November 28: Of Deceptive Conflation

Daniel 5:1-31

2 Peter 2:1-22

Psalm 119:113-128

Proverbs 28:19-20

In your humble writer's opinion, one of the greatest deceptions being perpetrated today is the one of "conflation", which the Cambridge Dictionary defines as "the actor or process of combining two or more separate things into one whole, especially pieces of text or ideas".  This is where a person insists that a sinner and a sin be conflated, and says that if a Christian does not accept the sin, neither do they love the sinner.  And typically follows it up with an accusation of hatefulness and dishonesty - "I thought you said you were a Christian?  If you were, how could you hate a person?"

What's tragic is that many well intentioned people fall for this.  They don't want to be hateful; they don't even want to be in a position where they might be accused of hatefulness.  So they capitulate.  They choose to condone the sin.  Peter explains how their situation is made much worse.  If, by their good intentions, they had begun to escape "the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning."  I struggled with this until I realized it meant that, the sinner believing he was now living righteously, he no longer had reason to change.  

It's worse for the deceivers.  Peter doesn't mince words, comparing them with angels sent to hell and put "in chains of darkness to be held for judgment".  He makes clear what he thinks is in store for such people, comparing them to the "ancient world when He brought flood on its ungodly people" and "the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah [which He] made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly."

How then do we avoid both temptations - to be deceiver, and to be deceived?  Today's psalm gives us good guidance.  

1. First, we cleave to God's Word.  "I hate double-minded people, but I love Your law.  You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your word."  
2. Then, having clung ferociously to His word, we come against the deceivers, the deception, and the temptation to deceive. "Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God."
3. And when our strength flags, as it inevitably will, we cry out to Him: "Sustain me, my God, according to Your promise, and I will live…uphold me, and I will be delivered."

Father, Satan is working overtime, and to us his packaging can look really enticing.  Please protect us, and open our hearts, minds and eyes to the deception of conflation, and remind us that to love someone is to want for them not necessarily what THEY want for themselves, but what YOU want for them. 

November 27: Of God-Begotten Transformations

Daniel 4:1-37

2 Peter 1:1-21

Psalm 119:97-112

Proverbs 28:17-18

In the Old and New Testament readings today, two people who seem as different as chalk and cheese.  Nebuchadnezzar, earthly king and conqueror, builder of the majestic city of Babylon who answered to no one; and Peter, modestly successful fisherman, arrogant coward.  

Yet today we read the former abandon his arrogance and his gods, and confess God's existence and nature, declaring Him God the Most High, honoring and glorifying "Him who lives forever".  And we read the depth of the arrogant, uneducated fisherman's insight when he writes of faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love.  Peter?  Self control, from the man who cut off the servant's ear?  Perseverance from the man who could not stay the course that terrible night till the rooster crowed?

Two people, so different, coming from and heading toward different places, yet both transformed, and brought to the same place, the same conclusion about the existence and sovereignty of our God.  How?  Not by their own hand, but by God's.  And no, it wasn't easy.

But think of this: the same God who knew what it would take, and how long it would take, to change Nebuchadnezzar's heart so he would glorify God, and Peter's heart so he would be ready and willing to put aside "the tent of this body" - that God is the God who knows us as well, knows what we need in order to turn to Him the same way.  The God who called both those men to holiness calls us to the same thing as well.  And He's willing to do whatever it takes.

If you are like me, you will have days of frustration, despair and hopelessness even.  You wonder why.  You wonder what the point of it all is.  You wonder whether or not it is worth going on.  A job, perhaps.  Or being a parent.  Or a spouse.  Or even trying to be a Christian.  Where do we find the how?

Thankfully, Peter is pretty straight up with us. In verses 2-4, he makes it clear.  First, he reassures us that the grace and peace that we sometimes struggle to find can be ours - and IN ABUNDANCE! - if we get to know God and Jesus our Lord.  And he even tells us how God's divine power has given us everything - EVERYTHING! - we need for a godly life, not a helpless, hopeless one.  

Father, when we struggle, remind us that if you could change, and cared enough to change, both Nebuchadnezzar and Peter, then you care enough to change us as well, and will do whatever it takes to call us to holiness.  Then, when we struggle through the transformation You ordained, help us to get to know You, and to receive the grace and peace You promised came with the relationship.

Thursday, November 26

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

 

“Your word, Lord, is eternal;

    it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

    you established the earth, and it endures.

Your laws endure to this day,

    for all things serve you.” (Psalm 119:89-91)

 

 

On this Thanksgiving Day, we pause to give thanks for God’s faithfulness to us over this trying and tumultuous year.  Like Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we found ourselves cast into the fire of COVID-19’s dangers and major economic and social repercussions.  We have regrettably become disconnected from family and friends out of caution.  Our hearts hurt in grappling with the losses that we have faced.

 

Yet, God has remained faithful and steadfast.  His love has not faded, and His Word stands firm.  As this year has demonstrated, our trust in smaller things can quickly fail us, but God will not.  In our toughest moments, we cling to His sovereignty and recognize how much we need Him and His presence.

 

Daniel and his friends provided outstanding examples of trusting God through the trials of life.  Instead of looking for the “easy out” of bowing to Babylon’s pressures, they instead maintained their commitment to God.  Please meditate on this bold declaration of trust:  “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17,18)

 

God did indeed deliver them from the furnace, sending the pre-incarnate Jesus into the fire to rescue these faithful servants.  Importantly, we see their heart:  that their trust lay in God Himself, not their circumstances.

 

Which fires has God brought you through this year?  Have you recorded these examples in a journal or at least shared with family and friends?  How have you become more convinced of God’s faithfulness this year?

 

 

Lord God, thank You for Your tremendous faithfulness to us.  Help us to grow in trust and to look to Your character in times of fiery trials.  Preserve our dear family and friends during these days of COVID-19 and many other struggles, from economic loss to loneliness.  Bring healing to our relationships and to our country.  Help us to carry a spirit of thanksgiving forward from today.  In Jesus’s mighty Name, amen.

November 25

Daniel 1

Think of when you transitioned into adulthood and left home. Maybe your first experience of leaving home was going to college or maybe you left and got married. In every case, transitioning is hard and adjustments have to be made. Now let's take  look at Daniel who, at age 12 or 13 was torn from his home, put into exile, and enrolled in an extensive training program designed to transform him into a Babylonian bureaucrat. This new culture came into direct conflict with the clear instructions of God's word that was ingrained on Daniel's heart. As I was reading  this I was wondering what's the take away from all this? As Christians we aren't in exile but, like Daniel, are we not under pressure to compromise our values? Don't we daily come into conflict with situations that go against God's word which is engraved in our hearts? There is so much to learn here from Daniel's attitude and actions about how to respond when our Biblical values are challenged. It's hard to always know what to do but I think one simple measure to keep in mind is will what I do or say bring glory to God? As we read through Daniel we see incredible character fueled  by unwaivering faith. I pray for all of us that by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit we have the wisdom to obey the word of God which is engraved on our hearts when we feel the pressure of the word calling us to compromise.

Randi

The Weary World Rejoices

Today's Bible reading: November 24th

Focus verse

Psalm 119:50 - my comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life

2020. I'd say this year has been a rollercoaster, and while there have been ups and downs, there sure have been a lot of downs! Don't get me wrong, there are gifts to experience on a daily basis, and I have been able to enjoy numerous blessings this year including expanding our home projects and my husband getting a new job that we've been praying for for years.

We're now in November. Personally, I'm getting continually tired... My work situation is draining me as I hear "covid positive" on a regular basis and have to make notifications, put safeguards in place, and counsel staff and residents through this scary time. Weary is truly how I have felt over the past few weeks. Many of us have pushed through this year and excessively exerted ourselves. How do we seek comfort in our suffering? In our times of weariness? 

In Psalm 119 (which is a super long Psalm!) the psalmist suggests that we can be comforted in our suffering, and that God's promise is what preserves us: keeps us safe, protects us, guards us, and keeps us from decaying. God's promises are numerous. He promises to be gracious, to be with us, to fight for us, to strengthen us, to give us peace, to love us with unfailing love, to use all things for good. And it doesn't end there. The more of the Bible that we read, the more promises we discover. Our bitter hearts become softened.

Comfort from God doesn't take away the challenges we are facing, but it can change our attitude and perspective as we go through the trials. God's Word has revived me. His promises are so much more than I deserve. As we prepare to enter the season of Advent, we can reflect on God sending His son into our world as a baby. This amazing gift to us is the fulfillment of so many promises, most importantly, the gift of eternal life outside of this broken world. A thrill of hope… And if that isn't reason to rejoice, I don't know what is!

November 21: Of James’s Four P’s

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27

James 5:1-20

Psalm 119:1-16

Proverbs 28:6-7

For someone who used to doubt and disrespect his older brother, James turned out ok, didn't he?  

I read today's NT reading and couldn't help but think of four P's: Priorities, Prayer, Patience and Perseverance.  James is pretty clear about what our Priorities should be - not luxury and self indulgence obtained possibly by cheating and stealing.  No, he talks about how our lives should be lived in ways as to help turn "a sinner from the error of their way".  And not just for the sinner's benefit, but for ours.

And how are we to do this?  With Prayer.  James makes clear we are to pray in all circumstances - good, bad, ill, even in sin.  We are to pray because those "offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up", and "if they have sinned, they will be forgiven."

But what to do when our prayers seem to go unanswered?  Again James is clear: we are to be Patient.  Things happen in their proper time, so we are to wait as "the farmer waits for the land to y field its valuable crop".  We are to wait patiently, without grumbling.  And we are to Persevere through the struggle for which we have prayed, just as Job did.  We are able to do so because we can trust in the Lord's compassion and mercy.

My youngest, a junior in high school, spoke up at the dinner table today, expressing tremendous anger and frustration at the pandemic and its disruptions.  I understand.  When I was his age, I went to school, I swam, and I hung out with friends.  He is denied all three.  I'd like for him to learn James's Four P's, but anyone who has tried to raise teenagers knows this not when they are at their most receptive.  What then to do?

Well first, I will prioritize.  I will try and spend time with him this week, giving him time to vent his frustrations.  And then hopefully I can encourage him to pray - alone, perhaps together, for the challenging conditions, the coronavirus and all who've been afflicted.  After that, I hope to model patience - to wait upon the Lord in faith.  And when, inevitably, he experiences doubt, I hope to help him persevere, with words of encouragement.

Father, during this difficult time, instead of worldly objectives, help us make it our priority to live lives that will point sinners back to you.  Teach us to pray for what You want, to be patient and wait on Your schedule, and when afflicted by doubt, to persevere in the knowledge of Your love and compassion.

November 20: Of a Parent’s Love

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26

James 4:1-17

Psalm 118:19-29

Proverbs 28:3-5

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

How often have you had to say no to your child?  How much did it hurt to see the look of disappointment on their faces, even hear their words of anger?  And, as you refused them their request, how much did you wish they'd asked for something else, something good for them, so that the very love that prevented you from granting their wish this time would have gladly acceded instead?  

The way James describes it, that seems to be exactly the way it is with God.  He wants to give us good things - "if it is the Lord's will".  He wants us to "come near to [Him] and He will come near to [us]". But He cannot, when we chase what we want for ourselves, instead of seeking what He wants for us.  The psalmist agrees with James - he writes of the aspiration to "give You thanks, for You answered me".  He declares that God wants to answer us. 

What then should we do that we learn to seek what God wants for us?  Perhaps we might begin by acknowledging our finiteness.  Perhaps we should pretend not to know on our own what is good for us; perhaps even confess that we have no way of knowing what is to come - not even "what will happen tomorrow".  Or that our lives have any guarantee of duration - for we "are a mist that appears for a little while, then vanishes".

When we confess all that, when we acknowledge our dependence on HIm, perhaps then we are transformed from the proud God opposes, to the humble on whom He shows favor.  And then, perhaps, we might receive the spirit He jealously longs to cause to dwell in us, we might receive His grace.  And then, like children who listen to their parents, we will know what to ask so that He will give - freely, abundantly.

Father, break us of the pride that leads to pretensions of self sufficiency and omniscience.  Remind us not just of our imperfections, but the incomprehensible blessing we have in a perfect, omnipotent and loving Father who wants us to give the perfect good things only He knows  we want and need.  

Nov. 18

Ezekiel 37 

The Old Testament Prophets spoke the authoritative word directly from what they heard God say. So when Ezekiel says things like "thus says the Lord" or God says "Prophesy and say", Ezekiel is speaking what he hears God telling him to say. What an incredible gift, but that can be for another blog.  In today's reading, Ezekiel is witnessing God bring the valley of dry bones back together. Here's what stood out to me in this part of the passage though, until God's breath entered the dry bones, they were still nothing but dry bones. God's Ruach brings life. (Genesis 2:7) God says that the dry bones are the house of Israel, spiritually cut off, with no hope. God told Ezekiel to call His breath into "the slain" so that they may live. (v9) God promised he would put His spirit into them and as the breath entered them, they stood up on their feet. Who is "them" in this passage? The dry bones referred to? The lost? The slain? The people of Israel crying out God? Could it also be you and me, or those who have walked away, lost faith and hope? My biggest take away from this passage is that the Spirit of the living God is the only hope for life. We live, move and have our being in Christ. (Acts 17:28) The essence of who we are isn't found in the building we attend on Sunday, it is found in the Ruach Ha Kodesh and when we find ourselves cut off, God is but a cry away.  I can't lie, there are days my bones are dry and I find myself face down on the floor crying out to God for a fresh filling of His spirit. I cry out for those who, like the house of Israel, are spiritually cut off and feel like there is no hope and those whose works are done out of their own strength and are disconnected from God. God told Ezekiel to call dry bones back to life and by the power of His Spirit, the breath of God brought new life. Now more than ever is the time for the body of Christ to rise and speak life. By the power of the Ruach within us, cry out for dry bones to come to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XAeyFagceQ

Blessings,

Randi

Bible Blog Post - November 17, 2020

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38

James 1:1-18

Psalm 116:1-19

Proverbs 27:23-27 

James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:12  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Google defines perseverance as:  persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.  James reminds us that we will experience trials of many kinds throughout our lives.  He also explains what is promised to us when we persevere and walk right with Christ during those challenging times - the crown of life.

When difficult situations arise, you may naturally begin to fall into a negative mindset, losing your patience, replacing compassion and kindness with bitterness and resentment, and allowing your feelings to control your reactions.  However difficult your trials may be, they do not have the power to defeat you when God is your stronghold.  Instead, try to view these trials as opportunities to grow in your faith and grow as an individual.  God allows us to experience these difficulties for a purpose that we may never understand, but we do know that throughout our many trials in life, we can gain experience, knowledge, wisdom, character and a closer relationship with God.  This is something we can find joy in.

Amanda and Anthony

Bible Blog Post - November 15, 2020

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32 

Hebrews 12:14-29 

Psalm 113:1-114:8 

Proverbs 27:18-20 

Proverb 27:19  As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.

Just as you can look into a placid lake, see your reflection and get a glimpse of your outward appearance, you can also look at your life's choices and see where your heart is.

What is your heart focused on?  What do you prioritize in your life?  I think this verse presents us with a wonderful opportunity to do a self-check and see what our hearts are really focused on.

This week let's try an exercise.  Grab a journal and take note of the things that occupy your time each day.  You can categorize your daily activities into three groups, such as morning, afternoon and evening.  Jot down what you do!

Por ejemplo:

Morning	Wake up at 6:30, make coffee, have breakfast, read God's Word, pray and start work.
Afternoon	Each lunch, get through meetings, look over assignments, email parents.
Evening	Continue emailing parents, grade, order a new fleece on the L.L. Bean website, have dinner, play with the cat, watch Netflix, text my mom, pass out on the couch, shower, pass out in bed.

After journaling your activities each day, take a look and see where your heart is and where your priorities lay.  Is a focus on God your number one priority?  Is work?  Is your family?  Where did your money go this week?

Then, reflect.  Are your actions a reflection of God's love, or are you just doing what you have to do for yourself, your family, your job, etc.?  Are you making time for God and for the work that He calls you to do?  I know that for myself, it's easy to lose focus and prioritize other things and people before Him, but when I do that, I clearly see that I am not the best version of myself.  I see this reflected in my heart, my words, my actions and my thoughts.  Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of what we truly spend our time and money on each day, so journaling can help bring things to light.

Dear Lord, please help each of us to see our heart as clearly as we see our reflection in water.  Please reveal any selfish ways within us that are getting in the way of us reflecting the love that you desire.  Amen.

November 14: Of our Father’s Discipline

Ezekiel 29:1-30:26

Hebrews 11:32-12:13

Psalm 112:1-10

Proverbs 27:17

Discipline is hard.  As difficult as I remember it when I was a kid (and yes, my parents were great disciplinarians, and I will forever be grateful to them for that) it is even harder as an adult.  As a kid, my parents told me what I did wrong, and what they were trying to teach me.  They administered the discipline, and whether it was a smack on the bottom or being grounded for a week, you knew when it was going to end. 

As adults, it's different.  Be it the coronavirus, or employment issues, or problems with your spouse or with your kids, or any other such thing, we know God permits these things for our good.  They are HIs discipline.  But two things worth noting: first, we may not know what God is trying to teach us.  And second, we don't know how long the discipline is going to last.  Faced with that,  one is prone to fall into despair, to give up.  To fall into depression, to leave a marriage, to end a life even.  How do we respond?

1. We could start by remembering others have survived worse.  Because in our struggle to sin, we "have not yet resisted to the point of shedding [our] blood.  
2. We can try to capture encouragement by reminding ourselves that this is given by Someone who loves us unfathomably…"because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.
3. We can remember, as the psalmist says, that "those who fear the Lord" - those who know Him - are "blessed" and "find great delight in His commands" - even the difficult ones.  
4. And we can cling to Paul's acknowledgement that "no discipline seems pleasant…but painful", and his promise that "it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Discipline isn't easy.  But perhaps we might cry out to God for the faith we need to endure, to persist, to testify to God's love "since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses".  Let us cry out for the strength to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."  And to run the race to the finish, where Jesus waits. 

Father, discipline isn't easy, and it seems to get harder the older we get.  Give us patience, fortitude and strength to persevere, and submission to be transformed, so that we come to You at the finish line, and don't give up early.  

November 13: Of Fathers, Fear and Faith

Ezekiel 27:1-28:26

Hebrews 11:17-31

Psalm 111:1-10

Proverbs 27:15-16

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.  He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." - Hebrews 11:17

Our youngest turned 16 the other day.  He isn't all that tall, but he is massive.  Strong.  He swims for a team, so very fit.  At sixteen, with a scraggly goatee he is trying to grow out, he is strong enough to climb a mountain with a load of wood on his back, like Isaac did.  And he is at the beginning of the range of ages historians suggest Isaac was when Abraham agreed to sacrifice him, as God had commanded.

Reading the first line in today's NT reading, and then hugging my son tonight, it hit me.  It hit me how well Abraham must have known the Lord, to quell the rebellion of a father's love for his son, to set aside the knowledge of his aged wife and the singular miracle of his late birth, to look past what was conceivable and declare with conviction that, though he couldn't possibly know how, God's promise that he would have descendants that would outnumber the stars was STILL going to come to pass.

Perhaps hardest of all, he had to have known the Lord so well that he was able to look at his only beloved son, and entrust him to God, to trust that God loved him more than Abraham did, despite what He had asked Abraham to do.  

I don't have that faith. I'm just calling a spade a spade, straight up, I don't.  But I'll tell you what, if having that kind of faith means God tests you this way - and remember, in Abraham's mind, Isaac was a dead man walking.  He had no idea God was going to spare Isaac - if he did, it wouldn't have been a demonstration of faith! - if having that faith means God tests you this way, I am not sure I want it.  Not just because I fear the test, I also fear I would fail it.  

This reading is timely.  The pastor of my parents' church just completed a 9 sermon series on raising Godly children.  The final step was to entrust them to the Lord, who is always going to love them more and nurture them more than parents ever could, in ways we might not be able to understand.  Which is why, all the more, for our children's sakes, we, their parents, have to get to know the Lord deeply, intimately, to a point our faith is independent of our circumstances.

Father, as the father of the possessed boy cried, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."  The children we love are in the best care when they are in Your care.  Give us such faith that we never become impediments to the development of their relationship with You.

Thursday, November 12

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see....  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6)

In Hebrews 11, the writer introduces us to the Hall of Faith, pointing out the testimony of God's and human faithfulness in the Old Testament.  Through each of the characters, we see an expectant longing, looking forward to the great fulfillment that we, as the Church, have received:  "For he [Abraham] was looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God....  All these people were. Still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive them things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth."

Remembering back to our study earlier this year on 1 Peter, the Church may carry a similar mentality through our own lives.  We are exiles, living in a country not our own.  We live in this world, but our Kingdom is not of this world.  Our citizenship lies in heaven, not here.

Hebrews notes that faith involves "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  Many times, faith can seem ethereal, intangible.  Yet, our faith is not in faith itself, but rather the Object of faith, God Himself.  God brings revelation of Himself through nature, through His Word, and by His Holy Spirit.  Our part involves opening our hearts, minds, and eyes to receive what He wishes to reveal to us.

Hebrews and other New Testament letters make clear that faith grows when we earnestly seek God.  An extremely powerful prayer might include this line:  "God, please reveal Yourself more deeply to me; I want to know You better."  I have always found Him to be faithful to the promise of Hebrews 11:6, and the reward of His fuller revelation is itself increased faith and confidence in God Himself.

One other observation:  The heroes in this Hall of Faith could not have continued in what were sometimes treacherous journeys if they were not confident of God's walking beside them.  The enduring presence and friendship of God keeps us walking towards Him.  He strengthens our faith through that presence.  How have you experienced His presence recently?

Lord God, thank You for being the rightful Object of our faith.  Thank You for increasing our faith through a fuller revelation of Your character and deeds.  Help us to know You better today and to remove any distractions towards that goal.  Deepen our confidence as we sense Your enduring presence and friendship.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.

"Open the Eyes of My Heart":  https://youtu.be/ViBNqNukgzE

Nov. 11

Psalm 109

A few years ago I had been involuntarily transferred from one school to another. It truly was the first time I had ever worked anywhere and I was not welcomed from the day I arrived. It was a nightmare that lasted for two years until the opportunity to apply for a transfer came about. There are many notes in my Bible next to this Psalm and as I read it again I was reminded of the highlighted verse "Help me O lord my God, save me in accordance with your love." As I look back over that time in my life, as uncomfortable as it all was, I now see how God's hand never left me. I see now how God in fact saved me, the opportunity to transfer was truly in God's timing, and I learned through the experience the reason I was put there to begin with. How about you? Someone who is reading this is going through a hard time and the cry is "God, save me in accordance with your love". I just want to encourage you, Jesus loves you and He is at the right hand of the needy one to save his life from those who condemn him. (v.31) David kept his eyes fixed on God and the answer to his enemies was prayer. He shows us that as counter intuitive as it may sound, praying and singing praises to our Lord is the way to lift our souls while we wait for God to answer our prayers.

Randi

Blog post 10th November, 2020

Bible Blog

1 Ezekiel 21:1-22:31

2 Hebrew 10:1-17

Psalm 108: 1-13

Proverbs 27:12

Today's reading Psalm stood out to me. It shows that we can Pray to God anywhere and anytime, and this strengthens your relationship with him. 

According to google, prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. 

Do our prayers end with requests for help to make it through stressful situations? David prayed not merely for rescue, but for victory. With God's help, we can claim more than mere survival, we can claim victory! Look for ways God can use your distress as an opportunity to show his mighty power. 

I pray that when we are in a good or bad situation or feeling high or low that we pray to God whatever it may be, and allow God's  word to move you, to listen and be still to what God may may be telling us, 

Amen

--

Aimee Spencer

Bible Blog Post - Sunday, November 8, 2020

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14

Hebrews 9:1-10

Psalm 106:32-48

Proverbs 27:10

You may have grown up in a family that went to church every Sunday, with righteous parents who did their best to lay a good foundation for your future.  Some of you may have grown up in a dysfunctional family that didn't consider a relationship with God and following His commands a priority.  Others may have grown up in a family with a focus on God, but still witnessed many sinful acts.  These are only three examples of the many variations of how one can grow up.  It's true that someone can become a product of their environment, but it is also true that individuals can break free from familial patterns.  In today's reading in Ezekiel, we are reminded that we are only responsible for our own choices and actions, not those of our parents, nor those of our children, or those of the environment we grew up in.  With that said, it's important to note that while we are not punished for the sins of others, we can unfortunately still fall victim to the consequences of the sins of others.

If you lived a life of sin, but then showed true remorse, repented and changed your ways, God is merciful and compassionate and will wipe those sins away, welcoming you with open arms.  It doesn't bring Him joy to see His children put to death for their choices.  How we repent has changed because of Jesus.  Today's passage from Hebrews illustrates the Most Holy Place within the tabernacle as a place that was visited once a year to repent for sins, and only the high priest was allowed to do this.  There, he would repent for his own sins and the sins of all of the people.  This is a huge contrast with our relationship with God today because we now have the ability to repent directly to Him.  This was mentioned in Matthew 27:51 when the death of Jesus resulted in the curtain of the temple being torn in two.

Thanks to Jesus, we can be in a relationship with God at all times.  It's important to find your identity in Christ, not fall into the trap of letting yourself be defined by your past choices/actions, your experiences or the opinions of others.  If you currently find yourself in the wrong, you should consider repenting to God, correcting your ways and realigning your focus in Christ.

Amanda and Anthony

November 7: Of the Blessing of a 16-Year Old’s Self Awareness

Ezekiel 16:42-17:24

Hebrews 8:1-13

Psalm 106:13-31

Proverbs 27:7-9

Sometimes I am in awe of my almost-16 year old's self awareness and maturity.  We were chatting the other day about some friends who'd gotten themselves into a bit of trouble, and he matter-of-factly made a simple point: you can choose your actions, but you cannot choose the consequences of your choices.  

In today's psalm we are reminded of Dathan and Abiram, who chose to rebel against Moses and Aaron, the Lord's chosen leaders.  By the free will God gave all mankind, they could make that choice.  But they could not dictate what consequences they would face, nor upon whom those consequences would fall.  The Lord chose to have the earth swallow them up, and not just them, but their families as well.  Furthermore, "fire came out form the Lord and consumed the 250 [followers of Korah] who were offering incense."

To some, such punishment would seem to contradict the idea of an all-good, all loving God.  How could such a God mete out such punishment?  Or worse, condemn a sinner to an eternity of damnation and suffering?  

Norman Geisler, in the book he and Ravi Zacharias edited, called "Who Made God?" asks and answers this question.  Paraphrasing his citation of CS Lewis, he notes that there are "only two kids of people in the end: those who say to God, 'They will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, "thy will be done."  Lewis put it well: "The door of hell is locked on the inside", and as Geisler says, "all who go there choose to do so."  They make choices, the consequence of which is to find themselves locked inside a room they entered on their own.

What is amazing about God is this: that for as often as we choose to reject Him, He persistently gives us the opportunity to change our mind, to choose Him and enjoy the acceptance that He had always made available.  Paul confirms as much in the NT reading from his letter to the Hebrews: "For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more."   

Father, today we pray for wisdom and gratitude: the wisdom that can only come from You, which allows us to choose our actions wisely, and in full consideration of their consequences; and gratitude that, however often we choose poorly, You stand ever ready to forgive us and welcome us back.  

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November 6: Of Lifted Voices

Ezekiel 14:12-16:41

Hebrews 7:18-28

Psalm 106:1-12

Proverbs 27:4-6

When Donald Trump was inaugurated president four years ago, there was a woman watching the proceedings who, when the president was introduced and as others lifted their voices in celebration, got on her knees and screamed in anguish and despair.  Repeatedly.  And at length.  It was, to me, shocking behavior yet, to so many, so very acceptable and righteous.  To be emulated, even.  

Cut to four years later, and as the counting draws to a close, there are many now on the other side - on my side, admittedly - who may feel the same way: hurt, angry, fearful, possibly cheated, even enraged.  As Christians, how are we to respond?

Today's psalm tells us how we are to respond, and why we are able to respond that way.  

1. Verse 1-2.  First, we are to remember all the Lord has done, and give Him thanks.  The psalmist doesn't make this conditional on our circumstances.  We are simply to give thanks, because the Lord's love endures forever - meaning even through the circumstances causing us so much angst.
2. Verse 6-7.  Having remembered what God has done, let us be honest about our own actions as well.  Despite how much the Lord has blessed us, we have sinned against Him.
3. Verses 8-12.  And just as our sin tempts us to a deeper despair based on the realization our troubles may well be deserved, let us remember how God saved has saved sinners in the past - mightily, decisively.
4. Verses 4-5.  Then, having acknowledged our sin, let us approach the Lord and ask Him to show us the same favor and salvation.  

So if today, because of the elections, or on any other day, for whatever reason, we feel the need to raise our voices, let us remember how blessed we are we that we can raise our voices not in anger and fear, but in joy and faith, whatever our circumstances.  And we can do so because our God loves us, forgives us, and saves us. 

Thursday, November 5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020


"And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life." (Hebrews 7:15,16)


Hebrews holistically introduces the special place of the Lord Jesus Christ in much of its first nine chapters, before turning to practical exhortations in Chapters 10, 12, and 13 and the great "Hall of Faith" chapter in No. 11. The author first establishes Jesus's superiority to the angels and to Moses before turning to Christian duty to continued maturity and perseverance. Chapters 7, 8, and 9 delve into the uniqueness and permanence of Jesus's priesthood.

In Hebrews 6 and 7, the author introduces the strong connections between Melchizedek and Jesus, both of whom served as kings and priests. As with Melchizedek, Jesus received his position not through the Levitical line, but rather due to God's establishing Him as the Great High Priest. Some commentators have noted that Melchizedek may serve as a preview of the Lord Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus's line, through Judah, did not tie to the Levitical priesthood. Nonetheless, God had ordained Him to serve as the only all-sufficient Mediator: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.... " (1 Timothy 2:5)

Jesus can serve as an appropriate Priest due to His identity as both God and man. He has completed what God requires as payment for sin through offering Himself on the Cross. Through Him alone can we experience fullness of life and forgiveness.

Titus 3:3-7 describes the transformation that Jesus has created for us: "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."


Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son to serve as our Great High Priest. Help us to understand and recognize the depth of our lostness from You apart from the intervention of Christ. Give us perspective of the awesomeness of Jesus's sacrifice on our behalf. Give us opportunity to partner with You in making other disciples. Heal our land, O God, as we desperately need You. In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.


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Blog post 4th November, 2020

Blog post 4th November 2020

 

Ezekiel 10:1-11:25

Hebrews 6:1-20

Psalm 105:16-36

Proverbs 27:1-2

Surrounding yourself with a christ Army.

 

A couple of days ago I was asked how is my relationship with God going?  I felt guilty to answer that question as my relationship with God is not going well. As this year has had its ups & downs, I feel that my heart is like a "stone" and that I have reached a plateau. I haven't been myself lately, and I have started to conform with the worldly ways, lose interest with family and friends, and the part that scared me is that I no longer felt the need to grow in my faith. So when I read today's scriptures there was a great sense of conviction.

 

In Ezekiel 11:19&20 it says "I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God." How are our hearts today? Are they tender or are they hard? Do we have a single focus on God? Do we have a new spirit within us?  This all led me to think further and deeper within myself. Whilst reading I was thinking how far have I grown in my faith? I had to really be honest with myself. I asked God to renew my spirit, and I will continue to work on my faith, to keep my Joy. As I feel that we need to truly continue to work and read so that we know the laws and regulations and abide by them.

 

In Hebrews 6:1 the verse "So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God."  gives us great wisdom.

It shows us that we can get caught up in the basics of Christianity and never really grow in our faith. I mean I do believe God calls us foremost to come into a relationship with Him through faith in his Son Jesus. But, after that, let us grow! Let us not conform to our worldly ways. Let us serve God, people more and more each day. Let us become mature in our understanding and move forward. May we look within ourselves and see how our spiritual growth is these days? May we ask ourselves "Do you want to grow?",

Amen

 

I have asked God to search all the Hidden places within my heart and to lead me to Him and with listening to the song "Over and Over", we can so graciously come to the altar over and over again, showing us God's grace and mercy. I pray that God will reveal any hidden places in our hearts. That we continue to search and rebel against evil to surround ourselves with people that have the same love for Christ, who will always be willing to help and won't be afraid to tell you that you are not focused on Christ.

 

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--

Aimee Spencer

October 31: Of Instruction ManuPsalms (And Really Bad Puns)

Lamentations 4:1-5:22

Hebrews 2:1-18

Psalm 103:1-22

Proverbs 26:23

Yesterday we wrote about the helplessness and despair that comes with the passing of a loved one.  We acknowledged there was little we could offer by way of effective comfort (Job's friends felt the same way early, resigning themselves to sitting quietly with their tortured friend).  We confessed that the best we could do was plead with God to ease our friends' pain.  

But what reassurance do we have that the Lord hears and that He will act?  Worse, what reassurances do we have that God will listen to us when, as is often the case, we are responsible for our suffering?  When the distance between us has been of our own doing, because of our "sin, our most grievous sin"?  Today's psalms offer us the comfort and reassurance we so desperately crave.  Maybe we could treat it like an instruction manual?

1.  "Praise the Lord".  Doesn't matter how badly you feel, how helpless you might be, how hopeless things might seem.  Stop, drop and praise.  

2.  "Forget not all His benefits".  Remind yourself of all He has already done, even while you were a sinner. Of how often we've been sick, and recovered.  Of even something so simple as how often we've had food to eat, water to drink, air to breathe.  

3.  "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love."  Remember what He is like.  "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."  And remember that, having been created in His image, we share some of those traits, and can understand why He loves as He does. 

4.  "As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear HIm."  Where do the heavens end?  If you shined a light directly into the sky, bar a planet in the way, would it every find an end to the universe?  Think about that:  His love for us is unlimited.  

5.   "…so far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."  And realize that it is because of that limitless love that His forgiveness is equally limitless.

6.  "Praise the Lord, my soul."  So think on these things, meditate on them, contemplate them, clutch them tightly in your mind and in hour heart.  And then, perhaps with the benefit of the beginning of a realization of HIs love, we will not just praise the Lord, we will praise Him from the very depths of our being, as He deserves.

Father, open our eyes, our hearts, our minds and our souls to see, to recognize, and to realize the depth and magnitude of Your love for us, so that even in the midst of despair, our souls can praise You.