Thursday, May 9

THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019

7 When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 They said to Samuel, "Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines." 9 Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf, and the Lord answered him.

10 While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

13 So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel's territory. Throughout Samuel's lifetime, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

(1 Samuel 7:7-14)

Today, we encounter God's miraculous intervention on behalf of humble people whose needs only He can fulfill.  From these accounts, we understand how deeply God cares for His people and our submittedness to Him unlocks His power.

In the case of the Israelites and the Philistines, the Philistines captured the ark of the Lord, only to realize that God's wrathful power stood in opposition to their plans.  First, their god Dagon faced this power encounter; later, several towns discover their vulnerability before the only righteous God.  The Philistines wisely send the ark back to Israel, recognizing that they do not stand to benefit from keeping it.

With the return of the ark, Samuel takes the mantle of leadership and calls the people back to the Lord.  Israel faced a severe military threat from the Philistines, but God intervened through powerful miracles to preserve His people.  This intervention came as a result, it appears, of (1) God's care, (2) the people's need, and (3) their humility, expressed through prayer.  John 15:7,8; James 4:2,3; and 1 John 5:14,15 point out that God desires to answer prayer—that we will not have if we do not ask.  Yet, we can expect to receive if we ask for God's help in accordance with God's will.

Crucially, Samuel then remembers God's intervention with the stone named Ebenezer:  "Thus far has the Lord helped us."  This physical reminder encourages an upward-focused mindset and reinforces God's goodness among the people.

In the John 6 passage, we follow Jesus's feeding of the Five Thousand:  His multiplication of limited resources.  Crucially, the disciples participate in the distribution and end up collecting 12 basketfuls of leftover bread; from this, we gather that God desires to provide for those who minister before Him.

I would like to underscore that Jesus often speaks in terms of multiplication, not addition.  He indicates that those who are submitted to Him will multiply 30, 60, or 100 times.  Clearly, the feeding of the Five Thousand included such a multiplication.  Yet, many times, we sell short on God's multiplicative power.  In reflecting on this shortcoming for myself, I must admit that I fail to ask and to believe God for great things.  This faulty attitude contradicts the testimony of both Scripture and my own life.  Would you join me in praying for God's multiplicative power in our walks and for Grace Church today?

Lord God, thank You that Your power multiplies what little we have or supplies fresh power from Your heavenly storehouses.  We need this power poured out today.  There are many who are struggling without hope because they don't know You.  Even those who know You may be missing out on the fullness and abundance of the life You desire to live out through us.  Humble us before You and sharpen our desires to seek after what You would have for us.  Give us a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit so that we may glorify You today.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

Bible Blog 8th May 2019: Listening

 

 

Bible Blog 8^th May 2019: Listening

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22

John 5:24-47

Psalm 106:1-12

Proverbs 14:30-31

 

Eli's story is a clear warning for us, as Eli's sons knew better and they continued to disobey God deliberately by seducing, Robbing and cheating people. Any sin is wrong but sin carried out deliberately and deceitful he is the worst sorts. When we sin intentionally the consequences will be more severe. We must not ignore Gods warnings about sin, before sin becomes a way of life we must abandon it. We also see Eli watching his sons sin and not doing any disciplinary action, he honored his sons more than God by letting them continue this sinful way.  Is there a situation in your life, family or work that you allow to continue even if you know it is wrong? If so you may become guilty as those engaged in the wrong act. Listening and responding is vital in a relationship with God. Although God does not always use the sound of a human voice, he always speaks clearly through his word. To receive his message is we must be ready to listen and act upon what he tells us. Like Samuel be ready to say "Speak Lord for your servant is listening" when God calls you to action.

 

In finding faithful followers, God may use unexpected channels. So we must be prepared for the Lord to work at any place at any time, through any one he chooses. God given joys may seem empty when sin dominates our lives.

But there is always hope, and in John 5:24-47 it says for those who accept Jesus and the word will have eternal life. In our daily lives let us seek God's love and not others let us give praise to Jesus and appreciate what God has done in our lives,

Amen                 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 14:30-31

" A Heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones. Whoever oppressed the poor shows contempt for their maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God".

 

 

May 4: Of the Illusion of Self Sufficiency

Judges 19:1-20:48

John 3:22-4:3

Psalm 104:24-35

Proverbs 14:22-24

The tragedy narrated in today's OT reading begins with the verse "In those days Israel had no king."  I am going to cheat a bit and reference tomorrow's reading as well - Judges 21:25, which repeats the verse above, but elaborates a bit more: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."  

Israel had ceased to obey, even to acknowledge the Lord.  And so each acted according to his or her own wishes.  Hence we see the unfaithful concubine, the wicked men of Gibeah, the cowards that were the Levite and the owner of the house, the unrepentant Benjamites.  

Guided only by their interests, they made choices which led to tragedy upon tragedy.  A dead woman.  A war within Israel.  Ultimately, the almost complete destruction of the tribe of Benjamin.  

How often have your choices turned out wrong?  How often were you so certain you were making the right choice, only to find you'd made a mistake, and now had to bear consequences you'd not imagined, obstacles you are now unable to overcome?  Contrast this with the Lord the psalmist describes, to whom all creatures look and who gives them "their food at the proper time", so that "they are satisfied with good things".  

Father I confess to a persistent and sinful insistence on my own self sufficiency.  Help me to learn to live with You as my King.  Make my choices for me - set my course, guide my actions.  Help me to look to You, so that I, too, might be "satisfied with good things."

May 3

John 3

 

Several years ago, a newspaper on the East Coast carried a story of a woman who was traveling home one evening when she noticed a huge truck driving right behind her. Thinking it was too close, she stepped on the gas. But the truck sped up too. Soon they were racing down the highway. Frightened, she pulled off the freeway, but the truck stayed right behind her. By this time she was panicked, so she drove up to a gas station and leaped out of the car, screaming. The truck driver pulled in right behind her, jumped out of his truck and ran to her car, and opened the back door. There, crouched behind her seat, was a hunted rapist. The truck driver, from his high vantage point, had seen him. He was pursuing the woman, not to harm her, but to keep her from being harmed.

 

This is the picture of Jesus in John 3. From his vantage point he sees the danger of sin and darkness in our car. Jesus came from heaven to save us from sin and darkness.  The sad commentary from Jesus is that we would rather keep these two enemies in our cars than turn to him. Our greater fear is turning our lives over to him. In the end, we have rejected Jesus' heavenly perspective and chosen not to believe his testimony.  Rather than stopping the car and running to Jesus, we say, "No way is he going to tell me what to do."

 

Today, surrender your life to the testimony of Jesus.

 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, May 2

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2019

 

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

 

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

 

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

 

(John 2:8b-12)

 

 

Today, we read of Jesus’s first miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding of Cana.  This miracle appears fairly unique in its scope and audience.  In many of Jesus’s miracles, he brings healing or fulfills a “need.”  This miracle, however, concentrates on bringing joy to this wedding party -- and helping the hosts to avoid the embarrassment of missing the mark on the typical social standard for weddings.  It is possible that wedding feasts might have proceeded for several days, perhaps lasting up to a week.

 

Jesus’s approach to the miracle indicates that He doesn’t wish to attract attention to Himself, but rather to bless this assembled group of common people.  When His mother recognizes the problem and suggests that He become involved, He tells her:  “My hour has not yet come.”  Later, He involves the servants in the miracle by asking them to fill the jars with water -- tying somewhat to the disciples’ contributions at the feeding of the Five Thousand.  The miracle points to God’s desire to bless and use His children that are willing to surrender what little we have in order that the blessing might overflow through His multiplication.

 

The “master of the banquet” likely came as a guest but bore some responsibilities as a master of ceremonies (“emcee”).  When he tastes the wine, he calls the bridegroom aside and celebrates the goodness of the wine:  “... but you have saved the best till last.”  Putting ourselves in the bridegroom’s shoes, he had faced embarrassment at not providing enough at the wedding, only to have this miraculous turn of events.  We can imagine that He praised God for this great provision.

 

John refers to this miracle as a “sign” and notes that Jesus “revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”  A commentator explains that, while the present circumstances are indeed miraculous, the sign points beyond just Cana to fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 35:1,2; Joel 3:18; and Amos 9:13).  From those passages, we understand that Messiah would bring salvation and redemption even to creation.  In the place of creation’s distress, they would find wine of joy flowing fully.  This first miraculous sign suggests the beginning of that fulfillment.

 

How may we celebrate the “God sightings” that we witness each day or week?  How do we think about them?  Talk about them?  Whenever we find ourselves able to see God’s glory and goodness, we may deepen our joy and bless others by noting them with gratitude and an eagerness to share about the blessing.  We may rejoice in how God cares for us, common people, and desires to include us in His Kingdom and the story of redemption.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for Your many miracles and signs.  Help us to embrace Your work in our lives and in this world.  Encourage us through revealing Your glory and goodness.  We give thanks to You today, knowing that You are the giver of all good gifts.  We love You and honor You.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Difficult Stories

April 30, 2019

Judges 11-12, John 1:1-28, Psalms 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14

Who is God? And what is He like? In John Piper's Desiring God curriculum, first graders are taught about the letter S- Sovereign and the letter I- Incomprehensible. We made a big deal that 6 and 7 year olds were learning these words and that there are 16 letters in this covert big word. Judges 11 brings these two words to life about the character of God and to be honest and vulnerable, this is one of my least favorite, shake my head stories in the Bible. I remember reading this story a few years ago and being angry and God. How could He allow this? Accept this? In His omniscience and power, why did he let Jephthah's daughter come out first? A goat, lamb, or cat would have been just fine. Sigh. 

I have reread this story many times through the years and have even reached out to more knowledgeable and wise people to help me process this story. While rereading, I have tried to draw lessons from it and asked God to reveal His love through it. What is the bright side in all this? A man sacrificing his only daughter to win a war? To be accepted by a family and people who shunned Him? An innocent girl dying at the hands of her father for a vow he made? These are hard questions, but these are some of the lessons I have drawn. 

1. Even though life was hard, Jephthah loves God and was faithful to him. He was the illegitimate son of a prostitute, driven away from his family, no inheritance, and fell into the wrong crowd. Even still, God had a plan for him and used to him to deliver the nation of Israel. 
2. His daughter also loved God- she followed, obeyed, and remained faithful. When Jephthah explained the vow he made to God, she understood. She didn't argue (that we know of), she didn't walk away, escape, or anything like that. Her heart (as was Jephthah's) was broken and she mourned. There is nothing wrong with her reaction and how she felt. She was maybe more faithful to God's sovereign will than I would have. 
3. The cross. Scripture will always point to the cross in some way or another. A loving father sacrificing their only child for the salvation of the nation. It's probably the most impossible task I can ever imagine, but it's a love, faith, and trust in the Father God. 

Judges 11 is still a hard story for me to read and accept sometimes because I mourn for the daughter. I don't think it's fair. But I know that God has a mighty plan that goes beyond that chapter and on my tiny window of life. I pray that God gives me faith and trust like these people. 

May 1

The story of the birth of Samson is kind of interesting.  Here we see Israel once again in the cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, deliverance, blessing, and back to sin. Into these times the next judge of Israel is born, Samson. In a way, we get a sense that Samson was truly a man of his times. When we look at his life we find him to be a man of great strengths and great weaknesses, much like the nation of Israel, and much like all of us. Keeping our frail human nature in mind, what I found so interesting in this account of Samson's birth is Manoah's prayer to the "angel of Lord" after his wife's encounter."O Lord, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."  (v.8) Then again, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?" First of all, let's recognize that God encounters are real. Let's also see through this that Manoah's cry to God shows us that we should always look up for answers on whatever situation we are facing. Manoah wanted to know how to raise his son. I have made many mistakes as a parent and I wonder how different life might have been if I had only asked God first.  Not just as a parent, but in life in general.  Today's Proverb teaches us "A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless"  I wonder how different even Samson's life would have been in his moments of weakness if he followed his father's example and asked God first. What about you, what do you need guidance about?  Like the nation of Israel, and like Samson, are you somewhere in the cycle between strength and weakness?  Like Manoah, do you need guidance?  I pray we all remember to "look up" today.  Lord, forgive me for all the times I haven't asked you how to raise my children, and for all the times I have been reckless in many areas in my life because I didn't look up to You first. By the power of Your Spirit remind us to look up before we speak or act. Stir Your Spirit within us Lord so that we can be mighty vessels to bring glory to Your Kingdom whether we are parenting, working, or even when we feel the darkness is closing in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Nx2hEhVRE

Randi

In this light, we can also see him as a picture of Israel's history both during this period and throughout the general stories we've been reading. In both the nation of Israel and in Samson we see a picture of great heights and deep lows. So as we begin our story, we find that because of Israel's sin and rebellion, God gained their attention once again by bringing them under the power of the Philistines.