In the Wilderness

1 Samuel 17 - The Rock That Saved

2012-03-06T08:36:00.000-05:00

Not with shield and sword, but with a rock, with a tiny rock the mighty Goliath is overcome. Hopefully, you've all read this story this morning. You probably all remember it from before. It's a good story. No, it's a great story. The army of the Philistine's is super intimidating. The Israelites under Saul's leadership are pretty much shaking in their boots. No one dares enter into combat with the mighty Goliath, who towers over all at over 9 foot tall.

No one dares but the one who has been annointed to be their king. David, who has had the power of the Spirit of God poured out over him, dares. His faith tells him that the LORD, God will deliver Goliath into his hands. And He does.

As I was reading, a few other verses from scripture came to mind so I'm sharing them with you this morning.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6

1 Samuel 16 - Servant/King

2012-03-05T06:53:00.002-05:00

The Spirit of the LORD departs from Saul and is upon David. It is just amazing how all things work together for good for those who love God. (Rom 8:28) Everything just seems to slide into place. How? God just kind of works things out. It is all worked out so that the one who has lost favor with God comes to be served by the one who has found favor. David eases Saul's spirit by playing sweet music to refresh him and restore him to health and wholeness.

Since most of us know the rest of the story, we remember that David becomes a servant/king just as our Lord, Jesus Christ is a servant/king - a king who died that we might too might be might be healed and be found in God's favor. And... that not in order for us to be high-handed and demanding to be served by others. But, as servants following in the way of Jesus Christ, we live in service to God and to our neighbor.

We thank God this morning for his only begotten Son, who was willing to serve His Father in heaven and all of us who repeatedly put our own desires before the will of our Father, by giving His life for us at Calvary.

1 Samuel 15 - Interesting but Tough

2012-03-04T06:58:00.000-05:00

Wow! Some of these old testament stories sure are tough! They are interesting, but tough! I thank the LORD that He has made a new covenant with us through Jesus the Christ! For under the standards of the old covenant, we would all surely fall.

Saul is rejected for not having killed the choicest animals or Agag when God commanded him to. Course then his motivation was probably not to sacrifice the animals to God, nor was it to spare Agag because he liked him. Rather, it was more likely to show him that he could if he wanted to. Saul wanted to show his authority and power. And... that is what God objected to. God is God. Saul is not.

I love Samuel! So... in your face. He does not let Saul get away with his feeble excuses. He calls his actions for what they are. He tells it exactly like it is. "Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king." (vs.23). So matter of fact. But, on the other hand it also reminds me to thank God that He has made a new covenant through Jesus the Christ, our Saviour and LORD.

1 Samuel 14 - Rash Vows

2012-03-03T05:50:00.000-05:00

Most of us have made them - vows in haste - vows made without thinking. But, what was Saul thinking? He declares a fast for this multitude of men and threatens them with a curse if they break it! Maybe, the new found authority and power he had went to his head as he didn't bother to think that somone among these people would break it without thinking.

The LORD's hand is with Jonathan as he overthrows the band of Philistines. Yet, Jonathan is condemned by his own father's rash vow. Thanks be to God - the people interceded for Jonathan and "ransomed" him so that he was allowed to live. We too have been condemned by the rash words of our lips. Yet, there is one who intercedes for us. Thanks be to God - for Jesus the Christ who on the cross ransomed himself for us; who died that we might live.

1 Samuel 13 - Waiting for Clergy

2012-03-02T07:56:00.000-05:00

Lots to think about in today's chapter. This having to wait around for Samuel makes me just a little uncomfortable. In my own congregation, I know that if I were to be late, they would begin worship without me. They were trained by the Pastor before me to do that. They were at one time a two-point Parish and sometimes the Pastor got delayed. I think, that I have always made it on time, sometimes it was a close one, but always made it. There have also been times when we have had pulpit supply and the clergy either forgot (Wednesday Lent Services) or got lost since we're so remote. When and if the clergy show up, they take over from wherever the congregation is. The congregation here just has this idea that worship doesn't depend on me or any other clergy. They are correct. If we're late or forget - it should still happen - with or without us.

When the Finnish congregations in the mid-west of this country were first formed by immigrants, many worship services were lay led. Some parishes had 5 and 6 and even more congregations. The few clergy could not be everywhere. I believe it is the same in Russia (I mention this because I know that there are a few hits every day to this blog from Russia). It has been about 10 years since I was able to visit some of the Russian congregations, but I do recall that some were lay led because of lack of clergy. Mission, evangelism, spreading the good news of the kingdom is what all members of the Body of Christ are called to do. It is good to have clergy to lead us, but you can't wait for us to show up when something needs doing - when the Gospel needs proclaiming - when the people are gathered and desire to bring their offerings of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD.

1 Saumel 12 - Keep on Praying

2012-03-01T06:54:00.000-05:00

Ever get tired of praying for someone? After a few decades you begin to wonder if they will every repent - if they will ever turn to the LORD and receive the blessings He so graciously has given them?

Samuel warns the people. They have been evil in asking for an earthly king and he warns them not to forget the LORD. He tells them, "..Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; and do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless. For the LORD will not cast away his people..." (12:20-22) Even though we sin against God, even though we've turned our back to Him, we can be assured that He loves us, and desires that we should turn around and love and serve Him.

God never gives up on us nor should we ever give up on others. In fact, Samuel considers it a sin against God to stop praying for others. "Morevoer as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you..." (12:23)

Can you imagine as a parent giving up on your children? Can you imagine ceasing your prayers for them? I know there are a few in this world who could care less about their children and would indeed give them a snake rather than a fish. (Luke 11:11) But, most of us would not. We desire good things for our children, the best life, just as God our Father desires the best lift for all of His children.

Let us not quit praying for all our sons and daughters, for all our neighbors, that they may be saved and serve the LORD with gladness as His beloved children. That all might know and receive and live in His blessings.

1 Samuel 11 - Saul's Finally Worthy

2012-02-29T06:58:00.000-05:00

Saul: Farmer, Warrior, King...

King Saul coming from the field from behind the oxen... I have always loved picturing this. Now, at this point the people hadn't really accepted him as their king, but God had already had Samuel annoint Saul as king.

You notice I didn't mention savior in the above list? Under Saul's leadership and direction, Israel was delivered from the Ammonites. But, Saul gives credit to God when in verse 13 he says, "No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has brought deliverance to Israel." The LORD has brought deliverance. It is always and only the LORD who delivers. It is necessary to remember that.

When Samuel first annointed Saul as their king, not everyone was ready to accept him as their king. But, having proved his worthiness of the position in battle, they are now ready to renew the kingship.

It is an unfortunate reality of life, that often in order to be accepted we have to do something really outstanding. Our works need to be some really in your face stuff in order for our gifts to be recognized as beneficial. After all, if we're not beneficial to others, will they accept us? Unfortunately, again, not usually. Seems often we have personal ulterior motives for following someone or even letting them into our lives and unlike God we insist they prove themselves before we can accept them.

May God help us to learn to be more like Jesus - opening our arms to those He sends into our lives no matter who they might be. Help us to not judge whether they are worthy of our love, but to learn to love as unconditionally as God loves us.

1 Samuel 10 - Filled With The Spirit

2012-02-28T08:13:00.000-05:00

Saul is annointed (10:1)and is filled with the Spirit (10:9). God - the Spirit gives Saul a new heart. Once we start reading about Saul's reign as king, we're going to find that he must have forgotten some of what God had done for Him, calling Him, to be the King, the one who would save His people.

At Baptism, we too are annointed with the Holy Spirit. We are changed. We are given new hearts. Our hearts of stone are changed to hearts of flesh. Hearts that beat with life and the love of life, for our lives and the lives of others. But, as we grow, as we go; something happens. The Holy Spirit is still with us, but, that original annointing is not real evident in our lives. As time passes, we might turn our backs on God and turn to our own desires. We do not listen to, we do not follow; in fact we flat out reject the guidance of the Holy Spirit and go our own way.

Let us remember our baptisms. That in the waters of baptism we have died with Christ, so to live in Christ. Remember... that we have been annointed with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God has been poured out upon us. A very precious gift has been given us. Let us honor that gift and do not despise or reject the Spirit.

1 Samuel 9 - Searching (Ramblings today)

2012-02-27T06:58:00.000-05:00

I am sure glad no one expects me to tell them where their donkeys are! It's hard enough for me to find my own car in Wal-Mart's parking lot!

Saul is focused on find his father's donkeys. He ends up searching out the prophet Samuel for advise on where to find them. Samuel tells him not to give any further thought to the lost donkeys, for they have been found. Samuel has seen and heard more than this. The LORD has shown him that it will be Saul whom He has chosen to be annointed as King over Israel. I like how Samuel does not question God. He just moves about and does what needs to be done without any added stress. He just is. Everything just seems to moves along and is accomplished in Samuel's life in the order the LORD ordains and when he ordains it.

Would our lives not be more pleasant if we too, could just listen and do what we hear from the LORD? If we could just "be" children of God, servants of God. If we could just listen for His will for us and not get so excited about finding our own direction in the world?

Yesterday, after Sunday School, I went downstairs to talk to the teachers and youth to see how the first Sunday of pre-confirmation went. Every class is studying the catechism during Lent. They loved it. For the first time ever, the 4th thru 6th grade class was not ready to leave the class. They are studying the 10 Commandments, using a resource called "Respect" from Sola Publishing. "Respect" is being supplemented with taped video sessions on the commandments by Walt Wangerin. As Roger was trying to dismiss the class, the young people were asking for time for one more question. Roger had planned to go through 2 commandments each Sunday; however, they barely got through the 1st yesterday. The young people were listening and out of their listening came questions and responses - conversations. They were also beginning to realize that the direction that they have been going in, may not be exactly where God would have them go - not exactly what God has been calling them to. They were excited to know - that the ways of God are not the ways of the world.

Our young people are searching for something. If we are going to help them then we need to direct them to the Word of God, so that through the Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit, they may find what they have been looking for. They may find a new direction for their lives - that the way the LORD would have them go is not necessarily the same way that they have been traveling.

Ok... long enough ramblings for the morning... God's Peace be with you. Pr. J.

1 Samuel 8 - We Want What We Want!

2012-02-26T06:30:00.001-05:00

Everyone else has one! We want one, too! Like little children, the Israelites want what they want and they want it now!! They want a king!

Doesn't appear that God is too thrilled with their desire to have a king, other than Himself. Why is it that the Israelites and we just can't listen to Him, just can't follow him? Why do we insist on setting men (and women) up in high places to lord it over us? Why do we insist on throwing ourselves into bondage to others - to serve anyone, but the LORD our God? Just so we can complain later? Do we need something to do that bad?

God warns the people through Samuel. They are told that they and their children will become the king's servants. He will demand the best part of their crops. He will take the best of all that they have. He will oppress them and when he does the LORD promises not to help them.

But, guess what! So what if God thinks it's a bad idea! The children of God want what they want and they want it now! So God relents and gives them what they want.

May God help us to remember that the ways of the world are not our ways. May He give us the wisdom and courage and strength to follow in His ways.

1 Samuel 7 - Altars of False Gods

2012-02-25T08:01:00.002-05:00

The LORD thunders His mighty voice and routes the Philistines out of Israel! Awesome!

Obviously or presumably Israel has put away the false gods and turned to the LORD with all their hearts as God helps them to be free of the Philistines.

Return to the LORD, who helps you... Put aside your false gods and turn to the LORD... Sound like a familiar theme? At the risk of sounding like a broken record we're going there again today. Chapter 7 begins with a reminder to put away false gods and ends with Samuel building an altar to the LORD.

When I was a wee bit younger, I did a whole lot more hiking and kayaking than I do now :) I recall two different altars I ran across on those journeys. Neither of these altars were public altars of any kind. I ran across them quite accidentally. The owner of at least one of them probably never expected anyone to ever find it. They both in very isolated areas and struck me as being personal and private worship areas for someone. They both looked out over Lake Superior. They both were made of rocks and they both had a place in the rock where a fire could be made. However, the first one I stumbled across had obviously been used recently as the bones of small birds were laid out on the rocks. It smacked really bad of burnt offerings. It felt bad there. I did ask the owner of this property about it at the time as it really disturbed me that I should find something like this on property belonging to clergy. He denied knowing anything about it. It is quite possibe that he did not as the land area was quite vast.

I could not tell for what or whom the second altar I ran across had been built for. The area was clean and much more in the open, in an area where anyone could easily stumble across, unlike the first one. There were no signs of worship of false gods, of worship of sun or moon, or any other such entity... I simply don't know what it was. It did not have that yucky feeling that went with the first altar.

I member those two excursions as I read chapter 7 this morning as I once again remind us all: Return to the LORD with all your heart, put away all foreign and false gods. Direct your heart to the LORD, and serve Him only, and He - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - will deliver you.

1 Samuel 6 - Get God's Presence Out Of Here!

2012-02-24T06:36:00.001-05:00

Send the presence of God with His ark back! Get rid of it!

The Philistines consult their priests and diviners as to what to do with the ark of the LORD! They don't want it around them. Their false gods fall down before it. Wherever it is, the Philistines break out with tumors.

They send it back with offerings of gold and the people rejoice. The people of Bethsemesh celebrate and give thanks when it comes to them led by two cows. They give the cows as a burnt offerings. They celebrate, but not all of them. They look upon the ark and seventy of the men are struck down by the LORD. Seventy of God's chosen people are struck down for not respecting the ark, which ultimately mean they disrespected God's presence with the ark. Not good news! The people, although excited to have it returned, are a little bit - ok - a whole lot nervous. Who can stand before the LORD? Do the wrong thing and die! So they look for someone who will be able to take possession of the ark - they (like the Philistines) don't want it among them.

Maybe steering clear from God's presence isn't such a bad thing? (being facetious in case you think I'm serious) At least from a human standpoint? Maybe this is why so many fail to come to the places designated to bring offerings of thanksgiving? Fear of coming into His presence? Just surmising... The good news is that we don't have to fear for Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins. He overcame the power of death for us. We can come joyfully into the presence of God. We can bring our offerings of thanksgiving without fear of death. We can hear His Word and celebrate!

Who can stand in the presence of God? Who can stand before the law of the LORD? Not a one of the Israelites. Not a one of us. But, there is one who could. Thanks be to God for Jesus the Christ!

1 Samuel 5 - False gods fall before the LORD

2012-02-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

The message for this morning is: False gods cannot stand before the LORD. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, our God has power over all things. And again... we ought not be trying to manipulating God. It doesn't work. He will have His way - one way or the other.

Sharing another story... :) About my own false gods... I have known since I was about 11 or 12 years old that I had been called into the ministry. However, I did not answer that call until I was in my 30's. I said no to God for many, many years and yes to the things of this world that were calling me. I did begin to turn my life around when I was in early 20's, but I was not willing to give up my will to His, not yet. One by one, those false gods showed themselves to be worthless. It took a lot of trials and testing to bring me to this day. Now, this may all have been God's plan for me so that when I got here, I would realize fully how worthless following other gods - following my own will and desires - actually is. Following my own desires (false gods) was definitely a wilderness experience. It is a repetition of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. Go off doing your own thing - end up with troubles - return to the LORD - go off and do your own thing - end up with troubles - return to the LORD.

False gods are worthess. They will not stand before the LORD. They will fall before Him and bring you nothing but trouble - nothing but destruction.

During this season of Lent, consider the false gods that may have sneaked into your life and allow God to be in His rightful place in your life.

1 Samuel 4 - The Glory Has Departed - Enter Lent

2012-02-22T06:26:00.000-05:00

The glory has departed from Israel...

The Israelites attempted to use the ark as a means to manipulate their odds of winning the battle with the Philistines - like God is some puppet that if we say the right words or do the right thing He will do our bidding. They never consult God. They don't ask Him for guidance. They bring the ark of the covenant onto the battlefield in order to manipulate the outcome to their favor and they lose. They lose the battle. They lose the ark. The glory has departed from Israel.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of God and His many gifts to us. I think especially of the gift of His presence with us. He is with us always. His glory is with us. Yet, I wonder if we are really aware that God is with us? Do we use words like "God is with you" as platitudes in order to try to comfort the lost, the lonely, the hungry, the bereaved? Or, do we really believe these words? Do we use the words like magical incantations - hoping they will comfort - hoping they will help conquer? Or, do we really believe? Where is God's glory in all this? Is His glory with us when we use his word - his law - calll upon His presence - like a magical incantation - to manipulate the outcome - to bring us success?

The glory has departed from Israel. They are still His people. Yet, they have entered into some dark times because they did not trust Him or His will for them, rather they tried to manipulate it for their benefit.

The glory, I believe, has departed from many lives - lives of His children today. Simply because we use the gifts, the freedom He has given us in Christ to try to manipulate Him. We don't trust Him. We don't go to Him. We don't listen to Him. We do all the talking and telling. We don't have glory. God is the glory! Without His glory, we are going to be in a very dark place. And, so this Ash Wednesday morning we being our Lenten Journey, considering that without God we are nothing. From dust we have come. To dust we shall return.

May God help us on our Lenten journey that we might return to the LORD, our God. May He help us so that we might learn to hear His Word, to listen to Him, and return to Him for our life and salvation.

Remember: There is only one God and that is not you! Bow down and worship the one true God - do not bow to your own desires.

1 Samuel 3 - Speak Lord Your Servant Listens

2012-02-21T06:16:00.001-05:00

"Speak, for your servant is listening." (3:10)

I love this story of God speaking to Samuel. I think of it often, especcially when things get overwhelming - when there is more work than hours in a day - when there are more people to help that I can get to - when there are more people who need praying for than I can even remember. In times when I just no longer clue as to what to do next that I finally give it up and turn to God and pray: Speak Lord, for your servant is listening. There are times that I have boxed myself in such a corner that I have no place to turn except to stop, be quiet, and listen.

Truth is - sometimes we get so busy doing all the things we think we need to do - we forget to listen to the Word and will of God. So when the going gets tough, here is what I do, cut my evening prayer petitions short and lying down in the quiet of the night, pray one last petition: "Speak Lord, for your servant listens.." Then I listen. I should be doing this every night, but I don't. I simply do not do what I ought to do. I do not listen as I should.

Want to know why I don't think there are more prophets? No..? Well, I'll tell you anyway. We don't hear from the prophets much these days because nobody hears the Word of God in the stillness of the night, nobody hears God whispering our name as He calls to us, because He can't be heard above all the noise. We sabotauge ourselves with all of the noise and with all the things to do. We stay busy doing "busy things" until it is time to collapse for the night. We do not make the time for ourselves to be able to sit quietly in His presence and just listen. As I said in my sermon this past Sunday, I think we're all just a little bit more afraid of God than we'd like to admit. We're all just a little bit more afraid of where God might call us, of what He might say to us, if we were listening.

Jesus calls to us and what does he say? Follow me... And where did his earthly journey take him? To the cross. That is not a message that we particularly care to hear. It is just a little fearful because we do understand that the journey will take us to places where we would rather not be, to do what we'd rather not do, to be what we'd rather not be. It is a call to give ourselves for the sake of others. That is where the voice of Jesus calls us. The journey to the cross is not easy. It is easier to fill our lives with noise and busyness so that we don't have to respond to what Jesus is calling us to.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a time to remember his journey to the cross and a time to remember that he calls to each us. And when he calls your name, will you respond, "Speak, for your servant is listening?" Follow me...

P.S. BTW Do you know what happens when a prophet speaks? Very few respond like Eli when he said, "It is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him." No, normally prophets are ignored, persecuted, shut out. Nobody wants to listen...

P.P.S. Hope this blog isn't too convoluted today. Seems I have one of those days again where busyness is threatening to consume the day and sadly I am rushed...

1 Samuel 2 - Fat Donuts or the Lord's Supper?

2012-02-20T08:18:00.001-05:00

Very sad. Very sad indeed. Eli's sons are greedy. They do not respect the LORD. They do not honor him. The LORD passes judgment upon them and it is not going to be good. Very sad indeed! Now, we might say that this is no less than they deserve. But, this morning I am thinking of all the sons and daughters of this world today. Do they honor the LORD? Will they be blessed or will they not?

Having the privilege (only bestowed upon us by the blood of Christ) of serving God is the greatest blessing that we could ever want. Having the privilege to abide in His presence, to eat at His table, what more is there?

Tomorrow is "Fat Tuesday." It never fails to amaze me how many paczkis are sold on Fat Tuesday. A whole lot of people indulge on Fat Tuesday by running to the bakery to fill up on these fatted and tasty treats. But, what about Ash Wednesday? Some I've talked to in the past didn't even know what Ash Wednesday was - but - they sure enough knew about indulging on Fat Tuesday!

What about Ash Wednesday? Will they show up for a simple soup (broth?) supper on Ash Wednesday? Will they remember that they are nothing but dust and to dust they shall return? Will they remember who it is that gives life and takes it? On Ash Wednesday, will they be eating and drinking of the body and blood that was shed for them? Maybe the body and blood of our Saviour isn't tasty enough - isn't filling enough? Or maybe it is that some are just greedy and have no real clue how satisfying Jesus really is? That is sad. It is sad that Jesus call us to His Table and we say no - but - rather run to the bakery for the fat donut. Very sad indeed that anyone should not know the blessings -the free blessings - given to us by our LORD.

Eli is about to lose his sons because they were greedy and wanted the best, the fat. How very sad, indeed!

1 Samuel 1 - Dedicated to God

2012-02-19T06:06:00.001-05:00

A woman without child. She prays and God hears. He answers. In return for being blessed with a son, she lends him to the LORD's service for his life-time. While still in the womb, she dedicates her son's life to the LORD. She makes vows for him (appearing to be similar to a Nazirite) even before he is born.

How many of us have done this? How many mothers grieve as their children grow in years, that they do not serve the LORD with their whole hearts and minds and souls? Is there a gift that could be better than this - that our children should know the LORD and be in a living, loving relationship with Him?

May God grant that the children of all who read this would turn to the LORD and serve Him above all others. That they would turn to Him and live full lives dedicated to walking with God, who is the only one who can make their journeys worth rejoicing.

Ruth 4 - Marriage Is About Commitment

2012-02-18T07:00:00.004-05:00

Most often when I counsel couples about to be married, I talk about the commitment that marriage is. It is a contract between two people to be bound together, to live together, supporting each other 'till death parts them. For what God joins together, man cannot separate. Even when divorce happens and it does at times... once they have been joined together, they will always be a part of one another.

I remind them that marriage is as much about commitment as it is about love - even more so. It is the commitment they make and keep that will help their love to stay strong and even grow. There will be days in their lives together when they may not feel like they love one another any longer. It will be in those times that they should remember the commitment they made to one another as they stood before God and the people and made a covenant to share their entire lives with each other. They will need to remember that they have committed themselves to love and to care for each other till death parts them. Marriage is about commitment. It is about faithfulness. It is about loyalty.

After such a short time of having known Ruth, Boaz cannot know if he truly loves this woman - at least not in the way that comes with caring for someone through time. But, he is committed to seeing that she and her mother-in-law are cared for. He is committed, as is Ruth and Naomi, to seeing that the family name, the inheritance of Elimelech, is passed on for another generation. He is willing to father a son, who shall be his late relative's son, who shall be the inheritor the property left behind and the son who will care for Naomi in her old age. He is committed to blessing not just Ruth, but the mother-in-law, Ruth, whom she does love. Boaz is committed to love and to care for Ruth and all whom she loves.

Marriage is a life-long contract. It is a commitment to love and care for each other, no matter what may come. There may be times when we may think that maybe we made a mistake in making that commitment, but as we work on that commitment, love will indeed grow.

To follow Jesus Christ, to become his bride, we also make a commitment. There will be many times, when life in relationship with him, may seem like it is more of a commitment than we can bear. But, as we remind ourselves of the commitment he has made to us, we will be reminded of the great love he has for us and our love for him and one another will also grow.

May the LORD give us the faith, strength, and courage needed to help us in our commitment to love the LORD with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love one another as ourselves.

Ruth 3 - On the Threshing Floor

2012-02-17T09:33:00.004-05:00

Ruth and Boaz on the threshing floor together... Interesting story...

The NRSV Bible that I normally use in the mornings has the notes printed so small I have to use a magnifying glass to read. But, I wanted to read the notes, so opened up "The Lutheran Study Bible" (that would be published by Concordia) that my godfather just gave to me - with large print. Yeah!! I can read the notes. Then I thought: I wonder how the other "Lutheran Study Bible" (published by Augsburg) compares. So I pulled it off the bookshelf and dusted it off.

Thought I'd share the differences with you all just for something a little different today.

"The Lutheran Study Bible" (Concordia) on Ruth 3:4
"observe the place where he lies. No amount of darkness could hide the embarrassment associated with approaching the wrong man! uncover his feet. The night's chill would waken Boaz. In light of v 9, the uncovering of Boaz's feet symbolized Ruth's proposal for marriage. See "Boaz's Feet," p 422."

On page 422 we find: "Boaz's Feet. Some interpreters view the uncovering of Boaz's feet as a polite way to note sexual activity. However, nothing else in the Book agrees with this interpretation, and everywhere the faithfulness and intergrity of Ruth and Boaz are emphasized."

Here is the note from "Lutheran Study Bible" (Augsburg Fortress) on the same verse Ruth 3:4.
"go and uncover his feet: In Hebrew the word for foot is often used to refer to a man's sexual organ, and thus the original hearers of this story would have heard a double meaning. Ruth is making a bold move by lying next to Boaz."

I'd share/compare more with you, but out of 18 verses the Augsburg version only comments on 5 of them so there's not much to compare. I wouldn't think that it's the authors' faults that there's not much there. I'm sure that it was the intent of the publishers not to overwhelm the average person with anything that might be too difficult for us to understand :) I don't know why I hadn't ever noticed before that the "Lutheran Study Bible" isn't really geared for real study - better to get a good commentary or "The Lutheran Study Bible." Maybe I never noticed, because I haven't really used it. The Bible I've been using most often is the Harper Collins Study Bible (NRSV) which is really good as well. (But, I do require large print for early mornings. Thanks to my Godfather Ken for the gift of the large print from Concordia!)

No matter what we think may or may not have happened on the threshing floor, the story of Ruth remains about love and faithfulness. It is not all about sex. It is about a proposal of marriage. It is about commitment. It is about taking care of one's neighbors, one's family.

Ruth 2 - Do Unto Others

2012-02-16T07:43:00.001-05:00

At our Bible study yesterday, we discussed Matthew 7. "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." (7:1-2 NRSV) and the Golden Rule... "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (7:12) Often, we like to look at these verses separately. But, since they are both in this same chapter, maybe we should look at them together. When my children were young, I often taught them these verses as one lesson. (I hope they remember this lesson) Do to others what you would have others do unto you, because what you do to others will be done to you. Or... what you give, is what you get... what goes around, comes around...

In our reading from Ruth, we see this principal at work. Ruth has chosen to care for and provide for her mother-in-law, Naomi. She didn't have to. She could have went home to her family when her husband died so that the men of her own family would provide for her. She couldn't have taken the easy road - the wide road. But, she didn't. Instead, she is out picking up the left-overs in the field so that she and Naomi can eat. Boaz looks kindly upon her and chooses to ensure that they are both cared for and fed. She is treated as graciously by Boaz as she treats Naomi.

How often do we wonder why bad things seem to always happen to us, why we seem to be in a state of crisis so often without considering that just maybe we are receiving exactly what we would and have given to others.

May God grant that each of us would be more generous to one another that we might all live in peace...

Ruth 1 - Love and Faithfulness; Ruth and Naomi

2012-02-15T06:46:00.001-05:00

The day after Valentine's Day and we begin a love story - the story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz, too... The Book of Ruth is about love and about faithfulness. After some of the books we've read, it is a relief to hear a story about the ancestory of Jesus that is about love and faithfulness.

If the world could only treat one another as Naomi and Ruth treated each other, with concern for the other's future, with a willingness to walk beside the one they are with, supporting them even as they support you.

It had to be pretty tough for Naomi to find herself without any men in her (their) lives to care for them. It was not a time when women were able to care for themselves well. She had not only lost her husband and sons, but now she would lose her daughters-in-law because she could not care for them. They needed to return home to their families so someone would support them. But, Ruth would not. She would walk beside her late husbands mother. They would continue as family even though there was no blood connection between them.

There is a blood that is thicker than blood. It is the blood of Christ shed for you... A gift of love... to join us as family forever...

Judges 21- Wives and Valentines

2012-02-14T07:01:00.004-05:00

In those days Israel did as they saw fit... That`s for sure! Let's get this straight.
1. A Levite gives his concubine to be raped in his place. She dies.
2. The Levite cuts her into pieces and sends her pieces to all the tribes, inciting war with the Benjamenites.
3. Thousands upon thousands die.
4. The Benjamenites have to have women. For some reason there are lots of men left alive - but - not enought to wives.
5. Since the rest of Israel won't let them marry their daughters, they plan a way for them to destroy more people lives and steal themselves some wives. Sounds almost like we're back at number 1!

In spite of the fact that the tribes of Israel sometimes killed each other, they were sure concerned about keeping all of the tribes alive and propagating no matter what.

It is Valentine's Day here in America. Now, I live in enough reality to know that not all relationships are as wonderfully perfect as I'd like them to be. But, I would hope that we could all treat our spouses with just a little more respect than we might normally do - treat them with genuine caring. Thank the LORD that relationships today have the possibility of being more than husband and property. Today, relationships can be so much more than they were for the people of early Israel. We pray that they will be for all our sons and daughters.

P.S. Have to apologize for errors and overall rush this morning. On my eepad this morning and still not use to it! With my husband of 40 years (Happy Valentine's Day) and granddaughter in Tecumseh, MI. Will be home today so will be back on my home computer tomorrow.

Judges 20 - Assault on Benjamin

2012-02-13T06:15:00.000-05:00

Lots of good stuff in the reading this morning. There's the military tactics and the fact that the LORD lets so many of the other tribes be slaughtered before they actually win the battle. As I read this chapter though and about the thousands upon thousands that died in this 3 day battle, I thought about why they died, why they went to war in the first place. Some very perverse men in Gibeah decide they want to have their way with the Levite. The Levite gives them his concubine in his place and then when she dies, not acknowledging his own cowardice and guilt in giving her, incites Israel to take vengeange for her life. He incites them against an entire clan because of a few men's actions and thousands upon thousands men on both sides die.

How many wars have been started similarly? Thousands upon thousands die to find and put to death a minority that commit atrocities against humankind. Countries allow rulers to persecute, torture and murder innocent men, women and children for political purposes and then... Then, when it gets so huge that the world cannot help but acknowledge the atrocities, the rest of the world decides they should help the innocent. The problem is, at this late date, even more innocent will die in order to stop those barbaric rulers.

So this morning, I wonder why the people of Gibeah allowed men to live in such a way that would eventually stir up all of Israel against them. I wonder too, about this Levite, this priest, who gave a woman to suffer for him and then, not acknowledging his own cowardice, stirred up a battle where so many of his own people died - in a sense defending his honor - honor that he did not have in the first place.

Judges 19 - Who Should Die For You?

2012-02-12T07:55:00.000-05:00

Has such a thing ever happened? Yes, it has before and after. Yet, as I read the story of this certain Levite and his concubine I thought that no one can tell me that our time is more evil than the times before us. We live in very sinful times, indeed. And... this sort of thing may happen. I am sure similar occurances probably happen in this world, someplace. But, thanks be to God, I do not know anyone who would give his wife or girlfriend or concubine to save their own flesh. I don't know anyone who would give them over without a fight.

This woman died for the Levite - not by choice - but - because she belonged to him. It was the Levite's choice that she should take his place to save his skin.

Thanks be to God for a Son who freely chose to die in our place. He chose not to save not His own flesh, but to save our very souls! Thanks be to God for a Saviour, who delivers us from sin, death, and the power of the devil! May we always follow in his footsteps willing to give of ourselves that others might live.

Judges 18 - Danites heading for trouble

2012-02-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

Things are not sounding good for the Danites.... They seem to be on top of things in this chapter; but, the way they get there tells me there is trouble waiting for them. They talk a priest into stealing for them and you just don't get to go setting up idols in the temple and expect all to be well in your future.

There just seems to be certain consequences for certain actions and we can be pretty sure that these people are going to end up in captivity - in bondage - once again.

P.S. Vacation is going pretty nice - was out at the Old Sheldon Church (and cemetery) at sunrise taking pictures then went down to a river and got a couple shots of a dolphin. Trying to talk everyone into doing some local historical sites today... We will see what the day has in store for us..

Judges 17 - Personal gods and priests

2012-02-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

Seems like some pretty not so good stuff going on in this chapter! What is this 1100 pieces of silver that had been taken from Micah's mother? And... why does Micah have it? Notice too, that this is the exact amount Delilah got from each person to betray Samson. So, what is that about? Anyway, Micah gives the silver back to his mom, who is ecstatic and consecrates it to her son who shouldn't have had it in the first place. Out of 200 pieces of the silver an idol is made for Micah's personal household shrine. Sounds like something the LORD would really approve... And the story goes on... Micah installs one of his sons to be his priest. But, what good fortune, a Levite comes along and sells his services as a priest to Micah. Really doesn't sound like a good idea to me!!!! I have a feeling nothing good is to come of this story. Just haven't figured out why the Israelites haven't figured out that personal gods and gold and silver idols just are not the greatest plan for a future with hope. And I wonder how many pastors and preists haven't figured out selling one priestly duties to the highest bidder isn't such a smart idea, either...

Judges 16 - Samson the judge?

2012-02-09T08:13:00.000-05:00

I find myself wondering this morning exactly what kind of judge Samson is. He has not really been a leader of any kind. Seems to me the only thing he has done is assaulted and killed many Philistines. Then when they finally catch him, he destroys even more as a vendetta for them taking his eyes out. If as a judge, he doles out justice, I am afraid I have a little difficulty with his sense of justice.

Regardless, it appears he is called by God to relieve the Israelites of the Philistines who have been persecuting them and they do have a bit of a reprieve for the 20 years that Samson "judges." I guess maybe we can "excuse" his behavior with these women who are not for him, because it appears that he is still young and immature. It is hard to imagine any man being stupid (yes, I said stupid) enough to fall into Delilah's snare, not just once, but four times! It is hard to imagine, but it happens. Even today, it happens! If you love me... then... How many men (and women) have fallen for that line and followed in the path of their own destruction?

There is only one path to follow. Steer clear of the path that your wayward friends would cheerfully guide you on. The only "if you love me, then..." you should be hearing is the one found in St. John, Chapter 21 when Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me? And... when Peter answers "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus tells Peter, "Tend my sheep." Real love is not about vengeance. It is not about ripping apart your enemy. Real love is about caring for all of the sheep. It is about caring for and feeding all whom Jesus loves and he loves all enough to die for you.

P.S. Would have gone into the nazirite stuff, but this is suppose to be a brief blog. Suffice it to say that I don't cut my own hair... :) Have a blessed day.

Judges 15 - More of the ex-wife

2012-02-08T07:38:00.000-05:00

It's hard to keep my tongue after reading the opening paragraph this morning. I cannot believe that Samson actually wanted to go and visit his wife! If someone in the same circumstances told me they planned to do this... well... actually no one that knows me would probably tell me they intended to do something like this for fear I would laugh at them.

Well, Samson does and there is trouble... But, since Samson is the LORD's judge it works out for the Israelites and against the Philistines. Lots of trickery going on; though, to get to the finish line. In spite of all the negative stuff that brings Samson to the forefront, Samson's exploits do make for some interesting story-telling. He kills a lion with his bare hands and eats hands full of honey taken from the innards of the lion; ties the tails of foxes together and then sets them on fire in the Philistine vineyards and fields so that all is destroyed. And then.... after the bonds he is being held in melt like flax in a fire, he kills a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass.

Really cool stories... but, not the one where he thinks he should go back and visit his wife who betrayed him in the first place. Take a lesson from Samson, you don't want to end up in a big mess? Don't be trying to get over-friendly with your ex-wife who betrayed you...

Judges 14 - Wives and Trolls

2012-02-07T06:50:00.000-05:00

Samson's riddle is something else! No one could possibly guess the answer! No one knew except this Philistine wife which his parents had objected to in the first place. She had whined and accused Samson of not loving her and whined some more until he told her. She betrayed his trust, telling the 30 companions. Samson ends up killing 30 men and leaving his wife.

I don't know what this marriage was based on. It certainly wasn't trust or love. I'm guessing it was more, "I'm not supposed to have that so I want her." Even though he's suppose to be who God sends to deliver Israel from the Philistines, he wants to marry one. Not good planning. Just because you want something, doesn't mean it's going to make you happy. But, scripture does say that this whole wedding was a part of God's plan so that Samson would have a pretext of acting against the Philistines. Well, it worked. But, I think this chasing after a woman not suited to him probably caused him more heartache than he had bargained for.

Reminds me of a troll story I heard when I was young. There is this troll named Hulda (or maybe Huldra). Hulda looks like a real human woman. But, she has a tail. If she can trick a man into marrying, her tail will fall off, but the man will still be married to a troll. Moral of that story: Be very careful who you enter into a marriage (any relationship) with.

It is time to hit the road - in the beautiful Blue Grass State this morning - cold and foggy.

Judges 13 - Births - Samson & Jesus

2012-02-06T05:38:00.000-05:00

The Israelites are given over to the hand of the Philistines because they are doing evil in the sight of the LORD again! Will they ever learn? They are pretty stubborn people, it seems. They are going to do what they want to do not matter what. Not so unlike the people of today... Will we ever learn?

The fact that the LORD sends a baby to deliver them tells us that the Israelites are not going to be delivered overnight. It's going to take a few years. The parents of this unborn deliverer know this, how? An angel of the LORD comes to tell them. Fast forward to a time when the LORD sends another deliver, our Saviour. How do these parents know? An angel of the LORD tells them. An angel appears to Mary. In a dream, the angel of the LORD appears to Joseph and tells him: "She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:21 NRSV)

The LORD in his mercy, has sent deliverers to this world, but, none like Jesus. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been give freedom from our bondage to sin. We have been saved from our own propensity to turn away from God. Let us receive his merciful gift of life through Jesus Christ. Let us receive this abundant life in his presence, and turn and follow in his footsteps in the heavenly kingdom.

God's Peace be with you...

Judges 12 - Uninspiring Leaders

2012-02-05T05:26:00.001-05:00

Death... That's what you would get from the men of Gilead for having an accent... That is how they discerned whether someone was the enemy or not. Sounds a little like racial profiling. But, this isn't even between races. This discrimation, this division, this dissension is within the family of Israel. 42,000 Ephraimites fell to the men of Gilead at that time. And... Jephthah died after 6 years of judging Israel.

As I was helping my granddaughter with her social studies class the other day, she asked me which president was my favorite. I couldn't think of a favorite. Many of them were pretty ineffectual presidents. I don't mean to disparage them. They just were. And even those presidents who had wonderful or just awful things happen during their presidency a whole lot of that really was because they just happened to be president at the time - they were in the right or wrong place at the right or wrong time. Not because the men themselves were so great or so small. It just was or is. Leaders are like that. There have been very few who have really had a tremendous impact. If we're going to talk about great leaders, I would have to go with people like Martin Luther King, Jr.. or Gandhi. They made impacts - real impacts on the lives of people. In a republic or a democracy, people who are running for presidency may think they can make major changes to benefit the people (or themselves). The reality is they don't, because they can't. The system isn't set up that way. Most presidents have very little effect on anything, other than what congress or senate or the people allow them to do. Except maybe they can stall the progress of the country by causing dissension as sometimes those judges in the O.T. would do. With rare exception, presidents and other political leaders are essentially about as ineffective and uninspiring as the rest of us...

And, so it seems were some of the judges. Following Jephthah's death, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel for 7 years; Elon the Zebulinte judged Israel for 10 years; and Abdon the Pirathonite judged Israel for 8 years. There is not much said about these 3 judges other than Abdon's 40 sons and 30 grandson road on seventy donkeys and Ibzan had his children marry outside of their clan. Pretty uneventful 25 years here...

Judges 11 - Jephthah - Another Son

2012-02-04T06:16:00.001-05:00

So it seems that Gideon had even more than the 70 sons that Abimelech (one of his sons) had killed?! First their was Jotham who managed to hide from his brother. Today, we encounter Jephthah, the son of a prosititue. Jephthah had been run out of his father's house when he grew up so that he would not take part of his father's inheritance. After all, with 70 brothers, how much inheritance would there be? Best to get rid of one or two of them? That had been Abimelech plan, too...

Anyway, here is that brother who has been run out of the tribe and now they want him back to fix things for them... I can relate. Not wanted when everyone is having fun, but when the good times backfire, all of a sudden you're wanted and even needed to help fix things!

I'm not too sure about what kind of mindset Jephthah has that he would make an oath to the LORD that he would offer up as as a burnt offering the first thing that came to meet him when he got home, if the LORD would make him victorious. He had to know that it would be a person, someone from his own household that would greet him. Now I've foolishly tried to bargain with God a few times, but never would I agree to give the life of another in attempts to get God to do what I wanted. I might bargain to give my own life for another, but not someone else's for my life or future. Some of these heroes of the Old Testament just baffle me...

Judges 10 - Israelites Repent

2012-02-03T09:04:00.000-05:00

Well... they blew it again! The Israelites (like us) have a tendency to turn their back on God and worship other gods. But, I have to give it to them - at least they have enough sense to repent - to turn back to God who has and will deliver them - when they are backed in a corner and need deliverance! I am always amazed at the number of people who will not repent - who cannot even begin to acknowledge that the reason that they are in trouble is because of the false gods they've been following and serving.

I have to admit, on more than a few occasions, I have just wanted to say: "What is wrong with you? Can't you see that you've done this to yourself by making choices to follow a god - to follow a path - that can only lead to destruction?" Actually, what goes through my head is usually not in such kind terms.

It is just very difficult for me to believe that it is so hard for people to understand that all the bad stuff that might be happening in someone's life - is not everyone else's fault. In this world, it is important that we take responsibility for our own actions and if the consequences are not so good then maybe we need to consider other courses of action. Listening to the way in which the LORD, your only true God would have one go, would be a very wise thing to do - particularly if you're really sick and tired of being backed in a corner with no place to go. Jesus saves! Only God can deliver you from yourself.

May the LORD, your God help you to follow in the way that He would have you go.

Judges 9 - Abimelech Rises and Falls

2012-02-02T06:28:00.000-05:00

Abimelech - one of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon)... what a piece of work! In order to be king, he kills all his brothers except Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself. Doesn't matter who dies - even his brothers - so long as he gets to be king!

Abimelech does this treacherous thing with the aid of his kingsmen of Shechem. Jothan stands on a mountain top and curses the whole lot. He curses them with fire if they have not acted in good faith in choosing their king. Shechem and Abimelech end up warring against each other. Abimelech enemies are holed up in the tower of Thebez. He sets it on fire fulfilling Jothan's curse. And... after only three years of ruling, Abimelech has his head crushed by a woman. To save face, he has his armor bearer kill him so that it could not be said that he died at the hand's of a woman. What a mess Abimelech's lust for power got him and the people into. Nasty stuff sure does seem to happen when one follows after his own hearts desires instead of the will of God for the people. Stuff happens when we go following false gods...

We are in the midst of another Presidential election year. I find it increasingly difficult to discern if any of the politicians are serious about doing the will of God (as many imply) for the good of the people or if they all have personal agendas as their top priority. Actually, I do believe that they all put their personal agendas first. They all want to be king. But, I wonder which one(s) put the people at least second on the list. During election year some (most) wear their religiousity proudly. You see so many wearing their Christian faces. The question is how far from reality are those masks? Are we really dealing with Christians or are their other gods they serve that they are not willing to reveal publically.

History, I am afraid, is doomed to repeat itself so long as we put false gods (including ourselves) before the LORD, God Almighty.

Judges 8 - Decisions and Ephods

2012-02-01T07:28:00.001-05:00

Now that's the way to stop a disagreement before it gets too big... Flatter them. Gideon flatters the Ephraimites when they get jealous because they were not asked to be involved in the rucus with the Midianites. But, when Succoth and Penuel refuse to feed Gideon's army; Gideon returns to destroy them. Maybe that is why he is called a judge - because of the decisions he has to make and hand down; decisions either for peace or for enmity.

In the end though, as faithful as Gideon has been. he is an instigator in turning the people toward false gods. Gideon takes the booty (gold earrings) that the people have given him for his triumph over Midian and makes an ephod of the gold to set up in Oprah. Not sure why an ephod - maybe it's symbolic for the decisions Gideon as a judge has had to make. But, sadly the people wind up prosituting themselves to this gold ephod. Hmmm... Gold anything made and set up by man is probably not a good idea... After his death, the Israelites relapsed and made Baal-berith their god. Another not so good idea!

Final word for this morning: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..." (Exodus 20:2-5 NIV)

There is only one God worthy of our worship. Dont' waste your time or your life in the worship of any other...

Judges 7 - 300 Men to War

2012-01-31T06:24:00.000-05:00

The art of intimidation.... With Gideon at the head of merely 300 men, who lap like dogs, the LORD is able to send the Midianites running. God doesn't need a huge army to send them packing. The army is about thirty-two thousand, but God will only use three hundred of them. The rest are sent home. He pares the army down to a few and then.... the rest is history...

It's not just about the art of intimidation though. It's really about the fact that God is with Gideon and the Israelites and God wants them to know, to realize, that He is their deliverer. He wants the men to be of good courage. He wants men who will trust Him in that He will be with them, that He will give them victory. God will give the Midianites over to them. It is God who will deliver them and He wants them to know this. He doesn't want them taking credit for themselves, because then they will start trusting in theirselves and in the end they will fail. It is God who does these things for us. Without Him, we can do nothing.

Fear is a great obstacle to success. It will subdue our faith. Ego can be just as devasting to our lives. It will subdue our trust in God. Their is only one God. Listen to Him! Trust Him! Follow Him!

Judges 6 - Remember God and Rest; Forget and Run (for the mountains)

2012-01-30T05:50:00.000-05:00

The land had rest for forty years and then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. Again... Seems like they will never learn. Will we? Will we quit following after other gods so that we might have rest in the land?

So, they've forgotten the LORD again and they are in trouble again. They end up living in caves and strongholds in the mountains as the Midianites and Amalekites as well as others from the east come against them, destroying their harvests. And of course, God who loves His children of Israel sends to them another prophet to remind them to remember and reverence the God who delivered the God who delivered them from Egypt.

But, it seems they paid no heed to the prophet. (Surprise anyone?) The LORD calls to Gideon to be their deliverer. Gideon is the least of the least. According to Gideon, his clan is the weakest in Manasseh and he is the least in his family. The first act of this weak man commissioned by God to deliver the Israelites is to destroy the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole. The Israelites are a little upset about their god being torn down. They are angry enough to want to kill Gideon, but they get over it. And... as the Midianites and Amalekites gather to come across them, Gideon blows his trumpter and gathers an army to come up against the destroyers.

As Gideon calls up the army, it is important, I think, to note that the first and foremost destroyer has already been broken down. That happened when the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole were destroyed. There is no minimizing how dangerous false gods can be to our welfare and the abundant life that God would have us live. As we turn away from the one who gives us life, we turn to those things that steal the abundant life God has given us. There is no life in false gods! If their were Gideon would not have been able to tear down the altar of Baal.

It does not matter how lowly we think we are, God calls whom He will call to be His prophet. He calls whom He will call to remind the people of who it is who saves them. He calls whom He will call to lead His children to freedom.

Forty years of rest as they remember the LORD and then seven in the hands of Midian, hiding out in fear, as they worship a false god. In whose hand will you place your trust? Your life? As for me and my house we will worship the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Judges 5 - Song of Deborah and Barak

2012-01-29T07:58:00.001-05:00

Deborah and Barak triumphantly sing the story of victory over King Jabin. What glorious words as they describe how victory was accomplished by God through Deborah, Barak, the army that was with them, and Jael. They tell the story, giving God the glory:  "LORD, when you went out from Seir... the earth trembled, and the heavens poured, the clouds indeed poured water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel."

How often do we tell of God's might deeds worked for us and in us and through us? We share the story of God with us and for us with as much enthusiasm as Deborah and Barak did after this victory. The LORD saved the people who had turned away from them. They had turned their backs on them. They called on Him for help.  Once again, he saved them and they rejoiced! The story is told!

Tell the story of your salvation today... I will keep challenging you to do this, so may as well start. We don't need training on how to do this. We need practice.   We just need to start telling the story of how God impacts our lives on our daily basis. We need to share with others the importance of having Jesus in our lives. We need to let others know how Jesus saved us.

The chapter ends with a prayer: "So perish all your enemies, O LORD! But may your friends be like the sun as it rises in its might." May your light so shine as the rising of the sun...

And the land had rest forty years. Amen!

Judges 4 - Women As Leaders And Conquerers Of Men

2012-01-28T11:40:00.001-05:00

Oops... So busy getting income tax stuff organized for the last 6 hours, I totally forgot about Bible Study!!

We are studying Judge Deborah today. Remember: that judges in Judges were more leaders and prophets (prophetesses) than judges. They helped deliver the people after they lapsed into disobeying God. In this case it was Deborah - yes - a woman. Yes, one of those of the gender that some today say that God does not give leadership to. Barak, a commander of Israel's army would not go to war against the general Sisera without this woman by his side. And in the end, the enemy, General Sisera was put down, not by the hand of Barak, but by another woman, Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite.

God has called women throughout history to lead His people. He calls whom He calls.

Back to taxes.... Pay to Caesar what is Caesar's...

Judges 3 - Deliverance

2012-01-27T04:48:00.000-05:00

Joshua is gone. Their leader is gone and the Israelites do what is evil in the sight of the LORD. How quickly we forget what it is that the LORD desires of us. Seems to me that this is a prime example why we need to attend worship regularly - regularly like every Sunday. We need to hear the word, the will of God, given to us in the scriptures, lest we forget what He calls us to, lest we forget the good things He desires for us and turn our backs on Him.

The Israelites turn their backs on God. They suffer. They call to Him for help. He raises up a deliverer for them. They are delivered. They are saved. They turn their backs on God. They call to Him for help. The cyle repeats itself. Even to this day, it repeats itself. We turn our backs on God 'till we can no longer stand the heat we've gotten ourselves in, then we call to Him for help.

In these latter days, God has sent one deliverer - one for all time. God has sent His only begotten Son to deliver from our own sinful ways, to deliver us from our propensity to turn our backs on Him. He is with us always. We should not wait until we are wallowing in the consequences of our negative attitudes and behaviors. We should not wait until we are dying to call upon the LORD for help. We need His help every minute of every day to walk in the good way that He has prepared for us.

Joshua is gone. Those judges (leaders and deliverers) of Israel are gone. Jesus is not! He is with you even now. Follow Him as he leads you through the valley of the shadow of death.

Judges 2 - The People Bow To False Gods

2012-01-26T06:45:00.001-05:00

Now we find out why the LORD told Joshua they didn't have to drive out all the people who inhabited Israel before them. The LORD had left them there to test the people of Israel - to see if they would remain faithful toHim or turn to false gods. The Israelites failed miserably. When Joshua died, they turned away from the LORD to seek other gods.

Remind you of anything here on earth today? How about some churches of today? When there is a strong leader, the people seem revived. There is an upsurge in attendance. There is an upsurge in activity within the congregation and community. Unfortunately, I am not so sure that all of this (some of it is - but - not all) is faithfulness to God. We, as Christians, have to be very cautious that we are not cultivating a personality cult within our congregations - a group of people with allegiance to the human leader or group of leaders (false gods) rather than the LORD God. This leader does not have to be the Pastor, either. It could be any strong member or clique in the congregation or even an entire denomination who directs (manipulates) the activities in the fore or background.

If by some chance this leader leaves or is removed from power, the congregation has no one to follow, for in fact they have been following a false god and not the God who saved them and gives them the promised kingdom. They have nothing and often they will leave and the church begins to die. Only one of two things can revive this congregation: 1. the Holy Spirit 2. another false god steps in. Be aware that this false god is not necessarily a false teacher. Joshua was not a false teacher. He was called by God. The judges were called by God. The leader may not even realize that the people are flocking to hear him because of his/her personality rather than their love of God. In fact, they usually are pretty excited to see so many flock to hear the Word of God - to bow down and worship the one true God. Hopefully, even in this, God will open the people's hearts and they will hear and believe and follow.

Anyone or anything can be a false god. False gods don't always set themselves up to be that - people set them up to be false gods - people in search of something greater than themselves. Money, for example, can be a powerful false god, dragging us down to some of the deepest depths that we can imagine. However, money does not have the power to make of itself a god. People do that - people who have strayed from serving the LORD God, who created and who sustains them.

Will this generation follow the LORD or another god that will destroy them? What about the next generations? Whom will they serve? Back to Joshua.... "....as for me and my household we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Judges 1 - Not Judges

2012-01-25T06:44:00.000-05:00

Another book under our belts as we begin "Judges" today...

We begin with the reminder that when Israel took possession of the land, not all of the old inhabitants were overthrown or driven out. I believe we will begin to see this as a problem. There will also be disobedience as the children of God begin to turn their backs on the LORD God who brought them out of Egypt. They will worship false gods. They will suffer the consequences.

Another thing to watch for as we traverse "Judges" is that the judges are not actually judges as we consider judges, but leaders among the people - leaders who were to deliver Israel once again! As I watched the State of the Union Address by President Obama last night, I observed the crowd of politicians. So many dressed in black for this austere occasion. I had to switch the channel every once in a while as a real scary thought kept coming to my mind: these are the people who are suppose to lead this country, to deliver us from ourselves! Scary thought - that we should depend on politicians and judges to deliver us. Black, as a symbol of death, is probably a most appropriate color to wear at one of these gatherings where self-motivated leaders gather. I believe it is time now to turn to the LORD for our salvation before we cross a line from which there is no return. There will be negative consequences. As someone mentioned on the news yesterday regarding the cussing on television: we have passed through a gate and cannot go back (not exact quote). Then again, there is no place that that we cannot enter that the LORD cannot bring us back from. Repent, and receive the Kingdom of God.

Humankind cannot be saved by the world. The only true salvation is found in Jesus the Christ, the only genuine servant leader...

Joshua 24 - Choose Ye This Day

2012-01-24T05:48:00.003-05:00

The journey is over. The Israelites have been promised the land for generations. They have been led through some hard times. They have been blessed by the LORD. Joshua's days are almost over. He reminds the people of all that the LORD has done for them and tells them:

"Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Rive and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, shoose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Josh 24:14-15)

Who indeed will you serve? Which gods? Will you revere the LORD in sincerity and in faithfulness? As Joshua encouraged the Israelites to recall their history with the LORD God, I encourage you to do the same. Who brought you out of bondage? Did any of your false gods really help you? You cannot serve two gods. Choose ye this day, whom you will you serve. And, whichever one you choose know that they will each desire faithfulness from you. Will you choose the One who first chose you, who is faithful, and has always been faithful to you? Will you choose the one who loves you so much that He was willing to die for you? Or will you choose a lesser god, a god that does not love you, will only take from you, a god that will take your very joy and leave you alone and helpless? Choose ye this day... And, do not be deceived there is only one God that loves you. Put away all those false gods, for you cannot serve them all and live.

God's promise to you is a for an abundant life in His Kingdom - in His very presence. Do not choose to receive a lesser gift than this. Do not turn your back on the LORD who gives you life.

Joshua 23 - Worship the God Who Blesses You

2012-01-23T03:50:00.001-05:00

It is almost time for Joshua's journey on this earth to be completely over. His own eyes have seen how the LORD God has delivered the people and has given to them to good land that He had promised. But, not it is time for his life to be over and he warns the people not to be straying and following after other Gods. Joshua warns them not to be unfaithful to the one who has been so good to them.

A good warning to all of us. There are days I want to just to say: "Would you cut it out, already! There is one God. Quit following after false gods - gods that are leading you astray - gods that will take the land from you - gods that will take everything you have and keep you from prospering, keep you from knowing peace. Please, cut it out for your sake - for all of our sakes - for the sake of the land. Cut it out! There is only one God. Worship Him. Seek first His Kingdom and then you will know peace - then you will know joy. Repent already, turn around, for the kingdom of God is at hand!

Joshua 22 - Witness that the LORD is God

2012-01-22T06:29:00.000-05:00

It is a witness that the LORD is God. This altar built by the tribes east of the Jordan is meant as a witness, as a testimony to others, to future generations, that they worship the one true God.

What is our testimony? How do we testify to our relationship with the one true God? Will your children or grandchildren and their children hear the stories? Is your witness such that they will know that you are a Christian and be able share what a Christian believes and is with others. Will your witness today, help your children witness tomorrow - to love of God, through Jesus Christ - to the Kingdom of God?

Let us go forth, as living witnesses of Jesus Christ, making disciples of all peoples...

Joshua 21 - Good Promises Fulfilled

2012-01-21T06:45:00.001-05:00

Wow! I never realized how many towns there actually were in the land promised by God. After all these years, all these generations, the Israelites have finally taken possession of the promised land. "Not one of the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass." (Joshua 21:45 NRSV)

I return to Paul's letter to the Romans where he reminds them that God's good purpose for His children will prevail. "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28)

There are times when we might wonder if anything good will ever come to us - times when we wonder if we will ever see the light of day. As we journey through the wilderness, things can get pretty tough. But, for those who believe in Him, we have been promised eternal life in His Kingdom, in His presence, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. There is no promise that this world can offer that is better than that. God's promises do not fail. It has come to pass in the gift of salvation given through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The Israelites have traveled through the wilderness for many years. Their journey was tough; but, God was with them. Rest assured, that no matter what obstacles stand in our path, that we too will see the promised land. With our own eyes, we will see it.
"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Cor:13:12)

Joshua 20 - Walled Refuge

2012-01-20T06:18:00.000-05:00

"The slayer shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and explain the case to the elders of that city..." (vs 4 NRSV)

Standing and explaining your case at the entrance of the gate the elders conjures up pictures in my mind of a bunch of old men, sitting in a semi-circle at the gate, leaning back on two legs of their chairs, looking down through their bi-focals, at a dirty, dusty, bedraggled man who, exhausted, has come to beg for a place to hide out, so that the slayer cannot kill him. That's the picture that comes to my mind. I probably get it from having watched too many cowboy and gunfighter movies in the years that I thought I had time to watch television!

In reality, the gates of the city, were not just super-sized wooden picket fences. The walls were probably more like some of the forts in the Southeastern U.S. that I've visited. The walls and the towers within the walls and gates are thick enough to have rooms inside of them - thick enough to have a courtroom at the gate where the elders can hear the case of the one who killed a friend or neighbor by accident.

Now these cities of refuge seem to be a really great idea. Justice seems to be the prevailing purpose for them. However, I am not sure that I would want to raise a family living in one of these cities, where your neighbor could well be living next door only because he doesn't dare leave the city because the avenger of blood will get him.

In the U.S. we have this thing called presumption of innocence, or "innocent until proven guilty." Well, that is the presumption... But, if someone is arrested for murdering someone, they are not usually set free without a very high bail and sometimes they are not even allowed bail until after they have been found "not guilty." We may say that we presume that they are innocent all we want, what we do with them after their initial hearings, lets the world know what we actually think. Imprisoned doesn't exactly give the impression of innocence. On the other hand, maybe we might think of our jails as cities of refuge. They keep the suspect safe from the avengers of blood - not always - but usually.

May the LORD be your refuge and strength that you may never need walls to protect you from the avenger.

Joshua 18 - 19; Receive the Promised Land

2012-01-19T05:35:00.000-05:00

Sorry - but - I'm taking two chapters this morning... I think I can understand how Joshua felt when he said "How long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" All this land distribution is getting a bit tedious so we're going to move through it a little quicker today.

God has given the Isrealites this awesome gift - a land - a home to call their own; yet, they are slow in receiving that gift.

God has given us an awesome gift through His Son, Jesus Christ. We have been promised life in the Kingdom. So why are we so slow to receive it? Do you have people on your prayer list that you have been praying for years for - praying that they will have a greater understanding, a greater relationship with God our Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit? Maybe you have prayed for them, mentored them, taught them, shared with them.... done everything you can think of to help them understand God's love for them... but, nothing... They have yet to receive the Kingdom.

And what exactly is the Kingdom? It is living in relationship with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not just in the world to come, but in the here and now. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the Kingdom has broken into this world. It is at hand. Yet, so many of us think of it only as something to be received in the future, not as a way of life today. Receive the promised land... God has given it to you through His Son, Jesus the Christ.

Receive the gift of the Kingdom of God. It belongs to all God's children.

Joshua 17 - Land Is Not Enough

2012-01-18T06:22:00.000-05:00

Well, it appears the eldest son is favored just a bit... Checking out the maps again this morning and Manasseh's overall allotment of land appears to be by far the largest of the tribes. Even so, I note that they have not been able to clear the land of the Canaanites, either.

The tribe of Joseph is not happy that Manasseh gets more land than they do. They complain to Joshua. Joshua tells them to go to the forest and clear the land for the people. And even though the Canaanites may come against them, they should also clear the land of them as well. Joshua tells them to drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.

All this land being alotted; it is the inheritance of the children of Israel. It is a gift from God. As I was thinking this morning about how even though the land is a gift, the people had to go in and possess it and they had to work the land for it to be fruitful for them. God gave it to them, but they didn't get to lay in bed 'till noon and do nothing the rest of the day. They actually had to go and take possession - they had to do something.

As you probably guessed; actually, what I was thinking was about the modern day family. I was imagining a father who owned thousands of acres of land and having sons, decided to split it up, so that they could use this land to support themselves and their families. I was just kind of imagining the number of sons that would be like Joseph complaining about their alotment. Maybe it's too swampy or too many trees. Maybe the land is flat and grassy. I was wondering if 12 sons received an inheritance of land today, how many would know how or have the ambition to make it fruitful. How many would live in poverty because they didn't know how or wouldn't put the gift they'd received to good use? Was wondering how many of them would be sitting in the bar complaining about the inheritance that they received instead of putting the land to work for them? In the coming generations, would we hear of all 12 sons, or would only one (or none) survive and be fruitful enough to be known and remembered by the people?

Seems there is always a problem with the gifts we receive. No one ever really gives us just the right gifts that we need to succeed... :) Some of these gifts require an awful lot of work to make them work.

May God help us to learn to appreciate each and every gift that has been alotted to us and to use them to His glory...

Joshua 16 - Ephraim's Failure God's Plan?

2012-01-17T06:25:00.000-05:00

Just like the people of Judah, the Ephraimites were not able to drive out the people who were there be for them before they settled there. Instead the Canaanites lived among them as their servants or slaves. I am wondering how many of the other tribes were not able to take the cities completely? We'll just have to keep reading... to find out...

The commentaries I have read point toward not driving out the previous owners of the land but living with the people who previously lived there as a failure or an inability of Judah and Ephraim to run them out of the land. But, as I noted, in a previous chapter, that God had told Joshua, who was tired, to just alot the land to the people already. God was going to drive the people out Himself. But, He didn't, at least not at that time. But, then who can figure out God's timing?

Was it a failure of the children of Israel to go in and conquer or is this all a part of God's master plan for Israel? Who can tell...

Who can tell? All those things that seem like we've "missed the boat," failed; did we really fail or was it just another necessary step to get us in a direction that God wanted us to go in the first place? Again, I remind you: All things for the good.... But, sometimes those "all things" don't feel so good at the time... Sometimes those good things just might feel like you've failed.

When I look back at my own life, I regret very little. There were some really rough times. I do regret the harm that my bad choices may have caused others. But, every stupid mistake I made taught me something, helped me to be who (whose) I am. I do not regret what I learned by all my stupid mistakes. I cannot help but thank God, for it was He who led me through that wilderness and continues to do so, as I have not quit making stupid mistakes - but live with them daily. I have not been able to conquer my sinful nature. With the help of God, I have been able to change a lot, but not enough to save myself from myself. Thanks be to God, that he sent His Son to die for us overcoming the power sin had over us. Sin doesn't get the last word - death. Jesus gets the last word - life. Because of him, people of every nation, shall live peaceably in the promised land, the kingdom of God, forever.

Rambling again... Lots to do again today so mind is going in many directions... God's Peace be with you this and every day...

Joshua 15 - God Has a Plan

2012-01-16T06:38:00.000-05:00

The distribution of land has begun. Judah has its land - lots of it - with really strange boundaries (at least I find them confusing). Checking out a few historical Biblical maps (they were not all the same), I couldn't quite figure out how these maps match the land as it was described in this chapter.

The land includes Jerusalem. There is only one problem, although it's not really a problem, yet. The Jebusites have not been driven out of Jerusalem. The people of Judah and the Jebusites live togther in the city - peaceably it seems - at least for the time being. We will see as we continue to read, how it actually ends up.

And... why? Why would God allow the Jebusites to stay in the land? In chapter 14, he had told Joshua to go ahead and alot the land to the people, even though some of the cities hadn't been taken. What exactly is God's plan, that He would allow this to happen? He does have a plan, I am sure and it is a plan for the good. Just like trying to figure out the boundaries, I just don't know what it is for sure.

We don't know exactly what God's plan is for any of us. We can only trust that He has one and it is good. There are times when I am up late or really early, praying for hours for someone who is in crisis. It is times like those that I have to believe that even in times of crisis', God can and will work it all out for the good.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 NIV)

Joshua 14 - Whose Inheritance

2012-01-15T06:56:00.000-05:00

A couple of inheritances described in this chapter - the Levites and Caleb.

First of all, the inheritance of the Levites is none... The priests get nothing. They are - their needs are provided for under the law. They will not starve. They will always be taken care of. But, as far as a huge property settlement; there is none. They are to be focused on caring for the tabernacle, for serving the LORD - not on personal property, but, on the LORD's property. When I read this section this morning, it reminded me of something that well may irritate more than one clergy. That is the need to provide for themselves. The desire and need to serve the LORD according to their own personal needs. I am in part talking about pensions. Is your pension fund in any way affecting your decision to follow the will of God for you and the people around you? I am also talking about salaries... Think about it... Would God let His servant starve? Did he not provide for the Levites? Then why is it that there are so many clergy types (including those in local congregations as well as on TV) running around more concerned about their salary, more concerned about money, than doing the will of God? Why is accepting a call sometimes really determined by the salary or the job opportunities for a spouse? Just saying... Think about it... Whom do you serve?

Caleb is the first to receive an inheritance as the property is being doled out west of the Jordan. He receives the land that he had first set foot on forty some years before. At that time, he was willing to go and conquer the Anakim and take the land as the LORD commanded, but others in the party were not. For their unfaithfulness, the Israelites got to wander around in the wilderness for 40 years. For his faithfulness, Caleb received this land.

Indeed, whom do we serve? Who is it that we listen to? God or man? The LORD is our portion and strength. He provides all things for those who trust Him.

Joshua 13 - That's The Way It Is

2012-01-14T06:58:00.001-05:00

When my oldest granddaughter was about 4 years, she went through a phase where she closed all her prayers with "that's the way it is" rather than with "Amen."

The way it is for Joshua, the reality, is that Joshua is getting a bit advanced in age and there is still a lot of land that needs to be taken for the Israelites...  But, because of his advanced age, he doesn't seem to have it in him to lead any more war parties.  Joshua is old. That's the way it is!  And, if I were Joshua, I'd be thanking God that I'm finally getting a reprieve from all the war.

That's right! The LORD pretty much tells Joshua not to worry about conquering any more land, that the LORD, Himself, will drive the rest of the inhabitants out for them.  It is time now for Joshua to divide the land - to move forward with their plans and to act as though the land is completely theirs. After all, it is... If God promises it... It is done... That's the way it is...

There are times that I feel like I might drown in the surrounding waters of negativity. It is sometimes very difficult to keep affirming the promises of God, to keep on standing on the Word, when everyone around you keeps up with the "woe is me" stuff. It can be tough, but it is not impossible. With God all things are possible. Immerse yourself in the Word. Read His written word; listen to and walk with the Living Word; and stand on His promises found in the written word and given to us through the Living Word. Believe Him and "That's the way it is..."

Joshua 12 One, One, One, One....

2012-01-13T06:09:00.001-05:00

It's too early in the morning for me to confronted by strange literary devices or I should probably call them numerical devices. I don't know... I have never seen such a way of counting in literature: one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one = thirty-one. It's just weird! What was wrong with using one, two, three, four... and, actually counting those kings for us? The translation I am using has the "one's" all lined up in a column after the names of the kings. My eyesight is not so good and my mind works a bit slower at 5 a.m. so it took me a couple of minutes to figure out what all those "one's" were doing all lined up like that that. There must have been a point to the way the number of kings conquered by Joshua is presented to us. But, I don't get it!

Yesterday, our Bible Study Group was working on Matthew 1. There were 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the deporation to Babylon, and 14 generations from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah. But, they did not number or count each ancestor, you have to do that on your own if you want to check that they are right (I haven't really figured that one out, either. Go ahead and try putting the number one by each name in Matthew 1 - see how many ones you end up with)

Today... we are basically reminded of the two kings who are conquered on the east of the Jordan by Moses for the 1-1/2 tribes and of the list of 31 kings on the west of the Jordan by Joshua who are conquered for the other 10-1/2 tribes.

The best think I can say about this chapter is that I think that at least for the time being, it signals an end to the killing and conquering. Tomorrow we begin checking out the property descriptions of the various tribes.

Joshua 11 - Rest

2012-01-12T07:31:00.000-05:00

More kings gathering together for an offensive attack against the Israelites. These kings apparently did not learn from the experience of others that attacking Israel was probably not a good idea. They too, find that their only defense is not a good offense, but in the end it is to turn tail and run. Unfortunately, it is too late. They too, will be and are utterly defeated.

"As the LORD had commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses." (11:15 NRSV) Joshua listened and did the LORD's will; the Israelites took the land that the LORD had promised the descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; "and the land had rest from war." (11:22)

The land had rest... That would be a good thing... rest... rest from conflicts and wars... Not only conflicts globally, but in communities, families... Neighbor going after neighbor with nit picking offensive little attacks. It would be very good, I think if the land, the whole world could have a rest.

But there is only one place that comes from. Just as the Israelites were God's chosen and found rest in the promised land, so are we children of God who find rest in the promised kingdom that has come near.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)

Joshua 10 - The Sun Stands Still & Kings Defeated

2012-01-11T05:53:00.002-05:00

When I was much younger, I was a referee for children's soccer. I also played on a woman's soccer league. My husband coached, I assisted and of course I was a soccer mom. I taught this strategy: The best defense is a great offense. Our team did quite well using this strategy. It also seems to work quite well for Joshua as he leads the Israelites to conquer the land. It doesn't work so well for the five kings. They are defeated royally when they attempt to come against the Gibeonites who have a treaty with the Israelites. The Israelites come to their aid. This offensive attack by the five kings actually helps Israel in their mission.

The Israelites are indeed on a mission - to take the land that God has given them and it seems as long as they stand on their integrity - they will will indeed take it. And... they take it in a big way. Kings fall before them, cities fall, even the sun and the moon stand still at Joshua's command. Now that (however that happened) had to be a frightening experience. Imagine coming against the LORD's army led by Joshua, actually at this point they had turned and were running from the Israelites, and huges hailstones come crashing down from the heavens killing the retreating army. The sun and the moon stand still! Would not the hail big enough to kill men and the sun and moon standing still for a day be enough to bring fear and trembling to humankind? Then add to that the pursuit of the army that is being directed by God, Himself!

Yep! I would be running too. Moral of the story... Don't be attacking God's people. No matter how good you think your offense is going to be, God has a plan for his children to enter the Kingdom he has promised. Better to be on the Lord's side.

Joshua 9 - Joshua Forget Something?

2012-01-10T06:33:00.000-05:00

Thus, the LORD says... I love it when I read the LORD says in the Bible... God is talking directly to someone. He is guiding someone to do His will. God is directly interacting with someone. Do you see any of that in this chapter? No, it is glaringly absent!

Joshua enters into a treaty without even consulting God! He forgot or neglected to ask God about these people who claimed to come from a far country. He got tricked into not obeying the previous command of the LORD to go in and take the land and destroy the people. The Gibeonites lied to Joshua, yet Joshua did not lie to them. He had made a covenant with them, guaranteeing that they, the Israelites, would let the Gibeonites live and he does. The Gibeonites, in spite of their deception, live because of the integrity of Joshua and the other leaders.

How much easier our lives would be if only we would remember to ask the LORD for direction in our own lives. I learned a long time ago that there was something that I needed to do if I wanted to live through a relatively peaceful day or week - come intentionally into the presence of the LORD every morning; study His word; pray - both speaking and listening to Him. If I do not spend time with the LORD every morning, my days are usually pretty fruitless. The same goes for Sunday Worship... Years and years ago I found, that if I did not attend a Worship Service on Sunday, so that I might be refreshed and prepared to go out into the world, my going out into the world the rest of the week could be pretty messed up. You see, I am a sinner, and without the help of God, without those means of grace received chiefly through Word and Sacrament, I can be and am someone who can get pretty ugly be the end of the week. I realized long ago, that if I am not in worship on Sunday morning, by Friday morning no one is going to want to be around me!

How about you? Wondering how your life could go a bit smoother? How about spending time with the LORD? Consult Him... Read, hear, and study His word... Pray often... Both speaking and LISTENING. The LORD will guide you, but you have to remember to ask... and then listen...

It really amazes me that Joshua doesn't think to inquire of God when it comes to the Gibeonites. Did he simply forget? May God help us to remember that He is there to guide us in the way that we should go, in the things which we should do.

Do Not Fear Or Be Dismayed

2012-01-09T07:01:00.001-05:00

Joshua 8

Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with Joshua and the army of Israel. They have been sent to take the land which God has given them. He provides them with a full-proof strategy. They take the land that He has promised with the help of God.

I was at the installation of Pr. Peter Suomela at Bethany Lutheran, Covington, MI yesterday. What a marvelous celebration! The sanctuary which normally has about 25 to 30 worshippers on a Sunday was filled to overflowing, there were people even in the balcony. And... we all rejoiced as we heard the good news proclaimed by Rev. Mark Vander Tuig. What a joy to be with that little (growing) congregation as they celebrated the calling of a pastor to serve them.

A little over a year ago, Bethany began talking about making some changes in their denominational affiliation. They wanted to break away from the cycle of always worrying about if they would have the finances to keep going. They wanted the days of fearing that their little church would close down and their congregation dying to be over. They longed to be free to grow and to proclaim the kingdom of God to all people as Jesus commands them. They knew that in order to really grab hold of all the opportunities to serve God and His people so that the Body of Christ where they are at would grow and be edified they would have to make some serious changes. All that considering what to do was a very anxious time for them. But, determined to trust God they worked through the process and made the move to Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). And God has and is blessing their ministry. For the first time in five years they have a pastor to serve them. They've had interim pastors, but none whose primary call was to serve them. In fact it might be the first time they have ever had a pastor who did not have more than one congregation to serve and I'm pretty sure this congregation is around 100 years old. They dared to trust the LORD to lead them to do His will. Today, rather than fearing what will become of them, the members of Bethany Lutheran is celebrating the opportunities before them to serve God and proclaim the good news of His Kingdom. What a change! What a relief!   I am sure they will still have some anxious days. They are human as we are human and we all from time to time to forget to trust the LORD's will for us. But, when those times come, they will remember their journey through the wilderness and their trust in the LORD renewed.

There are other congregations who today are considering making similar changes. The future is unknown and it can be an anxious time. But, there is no need to fear.  As we strive to seek to do God's will; as we take hold of the promise and follow where He will lead us; God is with us. We follow where He will lead us; we make changes in order to more fully receive the promise; all with the help of God.

Do not fear or be dismayed. The LORD is with you. The LORD blesses you and will help you as you strive to do His will bringing the good news of the Kingdom in Jesus Christ to all people.

For those congregations who are small and think they are in danger of dying or closing: God has a plan for you. It is a good plan. Do not fear. Listen and follow... For His glory...

Consequences of Breaking Faith

2012-01-08T06:42:00.000-05:00

Joshua 7

Have you ever noticed how in a family or a church or any type of community for that matter; when everything seems to be going great and the people are enjoying immense blessings, someone decides they have to break faith and do something really stupid and it throws everyone into chaos? Everyone gets to suffer the consequences of one persons bad choices. I see it happen all the time. People forget that no matter what it is that they do, no matter how little or big, their actions will affect others for the good or the bad.

The whole of Israel, in today's chapter, suffers the consequences of the sins of the one man, Achan. When he is caught, the cost of his sins against God and his people is his life.

We do not live in a vacuum as some might suppose. I have heard more times than I can even remember, "I'm not hurting anyone but myself." That is wrong. Whenever we choose to break faith with God or anyone else who loves us, to do what seems to be pleasing and most beneficial for ourselves, we hurt everyone around us. Whenever we choose to live life in a self-serving manner our children learn from us and consequently their lives to will exhibt the chaos, the loneliness, the broken relationships that comes from a broken faith and relationship with God.

It is like throwing a pebble into the water, the effect is that the ripples just keep spreading outward. Just as everyone around us suffers from our breaking the faith with God and pursuing false gods, so everyone benefits from the goodness of the one who did not/does not break faith with Him, Jesus Christ our LORD.

May God help us to put aside the false gods that we think will benefit us and to pursue those things that will benefit the whole community, the whole Body of Christ.

Art of Intimidation

2012-01-07T07:09:00.001-05:00

Joshua 6

Now that is the art of intimidation at its finest! Can you imagine? The people of Jericho have witnessed the waters of the river Jordan being stopped as the whole nation of Israel crosses on dry land. They sat within their walled cities doing nothing while the men of Israel were circumcised and waited to be healed within their camp. And now... they watch from inside their walled city as the priests carry the ark of the covenant, the ark of their Lord; the warriors of Israel march quietly, without a word; as the ram's horns are blown continuously around their home for seven days. What were the people of Jericho thinking while all this was going on? The people of Jericho watch all of these strange happenings and they wait. They wait for the Israelites to attack for these many days. They wait for their end is near.

Can you imagine the fear that this multitude of nomadic warriors has caused within the hearts and minds of the people of Jericho. What man could cause the water of the river to stop flowing? What man could strategize like this? No man, only God. God is with these people. And then... on the seventh day as they circled the city for the seventh time that day, the ram's horns sounded one long blast and all the warriors shouted and Jericho comes tumbling down. Jericho is taken and destroyed forever. What kind of fight did they even engage? Or had the art of intimidation rendered them powerless even before the wall came down?

Let not your heart be troubled, do not fear, for the LORD is with you.

The New Generations

2012-01-06T08:12:00.001-05:00

Joshua 5

It is very difficult for me to focus on this chapter this morning as I am still thinking about the just simply inspiring evening I had with LeaderShape, the program from Michigan Tech for those who aspire to become leaders. These young people, this new generation, are just awesome. It gives one hope. I spoke with so many faithful young Christians at the event, it just amazed me. I would never had guessed that there were so many active in Christian organizations at Michigan Tech. But, they are there and they are the leaders of the coming generations. Thanks be to God!

Joshua is preparing the next generation to enter into the land promised to the generation before them, their fathers and mothers. The LORD commands Joshua to have all males from this new generation circumcised. And then... they waited to be healed and to be strong enough to be able to take hold of the promise that was given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The task of being prepared and waiting is not so easy. The world is out there to be conquered, the new generation chomps at the bit, ready to go, maybe a bit fearful of the whole idea, but anxious and ready to take hold of all that God has prepared for them. The LORD has prepared the children of Israel and now he prepares our young people to go out and take hold of the promises. But, as they prepare, they wait anxiously for that day.

May God be with the new generation so that our world will have hope both for a peaceful life in the here and now as well as in the Kingdom promised...

Remembering the Water and Dry Land

2012-01-05T07:06:00.000-05:00

Joshua 4

I guess I'm going to have to be more careful about what I write about each morning. Even though I'm not remembering what comes in the next chapter, I do remember it. I guess in reading the Bible through over and over again some of it actually sticks. This morning is not the first morning that I've read a chapter and realize that it talks about what I wrote about the day before. I'm referring to the 23rd verse: "For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we crossed over..." (NRSV)

We remember by repeatedly observing traditions. We gather together to hear and to study the word. Some today seem to think that this gathering together to read, hear, and study or meditate on the word of God at Worship or in Bible Studies (even if they're on the internet) is archaic - it doesn't have any purpose except to perform the basic requirements of the law - like show up at Christmas and/or Easter so that we can maintain our church membership. If that is what you think, send me your name, so I can add it to my prayer list.

We also remember by observing symbols that remind us of what the LORD has done for us. Those 12 stones set up in Gilgal were symbols used to remind the people what the LORD had done for them. They were used to remind them that the LORD had led them out of Egypt, dried up the waters of the Red Sea so that they could pass, led them through the wilderness for forty years, and then (once again) dried up the waters of the river Jordan so that the Israelites could enter and take possession of the promised land. Most of us have symbols in our sanctuaries (as well as in our homes) that also help us to remember what our LORD has done for us. The first and foremost is the cross in most Christian churches. It reminds us of the sacrifice that God made so that we might also pass through the waters safely, through the wilderness and into the promised land. The baptismal font reminds us not only of the journey of the Israelites as they passed through the waters of the Red Sea and Jordan unharmed so that they might receive a new life in the promised land; it is a reminder to us that we too have passed through the waters, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and receive the Kingdom of God, as His chosen people, His adopted children. The church is full of symbols that remind us of what God has done for us. The water in the font itself reminds us that we have been washed - cleansed - in the waters of baptism. It is sad that so few take remembering what God has done and is doing so lightly that we see them so rarely. If you are one of those, send me your name, that I might add you to my prayer list :)

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Crossings on Dry Land

2012-01-04T06:36:00.000-05:00

Joshua 3

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt; when the waters of the Red Sea were pushed back so that they could cross over, they were fleeing from the army of Pharoah, lest they should all be taken back into slavery or die.

And now... Moses' successor, Joshua, is about to lead the whole company through another the water again. As they leave their wilderness journey they must cross the river Jordan, not into Egypt, not into slavery, but into the promised land. This time, as Israel crosses over on dry land there are no armies in pursuit of them, they are now the army that will cause people to fear for their lives and their land.

In the first crossing from Egypt it was the leader's (shepherd's) staff that held back the waters. But, now it is the Ark of the Covenant that holds back the waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites can cross into the land that the LORD had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Word about the first crossing on dry land had spread far and wide. Rahab (from yesterday's reading) knew about how God had helped the Israelites escape the Egyptian Army by parting the Red Sea. She knew and so did most everyone else in Jericho and they were afraid. If they already knew the story of the crossing of the Red Sea and were afraid; and then witness this crossing of the river Jordan, can you imagine the fear that this second crossing of the waters by the multitudes of Israelites all in ritual procession, would cause in the hearts and minds of the people that Israel was about to conquer?

We too have passed through the waters - the waters of baptism. There is no need to shrink back in fear from things of this world for God has promised you a kingdom, a place in that promised land. It is time to take possession of the inheritance that God has promised you. Do not be afraid.

Rahab's Integrity?

2012-01-03T07:44:00.000-05:00

Joshua 2

Later this week, I will be attending as a guest leader at a forum called LeaderShape, sponsored by Michigan Tech... There will be at least one politician and I believe business persons/leaders from Dow Corning and IBM, as well myself. I will be the religious representative as well as a co-owner of a small private business in the health care service field.  We will be discussing qualities of good leaders. I am thinking that the subject of integrity will come up. And this morning I am wondering about Rahab's...

What exactlly is integrity?  One of the things I have taught youth is that it is doing the right thing even when no one is looking. So that brings us to the next question: What is the right thing?  Is the right thing what is best for you? For your family or friends? For the majority? For the minority? Or is the right thing that which is done according to the will of God? And... not according to any bias of our own unless our bias is to do the will of God.

In the case of Rahab, she is a traitor to her people. Is she that, because of personal fear? Fear for her family? Fear for her future? Or does she protect those who are called by God (Joshua's two men and consequently all the Israelites) because she feels that this is the right thing to do according to the will of God?

When I've considered integrity, I've often thought that it has to do with being willing to die for what one believes. Another saying goes something like: "If it's worth living for, then it's worth dieing for." "Take up your cross and follow..." means one is willing to die to follow in the footsteps of Jesus - to do the will of God. The willingness to do that for what one believes (whether I believe what they believe is right or wrong) is to me, integrity.

Rahab was indeed risking her life by being a traitor to her people. They could have found her out and killed her. But, if she didn't betray her people, it was pretty much assured that she would die when the army led by Joshua destroyed Jericho.  How long had she debated where she would place her loyalties, with whom, and why? Motivation means a lot in the final analysis of integrity. But, in the end no one but God and Rahab know for sure if she acted with integrity or cowardice and fear.

As a leader in both the religious field and in small business (also service related), I am wondering how many employees are actually motivated to serve with integrity. How many are willing to serve with integrity, to do what they are suppose to be doing, even when no one is looking?  And how has your integrity (or maybe lack of) influenced your children and future generations? Will it be a positive or negative future we have to look forward to?  In regards to this countries economy, actually it whole future, as another familiar saying infers: If you're not part of the solution, then you're probably part of the problem.

God's Peace - I am off to the office... Pr. J

Changes

2012-01-02T08:15:00.002-05:00

Joshua 1

I am out of the woods (not really - just changed wildernesses) and back on my home keyboard - so hopefully - the typos will be down. Seems as technology advances - it can be more difficult for some of us to figure out these new fangled devices. I'm not a picture type of person. Cannot for the life of me, figure out half of the icons. What was wrong with MSDOS Prompt? Can't even get a full keyboard on some of the machines because you're only suppose to use 2 fingers (or thumbs) to type :) Yeah, right....

Things change all the time.... And for the Israelites there is a major change going on. Moses is gone and Joshua, who has been chosen by God, is going to lead the people into the land that God has given them. He gives it to them. Yet, they still have to go in and possess it. Sort of like those gifts you received for Christmas (but much better). Someone gave you those gifts, but if you don't unwrap them and actually use them they're not worth much to you. If you put the gifts on a shelf and never use them, what good are they? Just like that new Eee pad my husband gave me; I'm not real excited about learning how to use it proficiently. I like my old computer just fine. But, when I'm not at my old computer and I'm out on the road someplace; if I want mobile access, I will have to take it out of the box and actually use it. Things change all the time. There is going to be a new day tomorrow. There will be new gifts. There will be new challenges. But, some things never change. The Word of the Lord never changes. The word in Joshua, chapter 1, reminds us to be strong and of good courage as we follow in the way of the Lord and receive the promised land.

God's word does not change... May you receive His promises even as He has chosen to give them to you.

May You Live A Life As Vigorous As Moses

2012-01-01T13:15:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 34

120 years old and his sight was unimpaired! And his vigor was unabated! (NRSV)

I'm not quite 1/2 that old and cannot say the same. I have to wait for awhile after I wake up in the mornings to even read the Bible. Everything is blurry for at least the first 30 minutes to an hour. Moses indeed was blessed. Yes, there were a couple of instances that he did not honor the LORD as he should have, but if we could only attempt to be so faithful. Moses led the people out of bondage to the promised land as the LORD directed him. If we could but listen and obey half as well. With the blessings Moses endured much for the LORD and his people. It all causes me to think about stewardship of Good's gifts. Moses received the gift of good sight and vigor because he needed these gifts to lead the people to the promised land. Now it is time for Joshua to use his gifts to possess the land which God has given the.m

The LORD Is With You

2011-12-31T09:59:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 33

The final blessings of Moses before he dies...

Can you imagine... Just imagine the vast army of heavenly host marching at the heels of the Israelites from Sinai through the desert to the promised land those 40 years. Imagine it! Believe it! The Lord of Hosts was with them as were all His heavenly hosts.

Were they aware that they were not alone? Are you?

The LORD is with you... Even to the end of the ag!e

Listen To Him and Live

2011-12-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 32

The words of Moses` song given that the people might remember what God had done for them; that it may be well with them and that they would live long in the land that they are entering.

Moses will not enter the promised land. The rest of children of Israel will, but not Moses, nor will Aaron enter the promised land as they had broken faith with the Lord in the wilderness of Zin. Aaron has already gone to be with his kin. And... Now it's time for Moses to join Aaron in death. But, as to the rest... They live... We live... What kind of life will we live?

It's about 24 degrees F outside this morning. The ground here is blanketed in crisp white. I went for a short walk when I woke up, hoping to do something to change my morning rituals to something that might be a bit healthier that I might live a bit longer in the land the Lord has given me. There wasn't anything moving out there. I saw some deer and snowshoe rabbit tracks. But, nothing moving - not even birds nor coyotes or wolves either, which I thought was a positive thing for an early morning stroll alone in the wilderness.

The LORD has given us His Word - a Word to live life abundantly by in the land that He has given us.

Listen to Him and liv!e

Trouble will befall

2011-12-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 31

"For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly... In time trouble will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD,..." (vs 29 NRSV)

Moses is 120 years old. His days are about over. He knows that it won't be long after he`s gone that the Israelites will begin worshipping other gods. He reminds them of God's commands. He reminds them to read them to their children every 7 years so that all will be well with them in the land that the LORD has given them.

Like any good parent (or Pastor) we worry about what will happen when we are not around to remind those we care about what is required to choose and live life abundantly. How soon after we are gone will they forget the blessings that they have received and go chasing after things (gods) that will bring them nothing but pain and sorrow, nothing but curses. And so... While we are still with you we are reminders to you to follow in the way that you should go - the way that will be for you life.

May God bless you with long and fruitful lives.

Choose Life

2011-12-28T13:49:00.001-05:00

DEUTERONOMY 30

Choose life... Love the Lord, walk in His ways, (vs 15) You ask, how can we know the way?

Jesus said to Thomas: "I aam the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NRSV)

Choose life!

Working on ee Pad this morning :-( with no wifi- will get it figured out sometime today
Will be short though.

Do the words of this law...

2011-12-27T09:27:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 29

Those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.... (vs 29)

Most of us really do know what is good for us. We know what we should be doing, where we should be, and even might have a good idea of where we are going. These things are written on our hearts.

The Lord, according to today's reading, has revealed to us the words of the law so that we might do them. But, who can do them? We all fall short. The letter of the law will condemn us everytime. We have a much better chance of changing things in our lives if we go with the spirit of the law.

Jauary 1, 2012 is just a few days away. As they reflect on their past and look to the future many people will resolve to make changes to their lives for a better, healthier, happier future. But, as soon as we commit to something, as soon as we attempt to follow the law as we have decided it to be for ourselves, we will begin to backslide. As soon as the line is drawn in the sand we will want to cross it. The letter of the law always condemns. But, the Spirit of the risen Christ will save us - even from ourselves.

Hopefully, this is not one of those blogs that is really confusing... as it is a confusing morning for me. I am on vacation and taking the time to work on a resolution or two. Figured waiting till New Year's Day was just an excuse not to start today... But, old habits die hard... they are fighting to survive :)

Trembling Hearts & Languishing Spirits

2011-12-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 28

Deuteronomy 28 gives us more blessings and curses. Blessings to those who follow the will of the LORD, curses for those who do not. The curses seem to go on forever. God's children who do not follow, will be removed from the promised land and scattered among people who do not believe, scattered among people who serve other gods and they will be led to serve them as well. There will be no resting place for those who fall away. They will have trembling hearts and a languishing spirit.

I remember a young woman who came to me years ago and wanted to know more about this Jesus. She and I had met at various funerals. She remarked on the peace and even joy that Christians around her had as we commended our loved ones into the hands of God. She wanted to know that peace that she saw in so many Christians even in the time of great trouble, great sorrow or mourning. It is not that we do not grieve; for we surely do. But, in the midst of the most troubling times, those who trust in the LORD are confident of His love for us. We know that His promises not only will be fulfilled, but already have been fulfilled through Jesus Christ. As one who follows Christ encounters sorrow and suffering, the trembling all but disappears. We do not have to fear anything, not even death, for Christ is our LORD and King and is with us on every step of our journeys through life and death.

As I look back on my own life, I am grateful that Jesus Christ blesses us with peace of heart and mind - with His peace. There were so many times as a young adult when my life was so full of anxiousness, wondering how to handle situations, wondering how best to face the future. Sadly some of those decisions regarding my future included having to make decisions to stay on the path that the LORD had set before me and that meant as others followed paths of other gods, I would not be seeing much of them, any longer. We, as Christians, are sometimes accused of not being very inclusive. But, what I have experienced was the exact opposite. I found that there are many who are not Christian, who say they welcome all people, only welcome you if you will join them in following their personal false gods. I am happy to walk with anyone and everyone, but do not insist that I worship your false gods. For the sake of peace between us, do not keep throwing them in my face. I will not worship them. That I could not and cannot do. So many anxious times in my youth... many of them had to do with the struggle to stay on the path that was laid before me. But, today I remember what God has brought me through and I thank Him for I know that He will be with me all the days of my life and I will dwell in His presence, in the house of the LORD forever.

At the risk of sounding like a decision theologian I remind you... "Choose ye this day, whom you will serve..." Joshua 24:15 Jesus calls you. He has already chosen you. Will you follow in his footsteps? Will you accept his invitation to dwell in the house of the LORD forever? To live in His peace?

As for me and my household we will serve the LORD. My spirit rejoices in the Lord! For He is with me always! He is my Rock and my Salvation! And I will dwell in His house forever!

Remember the Words

2011-12-25T07:40:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 27

Write the words down so that you remember them. When my children were young, one of the consequences I gave them when they got out of control was to have them write sentences. Sometimes, it was one of the commandments and it's meaning according to Luther's Small Catechism, particularly if it was the spirit of one of the 10 that they had been rebelling against.  My strategy was to help them remember what is an appropriate way to be and what is not appropriate.  Sometimes, it was a successful strategy. Sometimes it was not.

Moses tells the Israelites to write every word of the law that has been given them in stone. If they forget them, they will be written there for them all to see. Now we know (if we look forward in history) that the Israelites either forgot some of them or just rejected them as they lived blessed by God in the promised land. God gave to them abundantly and they turned their backs on Him over and over again. It appears that they just didn't care if they were cursed as long as they got to do what they wanted, when they wanted. After all, what does it mean to be cursed, anyway?  Being cursed generally comes to us and is perceived by us just as bad things happening to us. We generally neglect to take a look at our actions that may have caused our "bad luck." It is easier to blame others, to blame "bad luck" than to take responsibility for the direction our lives go.  Curses in a sense are consequences for our inability to follow God's will. I think though, that it is more than our inability, but that sometimes we simply desire to do those things that we ought not to do. To push our luck... Hope for the best... Hope that we will not get caught... Hope that we will not suffer consequences... This hoping is usually futile...

It is Christmas morning. There will be an abundance of gifts under many trees this morning. Children will be blessed with things. Will they remember what this gift giving is all about? Will they remember and will they even be reminded that Santa Claus, formerly St. Nicholas, gave gifts to children because of his love and service to God, to Christ our Savior, and to God's children?   Will children and their parents be remembering that the three wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus to honor him? Probably not, connecting gift giving to Jesus just might put a damper on the mystery of the whole Santa Claus thing. And... today Santa Claus is more mysterious than God incarnate, more mysterious than Jesus resurrected from the dead. The words of God to His children are no longer written on stones for us to read. They are written in scripture, on the pages of a paper book. Will those words be read to them? The Word of God is also written on our hearts. It is a living Word.  Will we listen to Him? Will our children?

If we are to celebrate the holy day, then let us make sure it is indeed a holy day to the Lord. May God help us to teach our children, so that they remember, that today and every day is the Lord's day. May your Christmas celebration be blessed in Jesus name...

Tithes to Feed the Hungry Soul

2011-12-24T07:59:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 26

It is Christmas Eve! We have been busy preparing to celebrate the nativity of our Lord! As the three wise men before us, we have been preparing gifts for the children. We have been giving to the hungry through various social organizations. Generosity tends to abound during the month of December. We read this morning (vs 12) that the tithe is given so that the Levites (those who attend the Lord's altar), the aliens, the orphans, and the widows may eat. We give generously, we tithe, to provide to those in who are in need and cannot provide for themselves. That is what the tithe is for. It is not just to provide for a building where we gather together to worship the Lord, but to provide for those in need around us - those who are less fortunate and cannot provide for themselves.

The church is a place where we gather together to pay homage to the God who created, who saved us, led us out of bondage. It is a place where we can go to be refreshed with the Word and Sacraments. We gather together as a family to be nurtured by the Spirit of Christ in one another. But, the church is not a social club for elite members only. When Jesus died on that cross he died so that all who would believe in him, might inherit eternal life. And how will they believe unless they hear the Word - unless they hear the promises - unless they hear what our Lord has done for us? How will they believe unless you (every member of every congregation) tells them?

Those gifts and tithes to the church of God is not just about maintaining a building, but building up the whole temple of God. It is about feeding his sheep - in word and in deed - both spiritually and phsyically.

Tonight you will hear how the angel told the shepherds in the field the good news that a saviour was born. Today, and every day, act like the angels! Go and tell - tell it on the mountain - tell it in every place that you might find yourself today - go and tell that Jesus Christ is born! Go and feed a hungry soul!

Marry Your Brother-in-law!

2011-12-23T14:13:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 25

I am sure glad I was born in the 20th century! I care for my brothers-in-law. In fact the brother next to my husband has spent countless hours out here with Howard remodeling this house, cutting down trees, landscaping. He is always here when we need help. But, marry him if something happened to Howard, I think not... I understand the times were much different and women needed to belong to someone just to be able to have food to eat. I am pretty sure though, that I am not the only woman alive who is quite grateful that we live today rather than at the time of the early Israelites.

This is short today and I am late writing this as we just got home. We had a great anniversary visiting relatives including the brother-in-law, whom I am most grateful for. Thank you for all your greetings and wishes. God's Peace be with you all. Judy

Marriage

2011-12-22T06:01:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 24

More miscellaneous laws... This chapter begins with laws concerning marriage and divorce. My husband and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary today. It has been quite a journey - to both mountain tops and through some very low valleys. For some reason when I woke up this morning, I was remembering our shopping trip to Algeria (believe the town was Tlemcem) while we were living in Rota, Spain. That was so very long ago...  We have not traveled too far in recent years. It seems that the older we get the more responsibilities we have near home and just don't seem to get away. After 40 years we still have not even figured out how to regularly take the same days off of work. Today though, we will spend the day together, visiting a few friends and relatives and going out to dinner.

Deut 24:5 (NRSV) says:  "When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be charged with any related duty." Howard and I were married a couple of months after he completed Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego. If we had stayed home and I had not been following him around the country and the world for 20 plus years, I wonder what our life would be like now. Definitely different and I think maybe there would have been more low valleys and less mountain tops as there were those who were pretty sure we needed a divorce and worked hard at letting us know that. I was not good enough for him and he was not good enough for me. Being away from family and raising children (often without a husband present - he spent a lot of time floating around on ships) taught me to trust God in ways that I would never have had to otherwise. It also taught me that there is a blood that is thicker than blood and that is the blood of Christ shed for you. My extended family became the church - the members of the Body of Christ.

So today, I am remembering a 40 year journey. Hopefully, we've reached the promised land...

Law Turns Us To The Good News

2011-12-21T05:44:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 23
Wow! Tough one for me today for some reason... I guess the law is tough, after all. It divides (categorizes?) people and this chapter definitely reminds me that the LORD had called Israel to be a separate people, to be His people.

Verses 21-23 bring to mind various vows that I have made, that I am still working on fulfilling. It makes me very nervous knowing that I have not yet succceed in fulfilling them. Dreadful thought: "What if I never can fulfill them?" It causes me to thank God for Jesus! For in Him, all things are possible. And if by chance these rash vows that I have made are never fulfilled through me, I have the promise that through His death, through the sacrfice of His blood, I have been forgiven my sins and receive the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

The law certainly has a way of driving us to the Gospel for relief! Without the Good News of Jesus Christ, I would be lost and condemned, but with it I have been reconciled in the Kingdom God as His child.

Thanks be to God for sending a Savior to take away the sins of the world! I confess that I am guilty of the shedding of His blood. I thank Him and am eternally grateful that He loves me enough to sacrifice Himself for me and for you.

Favored?

2011-12-20T06:50:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 22

"You shall not watch your neighbor's ox or sheep straying away and ignore them..." (vs 1 NRSV) First thing that came to mind as I began reading the lesson this morning was Luther's definitions of the 7th & 9th commandments from the Small Catechism. I have summarized the both together here: We should fear and love God, as so we should not rob our neighbot or seek by craftiness to gain possession of that which is our neighbor's, but be of service to him, help him to improve and protect his property.

Some more laws - not just what we should not do, but what we get to do. We get to show our love of our neighbors by helping them.

The other thing that really stood our for me this morning was Mary. Yes, Mary, the mother of Jesus, the favored one. When the angel Gabriel went to her and told her that she would give birth to the Son of God she agreed to do whatever God's will was for her to do. Most often we think of her as favored by God, indeed. But, how often does it cross our mind that in submitting herself to God's will she could be facing the death penalty - death by stoning? This lesson this morning makes it very clear that the betrothed woman who was found pregnant, not by her husband, would be condemned to death.

Christmas is just a few days away. We will celebrate the greatest gift given to mankind, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, God incarnate. Births are a time for celebration. We will celebrate the birth of Mary's bundle of joy. She is favored. She was chosen for hardship. Can you imagine the turmoil in her life - the gossip and mean spirited attitudes - as she carried a child that was not her fiancee's? As she gives birth in a stable? Running to keep this child alive as the edict to kill all male children comes down? And at the foot of the cross, as she watches her son be crucified...? Mary is favored? It appears that being favored by God does not mean living the good life in this world, but living a life in service to God.

May God favor rest upon each of us as He gives us the strength and the courage and the love to do all things according to His will.

More Strange Laws

2011-12-19T04:57:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 21

Wow... God has some pretty tough consequences for being a stubborn and rebellious child. Parents are to bring their drunken and gluttonous children to the gate to be stoned to death. Assuredly, God is not talking about little children, but full grown men. God is pretty intent on keeping evil from among his people. He also doesn't want the land defiled so they were not to leave anyone that had executed left hanging on the tree overnight. Not exactly sure what that was about. It doesn't appear to be to preserve any dignity of the accused, rather for the sake of the land. Was there a fear that the evil be passed on to the scavenging birds that would later consume him?

Some interesting laws to abide by in the Pentateuch. Many of these laws are illegal today in most countries. If they were not the population on earth would be pretty sparse! Who can live according to all these laws? No one, but one. That is the one whose birth we celebrate this week. It is the same one who was hung upon a tree for you and me.

Fully Engage the Battle

2011-12-18T06:22:00.000-05:00

Dueteronomy 20

Rules of warfare...

It appears that anyone who might have a reason not to go into battle fully engaged, fully focused on the battle is to stay home. If their minds are going to be wandering back to the wife that they have not yet married or the brand new vineyard that they've planted they should stay home. If their hearts are full of fear they should not go to battle. Fear begets fear. Men of faint hearts should not go to battle, because their their fears might be passed on to the men who they will stand next to in battle and they both would die.

I had one of those wake up calls the other day as I was reminded that we too are engaged in battle. It is not a physical battle against flesh and blood.  We are engaged in a spiritual battle against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12) We are engaged in battle whether we like it or not, but I fear that we have not been full participating in that battle and so the enemy has the advantage. Our minds and hearts have been focused elsewhere. They have been focused on more worldly battles with our neighbors rather than the spiritual forces that have caused dissensions and divisions among us.

I should probaby be using the word I rather than we - maybe you have been much more fully engaged in this battle than I have of late. It is is not that I have given up on being engaged in this spiritual battle. It is more like other things have caused me to to focus my time and energy elsewhere and sadly, I have to admit, that I have not been as fully engaged as I should be.

Just about every time the lesson regarding the parable that Jesus tells of the great banquet that people refused to attend, our choir sings an song about being invited and making excuses that goes something like this:  "I cannot come to the banquet. Don't bother me now. I have married a wife. I have bought me a cow..." When we cannot (do not) go to the banquet table that Jesus has prepared for us, when we do not hear his word regularly to be refreshed; renewed; empowered; how can we be prepared for spiritual battle?

Paul gave to the Ephesians (6:13-18) and us guidelines as to how we can be prepared for and enter into for spiritual battle:

Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

The next time you fell like you are in a war with your neighbor or maybe a family member, remember that there is more going on than meets the eye. There is a spiritual battle being waged and if we allow ourselves to be engaged in the war that is before our eyes, we will be distracted from doing doing battle in the heavenly realms where the real battle is actually taking place. What you see with your eyes may be only a symptom of the spiritual war taking place.

Put on the armor that God has given to you, keep alert and persevere in supplication for all the saints (whether you recognize them as saints or not!).

Eye for an Eye

2011-12-17T08:40:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 19

The rest shall hear and be afraid, and a crime such as this shall never again be committed among you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. (Deut 19:20-21 NRSV)

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also..." (Matt 5:38-39 - read all of Matt 5 for more clues as to what this might mean)

Does Jesus nullify the law here? Does he give us a new law? I'm inclined to think not. Deuteronomy is talking about a case that has gone to court and false witnesses have come forward in attempts to do harm to an innocent party. This innocent party may be facing the death penalty simply because of someone's anger at them or jealously of them. Deuteronomy is addressing the accuser in the kingdom of the world. And... Jesus appears to be addressing those who would be falsely accused. He reminds us to try to reconcile with one another so that you don't end up in court. He reminds us that we are children of a heavenly Father (Matt 5:45). Jesus addresses our spiritual lives in the kingdom of God or heaven as well as our lives in this world. Whereas, Moses is addressing the civil realm.

For those of you who may have never known anyone who has been brought to court and had false witnesses testify, I can tell you from witnessing their pain, that this is about as bad as taking their lives from them. It is an agonizing reality. Facing the unjustified loss of their intergrity, loss of family and friends, loss of jobs, and facing possible long term imprisonment because of someone's false statements is devastating to people emotionally, spiritually, and in the end physically as it also affects their health.

Both Moses and Jesus are talking about caring for and loving the one who is falsely accused. For the judge in Deuteronomy, he has authority to punish greatly the one who falsely accuses. Jesus, on the other hand, recommends to the one being accused, the Christian, to do everything possible to avoid being drug to court: turn the other cheek, give generously, help your neighbor even if he may want to do you harm. Do not retaliate, but do everything possible to make peace with him/her.

I hope that this is not too big a mess this morning and you can make some sense of my wanderings. Blogs are meant to be brief - but - some things need more space and time than a blog provides... Food for thought... God's Peace - Judy

Sorcerers and False Prophets

2011-12-16T06:24:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 18

I can't say it enough. I don't say it enough. Stay far away from fortune tellers and magic whether someone tells you it is white (good) or black (bad) magic. They are not for those who follow Jesus. You cannot follow both Jesus and other spirits. And... I'm not talking about magic tricks (illusions) where the nickel is pulled out of a child's ear. I am talking about magic that is meant to help you get whatever it is that you want. Stay away from it. Trusting in anything other than God for your future is abhorrent to the LORD. These practices will get you nowhere except in trouble.

Miracles of God and magic are not the same thing... One gives God the glory, the other, as I said before, gets you in trouble as it steers you away from trusting the LORD. If you pray to the LORD for a healing in the name of Jesus Christ and the one you prayed for is healed that is a miracle, not magic, give thanks and glory to God.

A word from a prophet and a word from a fortune-teller are not the same thing. Be wise, discern between the two. If the word that is given is in contradiction to scripture then it is not a word from God for you.

I had a marvelous visit with a wonderful Christian woman yesterday. Every visit with her brings me refreshment as I behold her faithfulness. She is quite elderly in worldly terms as she will be soon 100 years old. She is as faithful to the LORD as I have ever known anyone to be. She trusts the LORD in all things and is at peace with God no matter what might befall her. She trusts Him with her whole life, her whole future. Now, some might wonder how many years can she have left. I will tell you, her time is limitless, for she has inherited eternal life in the kingdom of God, the kingdom that Jesus has prepared for her. She has lived long on this earth in the presence of her LORD and she will remain in His presence for all eternity. That is the difference between someone who worships and served the Lord and one who follows after sorcerers and false prophets: eternal life in the presence of God; our Father, the Son, the Spirit. Who will you follow? Whom shall you serve?

Humble Leaders

2011-12-15T05:06:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 17

We had a wonderful Worship Service ) last night. Our youth led the service (not a children's program - but - Worship). The sermon was a skit or a short play (written by one of our members, Leslie) based on Tolstoy's "Where Love Is, God Is." The children led the litany, the reading, received the offerings, sang special music... We had 2 EXCELLENT soloists who are of elementary school age. One of them sings publically, otherwise. She is very comfortable singing in public; however, she was nervous about doing a solo in church. Why? Because it was her offering to God and she wanted it to be perfect, without blemish. I explained to her that of all places she would sing the one place she did not have to worry about making mistakes was in church. This was her family and we love her. We love all of the children here. We are our neighbor's childrens keepers. And... after all, if people who make mistakes could not serve the Lord then there would be no one serving Him - no one to lead worship.

Now, on the other hand, her attitude of humble service is quite refreshing. Because of an illness, two of our youth ended up doing parts that they had not had time to practice, but no one could tell. Everyone memorized their lines and worked together to improvise where needed. I noticed that more youth than the soloist were anxious about making mistakes - concerned that they should do things perfectly. These are the same children who often acolyte or read lessons and get through those things quite well. But, last night was different for them for some reason. They were a little more nervous than normal. Maybe it was because last night, they led the whole service. Our children often serve during worship. I remind them (and the adults) that they are in training to lead the church when we no longer can.

The last section in our reading today talks about humble leadership. God tells the people that if they set a king (a leader) over themselves that the Lord will choose, that king cannot have a lot of stuff or send the people back to bondage for self-gain. His heart must be with his call to serve God and the people, not himself. He cannot exalt himself above other members of the community. In other words, he shall serve in humility.

Jesus the Christ is just such a king. He did not put himself before others. In fact, he was willing to die so that we might serve and live life abundantly as children of God. Everyone else came before him. He who is first, made himself last. Last night was a good reminder of what a servant leader really is. Thanks be to God for the faithfulness and humility of our children..

Holy Days for Reviewing and Remembering

2011-12-14T06:57:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 16

Moses reviews the various celebrations and festivals that are to be kept in chapter 16.  Everyone was required to attend these festivals and some of them lasted for many days.

Yesterday, I reviewed with some of our members the ritual that we have been keeping of "chalking the door" at the beginning of the New Year. It will not be taking place on Epiphany simply because that festival is largely ignored in the church.  Epiphany lands on a Friday this year. Now how many Lutherans do you think are going to show up for worship on a Friday? So, we "chalk the door" and ask God to bless the sanctuary on the Sunday prior to Ephiphany, which just happens to be New Years Day this year. I've also never quite understood how it has happened that in so many places we give gifts on Christmas day rather than on Epiphany in remembrance of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. Now, of course, none of these things have been required of us, by God, to be observed.   However; that being said, all these festival and holy days in the church year are reminders, opportunities to review, and to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done for us.

The church (at least in the U.S.) over the years has largely forgotten the church year and what each holy day is all about. During Advent, we sing Christmas carols, forgetting that Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the Lord's coming. Our attendance at Worship on Christmas Eve, sky rockets as people make what they consider one of the 2 annual obligations to worship. But, for the last couple of years, the council voted to not have a Worship Service on Christmas Day because other than me, only those who are serving during worship were attending. This year we will have one service (rather than 2) on Christmas day because it lands on a Sunday. Christmas, I am told, is for families.   In speaking with our Sunday School children a couple of weeks ago, it was decided that we should celebrate Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake after Worship on Christmas Day this year to celebrate our brother, Jesus', birthday.  Children know how to have parties and so we will celebrate "family style" with a birthday cake.

Easter is the other big holy day, which people tend not to neglect. But, again, the season preceding Easter is often neglected. During Lent, as well as Advent, we have Worship also on Wednesdays. Attendance on Wednesdays is usually the same faithful people who gather to remember and thank God for all that He has done for us on Sundays. I thank God for these faithful children of God.  But, during Holy Week, very few come to hear the story of Christ's passion. It always causes me to wonder how small the remnant might actually be. I wonder what people are really celebrating on Easter morning if they haven't been with us to review the events of at least Good Friday.

So, I find myself often reminding people what these various holy days are all about. I particularly love Trinity Sunday when I pull out the Athanasian Creed. I think it is important for people to remember what it is that we, as Lutheran Christians, believe. We need to remember who God is. As it seems, it is not only I who has the short memory.

May God bring to your remembrance where you have been. May He help you to always remember that He is the one that has brought you out of bondage and given you new life through Jesus Christ, our Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Generosity

2011-12-13T05:39:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 15

"Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land." (15:11 NRSV)

On my way home from town yesterday, I stopped to see my husband (and his friends), who were busy packing up toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program in the county. It is run by the local Marine Corps League. As soon as I walked through the door, I was given a bagful of toys to deliver on my way home. He's learning to be a really good steward of time and talents that God drops on his doorstep! The warehouse (donated space by the village) was almost empty. A few days ago, it was full. It was full, because people throughout the county have contributed both dollars and toys so that every child in the county would have presents under their tree on Christmas morning. It is a good feeling to know that there is so much generosity in this community toward our children. This county has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. In October it was reported at 15.1%, much improved as it had been at 22.1 % in January. On one hand, there is much need. On the other hand, those who have, give generously. It is a good community, a good place to live.

May God bless this community, with a spirit of generosity, not only in the Christmas season, but throughout the whole year.

You are a Child of God

2011-12-12T06:12:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 14

You are children of the LORD your God. The LORD has blessed you! Remember that always!

There are a couple of really good themes in chapter 14.  I bring to your attention verse 23 (NRSV): In the presence of the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Here it is again, the mention of the dwelling for his name. And secondly, the regulation for the Israelites to bring their tithe to the temple so that they might eat of it and every third yeard they must store up enough to share with the Levites, the resident aliens, orphans and widows.  They must help feed those who don't have the resources to feed themselves properly.

The reading today reminds me of food... and eating... and fellowship we enjoy together at Zion. Again, this Advent, we have been having soup suppers prior to Wednesday evening Worship. It is an opportunity for us to be able to visit with our neighbor (fellowship) at the dinner table and in doing so, hopefully, we glorify God's name. Each Wednesday, the supper is hosted usually by 2 or 3 persons from the congregation. There is no charge for this dinner - it is freely given and all are welcome: members, visitors, strangers.

Tomorrow, we have a council meeting at Zion.  I noticed the president has on the agenda: fellowship/coffee hour. In recent months the council decided to suspend monthly coffee/fellowships because of other dinners/suppers at the church. I believe the president has in mind to reinstate them or at least some form of them so that we have a greater opportunity to welcome visitors following worship and to be able to spend more time with our neighbors, sharing our love of God, as children of God.

And... also on Wednesday, our ladies will meet to pack up cookies for shut-ins, and widows, as well as bachelors and others in the community. Then some of us will go out delivering the cookies as we spend some time visiting with our neighbors.

Gathering together in fellowship; "breaking bread" together; bringing gifts of food to our neighbors are ways in which that we can glorify God, glorify His name, by living like a children of God.

Yesterday, we had a baptism at Zion. The godmother received a lit candle for Xavier as I spoke to and prayed for the child, "Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  (Matt 5:16) As children of the heavenly Father, we probably shouldn't worry so much about what we can't do, but what we can do to glorify His name.  When we, as children of God, reach out in various ways, that light of Christ, reaches those who live in darkness, enlightening their lives and God's name is glorified.

Evangelism - sharing the good news and ultimately glorifying God's name - is not always about what we say - but - sometimes (often) it is about what we do.  Jesus tells us that if we love Him, we will feed His sheep.  (John 21)

Questions for the morning:  Does the way in which you live and serve others glorify God? Does your life style reveal a child of God? Does your light so shine before others, that others may see your good works and also glorify our Father in heaven?

Sneaky False Gods

2011-12-11T05:15:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 13

Do not allow anyone to lead you astray; to tempt you to worship other gods. Sound like an easy one? It is not. Sure, we all like to say we worship only the one true God, but in all reality do we? It seems that I have been exposing false gods most of my life, with very little impact. They just keep showing up and knocking at our doors - sometimes they even get in.

It is difficult to live in this world without those false gods sneaking into our lives, often without us even knowing it. These gods may be our desire for material wealth some earned honestly, some not so honestly. But, even of that which is earned honestly, how much of it glorifies God? How much time away from serving God and neighbor has been wasted away earning money while you no longer have time to enjoy being with and serving God and family or neighbor? How much time is wasted on that false god - the television - or all those characters on it? How much time and money in the casino? Or on drinking or other means to getting high? Our addictions and compulsive behaviors and attractions are false gods. They sneak into our lives as possibly harmless diversions, ways to enjoy the company of others (maybe), to live the life that God has given us. But, the reality is that these false gods also want our full devotion and they often get it as they lead us away from living in a fuller relationship with the one true God and with our neighbors. One of the sneakiest false gods that I am aware of is ourselves. Our own egos can become our gods as we strive to please ourselves rather than God. In this age of self-help gurus, many have actually been convinced that the way to have a relationship with God is to love and be good to yourself first. When your focus in inward upon yourself, then what is the name of the god that you end up serving? Always... always... the one true God must come first. Once you know the love of God, then you will learn to love yourself. When you live in relationship with God, serving God first, then you will truly know what the blessed life is as you live in peace, reconciled to God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then you will be able to live in peace in and with this world.

The new year approaches. I encourage you to take an inventory of your false gods and resolve to see what you can do to get them out of your life. There is only one God and it is He whom we should be serving.

God and God's Name

2011-12-10T05:39:00.002-05:00

Deuteronomy 12

"But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go..." (12:5 NIV) Here we find something that I have found totally fascinating for years. Every now and then I go back through scriptures and start searching and thinking about the sanctuary being God's habitation, by His putting His name there. Some of the questions I ponder are: Are God and His Name synonymous? Does God dwell in the temple or just His Name or are they one and the same? What was the temple or sanctuary then? What is it now? Lots of things to think about... I can get lost in the scriptures for days on this one...

Here are just a few of the scriptures that might relate - there are a lot more...:

The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 1 Kings 9:3

But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’ 2 Chronicles 6:6

I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 2 Chronicles 7:16

And what about this angel of the LORD - how does His name abide in the angel?
Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. Exodus 23:21

And what about God's name being on the Israelites?
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27

And how is it then, that the Body of Christ is the temple of God; how is it that God abides in us (members of the Body) through Jesus Christ? Is it His Word; His Name; or the Spirit of God? Are they all one and the same? It is all a very great mystery... The LORD, your God is one God...

Note for yesterday's chapter: After I post in the mornings - I end up thinking about the lesson all day. Yesterday, Chapter 11:20 "write them upon the door posts.." made me think to remind all of you in Skanee and Aura not to forget to be at Worship a bit early on New Year's Day. At about 8:45 we will have a short service asking God to bless the sanctuary for another year by praying and writing 20 C M B 12 year - CMB standing for "Christus Manionem Benedicat" which means "May Christ bless this house," on the frame above the sanctuary door.

Long-winded Moses

2011-12-09T05:45:00.001-05:00

Deuteronomy 11

One of the most invaluable lessons for ministry that I learned at Wartburg Seminary was taught by Prof. Sam Giere in homilitics - to keep the sermons to a reasonable length :) I cut mine almost in half and still am able to say what the Spirit leads me to say. Moses is beginning to tire me out. It appears he's saying the same thing over and over again. Not that what he says isn't worth hearing, it's just that I'm having a hard time finding anything new in the chapters.

Moses is again reminding the Israelites of what God has done for them. He reminds them of God's promises to those who love Him, keep his charge, his statutes and his commandments. He reminds them and us again to teach all these things to our children. Well, then I guess, Moses was right in continually repeating himself. Seems to me we haven't listened too well!

Or maybe we have chosen to forget where we come from, how lost we would be if it were not for God; maybe we've chosen to forget that God has saved us from ourselves! When I worked at the youth correctional facility, it always amazed me that people "on the outside" would make comments that inferred the youth in the facility were really "bad" kids and that they, themselves, were not. I knew where they came from. I knew a bit about their lifestyle. Simply put, I knew them. The only difference between those in the correctional facility and those on the outside (in most cases) is that those on the inside had been caught and those on the outside had not. The youth "on the inside" had opportunity to change as they remembered where they came from, why they were there. Instead of facing our sinful natures and repenting so that we might receive forgiveness, often I think Christians, prefer to pretend that we are without sin and we get stuck wondering why God has not blessed us, wondering why we "good people" aren't enjoying the fruits of the good land that we live in. When we "good people" turn our backs on the LORD our God who saved us and follow after other gods, then we will receive the blessing of the other gods - gods who are worthless and have no blessings to give. Do we really expect a blessing from a rock or a piece of wood or paper with a president's face on it or coins?

So, even if Moses is beginning to wear me out by repeating himself, we probably need to read it and hear it over and over again so that his words may be laid up in our hearts and in our souls so that our days and the days of our children may be blessed.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and soul that it may be well with you and your children and that you might live long upon the land that He has given you.

P.S. I apologize for being so long-winded myself in some of these blogs...

Love the Lord

2011-12-08T05:47:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 10

Fear the LORD, walk in his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul... (vs 12) Ring a bell? The first and greatest commandment according to Jesus. And if you are reading chapter 10 of Deuteronomy you will also see the second greatest commandment, according to Jesus. "You shall also love the stranger; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (vs 19 NRSV)

Moses is recounting the time that he received the ten commandments for the second time. We are reminded that the law is (among other things) about love: loving God and loving others. I wish that Les, one of God's servants here at Zion, were writing this. He so eloquently tells how it is that we can love our neighbor or the stranger. In a nutshell: When we realize God's great love for us, we love Him in return. We place the LORD first in our lives and then we are more fully empowered to more fully love our neighbor, the stranger, even our enemy. The ten "words" of the law are placed in a very specific order. The first table (3 or 4 commandments depending on how you divide them) are about fearing, loving, honoring God. The second table is about how we are to show love for our neighbors. When we place God in our lives first, then loving the rest is much easier, because God is with us, loving them through us. Sure, our sinful natures will still try to override the power of God, causing us a bit of shakiness in the area of love. But, we will know a love for our neighbors that cannot exist without the love of God.

Love the LORD, your God, there is nothing more pleasant than being in relationship with Him and as you walk with Him in His way, you will love your neighbor as yourself. That's about it.

May the love of God overwhelm and empower you to love your neighbor, the stranger, your enemy, as yourself this day.

God Still Gets The Glory

2011-12-07T07:10:00.006-05:00

Deuteronomy 9

You stiffnecked people... You turned away from God... You did not follow Him... You really got under His skin... He was about to destroy you all... Many times, I saved you by interceding with God for you. The jist I'm getting from this chapter is that Moses is ranting or bragging about how much he had to put up with and do for the people. He had to keep going back to God to beg for mercy for them and ya'll know how dangerous that can be.

Yesterday, I wrote about how God, not any man, gets the glory and I'm afraid it sounds a little like Moses is grabbing at a bit of glory today. I stand by yesterday's statements. Moses may have prayed for the people, but God didn't have to give the Israelites the promised land. He could have destroyed them at any point. God gets the glory for leading the people out of Egypt and into the promised land. God is about to lead them into the land of the great and mighty Anakims so that they might take possession of it. But, He's not doing it because they are so good. He's doing it because He chooses to. And, yes, it is probably a good thing that Moses was there to intercede for them when God was about to destroy the people.

When we pray for someone and the prayer is answered, do we get the credit? Do we get the glory? I hope not! I have had names of some people on my prayer list for decades. Some of those prayers have been answered in big ways. And I will tell you, everytime I see them, I am thanking God in a big way! Others, I still pray for and I know that when I see, with my own eyes, the answer to those prayers, I will be celebrating with all the hosts of heaven for the ones who were lost, but now found. I will most definitely be giving thanks and glory to God!

St. Paul wrote in various letters asking the people to pray for him. He asked them to intercede for him and for all the Lord's people. In Ephesians 6:18-20, we read:

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

We are called and directed to pray for one another. Yet, Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit. And in Romans 8:26-30 (read all of Romans 8 - it is awesome!):

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

So from all this I glean, that it is not we who interecede (it is not our good work), but, God, the Holy Spirit, who intercedes through us and it is God, Himself, who answers the prayers. God gets the glory (even for glorifying those whom He calls)!

Lot's going through my head with this lesson this morning - but - it is a blog - not suppose to be a sermon :) And... for those of you who noticed (and I know at least a couple of you have) both Deuteronomy 9 and Romans 8 would be good places to start a conversation regarding predestination. But, I think maybe we should wait 'till we get to Romans for that...

All Glory Belongs to God

2011-12-06T06:59:00.011-05:00

Deuteronomy 8

Do not say... I worked hard for this. By mine own hand I have earned it. Rather, "remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today." (vs 18 NRSV)

And... some may wonder why I talk so much about giving honor and glory to God. Some may wonder why I talk so much about caring for and using the good gifts that God has given us so that we might honor and glorify Him. It is because it is written in the scriptures, over and over again.

There is never a day that I don't thank God for all that He has given me. I know that I would not have my family, my home, my past experiences, my congregration; I would have none of them except for the hand of God. I can look back, I remember where I have been and I can see clearly how His hand was at work in all areas of my life.

As I read the warnings to Israel, I am reminded that these warning could well be for those of us who live in the U.S. as well. We have been tremendously blessed in this country.  Unfortunately, with all the blessings, also comes the tendency to give ourselves, rather then God, the credit, the honor, glory. So often the will of God is no longer heard, but only the desires of our own sinful hearts. And... I wonder how long it will be before God says "this is enough" and takes it all from us.

There is always a lot of lip service given to how this land was founded on Christian principles and how important that is to us. However, there seems to me to be more lip service than actual service to God. I am not even sure if the majority of Christians even knows what being a Christian actually is, according to scriptures (this probably applies to a whole lot more countries than the U.S.) Very few read their Bibles. If you do not, how would you even know what it means to be a Christian? Because someone else who never reads or hears the Word of God told you? Christianity has become enmashed with new age teachings in order to empower us, in order to make us feel better about ourselves. For some reason it is easier and more appealing to read New Age or self-help material rather than the Holy Scriptures. When we apply "New Age" teachings to what little we have gleaned from the Scriptures, it is no longer Christianity. You are worshipping a false god. If this land being founded on Christian principles were really as important to us as we claim, would we not immerse ourselves in studying Christian principles by reading our Bibles, would we not be more faithful in attending Worship to hear the Word of God, to receive Christ into our very beings through the Sacrament of Holy Communion?

God has given us these things (Word and Sacrament), not for His sake, but for ours; so that it may be well with us. Do not say that I am a self-made man or woman. All that I have is mine, I have worked hard for it. It is God who has made you. It is God who allows you to live well upon the earth. It is God who gives you the opportunity to worship and serve Him.  All honor and glory belongs to God, not humankind.

When my sons were in their rebellious teen years, I remember on a few occasions when I would be about totally exasperated with their shenanigans and remind them: "God gave you life, God can take it away." I've mellowed since then. Well, maybe not too much...  Remembering our scriptures (2 Peter 3:9-13 NRSV) from last Sunday:

     "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
     Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home."

May God help you to remember to give God the glory for all that He accomplishes through you this day.  May you be blessed with the knowledge that there is only one God and empowered to worship and serve only Him.

God is God

2011-12-05T05:57:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 7

God is God and only He shall you worship. Have nothing to do with false gods. Rid the land of them and their altars and all the items that are used for worshipping false gods. Do not covet the gold or the silver of the false altars so that you do not become ensnared by it. Do not allow anythng to do with false gods into your home because they are abhorrent to the LORD your God.

In this season just prior to Christmas, how to impress upon people just how sneaky those false gods are. We claim that the reason for the season is Jesus. Yet, the glitz and glitter of the commercialized season attempt (very strongly) to draw us in. Yesterday morning at and after Worship, I was watching our children from the Sunday School and Confirmation class, closely as usual. They have been busy practicing various parts and music to put on a skit as they lead Worship at our mid-week service on December 14th. They have given up many hours to work on this. Other things have not drawn them away from this opportunity to glorify God - to honor Jesus.

We talked about Jesus' birthday and they decided on Christmas morning that we should have a birthday party with a cake for Jesus after Worship. It is always comforting to me to see the faith of the children. They know who their God is. Let us take a lesson from our children. There is only one God who loves us so much that He was willing to send His only begotten Son to be born among us, to live among us, and to die for us that we might live in His presence eternally.

Worship God, and no others - nothing else - not silver or gold. For... He alone is the God who loves you. Gold and silver cannot love - God loves. Only Jesus can bring you out of the wilderness and save you.

Impress Them on Your Children

2011-12-04T07:04:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 6

All three uses of the law (mirror, curb, guide) ring out in the reading this morning. The verse that really stood out for me was seven (NIV): "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We had a pizza party in the church basement. It was not just for children. Although, some of the things we do with our children are geared for children, we try not to segregate them from the adult membership of the congregation. If we are a church family, then we should do things as a family. The Youth/Family Committee feels it important that our children understand that us older people know how to laugh and have fun, as well. We are trying to dispel the myth that being involved with "church activities" is something we do because of the "curb" in the law. We can have fun and enjoy being with the children.

Anyway... We at pizza and salad, decorated crismons, sang songs, and played Bible Bingo. What struck me was the level of knowledge some of the children had regarding Bible stories. It was truly surprising and this morning I am thanking God for those parents and grandparents who have taught their children. I am especially thanking God for Sherrie, our Sunday School Superintendent and for the teachers who work with her to teach our children. They teach not just the law, but all of scripture. And, it is shows in that the children use what they learn as a guide. We don't teach behaviors, we teach the Word of God, and that Word grabs hold and guides them in the way that they should go.

I am praying that all of you will hear the Word that the Lord gives to you this day. Hear Him, believe Him, and follow Him.

God's Peace be with you always. Pr. J.

3rd Use of the Law

2011-12-03T06:57:00.004-05:00

Deuteronomy 5

Moses reminds the people that out of the midst of the fire, of the fire, and thick darkness, God had spoken these "ten words" to the assembly at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).  These "words" were not just for the generation that died in the wilderness, but for their children and their children's children, that they might live well and long in the land.

I'm remembering the many hours that go into teaching confirmands these "10 words" and what they mean.  I will try to refrain from being so lengthy this morning...  We will see where I end up.

These 10 words or laws were broken down into two or summed up by Jesus as: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:36-40) I use these words of Jesus to help teach the confirmands how to memorize and learn the commandments. The first 3 (or 4 depending on your denomination) all pertain to how to live in relationship with God; how to honor Him.  He is first, so we place Him first. The remaining commandments tell us how to live in relationship with others so that it may be well with us and that we might live long upon the earth.

Briefly here is what I tell my confirmands:
When an adult decides he's going to work day after day without ever taking a Sabbath - a day of rest - what happens? Answer: They get tired and cranky and pretty hard for the people around them to live with. Sometimes people even get hurt because they are so fried they aren't paying attention to what they're doing and accidents happen. If someone doesn't take the day to rest - some time to hear God's Word and to Worship Him - how will they ever come into closer relationship so that they might know His peace?

If you kill someone, what happens? Their friends and family become angry and they want your life in return. Life doesn't go so well for you and you may end up not so long upon the earth.

How about bearing false witness?  Can gossip kill? Certainly. It kills the spirit. It kills relationships. And... it some cases it destroys lives. Gossip can hurt so bad that it might even push someone to taking their own lives. Bearing false witness kills. It would be the same as if you murdered someone with your own hands. That is why it can be said that one sin is not worse than another. (we'll maybe go there another day.)

How about coveting? Can coveting kill? Of course it can. It kills relationships, it kills our peace, it interferes with our love for God and for our fellow human beings. In some cases people are really killed because of envy and jealousy over material things. Life does not go so well and not so long for those who covet the possessions of others. I will not go through each of the commandments, you get the picture...

I remind my confirmands that God loved them so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for them and ask them if this sounds like a God who would make up a bunch of laws just to keep them out of His kingdom in the first place.

Yes, I hold to the third use of the law - that is as a guide to the way in which we can live in relationship with God and with one another that it may be well with us and we might live long upon the earth.

But, they ask how about that horrible verse 9, why should they be punished for their parents sins? Think about family relationships for a minute... Do we not learn by what we've seen our parents do? Often (but not always) we follow in their footsteps. Let's say a parent is a thief or a liar or a murderer or otherwise breaking civil law and their children witness this lifestyle, will they not grow to think that this is a normal way to live? They will struggle because these sins will keep them from a loving relationship with God the Father and with their neighbors. This doesn't happen because God wants them out of His life - it's not about punishment. Their lives become chaotic because they have chosen (and sometimes they don't know any better) to put other "things" before God and neighbor and they themselves have hurt the relationships by not following the guides they've been given to live peaceful lives. We inherit the sin of our fathers and mothers and consequently we inherit the consequences of the broken relationships caused by those sins as well.

Too often, I think, we consider the law as something that only condemns. We all indeed fall short and deserve condemnation, but God is not all about condemning... That wasn't His purpose, after all wasn't He saving Israel from bondage when He gave this laws? And... why did He send Jesus? There must be more to the giving of the law than just setting up some rules to follow and if you don't, well... then... you know what happens! Children are taught that if they don't follow the law - they will end up in hell. Truth is... by not following these laws or guides to living in community, it can be like a living hell here on earth for those who do not know how to love or live in relationship with God or one another.

I am not writing off the other two uses of the law as a curb or mirror, but I think that we might benefit in our relationships if we took another look at the commandments as a guide to how to live life reconciled to God and one another.

I remember a friend from a Bible Study years ago. She said she never worried about the should not's of the law, only the shoulds... She said she tried to live her life not worrying about what she couldn't do, but what she could do and focused on that. That being: loving the Lord her God with all her heart and soul and mind; and loving her neighbor. After all, didn't Jesus say that all the law and prophets hang on these two commandments (or words)?

Time to get ready to go and shop for Toys 4 Tots so I guess I am finished with this morning's blog whether it's finished or not... May it be well with you and may you live long in the land.

Remember...

2011-12-02T04:37:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 4

Remember where you have come from, where you have been, and remember who delivered you, who led you to the promised land.

This message is not just one for the Israelites. It is just as good for each of us today. I doubt that there is one among us this morning that cannot look back and remember the trials that we have endured in your journey. I doubt that there is one among us that can look back and not remember at least one false god that we have worshipped. Remember the Lord, for He is God and He has delivered you. Worship Him and only Him that all may be well with you and your children and your children's children.

Remember too, that God is not a god that is far off. Our God is near and He does indeed call us to gather together to hear what He would have us hear. He gathers together often. I can't imagine one of the Israelites not paying attention when they heard God speaking on the mountain. As often as He desires to speak to you, will you listen? Prayer is not just about asking for things, but for hearing as well. Worship is not just about making your weekly commitment, a weekly pilgrimage to the sanctuary in a building, but for hearing the will of God, for hearing the Word and receiving the Word through the Holy Sacraments. God does desire good things for you. Listen - listen to His Word - listen to the promises. And... know that no matter how upside down life may seem - God is with you in your journey - leading you to the promised land.

Who Does What - Doesn't Matter

2011-12-01T09:50:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 3

Moses is once again reminded by God that he will not get to cross the river Jordan to enter the promised land. He can go up Mount Pisgah and look at it. But, He will not enter it.  He is to encourage Joshua as it will be Joshua who crosses over and takes possession of the land that Moses sees.

Moses has done a lot - he has put up with a lot leading the Israelites through the wilderness. But, his job is over. It is now time for Joshua to take over where Moses has ended. It doesn't really matter who God uses to do His will, His will - will be done. His will, in this case, is that the children of Israel shall settle in the land that He has promised them.

St. Paul knew this, as well. It did not matter who did what - everyone does what God appoints them to do. And... ultimately, all whom God has called will enter the Kingdom of God as a member of the Body of Christ. Paul writes in the 1st letter to the Corinthians (3:5-9):
     What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Like Moses, in this life, we may never get to enjoy the fruits of our labor, that is the labor for the Kingdom. We may never get to see that neighbor whom we witnessed to and prayed for accept Jesus as their Saviour. And, it does not matter if it doesn't become a reality in our life-times. We trust that when we are gone another will come and continue the work that we began. We work for a common purpose and we can be assured that no matter what we do, it is God who makes things grow. It is God who gives growth to the Body of Christ - to the Church - to His Kingdom. That is the ultimate goal isn't it - for all God's people to enter into the promised land?

It is not we, but God who gets the glory as He leads us through the wilderness to the promised land. May God guide the work of your hands, the thoughts of your heart and mind, every word that you speak, and every step that you take that all that you say and think and do this day will be acceptable in His sight and glorify Him, our Rock and our Redeemer.

Time to Quit Circling the Hills

2011-11-30T06:30:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 2

Land promised... Although, I've read these passages before, I had never really realized that both Esau and Lot had received promised land as well as the children of Israel. It seems the Lord favors whom He will favor. And... land promised extended to more people than just the Israelites. A reminder that the promised land (the kingdom of God) is given to all whom God chooses.

It is a refreshing break to hear in this chapter, that the Israelites aren't allowed to go in and take the land that God has given to another people. There's a little more war and mass destruction in some of the things the Lord has commanded them to do, than I am comfortable with. But, I also note that they cross through the land of both the Edomites (Esau's descendents) and the Ammonites (Lot's descendents) without incident. They are granted peaceful passage. But, when they ask for a peaceful passage of King Sihon of Heshbon, it was rejected and the Lord directs them to go ahead and take possession of this land. They do so with force.

The Israelites at the end of their 40 year journey, begin yet another segment of their journey. The years of learning to trust the Lord take on a new dimension. They must trust Him that He will be with them as they take the land which He has promised. It will include bloodshed and they will (in a different way than in their wanderings) have to face the fear of failure and even death.

Fear of failure, the fear of death, often keeps us from moving forward. The 3rd verse in this chapter has the Lord telling Moses, "You have been skirting this hill country long enough. Head north,..." In other words... your days of wandering around in circles in the wilderness are over. Tell the people to go in the direction I tell you, head north.... It is time to move forward and to take the land I have promised.

Reminder for today: quit circling the hills and trust the Lord, following in the way He directs you and grab hold of the promise He has given you.

Remember

2011-11-29T07:04:00.000-05:00

Deuteronomy 1

These are the words that Moses spoke... In Deuteronomy Moses reminds the people of their journey through the wilderness. He reminds them that they had turned their backs on God and wouldn't listen and he reminds them of the consequences that they endured for not listening. And... so he reminds them one last time of the words of the law that had been given to them by God through him.

It will be the last time he reminds them of anything. They stand at the brink of entering the promised land. Moses will not enter it. Moses will not, nor will his generation who rebelled against God. Only the children born in the wilderness or who at the time were so young that they did not know right from wrong will enter the promised land. Joshua, who did not rebel against God, who trusted God, will lead them.

The words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond Jordan... Will they listen? Will they remember? Their journey through the wilderness is about to end. Will they remember all that the Lord taught them in that journey as they establish their homes in the promised land? Will they trust the Lord, their God before all things as they begin a new stage in their journey through life?

Will we? Will we trust the Lord, God above all things? Or will we be rebellious children, turning our backs on God? Will we enter the promised land? Remember the words that God has given to you. Remember your journey. What have you learned in the years it took to get where you are. What has God taught you? Remember and give God the glory!

As a consequence to their rebellion the generation that was saved from Egypit, including Moses, will not enter into the promised land. Moses is standing at the brink of the promised land. But, he cannot enter.

, because even he will not be allowed to enter the promised land bethey were rebellious people and would not listen to the Lord, the Lord was angry with even him.

Wills and Inheritances

2011-11-28T06:21:00.000-05:00

Numbers 36

The final chapter in Numbers... The tribes of Israel have been allotted their inheritance and this morning I have this sinking feeling: "It was all about land. It was all about possessing material property." Bummer... Even though God has decided that women can inherit property, it has now been decided that they can only keep it if they marry into the same clan of the same tribe so that the property will remain a part of that particular clan and tribe.

On the other hand, it is about making sure that their children and their children's children will also inherit their allotted portion of the promised land. Future generations will be ensured a place to graze their flocks or plants their fields in order to sustain their lives. At least that seems to me to be the intent.

We too, have been promised and in faith have received a great inheritance - a place in the kingdom of God. It is not just for us but, for all people. It is for our children and our children's children, as well. But, they cannot inherit it except by faith. It does not matter who your parents are. It doesn't matter which worldly clan or tribe you belong to. It is given to those who have been adopted into the family of God by faith in the blood of Christ shed for you. How will your children inherit this promised land, if they do not even know it's there?

My husband and I have a will which outlines our desires as to what should happen to our physical property when we die. It's a bit outdated. But, it will suffice. It's kept in a safe. No one, other than the lawyer, has seen it. Our children or grandchildren will find it when we die and then whether they want our "stuff" or not they will inherit it. I suppose though if they never open the safe, they will never know what our will was.

When Jesus died on that cross he left behind his will, as well. His followers wrote His will that he had, in a sense, dictated to them, while he was among them. You can read all about it and hear all about it in the pages of the scriptures. You will find it woven into the pages of the Holy Bible. His will was that all who would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life, in the kingdom He has prepared for us. If we want our children to be partakers of that inheritance, we cannot hide His will. Our children must know about their inheritance. They must hear about it and how it was purchased for them with the very life of Jesus. The "book" must be opened and the contents of God's will shared in order for our children to know what their inheritance is. Will you tell the story? Will you share the "will" of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with your children so that they too might receive the promised land given to them, through Jesus Christ, our Lord?

More ramblings this morning... Sometimes, I think maybe I would think more clearly in the evening. But, probably not! As long as my ramblings help keep you reading through and thinking through the scriptures, then they have served their purpose. God's Peace - Judy