Deut. 8:11 "Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day."
God wants to make sure his people do not forget him and what he has done for them. Before they proceed to the promised land, God wants to make sure they remember who's in charge and who rescued them.
Remembering is tough. I just found some older photos this week and it's amazing to see faces and places from years ago. I found myself saying "oh I remember that." But I only remembered the moment after being reminded by the photo. I do the same thing with God. I too easily forget him and what he has done for me. Thank goodness for his word to remind me. I need daily, hourly reminders of him.
Dear Jesus, help me remember you and your word each day, each hour and at every moment. Amen.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
No Other
Deut. 4:39 "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Moses is preparing to give the law to the Israelites and he wants to make it clear there is just one God. At this time most people were polytheistic so the idea that there was just one God was rather new.
I love the line, "there is no other." I need to remind myself of that often. When I am tempted to go seeking after "others" I need to remember Moses' words. I often am tempted by "other gods" and "other loves" such as money, power, fame, comfort and pleasure. But Moses is clear; in heaven and on earth, "there is no other."
Dear Jesus, remind me often that there is no other. Amen.
Moses is preparing to give the law to the Israelites and he wants to make it clear there is just one God. At this time most people were polytheistic so the idea that there was just one God was rather new.
I love the line, "there is no other." I need to remind myself of that often. When I am tempted to go seeking after "others" I need to remember Moses' words. I often am tempted by "other gods" and "other loves" such as money, power, fame, comfort and pleasure. But Moses is clear; in heaven and on earth, "there is no other."
Dear Jesus, remind me often that there is no other. Amen.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Fair
Deut. 1:17 "Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of any man, for judgement belongs to God..."
Moses has realized that he alone is not capable of leading, directing, and caring for the Israelites all on his own. God instructs him to create a team/system of judges who can help him lead the nation. In this verse, God instructs them to not "show partiality in judging."
God wants us to be fair. God does not want us to show favoritism to people who may be powerful, rich or attractive. We should treat poor and rich, powerful and weak as equals. No man is above another man in God's eyes. Do I show favoritism in my life? With my students? I need to remember that we are all God's children and we all deserve respect and equality.
Dear Jesus, help me be fair with everyone. Amen.
Moses has realized that he alone is not capable of leading, directing, and caring for the Israelites all on his own. God instructs him to create a team/system of judges who can help him lead the nation. In this verse, God instructs them to not "show partiality in judging."
God wants us to be fair. God does not want us to show favoritism to people who may be powerful, rich or attractive. We should treat poor and rich, powerful and weak as equals. No man is above another man in God's eyes. Do I show favoritism in my life? With my students? I need to remember that we are all God's children and we all deserve respect and equality.
Dear Jesus, help me be fair with everyone. Amen.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Preparing East of the Jordan
Numbers 36: 13 "These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho."
God has has taken the time to give the Israelites the law before they enter the promised land. He wants to prepare them before they move in and take up residence.
What is God preparing me for? The Israelites did a poor job of listening to God's preparations. I need to do better. I think my daily SOAP is one step in listening for God and preparing for my future journeys. God has big things in store for me and my family, as he did the Israelites. Am I ready?
Dear Jesus, help me listen to your voice and be ready to follow your plans. Amen.
God has has taken the time to give the Israelites the law before they enter the promised land. He wants to prepare them before they move in and take up residence.
What is God preparing me for? The Israelites did a poor job of listening to God's preparations. I need to do better. I think my daily SOAP is one step in listening for God and preparing for my future journeys. God has big things in store for me and my family, as he did the Israelites. Am I ready?
Dear Jesus, help me listen to your voice and be ready to follow your plans. Amen.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Nasty Cookie
Numbers 33:55 "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live."
God wants the Israelites to make sure they drive out the inhabitants of the promised land. He knows if they do not they will forever cause them trouble.
God wants us to drive out all of the sin in our lives. Even a little bit left over can cause us trouble for our entire lives. Where in my life have I compromised and allowed certain amounts and levels of sin to remain? I may think it's only a small sin, or it's only every now and then, but even a small amount can ruin things. This reminds me of the old youth ministry object lesson of a cookie made with dough containing a tiny amount of dog poop. Would you eat the cookie? It's only a little poop. Well of course not! Even a tiny amount ruins the entire cookie. Sin is the same way. God knows this. The Israelites never learned this. Will I?
Dear Jesus, help me rid myself of all of the sin in my life. Amen.
God wants the Israelites to make sure they drive out the inhabitants of the promised land. He knows if they do not they will forever cause them trouble.
God wants us to drive out all of the sin in our lives. Even a little bit left over can cause us trouble for our entire lives. Where in my life have I compromised and allowed certain amounts and levels of sin to remain? I may think it's only a small sin, or it's only every now and then, but even a small amount can ruin things. This reminds me of the old youth ministry object lesson of a cookie made with dough containing a tiny amount of dog poop. Would you eat the cookie? It's only a little poop. Well of course not! Even a tiny amount ruins the entire cookie. Sin is the same way. God knows this. The Israelites never learned this. Will I?
Dear Jesus, help me rid myself of all of the sin in my life. Amen.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Do What You Say
Numbers 30:2 "When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said."
Just outside the promised land, God continues to feed the Israelites the law. Here he gives them some rules concerning oaths and pledges; essentially telling the people to keep their word.
So much of God's law is common sense. Stuff we know we ought to do, yet God knows we need to hear it again and again. I find myself often enough breaking my promises. I say I'll do something and one, two days pass and I've forgotten. It's so easy to do. God wants us to be people who keep our word because a man who keeps his word can be trusted. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Say what you'll do and do what you say. Good words for today.
Dear Jesus, help me do what I said I would. Amen.
Just outside the promised land, God continues to feed the Israelites the law. Here he gives them some rules concerning oaths and pledges; essentially telling the people to keep their word.
So much of God's law is common sense. Stuff we know we ought to do, yet God knows we need to hear it again and again. I find myself often enough breaking my promises. I say I'll do something and one, two days pass and I've forgotten. It's so easy to do. God wants us to be people who keep our word because a man who keeps his word can be trusted. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Say what you'll do and do what you say. Good words for today.
Dear Jesus, help me do what I said I would. Amen.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Why Wait for the Donkey?
Numbers 22: 31 "Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown."
Balak, king of Moab has asked Balaam to curse the Israelites. So God shows up and tells Balaam not to do it. But Balak is stubborn and continues to entice Balaam to cast a spell. On Balaam's way to meet with Balak, God sends an angel to "persuade" him to listen to God and not Balak. The angel stands in the road, blocks Balaam's donkey, and eventually speaks through the donkey! Balaam finally recognizes the angel and bows down to him.
I am like Balaam. Sometimes I just don't listen and don't learn. Somedays I really could use a donkey to show up and just get my attention. But it really shouldn't take a talking animal to get through to me. God has given us his word and his spirit. He has given us Jesus! Today I need to pay attention to what God wants to say to me and not wait until some crazy animal begins speaking!
Dear Jesus, help me to hear you today. Amen.
Balak, king of Moab has asked Balaam to curse the Israelites. So God shows up and tells Balaam not to do it. But Balak is stubborn and continues to entice Balaam to cast a spell. On Balaam's way to meet with Balak, God sends an angel to "persuade" him to listen to God and not Balak. The angel stands in the road, blocks Balaam's donkey, and eventually speaks through the donkey! Balaam finally recognizes the angel and bows down to him.
I am like Balaam. Sometimes I just don't listen and don't learn. Somedays I really could use a donkey to show up and just get my attention. But it really shouldn't take a talking animal to get through to me. God has given us his word and his spirit. He has given us Jesus! Today I need to pay attention to what God wants to say to me and not wait until some crazy animal begins speaking!
Dear Jesus, help me to hear you today. Amen.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Plague has Started
Numbers 16:46 "...Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started."
These words sound like something out of an epic scene in a blockbuster Hollywood film! I can see Gerard Butler shouting these words in a movie like 300. In reality, Korah, some of his friends, and a bunch of the Israelites have seriously ticked off God. He responds by swallowing many of them into the earth and later sending a plague that finishes off 14,700 of them. Lesson of the day; don't grumble against Moses, Aaron or the Lord or the earth will open up and swallow you Temple of Doom style.
What is is this? Honestly. I struggle at times matching the God of Numbers who sends plagues to his own people with the Jesus from Nazareth who forgives, heals, and cries. A dude named Maricon once thought the same thing and decided the God of the Old Testament can't be the God of the New. I don't agree with that at all but he does make an interesting observation. At the end of the day I believe in a God who is just and merciful. I believe in a God who hates sin and loves sinners.
Dear Jesus, help me trust in you and in your justice and mercy. Amen.
These words sound like something out of an epic scene in a blockbuster Hollywood film! I can see Gerard Butler shouting these words in a movie like 300. In reality, Korah, some of his friends, and a bunch of the Israelites have seriously ticked off God. He responds by swallowing many of them into the earth and later sending a plague that finishes off 14,700 of them. Lesson of the day; don't grumble against Moses, Aaron or the Lord or the earth will open up and swallow you Temple of Doom style.
What is is this? Honestly. I struggle at times matching the God of Numbers who sends plagues to his own people with the Jesus from Nazareth who forgives, heals, and cries. A dude named Maricon once thought the same thing and decided the God of the Old Testament can't be the God of the New. I don't agree with that at all but he does make an interesting observation. At the end of the day I believe in a God who is just and merciful. I believe in a God who hates sin and loves sinners.
Dear Jesus, help me trust in you and in your justice and mercy. Amen.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Shut Up
Numbers 12:13 "So Moses cried out to the Lord, 'O God please heal her!'"
Aaron and Miriam began speaking poorly about Moses and his decision to marry his Cushite wife. Essentially, they begin gossiping about Moses. God of course hears about it (ha ha- like you can hide from God) and comes down in a cloud pillar and confronts them. For some reason only Miriam is punished (with leprosy) and both Miriam and Aaron say they're sorry. Moses being the nice guy he is, asks God to heal Miriam. I wonder if his Cushite wife would have been so forgiving!?
Our lips can get us into big trouble. Sometimes it's just better to shut up. Oftentimes, it's better to just shut up. I guess that's all I need to say today. That's it. Maybe today, I need to recognize when to shut up?
Dear Jesus, help me know when to keep my mouth shut. Amen.
Aaron and Miriam began speaking poorly about Moses and his decision to marry his Cushite wife. Essentially, they begin gossiping about Moses. God of course hears about it (ha ha- like you can hide from God) and comes down in a cloud pillar and confronts them. For some reason only Miriam is punished (with leprosy) and both Miriam and Aaron say they're sorry. Moses being the nice guy he is, asks God to heal Miriam. I wonder if his Cushite wife would have been so forgiving!?
Our lips can get us into big trouble. Sometimes it's just better to shut up. Oftentimes, it's better to just shut up. I guess that's all I need to say today. That's it. Maybe today, I need to recognize when to shut up?
Dear Jesus, help me know when to keep my mouth shut. Amen.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Big Arm
Numbers 11:23 "The Lord answered Moses, 'Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'"
The Israelites have again complained about their situation in the wilderness. They are upset about their dinner options so God decides he is going to send them another round of quail-enough quail so that it comes out of their nostrils! Moses questions if that is even possible and God responds, "Is the Lord's arm too short?" Gotta love it.
Is God's arm too short? Of course not. So why do we act like it is? My plans, prayers, dreams and hopes too often represent my arm. They ought to level up to the Lord's arm. If he exists and if he is who he says he is, then nothing is too out of reach or too difficult for him. So, I must plan big, dream big, and go big, cuz he's got a big arm. He's got a big gun! Bigger than Peyton Manning's! It's playoff time, sue me.
Dear Jesus, help me rely on and trust your arm, not mine. Amen.
The Israelites have again complained about their situation in the wilderness. They are upset about their dinner options so God decides he is going to send them another round of quail-enough quail so that it comes out of their nostrils! Moses questions if that is even possible and God responds, "Is the Lord's arm too short?" Gotta love it.
Is God's arm too short? Of course not. So why do we act like it is? My plans, prayers, dreams and hopes too often represent my arm. They ought to level up to the Lord's arm. If he exists and if he is who he says he is, then nothing is too out of reach or too difficult for him. So, I must plan big, dream big, and go big, cuz he's got a big arm. He's got a big gun! Bigger than Peyton Manning's! It's playoff time, sue me.
Dear Jesus, help me rely on and trust your arm, not mine. Amen.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Put the Holy Water Down Woman!
Numbers 5:29 "This, then, is the law of jealousy when a woman goes astray and defiles herself while married to her husband..."
So, Numbers chapter 5 is weird. It includes this "test" for a wife suspected of cheating. The wife would be brought before the priest and something similar to the Salem witch trials began. It involved sacrifices, holy water, and a curse-if she was guilty.
This is just a hunch, but I think this is the kind of thing Jesus came to set us free from. At least I hope so. Of course the question remains, why this seemingly odd and somewhat inhumane test? Why was this part of God's plan for the Israelites? I'll have to do some digging into this one. For now, I put my trust in the fact that Jesus has set us free and has given us new life. We can set the holy water down now.
Dear Jesus, thank you for saving us and setting us free. Amen.
So, Numbers chapter 5 is weird. It includes this "test" for a wife suspected of cheating. The wife would be brought before the priest and something similar to the Salem witch trials began. It involved sacrifices, holy water, and a curse-if she was guilty.
This is just a hunch, but I think this is the kind of thing Jesus came to set us free from. At least I hope so. Of course the question remains, why this seemingly odd and somewhat inhumane test? Why was this part of God's plan for the Israelites? I'll have to do some digging into this one. For now, I put my trust in the fact that Jesus has set us free and has given us new life. We can set the holy water down now.
Dear Jesus, thank you for saving us and setting us free. Amen.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
A Year Off?
Lev. 25: 4 "But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards."
God is instructing the Israelites on how to live as they move in and possess the promised land. He tells them to go about their business and plant and harvest for six years but on the seventh they are to let the land rest.
I cannot imagine the faith and trust it must have taken to take a year off from planting and harvesting. This was their means of commerce and the backbone of the economy. And for one entire year they are let the land rest. Would I have the faith to take a year off from my job? Do I have enough saved up to take an entire year off? Would I have enough faith during that year to trust God would provide? This sabbath rest was designed to show that we must trust God in every walk of life-even when it comes to our business, our pocketbooks, and our dinner.
Dear Jesus help me trust you in all things with all things. Amen.
God is instructing the Israelites on how to live as they move in and possess the promised land. He tells them to go about their business and plant and harvest for six years but on the seventh they are to let the land rest.
I cannot imagine the faith and trust it must have taken to take a year off from planting and harvesting. This was their means of commerce and the backbone of the economy. And for one entire year they are let the land rest. Would I have the faith to take a year off from my job? Do I have enough saved up to take an entire year off? Would I have enough faith during that year to trust God would provide? This sabbath rest was designed to show that we must trust God in every walk of life-even when it comes to our business, our pocketbooks, and our dinner.
Dear Jesus help me trust you in all things with all things. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)