Thursday, March 17

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2016

Numbers 26:1–51

Luke 2:36–52

Psalm 60:1–12

Proverbs 11:15

 

 

“After the [Passover] festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.  After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  When his parents saw him, they were astonished.  His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

 

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked.  “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

 

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.  But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

[Luke 2:43–52]

 

 

In this incident, we find some confusion among Jesus’s parents, as He began to reveal more about His earthly purpose and His heavenly connection.  We may easily identify with Joseph and Mary, who might have become justifiably concerned after losing their son among the Festival crowd.  Their separation lasted three days!  While we may not know the specific reason for this timing, it does parallel the three days of separation that Jesus endured upon His crucifixion, except here He had walked away from His earthly father and mother.

 

Jesus’s parents bring a very natural question to Him, looking to know why He had troubled them with this escapade.  Jesus’s matter-of-fact reply foreshadowed the responses that He would give during his adult ministry, pointing to His relational intimacy with His Father.  Here, as later, His observers struggled to understand the depth of this relationship and its crucial implications.  They wondered how He had achieved such great understanding of spiritual matters without having “studied.”

 

Reflecting on these verses, it makes me think of how Christ-followers should also demonstrate an easy closeness with our Father.  Given that Jesus needed His Father, we recognize how desperately we do as well.  It points to the heartfelt realization of Psalm 73:23-26, where we read:

 

“Yet I am always with you;

    you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

    and afterward you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever.”

 

 

Also, these verse encourage us to always be about the Father’s business, reminding us of Matthew 6:33:  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Placing Kingdom priorities in our lives should follow from our connection with our Father, bringing us joy as we complete the purposes for which He created us.

 

Finally, today’s verses close with the multiple dimensions of maturity that we seek for our young people:  wisdom (intellectual growth), stature (physical growth), favor with God (spiritual growth), and favor with man (social growth).  We will be well-served to seek maturity in these areas as well, taking care of our minds and bodies and building solid relationships with God and other people.  In Jesus, we see beautiful wholeness, free of shame or self-loathing.

 

In A. W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God, he writes about the “blessedness of possessing nothing.”  Pointing to Abraham, Tozer explains that, in God, we may possess nothing but have everything.  Jesus also provides a great example of this God-centeredness – relying on and feasting on His presence.  If we do the same, we will be rich indeed.

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us such a great example of seeking first Your Father and the Kingdom.  Thank You for making Yourself poor on the earth and particularly on the Cross so that we might become rich in knowing God.  Send us Your Spirit to enliven and teach our hearts to follow You in obedience and to discover intimacy with our Father.  To You be all praise, honor, and glory forever!  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

 

 

“This Is My Father’s World”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9dWMTxw290

 

 

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March 16

Luke 2

Anyone who has ever experienced or witnessed the birth of a child whether it be your own, a grandchild, a niece, nephew or cousin, can attest to the fact that it is miraculous.  So now, let's take ourselves back 2000 years when the ultimate miracle of child birth took place.  Through The Divine Father, and an earthly mother, Jesus, God in the Flesh is born.  He is surrounded by angels praising His name and announcing His birth.  He stepped down from His Throne in Heaven to take on human form.  Mary was not rushed to the hospital or given a private room for His Royal arrival. Nor was she attended to by the finest doctors.  As a matter of fact, she wasn't even given a room at an inn.  The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, our Savior, was born in a manger. As Luke tells this story he never denies Jesus' divinity as he reveals and emphasizes Jesus' humanity. Simeon and Anna confirmed that Jesus is the Messiah but the Jewish leaders couldn't fathom it.  They were expecting something else.  Their own vision and expectations of The Messiah limited the greatness of God in their minds.  The Jewish authorities were looking for a king that they didn't recognize when He arrived.  So as I was thinking about this I was reminded of times when in my mind, I put limits on a limitless God.  Times when I have allowed preconceived notions and expectations to cloud my vision of the greater plan God has for my life. Much like the Jewish authorities, many times we look at situations by what they appear to be, with worldly lenses, when perhaps Jesus wants us to take a step back and ask Him "Lord, I know what this looks like but what's Your plan?". 

Lord please forgive our shortsightedness.  I pray Lord we remember the miracle of Your birth and the beginning of the hope it brings.  As we go about our day Lord and face challenging circumstances  I pray that by the power of Your Holy Spirit we are reminded that You are limitless and nothing is impossible for You. Give us strength Lord to stop and exchange our tinted lenses for Your heavenly vision.


Randi

Tuesday, March 15

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Numbers 22:28-34
Balaam and His Donkey

28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. "What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?" it asked Balaam.
29 "You have made me look like a fool!" Balaam shouted. "If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!"
30 "But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life," the donkey answered. "Have I ever done anything like this before?"
"No," Balaam admitted.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
32 "Why did you beat your donkey those three times?" the angel of the Lord demanded. "Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 
33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey."
34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, "I have sinned. I didn't realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going."

Each time I prepare a post on my reading, I ask the Lord for something that I can understand and that would bring a message to me and to anyone else who may read it. As I began Numbers, and tried to pay close attention to what I was reading, I just started laughing to myself (and perhaps a little bit outloud). All I could think to myself was that I wish I had a talking donkey that could lead me away from a path that takes me away from the Lord. The donkey did not make Balaam look like a fool, she was trying to protect her master from impending doom. What did the poor donkey get in return for her faithful protection.....three beatings. When we sin, we often look to blame others. We often stubbornly resist the Lord and try to do things our own way. We ignore good advice from those who love us and have our best interests at heart. We may even get angry and chastise them for getting in our way. Lord, I thank You today for those You have put in my life who are always guiding me on a path to You. Thank you for Your mercy and forgiveness when I stray; help me to stay Your course. 

March 14: Of obedience. Period. Part 2.

Numbers 21:1-20
Luke 1:26-56
Psalm 57:1-11
Proverbs 11:9-11

Last week we reflected on how the Israelites were obedient to the letter of God's instructions. When He said march, they marched. When He said camp, they camped. When it was unclear what HIs intentions were - as was the case for those ceremonially unclean at the time of the Passover - they inquired of His will, and waited upon His answer. Their obedience, while challenged, was shaped and formed by their experience of His provision. During the time in question they'd experienced God on many occasions - in times of need, such as when they were thirsty and had no water; and in times of disobedience, as when the Lord punished them with disease, and caused the earth to swallow up the sinners. They saw obedience had its benefits, and disobedience its consequences.

Which is why the story of Mary is so astoundingly remarkable for how different it was. You see, at this time, the personal experience of God and His presence had become so rare - our pastor, Scott, once explained to me that Zechariah's vision in the temple was shocking for its rarity and for how long it had been since it had happened. So Mary's response to her call wasn't shaped by the repeated, explicit experience of God's provision, as was the Israelites'.

Neither, it would seem, could it have been shaped by the fear of disobedience. Consider: whereas during Moses's time, disobedience meant death, in this instance Mary was contemplating pregnancy without the benefit of marriage - and on God's orders! This meant that obedience could mean any number of terrible things - being cast out, being stoned to death among them.

And yet she obeyed. Yes, she questioned - but I don't think it was along the lines of "are you kidding me? Do you realize what could happen to me?" Rather, her question seemed more of "wow! Ok...but how? I can't get pregnant on my own." Her question wasn't in the nature of reasoned opposition, it was more a request for instructions so she could get it done.

And she was obedient, not to enjoy the fruits of obedience or avoid adverse consequences associated with disobedience - she was obedient. Period.

I still struggle with obedience. I am more often like the Israelites - obedient in pursuit of goodness, obedient for fear of the consequences of disobedience. May I learn to be like Mary - obedient. Period.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Psalm 55

David was not unfamiliar with difficult times.  His first child, born of the woman whose husband he had killed, died not long after birth.  One of his son's raped his daughter.  Another son tried to steal David's throne from him.  And, in Psalm 55 we read of his betrayal by a friend.  This man understood what it was to go through life's storms.

"Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.  I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." (6-8)  

No one likes going through storms.  Even David wished to fly away from his problems and be at rest.  Some seek to escape storms by escaping reality through fantasy, TV, drugs, alcohol, etc.  Others stuff those emotions deep down inside of their being and try to control them.  Still some explode, lashing out their feelings on those around them.  But, how did David make it through? Speaking from experience with God, David tells us how to make it through a storm in verse 22.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."

The Hebrew in the phrase "cast your cares" reads also like "cast your lots."  "Casting lots" was like "throwing dice" - you have these cubes and you throw them to see what number comes up.  You don't know what the results of throwing the dice will be.  However, you cast them away from you and let it be.  David encourages us to do the same thing with the cares (or lots) of this life.  Whatever situation we find ourselves in, no matter how big or small, we cast it on the Lord.  The promise is that He (The Lord) will sustain us and keep us from being shaken.  How He does that, I have no idea and I don't need to know - He just does.  He holds us up, gives us strength, and helps us to stand in the middle of it all.  And, while everything else is shaking around us, God gives us the capacity to be still and rest in Him.  I want that.  Do you?

A prayer for us...

Father, you know the situation that I'm facing right now.  I cast it off of me and onto you right now in Jesus' Name.  Whatever I have to face, I know that I face it with you.  Though I must stand in the midst of this, I know I do not stand alone.  Thank you for sustaining me, for covering me, protecting me, and empowering me to endure through this storm and see the other side.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

March 11

Mark 15:37-39   With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

There are many significant events that occurred during the 6 hours of Jesus' crucifixion. But the tearing of the temple curtain is certainly one of the most momentous.  Notice the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. God did this to make sure everyone got the point. This was not a mere coincidence. This was God's statement that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, just a short distance from this sight, was the sacrifice that would end all temple sacrifices. There is now going to be a new way to approach God. A way that is open to everyone.

Up to this point religion was a second hand experience. Only the high priest could go into the presence of God behind this curtain. This curtain was hung to keep people out. A warning to sinful humanity, that when it comes to a relationship with God, keep your distance.

But then one dark Friday afternoon, at the exact moment Jesus died, this curtain was torn. And look at the first person to enter into this new relationship with God, a Centurion, a brutal man, who was an expert at killing people. Yet something penetrated his heart that Friday and he becomes the first person to confess Jesus Christ.

Here is the hope with the temple curtain being opened. If a professional killer can get in, all of us can get in.

The gospel doesn't care who you are, what you have done, you can be forgiven. You can have a relationship with God.

There is nothing blocking you getting closer to Him. All of the obstacles have been removed. So remove the distractions from your life today and draw closer to our beautiful Savior. The way is open. 

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, March 10

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Numbers 14:1–15:16

Mark 14:53–72

Psalm 53:1–6

Proverbs 11:4

 

 

“Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there.  Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.  If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. ⁹ Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid of them.’” (Numbers 14:5–9)

 

“Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him:  ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’  And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:72)

 

 

In today’s reading, we find two disheartening examples of people’s falling short of standing with God’s purposes, even with great evidence of His reality.  In the case of the Israelites, we find that the population loses heart when faced with a discouraging (and faithless) report on the Promised Land, even after God had provided a blueprint for His people’s conquest and flourishing there.  For Peter, he denied his affiliation with the Lord Jesus Christ after His farcical trial before the Sanhedrin.

 

Often, our faith rises or falls on our feelings, particularly of comfort and security.  In some ways, we may exhibit “fairweather” faith, much like a “fairweather” fan in sports.  “Fairweather” fans become quite interested in their respective teams once those teams go on a winning streak or appear close to capturing a championship.  In fact, we often hear the term:  “Everyone loves a winner!”  We see the same pattern in electoral politics, where voters look for candidates with positive “momentum.”  As competitive creatures, we like to find ourselves on the “winning” side.

 

In following God, however, we should endeavor to live out an “all-weather” faith, one that remains rooted in God and His promises, even when evidence might suggest the contrary.  In the “Hall of Faith” chapter (Hebrews 11), the writer commends Moses for his faith in spite of opposition and struggle:  “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.  He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (11:24–27)

 

Similarly, after Peter’s failure, the apostles, led ironically by Peter himself, received insults and even physical violence in standing for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet, relying on the Holy Spirit and praying for God’s provision, the apostles received the love and power they needed:  “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31)

 

In short, in those examples in which believers followed and stood with God, they found great blessing and saw God’s glory in a multiplying way.  Where people chose to see the enormity of their problems instead of God’s power, they stumbled and missed this blessing.  It seems that recognizing God’s greatness and choosing to trust Him unlocks the right path.

 

May we choose to dare greatly by trusting wholly.

 

 

Lord God, thank You for showing us Your greatness in the Scriptures, in creation, and in our own lives.  Give us greater evidence of Your power so that we may trust You more.  Build our faith and speak to us through Your Spirit so that we press ahead rather than turning back.  We love You and seek You with all our hearts.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

“How Great Is Our God (World Edition)”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D58HbxSw5R4

 

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