Thursday, November 29

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

"Daniel answered, 'May the king live forever!  My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty." (Daniel 6:21,22)

In this sixth chapter of Daniel, we find him serving under his third king, now Darius the Mede.  At the end of Chapter 5, we understand that, according to the revelation God had given him, the Medes overtook the Babylonians immediately after the "writing on the wall."  Just prior to the Medes' raid, the Bablyonian king had elevated Daniel as a senior official, and it seems that he maintained a important role in the Medes' kingdom.

As with previous regimes, Daniel (like his friends) faces antagonism from other officials.  While we cannot pinpoint the source of this antagonism, it likely emerged from some jealousy towards Daniel rather than a true heart for justice or patriotism.  Politics and its associated power often bring forth corrupt behavior.

Despite the very present threats, Daniel maintains his resolve to seek and serve only the Lord God.  He demonstrates that corrupting our characters — and our witness — doesn't line up with the rightful place of God's sovereignty in our lives.  Daniel and his friends trusted God completely, and He carried them through.  In turn, their faithfulness fuels a widespread testimony of God's goodness through the Darius's kingdom-wide decree (Daniel 6:26,27). We then read that Daniel "prospered" during Darius's reign.

How may we follow Daniel's model in our lives today?  In what areas have you compromised to fit modern culture?  How could you reclaim these areas to be consistent with God's sovereignty over your life?

Lord God, thank You for showing us Daniel's tremendous example of faithfulness to Your Word.  Help us to rise above the corrupting influences of this world so that we may live fruitful lives devoted to You and Your Kingdom.  Change us from the inside out and bring to mind where we may be falling short.  Use us as light and salt in a culture that does not exalt You.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

Nov. 28

Proverbs 28:19-20

The Hebrew word for Proverbs is "meesh-lay".  A proverb is a saying, a story or a parable that is proven true over time through experience. They are timeless words of guidance and bring clarity to life situations.  With the exception of the choice of how many wives he had, King Solomon was indeed pretty a wise man as seen in his writings.  As we read throughout the book of Proverbs we see the contrast between two ways of living, one is the way of wisdom, and the other is the way of a fool.  We learned back in chapter 9 that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom", so as we read through these verses on finances (19-28), I am looking at my checkbook with different lenses, since it was a financial crisis that began my journey with God a little over 10 years ago.  I find myself praying asking God's forgiveness for not handling our past finances according to Kingdom principles. It is said ignorance bliss, but I haven't found that in a Proverb, so it can't be from God, nor is it an excuse. As I was praying the other day, I thanked God for making a way for us when we didn't have one, and I found myself asking God for a second chance, to bless our finances and open doors for us that no man would be able to close. Since God is a God of impossible situations, my husband's dream of having a small business again will only come to us if it is orchestrated by God's hand and used for His glory.  As I read today's Proverb it says that "A faithful man will have many blessings, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished."  God examines our heart and our motives when answering our prayers.  I realized that whether I'm tithing, saving a little, trying to plan, or praising and praying, God is looking at the motives of my heart. I don't know what everyone who is reading this is praying for, but I pray that God blesses the deepest desires of your hearts exceedingly and abundantly more than you've ever asked or imagined possible.

Randi

November 25: Of Exiles and Faith Muscles

Daniel 1:1-2:23

1 Peter 3:8-4:6

Psalm 119:65-80

Proverbs 28:14

Daniel is an exile.  Everything good he might have had, the life he might have enjoyed?  Gone.  Before him, uncertainty, fear - slavery perhaps?  Poverty, hunger, suffering?  Possible, perhaps even likely.  

Consider then how fortunate many must have thought him to have been picked by the king to be so abundantly provided for.  And all he had to do was go along...I mean, c'mon.  A guy's gotta eat, right?  Why refuse it when someone wants to feed you really well?

However, "Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine".  And he didn't just refuse the food discreetly...no, he asked the chief official - the guy handing out the food! - for special treatment.  If I were in his shoes, I would have been worried about being sent back to the uncertainty of the exile's life.  

We know how the story ends.  But I cannot help but focus on this point, before the official agreed, before Daniel found out he was going to wind up healthier than the others.  He must have been worried.  But he chose to act despite that worry - that was his faith.

I love this story, just as I love the story of Esther, when went into the king's presence unbidden, and the story of Abraham, when he was prepared to surrender his son and his future to God.  I am afraid of facing the situations that might develop such faith, but I pray for it nonetheless.

Father, be gentle with us - gentle but firm, so that we might face situations where our faith is exercised, and it grows stronger. 

November 24: Of Carbs and Fat

Ezekiel 47:1-48:35

1 Peter 2:11-3:7

Psalm 119:49-64

Proverbs 28:12-13

The furthest I was fortunate to run before it became apparent the damage I'd caused my knees would preclude any further distances was 15 miles.  I never got to run a marathon, and so I never experienced "the wall" - the point at which energy sags precipitously, where the body has to shift from running on stored carbohydrates to running on fat.  At the start of the race, it all seems so doable, so easy - until the wall.  The New York Marathon is particularly ruthless - the 20 mile point is at the Willis Avenue Bridge where, unlike most other areas of the race, the road is devoid of spectators, and for two miles one faces the wall alone.  The ability to transition from carbs to fats determines whether the runner fails, falters, or finishes triumphantly.  

Our Christian life is very similar.  We look to run the distance, and in the beginning it is pretty easy.  We run on our own strength the race we think we're doing fine.  Then things get difficult.  One way they do - God's instructions are no longer as seamlessly consistent with what the world teaches.  

• We learn we are to "submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority" - and we don't think the president deserves our obedience.  

• We hear that slaves should "in reverent fear of God submit" themselves to their masters - and not just to those "who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh".  Aren't we supposed to be rebelling against such treatment?  And against slavery overall?

• And we read that wives are supposed to "submit yourselves to your own husbands" - even if they "do not believe the word"!  Isn't it precisely when they are not Christian that wives should be instructing, correcting, rejecting their husbands if they don't learn?

That is the 20 mile wall.  The challenge then is, do we continue in our own strength and thinking?  Or do we switch, as if from carbs to fats, to God's Word as our source of strength and direction?  The choice determines how far we go, and how we go - whether we fail, or finish triumphantly.  

Father, when we hit that wall of intellectual rebellion against complete submission to Your will and word, give us the courage and the strength to switch from our ways to Yours, from our thoughts to Yours, that we might finish the race triumphantly.

Thursday, November 22

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2018


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9)


Happy Thanksgiving! The apostle Peter directed his letter, starting with this passage above, to scattered believers. He starts out by identifying them as those "Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood." These believers had become part of God's family through the love and interweaved work of the Triune God.

These believers found themselves struggling under persecution. Peter encourages them by emphasizing the security of their salvation ("shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation... ") and calling them to "rejoice." He indicated that God has intended their suffering "so that you faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor." While their suffering hurts in the present, it will bring glory to God both in the present and into the future. By studying the "big picture," we may remain faithful even though temporary suffering.

How do we live joyfully in a challenging environment? From this passage and the teachings of Paul, we understand that joy comes not as a result of circumstances, but rather through our connection with God. When we focus on God's faithfulness and remember His love, we may experience joy even under trial. We also understand from Galatians 5:22,23 that the Spirit bears His fruit in our lives, including joy.

Should we settle for less than joy, we are denying God's power in our lives and losing out on a key opportunity to witness to God's goodness. Our joy serves as a "light" to a watching world: "A town on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) While this passage concentrates on "deeds," I would argue that attitude and demeanor also matter to a watching world. Given that hopelessness can emerge without God, we can point instead to the hopefulness of embracing God and experiencing His joy.

How may you express your joy today? How has God demonstrated His faithfulness to you? How may you give thanks today -- and in all circumstances?


Lord God, thank You for giving us great reason for joy. We thank You for the gift of salvation, which Christ won for us through His sacrifice on the Cross. Help us to experience the "inexpressible and glorious joy" that this passage discusses. Give us the courage to witness to others through the attitudes that emerge from a transformed heart and mind. Make us beacons of Your goodness today with our families and friends. In Jesus's Name, amen.


________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

Nov. 21

Psalm 119, James 5

In the Messianic Jewish Study Bible, the sub heading under Psalm 119 reads " Learn Torah Letter by Letter".  It almost sounds like the advertisement for the title of a book! Torah, The Law of the Jewish heritage is broken down into verses letter by letter, in an acrostic form, each letter (verse) describing very simply, ways to live a Godly life. How easy is that! God's word is referred to as true and wonderful. The Psalm in it's entirety talks about staying true to God's Word, no matter how bad the world around you becomes and that it's only by living a life in accordance with God's Word that we will find true happiness.  Then I went on to the reading in James.  Again, the book of James outlines how to live out the life of faith, despite what we see around us, and that it's through our faith in Yeshua that our life flows. James points out not to live on earth in luxury and self indulgence, we will be blessed by showing endurance, don't swear, and always pray.  Psalm 119 advises that we seek the Lord with all of heart, walk in His ways, and treasure God's Word in our hearts. It's so easy to connect the two readings and see that seeking God is the way to receiving His blessing and His blessings are worth more than anything this world has to offer. Scripture takes us far beyond what we see around us.  I pray that as we gather around our tables and spend time with family this Thanksgiving weekend we remember first to seek God, thank Him, and count our blessings.

Randi

Cubits?

I must confess, as I read today's passages, especially Ezekiel, I found myself skimming through wondering why this crazy level of detail was necessary when describing Ezekiel's temple. As I read, I told myself I would not be writing a blog post about this drawn-out description because how can it be of any relevance to people?

However, as I went back to read for a second time, my mind changed. I thought more about why this level of detail was mentioned when describing the temple. It became more of an artistic expression to me. I saw the word cubit so many times that I looked up what a cubit was (approximately 1.5ft). This helped me to visualize the size of the temple and all of its parts as I re-read. The walls to the "Most Holy Place" were seven cubits thick, which is about 10.5ft. Those are some thick walls! I found myself wondering what purpose or symbolism might be behind them. It had a raised base all around it - symbolic of a firm foundation. Windows were covered by wood, rooms widened as you went upward, there was dressed stone, carved cherubim and palm trees. Such creative and artistic imagery. Palm trees were used when Jesus entered Jerusalem, but they also represent the victory of martyrs, or the victory of the spirit over the flesh.

Some propose that the temple's beauty is expressed in geometry rather than the typical material signs. There is definitely something to be said about the detail that is given. Measurements in this passage were repeated over and over again, meaning there must be some importance to them. This was a new way of looking at the passage for me. There are many aspects of this description which I initially glanced over, but upon doing a little research I was able to appreciate more so the grand picture.

While James, Psalms, and Proverbs had some more tangible takeaways, I found myself enjoying the artistic expression of this temple description and letting my imagination run with it. I encourage you to do the same.

Blog post Monday Novemeber 19th

Faith in action James 2:18-3:18

Today's reading was a reminder of what we just read last week in Hebrews 11 - Faith is meant to be lived out in our actions for our benefit and the benefit of others.  We can't just say that God is worthy of our trust and then try to live in unsurrendered control. We can't just say that God is a loving God to us and then go treat others without love.  We can't just say that God is our hope and future and then live life as if this world is our everything.  We can't just say spiritual things, quote scripture, sing praise song, tell people how great God is and how important he is to us...faith is not just words and proclamations made with our mouths.  Faith is meant to be alive, to have hands and feet, to be seen in our lives so that how we live reflects what we say and believe.  

Today I encourage us all to pray and ask God to show us what areas of our faith we are not living out the way we should, the way God calls us to.  Then we need to ask him to help us, to give us the determination, the perseverance, the know how and ability to live out our faith and live it well.  May we encourage each other to live our faith like those we read about last week in Hebrews 11 and to live it well so that we can be a "cloud of witness" a community of witness to what faith truly looks like and bring hope to those who have yet to take hold of faith for themselves. 

Sunday, November 18

James 2

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. James 2 starts exactly with that: " Don't show favoritism."  Don't discriminate, but love. It tells us that every time we assess and treat differently a person, based on the outside appearances- job, clothes, car, jewelry, zip code, looks- we discriminate and " become judges with evil thoughts". James 2:4. We are reminded that the worldly standards are different than the kingdom standards. What  is perceived as inferior in this world ,could be the  exact opposite in God's kingdom. James 2:5 

"Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? " James 2:6  I grew up in a small village in Romania. My parents were simple farmers. They had such a veneration for people who were highly educated, had good jobs and got to live in the city. For a while I held the same values. However, I slowly realized that all those things we valued,  were simple masks.  The inside of a person is what matters.  I've learnt that beautiful, perfect masks more often than not, hide evil characters.  Very often that beautiful mask doesn't hesitate to hurt, lie, mistreat. Real beauty, honesty, sensitivity are found a lot of times, under a not so perfect mask.

James 2  is an invitation to look deeper,  under the mask.  It will be, on one hand,  for our own benefit. "Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Mat 10:16.  "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pe ` arls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Mat  7:6 On the other hand, when we look under a person's mask, we can determine how to love that person. "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?   Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

We fortunately live in a society where we don't have to worry about our basic needs. But how many people around us,  are starved spiritually? Jesus is the daily food and clothes. How can we  put our love and faith into action for these people?

Happy Thanksgiving! 

#blog

November 17: Of Persistence, Struggle and Undeserved Wisdom

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38

James 1:1-18

Psalm 116:1-19

Proverbs 27:23-27

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Pure joy is difficult under the best of circumstances.  But when facing trials?  How does one consider it pure joy when one is very sick?  Or out of a job? Or worried they can't make the next bill payment?  When their children might reject the very idea of God?  When one continues to struggle, and to fail, with the same sins, perseverance seems like a pipe dream.  

It would seem that recognizing, experiencing this joy in the middle of trials would require an ability to see and understand things differently than we normally would...would require a wisdom we might not have.  Where to find that wisdom?  

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Wow.  "...gives generously to all without finding fault..." - I don't have the wisdom I need to obey His instructions, so He gives it to me when I ask, whether or not I deserve it.  

So let's not let our sins or shortcomings discourage us.  Let's not let the persistence of our failures cause us to give up.  When we struggle, when we doubt, let us ask for His guidance, and His wisdom.  He will give us the wisdom we need.  He said so.  

November 16

Ezekiel 33

Becoming Watchmen

 

What is the role of watchman? Ancient cities were protected by walls. Watchmen were posted along the walls to warn their families, friends and neighbors of any approaching enemy. They were responsible for the safety of the entire city. They always had to stay alert and sound the trumpet when danger was imminent.

So, who are the watchmen today? Who is going to say there is danger ahead, the enemy is approaching, we are under attack? Will the CBS and CNN news anchors sound the alarm?  Will politicians warn us of the approaching horsemen of the apocalypse? Sadly, even Christ followers have gotten caught up in the spirit of the age and have neglected this sacred duty. Rather than warn of the imminent danger we have actually joined the enemy forces. 

 

What are the enemies that are approaching the gates?

1. Godlessness: living life without centering everything on our relationship with our creator.

2. Consumerism: thinking the accumulation of stuff will satisfy our souls.

3. Socialism: putting government as the savior of our nation.  

4. Comfort: living with my comfort and safety as the highest goal.

5. Destruction of the family: even attempting to change the definition of a family.  

6. A culture of death: death and violence dominate our entertainment. We are so confused we're unable to define when life begins and how it should end.  

 

There has never been a better time for us to offer the alternative of living according to God's light.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, November 15, 2018

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018


"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12:14,15)

"As water reflects a face,/ so a man's heart reflects a man." (Proverbs 27:19)


These verses from Hebrews explain, in part, why churches may struggle. Ultimately, each individual coming to the body has responsibility unto the others to seek God wholeheartedly, to live in purity, and to show grace. These ethics not only strengthen our personal relationship with God, but also for others in their relationship with God.

Our Western culture generally considers the individual to have precedence over the group. Our Constitution and its interpretation stresses the principle of "voluntary association." We are grateful for the freedom of speech that this right avails.

As followers of Christ, we immediately become part of His body while remaining present in this world. Living in holiness allows our practice and testimony to line up for a watching world. In addition, purity before God strengthens our connection with Him: "Blessed are the pure in heart,/ for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8) Due to human reality, holiness will not translate into perfection; after all, we remain fallible in our humanness, drawing us closer to God. Yet, holiness involves yieldedness and surrender to God's plan as superior to our own and His Spirit as our strength and guide. Living outside of this channel leads to disappointment and upset hearts and minds. May we seek this yieldedness today!

Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews urges us to settle accounts with others, not allowing bitter roots to grow. These bitter roots emerge after a period of unforgiveness. This unforgiveness saps our energy, drawing us away from God and causing us to dwell on the hurt we've encountered. Often, this pain will result in legitimate grievances; in no way should we diminish this reality. Still, we have the freedom to choose forgiveness or unforgiveness, and we only have the strength to forgive because of the forgiveness from sin that Christ has won for us on the Cross. Because of this vertical forgiveness, horizontal forgiveness is not only possible, but entirely consistent with our status as grace-bought believers.

May God bring us into this place of yieldedness and sensitivity to seek Him fully and to forgive others freely. It will allow our hearts to experience real freedom, joy, and love. And God will be glorified and real to us!


Lord God, thank You for seeking us out through sending Your Son to this earth. Pour into us a hunger and thirst after You. Help us to live in purity and to extend forgiveness to others. Give us victory this day, that our hearts and minds might be "white as snow." Thank You for anchoring our freedom in Christ by the completed work of the Cross. In Jesus's Name, amen.


________________________________________________________________________
596 Glenbrook Road, Unit 13 | "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection
Stamford, CT 06906-1423 | and the life. He who believes in me will
(C) 203.820.1741 | live, even though he dies; and whoever
(H) 203.355.9374 | lives and believes in me will never die.
(E) swe@edwa.info | Do you believe this?'" -- John 11:25,26

Nov. 14

Hebrews 11-12

Hebrews 11, the infamous "Hall of Fame", outlines Jewish heroes who, by faith, followed God in spite of obstacles and even persecution. Each person knew the assignment given to them by God and walked worthy of their calling. What an incredible example this sets.  As we get into chapter 12, it doesn't read "By faith, Jesus ran with endurance the race set before Him", but let's look at what it does say because I think it goes way deeper than that.  "For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame; and He has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God".  Do you really think that Jesus would have gone to the cross if He didn't know He was 100 percent correct in that this was the only way that we could be made right with God? Take a moment to think about that, AND He did it with joy!  Nothing else mattered to Him because He knew when it was all said and done, He was going to sit down at the right hand of the throne of God and we would not only have salvation but we would also spend eternity praising Him!  Yes, our Old Testament heroes were great examples of faith in action, and Jesus is the initiator and perfecter of that faith!  He doesn't replace it, He completes it. So knowing this is truth and holding onto God becoming a part of the human family so that we could become a part of his heavenly family,  keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, how would you fill in this sentence, "by faith, _____________________ (fill in your name), did___________________.  Here's mine: Being born into a Jewish family, by faith, Randi stepped out and received Yeshua as her Lord, Messiah, The Word that became flesh. By faith, she believes what she can't see, believes all Scripture is God breathed and runs the race set before her.  I pray we all make a statement of faith knowing that God is faithful and will keeps His covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. (Deut. 7:9)

Randi 

Today's blog "Pride and prejudiced"

As we read today, I will start with a joke: When was meat first mentioned in the bible? Punchline at the end (don't scroll down to see it, read down to see it).

In Ezekiel, we read about Pride and how it can bring down kingdoms and countries.

In the Hebrews reading we see sinful, messed up people living by faith, and through that faith accomplish great things because of their obedience oh and most certainly reluctant obedience at times. 

In Psalm reading we see Gods is faithful when we are not. We see God is graceful when we do not deserve it. We see God keeps His promises always! We may not understand the timing and the method He uses, but He is an on time God. He is never late nor is He ever early, He is an on time God. 

The Proverb reading I will not address since today Ruth and I celebrate our 25th anniversary. 

God today show us area's of pride which get in the way of what you want to accomplish in and through us! Lord show us area's in which we need to show grace and love in difficult situations. God today and we start our day give us forbearance to take on the day in Your strength and nor our own! Helps us today as we encounter our spouses, children, coworkers, neighbors, and all of the random people that we will pass by today without thought! Help us to pause today and say hello, reach out, engage, embrace, and show the love of Christ through our care, our hearts, and our actions. Punchline: When Noah brought HAM into the ark, Gen7:13. 

      

Chuck Goulart
Anytime Appliance

Repair Biffle

and More, LLC.
203-943-0961

 "Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." –Francis Chan

Blog Post Monday November 12th

A Prayer Of Faith (Hebrews 11:1-16)

Thank you Lord for the examples of faith you have given to us.  You do not simply call us to faith in you but you give us examples of what that faith looks like in action.  Those examples are real and show faith in the face of adversity, pain, weakness, human frailty, and mortal inability.  Faith that is sure of what it hopes for and certain of what it does not see is lived out in what often times looks like uncertainty and impossibility.  But Lord I thank you that you are God that is beyond the impossible and uncertain.  You are God who's strength is beyond our ability to truly comprehend.  You are God who loves even when it is not deserved.  There is nothing to great or to small for you to overcome, to make right, to heal, to supply, to bring comfort to, and so much more.  No matter what this life holds for me I can live in faith, live in hope and certainty that this life is not it.  I have the faith to know that there is something more that awaits me beyond the boundaries of my human mortality, an eternity with you in a place that no longer holds the struggles, challenges, and pains of life.  A place awaits where my faith in no longer needed because all that I have hoped in and been certain of has been revealed and given to me.  Lord, I ask for you to encourage hearts today to have a faith that is sure, not unsure, but confident in the hope of what is not seen and that is in you and your salvation which is sweeter than anything else we could hope for.  May you encourage hearts today to be certain of what you have told us through your word but that we do not see.  Help hearts to not loose focus on the certainty of who you are, on your strength and power, and not to loose focus and certainty of the love you have and always will for us, a love that caused you to suffer and die for us so that you could rise again and be an example of the hope and certainty we can and should have in you.  May today be a day of renewed hope, of renewed faith in hearts and lives. 

AMEN

November 10: Of Choices and Consequences (The Remake)

Ezekiel 21:1-22:31

Hebrews 10:1-18

Psalm 108:1-13

Proverbs 27:12

"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

- Proverbs 27:12

I paraphrase and preach this verse to my kids: "choices have consequences".  I think I've written about this before, but the message is so important it is well worth repeating.

In today's OT reading, the people reject God's ways.  They walk away.  Now anyone knows you can't stay dry when it's raining if you walk out from under the roof.  The same is true with God.  He loved us enough to give us free will, in the hopes we would exercise it for the good, choosing to be with Him rather than apart from Him.  With Him, we enjoy His grace, His comfort, His provision and protection.  Apart from Him, we are on our own.  Our choice to make, so our consequences to face.  And the consequences before the Israelites are very severe indeed.  

How, then, to make good choices?  Thankfully, not by our own devices.  In the reading from Hebrews, Paul reminds us of how the Holy Spirit works - "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."  To make the choices, then, that keep us under God's roof, we only have to turn to the words He's already given us.  We only have to make ONE good choice - to choose Him.  He then does the rest - guides us, keeps us under His roof.  

Easier said than done, though.  I preach the verse to my kids, as I said…but very often I still could use a good dose of it myself.  

Father, help us all to make the only good choice  that counts, from which everything else follows.  Give us the grace, the faith, and the good sense to choose You.  Then allow us to stay under the roof of Your protection and provision. 

Nov 9

Psalm 107

Holy habits are essential for a victorious Christian life. There are two habits in our reading today that must become daily practices in our lives if we want to grow. The first is reading the Word.

Psalm 107:20  He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

When we read the Word of God it brings healing to us and it saves us from death. I have seen God's Word heal my marriage, my family and my life. Without the Word I would probably be a hippie, living on a commune somewhere in Vermont. But God's Word has healed my life. It is still healing my life. That is why I take time every day to read it and give it top priority.

The second habit is giving thanks.

Psalm 107:21-22   Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

The Hebrew word thanksgiving means, "to throw out the hands." It is the idea of publicly praising God as you extend your hands in adoration.

We don't always feel like doing this but because of our love for God and our appreciation of everything He has done for us, we discipline ourselves to extend our hands and declare our thanks.

This week, during our African Challenge, I have been reminded of how blessed I am. When I was in Africa, I literally saw people who had no access to clean water. I saw people who only had one set of clothes. I saw people who never held a Bible in their hands. On our visit to Kenya we encountered a mother and child who were eating rocks to fill their stomachs. The great tragedy in our country is we are so blessed, and yet we don't recognize it, nor do we honor the One who has provided these blessings.

So, take time right now and verbally express to God five blessings you are thankful for.

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, November 8

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018

"When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.  But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.  The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.  This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.  They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order." (Hebrews 9:6-10)

The author of Hebrews explains in this mid-section about the nature of the earthly sacrificial system and that of the New Covenant.  He highlights the insufficiency of the priests and the system they follow:  its inability to "clear the conscience of the worshiper."  In short, this system only temporarily addressed the sins of the people, whereas Christ appeared once and brought lasting cleansing from sin.

Why could Jesus have brought about this effective salvation?  Because He served not in the earthly tabernacle, but in the heavenly one.  Hebrews 9:23-26 rounds out our understanding:  "It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.  For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.  Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.  Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."

For us, these words may lack the depth of meaning for the original readers.  We may have grown up in a Christian environment, where we might take these truths for granted.  Yet, the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ for sins that we absolutely committed, motivated by a love for us, who had rejected and despised Him, is nothing short of amazing.  This reflection has led to great praise among people on this earth, and its choruses will ring in heaven forever.

This chapter of Hebrews emphasizes the all-sufficiency of Christ's salvation.  So often, we desire to add onto God's plan with our own prescriptions.  Instead, however, it appears that focusing on Christ's all-sufficiency leads to a heart ready to worship God, to live in gratitude, to love other people, and to share this awesome message.  How much have you embraced this Gospel?  What difference will it make in your life today?

Lord God, thank You for the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ.  Thank You for pointing so clearly to the reality of the New Covenant and for allowing us to participate in it.  Help us to reflect on all Your goodness to us and to avoid adding non-Biblical concepts to Christ's sacrifice.  Conform our lives to Your will and transform our hearts and minds so that we may be better able to love You, to love people, and to make disciples.  Raise up workers for Your harvest field in Stamford and its surrounding communities.  In Jesus's Name, amen.

Nov. 7

Hebrews8

Long before this chapter was even written, God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and told him there would be a new Covenant.  I enjoy reading and studying the Old Testament.  What I'm learning is that the visions and words given by God to the prophets were foretelling of Yeshua, Jesus, The Messiah.  As we read through the New Testament, we watch it all unfold.  Prophecy never was and never will be about predicting the future.  It's about quieting your spirit and listening to God speak.  The beauty of learning to pray and to be still, is that we too can see the beauty and promises of God unfold in our lives as we listen for His voice.   As I was reading through this chapter, I took some time in prayer to stop and see how God's new Covenant has protected me and my family and carried us through.  Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus brings clarity to the confusion, peace in the trials and hope for our future.

Randi

Bible Blog November 6

November 6

Ezekiel 14:12-16:41

Hebrews 7:18-28

Psalm 106:1-12

Proverbs 27:4-6

 

With all that is going on in today's world we should draw close to God and share the word. We need to pay attention to what is happening in our surrounding environment and be aware of the enemy, they may give you false sweet advice and watch you fall.

The Law was not intended to save people but to point out sin and to focus on Christ. Salvation comes through Christ; whose sacrifice brings forgiveness of our sins. Being ethical and helping others are all commendable but all our good deeds cannot save us or make us right with God.

 

 How do we draw near to God? The Bible makes it clear that your body is Gods temple.

Your spirit yearns for closeness with God, we want to know God personally not as a concept or trend(thought). We can draw near God through prayer, worship and bible meditation and by using the word every day we draw nearer to God.

In today's world we all look to advisers such as lawyers, physicians, political leaders, as well as many Christians regard advise from priests and ministers, Christian friends or music before considering the words of Jesus written in the Bible. I can say that I am guilty of this and I have to constantly draw myself back into the word as I am "not spiritually being feed or satisfied". We need to align or allegiance and prioritize ourselves with the word of God. In Ezekiel we see the people of Judah sinning against the Lord, who will suffer however those can only save themselves by their righteousness. Daniel, Noah or Job could not save the people of Judah because God had already passed judgement on the nations evil. God was going to destroy Jerusalem as the people of Jerusalem were useless to God as they worshiped idols and became unfruitful. Are there any idols in our lives that are keeping us away from God? In Ezekiel 16, the message reminded Jerusalem of its former despised status amount the Canaanite nations. By using the imagery, we see a young baby growing to mature women hood, God reminded Jerusalem that he raised her from lowly state to great glory as his bride however she betrays Gods trust and prostituted herself also adopting pagan nations and their customs. This goes to show if we push God aside with work, family, education of pleasure we are abandoning him in the same way. Christ is our mediator between us and God and is the final sacrifice for us. Christ, the perfect sacrifice completed the work of redemption so that our sins are forgiven: past, present and future. Let us as a nation and church turn away from false Gods, Idols and not give into the narrow lonely path of sin. As we become more mature and wise let us never forget God is the one who gave us life. Let us stop and see what God has done in our-lives and all the miracles he has done for us: birth, personal development, family, salvation and you will see Gods power and loving intervention. I pray that we all draw nearer to God and leave behind the idols and sins of today's world and focus on the word, that when we are facing difficult situations that are ambiguous or when we find ourselves feeling lost, depressed, hurt or conflicted that we seek God first before all else. I pray this is Jesus name,

Amen.

Blog Post Monday November 5th

A Prayer For Our Heart Foundations To Be Right (Ezekiel 12:1-14:11)

Lord you are good and holy.  Your truth is precious and not something to take lightly or to muddle with our own opposing or self desiring thoughts.  You are patient beyond our understanding and gentle with those who are humble and sincere in heart.  Lord, you are also swift to end rebellion and reveal the consequence of disobedience.  You do this for the benefit of those you love, wanting to see hearts restored and lives brought back into the blessings your truth holds.  Lord may each of us today check the foundations of our hearts, our lives.  May we make sure that our thoughts and desires are based on you and your truths and not selfish gain or our own thoughts that have not been weighed against the truth of your word.  May we treasure and delight in time spent reading your word and may we make it the authority in our lives as well as the map that guides our steps in every circumstance we encounter.  Lord reveal any idols we have in our hearts, anything lord that we cherish more than you, anything that has greater delight in our lives than you, anything we do or put before you and the time we spend with you, Lord, any idols of this world we cherish in our hearts we ask you to reveal to us, to convict us and then strengthen us to remove them from the place of honor that only you deserve.  Lord those idols can prevent us from being able to hear you and to see clearly your truth and the best path for our lives.  These idols become a wedge between us and you and nothing should come between us, that is why Christ came to die on the cross so that the wedge of sin and shame would be removed and we would be restored to a right relationship with you.  Help us to remove the wedges, the idols we have set up Lord.  May we not be deceived by the lies that they offer and the empty promises they attach themselves to.  Lord help us to see clearly that you alone are the most precious gift we have.  Help us to see that you and your truth are the most important things we need in each day and when we put you and your truth first, when it is the foundation of our day and ultimately our lives we can live in a peace that transcends all understanding knowing that you will never leave us or forsake us but always be here for us to rest in and find joy in.  Thank you Lord for being who you are and loving me even when I fall short.  You truly are my good good Father.

AMEN

Sunday, November 4

" I will remove from them their heart  of stone and give them a heart of flesh. " Ezekiel 11:19

I am so glad that God knows our hearts so well, so intimately. The other day, during my prayer time,  God challenged me to set  aside 10 minutes and pray only for myself. No need to give thanks, or worship, just focus exclusively on self.

Torturous and awkward 10 minutes, but God showed me few things:

☐ My prayers were always so focused on others, because I needed them to be ok in order for me to be ok. Also, by focusing on them, I didn't need to look too closely at myself. Codependency?Idolatry? Or maybe just God saying: Child, there is a better way! People come and go from our lives but God never leaves us. It is much safer to build our well being on Him, rather than on human beings, no matter how much we love them. He promises never to leave us, never to abandon us. He is the absolute true love! He is our true Parent! 

☐ What is going to happen if I let go of control? How things are going to turn out? Is everyone going to make it?  I do understand intellectually that control is nothing but an illusion. It's the familiar evil. Control equals playing God.  Yet many times  out of fear, and need to protect others and myself, I go back to it. Letting go of control is inviting God to come in. It's allowing the infinite wisdom and love to invade my tiny universe. It's about saying "Yes" to the most influential Person in the universe.

☐ Mark Batterson in his book, Whisper, writes that God communicates with us through our desires.  During those 10 minutes of self -focused  prayer, I realized that I felt somehow guilty to talk about my wishes and desires. Somewhere along te way, I've learnt that to have desires before God is selfish, and therefore  should be avoided. Could it be that, when we ignore to present our wishes and desires to the Lord and to ourselves, we block an important channel of communication with God?

☐ What would it mean to live a life with God from the heart? A heart based relationship with Him?  Without all those  "shoulds". I heard a lot of those during my time with God. You should thank Him now, you should say something about His power, you should worship.  I find it comforting that God is  truth, and that  He sees straight into my heart. He is a safe place to practice authenticity.  

Lord, please touch our hearts, and make them completely in tune with You! 

#blog

November 3: Of Effort

Ezekiel 7:1-9:11

Hebrews 5:1-14

Psalm 105:1-15

Proverbs 26:28

Hebrews 5:11: We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

There was as a brief period where I thought all I had to do was sit in class and I would learn.  It didn't work.  Turned out, being there wasn't enough - to learn from the professor, I had to make an effort - to read the material he assigned, listen to his lectures, engage him in discussion, share the experience with my classmates, and struggle through the tests he gave. When I did that, at the end of the semester, I learned what the professor wanted me to learn. 

A relationship with God develops the same way.  God is there.  He's given us the material to read.  He wants us to engage Him in prayer.  He gives us people with which to share our experiences, so we might learn even more, through them.  And He sends us the tests He thinks necessary for us to learn the material, to build the relationship with Him.  

Just as it hurts our efforts to learn when we do not engage with the professor, it hurts our ability to get to know God if we do not engage with Him - for whatever reason.  "It's too difficult." "I don't have time."  "I have so many other things to do." Or the really delusional one I've used often enough - "I already know this stuff."  Whatever the excuse, the outcome is the same - no effort, no outcome.   Bad enough when we act that way in school, we lose a semester's worth of learning, tuition and fees.  Far worse when we act that way towards God.

Father, when we are tempted to arrogance or to laziness, remind us how little we understand, and of how much more we can get to know You, grow to love You, and learn to walk with You.  

Thursday, November 1

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2018

"See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end." (Hebrews 3:12-14)

The first three chapters of Hebrews introduce the reader to the superiority of Jesus Christ, highlighting His standing above both angels and Moses.  Chapters 4 to 6 then review the promise of God's rest for His people and how it involved not just physical and temporal components, but also spiritual and eternal ones.  Later, the author details how the Priesthood of Jesus Christ offers a once-for-all guarantee of a new covenant.  The book ends with encouragement to persevere and to take heart in the testimony of the saints and God's faithfulness.  I love the Book of Hebrews!

In this passage above and in other sections of the book, the author emphasizes the corporate nature of our faith.  Oftentimes in Wedtern culture, we may spend our time and energy focusing on our individual faith, considering others as only "bit players" in our story.  We might focus on our identity as a "child of God," not stopping to reflect that this identity actually then bonds us to other such children as a family.

The author of Hebrews encourages us to pursue our faith as a group.  He implies that, as Christ-followers, we bear responsibility for maintaining our trust in God so that we may testify to the group.  Those who "turn away" start with a "sinful, unbelieving" heart.  This call here to guard our hearts concerns not only us, but also the broader family of God.

We are called to encourage one another daily so that all might perservere.  The author of Hebrews mentions this concern about finishing well several times in the book, most notably in Hebrews 11 and 12.  The hope set before us and the testimony of Jesus's faithfulness carry us on, and they are great starting points for encouraging one another daily.

Hebrews reminds us that we grow stronger as a unified body, not as separated parts.  If you were to take an inventory, how are you doing in encouraging others to follow Christ?  How are you seeking daily encouragement?

Lord God, thank You for providing us with the testimony of Hebrews.  We seek to honor You today by trusting You.  Thank You for Your great faithfulness that never wavers or runs dry.  Thank You also for the family of God and for allowing us to encourage one another daily.  Give us the strength and courage to pursue our calling as a unified body—both at Grace Church and beyond. In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.