2010 – Day 42. Feb. 11 – Foolishly Testing God’s Word (Truth)

Study back to Numbers 22 - 24; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 23: 12 … NIV He [Balaam, the Sorcerer-Prophet to King Balak of Moab] answered, “Must I not speak what the Lord puts in my mouth.”

My Journal for Today: You Bible students have probably read and studied this curious passage which has a fearful Moabite King (Balak) seeking out a sorcerer (Balaam) to curse his enemies (Israel). And in this account we have the famous (or rather, “infamous”) account of “Balaam’s ass,” his donkey who does God’s bidding by actually speaking to Balaam about the power of God.

And don’t we see a lot of ourselves in these characters. We can see our fearfulness, as we come up against our own enemies in this world, … enemies like other religions, worldly power, tempting wealth, etc. And like Balak, we’d like to have our own “big stick” and be placed in a position to defeat our enemies. So, we call upon our diviners, … forces like education, science, or military power to put us in the position to be secure in the face of our enemies. But then, over and over again, we get the message from a God, Who cannot lie to us about Himself (see Numbers 23: 19); and He tells us over and over again in His word of truth, exactly what we need to hear about the blessings He has upon those who obey Him and His cursings on those who disobey Him.

Balak kept sending Balaam, over and over again, to try to hear what he wanted to hear, … trying to get Balaam to curse Israel, who were his enemies. But over and over again, God just put the mirror of truth in Balaam’s prophesies in front of Balak, even using a pagan magician, like Balaam, as His Prophet (don’t you love God’s sense of humor!). But in the end God can only reflect Himself through His mirror of truth; and how many times does our world need to hear God’s Prophets, reflecting truth … that abortion is evil or that homosexuality is an abomination or that Israel is God’s chosen people … before we – the world – will see that God cannot and will not reflect anything but truth from the mirror we know of as God’s word – The Bible.

We can – as some try to do – fashion interpretations of God’s truth to fit our world. There are people who call themselves “christian,” who try to get God’s word to say what they want to read … creating their own fashion of “truth,” We’ve read the lies; … like the Bible doesn’t mean what it says – literally; and we can accept homosexuality in our culture, which has evolved to a place where God can accept that lifestyle as “normal.” Or we read of “christians” who say that abortion can be accepted as a “choice” women should have to give them control of their bodies. Or we read that we need to allow Islam to be tolerated as a religion which serves the same “god” who was the God of Abraham.

Oh, how we can look into the mirror of truth; and by our own design see ourselves the way we want to see us, rather than using God’s mirror of truth (the Bible) and letting it show us the true image of the God Who is the only true God. How many times does God have to speak His truth in our midst; and we ignore it or disobey Him? How many times will God’s mercy and His grace give our world the chance to hear how He desires for all to be saved; BUT … and it’s a big “BUT,” for sure, … there will come a day, when, as it was for Balak, God’s truth will prevail; and His prophesies will unfold … AND the rain of righteousness will fall on the remnant of believers as well as on those who will not see truth in God’s mirror.

Balaam’s donkey cries out for us to see God’s truth for what it is … THE TRUTH; … and it has, is, and will unfold in the Person of Truth, Who is Jesus Christ! [e.g., meditate on John 14: 6]

My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for giving me Your mirror of Truth, which is Your word and Who is my Lord and Savior, Jesus. May I see clearly Your way and follow it. Amen

2010 – Day 41. Feb. 10 – Records That Reflect

Study from Numbers 20 – 21, then on to Num. 33; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 33: 2 … NIV At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages of their journey.

My Journal for Today: A number of years ago, I had waded through the Book of Numbers, reading it like a history text book as part of compulsory exercise of biblical study. But now, some years later, as I have committed to read through the Bible this year, being led by The Daily Bible, edited by F. LaGard Smith, and his companion devotional book, The Daily Bible Devotional, reading and studying in Numbers now takes on a whole different light.

First, … there is the fact that my wife and I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land about a year ago, seeing and walking in many of the places brought out in the Book of Numbers. Being in this very special area on God’s earth does have an enlightening influence when one thereafter studies God’s word. Today, reading about the Israelites coming out from the Desert of Zin and about the travels of God’s people from Kadesh into the land of Edom and Moab, I know where all those places are because we’ve walked there. And when I read of Moses’ journaling about what transpired where he struck the rock and his pride, along with that of his brother, Aaron, kept them from entering the land they saw from Mount Nebo, west of the Dead Sea, all of that is personally meaningful, having been there and “owning the t-shirt,” so to speak. I hope that some day any of you who’re reading here might have the opportunity to visit and travel in the lands described in the passages which were journaled by Moses in the Book of Numbers, in the Old Testament, and especially where Jesus walked in the New Testament times.

But on to the subject of today’s devotional passage, where, in Numbers 33 Moses was commanded to journal the trek of God’s people in the wilderness during those 40 years of purging carried out by God for His chosen people, and where they were finally allowed to enter and take the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua [later in the book by his name]. And the subject of today’s verse points to the importance of journaling in our devotional lives, as we attempt to go deep in building a very personal and lasting relationship with God.

Years ago, my personal mentor helped me to see the value of journaling in my devotional life. (Oh, how I pray that you have had or now have a Godly, and biblically knowledgeable, mentor to be your guide as possibly Elijah was for Elisha or Paul was for Timothy.) And so, … as I began to develop the discipline and techniques I now use in journaling, much as I am here in writing this blog, I came to realize that God’s truth could, if I surrendered myself to the enlightening ministry of God’s Spirit, become so much clearer - for me personally - if I tried to put into words – possibly for others – what God was trying to show me in order to help me become more like my Savior and Lord, Jesus.

And so now, today, I journal about journaling, …an interesting bit of circular redundancy, isn’t it? But God wanted Moses to journal; and much of what we know of in the Bible, especially in OT books like Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Psalms … and in the NT in books like Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation are really just journaling, led and inspired by God’s Spirit [see 2nd Tim. 3: 16-17] which has become canonized and incorporated into God’s word for our edification and enlightenment so that we, as Christian believers, can deepen our understanding of our God and His work (i.e., that of the Holy Spirit) to shape us into the image of God’s Son, Jesus.

So, I’ve come to recognize and realize the importance of journaling as I attempt to go deeper and deeper into God’s word, which really is His journal, in my attempt to know my Lord and to share Him with others. Therefore, if you are not into journaling, I would strongly exhort you to consider doing so. And for Heaven’s sake (literally), don’t get hung up in the “HOW” of journaling, which is not so important as the “WHY” you would do it. Don’t fret over technique; just begin journaling your prayers or your thoughts as you have your “quiet time” with God each day. Obviously the regularity and the discipline of doing it daily is important; but just rely on God’s Spirit to do His thing of giving you His wisdom as you seek to know God more today than yesterday … and even more tomorrow than today. That’s the promise of James 1: 5,6; and as you journal in your devotional life, you’ll see it unfold in truth for you in a very personal way.

And I’m here to give witness to the truth that God can and will do that more powerfully in your life if you begin journaling what He’s bringing to you than just being a sponge, soaking up what He has for you. The latter is not a bad model of devotional life [it’s better than no devotional model at all]; but journaling will add so much more to your time with God each day. …. Trust me! … It works!!!

My Prayer for Today: Lord, … precious Holy Spirit … I thank You for Your ministry of enlightenment, which grows exponentially in my heart/mind when I journal what You share with me. Amen

2010 – Day 40. Feb. 9 – Nothing But the Finest for God

Study from Numbers 16 – 18; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 18: 29 … NIV [God’s instructions to the Levites through Moses] You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.

My Journal for Today: Tithing. It seems so legalist, … so arbitrary, … doesn’t it? It almost seems like God is modeling selfishness by wanting the first and the best as He commands us to give to Him. And then, He not only asks His children to give the best of their best to His Priesthood, He turns around and asks the Levites, His Priesthood, to give the very best from the Tithe as their tithe to God.

And if you’ve read along with me today, in Numbers 16, there is the story of how God handled those who rebelled and decided that God’s Priesthood had gone too far in their demands (which, of course, were only the commands of God passed along to His chosen people from Moses). Today, there are many Christians who have trouble with the concept of the “TITHE;” and I’m not going to get into that Old Covenant verses New Covenant theological debate here. But no matter who you are as a believer in Christ, there is no doubt that God has a lot to say in His word to His kids about stewardship, giving, and how we prioritize the handling of God’s providence.

You probably know – or I hope you do – what God’s word highlights about tithing, giving, and being a steward of His talents, time, or treasures. And if you cannot glean from God’s truth that He demands the first and the best from what He’s given to us as a marker of our devotion to Him, I think you need to do some serious study on this. Because when I read passages like those linked here ... Malachi 3: 7 – 10 … or Proverbs 3: 9 – 10 … or 2nd Cor. 9: 6 -7 … or [Jesus Himself teaching about stewardship] in Matt. 25: 14-30 and Matt. 6: 19 – 24, it seems so very obvious to me that what we do with what God has given us is how God measures our devotion to Him as our Lord.

So, a long time ago, my wife and I decided to quit debating about whether the “tithe” was an Old Testament or New Testament command on our lives. We decided to prioritize what God had given us, i.e., time, talents, and/or treasures; and without questioning or grumbling, to gratefully and joyfully give the first and the best portion of His providence back to Him. Now, I can almost feel the wheels turning in the minds of those who are reading here, some of you asking, “Well, Bill (and Elly), how do you do that … this business of tithing and giving of our time, talents, and treasures?” And I agree that this is a very important question which we all need to answer from God’s teaching and leading. My wife and I have studied on this, prayed about it, and we’ve decided how we go about giving back to God His first and His best from His providence. And I’m not about to try to legalistically say here’s THE ANSWER, the “Berry Patch” answer, to that challenging question for you.

No, you’re going to have to answer that one for yourself; but I will say that those verses I’ve prioritized above [see those linked, emboldened and underlined] would be a good place to start if you’re trying to answer this very important question related to Godly Stewardship. But … please [!!!] don’t put it off; because putting off how you give back to God will delay just how much God can or will pour Himself into your lives; and you don’t want to be delaying the dispersal of God’s grace in your life either because you’re ignorant of God’s plan for giving or because you’re simply not willing to cooperate with His plan.

So let’s all answer the question my devotional shepherd, F. LaGard Smith, challenges us with today. He writes, Of all that I give to God today, will it truly be the best and the holiest?”

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I pray that my life is truly a living sacrifice; and I pray that I’m always giving back without hesitation the first and the best You have given to me. Amen

2010 – Day 39. Feb. 8 – Crowned with Humility

Study from Numbers 12 – 14; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 12: 3 … NIV Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

My Journal for Today: In the chapters we read today, the statement from Num. 12: 3 just jumps out from the pages of scripture. It’s like a neon sign, lauding Moses’ character trait of humility; … and God’s word becomes outright superlative about it, declaring Moses to be the most humble man on earth.

And we see some comparisons in these chapters as well, … the most obvious being Moses’ brother, Aaron, and his sister, Miriam, both of whom had become prophets among God’s peoples, with the people looking to them for support of Moses. And early in Numbers 12 we read of Miriam, followed by Aaron [what a “wuss” is Aaron ;>), disputing Moses’ choice of a Cushite wife (we don’t know what has happened to Zipporah, his Midianite wife). But God became so displeased at Miriam’s grumbling against God’s chosen #1 Prophet that she was given a case of leprosy for a week as a lesson in humility.

Then we read – ONCE AGAIN – of the Israelites becoming prideful and selfishly grumbling against God, with their lack of faith on display when the 12 spies came back from Canaan with their fearful report (well, at least 10 of 12). And the people grumbled – AGAIN – that they should rather have stayed back as slaves in Egypt. And we know what happened there; … off they were sent by God for 40 years in the wilderness to learn their lesson in humility.

Humility is obviously a quality God honors very, very, very highly. If you do a biblical study in humility, you find that in both the Old and New Testaments that God honors the humble (with His grace) but simply refuses to honor the prideful (go back and read Prov. 3: 34, 1st Peter 5: 5-6, and James 4: 6 … as well as how Paul had to learn to be humble via Satan’s thorn when he learned to receive God’s empowering grace – in 2nd Cor. 12: 7-10). And here we have Moses, God’s shining example of humility.

Have you ever wondered, as F. LaGard Smith discussed today, why Moses was so humble? Here he had been in the very presence of God, really the only man to that date who had had face-to-face encounters with God. God generally spoke to His Prophets indirectly – through dreams or visions; but not Moses. With this humble man, it was mano-a-mano interaction; and you’d think that such encounters would cause a man like Moses to fall trap to the very human default of pride.

In fact, religious leaders are particularly vulnerable to slipping into pridefulness, … aren’t they? Think of examples in Scripture like Jonah or even the Apostle Peter. In today’s church environment, Pastors, especially high profile televangelists, often get acute cases of pridefulness when so many people put them up on pedestals as their preaching becomes very well known. It’s hard for any public leader to remain humble; – think of our Presidents and political leaders in the past decades who’ve fallen prey to pride, finding it very difficult to humbly cope with the power which comes with their office.

So, back to the question of how Moses was able to remain so humble; and though you might say that it had something to do with Moses remembering his roots or being convicted by his past sin (remember he’d been spared by God even though he murdered an Egyptian). Or maybe you might speculate that it was because he’d been given a 40 year lesson in humility out there in the Negev deserts as a shepherd. And maybe some of that is true; but I agree with Dr. Smith in thinking that Moses was such a humble man because he had developed such a deep, deep and abiding relationship with the living Lord. Moses had an audience with God everyday; and when you’ve gone that deep with the Creator of the Universe, it’d pretty hard to become prideful about anything.

And I think therein we have a key to leading us toward God’s highly desired quality of humility and away from man’s default character weakness of pride. Some of the most humble people I know, now in my life, are those who have the deepest and most disciplined devotional relationships with God. They are the ones who never miss a day being with God and digging deep into His word, which is the repository of God’s treasure of grace in this world. Oh, how I pray that I can develop the kind of humility which God honored in Moses and He desires for all of His children. And I will continue to seek out that humility by learning more about my God in my daily encounters with Him … just as I’m doing as I write this … on this very morning.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, show me all of Yourself and help me to see less of myself as I see more of You. Amen

2010 – Day 38. Feb. 7 – Running Out of Cope

Study from Numbers 10 – 11; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 11: 11 … NIV 11 He [Moses] asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?

My Journal for Today: To any Brother or Sister who might be reading here with me, … can you identify with the despair which Moses felt when all of God’s people began to grumble, even though God was meeting all their needs and leading them toward the promised land? They were tired of the manna and WANTED meat; so, they clamored to Moses like little children who get tired of one thing and want another. And here was poor Moses, feeling the burdens of about 600,000 men (let alone all their families), … people under his guidance who had begun to murmur and grumble for something more and different than God was providing.

Ever been there? Well, maybe not exactly; but maybe you’ve been in a place where you felt like things were overwhelming and your coping mechanisms had reached their limits? Have you ever been in a place where you felt the burdens of your family or where the circumstances of the day were just too much for you? And maybe you, like Moses, began to strike out at those around you … maybe to your wife … or maybe even to God, saying something like …“WHY ME, Lord!? What did I do to deserve this?” I’ve been there; and I’ll bet you have too! And if you read on in today’s passage, which was Moses’ royal pity party, you’ll even read that Moses was so despondent, he even prayed for God to take his life (see Num. 11: 15).

I’ll bet you know and believe – as I do – that God hears every prayer of every believer, anytime or anywhere, even when we’re having a first class pity party; and aren’t you glad that God doesn’t automatically say “YES” to everyone of our selfish demands? If He did, Moses would have been a dead man in that moment; and so would have others in Bible lore who became depressed and prayed to die, … men like Elijah or Jonah. But fortunately for our well being, God knows exactly what we NEED; and though He hears all our prayers, He knows what is best for His kids; and God, our Heavenly Father, will always give us what we NEED, not necessarily what we want.

But God also has an infinitely incredible sense of humor when he’s trying to teach His selfish kids a lesson in humility. And here were God’s kids, clamoring for meat; and so, what did the Lord do? Well, He gave them exactly what they asked for; and all of a sudden they had to deal with so much meat (in the form of bird meat) that they choked on what God gave them. Today, I think of what so-called “christians” are clamoring for from God. For example, we hear people who call themselves “Christian,” asking for God to give them homosexual marriage, which actually mocks what God’s word says about human sexuality and His institution of marriage; and as we can read in Romans 1: 18 – 32, mankind is doing many things in our culture which are an outright mockery of God’s principles. And I’m concerned that God, as He did with the grumbling children of Moses’ day, is going to give our culture all the pornography, all the homosexuality, and all the godless marriage for which He hears His kid’s clamoring. And then, the result is going to be mankind choking on exactly what they have grumbled for; and the rain is going to fall on the righteous as well as the unrighteous as God shows His kids just how foolish are their selfish demands.

Well, my friends, maybe I’m venting here just like Moses was; but I need to remember that God is still in His Tabernacle (Who is Jesus); and He resides in my heart; and whatever He does, He will do for my good and for His glory [see Romans 8: 28]. Therefore, if He sends a social plague on this land to show us His presence and His power, it will be what we NEED and what we deserve. But in the process, let me pray for His mercy.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, have mercy on Your remnant in this world who know that You do love mankind; and who strive to follow Your ways. And if You need to chastise Your children for our disobedience, have mercy on us, oh Heavenly Father. Amen

2010 – Day 37. Feb. 6 – The Principle of Substitution

Study from Numbers 3 - 4; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 3: 40-41 … NIV 40 The LORD said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names. 41 Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the LORD."

My Journal for Today: “Substitutionary atonement.” It’s a big theological phrase; but a really important one; and it was all part of God’s plan, after the fall of mankind in the Garden, to redeem mankind from his own sinfulness and pridefulness. And we see this plan beginning to work itself out in God’s planning as He established the set of order for Tabernacle worship in ancient Hebrew culture.

F. Lagard Smith today makes a good practical point when he says that generally we don’t want to have a substitute when we can have the real thing. For example, people, if they can afford it, will choose genuine leather furniture over a man-made vinyl substitute. However, sometimes we actually choose – even prefer - a substitute over the real-deal. Why? Because it’s better for us. Example: I’m a type 2 diabetic, and most of the time I choose to use a sugar substitute, rather than real sugar because it helps keep my blood sugar levels under control. In other words, a substitute for the natural helps to save me from my own natural disease process.

And when it comes to a plan to deal with the cataclysmic mistake mankind made in the garden, disobeying God’s warning not to eat of the tree of knowledge, God set in motion a plan of blood sacrifice, instituted among his Chosen People, the Israelites, which was ultimately worked out and completed by the Lamb of God becoming the final blood sacrifice, substituting and atoning for the sins – all sins – of all of mankind. And that’s the place where we, as sinners, will – or at least “should” – choose THE “Substitute” over the original sin we all have in our hearts. Only if - and until - we choose to receive the substitutionary atonement offered by God’s plan to save us from ourselves and give us THE eternal substitution for our sin can we be provided with the eternal redemption which God has offered in the place if our sin nature.

So, as you might choose, as I have done today, to read through these long, seemingly boring passages, in the Book of Numbers or other Old Testament books, realize that God is carefully documenting an eternal course of treatment – a long involved prescription, if you will – which gives a sinner like me (or you) the way for a substitute – THE SUBSTITUTE – to stand in and provide me [us] with the eternal real-deal which was originally offered to Adam/Eve, but turned down, thereby requiring a redemption plan to be set in motion – the plan which I waded through today in the Book of Numbers and the plan for which Jesus Christ became the Lamb of God to save us all .

And praise my merciful and grace-giving God that He was willing to come up with a sacrifice and substitution to take care of my original sin nature! Can I hear another witness of “Hallelujah” from my followers in this place?

My Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, praise Your Holiness and Mercy for providing a way – Your Son, Jesus – to be the substitution for eternity Who allows me to find and become Holy and be able to spend Eternity with You. Amen

2010 – Day 36. Feb. 5 – A God-Centered Community

Study from Numbers 9: 1-12; then from Numbers 1 - 2; Passage for Reflection: Numbers 2: 1-2 … NIV 1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2 "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family."

My Journal for Today: Sometimes when one (well, at least yours truly) reads passages like those from Numbers, as I have this morning, it’s a bit hard to extrapolate God’s intent from the historical context to the personal one in the here-and-now, going through centuries of sociological change to get from then to now. But with the help of my devotional author today, Dr. Smith has taken me from the documentation of the Israelite soldiers and even the counting of the Priesthood, centuries before Christ, to an application which would apply from the Old Covenant into the New Covenant and right into my heart as a 21st century Christian. And Dr. Smith does so by asking a very simple, but pointed question: “If I were a community of one, where would God’s special place be?”

And as God’s very special timing would have it, last night in our weekly small group, which is somewhat like a first century home church, I was teaching on the subject of putting God (i.e., Christ) at the center of our lives; i.e., giving Him the center-piece of our worship, which is our 24/7 lifestyle, … where He is the focus of our living. And in that teaching our group was to study and memorize two passages from the New Testament, Luke 9: 23 and Matthew 6: 33 (which I really hope you have already memorized – and if not I’ll leave it to you to seek them out for study. These passages help the New Testament Christian disciple to see the essence of Christian living (or “worship,” if you will); and that is to place our relationship and walk with Christ at the center of our community of the heart, where God’s temple resides Spiritually in the lives of any Christian.

If you read through the passages from the Book of Numbers [mentioned above], you’ll read that God wanted to put Himself, in the Tabernacle, no matter where it moved with these nomadic people, smack dab in the center of His people. And God dictated to Moses exactly how this would take place, … which tribes would be on the East, the West, the North, and the South; and the designation of the Levites to watch over the Tent of Meetings, i.e., the Tabernacle, which was to be placed strategically in the center of the guardians of God’s community … at the center of the lives of His people. And as we move forward in time, God’s New Covenant Tabernacle has been established in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who now resides in the hearts of each Christian, who becomes a community of one. And God expects to be established with each of us as His priesthood; and we are to place His Tabernacle – i.e., our relationship with Christ - at the center of our hearts so that everything in our lives will center on a lifestyle of worship of Him.

That is what Jesus was saying to His church and to us in the two passages referred to above (from Luke 9: 23 and Matt. 6: 33); and isn’t it wonderful how even the structure of the first community of believers in the Old Testament in the Book of Numbers spoke to this truth by the structure of how the community was to be constructed … the Tabernacle at the center for worship and with God residing there for His worshipping people to be able to focus on Him as our Center of their sacrificial worship.

Think on that for a while; and see that even the listings of people and the construction of the earliest of God’s communities became a picture of how our hearts should be put together for worship today. Can I hear a witness of “Hallelujah!” from anyone reading here?

My Prayer for Today: Lord, …Oh Lord, Hallelujah that You were preparing Your Tabernacle of Worship in ancient Israel to be a picture of where You now reside in my heart. And may my life be a reflection of You being the center of my worship this very day. Amen

2010 – Day 35. Feb. 4 – Dealing With Discrepancy

Study from Numbers 3: 1-13; 8: 5-13; Num. 7; and Num 8: 1 - 4; Passage for Today’s Reflection: Numbers 8: 23 - 26 … NIV 23 The LORD said to Moses, 24 "This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the Tent of Meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. …26 They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites."

My Journal for Today: Okay, you type A Bible scholars, does it bother you when you come upon seeming discrepancies in Scripture? And if you’re way above my level of biblical scholarship, when you read the focus passage above; and maybe you’ve studied the setting aside of the Levites for the Priesthood in ancient Israel, you see that the ages of appointed duty to the priesthood in Numbers 8: 23 – 26 above don’t seem to jibe with the age range of the Levite priesthood in Numbers 4: 3, 23, 30 [Numbers 4 is linked here for your study]. In the passage above, the age range for the priesthood seems to be from 25 – 50; yet, in Numbers 4, the age range is tabulated from 30 – 50 in the three verses cited. Of course, there are other so-called inconsistencies in the Bible which skeptics love to point out to Bible Scholars, of whom I am not one.

However, though I don’t want to get into a long, worn-out discussion of such reported inconsistencies here, it is not difficult for even my simple level of scholarship to go along with F. LaGard Smith, my devotional book author, who today, discussing this one supposed discrepancy, speculates that the Levites could have gone through a five-year apprenticeship for priesthood, which would explain the age difference from 25-30. And it’s of interest to Smith to point out that when you take Numbers 8: 25 very literally, it would seem that a Levite Priest could not work past age 50; yet, in the very next verse (8: 26) it says that the “older” Levites (i.e., those past 50) could and did assist the younger Priests, thereby “working” in the Priesthood well beyond age 50.

My friends, when you come upon seeming inconsistencies or discrepancies in the Bible, it is a good discipline of scholarship to explore them; but I have a rule of thumb which I use when my brain power can’t explain these so-called “inconsistencies” or “discrepancies;” or when I can’t find a Bible Scholar of note whom I trust to help me. And maybe worldly unbelieving skeptics would consider my attittude a cop-out to my absolute faith that God’s word is inerrant. My rule is this. If I can’t explain God’s word to myself or others, I give it over to God, the Holy Spirit to help me; and if He can’t get through my density (which is certainly not hard for anyone to imagine ;>), then I’ll just have to wait for a private audience with the Apostle Paul or James, or maybe Jesus, Himself, in Heaven to clear up my confusions. I don’t dwell on my confusions. I dwell in my clinging trust in the truth of God’s word. And I go with my understanding as well as I can research it, trying my best to put together God’s montage of truth from His word. And then, the truths in Scripture are certainly powerful enough in my life to carry me forward and help be grow into Christlikeness.

The things I don’t understand, nor can explain, will just have to wait for God to reveal them to me later. If that is naiveté; so be it. I will have to be labeled a naïve believer by those in the world who think themselves smarter than God’s word who devote their lives in questioning the Bible, based upon the smallest of discrepancies.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I trust Your word for my life. Amen

2010 – Day 34. Feb. 3 – Discerning the Law

Study from Leviticus 8 – 10; Passage for Reflection: Leviticus 10: 19 – 20 … NIV 19 Aaron replied to Moses, "Today they sacrificed their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, but such things as this have happened to me. Would the LORD have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?" 20 When Moses heard this, he was satisfied.

My Journal for Today: Okay, in my trek through the Bible this year, Dr. F. LaGard Smith, my devotional book author and shepherd, is merciful in letting me jump all the way to Leviticus 8 – 10 to reflect on the impact of THE LAW in the life of Old Covenant believers; and how observance of God’s Law will impact the life of a New Covenant believer such as myself (or prayerfully, you who might be reading what I’m journaling).

So, as you read this passage today, going back a bit into the context of Leviticus, Chapters 8 – 10 (linked) [Yeah, I know that’s a lot to ask us from us “Get to the point” Christians to read], you’ll see that God has made a very impactful lesson upon the family of Aaron, Moses’ brother, as well as God’s people. Aaron’s two sons, who had been anointed and consecrated for the Priesthood, thought they could actually add to God’s Law by doing extra things which God had not specified to be part of the designated rituals of sacrifice. And we really don’t know what the motivation was for their deviation from God’s instructions; but whether it was drunkenness or maybe selfishness to be blessed extra for doing more than God asked, … no matter, they did more – on their own – than God asked them to do; and ZAP, they were dead.

Then we read on to today’s focus passage where the other sons of Aaron didn’t do what they were supposed to do; and then we read of God sparing those sons when Aaron came forward and took the responsibility for the sins of the Sons, asking God for the same deliverance God had given Aaron when, years before, he had fashioned the golden calf for idol worship when Moses was on the mountain receiving God’s Law.

So, what does it all mean for you and me? Well, it means that God’s Law is God’s Law; and we cannot take it on our own to add or detract from God’s Law as it is given to us for our benefit; and so that the observance of God’s truth (i.e., from His word – the entire Bible) is given to Christians today so that we will obey it faithfully. But these stories also indicate that God is as much – or maybe even more so – interested in our heart as we live our lives; and that He is our God of mercy, especially for those who discern the truth, and have a heart to confess their sins and be made right in God’s eyes, by acknowledging and yielding to the saving grace which Christ – and only from His sacrifice – offers to believers who know their sinfulness which is covered by the blood of the Lamb of God.

Yes, just as in the Old Covenant, we are to know and observe God’s Law with a heart of obedience; BUT the New Covenant is even stronger for us to be obedient to the commandments which come from the Living Sacrifice, Whose blood was shed in remission for all the sins of all people who come to Him, confessing their sin, and claiming the grace which is His gift of salvation for all sinners who believe in Him and receive His cleansing and saving gift.

Oh, how I pray that we are doing all we can to know and discern God’s truth; and to have obedient hearts which are focused on being “living sacrifices” before our New Covenant Tabernacle, Who is Jesus, the Christ.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, how I praise Your Holy Name for THE sacrifice which has brought You into my heart to Tabernacle with me forever. Amen

2010 – Day 33. Feb. 2 – Anointed for Holiness

Study from Exodus 39 – 40; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 40: 9 … NIV [God to Moses] "Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy.”

My Journal for Today: What’s going on here in Exodus 40 (and on into Chapter 41), where the Tabernacle and the Priesthood are being Anointed with oil by Moses at God’s command? Is there something magical or extra-spiritual about the oil (which, by the way, is not specified by any type of oil)? No, what is going on here is the reality that the Tabernacle (i.e., God’s “Temple”) is being “set apart” as a Holy place where God, Himself, can and will reside. And that place must be so designated and consecrated, as well as those who enter the “Holy of Holies,” because these anointed Priests are to be in the place where God Himself has chosen to reside.

Do you see what implication this ritualization of Holiness has upon you and me as Christians in the New Covenant, where Jesus Christ has become our Tabernacle and His Spirit resides in the Holy of Holies, … our hearts. From the standpoint of the Church, God resides in His Body, the Church collective (see 1st Cor. 3:16-17 - linked); and from the standpoint of each individual Christian (see 1st Cor. 6: 19-20 - linked), God, the Holy Spirit, Who is One with God, the Father and God, the Son, resides in the place which should be consecrated as the Holy of Holies – our hearts.

So, this brings up the ultimate question for all of us from studying how God wanted His Tabernacle (i.e., His Temple of Holiness) to be anointed (i.e., “set apart”) where He, The Lord, could reside. It must be a place anointed (i.e., “dedicated”) to absolute Holiness; and this raises the biggie question for me today: “Bill Berry, is your heart set apart for holiness?” Since I am the place, along with any born-again Christian, where God has chosen to reside, I must ask myself if my heart (i.e., my body) is worthy of His residence there?

And my answer? Well, my answer is my answer! And your answer to that question must be yours. But God certainly knows where the process of our being anointed for His Holiness now stands. And He deserves to reside only in a place – our hearts – which is “set apart” for His holiness. What we need to do to clean out and anoint this place for our Lord is something we all must do in our own hearts to make it a Holy place for God’s Spirit to reside.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, may I be anointed for Your Holiness. Amen

2010 – Day 32. Feb. 1 – Excessive Generosity

February 1, 2010 … Reading through the Bible in a Year

Blogger’s Note: This year of 2010, I continue in my commitment to read through the Bible in a year, using The Daily Bible by Harvest House Publishers, edited with commentary by F. Legard Smith, along with a companion book, The Daily Bible Commentary, by the same author, from which I’ll be drawing the organization and direction for my journaling.

Recently I had shoulder surgery [left rotator cuff repair] and until today, from that time on January 25th until today, my wife has been typing my handwritten journal notes; and I’m so thankful that she would do so. However, today, I’m typing my journal entry myself again with some care not to extend my shoulder beyond what it should take in doing this. But so far … so good; and I’m thankful to God that in this intervening week He’s shown me that I need not use the excuse of surgery and shoulder pain to back off from having the discipline of my quiet time and journaling my time in God’s word here in this place. And though I’ve been somewhat curtailed from my normal exercise regimen, I also have been able to be accountable here for my 40 Days of Commitment to body stewardship as well. Therefore, entering these data and my thoughts with my own typing, I’m here today to share with those who might read this.

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Study from Exodus 35 - 38; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 36: 4 – 5 … NIV 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."

My Journal for Today: What a delicious dilemma for the leaders of God’s people to be in. God gives a vision for the Tabernacle to be built to Moses and the Priests who had been carrying on the Tent of Meetings outside the gates of the city; and the Lord was very specific – in fact, ultra exacting – with
His instructions; and then Moses passed along the charge of giving to the people, speaking God’s instructions, which (from Exod. 35: 4-5) were these words, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; … [and other materials needed for the Tabernacle construction].”
Have you ever been in a church when a special offering was taken which seemed to be logical based upon the terrible needs of desperate people … like what is happening now in Haiti, following the devastation of the horrible earthquakes there? Or don’t we all remember our hearts being drawn to give following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina or the after the Christmas Eve horror from the Tsunami which ravished the far east? But how about your heart when the Pastor of your Church or the Chairman of your Elder Board came to you, with a vision for a new building project which they reported was a consensus from their hearts as leaders as something God was leading them to do as a project which would extend God’s kingdom and give our Lord great glory? Were you as drawn to give, over an above your tithe and regular offerings, to such a project as you were to relieve the suffering in Haiti, New Orleans, or the far east?

But that’s where the Israelites were when Moses came to them, asking for God to be honored with a church building project. And what a project it was to be! To bring God Himself into the city; and to have a worship place which would glorify His Holy Name. It was to be THE TABERNACLE … the place where all who believed on God’s Name could worship Him with His presence there to reciprocate the worship of His Name. And notice that God didn’t order the people to give. He simply commanded those to give who would be led to give in faith (see Exod. 35: 4-5 above again); and wow, did they give?! As our target passage today indicates, the people gave so much that Moses had to put the brakes on their giving.

It is said that fewer than 5% of so-called Evangelical Christians tithe to their local church, let alone give above the tithe for any project or special call for an offering. Oh, they may give when disaster photos are shown of people dying in Haiti; but when the leaders of the church call for a building project, very few – percentage wise – give to such vision projects. The stats in the church where I’m an Elder are probably like they are in your church with as many as 25% of regular attendees not giving anything to the church – for anything, apparently not understanding God’s word on giving (see Malachi 3: 8-10, Prov. 3: 9-10, or 2nd Cor. 9: 6-7), or just feeling that that the church isn’t a high priority in their financial value system.

But what would happen if the people who call themselves “CHRISTIAN” would give as they did in Exodus, Chapters 35-38? ... Well, the church could take care of the welfare needs of the entire nation, let alone the needs of the church. There would be no more hunger on earth if God’s people gave God’s way. Hospitals would be built which could take ANYONE, at ANYTIME, for ANY NEED. And God’s churches, the places where He is worshipped, would be the most beautiful structures on earth. So, when that plate comes by you this Sunday, ask God if you’re giving the way HE would have you give … with a generous Spirit which reflects His Spirit which dwells in His temple – which, of course, is your body and His church. May we all give as God’s people gave in this segment of His book I have reviewed today.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, may my pocket book reflect a joyful and giving heart, knowing that the way I give to/for Your kingdom reflects how I honor You every day of my life. Amen

2010 Day 31. Jan. 31 – A God Who Relents

From Exodus 32-34 ... Specifically from Exod. 32:14 – Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had promised.

My Devotional for Today: Go figure. God is a God who never lies [we can read and believe that from the passage in Numbers 23: 19, which states, God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Okay, God doesn’t lie; but as we read today through Exodus 32 – 34, our God is influenced by the lives we live as His chosen people; and He is touched by the pleas of His anointed ones, like Moses, who came to Him as advocates for the people of God. And so we read today that God reminded Moses (and God’s people) of His covenant; but he spared those same people because of Moses’ plea; and because of the advocacy of this transformed man, Moses, God was willing to recast His Law a second time in stone and bring that word to His people once again.

And Dr. Smith today asks the crux of a question from this study. He writes, ”Have I (you as well) learned anything from a merciful God about when to keep my promises and when to change my mind?” And yes, I have answered that question in my own mind; but you, my friend, must answer it for yourself in God’s presence here today.

How often can God see inequity and blatant sinful living being perpetrated in His presence and for all the world to see; and then how many times will our Lord be merciful to allow mankind the latitude to repent in remorse for our sins? How many times?

I cannot answer that for you; and I certainly cannot answer that for God.

My Prayer for Today : Lord, my God, have mercy on us, Your sinful children. Amen

2010 Day 30. Jan. 30 – Equality of Atonement

From Exodus 28-30 ... specifically from Exod. 30:15 – The rich are not given more than half a sheckel and the poor are no to give less when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives.

My Devotional for Today: In God’s eye of justice each of us is equally guilty of our own sinfulness, and we must all pay atonement for our sin so that we can stand before the throne of grace having paid for our sins. And this atonement has nothing to do with our ability to pay. Rich and poor must all pay the price and only One – The Lamb of God – can pay that price; and He has done so forever – in propitiation for our sins - on the cross at Calvary.

The question now becomes the one my devotional author F. LaGard Smith asks today, “If God regards each and every soul as equal before Him, am I making class distinctions that really shouldn’t matter?” God sees you and me as the same at His Throne of Grace; but the ultimate sociological question becomes … do I see us as equals and do I treat you as equal to me in the judgment court which we call life?

Oh, how I pray that to be the case.

My Prayer for Today : Forgive me, Lord, if I see myself as better than others. Amen

2010 – Day 29, January 29. A Patterned Sanctuary

Study from Exod. 25-28; Passage for Today ; Exod. 25:8-9 … NIV Then have them make a sanctuary for Me; and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

My Journal for Today : If we can accept – and we should (without question) – that our bodies individually and the church collectively are the temple in which God, The Holy Spirit, dwells, why should we be surprised that God – as He describes in today’s reading from Exodus 25-28 – expects the place where He dwells to be built and furnished with the finest specifications and appointments?

We know from God’s word that He dwells in us (see 1st Cor. 6:19 and 1st Cor. 3:16 ); and so it would behoove us, as stewards of God’s Temple, to keep His dwelling place as well organized and well appointed as we can. But do we?

And here I stand ignominiously convicted by letting God’s home-place (i.e., my body and soul) become somewhat of a mess. … Well, I’m doing better recently, getting my organizational act and my discipline together so that I may honor my Lord’s presence; but I have quite a lot more to do to keep His Tabernacle clean and as well appointed as He would desire for me to have His dwelling place to be to honor His presence.

F. LaGard Smith closes his devotional entry for today by asking, “If God expects nothing but the finest wherever He dwells, how comfortable can I expect Him to be while living in my sanctuary?” I’m doing my best to answer that one for myself; as I would expect you would have to do so as well for yourself.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, may I Keep Your Home in my Heart as Lovely as You need for it to be. Amen.

2010 – Day 27. Jan. 27 – PUTTING GOD TO THE TEST

Study from Exodus 15-18; Passage for Reflection : Exod. 17:7 … NIV
And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?"

My Journal for Today … What a time it was for the Israelites. Just a few months earlier they had witnessed and been a part of one of the greatest miracles of deliverance in man’s history; and here they were in the desert wilderness grumbling that God had forgotten them and was letting them starve. But before we start pointing fingers of blame and disbelief at these forgetful Jews, can you remember what happened just after 9/11?
After that mega tragedy, people in the good ole US of A flocked into churches in droves, claiming a resurgence of faith and repentance; and then, just a few months later church attendance was back to the pre – 9/11 levels. What is it about the faith of mankind when it is tested by any degree of hard challenge for any prolonged period of time?

Well, I think what was evidenced in the deserts of the Negev post Red Sea and in the hearts of post-modern Christians post 9/11 is a measurement of what the Prophet Jeremiah wrote about in Jeremiah 17:9 where God writes thru this man, “The heart (i.e., the sin nature) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” The Bible (in Hebrews 11:1) defines “faith” as, “…being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” But it does not take the deceitful heart of man very long to wane in faith when we don’t see what we hope for over any period of time.

How many times have we made New Year’s resolutions about weight loss or exercise saying, “This time I’m going to do it!” and before we’re even into February our faith in our own resolve has dissolved? Real faith takes real resolve in the face of real challenges; and let’s face the truth of Jeremiah 17:9 and Christ’s challenge of discipleship in Luke 9:23 (oh, how I hope you know that one!). Real faith ALWAYS takes real discipline.

Can we face the next challenge which will come around the bend of life, deny our feelings and weak faith and, by picking up that cross of challenge, faithfully follow Jesus? If we can give a likely “YES” to that one, I think yours is a mature faith in Christ. But if the answer is a sincere “MAYBE” or a likely “NO,” I think it is time for us to get our Christian rear-ends in gear and do what it takes to exercise our relationship with Christ to the point where an unqualified “YES” is our response in following Christ when life puts us to the test.

How about it? Do I sense an “AMEN” from my readers?

My Prayer for Today: Help us, Lord in our unbelief! Amen

2010 – Day 26. Jan. 26 – Trusting in God’s Deliverance

Blogger’s Note: It’s about 4 am on 1/26/10 and I just completed the data on my 40 Days of New Year commitment and my devotional journal for today [below] for accountability and sharing on this date. However, I will likely not be posting online for a few hours because I’m not foolish enough to ask my nurse (my wife, Elly) to type this for me now. She has become, by default, my nurse, secretary, and chauffeur in the next couple of weeks following my shoulder surgery yesterday. So, please be patient with my online posting, as my rehab begins post surgery.
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Study from Exodus 12-15; Passage for Reflection : Exod. 14:13-14 … NIV
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today … The Lord will fight for you; you will need only to be still.”

My Journal for Today … Well, here in Exodus 14 we read what is probably the classic biblical lose-lose scenario. God had led Moses, who, in turn, had led God’s people to the beaches of the Red Sea. And here, with the sea at their backs, the Egyptian army was pursuing them from down out of the hills in front of them. So, death appeared to be ahead and also certain death behind, with no way to traverse the Red Sea. No way to go but to God; and that’s the best place there is to be when we don’t have a clue as to what to do.

And I’d almost bet you’ve had some raunchy, lose-lose scenarios in your life, haven’t you? One or two may have bubbled up in your consciousness right now. And many times they have to do with relationships, where no matter which way we turn it seems to lead to a bad outcome. As a kid you may remember a time when you had been bad and you just knew that your parents were going to “kill you” when you had to confess your wrong-doing. But here you are and they didn’t kill you, did they? And it can be like that for adults also.
Years ago I can vividly remember having to confess 12 years of habitual sexual sin and marital infidelity to my wife; and when I did, I just knew our marriage was over. But here we are, 27 years later and God saw fit to deliver us by walking us through the Red Sea of reconciliation, restoration, and renewal, taking us to a place within His grace where we can share our story of how our God is a God of the second chance.

Think of how God’s people, the Jews, now share the story of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians; but so do we, the Gentiles. And now from the New Covenant, we Christians can share the ultimate deliverance story of how we were saved by God’s grace, by walking into freedom from the sure spiritual death of our sin nature, as Christ gave us the resurrection power over death through his shed blood on the cross.

Yes, that is the ultimate winner versus loser scenario, isn’t it? If we choose God’s way in Christ we become winners in heaven – FOREVER. But if we choose to reject God’s answer for sin, we will be losers in hell forever. Every day we can choose to follow our Savior, Who, by His enabling grace, gives us His power to walk free from sin. It is so often such a clear choice; but why, then, do we make it so difficult by choosing the selfish, sinful way rather than the satisfying, Savior’s way?

How about it, my friend? As Paul once said to the church in Corinth 1st Cor 11: 1, {my paraphrase} “You can follow me, because I follow Christ.” Well, I may not be the Apostle Paul, but I know that if you follow God’s way from His Word, as I try my best to do now in my life, He is going to lead us to life and away from death. So, come on dear ones, let’s do it!

My Prayer for Today : Lord, show me the way – Your way – and I will follow. Amen

2010 – Day 25. Jan. 25 – The Next Generation

Study from Exodus 11 – 12; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 12: … NIV 26 And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' 27 then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.' "

My Journal for Today: Being into the Passover story at this portion of his devotional Bible reading apparently reminded Dr. Smith, my devotional shepherd, of the importance of this event and relating it to the next generation; so, the lesson today focused on how God has given us – to the Jews in the Passover and now for Christians in the celebration of Communion – a wonderful way to pass along the truth of how God delivered His children from Egypt or why/how Jesus delivered mankind from sin.

And Dr. Smith reminds his readers, as I will follow and do so today, that children have a natural curiosity built in which makes it easy to relate this story to them, witnessing our faith from one generation to the next. Kiddos just naturally want to know the “why” or the “how” about almost everything they don’t understand. They are like little information or truth sponges, soaking up everything they can’t understand or about which they don’t know. So, when they see the bread and the “wine” being passed for the Eucharist in church, it’s a perfect time to answer their natural questions or to teach them something they’ll want to know about, even if they haven’t asked the “why” questions verbally. Just assume they want to know and explain what the bread and the juice are all about.

Several years ago, our little granddaughters, each at about five years of age at the time in their lives, gave themselves in rebirth to their Savior. It was wonderful to see; but in each instance their parents had to relate and explain the Passover/Easter stories to our granddaughters. And each of them, after hearing about Jesus, and believing on The Christ as their Savior, accepted Him as their Lord. And wanting toknow if is the real deal of conversion, they could explain to you or others how Jesus died on the cross for their sin. And now at ages 8 and 5 respectively, they could explain for you how they are sinners and how Jesus became their Savior. It’s wonderful to see happen at such a young age in their lives. In fact, not too long ago, as evidence of their understanding, our daughter’s youngest, then about 4, was acting out in some way; and her mom sent her to her room for a “time out.” And as she sullenly went off to her room, her mom heard her say, “Oh I wish Eve hadn’t eaten that apple.” Our daughter had to hide her laughter as little Brooklyn was sent off to her punishment. But our daughter realized just how deep this little one’s understand was for a pretty deep theological issue. And as their granddad, I praise God that our kids are passing along the truth of our faith to the next generation.

My friends, one thing we’ve learned as a grandparents, blessed to have five little ones. And that is the fact that they take in and understand much more than we think they can. So, especially when our kids or grandkids ask questions, we need to give them answers; and we need to give them the stories of truth from the pages of the Book of Truth. I hope we’re all being used by God to transfer our faith to the next generation with our witness of truth with our family.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank you for giving us the privilege and the joy to see our grandchildren be shaped for eternity at such a young age. Amen

2010 – Day 24. Jan. 24 – Living With Purpose

Study from Exodus 9 – 11; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 9: 16 … NIV But I [God] have raised you [Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

My Journal for Today: I am not an accident of nature! … And just writing that truth is both satisfying … and a bit terrifying. It’s satisfying because, like Pharaoh or Moses, I have a role to play as God works out His plan for mankind and the world; but it’s terrifying because I don’t want to be an antagonist in God’s historical drama, which we call life. I want to be one of His protagonists.

I’m on the side of God in this cosmic drama; and I’m rehearsing to play an eternal role, which has me being a friend and servant of God while I’m here on earth. Oh, wow; it’s exciting to think that God allowed me to go through all those years of sinful struggle for a reason – HIS REASON. All those years of grinding, sinful hedonism, where I played the role of the fool was for God’s good purpose. I hate looking back on what I perpetrated on others during that phase of my life; but now I see that God had other roles He want to morph me into; and God’s script would have me playing multiple roles of loyal husband, Godly father, determined parent, humble church Elder, and also as a Minister-leader of a ministry which gives our Lord glory by the mission of service God has written for us.

F. LaGard Smith asks a very pointed question at the end of his devotional entry for today. His point is that we are not cosmic accidents, … our lives in this world. Therefore, my devotional author asks, What might God show me (us) of His power even today, and what unique opportunities will I have to proclaim His mighty Name? And I have certainly been mulling that one over as I have meditated on this incredible story of God using Pharaoh as the lead antagonist in this drama of deliverance. And then there was Moses, God’s protagonist, who was groomed for years in the deserts of Midian to be the lead in this drama where God’s power is on display as He leads His children out of bondage.

This weekend I was privileged to witness many men become freed from the bondage of sin, coming to know Christ as Savior, and prayerfully their Lord as well. At a Christian Men’s Conference in Jackson, TN, scores of men gave their life to Christ; and other Christians surrendered their hearts in commitment to walk free from their own chosen bondage to Satan, the world, or the flesh. And Bill Berry, born 66 years ago in Indiana, who went through what seems like an eon in the tar pits of sin, was led by God’s loving and merciful hand to be a part of the speaking team which brought God’s message of deliverance to these men. Yes, Satan was there to fight against us as God’s emissaries; but for the men who chose to follow Christ, either for the first time in their lives or in recommitment, God parted the Red Sea for them, and these men walked free to live out God’s purpose for their lives.

So, my friend, could I hear a jubilant “HALLELUJAH!” from you; and would you join me in realizing that our Lord has a purpose for you and for me to accomplish, which is for HIS glory – yes, even today! So, let’s go on stage and play out that role, being His servant in the drama we live in this world, which we call LIFE.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, You’ve freed me to grow into a new role as Your servant, helping to free others from the shackles of sin. May I play my role exactly as You have written the script. Amen

2010 – Day 23. Jan. 23 – Bargaining with God

Study from Exodus 5 – 8; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 8: 15 … NIV But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.

My Journal for Today: Have you ever had a plague of frogs in your life? Well, maybe not literally; but maybe you were immersed in a catastrophic disease, involving yourself or a loved one? Perhaps you were in the midst of a rancorous divorce for a long period of time; or maybe you experienced the grief which follows the death of a loved one. And sometimes these emotionally laden plagues can be overwhelming; can’t they?

And in the midst of a plague of “frogs or locusts, or flaming hail stones,” did you ever find yourself bargaining with God? Maybe you prayed, “God deliver me from this horrible habit [whatever your sin stronghold might be], and I’ll never do it again!” Or maybe you could be heard to pray, “Lord, if you solve this problem for me, I’ll be a better servant for whatever you want me to do.” And then when the plague passed you and the panic diminished, your part of the “bargain” was forgotten or ignored into the future. Ever been there? I have.

Or maybe … all of a sudden … out of the blue, after praying a bargain basement prayer to God, perhaps the plague went away … quickly, seemingly giving you a positive answer to your prayer. Most certainly God can do that; and, though not often, occasionally He does. But most of the time, the plague of circumstances, which has you so wrapped up or is discouraging you, must run its course in time; and you have to deal with the fact that God may have heard you but answered with a “wait and see” or maybe a “sorry, Charlie” response. Oh, how easy it is to think that God has rejected you or forgotten you as you’re riding out a long-term storm in your life. When God says, as He did to the Prophet Habakkuk, “Things are going to get worse before they get better;” … it’s hard to be patient and believe in the truth of Romans 8: 28 (and I hope you know that one by heart). To believe and live with the truth that ALL things work together for my good, as a Christian, in the midst of some personal plague is a big and hard pill to swallow. And often I’m tempted to bargain with God for relief. But God is God; and He will not be mocked by our trying to make Him into a “genie in the bottle,” with pitiful bargains we usually can’t or won’t keep anyway.

I hope you’ve grown to the place in your walk with God that you know He is doing good things for you … yes, even when the plague of frogs is upon you. I really hope, and will pray today, that you believe and live with the truth that any storm in life is there for a purpose and that purpose involves bringing you closer to God and reshaping you into the image of His Son.

Yesterday, I was a breakout speaker at a Maximum Man Conference in Jackson, TN; and I had the opportunity to meet and hear Dr. Tony Evans, the well-known Pastor and speaker from Dallas, TX. And his talk last night was taken from Jer. 29: 11-13 [linked here]. That’s a great passage, taken from a chapter where the Prophet was having a really tough time in the midst of a Book where God’s people were REALLY having a bad time. And then there is this wonderful verse, Jer. 29: 11, which is so uplifting when you, like Jeremiah, may be experiencing one of those “plagues” or storms in life. Isn’t it great, when you’re going through a bad time – a really bad time – to know that God still has plans for you, … that He wants to use this current rotten set of circumstances to draw you to Himself and then to use you for HIS glory. I don’t know about you; but the timing of Dr. Evan’s message last night, being totally in accord with my devotional this morning, spoke volumes to my soul. I hope it has for you as well.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I actively pray, as I do often, that You’ll be patient with my impatience … that You’ll give me grace when I’m graceless … and that You’ll reshape me into Your image when I’m so covered with the warts of my past sin. Amen

2010 – Day 22. Jan. 22 – Reverence with Awe

Study from Exodus 1 – 6; Passage for Reflection: Exodus 3: 5 … NIV “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

My Journal for Today: Can you just imagine what it must have been like for Moses, there observing that bush burning and coming that close to the Creator of the entire universe? And if you’re a student of the Bible, you’ve probably read that greeting from God, ”Do not come any closer,” several times. But did you ever ponder what it must’ve been like for a very curious man, one who was raised like a king but had become a shepherd, to come – all of a sudden – into the presence of the God to Whom he had prayed for many years of his life. And what a bizarre presence it was … a burning bush which was not consumed by the fire.

Here was Moses; and he was in the very presence of the God Whom he had worshipped for the last 40 years of his life; and his God was speaking to him. The scenario certainly begs the question, ”Do we come into the presence of God in reverence and awe when we spend time with Him? We are coming to the God Who is the great I AM!! But do we really experience His presence and revere His power? ” Most of the time, I think not. Right now, in my quiet place, I do sense I’m with God; but I’m afraid I don’t have the awe that I feel I should have.

And I stand as convicted here as anyone might who has let familiarity breed [well, maybe not “contempt”] … maybe something more along the lines of commonality. It’s like one coming into the possession of a painting by Rembrandt and putting it on the wall in our home. It may be worth millions; but if we don’t watch out, having it there on the wall, after a while, it will almost disappear in our lives due to familiarity. When we first hang the painting, there is a great “WOW!” factor; but after a while, it becomes a “Ho hum” presence in our lives.

And I’m afraid that is what God has become to many believers; and I don’t point any fingers of blame at others without knowing that I have three other fingers pointing right back at myself. So, I sit here this moringin, convicted by my devotional shepherd today. F. LaGard Smith has pealed away my confession that I treat my Lord with too much commonality. Oh, … I do recoil when I hear someone pray to “Papa God” or make some casual reference like, “Oh my God!” in everyday conversation. I do have an emotional knee jerk reaction when I hear someone say, “the Man upstairs;” and I recoil even more when I hear someone use the Lord’s name in vain by cussing the name of our Savior. So, maybe I’m not totally wrapped up in the familiarity syndrome of treating God too much like a friend and not enough like the Great I AM.

But I’m thankful today that Dr. Smith has helped me realize that when I get on my knees each morning right after I awaken, I have stepped onto HOLY GROUND, the ground won by my Savior when He died on that cross; and I’m praying to the very God Who delivered His people out of Egypt. Actually, I’m very much like Moses, who felt very insignificant when he was with God; and he was right to feel that way, being in God’s presence as the bush burned before him. He was right to feel very small before an infinitely big God. And we need to feel – and express – to God our awe of His presence and His power in our lives.

As He could have with Moses, God could squash us like a bug; but He doesn’t. Like He did with Moses, our Lord has a plan and a purpose for our lives; and like Moses, it behooves us to find out what that purpose is and to follow it unto completion. I pray that is the goal of anyone reading here with me today. It certainly is mine!

My Prayer for Today: Lord, I’m emotionally shoeless here in this place … on Holy Ground here this morning … spending time with You, the awesome and great I AM, … the God who created me and everything which gives me life, … the God Who saved me from my own sinfulness, … and the God Who has decided to use my insignificance for Your glory. I come to You today, desiring that all see YOU for Whom You are … our God! Amen