Disobedience Leads to Discomfort

 Psalm 137            Numbers 5-6      Mark 2

Too often we avoid the songs of Israel that make us uncomfortable and this is one of them. They have been defeated in battle, sent into exile in a foreign land, and feel hopeless. Like so many others they were quick to claim the promises of God, the promised land, the blessings of being God’s chosen people. They were less willing to reflect on the curses that God had promised if they were disobedient to God’s command, statues and leading. They had claimed credit for what had God had done for them.

While there isa disturbing violence called for here, even the dashing of the children of their enemies upon the rocks, they are grieving all they have lost and what the future how holds for their children. They feel powerless as their captors demand they sing those songs of the power of Zion to mock them for their inability to be what they claim God called them to be and had proclaimed it loudly for all the nations to hear. Now they are grieving their loses and calling on God to restore them.

Numbers 5 & 6 are rules that God lays out for Moses for the people to follow that many of us will struggle with how to apply them today. They start out isolating people that have contagious diseases.

Next there is on outline for the punishment for someone that commits a sin against other man or woman they must confess their sin, make restitution plus 20% to the person that has been wronged. Then there is a system of determining unfaithfulness that none of us today are likely to understand or believe is the way it would be done today. However, when we get to chapter 6 we realize that both of these chapters are about setting ourselves aside for the glory of God and the responsibility that comes with that. The reading closes with a blessing over the people.

The second chapter of Mark tells of Jesus continuing to touch peoples lives and drawing very large crowds so that it was almost impossible to get to him. There were those that persisted in their pursuit of Jesus so that they could receive something from him. The more people who he touched with healing and renewal of hope in their life the larger the crowds grew.

Again, we see Jesus calling someone to be a disciple that the world, especially the religious hierarchy, would have rejected to follow him and become his disciple. The leaders continually challenged his choices of disciples and even who he spent time with. Jesus had to make it clear he came for those that were lost in their sin and not those that thought they had it all together. He didn’t come to change those that were seeking to live life God’s way but those that didn’t.

The leaders that were most challenged and had the most to lose were the first to challenge and try to destroy him. They used their false beliefs and teaching to try to make him look wrong. Continually Jesus called all of them to return to focusing on what God expected and not other men and women.

Today’s readings will make most of us uncomfortable if we use them to examine our lives and our obedience to the ways of God. When we fail to live life God’s way, we find ourselves isolated and far from the joy of being in God’s presence. The further we drift away the darker life becomes. Jesus came not to add to the burdens but to take them on himself that we might be set free.

Feeling Abandoned Doesn't Make it So

 Psalm 13              Leviticus 3-4       Mark 1

Even David, a man after God’s own heart, dealt with feeling abandoned by God and found himself depressed and wondering what the future held. This is a plea for God to open his eyes or he will feel like he has died in the eyes of God. He points out that he has always trusted in God’s love for him, thus his being a man after God’s own heart. We are called, like David, to lift up our voices and our hearts in praise even when we struggle because we remember the days God blessed us greatly.

God continues the instructions that Moses is to use with Aaron and his sons as the worship leaders of Israel. The tribe of Levi is to be set aside and Aaron and his sons are to lead them in caring for the place of worship, the tabernacle and all the instruments of worship. They are to be treated completely differently in what is expected of them and their responsibilities as well as how they are treated. Don’t miss that there is a cost to being set apart as well as the blessings that come with their work. They will be provided for but responsible for the spiritual life of the people.

Mark opens declaring the story about to be told is told about the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It begins by pointing out that the Word of God as proclaimed by Isaiah the prophet, one that speaks for God, had promised that before the messiah came another would come preparing the way for him.

John the Baptist is proclaiming the Word of the Lord and calling for people to repent, turn away from their sin, confess their sin and be baptized as a sign of their new way of life. John wore the clothes of the prophet and lived on a minimal diet and spoke with power. He was careful to remind people that though they were responding to his call for change what he did really was minimal compared to the one he was preparing the way for. He would not even be worthy in his presence to take on the role of the lowest servant.

Jesus comes to John and when he is baptized, the skies open up toward the heavens and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like the dove coming to rest on him. God declared Jesus his beloved Son in who he was pleased. Jesus immediately separated himself from others for 40 days where he would be temped by Satan but watched over and cared for by angles.

When Jesus returns and begins to proclaim the Kingdom of God has come and those that repent and believe the good news are invited to become part of that Kingdom. Jesus begins calling his disciples, those that would be his students by walking beside him, not only listening to his words but watching and working beside him as well. What drew them to him to be willing to leave all they had behind was the power of his teaching as one that had the authority of God in his voice and not as those that just copied other’s words.

Mark’s story is one of quick action and God doing amazing things through Jesus. Jesus called people to follow him and they started a new life that took them to incredible places where they would watch and experience the power of their teacher. The begin to see even evil spirits fear him and flea at his command. We should note that it doesn’t take long for word to spread and people to come to have their lives changed through healing and the more people heard the more that came until he was overwhelmed. He withdrew to a place he could be alone and once again like in the wilderness find restoration.

Jesus would tell them not to speak about their healing but to go and do what the law required and present themselves to the priest for the declaration of being healed. Knowing what they felt they instead declared it themselves. The consequence of this disobedience was that Jesus had to move on and others didn’t experience his touch in their lives.

There are times in our lives that we find ourselves in places of great pain or feeling lost and abandoned. It is in those times that we must remember the faith of those that came before us and the foundational stories have been recorded for us in the Bible. But the story has continued through those that have passed down the faith to us. We can only testify, witness to that we actually experienced if our story is to be effective and powerful. At times we need to think about what role we are called to fulfill in that story and then follow the leading of that same Spirit that drove Jesus to the wilderness, to the secluded place, where we will have opportunity to tell the story how he changed our life.

Life's Path is Not Always Easy

 Psalm 10              Ephesians 6         Numbers 1-2

Like every genre of song, the Psalms are a variety of songs that express the emotions of the writer. Psalm 10 is one of those that recognize that we face tough times in life, and they bring us down to lament our life. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed and, in our weariness, we don’t even know how to pray. We must remember that God wove us together to be who we are and there is nothing hidden from him. God gave us the life we live, sin, our own and others, often cause us pain, and often we feel abandoned but God we are the clay that God is shaping throughout our live and we continued to be formed into his image until death returns us to dust, while the soul lives on in the presence of our Lord.

In the last chapter of Ephesians Paul continues to remind us the importance of our relationships, especially with those closest to us. The lifetime relationship between parents and children is found outlined in those commandments God gave to Moses when the journey to the promised land was about to begin. Workers are challenged not to work for their master’s pleasure but as if we are presenting all we do to the Lord. Leaders are to treat those that work for them in the same way as if they were the Lord instructing them.

Ultimately, we are called to put our faith in the Lord and trust him to provide the strength we need. Our struggle is not against our bodies, but evil rulers, the power, forces of darkness and wickedness. Paul challenges us to put on the armor of God, so that we will be prepared for anything. We are to put on truthfulness, the ways of God, the Good News of peace but putting on faith so that we can overcome the evil in the world. Believing in the salvation of God as found in that powerful sword, the Word of God, we can do amazing things for the Kingdom.

Paul reminds us to pray for those that serve Jesus and be on the alert for every opportunity to support them. Our prayers will even cover those that have been imprisoned when we speak boldly on their behalf.

In the first two chapters of Numbers God has Moses take a census of all the men old enough and able to go to war. The Levites are set apart to care for the tabernacle as they travel. They are responsible for the place God will meet with Moses and the leaders. God makes sure Moses understands that because the tabernacle is holy, set apart, the laymen, are not even to touch it. Next, God instructs Moses on how the tribes are to be placed in order to be most effective for what lies ahead.

Throughout today’s readings there is a clear picture that following God’s path set out before us will almost always include places of great difficulty and we have to trust we are not alone. God goes before us and not only prepares the way but has prepared us for what we need for where he takes us. At times that might mean we struggle enough to cry out to the Lord in lament. That is okay in that God understands the depth of our feelings and wants an honest expression of our feelings. We are stull called to trust God to care for us even with our life.

Our Best Interest at Heart

 Psalm 32              Leviticus 23-24                               Ephesians 5

Like many of the Psalms todays reminds us that we are all sinners but can be covered by God’s grace and forgiveness. David points out how blessed we are that God doesn’t give us what we deserve for our sins but offers a chance to try again. He also points out the importance of confession, pointing out he truth of what we have done, is a part of the healing process. As long as we hold it in sin eats away at us, including physical reactions in our body.

When we confess our guilt, it allows us to release the pent-up tension of our hidden life. God becomes our hiding place, and he covers our sin and the chance to live a new life. When we do that, we are delivered to a life that makes us want to sing his praise. The sins of the wicked, those that choose to do things against God’s way, will have their world filled with sorrows, but those that trust in the Lord shall be surrounded with lovingkindness. When we live an upright life, we can shout for joy!

As with many things the Lord teaches us in the Bible Leviticus often shows us the ebbs and flows of life. In today’s reading there is the draining process of work and the renewal that comes with the rest of sabbath. This is not only a weekly ritual but one that includes other times of extended rest. Each case it is a time of celebrating the work we do as well as rest for the body.

The next section is a reflection of the work and rest in that we are challenged to find time to both offer sacrifice and to celebrate with feasts. God has an expectation of balance in our lives, for our benefit, and to show that we believe that he has our best interests in mind.

Ephesians 5 is one of the most challenging chapters in the Bible for me. It starts out calling us to be imitators of God, just like our children imitate us, repeating our actions rather than the words we teach them. Paul challenges us to love just as Jesus loved us, giving up ourselves for others, as an offering to God who experiences it like the joy we have when we experience a fragrant aroma.

He then turns to the results of our often selfish acts or immorality, impurity and greed. We demand that our pleasure be made priority and then others are deceived by these empty words to promote what God commands we not do.

Pointing out that the light will one day shine on the truth and then we will not able to deny it, we should not participate in the things that are done in darkness, hidden from others, as they will be exposed. It is foolish to fail to be willing to understand what the will of God is, to have us experience what is best for us. We are called not to practice the things, like being drunk, that hurt our relationships with others, but to practice those things that build up our relationships.

Too often we only like to read the last section of chapter 5 in small parts that give us what we think we want from another. First, Paul calls the church to be subject to, putting others needs first, one another in fear of failing to be like Jesus. Turning to the relationship between a husband and wife both are challenged to refocus their need in the relationship. This is meant to be a parallel to our relationship with Jesus. Both relationships become difficult when we want our desires to be met before the other’s needs and wants. Jesus set all aside, even his life, that we could know what it was to be loved. Paul’s challenge is for us to make marriage a reflection of the love of Jesus for us. That should be the easiest person on earth to love in that way. After all we choose them and volunteered to make the commitment to love and cherish them for the rest of our life. That is the relationship God wants with us, not because we have to please him, but because we want to because we see God has our best interests in mind.

Each of the reading today remind me that God has my best interest in mind when he shows me how to live through the words of the prophets and Jesus. Then loved us enough to send Jesus as a perfect reflection of his father. It was easier to destroy the messenger than to submit to the will of the King.

All We Have is a Gift from God

 Psalm 39              Ephesians 4         Leviticus 21-22

We will all come to the end of our days on earth. It is the one absolute we all face in this life. The challenge is how we will approach that end and what will we do with the day between now and that time we take our last breath.

As a pastor it is a journey that I have walked with many over the years and including many family members who I loved deeply and that loved me. One of the most important lessons I have learned during those times is that when the end-of-life approaches, if we have time to reflect on it, the many things we have gathered together and stored in the places we have lived, our bank accounts and other material things we are attached to become less important. We do reflect on the relationships we have had throughout our life. Fortunately, many of those memories are wonderful and bring a feeling of having been blessed with so many wonderful people throughout the course of our life. Sometimes though, I have to travel the journey of regret for those that often by a simple word have experienced a broke relationship. Often those breaks come in the heat of a difficult time or great challenge and we wish we had held our tongue.

This song is a reminder that our days are numbered, and they will go quickly. At the end all that we have gained in the way of wealth will go to those we no longer have influence on and be of little value. The relationships we have with people we will value greatly in those days.

The most important relationship we will hold onto will be the one with God who holds eternity in his hands. The closing line is to know that God gazes on us with pleasure before we are not more.

As Christians Paul bluntly reminds us that we should live in a manner worthy of the one who calls us to faith, Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4 is that balance between reminding us that we are called to live together in gentleness and unity but that it must be based on the standards set by God and not our own desires. It all starts with the renewing of our minds, when we decide we are going to live an obedient life.

He challenges us not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God, who seals our eternity. What better reason to set aside the bitterness, wrath and anger so that we can treat people with kindness and a tender heart, starting with forgiving one another just as Jesus has forgiven us.

Continuing the journey through Leviticus we continue to see simply that God wants what we offer to Him as a sacrifice to come from the first and best we have to offer. No detail in how we live is too small to think about how we are presenting to the Lord. All we have and has been a gift from God.

Our Best Interests in Mind

 Psalm 7                 Leviticus 18-19   Ephesian 3

Psalm 7 is a reminder that God will hold all accountable for the life we live. Like the Lord’s prayer it invites God to examine our life and return to us that we have offered to others. It is a call to give back to our enemies what they have done to us if it was not done in the pursuit of the ways of God. This song is inviting God to bring down our soul if we have treated others in any way other than God’s way. A challenge to look at our lives and the way we have pursued the ways of God with integrity for that is what God will examine, what is in our hearts and minds.

When we fail to change our ways when we realize we are out of God’s will and subject to judgment every day this for God to bring his wrath on ourselves. We recognize that God tramples the wicked when he sees us for what we really are. We are called to give thanks to the Lord according to God’s ways and sing praise to him in all things.

Are there parts of our lives that are not in pursuit of the ways of God but our own? Are we willing to confess them before God, change our way, and seek forgiveness?

Reading through Leviticus 18 and 19 today I see that God lays out for Moses and His people appropriate sexual relationships and then rules for our relationships with one another. I have always found it frustrating that we want to pick and choose which of these that we call good. We must note that the reason they are here is that we understand God’s plan for us to live a full and blessed life. It does not mean that we won’t be tempted to live differently and as we read on; we will see how many poor decisions have been made throughout history. For me, the key is that God wants to be not only first but the only God and that anything that takes away from that relationship is bad for us. We must not forget that we were created to reflect God to the world, not make God a reflection of our distorted world.

The image of Paul as a prisoner of Christ Jesus in Ephesians has fascinated me because he would in no other way likely decided to dedicate his life to reaching the gentiles, all those that didn’t believe in his version of who God was. He recognizes that his call is very different but says that Jesus calls us from where he wants and to go where he wants and to reach out those that are different than us with grace and offer the chance for a new life based on faith. No matter how much we think we know and are right in our belief when God calls us to do something, we are uncomfortable with we need to trust the fullness of God and the love of Jesus.

Today all the readings are about trusting God to have our best interest in mind when he gives us the rules of life. Following them will often bring us into conflict with others, including anger that has even led to death. Faith is trusting God does what is right for us and that the promise of the reward of faith is eternity in God’s presence where singing praise will be a joy.

Focus on God

 Psalm 44              Ephesians 2         Leviticus 15-16

Today’s reading from Psalms is a reminder that even when we work hard to do and be all God calls us to be that times can still get tough. Sometimes in those hard time we feel rejected by God and those that hate us are allowed to feel like they benefit from it. Yet our faith is that even in those time God has not forgotten or forsaken us and that our call is to remain faithful to God. Our desire like the Psalmist to know that God continues to love us even when we feel disconnected and lost. In the end we will trust that God will redeem us and bless us.

In Ephesians Paul reminds us that in our sin we were dead in our relationship with God. When we give our life to following Jesus and begin to talk in the Spirit, we are made new. Not because of anything that we did but because loved us enough to send us Jesus to show his love for us. It is by grace, unmerited love and forgiveness that we are raised up with Jesus and we can claim a seat with him in heaven. During this season of Lent we are reminded that it is the blood of Jesus that sets us free from sin. There is nothing we can or should do to earn it other than believe. The price has been paid for what separated us from God and broken down the dividing wall between us.

Together we make up the church and are no longer strangers to one another but fellow citizens of the Kingdom of God of which Jesus is the cornerstone. We are the church being built up upon Jesus and it is God that is building us up together to be the church in the world.

Today’s Leviticus reading tells us God expects us to be very aware of our own bodies and that we are to set them apart before we present them to the Lord. The tabernacle that was built by Moses and the people was set aside as a place of worship and therefor Holy to the Lord. It is in those places of worship that we are called to come before God and present an offering and therefore what we give becomes holy, set aside for his work. God wants us to be reminded that we are sinful and an offering is a sign of repentance and the need for renewal.

Ultimate Power

 Psalm 43              Leviticus 13-14                   2 Peter 1-5

When we live in the midst of an ungodly nation, a people that have rejected the ways of God, we find ourselves living in the midst of deception and misleading people. We often find ourselves feeling rejected and even under attack when we try to live a life of righteousness and integrity. The key to ending life well will always be to dwell on the light and ways of God and live them out in spite of the call of others to live differently. We are called to praise God even in the midst of adversity.

Reading through Leviticus 13 and 14 today where God instructs Moses on dealing with the disease of leprosy, I am reminded of the blessings of modern health care we often take for granted. If we think of Moses as the most educated man in the encampment, educated by God, it should come as no surprise that people were instructed to think of those he trained to be sought out on how to care for their physical bodies. For most of history it was the priests and pastors that were looked to for health care advise and in many ways it is still true today.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, not only was sought out for advice but was an early experimenter of medical practices. He did some of the earliest electroshock therapy. He wrote a book with health care advice in it. While most of us don’t think first of our pastor or priest when we have a health concern today many still seek out the advice of their spiritual leaders. As a pastor you would be amazed at the number of times I am approached about health concerns and what people should do. My advice is always first, talk to your doctor. Most of the time people respond in one of two ways. The most common is, “I already have, but……” and the other response is “I don’t know what to say to the doctor ……” and I realize they are looking for someone that might be able to guild them through an often unknown and scary field.

The most challenging questions are those around faith and science. I often remind people that science is only a search for truth and knowledge. Many of our institutions of higher learning were founded by the church in seeking out the truth. Even in Leviticus God is pointing out the ways for the priests to begin to understand the symptoms they could observe and learn from and then create a treatment plan. Science, including medicine is simply learning about God’s creation.

One thing I always remind people is that no matter how great the science and our understanding of the body and they way disease spreads, God ultimately provides the healing and those of us that guide the way or are the minds, hand and instruments that are used.

In 2^nd Peter, written to the Jews scattered around the world, Peter challenges them to remain faithful to the hope they were called, that was fulfilled in Jesus. The Jewish disciples, followers of Jesus, faced rejection not just from the already hostile gentile world but those that had shared their faith journey and now had walked a different path. Even today, the challenge of following the Holy Spirit can take us places that will be rejected by those that believe the old way is still the only way. The internal struggles between those that were of the same mind, including husband and wives, and now faith has taken them in different directions are called to struggle together for the good of the Kingdom.

There is the way we have always done it, and often that way is still a great way to live. Jesus transformed the world in allowing those that had walked away from the ways of God to be born again, to start over in life, and live a new God-fearing life. Keeping God the center of our lives through prayer is the only way to stay in tune with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We are called to follow the ways of God, not because it is easy or accepted by others but because it is the right thing to do. The cost of rejection for the cause of building the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a small price to pay for the eternal blessings that are offered.

The need to submit to your elders in the faith go against the current grain of leadership models and yet the call of Peter is not to submit because you under compulsion but with eagerness to that you can continue to grow in your faith and leadership ability. We are often called to humble ourselves, see ourselves as God sees us, so that God will have the opportunity to exult the followers at the proper time. The reward is eternal glory in the presence of God.

All of today’s readings reminded me who ultimately has the power and is in control. In the end, God lifts up those he chooses and brings down those that exalt themselves when the Glory belong to him. Good thing to remember when we want to take credit for the incredible ways of God.

God's Best for Us

 Psalm 38              Leviticus 11-12                   Ephesians 1

Today’s reading from the Psalms is one of those of deep longing to know that God is still there and holding us up when it seems like so many others are looking for ways to destroy you. The truth is that often leads to anger, frustration, and not so holy thoughts. During this season of Lent as we reflect on our lives and the things that need to change about us, they are those ways which are not God’s ways and are often far more difficult to change than we like to admit. When God points out things about us that need to change, they often feel like an arrow piercing our heart, pressing us down and making us weary.

David also reminds us that nothing is hidden from God, not even our thoughts. Still, when our strength fails, our vision dims and our family and friends seem so far off, our hope is in that God is still our foundation and, in the end, will hold us up.

It is important that we pore our heart out to God and confess our sins, those things we do contrary to God’s expectations. While the actions of others create anxiety and we feel rejected and even hated, God does not forsake us or is every really far from us.

The Lord is our salvation!

Leviticus 11 lays out all those food restrictions we can’t imagine having to follow. In an earlies study of passages like this it was interesting to look at things like harvesting and preserving food before there was the science behind what we take for granted. In reading the history of salt I often thought about these passages and how change began to occur. The relatively new availability to refrigeration and preservatives has led to all kinds of changes in the way we eat.

Chapter 12 is a short instruction on circumcision and purification after birth. While our first instinct is to reject this as old thinking how much does it reflect on the need for the body to rest and renew?

In Ephesians Paul reminds them he has been given the right to be a spokesperson for Jesus by God and he is writing to those that have begun the journey of being disciples of Jesus. He reminds them we as men and women have been chosen to represent him on earth. When we begin to commit ourselves to following the ways of Jesus, we are adopted back into the family we were born to be a part of, the family of God.

The story he tells is one that is timeless and spreading the good news about God’s love through Jesus is our responsibility. We inherited the Kingdom of God we were sealed with the love of God as lived on with the Holy Spirit so that all may be redeemed by God and become a part of the praise of God’s work.

Paul’s prayer is to be a model for our prayer life. That through us other eyes will be opened to the hope that we have in Christ and how rich that inheritance is. God placed all of the earth in subjection to Jesus Christ and once again to those that follow him through the Holy Spirit.

As I read through today’s readings, I was touched by the fact that God commands things of us not because he wants power over us but that he might set us free to live as we were created to live. Often we want to see what God asks of us as a limitation when in fact it is an effort to set us free to be all we were created to be.

In God's Time

 Psalm 90             Leviticus 9-10     Acts 27-28

Psalm 90 reminds us that time doesn’t have any meaning to God and he always existed and always will. While we are framed by a beginning an and end and time seems to pass so quickly God can be incredibly patient since time is not a factor for him. We are reminded to make good use of the time we have and not waste it. When we spend our time wisely the Lord will bless and confirm the work of our hands.

In Leviticus today Moses and Aaron begin to lead the people in worship. It is interesting how quickly they get away from what God commanded. It also becomes clear that there is a terrible price to pay for disobedience. Beginning to understand what it means for something to be set aside as holy and unto the Lord. The encouraging thing for me is that even when we get it wrong God’s desire is to bring us back to righteousness.

The last two chapters of Acts are the short story of God’s faithfulness lived out through Paul as he challenges his captors to trust the Word of the Lord and even when they didn’t that word was fulfilled. Note that even when the outlook was so bleak that Paul encouraged them to break bread together and give thanks. As the come ashore there is the story of Paul being bitten by a poisonous viper. While they expect him to drop dead Paul not only lives but shares the good news of God with the people.

Once again there is disagreement and Paul reminds them that dissension was part of the plan and that those that remained faithful would be blessed in spite of their not being able to agree with one another. Paul quotes from Isaiah that while they hear they will not understand, see they will not perceive, and the heart of the people will become dull to the ways of God. Even under house arrest Paul continues to share the good news.

Today’s reading point out that time has no meaning to God and that patience is an incredible trait that at times overwhelms us. In the end God wins and His will will be done.

The Lent Journey Begins

 Ash Wednesday

Psalm 51             Leviticus 7-8       Acts 25-26

Beginning today with Psalm 51 as David responds to his confrontation with Nathan over his sin with Bathsheba and the attempted covering of that sin. At this point David realizes that while he thought he had hidden his actions and taken care of the problem in fact God was very aware of his sin. We need to remember that David was a chosen leader by God, described by God as a man after God’s own heart, and yet he still fell to temptation.

David cries out to God to be gracious to him according to the lovingkindness of God. Too often we cry out to God but want the lovingkindness of people. Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a period of reflection where I always challenge each of us to compare ourselves with Jesus over the next 7 weeks. We like to compare ourselves to other people because we can then feel good about who we are. Each of us when we compare ourselves to Jesus find that we come up short as David finds himself before writing this song. His cry is that his sin will be blotted out by God but don’t miss that he also cries out for his iniquity or sin to be washed away and not longer a part of his life.

David confesses he knows where he has sinned, and that sin will be forever before him. He knows that forgiveness doesn’t remove the human result of the sin but allows for no longer fearing God’s punishment. When God washes away our sin he no longer sees it. Our desire, like David, should be that our hearts are made clean when we confess our sin and that the Holy Spirit will renew a right heart within us.

 In Leviticus 7 and 8 Moses completes the instructions on offerings to the Lord and prepares the people for the journey toward the promised land. He then does the same thing with Aaron and his sons to prepare them to lead the people in worship as they journey toward the promised land where they will be able to claim their promise. Aaron and his sons do what is commanded them as well. All are prepared to start the journey.

Reading Acts 25 and 26 today I noticed that there is a continuing attempt to pass off responsibility for the demands to execute Paul. There is an effort by both the Jews and the Romans to get the other to take on the responsibility for an action that both know shouldn’t occur. There is also the mutual need to keep the other happy because their power in many ways is intertwined with each other.

It is important to see the Paul tell them if he has done anything worthy of death, he is willing to die. Seeing through their attempts to manipulate those in charge he uses his legal right to appeal to Caesar. This also sets him up to follow God’s command to go to Rome and be his voice there. In the end the political leaders know they have to send him but will look poorly since they can send no credible charge with him. This leaves them in a questionable position in the eyes of Rome. For me, the message is that using deception and lies to get something end up putting you in a no-win situation.

As we begin the journey through Lent each of us should be reflecting on where we fail to follow God’s commands and reflect Jesus, and therefor God, to the world. The beginning of salvation, purification, is confessing our sin and receiving the forgiveness of God that allows us to go forward an better reflection of Him.

God Cares

 Acts 23-24           Psalm 61             Leviticus 5-6

While Paul is in custody there is a plot to kill him and when it becomes known to the commander, he sends Paul under guard to Felix the Governor. You can’t help but notice this is passing on responsibility and once again the desperation to destroy Paul is evident in their willingness to travel and bring false charges against him. At each step it is clear that he has done nothing worthy of death but fear of the Jews and the trouble they can stir up to keep him in custody.

In Psalm 61 David reminds us that God is with us to the ends of the earth and is our refuge and strength. We are to praise God forever.

In Leviticus 5 and 6 God continues to lay out the offerings expected and their purpose. It is also once again made clear that the amount of the offering is to be a reflection of the wealth or lack of by the one making the offering. There is also instruction on what parts Aaron, his sons and the other priests are to have for food and what must be burned by fire.

Trusting God Always

 Exodus 39-40     Leviticus 1-4       Psalm 47, 125    Proverbs 1          Acts 20-22

In the last two chapters of Exodus the work the people of God did under the direction of Moses is summarized and the tabernacle is ready and becomes the place that God’s Spirit leads the people in the form of a cloud or fire. This would be the guiding presence as they move toward the land God had promised them.

In the opening chapters of Leviticus God begins to outline the sacrifices that are expected when different parts of the community sin. It should be noted that as each group of people sin the sacrifice is according to their ability to give the offering. It is also important to notice that the one seeking forgiveness is an active participant in the sacrifice. In each case it is noted that the sin will be forgiven.

The Psalms I read today remind us that God always is surrounding us just as the mountains surround Jerusalem. We are called to paise God at all time and in all situation and trust that his plan is perfect and whatever we experience is an opportunity to show our faith to God and one another.

The opening chapter of Proverbs is like looking into the intimate conversation between Solomon and his young son but wise advice for all of us. We must remember that God promised to give Solomon great wisdom even though we know he did not always us it well. It is clear the wise person will listen and increase their knowledge by being willing to learn. That starts by being willing to listen to wise counsel.

Solomon points out that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and fools will despise wisdom and instruction. He points out that sinners will entice us with painting a bright future and the gains that are to be had with a sinful life. It is clearly a false picture and the end result is that it takes away the life of those that gain their possessions that way.

He also makes clear that Godly wisdom will be mocked, and many will refuse to believe it. There is a great cost to ignoring God’s commands and statutes. We become separated from God and when we call on him, he will not answer because we hated his way and demanded our own. We eat of the fruit we plant and when we listen to the Word of the Lord we will live securely.

Paul continues to travel and encourage the churches and praying with them. Even though he is warned numerous times that going to Jerusalem is dangerous he continues to rush that way to be there for the Passover celebration. One even tells him he will be bound and made a prisoner. It is interesting that in each case the warning come from those that have been told what lays ahead by the Holy Spirit. He makes it clear that same Spirit is leading him toward Jerusalem. Sometimes the cost of doing what God calls us to do is high.

When Paul gets to Jerusalem the words of warning become true. Paul even takes advantage of that situation to proclaim the truth even thought it is violently opposed. Once again, we have to note that the crowds are often stirred up by those whose power is most threatened and are fearful.

God's at Work

 Acts 18-19           Psalm 59             Exodus 35-38

In Acts 18 and 19 the story of the struggles of the early church continues. It makes clear that the message of Jesus disturbs those in power and challenges them to live differently. The willingness to sow confusion and falsehoods often creates situations that only the wise will take the time to think through and pause before taking action. Allowing our crowd to be stirred up by falsehood often leads to angry and violent reactions that hurt the cause of good or evil. Note how many times the crowd is disbursed to go home and think through their actions.

While David was surrounded by those that sought to destroy him, he looked to God for protection and put his trust there. When God is your stronghold you don’t have to seek the death of your enemies, since that makes them forgettable, but pray that God will reveal their lies and the sin of their words and therefor bring them down. In the end all people will know that God rules the earth and is worthy of praise. The call is for us to praise God at all time and all things because we believe that God is the anchor of all we believe and worth trusting.

God instructs Moses to use the gifts of the people, both in what they give and, in the skills God, has given them. When Moses puts out a call for gifts with specific requests as the Lord told him to, they bring them with great joy. The Lord reminds Moses to tell the people what they need to accomplish the work and to only expect it from those with a willing heart. When Moses puts out the appeal there is an overwhelming response to the place where he has to tell them to bring no more.

As they begin building the place of worship the follow the details God has laid out for them and find that God has given the skills that are needed to meet every need and the provide superior work.

It is clear from today’s readings that God has provided us with everything we need to accomplish our tasks in the Kingdom and that those that attack the faithful will have their plans overcome. The key is always to trust God and believe that He has our best interests in mind when we do what we are commanded and live as we are instructed.

God's Way the Only Way

 Exodus 33-34                    Psalm 21             Acts 17

As God prepares Moses to lead the people toward the promised land, he tells him he will not go with him because the people are stubbornly clinging to their way of life and refusing to follow the Lord’s instructions. He tells Moses if he went with them, he would destroy them because of there refusal he would destroy them.

We are told that Moses would pitch his tent of meeting, a place set aside for meeting with God, outside the camp and the people would have to come to him that sought the Lord. Moses would speak to the Lord face to face. There is this ongoing discussion between God and Moses about the role Moses would play in leading the people, the Lord’s people, and what God would do in their midst. As you read on though we discover that Moses cannot see the Lord’s face. God says, ‘No one can see my face and live.’

God instructs Moses to cut two stone tables that they can write the Words, commands, that God had given him before, but he destroyed in his anger when he came off the mountain. When Moses takes those tablets up the Lord descends in a cloud and the presence of the Lord passed in front of him. First, Moses is reminded that the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger because he is abounding in lovingkindness and truth. That said, he also reminds Moses that he will not leave the guilty go unpunished and it will extend to future generations. When we think back to what we have already read we have already experienced that playing out in life.

God then tells Moses he is going to make a covenant with the people. We should note this is not a negotiated agreement, but one given to the people by God. One of the most interesting points is that he tells Moses that they together are going to do a fearful thing. That what lies ahead is going to bring destruction and death to some and that is necessary to keep the people Mosses is leading from creating agreements with them that will lead them away from the Lord.

God then begins to give Moses instructions on what he is to do when he leads the people toward the promised land. It is clear that God wants to be first and that the very best is to be done for and offered to him. After spending 40 days in God’s presence Moses face shines bright and sets him apart to the point it scares those that see him.

In Psalm 21 David recognizes that the strength of the king comes from the Lord and when the king recognizes that and celebrates it, they are leaders together. The king must first put their trust in the Lord. The exalted king will celebrate the Lord’s strength and blessings and praise the Lord for all that he has power over.

Acts 17 continues the story of Paul taking the message throughout the region and the opposition he faced each step of the way. Paul remained obedient to God and even in the conflicts with leaders God had a way of using those debate to bring others into a new relationship with Jesus. Paul looked for and found ways to explain Jesus to the Jews and Gentiles he crossed paths with. Paul even has a word of encouragement for those that feel they are groping for an understanding of God. The message is simple, turn from sin and begin to follow God’s commands by following, learning from and becoming a reflection of Jesus.

Today we are reminded that following God’s way is difficult because so much of the world around us has walked away from God and his ways. God is always looking for a willingness to repent, turn from the wrong ways, and starting on the journey of becoming a better reflection of Jesus to the world.

God Always at Work Building the Kingdom

 Exodus 31-32                    Psalm 41             Acts 16

Today’s reading starts with God making clear to Moses that He has called others to the work that Moses has been instructed to carry out. God has gifted them to do the work that in the end will bring God glory. They are also told that rest is an important part of the cycle of life and was modeled in the creation story. Through Moses the people are commanded to make rest for themselves and all those that live in their midst a priority.

As Moses sits in the presence of God being instructed what they will have to do to experience the full blessings of the promised land we find the people below impatient and demanding from Aaron, the leader left behind in charge, to make them a God they can see like others around them have. This is one of those very thought-provoking stories we should not pass over quickly. Aaron appears to quickly decide that he should meet their demand, calls for a contribution from them, shapes an image they can look to for worship and builds an altar. The people respond with joy and create a feast because they have got what they want. The problem is it is in complete disobedience to God.

The interaction between God and Moses is also worth reading slowly and considering the arguments presented. God is angry because the people have turned away from what he commanded them to do and tells Moses he will destroy them. Moses argues that will not make God look good in the eyes of others. There is a common finger pointing here as God holds Moses responsible for those he has placed under his care and Moses points out God selected them and sent him to lead them.

Moses is returning to the people with the stone tablets that God had written his basic commandments on. He first meets Joshua and as they descend together toward the people, they can here the noise from camp. The discuss what that sound might mean. Before you read on remember the interaction that just occurred as God modeled for Moses how to respond to sin. Now Moses approaches the camp and sees the sins of the people. His response is one of explosive anger. His response to Aaron is to demand what Aaron had done to bring this great sin on the people, after all, he was in charge while Moses was gone. Aaron points to the demands of the people. Moses can apparently see how easily the people got out of control while Aaron was in control and he had allowed that to happen. He demands vengeance for their sin, and it is carried out.

Moses then tells the people he is going to return to the Lord and see if he can offer atonement for their sin. When he approaches the Lord, God tells him he will blot out those that have sinned. He then puts Moses back on the road toward the promised last as he had promised. As they begin the journey, we are told that the Lord smote the people because of what they had done under Aaron’s leadership. Accountability still comes in the end.

In Psalm 41 we are reminded that our call is to consider the helpless, those that cannot speak for themselves. When we do the Lord will deliver us and protect us and we will be called blessed. We are still to continually call upon the Lord to forgive us and be gracious to us. When the Lord is gracious to us we are lifted up. It is the Lord that upholds our integrity in his presence. The Lord be blessed.

The missional journey of Paul and Silas is a winding one with them wanting go places Jesus and the Holy Sprit tell them not to go and God gives Paul a vision of their next mission in a dream. Following that leading takes them to a place they have a great impact for the Kingdom of God and lives are changed. 

God Will Find a Way

 Acts 14-15           Psalm 93             Exodus 28-30

The early church journey as described in Acts 14 and 15 remind us that conflict, unwillingness to consider we might be wrong, anger and hatred are easy to stir up when our way of life is challenged, and that God permits us to go our own way. The costs of being obedient to God rather than pleasing people can be high, Paul is stoned and left for dead. The reminder that there are many tribulations ahead of entering the Kingdom of God. Through all that God finds ways to open doors into new people’s hearts and see them become believers.

When you remain faithful going to a new location does not mean that life will be any easier. Often those that opposed you before will find a way to follow you and bring their message of division and hatred with them. Our role is to continue to point to what God has done in our lives and the lives around us and allow God to do the work of bringing changed hearts. Note how even after much debate they had to hold on to some of the old ways in order to bring some satisfaction to all.

I always find the conflict between Paul and Barnabas interesting in that it is a struggle between seeing what someone once was and what they could be and an unwillingness to compromise to the point of division. We should always be reminded that the church as it struggles to be what God calls it to be will have to find ways to work through its differences and promote the Kingdom of God.

Psalm 93 reminds us that the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty either by us or in spite of us. Nothing has been able to overwhelm the Lord and the holiness of his house will live forever. Sometimes we just need reminded.

The instructions given to Moses by God for the preparation of the priests and the Holy place they will serve are detailed in Exodus 28 to30. It is a reminder that what we set aside for God should come from the best we have to offer. There is a need to prepare and present before the Lord our offerings so that God can judge and bless them.

The place we go for worship should also be prepared for excellence from our very best. What is holy to the Lord should be holy to us as well. Set apart for God’s purposes.

Today’s reading challenge me to remain faithful in the face of adversity and to be prepared to offer up my best to God. Not because God needs it but because from God comes the blessings that provide those very things to us.

Following God's Instructions Leads to Blessings

 Exodus 25-27                    Psalm109            Proverbs 7          Acts 12-13

As I read through the instructions for the creating of the tabernacle in Exodus 25 to 27 two things stood out to me, they were all to be made of the highest quality material and they were made to be portable so they could be moved. The detailed instructions also say that details are important. At the end God begins to setup the leadership structure on how it is to be accomplished with the assignment of Aaron and his sons to oversee the work.

In Psalm 109 we are reminded that all was not easy for David. He pours out his heart to the Lord because he suffers the wrath of others as he struggles to remain faithful to the Lord. In the end is his hope that those that do evil against him will be held accountable for their actions. He also shows he will give thanks with abundance no matter what the Lord has in store for him. A good model for us all.

Proverbs 7 finds Solomon warning of the dangers or turning aside from the ways of the Lord. Using the young man that is taken in by the words and attraction to the prostitute we are swept up in sin. The danger is we do not see that like this young man it will take away life. A final reminder not to turn away from the ways of the Lord or stray from the paths of righteousness.

The story of Herod’s arrest of Peter and his release by an angle recorded in Acts 12 show the power of God to work even when the full power of the ruler is used against followers of Jesus. Couple things I would note is that no one expected Peter to be set free, he didn’t linger in the area and put himself and others at risk unnecessarily and in the end Herod’s arrogance cost him his life as he praised himself, excepted public praise that belongs to God and suffered for it.

Acts 13 continues the story of the early church being spread, first by select disciples being selected to take the Word out and point to the truth. It doesn’t take long for the opposition to begin as they run into those that have their way of life threatened by the truth of the gospel. Paul goes first to the Jews, because he is one of them and knows them well. He starts by pointing out the faithful journey of his people and how the turning away from the Lord led to the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus. God’s word will always be true and be fulfilled. Paul points out how they have already experienced that.

As Paul and Barnabas are used by the Lord those threatened by them continue to seek to destroy them. They find themselves going from place to place proclaiming the Good News to the Jews and the gentiles. Large crowds gather and create jealously because large numbers of people are turning from sin and beginning the journey of faith in following Jesus. We must note that the Jews, those in power and that would do anything to keep it incited the devout and prominent to instigate a persecution of the true followers of Jesus.   When that happened the left, shook off the dust and moved on to those more ready to hear the good news. The true disciple of Jesus where continually filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Today’s readings again remind me that God pays attention to the details and looks for those that are truly working to follow his way of life. God want’s our best and we are called to walk with integrity and seek justice while leading others to Jesus. When we do, we have a lot to be thankful for and God continues to bless us and fill us with His Spirit.

God's Expects and Delivers

 Exodus 23-24                    Psalm73               Acts 11

As God continues to instruct the people of Israel through Moses. Chapter 23 is instructing them to be and become known as a people of integrity. If you read carefully though this, you will see it is about treating your neighbor with justice and truth. One of the things I notices differently today was that the instructions to plant to yield a crop and then let the field fallow for the 7^th year is so that the needy may be fed and then even the animals. The command to work six days and rest on the seventh is so that the workers and animals used can rest as well. The goal is that we are all better off and so as a nation better off.

Part of God’s instructions are that we are not to forget where what we are comes from. Whatever we are able to do and whatever we have comes from God. The next set of instructions are simply the way God wants us to recognize with thanks how he has blessed us. It starts by setting aside the first and the best for God’s use.

God then reminds them what he is preparing them for, to enter the promised land. He assures them that they will not go alone. As a matter of fact, He will send his angel before them to prepare the way and create a environment where there will be great blessings to thank Him for. There is also the reminder that failing to follow His instruction will lead to being drawn away from Him and toward others that claim to be god.

In Psalm 73 the writer starts out by how hard it is to remain pure in heart when we see all around us those that are wicked yet seem to prosper and receive so much good. The mock those that work hard to remain faithful and their voices are heard by so many.

The recognition that it at times feels vain to remain faithful when so many would turn you away from the way of the Lord. When we ponder to understand this it troubles us by what we see and feel. It is when we enter into the sanctuary of the Lord that our eyes can be opened to see their purpose and when we awake to I we understand that You oh Lord will despise them.

Even through all this, at times bitter because of our experience, it is when we are pierced with the truth that we can rejoice that we have stayed with you continuously. We can thank the Lord that he took us by the hand and provided us with counsel in preparing to receive us with glory. The psalmist recognizes that our heart may fail, and it is then the strength of God that upholds us.

In the end those that are far from God will perish and we will be able to rejoice in the Lord God our refuge and be able to tell of His great works.

The story of the spreading of the gospel continues in Acts 11 with once again the early church needing to be challenged in what they believed to be the will of God. One of their leaders, Peter, on who Jesus said he would build his church, returned from a trip throughout Judea they challenged him because he was spending time with gentiles. His response is one of those responses that should give us all reason to pause. As he explained, and they listened carefully, he outlined how God had done a work first in him, while at the same time working in the gentiles. It would cause both to do things they would not have done without the Spirit’s leading. The result was the unexpected that the gentiles, thought of as the rejected, were receiving the same blessings of the Holy Spirit they had. Peter’s question is one we should always be asking, “Who was I to stand in God’s way?”

The reading ends with the church growing, becoming known as Christians, followers and disciples of Jesus, and their supporting the faithful in Jerusalem.

So often we think we know what is best for others when we are so busy wanting our beliefs to be right that we fail to leave room for the work of the Holy Spirit and God to use unorthodox ways to advance his Kingdom and the church. Who among us would want to stand in the way of God, even if as well meaning as Peter and the other apostles? I for one do not.

Outlining Justice

 Acts 10                Psalm 120           Exodus 21-22

The story of the early church continues in Acts 10 as the stories of Gentiles, non-Jews, begin to experience God in a new way and the Jews are forced to begin dealing with the changes that are coming that will change their way of life as well. A Roman centurion, who fears God along with the rest of his family and has supported the local Jews but donating to the local synagogue to help the poor has a vision from God that becomes a story of change and new relationships.

Told to send those he commands to another town and to find a man named Peter and bring him back to him and his family because he has a message for them. As I read this, I thought about how each person in the story is challenged to do things that go against their normal beliefs and way of like.

The centurion has a vision in a dream and told to send for someone he doesn’t know because his prayers and gifts have been well received by God. When he awakes he sends for Peter.

As the centurion’s men approach the house where Peter is staying, the home of a tanner, Peter is resting on the roof before dinner. Finding him in the home of a person that deals with dead animal skins is in itself interesting since good Jews avoid those that touch the dead. Now Peter has a vision of a sheet being lowered from heaven and it is filled with unclean animals with the command, “Kill and eat!” This goes against everything Peter has been taught his whole life is proper and his response is, “Never” God’s response is “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”

Peter wakes up confused about what all this could mean. It challenges so much of what he has been taught about God, life and holy living. While thinking about this the Spirit told him there were three men looking for him and he should go with them. He is not to worry about going with them because the Spirit sent them. When he goes down to meet them, Gentiles, he invites them into the place where he is staying for the night.

The next morning Peter gathers a few others up and they begin this journey back to the centurion’s home. The gentile centurion tells Peter of his vision and that he is ready to hear the message Peter has for him and his family. Suddenly, Peter understands what the Spirit was directing him to do. He shares the gospel with this family, they are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to speak in tongues exalting God. The Jews that are with him are amazed that God is working, without their intervention, and transforming lives in ways they never expected. The family is baptized into the Kingdom of God.

As I read through this today, I couldn’t help think about each of the people in this story that followed God’s leading, through the Holy Spirit, in ways and to places they would not have chosen to go and to people they would rather not be seen with. When each were obedient to the Spirit God did amazing things in their midst.

Psalm 120 quickly reminds us that the people of God reside in the midst of those that would seek to destroy them and will use lies and deceit to accomplish their goal. While our desire is for peace it must be because we seek God’s will and those opposed to God will seek war.

In Exodus 21 and 22 God begins laying out the outline of the laws to how they are to govern the people, both the people of God and gentiles. These will challenge our thinking, and many will find them disturbing because our lives, expectation and beliefs in what is right and wrong are in such great conflict with much of what is here. First, we must remember that what was normal practice and acceptable in this time was very different than we believe today. I found reading this after reading the passage in Acts 10 to show that God does adjust his demands on us based on the context in which we live. What doesn’t change is the expectation that we will treat others with respect and dignity and as a child of God. There is great wisdom here when we look to God laying out the relationship and the demand for justice to prevail. There is great difference between intent and action, between accidents and intentional destruction.

Today’s reading reminds me that God is always working through the Holy Spirit to challenge us to live the life that more nearly reflect Him to the world around us. In the end, judgement will be made on our obedience and that judgement will be just.

Prepared by God

 Exodus 19-20                    Psalm 35             Acts 9

The Hebrew nation, led by Moses, arrives at Mount Sini where they will camp for the next 2 years and be instructed by the Lord on how to live. God instructs Moses on how to prepare the people to be there and the way they would meet so that Moses could teach the people what God expected from them. This is the next step in preparing them to enter into the promised land that they will be able to claim as their own.

God then begins telling Moses those foundational rules of life we know as the Ten Commandments. They are an outline of the expectations between God and us and then instructions on our relationships with one another and our neighbors, even those much different then us.

Psalm35 shows us that even in the midst of great adversity when we keep our attention on the Lord and his ways, we have many reasons to praise the Lord.

Acts 9 is the story of change. Saul, a Pharisee, is passionate for the Lord and truly believes that he is doing God’s work as he does all he can to destroy the followers of Jesus. He makes a name for himself with his devotion and willingness to use violence to accomplish what he believes is right. The problem is, he is wrong.

Not happy to hear the work of Jesus is spreading beyond Jerusalem and Judah he wants to head north to Damascus so that he can capture and bring back the followers who are teaching what he has come to believe is false so that they can be punished for their transgressions. As he travels there, he has this incredible experience on the road where first he is blinded and then the voice of Jesus speaks to him to tell him how wrong he has been in what he believed. He actually is working diligently against the will of God. He finds himself now physically blind to match his spiritual blindness that he allowed to develop. He completes his trip a humble man, seeing himself as God sees him, and led by the hand to the home of a disciple that takes him in. For three days he quietly reflects on this experience while fasting and wondering what lies ahead.

A devote disciple of Jesus is challenged by the Lord to go to Saul because Saul has been praying and the Lord gave him a vision that he would be the one to go to him and be the instrument to restore his sight. I have to admit every time I read this story I chuckle as I her the disciple say, “Lord to you know who this man is? I have heard the stories of the pain and destruction that he has brought to disciples like me.” The truth is he is afraid. God’s response, “Go! He is an instrument of mine. I will use him to expand my Word into the world that none of you can reach. The cost to him to do that will be great and he will suffer much for my name.” What he really is saying is, trust me.

That disciple believes God, does what is ask of him and is used by God to start the process of true transition from enemy to leader of God’s people. Saul is then introduced into the Christian faith community and his witness to the power of God to transform lives is so powerful those that he once represented seek to destroy him since he is now a threat to their power.

Saul travels to Jerusalem where they are hesitant to accept the change in him as well until the stories of his transformation travels to them and one has the courage to get to know him and introduce him into the faith community. Once again, his effectiveness endangers his life and he fleas because God has other plans.

This chapter ends with a story of Peter going into the Greek world and being an instrument of bringing a gentile back to life after she dies. Once again, we see God beginning to work towards this ultimate purpose, to bring the opportunity for salvation to the whole world.

As I read these passages, I couldn’t help but think about those times in these lives God was using times of slowing down to create transformation in them. Get them refocused on Him and demanding they trust He knew what He was doing, and His will would be done. Is there a lesson for us in these stories today?

God's Way and Time

 Exodus 17-18                    Proverbs 4          Acts 8

As Moses leads the people through the wilderness toward the promised land they once again begin to complain when the run into difficulty, can’t see beyond it and attack Moses. Moses appeals to the Lord and is told to strike the rock and when he does the water pours out to meet the people’s needs.

Israel is attacked and Moses sends Joshua to lead the army of Israel in their defense. As Moses oversees the battle there is this brief story of him holding up his staff, that has become a symbol of power to the people, and the army prevails but falters when he lowers his staff. Aaron and Hur first make it easier for him and then physically support him and it then that the army prevails over their enemy.

As they begin to move Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, comes brining Moses his family and then observes what Moses is doing. Moses is trying to oversee all the decisions of leadership among the many people who are his responsibility. Don’t miss it is this outside observer, Jethro, that sees the problem that Moses is so close to he can’t see any other way. The wisdom of Moses shows up when he listens to Jethro and begins to appoint others to manage the day-to-day decisions in the camp. We must see that there are qualifications to be in these positions and the main one is integrity. The result is that the camp runs better, and Moses is a more effective leader.

Proverbs 4 is an interesting challenge from Solomon to listen to what he is teaching about what he has learned about wisdom. The first advice is to acquire wisdom by acquiring understanding. As you do that you continue to seek knowledge and more understanding that leads to more wisdom. Follow the path of those that seek righteousness, God’s way, and turn from evil.

There comes a time when we decide if we are going to follow the truth and wisdom or the way of the wicked. The call is to put away deceit and devious speech from our way of life. Let us look for the way of the Lord to lead us and we are called not to turn to the right or the left but follow the ways of the Lord.

Acts chapter 8 is one of the most interesting chapters in the Bible for me. It opens with Saul/Paul being in hearty agreement with putting a Christian to death. That day a great persecution begins in Jerusalem and the followers of Jesus with a few exceptions, the apostles, flee for their lives. The result is the gospel, the story of Jesus, is spread far and wide. Lives begin to be changed and more and more begin the journey of discipleship.

In the midst of that we see those that still make poor choices try to use their old methods, get angry when their way of life is threatened. There is a basic lack of understanding of what following Jesus means and the power that come with that when it is the result of faith, not money or work. Any other track will lead to bitterness and bondage to iniquity.

Once again, the scene shifts to another disciple on a faithful journey encountering someone that is seeking truth and a relationship with God. This encounter leads to a decision, led by the Spirit of God, to transformation. That disciple simply disappears in the story as the one whose life is transforms goes on his way praising God. The disciple finds himself at the next stop on the ministry journey.

Each of the reading today remind me that God is at work, even if I can’t see it, and that there is a reason for the things that happen to those that love the Lord. In each case there is the balance between keeping the process of learning going while practicing the faith we are developing. God’s ways are not our ways and God’s timing is not our timing but when we put our trust in him, we are blessed.

God Always at Work

 Acts 7                   Psalm 100           Job 8-10

In Acts 7 the recording of Stephen’s last words are recorded as he reminds the local Hebrew community leaders that their history is one of God continually reminding them of their responsibility to follow his ways and the many ways they have failed. Outlining for them the call of Abraham to their day their failure to be obedient has led them to this place where they have betrayed God and become murderers after receiving the law and then failing to follow it. Their reaction is swift and violent as they drive him out of the city and stone him to death. Saul, who would become Paul, stood watch over their robes.

 Plasm 100 reminds us that we are to shout joyfully to the Lord and give him praise with thanksgiving in our hearts. He will be faithful to us to all generations.

In Job 8 through 10 another of Job’s friends challenges the value of his faith. Once again Job reminds them that we can’t be right and be in dispute with God. He continues to outline the many ways God has been faithful.

Power Struggle

Genesis 13-16                   Psalm 114           Acts 5-6

Genesis 13 through 16 is the story of Moses leading the people out of slavery in Egypt. The story begins with the Lord telling Moses that two things should be done as a remembrance of the power of God in bringing them out of Egypt. They are told to set apart the first male born person and animal as dedicated to the Lord and they are to us the Passover ritual to remind them that each step in getting the people of Israel out was because of the action of the Lord. This included the destroying of every first-born male of every home that was not marked as set apart as the people of God.

When you read this slowly you see the Lord putting the people of Israel to the test and preparing them for the difficulty of life ahead. Each step of the way when they are faced with adversity they complain and look back saying how they were better off where they had been. Even though the Lord continues to meet each of their needs, in His own way, the refuse to look forward to what the future will be when they get to the land the Lord has promised them.

While they celebrate each thing that God does for them, they quickly appear to forget that they have done nothing to get them where they are and complain that Moses, Aaron and God have brought them to a terrible place. Their complaints are heard, Moses get angry, Aaron speaks to them and God once again meets their need. It is a patter that feel like it never ends to me.

Psalm 114 is simply a reminder that the power of the Lord was shown in bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt and worthy of praise.

In Acts 5 and 6 we once again see that when we try and deceive others our sin is really against God. God allows us to control what has been placed in our control and what we do with it shows are faith in God. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is not about them not giving all of what they had to God but the attempt to deceive what they were giving.

Declaring the Word of the Lord brings change in people that not everyone will like. Especially those who feel their power and wealth is threatened. The apostles proclaim the story of Jesus, anger those in power, are threatened, punished while still being protected by God and refuse to stop spreading the truth even though it cost them greatly. When they point out the truth of the Word of God it often cut people to the quick and the reaction is anger and the desire to hurt them.

In Acts 6 we are reminded that all conflict doesn’t come from outside the faith but from within when the need are perceived as not being met on an equal basis. The apostle’s response was to ask the church to consider the priority of spreading the Word and serving the people. They were challenged to put up leaders from among themselves to meet the physical needs of the people so they could continue to work to meet the spiritual needs of them. The response is there are those that step up, take responsibility and allow the apostles to be more effective in spreading the Word and providing spiritual leadership.

Once again we see the jealousy of those in power and the lengths they will go to so that they can destroy those that threaten their way of life. The stir up the people and use deception to destroy the work of another.