportunity for choice - and this time I choose to trust.  

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January 20

Genesis 41

Life is not fair. Parents are naive and pick favorites. Siblings can abuse, betray, lie and cause incredible suffering. Employers can wrongfully accuse workers. Friends can forget acts of kindness. Famines can sweep over countries and regions causing catastrophic devastation. All of these occurred in the life of Joseph. At every downturn in this incredible story Joseph could have asked, "Why?"  

I have asked the "why" question numerous times in my life. As we were going through seven years of infertility with the desire to have a third child, our hearts were broken with the monthly reminders of failure. Why would God not allow us to have a third child? I can distinctly remember sobbing in the back of the church one Sunday night as I poured out my broken heart to God.

What I discovered through this time is that the "why" question is usually not answered on earth. I am not sure we would even understand if God explained his reasoning to us. It would be like Einstein explaining the theory of relativity to a clam. In our case of infertility we did get a glimpse into the "why" when we opened ourselves up to adoption and God directed us to bring Jenelle into our lives. But most of the time the "why" question goes unanswered.

Joseph found peace in his pain by trusting in the sovereignty of God. He told Pharaoh the two different dreams meant that God had firmly decided His plan. Joseph had an unwavering commitment to trusting the sovereign plan of God.  

Sovereignty means we believe in the supremacy of God above all things. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Most High, the Almighty, and everything in the universe is his subject, including all good things and all bad things. To say that God is sovereign is to say that even evil is going to be used by God for good. This does not make God the author of evil, but He is the user of evil for His good pleasure. Joni Earckson Tada said it this way, "Satan powers the ship of evil but God steers it to His harbor." 

In the end we affirm the sovereignty of God over all things on earth. We affirm His right is the right of the potter over the clay. We affirm God is under no obligation to explain the "why" to us.

David also reached this point in his life. Even though the cords of death entangled him and the torrents of destruction overwhelmed him, he trusted in the Lord as His rock, His fortress and His deliverer.

God explained everything we need to know at the cross and that is why we trust Him. Do you trust Him in the midst of your pain? 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, January 19

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017

Today, we read about Joseph's betrayal at the hands of his brothers and his subsequent turns as a servant to a wealthy Egyptian merchant and as Pharaoh's prisoner.  From these events, which likely transpired over the period of at least five years, we see great changes in Joseph and his preparation for the service that God targeted for him.

As a 17-year-old, Joseph shares an audacious dream about his family's bowing down before him.  Perhaps he may have reveled too much in this promise because his brothers and father both rebuke him.  Undeterred, Joseph seemed secure in being his father's favorite son, demonstrated through his richly ornamented coat.

His brothers sought revenge against him, however, and they found their opportunity when Joseph joined them in Dothan, away from the protection of his home environment.  Though they wanted to kill him, they end up negotiating his sale to Midianite merchants.  He then becomes Potiphar's servant.

Because of his submittedness to God's will, even after this unfortunate change of scenery, Joseph brings blessing to Potiphar's home.  Still, he faces yet another enemy in Potiphar's wife, who falsely accuses him of sexual assault.  Given his low status, Joseph has no opportunity to defend himself, and he becomes a prisoner in Pharaoh's lockup.

Again, Joseph's administrative excellence become a blessing for the warden.  He rightly forecasts the background of Pharaoh's chief cupbearer and baker, but the cupbearer forgets Joseph for a period of two years!  Then, Joseph receives a great opportunity:  an audience with Pharaoh himself to address a series of puzzling dreams.

Joseph's servanthood in Potiphar's house and the prison brought about some transformation in the young man.  He became a "man for others," and his experiences genuinely prepared him for what would come.  Clearly, he might have struggled to see the purpose of these experiences in real time, but we may look back and perceive God's sovereign and good plan to save many lives.

In our lives, how do we handle failures, frustrations, and detours?  Without considering God's perspective, these events just lead to anger, as our expectations are dashed.  From a godly perspective, however, we see how God never wastes these moments, in order to refine us and prepare us for His plans and purposes.

What failures, tough situations, or detours has God used in your life?  How could you trust Him today for those circumstances that bring frustration?

Lord God, thank You for Your amazing plans for our lives.  Thank You for the example of Your servant Joseph and how his story gives us courage for today.  Prepare us for Your purposes, and give us grace to experience joy and peace wherever You have placed us.  We love You and give You our lives.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

Jan.17

Psalm 16

It's so easy to caught up in a vision or a dream that is from a false god.  It's the enemy's dream to lure us into a false and distorted reality. Unless we walk around with blinders on we can't help but be bombarded with signs and advertisements of the something "more" or "better".  If we stop and think about it, what can be better than what God has given you? David shares with us the key to joy. As we read through through this Psalm we are given a glimpse of the joyful life lived in companionship with God.  David reminds us of what a Kingdom minded perspective of reality looks like - "Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (V. 5-6)  Whatever God has given me is my portion -- it's mine.  Learning to steward what I have been blessed with has been an invaluable lesson, one that took me a long time to understand and is a continual part of my journey.  Being stewards of what we've been given takes away the "wanting more" which leads us into the dangerous waters that the enemy tries to entice us with. Through this Messianic Psalm, David also reminds us that as believers, we have a unique sense of security in Christ. Verses 8-11 direct our thoughts to Christ's resurrection. If you look at Acts 2:25-28, this Psalm is quoted.  I think David was trying to let everyone know that joy rooted in the Messiah goes beyond temporary happiness based on passing circumstances.  I pray for all of us today that as we go out and about, we remain joyful, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith. (Heb.12:2)



Randi 

Matthew 12: 1-21

Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, it is the fit day & the work of it should be dedicated to Him. There are more ways of doing well upon Sabbath days than by the duties of worship. Attending the sick, helping those who need speedy relief, teaching the young to care for their souls, These must be done from love & charity. The gift of a day of rest each week is a promise from God that we do not have to work continue just to make ends meet. The principles of God's word actually demand far more from us than to extend rules, they demand the absolute integrity of our hearts before God. His disciples were hungry, it is more honorable to suffer the want of all temporal things in fellowship with Christ than to have all things in abundance in connection with the word. In Jesus name Amen 🙏


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January 14 (late): God provides (oh yes He does...)

Genesis 30:1-31:16

Matthew 10:1-23

Psalm 12:1-8

Proverbs 3:13-15

So I was looking forward to writing my blog reflection today, wondering all the while who it was who was supposed to have written Saturday's blog.  The I realized I'd asked to switch days - and I was now two days late!  My apologies...

The one thing that stands out to me in today's reading is this: God provides.  How do we know?  Well, He tells us he will, and then He simply does.  In the New Testament reading Jesus sends the apostles out on their own.  I contrast Jesus's provision with my experience going to high school, when my parents paid in advance for me to attend school, sent me somewhere where the people supported my efforts, and even bought me a vacuum-sealed lunch box that allowed me a packed, hot lunch of meat, rice, soup and vegetables each day.  

Not so Jesus.  He tells them to go to "the lost sheep of Israel"; and He sends them off without provision - no gold, silver or copper, no bag or shirt or sandals.  Implicit in His instructions is the command to trust that what they need will be provided.  

And in the OT reading, we see that God DOES provide.  Have you started a new job without knowing how much you were going to be paid, or even how you might figure out how much you'd make tor the amount of work you put in?  I didn't think so.  Jacob does, though.  Consider: rather than in cash, he asks to take payment in kind...and then sets terms that make it difficult to know what he is going to make, even more difficult to believe he is going to make enough to support his two wives.  It seems his only interest is in making sure his employer knows he is being honest.  And yet, as crazy as Jacob's little compensation program seems, God provides - and does so ABUNDANTLY.  And this despite a somewhat shady employer, who happens to be his father in law.  

One final thing, though - in both instances, I believe God provides because Jacob and the apostles set out to do God's will.  Jacob's interest was obedience, in taking wives where his parents wanted him to take them (remember how his brother took wives because they would tick off his parents?) and in honesty, not in his self enrichment.  And the disciples interest was in obedience to Jesus.  

Father, You've told us often enough, but it is still a difficult lesson to learn, a difficult way to live, so please continue to teach us to focus on doing Your will, confident that You will provide.  

January 16th post

Monday January 16th

I've spent my life growing up in the church, learning the bible, memorizing verses, being told about God's promises, praying, singing, you name it I've been there for it.  When you spend a lifetime learning about the Lord it's easy to find yourself reclining in the LazyBoy of comfortable familiarity and believing you know how God works and finding yourself praying more as His needed advisor then His humble servant. 

 

The thing is, God's ways can sometimes feel more like a mechanical bull ride then a nap on a LazyBoy recliner.  Just when you think "I got this all figured out" something comes bucking into our lives and knocks our understanding. 

 

I think this might be the case in the lives of those Jewish residents of Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum (Matthew 11:20-24).  Many of the miracles we read about Jesus performing happened in these three cities.  Miracles that had never been witnessed: the blind see, the paralyzed walk, demons cast out of people, the dead made alive, and even sins forgiven not from an animal sacrifice but by faith and spoken from the mouth of Jesus himself.  I think, much like myself, the Jewish residents of these towns had become comfortable in their understanding of God and how they understood him to work.  It was business as usual in their lives before this.  Even though the enemy (the Romans) had power in their cities and even lived amongst them they seemed to acclimate to life and be comfortable where they were.  They were in their LazyBoy recliners of faith.  But then Christ came into their towns in ways that were unexpected, that looked different and sounded different and  it began to rock their understanding.  It began to throw them from their comfortable armchair faith and challenged what they thought they knew and understood.  It threw them for such a loop they saw it as demon possession and believed Jesus to be a glutton and a drunk (Matthew 11:18-19).  This did not go unnoticed by Christ.  He denounced these cities and compared them to sin filled Pagan cities of old that had either been destroyed by God or had prophesy's spoken about their destruction (Ezekiel).  He noted that these Pagan sin filled cities, with no comfortable LazyBoy understanding of who He is, would have repented and acknowledged Christ as Lord if the miracles He had performed were done in them.

 

I think Christ's denouncing these cities served as a warning that we can get so comfortable in our faith that we begin to think we understand the infinite God with 100% clarity when in fact that kind of mind set becomes a stumbling block to our very faith.

 

Our January 10^th reading had a Proverb that God has been using to teach me and grow me over the past few years.

 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straights." 3:5-6

 

The part of this that strikes my heart the hardest is 'lean not on your own understanding.'  God has brought into my life a couple of circumstances that have thrown me from my LazyBoy faith and understanding.  They have left me confused, angry, and feeling lost and alone. They seemed to be the opposite of what I had prayed for.   Were these things that were happening God's doing or just the enemy at work in my life?  Who was stronger, the Lord or the Evil one?  How could the God whom I understood to be good allow such a shake up to happen?  If I'm honest I felt a bit like Capernaum, this didn't look like the God I thought I understood.  Life was easier before and therefore better according to my understanding.  Then I heard the Lord challenge me with a verse that seemed so very out of place for the circumstances I was in.

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

 

I felt like I was on the nastiest Bull at the rodeo of life and God was saying to me "give me thanks."  Talk about the opposite of my understanding.  How was being thankful going to help rectify my circumstances?  But being a bit stubborn and not liking to loose I held on tight and forced myself to look at my circumstance with a different set of eyes.  "Lord show me what I can be thankful for because I don't understand nor do I want to be thankful."  God was faithful, He was good (these two things I understood Him to be had not changed) and He showed me.  He began to reveal things that I had not seen and through this reminded me of ways he has worked good in my past when I couldn't see it.  The direction my life was now going in was not the path I had advised God to use (it usually isn't), it was the complete opposite.  But, the Lord began to show me things to be grateful for in my circumstances that I was unable to see in my own understanding.  You know what has been happening since then?  The peace of God has been guarding my heart and mind and I have been growing in my faith not just lazily sitting comfortably in it.  I fear less and when worry begins to creep in I turn to the Lord, give thanks, and pray and He is right there with me reassuring me that He is not worried because He understands and is in complete control.  The outcome of my life circumstance are still a blur and I can not see how God is going to work it but I need to trust in Him and His understanding and to lean on the truths that I do know, God is a very good God no matter what challenges life brings and He promises to never leave me.  No matter how bumpy the road gets if I bring my grateful heart to him along with the burdens I will have rest, I will have peace from and in Him.

 

I don't know where you are today but I want to encourage those who find themselves on the bucking bulls of life that challenge your understanding of who God is and what He is doing.  God is always good even when life is not.  He is unchanging and always faithful.  So when life takes twist and turns that seem to throw you to the ground stay there for a moment and talk to Him.  Ask him to help you see how to have gratitude (remember what he has done and let it help you see what He is doing), ask Him to help you to know how to pray in accordance with what He is doing, and pray for the strength to get up and get back onto the struggles of life with the peace and strength of God.  He will help you to hold tight, endure and find the rest and peace that He promises for you.  I can assure you that it is much nicer to rest with the Lord in the boat during the storms of life then to worry and feel defeated (Matthew 8:23-27).  I'm praying for you all.

 

January 13 2017

Psalm 11  Quitting  

In his great book about the American West, "Men to Match My Mountains," Irving Stone writes about a mine in Leadville, CO. In 1877 a successful prospector bought the Robert E. Lee mine for $16,000. He then hired a crew and sank a shaft more than a hundred feet deep without finding any ore. When another group of prospectors offered him $30,000 for his mine he sent word down the shaft for his crew to pick up its tools and quit. The men down below were in the process of drilling a hole and putting the dynamite in. They asked the boss if they couldn't shoot just this once more. "No, come up!" replied Dexter. "I won't put another cent into this hole." The new owners "shot" Dexter's last hole. When the smoke cleared they found they had exposed a vein of silver so pure that in 24 hours they had mined ninety-five tons of ore worth $118,500. The cost of bringing this fortune to the surface was exactly $60.

 

We are all faced with times when we want to quit and throw in the towel like poor Dexter. It could be at work, in relationships, it could even be in following Jesus. In Psalm 11 David was tempted to quit. Like archers hiding under cover to ambush their prey, they waited for David with murder in their eyes. Their wickedness had made them ruthless; their superior weapons gave them confidence; their secure hiding place strengthened their nerve. The odds were overwhelmingly against the psalmist. He must run.

But was it time to quit and run? The answer is a resounding "NO." There is no hopeless situation when God is in the equation. God was watching over this entire situation from his heavenly throne. When we face the trials of life, we are never alone, never!!

Psalm 11:7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.

These words are the key to David's faith. He is no naïve optimist. He's not singing Mary Poppins song about remembering her favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.  The problems are real, but so is the presence of God. The key is to see every problem from the view of the "temple."   The temple view allows us to hear God's words, count on God's presence and see his salvation.  

In every one of your difficult situations the same saving God is present. Believe in him. Trust in his presence. His eyes examine everything that is going on. Nothing escapes his observation.  It is the presence of God that changes us from quitters to finishers.  I don't know what struggle you are going through, I am telling you that the eyes of the Lord are just as sharp today as they were in David's day. Don't quit. 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, January 12

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax's collector's booth.  "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.  When they saw this, the Pharisees asked, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means:  'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

(Matthew 9:9-13)

In today's passage, we read about the calling (and immediate obedience) of Matthew, a tax collector who would later write the Gospel bearing his name.  This change in Matthew sparked quite an interest in the Rabbi Jesus, who gathered a party at Matthew's house.  We may imagine that, in this party scene, Jesus might have demonstrated his love and concern for people in a natural setting.

The Pharisees bristled at Jesus's welcoming attitude towards "tax collectors and sinners."  One might have rightly looked on tax collectors with some skepticism, as the majority supplemented their income through taking bribes or miscalculating taxes.  Today's IRS involves a clear formula and a well-structured collection system; in the days of Christ, tax collectors motivated compliance through direct and indirect coercion.  The Pharisees distanced themselves from "sinners" in order not to be corrupted by their presence; in their minds, righteousness demanded separateness.

Jesus blew up their expectations and heard their criticism immediately.  They implied that Jesus has not committed Himself to holiness to the same extent as they had.  Jesus's response points to the very heart of the Gospel message:  that each person, having fallen short of God's stands, requires God's mercy through the blood of Christ on the Cross.  Once we have truly experienced that mercy, we would be hypocritical to deny similar mercy to others.  Since Jesus canceled our vertical debt of sin once for all, we have freedom to forgive others on a horizontal level.

In addition, as with the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, we see that "sinners" display gratitude upon receiving God's grace, while the Pharisees harbored indignation and pride.  "Sinners" know that they do not deserve mercy and therefore celebrate it; those who think of themselves as "righteous" expect mercy, believing that they have earned it.

To make this account personal, where do you sit today?  Do you find yourself among the disciples, among the sinners, or among the Pharisees?  Are you learning to love others with a fully abandoned love like Christ?  Are you looking to receive God's mercy to start a lifelong relationship with the loving Creator of the universe?  Or have you fallen into judgmentalism and self-righteousness like the Pharisees?

In order to step back from that third state, we may follow Jesus's example and interact with people who do not yet know Christ.  We may pray that God would move our hearts with compassion, as Jesus experiences in Matthew 9:35-10:2.

Lord Jesus, thank You for demonstrating great compassion and love for lost and hurting people like us.  Help us to learn from Your example and to imitate You in Your sacrificial outreach, healing, and mercy to those who don't know You.  Give us a fresh heart of gratitude for Your grace in our lives.  We love You and honor You today.  In Your Name, amen.

January 11

Psalm 10

The book of Psalms touches on every aspect of life from repentance to praise and worship.  Psalm 10 touches on a cry from the heart of the Psalmist that we can all relate to - "Lord, where are you?"  We read in today's reading that when the disciples were afraid in the storm, they knew exactly where to go for help.  They went to wake up Jesus.  Now I am not in any way suggesting that Jesus is asleep today and unaware of the storms of our lives, but it's up to us to seek Him for help the way disciples did.  After all, we too are disciples.  I can't even tell you how many times I've tried to be calm in my storm without seeking Jesus first and wondered why it hasn't worked out for me.  In verses 14-18 of Psalm 10 we learn that God sees our trouble and grief and He is our helper.  He is King forever and ever and inclines His ear to us.  He vindicates the orphan and oppressed so that man, who is earthly, may terrify no more.  We're not supposed to be terrified because God never goes anywhere.  He never leaves us.  Hebrews 10:22 beautifully tells us to draw near to God with a sincere heart with the full assurance of what faith brings. Lord, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, let us be still and know that You are God.  I pray we sit in Your presence and know that You are always with us.  Speak to us Lord, Your servants are listening.



Randi

January 9th bible reading blog

We all are on different paths in our journey through life.  We are either going through, have gone through or will go through difficult times in our lives.  I am sure many who read that immediately thought of a tough situation they are currently swept up in.  It is a part of life.  We have up's and down's, high's and low's, laughter filled moments and sorrow filled ones as well.  What I see in today's reading is how our perspective and our recollection of the God we serve, not only can make a difference for how we hold up during those difficulties but how others do as well.

 

Both Hagar and Abraham find themselves on two different yet similar paths in life that they had not expected (Gen 21:8-20 & 22:1-19).  Both have their sons with them.  Both do not fully understand what is going on or why.  The stories become very different though when we look at the different ways they perceived and understood their situations.

 

Hagar was helpless and hopeless.   She was in the desert and had no more water and no idea what to do or where to go next.  I'm sure she didn't understand why this was happening to her and her son. The God who had seen her the last time she was lost in the desert was forgotten by her (Gen 16:6-15).   She chose instead to hold her misery close to her and in it felt lost and alone.  She put her son under a bush and walked away from him because she couldn't bear to see him die.   In complete despair she began to sob for her seemingly hopeless situation.  Her son, alone under the bush began to cry as well.  His mother's hopelessness blanketed him but brought no comfort to him at all.

 

On the contrary, Abraham was full of hope and confidence (not in himself but the Lord).  I don't think this was a hope that was filled with singing and dancing and lots of laughter.  God had Abraham on a path that I believe Abraham felt blind on.  He, in his human understanding could not make sense of what he had been asked to do.  It had to be weighing on him heavily but not so heavy that it crushed his hope and confidence in the Lord.  The cause of his hope and confidence came from his knowledge, his remembrance of the God who was leading him on this path.  God had already shown Abraham, through the birth of Isaac, that nothing was impossible for the LORD.   Abraham was trusting in that God he knew to help him now.  The trust and hope that Abraham wore had to have come to rest on the shoulders of his son Isaac because we do not read that Isaac struggled when being bound, fought when being put on the alter, or cried out when the dagger was raised to kill him.

 

In both stories God was the same, Faithful.  He was indeed El Roi, the God Who Sees and in both stories He was indeed Jehovah Jireh, the God Who Provides.  God spoke to Hagar and opened her eyes to see a well with water and then spoke hope into her life for her and her son.  God spoke to Abraham and showed him the ram caught in the thorns and reassured Abraham that his trust and hope in the Lord is always how to live.

 

In life I all too often fail to have the hope and trust of Abraham.  I act way too much like Hagar.  I lean on my own understand of life's situations and I get discouraged.  I can feel as if God has forgotten or as if I'm just not worthy of His grace.  I fail to remember all the ways that God has shown me His faithfulness, His Love, His protection, and His provision.  What I realize even more from these two stories is how my faith or lack of faith can impact those around me.  I do believe that Hagar's despair did indeed aid Ishmaels.  I equally believe Abraham's trusting obedience gave Isaac the courage and hope to face that altar.

 

It is my prayer that during the path of struggle that God has me on, and for all future paths that await me, God will strengthen me and his Spirit remind me to hope in Him.  He has always been faithful, He has always provided (not always the way I had wanted but He has always provided), and He has always seen me through.  I want to be a beacon of light for others during my struggles.  I want them to be encouraged by the hope I have in the Lord.  I want others to feel the comfort of my obedient trust.   If we are faithless God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13), Hagar's story is proof of that.   My worry and fear doesn't dictate what God will or won't do it just prevents me from living in peace and being a light for Him and His goodness.  I prefer to be more like Abraham and to seek to remain faithful in my hope and trust of the lord.  I want to let go of my understanding and fears and rest in who God is, trust in who God is, and delight in who God is.  For when I am able to do that I believe, like Abraham and Isaac I will truly be living the life God desires for me, a faithful beacon of light to those around me.

Matthew 6:1-24

Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before me, to be seen by them otherwise you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.
When we trying to impress others we don't really deserved the reward we should get because they see how much effort we put into it, but with God we don't need to pretend to do something, He sees it from the heart & our way of doing it if our motives is right. Everyone wants to guard their own name & reputation but we must resist the tendency to protect & promote ourselves first and put God's name Kingdom and will first. We all fall short at times, we all look for the wrong person to applaud us of something we did. We can always get back up again just ask our Father for forgiveness The first Christian reward is the satisfaction which no money on earth can buy in Jesus name I pray amen.🙏

January 7: Of second guesses, bad ideas and immutable plans

Genesis 16:1-18:15

Matthew 6:1-24

Psalm 7:1-17

Proverbs 2:1-5

As a child, I often second guessed my parents - most of the time to my regret.  They'd tell me to do something one way, I'd think I knew better and do it another.  They'd tell me to wait, I'd get impatient and do something...and then have to call them for help cleaning up the mess I'd made.  In retrospect I still feel pretty bad about all the times I gave them reason to say "I told you so"...but reading today's readings I realize I'm in good company. 

Think of where Sarai's mind is.  

Sarai: "I had a comfortable home, and God tells my husband we have to leave.  I agree to go partly because my husband told me God said we would have a lot of kids.  I've always wanted kids.  Grandkids, even.  I think I'm supposed to wait, but I am getting up there in years, so maybe I should give this a little push.  After all, what could it hurt?  God said we were going to have kids anyway.   Oh, Hagar...."

Hagar: "Yes, ma'am?"

Sarai: "I need you to do something for me..."

Of course, that didn't work out too well - not for Sarai, not for Hagar, nor for Ishmael.  And I can imagine Abraham thinking "it certainly seemed like a good idea at the time..."

The amazing thing is that, as much of a garbage dump of a situation it all way, God was in control.  He sees Hagar and looks after her.  He even has a plan for Ishmael who, to every reasonable bystander, would have seemed like someone absolutely NOT part of the plan.  And His plans for Abraham remain unchanged - indeed he articulates His plans further.  And He gives Abraham the opportunity to demonstrate whether or not his heart is still with God.

This year, I expect to find myself - indeed, I expect everyone who reads this will find themselves - in multiple garbage dump, I-should-have-listened-to-God type situations.  Take comfort.  Not only are we in good company, our God showed Abraham how much He was prepared to forgive, and how immutable His plans are.  And however much we might mess up, His plans remain the same..and we can always turn back, accept His words, turn our ear to wisdom and cry aloud for understanding.  And even then, after we've messed up, like Abraham we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  

Happy New Year.