The Lie of Separation from God

Scripture: They did battle against Midian, as the Lord had commanded Moses, and killed every male. They killed the kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian, in addition to others who were slain by them; and they also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. Numbers 31:7-8

Observation: Before he dies, Moses is ordered by God to avenge Israel against the Midianites for how they previously deceived Israel into worshipping other gods. In the battle, Balaam is killed.

Balaam has a complicated relationship with Israel, Yahweh, foreign kings, donkeys ... really everyone. Balaam is a prophet who receives words from the Lord, yet also practices divination. He is ordered not to curse Israel, but really wants to get paid for trying to. He obediently refuses to curse Israel, but later is somehow blamed for the issue at Peor, perhaps being the one who convinced Israelite men to marry Midianite women who would corrupt their faith ... or convincing the Midianite women to actively corrupt Israelite men ... and while Israel fell under God's wrath for this, the benefit to Balaam is unclear. Either way, his death by the hands of Israel, occurring during the retribution for the issue at Peor, is explicitly stated.

There is one logical narrative that would explain Balaam's participation at Peor. Balaam was denied payment for cursing Israel, because they were under the Lord's protection. If he could find a way to remove God's favor from Israel, perhaps he could THEN curse them and return to King Balak for the promised fee.

Application: It is interesting to note that this logic is earthly an in line with how satan convinces believers their sins impact them ... that if we sin, God then turns his back on us and removes his love. That is not how God works, but the world keeps telling us it is.

I have believed this lie ... that in hard times it must be that I have done something to cause God to turn from me, or that I should be punished by God for my sin. I do think that my internalization of some deep sins create a barrier from receiving more of the Holy Spirit, but I know the truth about God's love. God doesn't withdraw his love, it is us who decide if we will accept it and see it operating around us.

There are so many systems in this world designed to separate believers from the Lord. There are so many people actively driving - even inventing - those systems. It is important to first reject the idea that we can be separated from the Lord. Second, we must avoid participating in, or at least placing importance in, such systems. And finally, like Israel did with Balaam, we must remove the people driving those systems from our lives.

The notion I can be separated from God is a lie. Anyone or any system designed to create that separation is an attack on me, on Jesus, on Christians, and on the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, may I pay more attention this day and every day to those things in life trying to convince me that I can be separated from you. I reject them, and I reject association with the people who drive them, though with the prayer that they someday learn more about, and place their faith in, Jesus. Amen.

On Lacking God's Context

Scripture: Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that
     'looking they may not perceive,
          and listening they may not understand.'"
Luke 8:9-10

Observation: After Jesus tells the parable of the sewer and the seed, and just before he explains the parable to the disciples, Jesus has this to say about the nature of his teaching in parables. The disciples will understand the parables - in some cases they will simply 'get' them and in others they will have them explained - but much of the general crowd around them will not understand.

Many people who gather around Jesus are searching for hope and joy. They are seeking wisdom and truth. And many who are looking for that hope and joy have it right in front of their faces ... do not perceive it. Many who are listening for some meaningful and deep purpose of life have it told to them plainly ... and cannot understand it. They are trying to figure out if there is a greater power in the world they can believe in ... and when they are told all about it, they dismiss its relevance in their lives.

It would seem Jesus is telling the disciples that they have some better, spirit-led understanding of the word of God. And to an extent they do. However, there is another more basic reason that they understand parables and others do not. The disciples have a faithful understanding of God's nature. In that context, one can understand that the Lord "scatters" his word in the world, and people receive it differently. Those who reject God - or at the very least do not know his love and mercy and justice - lack a metaphorical context to know that (for example) God has given his word and teaching into the world in the first place.

The general population of the Jews around Jesus had a context of God, but not Messiah. The disciples had that contextual framework and therefore understood the word. That context had been given to them by the Spirit by their faithful response to the Jesus.

Application: This explanation explicitly addresses evangelical challenges even today. So many people around me and in this part of the world now lack any contextual framework to understand the truth about love, hope, joy, and peace. They say they desire such things, but when they are told how easy it is to have these great qualities of life, they cannot perceive the facts ... they cannot understand the message.

People want the good life God promises, which is available through faith in Jesus. However, they have so little ability to relate the word of God to the potential of a wonderful life that they cannot even conceive how Christianity has any relationship to a good life. They then seek the great qualities of life by engaging in exactly the things that destroy the qualities they desire. They seek love through physical pleasure, hope through personal work, joy through worldly games, and peace through enforced agreement.

They look, but cannot perceive. They listen, but cannot understand. They reject the context of an almighty father, creator of heaven and earth, and thus can never 'get' the parables.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for loving me enough to give me context, even in my darkest days. May we help restore that context in the world, and grow the light of your truth in the communities and homes around us. Amen.

Wondering About One's Place and Call

Scripture: The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Luke 7:18-19

Observation: From prison, John the Baptist sends two disciples to ask Jesus if he is in fact the Messiah. Jesus will answer with teaching John will clearly understand ... that in fact Jesus is doing everything that the prophets said Messiah would do, just as John himself has done what the one who would prepare the way would do, as the prophets declared.

John knew Jesus was the Messiah. This had been revealed to him when he was in the midst of his ministry. John declared Jesus was Messiah when he came to him at the Jordan, stating that he himself was unworthy to wash Jesus' feet let alone baptize him. John twice more pointed out to his disciples that Jesus was the Messiah, and when his disciples left him for Jesus he even encouraged it, stating the time had come for himself to become lesser as Jesus becomes greater.

And yet, with Jesus' ministry proceeding forward, from prison John has doubts and needs to ask ... is Jesus really Messiah, or is he actually the preparer of the way and there is yet another to come. By asking this, the question is not so much doubting Jesus as Messiah, but rather ... John is doubting himself, and wondering if he was really the prophet preparing the way.

John doubts his own calling. He wonders ... was I really doing what God wanted me to do? Was I making a difference? Did I really understand the task the Lord gave me? Even if I was obedient, was what I did even important, or was it just another minor act of faith? Did my calling really mean anything at all?

Jesus answers in verses 24-28. John was the one predicted by the prophets, he was doing even greater kingdom work than anyone before him, and he was indeed the one foretold to prepare the way for Messiah himself. John probably knew that when he was doing it, but alone in prison ... he needs the Lord's help to believe it.

Application: Everything about how myself and many Christians relate to God is upside down. I believe so much of my life is about me and my actions and my abilities, when the truth is that I only exist to serve the Lord and make Jesus known to others. On the other hand, when I do the Lord's work, I am very likely to consider it small or worthless or insignificant in the context of the world, when the truth is that the Lord himself is pleased that I have followed his word.

I get so much of this backwards. I feel I do so out of pride. I want my life to be about me, and my work to be by my hand. When it comes to the Lord's work, I want the results to be huge and visible. The truth is, my life is small and should never be about me, and the work I do for the Lord is huge even if no one really knows about it as long as I am obedient.

John was of course questioning his meaning out of his great humility, and likely also out of the fear and sadness of his imprisonment and impending execution. However, he still modeled the truth for us, that we all wonder about our place in God's kingdom and in God's work and purpose in the world. I would just like to keep my mind aligned to the Lord, and accept the proper perspective on my daily work.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your corrective words and guidance in my life. More and more each day, I desire to do little things you call me to do, and to know that everything I do is out of your love and wisdom. My life must not be about me. I must become lesser, as you become greater in my life. Amen.

Beyond Judgment: Hypocrisy

Scripture: Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Luke 5:29-30

Observation: Levi, commonly assumed to also be Matthew, has been called to follow Jesus, and holds a large dinner that night. The attendees are certainly Levi and Jesus, Jesus' existing disciples, and "a large crowd of tax collectors and others". Levi invited his many friends! As a tax collector and thus a person in the employ of the Roman empire working on the fringe of acceptable moral behavior, his friends would have been limited to those who did not necessarily condemn Roman rule. In this way, while the crowd was large, it would not have represented the 'best of Jewish society' so to speak.

And yet, the first speakers in the scene are ... the Pharisees, those at the very peak of Jewish legalism. The question is, why were they there at all? They could not have been explicitly invited by Levi, and likely refused to even speak to him. They did not approve of those who were there and therefore couldn't have wanted to social company.

After eliminating the reasons for them to be there, one remains ... they wanted a free meal, and had no problem being in proximity to Levi and his friends to get it, taking what Levi freely gave away, while declaring their judgment of them all-the-same. In fact, they judge Jesus by questioning the disciples about why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, while ... eating with tax collectors and sinners. Maybe they stood apart - didn't laugh at the jokes being told or directly socialize with their host - but they were there.

Application: Today, Pharisaical behavior certainly includes the idea of judging individuals based on a surface understanding of their personalities. However, by this example, it is even worse when at the same time one accepts the hospitality and even generosity of these same individuals. The first of these represents legalistic judgment, but the second adds to this hypocritical greed.

I must be careful of all this in my life. I have made active improvement in how I judge others, though I know I have a LONG way still to go in this matter. All Christians have pharisaical potential toward other Christians, and I can be as bad if not worse than any, so I must be on my guard. What is worse is being judgmental while accepting friendship, kindness, and community from the same people. This I must not do.

Prayer: Lord, your attitude toward the Pharisees was certainly not meant as condemnation, but as a warning for your Church. As a believer, may I not judge others, for no matter their walk in life, they are your beloved. I wish to not only not judge, but sincerely appreciate time spent with others. Amen.

Cues for a Wonderful Life

Scripture: Speak to the Israelites, and tell them to make fringes on the corners of their garments throughout their generations and to put a blue cord on the fringe at each corner. You have the fringe so that, when you see it, you will remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and not follow the lust of your own heart and your own eyes. Numbers 15:38-39

Observation: As the Lord continued to give the Israelites instruction, there are times they forget to comply. They have now put to death a man who violated the sabbath, and received procedures about burnt offerings that included what to do if the accidentally forgot to comply. Therefore, the Lord gives them an instruction that is itself a reminder. The Israelites are to have fringes on the corner of their clothes with a little blue cord in them, and seeing this is to remind them of the commandments.

This is a very specific reminder, as it would be very unique. Fringes appear as rough, unfinished edges, and have never been a thing common or desire in clothes. Adding blue requires work - blue is the least common color found in nature and is difficult to produce - so it makes clear that such fringes are on purpose and with a purpose rather than neglect. Thus, this instruction is a very practical manner to assist the Israelites in remembering and thus complying with God's commands.

Application: In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life", uncle Billie ties strings on his fingers to help him remember things ... then repeatedly forgets what the strings are for. Such reminders are meant to be cues to stop and think, but they only work if you actually know what it is you are to think on.

Jews still use this fringe/tassel method to remind themselves to pray to think about the Lord (and I sincerely want a prayer shawl if it is appropriate for a Christian to have). These seem like practical ways to remind us of how near the Lord is to us in our lives, and how we can - and should - interact with him continually.

The Lord regularly gives us such practical advice to help in our daily walk. However, even when we use such cues, we also need to know and be reminded of the lessons and actions we are supposed to be remembering. It does no good to be reminded that God has given us instructions if we then don't know the instructions ... or worse, choose to actively ignore them because they don't fit well into our current activities and worldly desires.

I use notes as my cues, but I often don't follow their instructions or use them to influence my immediate behavior. I should do better at this. The Lord gave us both commands and practical ways to remember to comply as guidance for a wonderful life, if only I would comply.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to obey your decrees and precepts and commands this day, and to pray with you over every challenge and opportunity that comes before me. May I see your reminders to do this today, and may I actually receive those as your generous nudge to take your hand and walk with you. Amen.

Rejection Based on the Past

Scripture: All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” Luke 4:22-23

Observation: Jesus is known to the people of Nazareth, his childhood home. It is here and now that he declares he is the Messiah fulfilling the prophesy of Isaiah, but also will be immediately rejected. He gives two reasons of logic for being rejected. The second is a direct test ... the people have heard he has done miracles, so show those miracles now. This is a challenge to "prove it" and the Lord (almost) always rejects such challenges because he has already proven it through actions that are being rejected or ignored.

However, the first logical rejection is about Jesus being known to the people. "Doctor, cure yourself" is a statement that says ... we saw you grow up, and we may have had issue with your or your family, so now that you declare you are a great man of God, prove it by correcting everything about your own life and family. This is a challenge that, if fact, tells God to prove his power by logically concluding he has only limited power. For if the Lord has power, he can change a person through by his Spirit and thus the person is 'new' from that moment ... the first challenge however dismisses the idea of life transformation for a person of God.

Application: Many government CIOs lament that we cannot succeed at our jobs because "we are just the stupid people who work here." Our ideas are rejected by peers simply because they know us and have experienced issues with the technology we run ... so we can't be all that smart. So we hire consultants, we tell the consultants our objective, the consultants tell our peers the ideas, and they think it's brilliant. (It is so nice now to be that external consultant who gets listened to!)

When it comes to Christianity, people don't listen to us because they have seen the bad stuff we've done. Sometimes we mess up in public, certainly we messed up in the past. They reject our discussions about how Jesus can change their life because they don't like us and/or our actions of the past. This is a problem I have with many old friends who knew me before I accepted Jesus ... they know the 20 year old version of me and know he wasn't good, so what could I know of 'holy'.

In the face of such rejection - professionally or especially with regards to my faith - it is reassuring to know how common this is, and that even Jesus experienced it. The more my faith journey resembles Jesus, the better I feel about it. If the people of Nazareth can reject Jesus even though Mary and Joseph likely tried to tell them something was special about their son for decades, the less personal I can take it when someone rejects me because they know I'm stupid.

Prayer: Lord, it would be wonderful if no one ever rejected the good news of Jesus. It is sad when one of their reasons for rejecting it is because of me and my past, or even my present poor decisions. May everyone see much more of you, and much less of me, in my life. Amen.

Establishing the Center of Faith

Scripture: From the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh ... from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun. Numbers 13:6,8

Observation: Israel is about to go spy on the promised land to determine both its value and its fortification. When the spies return, they will agree it is a great land, but 10 of the 12 will say the people are too strong to be attacked. Only two - Caleb and Hoshea (Joshua) - will declare that, with the Lord on their side, they can easily take the land. This proves to be a turning point in God's relationship with Israel, as this final straw in their lack of faith will be punished with 40 years of wandering, and the death of the entire exodus generation.

Caleb and Joshua, however, are rewarded. They are both allowed future entry to the land. Joshua will lead Israel, and Caleb will be afforded a special land allotment. As decades and centuries pass, and Israel itself grows then divides and collapses due to its waning faith, it will ultimately be the tribes of Caleb and Joshua that endure. When the kingdom divides after King Solomon's death, the southern kingdom becomes entirely known as Judah. Meanwhile, the northern kingdom of Israel eventually shrinks under foreign pressure until several prophets, just before its final collapse, simply call it Ephraim because that is the only territory left.

Application: Based on this insight, I ask myself a question: Did the Lord sustain Judah and Ephraim as part of a continuing reward to Joshua and Caleb for their faith ... or did the Lord sustain Judah and Ephraim because they were the two tribes that best maintained their faith of time, due to the example of their exodus-generation leaders?

I suspect the latter. While the Lord does speak for punishment and reward to future generations, he also clearly interacts with people based on their own faith and resulting behavior. He is as patient as possible with all Israel, but as he punishes them it is logical that the central tribes would survive longer based on simple logistics. However, it is also true that these two tribes had a tremendous example of faith they could discuss as families and clans ... Joshua and Caleb were strong in faith and rewarded with honor and blessing. They publicly declared generational faith for their families. It would make sense that the descendants of these two tribes had a stronger anchor to their faith than the other tribes.

They all stumbled eventually, the north first, so the later generations still lost their way and were held accountable. However, Caleb and Joshua boldly declared a strong faith, and that created the future 'center' of the nation of priests, and even today represents most of the 'west bank' hot spot of modern-day Israel.

Prayer: Lord, I live in a time and place where declaring faith in the you puts me in a distinct minority. May I remain as strong as Joshua and Caleb in my public statements, for I believe not only in your existence, but also in your authority and power. Amen.

Jesus Reveals the Inner Thoughts of All

Scripture: Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34-35

Observation: Simeon - a man well known in Jerusalem and whom the Lord told would see Messiah - acknowledges Jesus as that Messiah. His clarity of the true purpose of what that means is amazingly accurate and complete. He first declares Jesus as a "light" for the gentiles and a source of glory for the Jews. Then he explicitly points out to Mary that the manner in which people interact with Jesus will effectively determine their long-term status with the Lord.

It is by the Messiah that everyone stumbles and falls, or accepts and rises. Eventually, the act of opposing the Messiah or Christ will become the most important barometer in revealing the 'inner thoughts' of people. Most pointedly in this is the idea of rejection ... it is by rejecting Jesus that people will show their true selves when it comes to the question of obedience to the Lord, or desiring the ways of the world. This is the one true mission of the Messiah - to fully define that delineation in people and to thus provide salvation by faith alone - and Simeon well understood this fact about Messiah.

Application: I know this to be true ... that deciding what to do about Jesus is not only the most important decision of anyone's life, but also the one true measure of their human lives. While believing in Jesus doesn't make someone good, rejecting Jesus places them into a completely different category where, from the perspective of eternity, good and bad doesn't even matter. Rejecting Jesus means they reject God and thus choose to lean into a life fully embracing the material and physical world. They become fully self-reliant, to be victims of random chance and evil intent, living a life that is nothing like what God desired for them.

As Simeon said, rejecting Jesus is actually about one's inner thoughts. It is about desiring self-importance and self-reliance, believing only in what is in the world before them, and rejecting any outcome of life that extends beyond their own mortal timeline. All meaning is found within ... even being 'good' is just about wishing to be known a certain way. Concepts of morality, love, honor, and happiness become logically created within the individual's framework of experience and learning; to the extent these personal frameworks align to other people's framework, an earthly community can form ... or be torn apart.

Jesus truly reveals the inner thoughts of everyone based on the only question that matters: Is Jesus your Lord and savior?

Prayer: Jesus, you are my Lord and savior. I know you are the Messiah, the Christ, and as a gentile you are my light of hope and joy and love. Thank you for your sacrifice and for creating the way for our eternal reconciliation with our father in heaven. Amen.

Folly Hidden by Good Acts

Scripture:
She seizes him and kisses him,
and with impudent face she says to him:
"I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;
so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you!"
Proverbs 7:13-15

Observation: A young man is walking along and lured into the bed of an adulteress. She of course represents the folly of sin - the opposite of lady wisdom - the temptation of disobeying the Lord.

Her first words are very interesting, however. She begins her effort to tempt the man by declaring that ... this very day she has upheld her duty to the Lord. She has offered sacrifices and paid the obligations of someone who complies with the Lord's instructions. Therefore, she is in 'good standing' if you will, and thus ready to be with her lover.

This is the nature of the most dangerous sin for faithful believers. We know how to easily avoid obvious digressions. However, the dangerous slope is when we seek to comply with those most obvious instructions and convince ourselves that we do it so well that we can wander into a little unharmful dalliance. The 'harlot' has paid our great sacrifice - probably as the dutiful wife who did this together with her husband before he left on his trip - so she can now take a lover in secret. And the young man can see that the woman is faithful with a spirit aligned to the Lord, so certainly being with her cannot be such a terrible act.

These are the true deceptions of this world. The world would convince us that sinful acts are not THAT bad - and perhaps no even sin at all - because they appear to be aligned to God's truth. If God's command is to love others, that MUST including not rejecting the personal life choices of others. If God's command is to aid the poor, that MUST include facilitating the life choices of the poor in order to aid their immediate pain. If God's command is to be peacemakers, that MUST include refusing to speak against popular opinions and thus create conflict.

When the world's sin tries so hard to create the appearance of alignment to God's will, it is hard to discern between the harlot of folly and the lady of wisdom.

Application: More and more, I know I must test everything in this world against the word of God. God's word is actually very clear and completely consistent. It teaches how to both align faith with actions, and to define faith through actions. It teaches how to love people but hate sin. It teaches how to speak gently, while speaking accountability and truth. Most of all, it also teaches about how the liar of this world manipulates God's word to lead us into his snares.

I do not want to be a man who cannot see the deceptions and folly of this world, even when they are wrapped in a facade of love and hope to be made to look like wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for your protection from satan today and every day. Lead me on your path of righteousness, holding your hand in our walk together. I seek wisdom, not folly. Amen.

An Amazing Act of Obedience

Scripture: Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And all of them were amazed. Luke 1:62-63

Observation: Zechariah has been struck mute due to his questioning of God's ability to give him a son. Now when that son is born and Elizabeth is stating his name to be John, Zechariah declares the same. He names his son something that is not part of their family and therefore not aligned to Jewish norms, but instead in compliance with the instructions of the Lord.

However, why is everyone "amazed"? There is nothing about the name or the act of writing that is amazing. Instead, the amazement comes from Zechariah's faithful compliance. There is a reason John is to be the name, and that reason is ... God said so. Zechariah is submitting to that wish of the Lord, declaring that the only child he will ever have will not be named after himself or in any manner that honors he or his family, but instead will be named whatever God decided. The amazing act, then, is doing what the Lord has instructed, even when doing so seems contradictory to personal goals, pride, and tradition. This is called obedience.

Application: As a believer, I often desire to be obedient to the Lord, however I wonder if I even really know what that looks like. True obedience seems to be more than just doing what God wants you to do. Rather, it would seem to involve doing that thing when it is contrary to another alternative act that is more expected ... and more aligned to worldly norms.

While I strive to be a good person, certainly so much of what I do is 'common' to the practices of the world. And God doesn't act us to be weird. However, I wonder where is may be telling to act or behave or plan in a way that is not aligned to the standards of the worldly culture around me. Am I missing it? Or am I waiting for it?

Simple obedience is amazing in the context of worldly expectations. I'd like to be strong enough to amaze some people.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to always listen to your guidance and to be obedient to your word, instructions, precepts, and commands. May I be obedient even in the things that run contrary to the world around me, for I am not a citizen of this world, just a resident alien waiting to be called home. I thank you again for the joys and blessing of this life, knowing that I cannot possibly deserve them, but that you have provided them all. May nothing in my life ever interfere with my obedience to you. Amen.

Some More Worthless Money

Scripture: As the price of redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the Israelites, over and above the number of the Levites, you shall accept five shekels apiece, reckoning by the shekel of the sanctuary, a shekel of twenty gerahs. Numbers 3:46-47

Observation: The Lord has chosen to "redeem" the firstborn sons of Israel by taking the Levites into service for the Lord. There is a very small imbalance, and he accepts money as redemption for those numbers.

However, Israel is camping in the wilderness, and they will be for more than 40 years ... and God knows this. During that time, they will remain outside of any other communities, denied even passage across the lands of established nations. They will live off quail and manna and whatever else they can produce during their extended stays in specific camps. In other words, their money is completely and utterly worthless. They have nothing they ever need to buy, and no one they could ever buy it from.

Likewise, even claiming Levi as a tribe for service is worthless. Someone was going to need to take care of the tabernacle and all its responsibilities. They could have found any number of people for service. They could have just assigned all the firstborn of all Israel. Instead, the Lord makes a trade, and the people "give" something to the Lord.

What the people give ... their firstborn, redeemed by an entire tribe, along with money ... seems to have rather significant value in worldly terms. However, in truth what was given had little actual value, and in the eyes of the Lord it is the act of giving and the trust that comes with it that matters.

Application: Next week, we will have a conversation with several families about their long-term giving, both to the church specifically, and to general causes through faithful generosity. I am more and more convinced that God views generosity completely through the lens of faith.

The more we understand that what we give away - money that seems to have the power to help us live - is actually worthless within the kingdom of God, the closer we come to understanding the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, may I continue to be generous with the blessings you have given to us, and all the more so as my life continues. Amen.

God's Large Service Teams

Scripture: Their whole number was six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty. The Levites, however, were not numbered by their ancestral tribe along with them. Rather you shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the covenant, and over all its equipment, and over all that belongs to it; they are to carry the tabernacle and all its equipment, and they shall tend it, and shall camp around the tabernacle. Numbers 1:46-47,50

Observation: Numbers begins with a census of fighting men available to Israel. Levi, however, is not counted, as instead they are assigned to care for the tabernacle and all its items. Assuming the tribe of Levi is similar in size to all the other tribes, this is a team of ... between 40,000-60,000 people

Between the panels, tent poles, bases, utensils, basins, lamps, etc. there aren't more than 100 items that make up the tabernacle. Every item could have a team of 400-600 men assigned to its care. Obviously, not everything is equal of course. The alter requires perhaps hourly emptying and cleaning, while a tent panel may need daily inspection, and one of the plates for the bread of presence may need to be wiped down weekly. Still, this is a massive workforce to care for the tabernacle, with significant teams assigned to each task. It would be easy to serve the Lord given this volume of assistance.

Application: If these ratios were constant in church, then on a weekly basis our church of ~800 'members' would have ~60 people serving. Between staff and leaders, worship and media teams, weekly prep teams (lawn care and facility cleaning), etc., we might actually be close to that number.

Sometimes I am frustrated with serving. However, this examination makes it clear that it isn't that hard for us. If I am chosen and called to serve, the Lord well understands the need for significant teams, and for the distribution of work. He wants his work to be done well and joyfully ... why would he understaff it?!

Prayer: Lord, may I continue to find a joyful heart in service to you. Forgive me for my judgment and frustration, for in truth it is my service to you that is actually the best part of my life, if only my perspective about my priorities were properly oriented. Thank you for your patience with me. Amen.

You're Still Where my Help Comes From

I lift my eyes to heaven
And remember I am loved.
I lift these weary hands
And let my Father pick me up.
More than answers, more than healing
God, Your presence is enough.

Dedicate Everything to the Lord

Scripture: If anyone of the house of Israel slaughters an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or slaughters it outside the camp, and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, to present it as an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, he shall be held guilty of bloodshed; he has shed blood, and he shall be cut off from the people. This is in order that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and offer them as sacrifices of well-being to the Lord. The priest shall dash the blood against the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and turn the fat into smoke as a pleasing odor to the Lord. Leviticus 17:3-6

Observation: While there are all kinds of sacrifices discussed, the practice established in Leviticus 17 applies to all food. When an animal is butchered, the Israelites cannot do that just anywhere. They must bring the animal before the Lord. The priests will give a little sprinkle of blood, and burn the relatively worthless portions of the animal as a pleasing aroma. This isn't a sacrifice of offering. There is nothing of value the Israelites give to God in this process. This is just an act of dedicating the animal to the Lord.

This act of dedication thus acknowledges that the Lord is the provider of everything. He has given every bit of daily sustenance to his people. Some he receives back as an offering. Sometimes his people give more as a way of atoning for sin. However, when nothing is "owed" to God, the good things in life are still presented to the Lord as a way of thanking him, as provider.

Application: Yahweh Yirah, the Lord provides!

Everything I have is provided by God. I do know this. There has been no such thing as luck or good fortune or hard work or mental skill in my life that has provided anything. Yes, sometimes the Lord has given me ability or knowledge and aligned that to opportunity, but even that comes from him. Every meal, every drink, every comfort, every need, every joy, every warmth ... it all is provided by the Lord.

I should spend some time every day explicitly dedicating such items to God.

Prayer: Lord, you are my loving father who has given me so very much in life, far more than I have ever deserved. I know everything I have in my life is by your hand. It is yours in fact, and you have allowed me to have it here on earth. I thank you for all things in my life. Amen.

Upon Encountering a Prepared Heart

Scripture: And wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there. Mark 14:14-15

Observation: The time has come for Jesus to eat the Passover meal with the disciples, his last supper. When asked by the disciples where they should prepare to do this, he gives them this instruction - follow a man carrying water, enter his house and ask him where the room is for 'the teacher', and he will take you to it. It will be a large room, upstairs, and already furnished and ready ... all the disciples will have to do is get the meal ready.

Several times, when Jesus gives the disciples instructions or enters a city, there is someone there who has made practical preparations to receive visitors. Sometimes they want to receive Jesus and his disciples, but several times the preparations are much more generic. This is a prime example. The owner of the upper room has effectively assumed someone who is visiting Jerusalem for the Passover will want a space large enough for a family/gathering of many. (Were there 13, 20, 75, ?? people at Jesus' last supper? That's a different lesson.) Therefore, the owner has prepared the space. He has run errands, even fetching water (likely to wash the feet of travelers), and the space is ready for ... someone.

And here comes Jesus, who will turn the space into a sacred location, honored as the room of the last supper, the place where the sacrament of communion was introduced, and the site of one of his greatest lessons.

Application: There are thousands of people locally - millions worldwide - who have had their hearts prepared for something ... and have no idea that 'something' is Jesus. Over the last 24 months, they have suffered financial hardships, lived in fear, experienced loss, and endured mental trauma. Isolated physically, and mentally attacked through a continual stream of negative inputs, they have felt afraid, angry, helpless, hapless, and alone. Now they are ready for something good. Their hearts are prepared to receive something better. They are ready for a change.

Jesus is that change they want. He is the source of the best news ever, and the better life. Jesus can bring them the life free of loneliness, dread, anger, frustration, and need. What they wish life would become post-pandemic, Jesus fully offers.

Their hearts are prepared, and they aren't even sure what for. They just know there must be something better coming. May we - Jesus' disciples - go, see them, and let them know that Jesus is here for them, to occupy that big empty space in their hearts that they prepared in advance for him.

Prayer: Lord, your church is here, emerging from the pandemic, ready for revival. Here we are. Send us. Amen.

That's Not Even a Question

Scripture: And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" Mark 12:14

Observation: The scribes and Pharisees continue to try to trap Jesus with questions. This first question remains interesting for so many reasons, but partially because they preface it with praise. They honor Jesus by addressing him has 'teacher', and discuss his sincerity, honesty, truthfulness, and fairness. They also recognize that he truly does teach "the way of God in accordance with truth." With that statement, they then ask ... should they pay taxes to Ceasar?

To be clear, there is nothing is the scriptures - neither the laws of Moses, the history of Israel, nor the prophets - that gives Israel any guidance about paying taxes to Ceasar. They are never told to rebel against any nation that has taken possession of them ... in fact, when their nation is destroyed and exiled, Daniel teaches them to actually pray for the nation that rules them.

The fact is, there is no connection between "the way of God in accordance with truth" - the word of God - and this question about taxes. This is a non-question as it pertains to Messiah, or any other Jewish teacher of the word of God.

Application: I feel like I have thought long many times on this rather simple questioning of Jesus. It is amazing how Jesus saw through the questioning. Yet this is another interesting insight ... this question isn't even really a question. It would be like saying ... 'Jesus, I know you are a great teacher of the Lord's truth; how long should I cook a 15 pound turkey?' That is a question ... and it has a correct answer that requires knowledge ... but it has nothing to do with being a teacher of God's word.

As I have (probably) said before, the trap was seeking a way to get Jesus to express an opinion on a divisive topic. And today, we have SO very many divisive topics! Answering questions about most divisive topics has nothing to do with the Lord. If it isn't covered in the bible, it probably isn't something I should be debating publicly.

Prayer: Lord, it seems like so often that the answer to the cliched question 'what would Jesus?' is 'nothing'. You wouldn't engage, wouldn't respond, wouldn't debate, and wouldn't order. You would simply reposition the conversation in a manner that encourages peace while expressing love. May we all find a way to do that more often. Amen.

Prayers for Those of Evil Deeds

Scripture:
Repay them according to their work,
and according to the evil of their deeds;
repay them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
Because they do not regard the works of the Lord,
or the work of his hands,
he will break them down and build them up no more.
Psalm 28:4-5

Observation: In his prayer of delivery from those who do evil, David asks that those people be "repaid" by the Lord. The repayment is aligned to their deeds ... people should receive from the Lord based on what they have given to others as an overflow of their hearts toward the Lord. For those who have no regard for the works of the Lord - they do not honor the Lord, give honor to creation as something he has done, nor love others as a result of their Love for God - David prays they be broken down.

Application: I know that there is a big difference between those of us who believe in the Lord and yet still do wrong because we are flawed people, and those who reject the Lord entirely. David was able to boldly pray that the latter people receive judgment. Mostly today, we pray that such people would discover Jesus and be saved. And yet ... wow, sometimes I wish I could simply witness judgment against non-believers.

I feel that is wrong, but it is right enough to become scripture in psalms.

Non-believers will receive a terrible judgment; I know this. Sometimes it would be nice to not only see that happen on earth, but to know that they know such judgment comes from Yahweh, and not just the randomness of a hard life. Of course, such knowledge ties into belief in the first place, so that will not often happen.

I can pray for the forgiveness and redemption of evil people who reject the Lord. I can also pray that they be repaid for their actions.

Prayer: Lord, may I be bold enough to pray like David today. May those who reject you and do not regard your work, be broken down and repaid according to their work and their hearts. Amen.

Thinking of the Guilt Offering

Scripture: The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: When any of you commit a trespass and sin unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, you shall bring, as your guilt offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, convertible into silver by the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering. Leviticus 5:14-15

Observation: The Lord makes this provision for the people ... a way of seeking peace when they are troubled because they accidentally did something wrong. This 'guilt offering' is one ram or the monetary equivalent, given to the priests for sacrifice.

Application: Despite what I absolutely know was evil persecution against me in the past, I also know I was not perfect as someone given authority over others. I was sometimes harsh, and I made mistakes. The Lord entrusted me with others, and I failed to do well in exhibiting the love of Jesus to them. I did not mean to fail, and I was attacked out of provocation by satan, but I unintentionally made mistakes, and that does bother me.

Today, a quality ram costs $500. Today, I will convert the idea of the guilt-offering ram to money, and give it to the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for your peace within my heart. Please forgive me, and permanently place my mind at rest within your love. May the ram I present be found without blemish, and may it be a pleasing aroma to you. Amen.