Week of 3/31/19 - Pages 105-117

Choosing to Worship and NOT Complain    

In our reading this week, the Israelites observe countless miracles from God (daily food provisions, pillars of fire, water from a rock, parting of the Red Sea etc.) and yet they continually gripe whenever life got a little tough.  Moses and Aaron caught the brunt of it all and took the peoples complaints to God on their behalf… and every time, God answered with another miracle.

When we read the story, it appears as everything happened back to back and in quick succession, however, in reality, these events occurred over 40 years. That's a LONG time. This year I celebrate my 40th birthday… and it's fair to say, a LOT has happened within my last 40 years! I’ve reached many milestones, had great success and endured my fair share of epic failures. But like the Israelites, I’m often quick to forget the miracles God has done throughout my life and often resort to complaining about my current circumstances.

In our reading, God commanded the Israelites to “build an altar wherever I cause My name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you”. In other words, God is saying, “Build something to remember Me by, whenever I turn up and perform a miracle in your life. That way you can return to this place, remind yourself of what I’ve done and you’ll receive faith to trust Me for the future.” 

Of course!! Makes total sense right?

So why don’t we do it?

Why do we forget to journal an event or build something creative and put it in a place we traffic regularly that reminds us of what God has done in our lives? Why do we get so busy and forget to do this vitally important thing God has commanded us? Especially when God promises to bless us every time we return and remember what He did!

The encouragement I received from our reading this week is to go back to those memories in the past where God has provided, where He performed a miracle in my life and create mementos or something that will cause me to remember His goodness whenever I see it. I want the blessings God promises when we remember Him in worship.

When I worship, it's amazing how quickly the complaints disappear! 

Week of 3/24/19 - Pages 92-104

On Page 92 Moses is having a dialog with God.  I can’t imagine what that would be like today with all the craziness that is going on in this world.   And frankly I probably would be as reluctant as Moses to follow God’s instructions based on my inability to to perform up to God’s standards.  Which, of course, are my own imposed standards that make me feel inadequate or not up to the task.  But in this case, God used Aaron to be the speaker in Mose’s stead.  This reassures me that God really knows what’s best for me and He will make a way for me to accomplish His will.  If I listen and really understand His will.  Which is not always crystal clear.  The real wonder is that Moses actually could have a dialog with God and hear exactly the words God spoke and have a clear understanding of the steps that God wanted him to take to free the Israelites.

Imagine how Moses would have felt being told by God “Pay close attention to this.  I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh and your brother Aaron will be your prophet…” and  “I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Pg 93)  Then God proceeded to use Moses and Aaron as his instrument to show Pharaoh “...you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth.  By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.  But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth”.

No wonder the Egyptians had become favorable toward Moses and the Israelites.  I think I would have been very upset about all the hardship and loss the Egyptians faced through all the plagues.  Especially knowing that Pharaoh was the one bringing it all upon them.  (Can we see a parallel with what is going on in our government today?  And feeling hopeless to do anything about it.  Leaving our elected officials to do the right thing and having no control over what that is).  But the final straw came when God instituted the instructions for the Lord’s Passover.  “Remember these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever….  Then your children will ask, “What does this ceremony mean?  And you will reply, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt.  And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.” (Pg 102). Now I understand better why the Passover celebration is still being celebrated today.  It was a huge deal to the Israelites and their descendants!

Be blessed!

Week of 3/17/19 - Pages 82-91

I don’t know about you but have you ever thought that God just isn’t listening? I know I have. In our fast paced world we usually want something and we want it now. Thankfully, God’s timing is perfect, because He knows our hearts. We see this when the Lord sought out Moses because the Lord had heard his people’s cries. Moses doubts the call because he isn’t listening. The Lord instructs Moses to tell the people who He is, “I AM WHO I AM, Yahweh, the God of your ancestors. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.” God gives Moses assurance that he will not be alone.

What I love and am always amazed at is that God is the same today, as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow.  As I read these passages what stood out to me was its all in God’s timing and that it’s not about me. Rather its when the Lord calls on me. Am I listening? Its about how  the Lord sees me. That I am enough. Often times I can easily get in the way of what the Lord wants me to do, because I have my own agenda, a plea bargain, or self doubt. It’s when I get out of the way and let the Lord lead. It is then that I discover that the Lord fills me up and I sense His presence.

Time after time we are reminded that the Lord uses people like you and me. His promises hold true then and now. He is with us every step of the way. Moses is a great example. We see it when Moses pleads with the Lord and says, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” I love how the Lord asks Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?”  Then the Lord tells Moses to go and reminds him, “I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what you are to say.” This is our reminder that the Lord is with us every step of the way.  When we have doubts we can be assured that we are not alone. 

It’s our obedience to Him and resting in His truths. What we lack in ourselves, the Lord sees as great and uses for good. The Lord doesn’t seek to cause us harm rather he seeks to make us succeed. He uses us to make himself known. We cannot and should not be afraid to step out in faith.  

Week of 3/10/19 - Pages 66-81

I’ve always loved this portion of Joseph’s life. Often the focus is on Joseph’s amazing ability to forgive his brothers. What they intended for evil, God intended for good. This time around, I was struck by the fact that his brothers carried the weight of their sin during the years Joseph was in Egypt. When Joseph accused them of being spies, then tested how they would treat Benjamin. The brothers thought their misfortune was because of what they did to Joseph years before. Even years after Joseph had forgiven them and settled them in the best land of Egypt, they were fearful after their father died that Joseph would harm them.  It was as if they believed their actions were unforgivable and they were just waiting for their punishment. They couldn’t seem to accept the forgiveness offered by Joseph, despite the fact that he demonstrated it through word and deed. 

We all sin, we live with the consequences, guilt and regret of our own actions. If we don’t turn it over to God we carry the weight of our actions for years; like Joseph’s brothers not accepting forgiveness, waiting for punishment. On this side of the cross, through Jesus’ word and deed, we are offered the ultimate forgiveness. I love the fact that we have a Lord who loves us, is compassionate and gracious, he is slow to anger, abounding in love, he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us, Psalm 103:8-12.  Through Him we can live freely in forgiveness of our sin, which will in turn allow us to forgive others and ourselves when we fall short.

Week of 3/3/19 - Pages 53-65

I just love Joseph!  I can see how his brothers were just over him and what they perceived as his bragging. As someone who has a tendency to get a little over excited, I can see that he just wanted to share about his dream, not realizing the repercussions. I really don’t think Joseph thought that his sharing would land him in a well to die and that his brothers were that mad and jealous.  

 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28. As I read this week’s reading, this verse played over and over in my head.  We don’t always see God’s hand in our everyday, but when we have been walking with Him for some time, we have the privilege to be able to look over our shoulder at the work God has done in our lives. God has taken some very bad things in my life and Joseph’s and used it for His glory.

 In my case, God has taken substance abuse, divorce, ADHD, and a mediocre childhood and used them to shape me into someone with compassion, joy, and awareness that I would otherwise not have. He has given me the opportunity to walk alongside people who have the same struggles. He has given me the chance to share His light and truth with others.  

 I feel that Joseph was the same way. He most likely would not have chosen all of the struggles he went through, but once he saw how God used those struggles to put him in a position to help his family and others, I don’t think he would have changed a thing if it meant ending up in a different place. 

Week of 2/24/19 - Pages 40-52

Often times you will hear people talk about the “Old Testament God” versus the “New Testament God” and their struggle to reconcile the perceived differences. People view the “Old Testament God” as wrathful, judgmental, condemning and punishing, while the “New Testament God” is loving, gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. Yet what stands out to me as I read this week’s passage of Jacob and Esau is God’s amazing grace in the midst of deception, betrayal and lies. 

The passage begins with Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau, scheming to deceive her husband Isaac in giving the blessing to their younger son Jacob. An elaborate ruse ensues and Jacob is given the much coveted blessing instead of Esau. Jacob’s life is in danger once Esau learns of the deception, so Jacob is sent to Laban, Rachel’s brother living in Haran. Here Jacob receives a taste of his own medicine as Laban offers Jacob his youngest daughter Rachel in marriage after working for him for seven years. But like his sister Rebekah, Laban deceives Jacob by giving him his older daughter Leah instead. Jacob has to work seven more years in order to marry the younger daughter Rachel. What trickery and deception!

Yet in the midst of all of this, God comes to Jacob in a personal and gracious way. As Jacob flees his home and makes his way to Haran to live with his uncle, God comes to him in a dream. In the dream God reminds Jacob who He is: “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac.” He then blesses Jacob saying, “The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the earth…And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Wow! Does God know what Jacob has done? Doesn’t he know how Jacob has deceived his brother Esau out of their father’s blessing? So although Jacob is living with the consequences of his deception, God continues to bless him and to use Jacob to bless others.

When Jacob awakes from his dream, he responds by saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” Isn’t that often the case in our own lives? As we go through various circumstances in our lives whether because of our own choices or not, we are often unaware that God is in that place with us. Like Jacob, we are caught off guard that our Heavenly Father is with us, that He meets us personally, that He promises to bless us and that He reminds us that He will never leave us. What circumstance do you currently find yourself in that you may be unaware that your loving, gracious, compassionate and forgiving God is with you? 

Week of 2/17/19 - Pages 27-39

The book of Genesis fascinates me every time I dig into it. The richness of the stories both grand and small. The very real people's lives we get to look into with an authenticity and depth we rarely experience outside of perhaps a few close relationships.

There are several interesting story lines in this section, but the thing that struck me this time through Genesis was Abraham's character; the good, the bad and the ugly of it and how this can actually bring us comfort today. Please understand that I have tremendous respect for this incredible patriarch of God's chosen people. In fact it is because he deserves our deep respect that I think we can receive peace and comfort when we look honestly at the full picture of Abraham's character. 

 On the good side, Abraham had such faith and confidence in God that he followed God into a completely new direction for his life. He left his security and everything familiar to go where ever God told him to go. He even believed and trusted God so completely that at over 100 years old he was willing to follow God's test of his faith and sacrifice his only heir and son, until God stopped him at the last minute. Personally I do not know that level of faith. I do not think I could have done what Abraham did on the mountain with Isaac.  Abraham shows tremendous faith in God.

 On the ugly side, I am grateful that God includes in the Holy Scriptures the very significant lapses in Abraham's faith and character too. On Page 27 Abraham shows an incredible lapse in character and faith in God to protect him when he passes Sarah off as his sister to King Abimelech and then the King takes Sarah into his harem. I have to admit that I can be very judgmental of Abraham when I read this story. I think: "WHAT..!!! Are you kidding me Abraham, how could you be so fearful? Less than 12 months ago God sat face to face with you and personally promised you that Sarah would bear you a son within a year, how could your faith be so overcome with fear and desert you."

 It is easy to read that story and be indignant about Abraham's severe lapse in character and faith.  But I think this is where the application of this story can really help us. As I humbly walk with Jesus and I listen to the Holy Spirit in my day in day out life, I am often made aware of the significant lapses in my own character and faith. Truth be told about my lapses, they are for reasons much less dire than the possibility that my life is about to be taken, as was Abraham's fear. My lapses normally come out of the fear of losing my job, or that my kids might struggle, or health issues for loved ones, or that I will not have enough money to retire as I desire.  These lapses in my faith and even character happen even though I can also point to specific examples of God's incredible faithfulness in every one of these very same areas.

 Whatever the reasons behind our character lapses, or the times when we find our confident faith has deserted us, we can take comfort in these stories of Abraham and Sarah. Even the patriarch of God's people was fearful, struggled to trust God at times, and suffered severe lapses in character. When fear, past pain, or life's current circumstances overwhelm us and we respond poorly, know that God is not far and that His deep desire is to have us draw close to Him - not push Him away or spiritually run and hide. We can soon enjoy profound peace and comfort after our lapses, if we humbly draw close to Jesus and allow Him through the Holy Spirit to teach us how to be more consistent in our character and increase our faith (Matt 11:28-30).  He is the most gentle and faithful of teachers, and He always rewards the humble heart who draws near! May the Lord comfort you as you draw close to your Heavenly Father.

Week of 2/10/19 - Pages 14-26

The story of Abraham is a powerful one. It is one of faithfulness to God. There is a point in the story where God tells Abraham that he will have another son. At this time in his life he was old. He was about 100 years old. His wife was about 90. When both of them heard the news that they would have a son, they were in disbelief. They doubted what God told them. At one point in the story God responds by saying, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” When I read this, I paused. I probably read it 5-10 times and just focused on it. We often forget of the power and might of God. We forget that God can do all things. Dwell on that. He can do ALL things. There is no need to doubt, worry, fear, or be anxious about anything because the God of Abraham is the same God we know and love today. This same God is capable of all things, and even more importantly, He loves you and me. He loves beyond our understanding. When we humble ourselves, and think about the greatness of God, we are left in total wonder. 

Week of 2/3/19 - Pages 1-13

Beginnings Introduction

 This week marks the start of our incredible journey into the Old Testament.  Your book, Beginnings, contains the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy in their pure, narrative (or story) form. 

 It’s important to realize, as you begin this journey, that you are reading a story. It is a story that reflects real history.  There are those skeptics who see these extraordinary narratives as far-fetched.  They read such fantastic accounts of paradise-like gardens, talking snakes, life-giving trees, global flooding, gigantic animal- bearing boats, burning bushes, plagues, and parting seas – and chalk it up to myth, or at least, allegory.  By allegory they mean, that these stories are not history – they didn’t really happen because they couldn’t have – but rather they must be ancient fairy-tales that serve as fanciful wrappings of ancient moral values or beliefs.

But I urge you, don’t buy in to the skepticism.  Such skepticism is based on the idea that these kinds of fantastic stories could not be grounded in fact because they “are scientifically impossible.”  But, if you believe in God, the supernatural being Who created the universe “out of nothing”; Who made Man in His image; Who found a way to not only design and build paradise, but restore and recover it after it had been marred by sin; even if you’re not sure what you believe, but are toying with the possibility of a Supreme Being – then talking snakes, gigantic boats, and parting seas are relatively miniscule matters in comparison.

To deny the historicity of the Old Testament is to deny its divine inspiration, something Jesus believed in unequivocally and pointed to as proof of His identity as the Son of God. The first five books of the Old Testament are history. They read like history. They offer first hand accounts, genealogies, geographical and anthropological realities of past cultures and civilizations.  But more importantly, they give us a glimpse of the beginnings of not only our world and mankind, but of the nature and character of God and the relationship He fashions and facilitates with human beings. 

The timeless and universal value of these stories can only exist because of their authenticity and realness.  Real men and women wrestling with God, and finding their way to Him through His redemptive, merciful plan.  That’s why Paul writes, “the things that were written beforehand were written for our leaning…that we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). They were also written so that we would be warned to not make the same mistakes as they did – repeating history all over again:

 …As examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Cor. 10:6-11). 

The Old Testament is, indeed, a collection of authentic stories of messy lives.  They resemble our lives – struggling to be lived out daily, interacting with God and the world around us.  They have become an invaluable teacher for us, a “tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we could be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

Make no mistake; you are reading history – the ancient Story of stories.  And your story intersects with this Story, becoming more a part of it everyday.  So jump in, and enjoy it in all its epic glory, confident that you are reading the Truth about God, about you, and about your relationship.  

Happy Reading!

Pastor Lee

Revelation Chapter 22

The last book in the Bible is about God's message to all of mankind of what is to come.  Interestingly enough, the Bible starts off in Genesis with "The Tree of Life" and ends with the same "Tree of Life" in Revelation.   

God sends The Angel to share his message and this Tree of Life is reintroduced as our means to eternal life.  Here we see prophesy and God's promises fulfilled.  We are left with hope because despite reading all about the coming suffering and judgments ahead of us, we can always count on the proverbial "Light at the end of the Tunnel", which is GOD.  That is what we are walking towards, so if we can keep that in our focus, walking daily with him and not dwell in all the other challenges we are faced with, our future will be set and we will be rewarded with eternal life.

Chapter 22 ends with the title JESUS IS COMING.    Throughout the Bible GOD warns the world of Jesus' imminent return by giving plenty of advance notice to all before his wrath is unleashed (think of the warnings through Noah or Abraham regarding Sodom and Gomorrah) and he did this to give everyone  time to repent and to be ready to receive him and have eternal life with him.   We should not forget that as Christians, we are all going to be with Jesus Christ as believers and the way we live our lives here on earth, may very well determine just how we will reign with the Lord.   He gave us free will, he died for our sins, he desires for us to commit our lives to holiness.

Jesus came to us the first time as an expression of GOD's love and he came to die for our sins. But the Bible says that when he returns, he will come in vengeance to pour out the wrath of GOD on those who have rejected GOD's love and grace.   The good news is, there is still time for all to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior before his return.   If you haven't done so yet, it's not too late.