"So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God." -Exodus 24.13
Moses is about to go meet with God and receive the stone tablets of the Law. As he prepares to go he calls for Joshua, his servant, and brings him with him up the mountain. We don't know yet if Moses knew Joshua would be his successor and lead the people, but we see Moses, an older, wiser man, taking a younger man and helping him encounter God.
Moses was a mentor to Joshua. We don't know the conversations they had, but it is clear that Moses is pouring into this young man. He is entrusting him with tasks, like leading the army of Israel into battle, and he is bringing him along to the mountain where God is. Oh that all young men would have a man to do this for them.
This is my passion, and I believe my calling. I'm at a place in life now that is full of preparation. I'm getting ready to attack my Master's degree, and trying to work through some initial plans for reaching out to men of all ages to help them become the men that God created them to be. That's really how this blog came to be, but this is just a small part of what I hope is coming.
Men, have you had someone pour into you? Has there been that man who has entrusted you with an important task, and helped you learn to encounter God? Who are they? What did they do that has helped make you the man that you are? Now what will you do with that? Will you take it, and begin to pour it into others? Our world is full of boys with no one to teach them what it means to be a man. There are sons with no fathers to guide them, or fathers who can't guide them because they were never guided.
We all can share stories of abandonment. We can all share stories of being set up for failure. We can all share stories of being micromanaged. These are all attacks on our masculinity, but they don't have to be fresh wounds. They can heal into scars, and they can become tools to use. These experiences that each of us have had are resources for us to pour into the lives of others.
Who was your Moses? Who are your Joshua's? God created us to be mentored and to mentor. This journey was meant to be passed down from generation to generation, with the older teaching and leading the younger in a cycle that went on and on. But somewhere the cycle was broken, and that's how we ended up in the situation we're in today. Let us reclaim that cycle. Let us allow God to bring healing and mentoring to us, so that we may mentor the next generation and guide them into manhood.
Who can you mentor?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Justice
"You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just." -Exodus 23.6-8
God is just, and He loves justice, carried out correctly. Vengeance is not ours to take, and though it may give a wrong doer something that they probably deserve, it is not justice. But that is not what God is talking about here. He says to not prevent justice that is due to a needy brother. Don't overlook the poor in favor of the rich because the rich can do something for you. We need to do what is right and bring justice to those who cannot obtain it themselves.
There are Biblical grounds for the death penalty, and there are certain times when God orders it to be carried out, but in those cases false charges are to be thrown out so that the innocent and the righteous are not killed. God will not over look the punishment of those who have done nothing to deserve it. Let us stand firmly in defense of the innocent and do all that we can to protect them.
We live in a world where the rich try to buy everything, even justice. Those with wealth try to buy favor at the expense of the innocent, and so God tells His people not to take a bribe. It causes those who know the truth to question what they should do. It causes justice to be denied for the financial gain, and those who accept one ignore what they know is right.
Men, we have been given strength so that we can administer justice. May we never deny it, and may we never allow ourselves to be bought off. God will not overlook justice that we didn't fight for and give our best effort to carry out. May we never be counted among those who refused to stand for what is right.
Let us live for justice, and stand firmly for the innocent
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God is just, and He loves justice, carried out correctly. Vengeance is not ours to take, and though it may give a wrong doer something that they probably deserve, it is not justice. But that is not what God is talking about here. He says to not prevent justice that is due to a needy brother. Don't overlook the poor in favor of the rich because the rich can do something for you. We need to do what is right and bring justice to those who cannot obtain it themselves.
There are Biblical grounds for the death penalty, and there are certain times when God orders it to be carried out, but in those cases false charges are to be thrown out so that the innocent and the righteous are not killed. God will not over look the punishment of those who have done nothing to deserve it. Let us stand firmly in defense of the innocent and do all that we can to protect them.
We live in a world where the rich try to buy everything, even justice. Those with wealth try to buy favor at the expense of the innocent, and so God tells His people not to take a bribe. It causes those who know the truth to question what they should do. It causes justice to be denied for the financial gain, and those who accept one ignore what they know is right.
Men, we have been given strength so that we can administer justice. May we never deny it, and may we never allow ourselves to be bought off. God will not overlook justice that we didn't fight for and give our best effort to carry out. May we never be counted among those who refused to stand for what is right.
Let us live for justice, and stand firmly for the innocent
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Reaction to Your Enemy
"If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him." -Exodus 23.4-5
We see here the beginning of a new way of thinking. When you think of an enemy you think of someone who is against you, someone who wants to destroy you, and naturally your reaction is to hate and fight back. If you have the opportunity to take an advantage over your enemy do it, hurt them before they can hurt you. But this isn't the mindset God wants His people to have. God doesn't want His people to live like everyone else.
God says that if you enemy's animal is wandering, get a hold of it and return it to him. Don't simply make a note about it and let him know, but make the effort and return it to him. If you see your enemies donkey under its load unable to move, set it free and save its life. Do what you can to help your enemy. God wants his people to do what is right, regardless of who that right action will benefit.
Men, what is your response to your enemies? In America we don't have to worry about returning oxen or donkeys, but what if you saw your enemy's lights on in their car? What if you drove by their house and saw that the door had been kicked in? What would your response be? Would you do the right thing, or simply keep moving because of who it was?
God wants us to take the time to do what's right. He wants us to do for our enemies what we would do for our closest friends. This line of thinking, rather this way of living, is one we'll see throughout the Bible. God is instructing His people to be set apart by how they live. So let us do what is right towards our enemies.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
We see here the beginning of a new way of thinking. When you think of an enemy you think of someone who is against you, someone who wants to destroy you, and naturally your reaction is to hate and fight back. If you have the opportunity to take an advantage over your enemy do it, hurt them before they can hurt you. But this isn't the mindset God wants His people to have. God doesn't want His people to live like everyone else.
God says that if you enemy's animal is wandering, get a hold of it and return it to him. Don't simply make a note about it and let him know, but make the effort and return it to him. If you see your enemies donkey under its load unable to move, set it free and save its life. Do what you can to help your enemy. God wants his people to do what is right, regardless of who that right action will benefit.
Men, what is your response to your enemies? In America we don't have to worry about returning oxen or donkeys, but what if you saw your enemy's lights on in their car? What if you drove by their house and saw that the door had been kicked in? What would your response be? Would you do the right thing, or simply keep moving because of who it was?
God wants us to take the time to do what's right. He wants us to do for our enemies what we would do for our closest friends. This line of thinking, rather this way of living, is one we'll see throughout the Bible. God is instructing His people to be set apart by how they live. So let us do what is right towards our enemies.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, June 27, 2014
Righteous, Just, Holy
"You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute." -Exodus 23.2-3
Following the instruction to be holy men, God gives more guidance on how to do that, aside from throwing meat that has been torn to pieces to the dogs. Here the people are told not to follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall they testify on the account of something that prevents justice. Holy men do what is right at all times, not just when it's popular. Holy men, always seek justice.
As I read these words I keep hearing Liam Neeson say the line to the left from Kingdom of Heaven, "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." That is how holy men live.
But there is more to holy living than simply doing what is right and protecting justice. Holy men don't show partiality to the poor man simply because he is poor. If his position is just, then stand by him, but don't stand up for him simply because you feel sorry for him. The holy man allows acts in behalf of justice.
Men, are you striving to be holy? do you boldly stand up for what is true instead of what is popular? Do you live righteously and honestly no matter what the cost may be? Do you stand up for those who need help regardless of their social status? God has called you to be holy, let us strive to do what is right.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Following the instruction to be holy men, God gives more guidance on how to do that, aside from throwing meat that has been torn to pieces to the dogs. Here the people are told not to follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall they testify on the account of something that prevents justice. Holy men do what is right at all times, not just when it's popular. Holy men, always seek justice.
As I read these words I keep hearing Liam Neeson say the line to the left from Kingdom of Heaven, "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." That is how holy men live.
But there is more to holy living than simply doing what is right and protecting justice. Holy men don't show partiality to the poor man simply because he is poor. If his position is just, then stand by him, but don't stand up for him simply because you feel sorry for him. The holy man allows acts in behalf of justice.
Men, are you striving to be holy? do you boldly stand up for what is true instead of what is popular? Do you live righteously and honestly no matter what the cost may be? Do you stand up for those who need help regardless of their social status? God has called you to be holy, let us strive to do what is right.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Holy Men
"You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs." -Exodus 22.31
Israel is commanded not to eat meat that has been torn to pieces in the field. They were not to salvage what was left from a lion killing and make stew from it. If an animal had been taken by thieves and butchered, they were not to take the edible parts of what was left and feed their families. Instead they were to throw it to the dogs. It was unfit for human consumption, and so they were to discard it and have nothing to do with it.
Most people who raise animals for food that would not try to salvage and sell/eat the remains of an animal that was killed. The exception would be the guys on the show "Mountain Men" or others like them, who never throw anything away. But most people wouldn't think twice about discarding the remains of a killed and picked over carrcus. Instead I think we can draw a different, and more relevant, message from this verse.
We are still to be holy men to God, and so we are not to consume anything that has been torn to pieces; we are to throw it to the dogs.
Pornography is sex and beauty that has been torn to pieces. It is something God had made good, that sin took and twisted. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Gossip is truth and honor that has been torn to pieces. It takes the truth about someone and smashes it by spreading lies about someone. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Greed is generosity and faith that has been torn to pieces. It lives selfishly, hoarding for itself, father than reaching out to help those in need. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Addiction is self-control torn to pieces. It takes something that may not be bad in and of itself, and makes it the thing we cannot live without. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
... is something else torn to pieces. It takes ... that God had had made good, but sin has twisted it and uses it to ensnare us and pull our focus away from God. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it. Fill in the blanks.
Men, God calls us to be holy to Him, and if we would be holy there are things we must give up and avoid. These things draw us away from God, and cause us to indulge in things that destroy us. Every single one of them is something that God made good, but sin has taken it and twisted it in an effort to pull us away from God.
Let us be strong and resist the temptations that battle for our holiness. Let us throw the flesh of what was once good, but is now torn to pieces by sin, and throw it to the dogs. Let us be holy men of God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Israel is commanded not to eat meat that has been torn to pieces in the field. They were not to salvage what was left from a lion killing and make stew from it. If an animal had been taken by thieves and butchered, they were not to take the edible parts of what was left and feed their families. Instead they were to throw it to the dogs. It was unfit for human consumption, and so they were to discard it and have nothing to do with it.
Most people who raise animals for food that would not try to salvage and sell/eat the remains of an animal that was killed. The exception would be the guys on the show "Mountain Men" or others like them, who never throw anything away. But most people wouldn't think twice about discarding the remains of a killed and picked over carrcus. Instead I think we can draw a different, and more relevant, message from this verse.
We are still to be holy men to God, and so we are not to consume anything that has been torn to pieces; we are to throw it to the dogs.
Pornography is sex and beauty that has been torn to pieces. It is something God had made good, that sin took and twisted. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Gossip is truth and honor that has been torn to pieces. It takes the truth about someone and smashes it by spreading lies about someone. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Greed is generosity and faith that has been torn to pieces. It lives selfishly, hoarding for itself, father than reaching out to help those in need. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
Addiction is self-control torn to pieces. It takes something that may not be bad in and of itself, and makes it the thing we cannot live without. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it.
... is something else torn to pieces. It takes ... that God had had made good, but sin has twisted it and uses it to ensnare us and pull our focus away from God. We are to throw it to the dogs and have nothing to do with it. Fill in the blanks.
Men, God calls us to be holy to Him, and if we would be holy there are things we must give up and avoid. These things draw us away from God, and cause us to indulge in things that destroy us. Every single one of them is something that God made good, but sin has taken it and twisted it in an effort to pull us away from God.
Let us be strong and resist the temptations that battle for our holiness. Let us throw the flesh of what was once good, but is now torn to pieces by sin, and throw it to the dogs. Let us be holy men of God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
God First
"You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me." -Exodus 22.29-30
In the various laws that God gives to His people this one commands them to faith. God says that they are not to delay in presenting the offering of the harvest to Him. The first born son is to be dedicated to God, and the first born of the sheep and oxen are to be offered to Him as well. God's portion is to come first, not last and from the leftovers. God is to be given the best that we have to offer, and we trust in Him that what is left will be enough.
Most of us live in a world where we don't grow our own produce, (though I hope one day in the not too distant future to not be counted with that group) or raise our own meat animals. But we all live in a world where we need some kind of income. Men work, they earn money to provide for their families and save for retirement. But we are to write the first check to God.
Men, when do you pay your tithe? (Do you even give one?) Do you give to God first, trusting that what is left will cover the electric bill and pay for groceries? Or do you take care of your needs first, and if there happens to be something leftover, you might think about giving part of it to God?
God desires for, and commands, us to live lives of faith and trust in Him. When we offer the first portion to God we are saying that we trust Him. We are acknowledging His provision of what we have already earned, and declaring that we know God will provide all that we need if what is left is not enough. Men of God live in faith. They trust Him fully, and don't regret giving to God first.
Let us live lives of trust, knowing God will take care of us. Let us give to Him first, and watch as He honors our faithfulness.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
In the various laws that God gives to His people this one commands them to faith. God says that they are not to delay in presenting the offering of the harvest to Him. The first born son is to be dedicated to God, and the first born of the sheep and oxen are to be offered to Him as well. God's portion is to come first, not last and from the leftovers. God is to be given the best that we have to offer, and we trust in Him that what is left will be enough.
Most of us live in a world where we don't grow our own produce, (though I hope one day in the not too distant future to not be counted with that group) or raise our own meat animals. But we all live in a world where we need some kind of income. Men work, they earn money to provide for their families and save for retirement. But we are to write the first check to God.
Men, when do you pay your tithe? (Do you even give one?) Do you give to God first, trusting that what is left will cover the electric bill and pay for groceries? Or do you take care of your needs first, and if there happens to be something leftover, you might think about giving part of it to God?
God desires for, and commands, us to live lives of faith and trust in Him. When we offer the first portion to God we are saying that we trust Him. We are acknowledging His provision of what we have already earned, and declaring that we know God will provide all that we need if what is left is not enough. Men of God live in faith. They trust Him fully, and don't regret giving to God first.
Let us live lives of trust, knowing God will take care of us. Let us give to Him first, and watch as He honors our faithfulness.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Don't Curse, Pray
"You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people." -Exodus 22.28
I really didn't want to write on this verse, but as I started to write on the next one I knew that I couldn't overlook this. I'll be honest, I'm not very fond of the current President, and I'll leave it at that. But regardless of my personal feelings he is the President of the United States and has been given authority by God to rule, and God has given instructions about how to treat the leaders.
We are not to cure a ruler of our people. We are not to wish harm or misfortune upon him. We are not to curse his name. This is not to say we cannot state our opinion of their performance, especially with an elected official, after all, leaders are in power to better the lives of those they lead, and if they aren't doing that something needs to change. But when I voice my opinion, it must be done with the respect that God's appointed leader deserves.
Men, is this something you struggle with? Maybe it isn't the President, maybe it's your boss. Maybe your pastor. Maybe it's a senior member of your family. Here in Exodus 22 we are told not to curse our rulers, and 1 Timothy 2.1-4 states, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Let us not grumble and complain, instead let us pray. Let us pray that our leaders will be Men of God. Men who seek His guidance and wisdom as they lead. Let us pray that they remember the reason for their leadership, and that they have the courage to do what is right. Let us pray for them, lifting them to God, not cursing them and wishing for their demise, if they are bad leaders that will happen on its own.
Let us lift our leaders to God in prayer
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
I really didn't want to write on this verse, but as I started to write on the next one I knew that I couldn't overlook this. I'll be honest, I'm not very fond of the current President, and I'll leave it at that. But regardless of my personal feelings he is the President of the United States and has been given authority by God to rule, and God has given instructions about how to treat the leaders.
We are not to cure a ruler of our people. We are not to wish harm or misfortune upon him. We are not to curse his name. This is not to say we cannot state our opinion of their performance, especially with an elected official, after all, leaders are in power to better the lives of those they lead, and if they aren't doing that something needs to change. But when I voice my opinion, it must be done with the respect that God's appointed leader deserves.
Men, is this something you struggle with? Maybe it isn't the President, maybe it's your boss. Maybe your pastor. Maybe it's a senior member of your family. Here in Exodus 22 we are told not to curse our rulers, and 1 Timothy 2.1-4 states, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Let us not grumble and complain, instead let us pray. Let us pray that our leaders will be Men of God. Men who seek His guidance and wisdom as they lead. Let us pray that they remember the reason for their leadership, and that they have the courage to do what is right. Let us pray for them, lifting them to God, not cursing them and wishing for their demise, if they are bad leaders that will happen on its own.
Let us lift our leaders to God in prayer
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, June 23, 2014
Strangers, Widows, and Orphans
"You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless." -Exodus 22.21-24
This chapter of Exodus continues with instructions God has given His people. There are laws about property, and who is responsible for for paying back what and when, and then it moves into what are called sundry (various or diverse) laws. All of them could be written on, but I am writing these based on what stands out to me. These verses talk about not afflicting, or taking advantage of, those who cannot stand up for themselves.
God says that they people shall not wrong a stranger among them, they shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If they do, God will hear their cries and His anger will be kindles and He will kill them with the sword making their wives widows and children orphans. It's easy to take advantage of a stranger, and it's easier still to take advantage of widows and orphans, but God specifically warns not to do it.
Men, let us stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. When there are strangers, new people in the workplace, at church, or in the neighborhood, reach out to them. Be friendly and helpful. Remember, you are being a representative of God to them, even if you aren't meaning to be. First impressions speak loudly and are lasting, so make them good.
Stand up for the widow and the orphan. Do what you can to help them. Help the old lady who lives across the street. Mow her lawn, shovel the driveway in the winter. Keep an eye out for her. Be there for the fatherless. We have so many children that need a daddy today. You don't have to adopt to be there for them.
Are you willing to invest the time and energy, or do you want to blow it off and leave it for someone else? What would you want done for you when you move to a new situation? What do you want for your wife when you're gone, or your children if something happens to you?
Invest in others as you would want others to invest in you and your family. Be the friend and neighbor that you want to have. Not doing this invites God's anger, and that's something we don't want to see. What we do for others will be done for us, live how you want to be treated.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This chapter of Exodus continues with instructions God has given His people. There are laws about property, and who is responsible for for paying back what and when, and then it moves into what are called sundry (various or diverse) laws. All of them could be written on, but I am writing these based on what stands out to me. These verses talk about not afflicting, or taking advantage of, those who cannot stand up for themselves.
God says that they people shall not wrong a stranger among them, they shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If they do, God will hear their cries and His anger will be kindles and He will kill them with the sword making their wives widows and children orphans. It's easy to take advantage of a stranger, and it's easier still to take advantage of widows and orphans, but God specifically warns not to do it.
Men, let us stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. When there are strangers, new people in the workplace, at church, or in the neighborhood, reach out to them. Be friendly and helpful. Remember, you are being a representative of God to them, even if you aren't meaning to be. First impressions speak loudly and are lasting, so make them good.
Stand up for the widow and the orphan. Do what you can to help them. Help the old lady who lives across the street. Mow her lawn, shovel the driveway in the winter. Keep an eye out for her. Be there for the fatherless. We have so many children that need a daddy today. You don't have to adopt to be there for them.
Are you willing to invest the time and energy, or do you want to blow it off and leave it for someone else? What would you want done for you when you move to a new situation? What do you want for your wife when you're gone, or your children if something happens to you?
Invest in others as you would want others to invest in you and your family. Be the friend and neighbor that you want to have. Not doing this invites God's anger, and that's something we don't want to see. What we do for others will be done for us, live how you want to be treated.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Dignity, Justice, Mercy
"Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:" -Exodus 21.1
The Ten Commandments are God's standard of perfect living. They are His law that all of us are judged on. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus explains them as God really means them, showing that all of us are guilty of breaking the law. It is impossible for us to obey the law, and therefore we are all guilty. The law cannot save us, all it can do is show us how guilty we are, that's why Jesus came. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
God, is teaching His people how to live. He starts with the standard, the foundation, the law, and from there He gives other rules on how to interact and exist in society. It is important to remember that the Bible was written to a non westernized, twenty-first century, American culture. The Bible was written thousands of years ago, to a middle eastern Jewish audience. As we look at things like slavery, laws about stoning, it is important to remember that we are not the original audience, and not place our own worldview on the text.
Verses 2-11 talk about slavery. There are things set in place by God so that a man would not be a slave forever, and standards of how female slaves are to be treated. God sees all people, even slaves, as people. Israel knew what it was like to be enslaved, and God instructs them not to treat their slaves in the same manner as the Egyptians.
Verses 12-36 talk about personal injuries. There is justice for wrongs committed, and mercy for accidents. God is about order, not chaos. When a wrong is done intentionally, or done with the knowledge that it has happened in the case of an animal, there is justice that must be carried out. But if the result is an accident, or no harm is done, then there is mercy. God does not punish people unnecessarily.
Men, as we set out to live in, lead, and work to change society, there are certain laws and standards we must live by. Without order, society falls apart. All lives, even those in the lowest social classes are valuable to God. They are to be treated with respect and dignity. We must also hold others accountable for the wrongs that are committed. We must seek justice, but also live with mercy. When a wrong is done we need to hold those responsible accountable. When mercy is warranted we need to give it.
Let us live with dignity, justice and mercy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The Ten Commandments are God's standard of perfect living. They are His law that all of us are judged on. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus explains them as God really means them, showing that all of us are guilty of breaking the law. It is impossible for us to obey the law, and therefore we are all guilty. The law cannot save us, all it can do is show us how guilty we are, that's why Jesus came. But that's getting ahead of ourselves.
God, is teaching His people how to live. He starts with the standard, the foundation, the law, and from there He gives other rules on how to interact and exist in society. It is important to remember that the Bible was written to a non westernized, twenty-first century, American culture. The Bible was written thousands of years ago, to a middle eastern Jewish audience. As we look at things like slavery, laws about stoning, it is important to remember that we are not the original audience, and not place our own worldview on the text.
Verses 2-11 talk about slavery. There are things set in place by God so that a man would not be a slave forever, and standards of how female slaves are to be treated. God sees all people, even slaves, as people. Israel knew what it was like to be enslaved, and God instructs them not to treat their slaves in the same manner as the Egyptians.
Verses 12-36 talk about personal injuries. There is justice for wrongs committed, and mercy for accidents. God is about order, not chaos. When a wrong is done intentionally, or done with the knowledge that it has happened in the case of an animal, there is justice that must be carried out. But if the result is an accident, or no harm is done, then there is mercy. God does not punish people unnecessarily.
Men, as we set out to live in, lead, and work to change society, there are certain laws and standards we must live by. Without order, society falls apart. All lives, even those in the lowest social classes are valuable to God. They are to be treated with respect and dignity. We must also hold others accountable for the wrongs that are committed. We must seek justice, but also live with mercy. When a wrong is done we need to hold those responsible accountable. When mercy is warranted we need to give it.
Let us live with dignity, justice and mercy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Simplicity
"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, "You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it."'" -Exodus 20.22-25
Moses serves as the people's representative. He goes before God and gives His messages to the people, teaching them God's standards and laws. He reminds them that they are not to make other gods beside Him. He alone is God, and He is a living Spirit. His form cannot be captured in an image of gold or silver, so the people aren't to try. And they are not to make idols in the image of anything else in creation and bow before them, worshiping the as God.
Instead God tells them to worship Him with simplicity. They are to build an altar of earth. It is something that is excessively abundant. Wherever they go they are able to build an altar and worship God there. He doesn't ask for the orante riches that He deserves, but says that simplicity is what they are to do.
If they decide to use stone, making something permanent and lasting, they aren't to use any tool on the stones. Instead they are to be natural, exactly as God created it. God does not demand wealth and splendor, He asks for something simple, showing His people that all are able to worship Him, and that they can worship Him wherever they are. It's a vital task, and God simplifies it for them.
Men, have you complicated the worship of God? If we look at the past few decades, really centuries, it really seems that we have. We have created religion out of relationship, and have turned the worship of God into habitual ritual. We've complicated it with rules and traditions, making idols of denominations, churches, altars, membership and even leadership.
I don't think God ever had any of this in mind. There is a lot that we could get into here, but let me just say that those things aren't necessarily bad. They are things that can help us focus more fully on God during our worship of Him, but they can also become a great hinderance. Is our focus on the thing or the practice, or on the God that it was intended for?
God wants us to worship Him. All of us, no matter where we are, are invited to worship the creator. And so He makes it simple for us to do it. An altar of earth, or uncut stone, things that are abundant and natural. We can worship God anywhere, at any time. Let us rejoice in the simplicity of it all.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Moses serves as the people's representative. He goes before God and gives His messages to the people, teaching them God's standards and laws. He reminds them that they are not to make other gods beside Him. He alone is God, and He is a living Spirit. His form cannot be captured in an image of gold or silver, so the people aren't to try. And they are not to make idols in the image of anything else in creation and bow before them, worshiping the as God.
Instead God tells them to worship Him with simplicity. They are to build an altar of earth. It is something that is excessively abundant. Wherever they go they are able to build an altar and worship God there. He doesn't ask for the orante riches that He deserves, but says that simplicity is what they are to do.
If they decide to use stone, making something permanent and lasting, they aren't to use any tool on the stones. Instead they are to be natural, exactly as God created it. God does not demand wealth and splendor, He asks for something simple, showing His people that all are able to worship Him, and that they can worship Him wherever they are. It's a vital task, and God simplifies it for them.
Men, have you complicated the worship of God? If we look at the past few decades, really centuries, it really seems that we have. We have created religion out of relationship, and have turned the worship of God into habitual ritual. We've complicated it with rules and traditions, making idols of denominations, churches, altars, membership and even leadership.
I don't think God ever had any of this in mind. There is a lot that we could get into here, but let me just say that those things aren't necessarily bad. They are things that can help us focus more fully on God during our worship of Him, but they can also become a great hinderance. Is our focus on the thing or the practice, or on the God that it was intended for?
God wants us to worship Him. All of us, no matter where we are, are invited to worship the creator. And so He makes it simple for us to do it. An altar of earth, or uncut stone, things that are abundant and natural. We can worship God anywhere, at any time. Let us rejoice in the simplicity of it all.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, June 20, 2014
Afraid of God
"All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.'" -Exodus 20.18-20
God has been speaking with Moses, giving him the Ten Commandments. They people are hearing thunder and seeing lightning, and they stay back and are terrified. The people request that Moses speaks to them so that they don't have to speak directly to God. They are afraid to talk to God and fear that they will die. But this is the reason they have come to this place. Think back to Exodus 19.17, "And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain."
We were made to have a personal relationship with God. We were made to communicate with Him, and yet so many people don't. So many people that look to someone else rather than turning to God. People look to their pastors, or professors, people that are supposed to have knowledge and be able to interpret the things God is saying. But this isn't good enough.
God is deeply personal, and He speaks to each of us in a personal way. God reveals things to me in a certain way because it speaks to me, and He reveals things to you in a different way that speaks to you. At different parts of the journey God tells us different things, and we must be willing to explore and examine them. Yes, look to your pastor they are people who should be walking closely with God. But just because they say something don't cling desperately to it. Seek it out for yourself. Examine what they are saying and hold it next to scripture. After all, they are just men.
Men, are you afraid of God? Are you afraid to speak with Him and so you instead look for someone else to tell you what God is saying? There are things that God wants to tell you, and He will only communicate them to you. Are you willing to draw close to Him and see what He has to say? Yes, it might be scary, this is God after all, and He may ask some difficult things of you. He may take you to places you're hiding from hoping no one ever finds out about. But all of this is done for your benefit.
God spoke as He did so that the people would know who He is in order to keep them from sin. He is giving them a taste of what He is capable of so that they will have a fear of Him, knowing that He is all powerful, which is something to be feared. But later God says to "Fear not." We don't have to be afraid of God. We should not be afraid to come to Him and speak with Him.
May we always draw close to Him, knowing His power, but also knowing that everything He does is for our good.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God has been speaking with Moses, giving him the Ten Commandments. They people are hearing thunder and seeing lightning, and they stay back and are terrified. The people request that Moses speaks to them so that they don't have to speak directly to God. They are afraid to talk to God and fear that they will die. But this is the reason they have come to this place. Think back to Exodus 19.17, "And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain."
We were made to have a personal relationship with God. We were made to communicate with Him, and yet so many people don't. So many people that look to someone else rather than turning to God. People look to their pastors, or professors, people that are supposed to have knowledge and be able to interpret the things God is saying. But this isn't good enough.
God is deeply personal, and He speaks to each of us in a personal way. God reveals things to me in a certain way because it speaks to me, and He reveals things to you in a different way that speaks to you. At different parts of the journey God tells us different things, and we must be willing to explore and examine them. Yes, look to your pastor they are people who should be walking closely with God. But just because they say something don't cling desperately to it. Seek it out for yourself. Examine what they are saying and hold it next to scripture. After all, they are just men.
Men, are you afraid of God? Are you afraid to speak with Him and so you instead look for someone else to tell you what God is saying? There are things that God wants to tell you, and He will only communicate them to you. Are you willing to draw close to Him and see what He has to say? Yes, it might be scary, this is God after all, and He may ask some difficult things of you. He may take you to places you're hiding from hoping no one ever finds out about. But all of this is done for your benefit.
God spoke as He did so that the people would know who He is in order to keep them from sin. He is giving them a taste of what He is capable of so that they will have a fear of Him, knowing that He is all powerful, which is something to be feared. But later God says to "Fear not." We don't have to be afraid of God. We should not be afraid to come to Him and speak with Him.
May we always draw close to Him, knowing His power, but also knowing that everything He does is for our good.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Coveting
"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor." -Exodus 20.17
Commandment number ten is one that I don't think people fully understand. The command is not to covet your neighbor's house, wife, servants, animals, or any of his possessions. We define coveting as wanting something that someone else has, but that isn't what coveting is. Simply wanting something that someone else has is not what coveting is. Coveting is much deeper, much more extreme, and much more dangerous.
Coveting is wanting something so badly that you want someone who has it not to have it because you can't have it. Example, I used to drive a Ford F-150 pickup truck. I loved that thing and miss it. One day I hope to get another one. It's a popular vehicle, and typically I see several of them each day on my way to work. When I do my mind thinks, I'd really like another one of those some day. This isn't coveting. I don't want the guy driving the truck not to have his because I can't have one. I'm simply saying I like the vehicle, and some day I'd like my own. This is not coveting.
But I have to be honest, I used to have a problem with coveting. When I was single and freshly out of college, many of my friends began to get married. I hated going to the weddings, one because I was there by myself, and two because there was no wedding in my foreseeable future. I hated watching other people get married because I wasn't, and that is coveting.
Coveting keeps us from sharing in the joy of others. It keeps us from rejoicing about all of the blessings God has poured out on us. Simply saying "They have a nice house, I'd like these features in my own house some day" is not coveting. But when it consumes you, and you hate the fact that someone else has something and you don't then it becomes a sin.
Men, do you covet? Are you single and like I use to be? Maybe you're married and not having kids while others you know are. Do you covet that? Maybe you got passed over for the promotion. Do you covet the guy who got it? Maybe it's something else, a house, a car, a hobby, what is it for you? Do you covet anything?
Let us rejoice with others, and let us rejoice in the blessings that God has given us. As men we set the tone for our families, or those we mentor, do they see a joyful attitude or a covetous one? Do you admire something someone else has, are are you consumed with the desire for it that causes you to want no one to have it if you can't? I think that it isn't until we get over the coveting that God can truly bless us in those areas. It wasn't until I learned to rejoice with friends who were getting married that God allowed me to share in that joy.
What blessings is your covetous attitude keeping you from?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Commandment number ten is one that I don't think people fully understand. The command is not to covet your neighbor's house, wife, servants, animals, or any of his possessions. We define coveting as wanting something that someone else has, but that isn't what coveting is. Simply wanting something that someone else has is not what coveting is. Coveting is much deeper, much more extreme, and much more dangerous.
Coveting is wanting something so badly that you want someone who has it not to have it because you can't have it. Example, I used to drive a Ford F-150 pickup truck. I loved that thing and miss it. One day I hope to get another one. It's a popular vehicle, and typically I see several of them each day on my way to work. When I do my mind thinks, I'd really like another one of those some day. This isn't coveting. I don't want the guy driving the truck not to have his because I can't have one. I'm simply saying I like the vehicle, and some day I'd like my own. This is not coveting.
But I have to be honest, I used to have a problem with coveting. When I was single and freshly out of college, many of my friends began to get married. I hated going to the weddings, one because I was there by myself, and two because there was no wedding in my foreseeable future. I hated watching other people get married because I wasn't, and that is coveting.
Coveting keeps us from sharing in the joy of others. It keeps us from rejoicing about all of the blessings God has poured out on us. Simply saying "They have a nice house, I'd like these features in my own house some day" is not coveting. But when it consumes you, and you hate the fact that someone else has something and you don't then it becomes a sin.
Men, do you covet? Are you single and like I use to be? Maybe you're married and not having kids while others you know are. Do you covet that? Maybe you got passed over for the promotion. Do you covet the guy who got it? Maybe it's something else, a house, a car, a hobby, what is it for you? Do you covet anything?
Let us rejoice with others, and let us rejoice in the blessings that God has given us. As men we set the tone for our families, or those we mentor, do they see a joyful attitude or a covetous one? Do you admire something someone else has, are are you consumed with the desire for it that causes you to want no one to have it if you can't? I think that it isn't until we get over the coveting that God can truly bless us in those areas. It wasn't until I learned to rejoice with friends who were getting married that God allowed me to share in that joy.
What blessings is your covetous attitude keeping you from?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Lies
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." -Exodus 20.16
This final section of the Ten Commandments deals with civilization. My high school government teacher said there were two laws that make civilization possible. The second one is "Don't encroach on anyone else's rights or property" the don't steal idea. The first one would fit under commandment number nine, "Do all that you've agreed to do", be truthful and honest. Without honesty, society cannot exist.
Lies are spread to help someone get ahead, or to try and cover up something that they don't want known. How can society function like this? If no one is trustworthy how does anything good get accomplished? If there is no honesty how does order surpass chaos? If there is nothing but lies how are the rights of the people protected?
Men, how honest are you? Do you speak the truth always, no matter what the consequences might be? Or do you bend it to save your own skin when necessary? Are you trustworthy and honest by reputation? Or do you just speak what people want to hear?
Recently another season of High School Tropical Island (aka Survivor) came to an end. The guy who ended up winning drove me nuts. Every time he would make a promise to someone he'd swear on something different. He was a cop, so it started with his badge, then it moved to his wife and daughter, and finally it ended up on his father's grave. He had to keep upping the stakes because he just became more and more untrustworthy, but he was good at it, and people bought it and ended up losing. That's what happens in a society where lies are allowed to spread, he who can lie the best and most wins.
We must hold ourselves to truth and honesty. We must set a standard do speaking the truth at all times, even if it leads to our death as the quote from Kingdom of Heaven states. Are you willing to be completely honest? Without honesty everything falls apart. Let us speak the truth always.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This final section of the Ten Commandments deals with civilization. My high school government teacher said there were two laws that make civilization possible. The second one is "Don't encroach on anyone else's rights or property" the don't steal idea. The first one would fit under commandment number nine, "Do all that you've agreed to do", be truthful and honest. Without honesty, society cannot exist.
Lies are spread to help someone get ahead, or to try and cover up something that they don't want known. How can society function like this? If no one is trustworthy how does anything good get accomplished? If there is no honesty how does order surpass chaos? If there is nothing but lies how are the rights of the people protected?
Men, how honest are you? Do you speak the truth always, no matter what the consequences might be? Or do you bend it to save your own skin when necessary? Are you trustworthy and honest by reputation? Or do you just speak what people want to hear?
Recently another season of High School Tropical Island (aka Survivor) came to an end. The guy who ended up winning drove me nuts. Every time he would make a promise to someone he'd swear on something different. He was a cop, so it started with his badge, then it moved to his wife and daughter, and finally it ended up on his father's grave. He had to keep upping the stakes because he just became more and more untrustworthy, but he was good at it, and people bought it and ended up losing. That's what happens in a society where lies are allowed to spread, he who can lie the best and most wins.
We must hold ourselves to truth and honesty. We must set a standard do speaking the truth at all times, even if it leads to our death as the quote from Kingdom of Heaven states. Are you willing to be completely honest? Without honesty everything falls apart. Let us speak the truth always.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Stealing
"You shall not steal." -Exodus 20.15
Respect for God, His name and His day, respect for parents, respect for life, and respect for marriage. All of these revolve around intangible things, things that have eternal value. But commandment eight seems to look at material things. God commands His people not to steal. Don't take what doesn't belong to you. Why is this important if material things don't matter in light of eternity?
I think commandment eight is talking about more than just material stuff, it's talking about civilization. One of the only things I remember from my high school government class is something my teacher called the two laws that make civilization possible. The second one is "Don't encroach on anyone else's rights or property." If people steal there is chaos. People become so focused on protecting their stuff that it consumes their lives.
Stealing encourages hoarding and laziness. Stealing is just looking out for yourself. And if you can just get what you need by taking it from someone else, why work for anything. And stealing brings chaos. There is constant worry, constant panic, you can't have civilization under those conditions. And stealing doesn't just involve money or materials, you can steal time. You can skip out of work early, you can blow of responsibilities at home and with your family.
Men, do you steal? Do you take what isn't yours or what you haven't earned? Do you rob your family or your time and attention? Are you bringing chaos into the lives of those around you?
Let us work hard, and honestly. Let us bring order and make civilization possible. Do not steal.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Respect for God, His name and His day, respect for parents, respect for life, and respect for marriage. All of these revolve around intangible things, things that have eternal value. But commandment eight seems to look at material things. God commands His people not to steal. Don't take what doesn't belong to you. Why is this important if material things don't matter in light of eternity?
I think commandment eight is talking about more than just material stuff, it's talking about civilization. One of the only things I remember from my high school government class is something my teacher called the two laws that make civilization possible. The second one is "Don't encroach on anyone else's rights or property." If people steal there is chaos. People become so focused on protecting their stuff that it consumes their lives.
Stealing encourages hoarding and laziness. Stealing is just looking out for yourself. And if you can just get what you need by taking it from someone else, why work for anything. And stealing brings chaos. There is constant worry, constant panic, you can't have civilization under those conditions. And stealing doesn't just involve money or materials, you can steal time. You can skip out of work early, you can blow of responsibilities at home and with your family.
Men, do you steal? Do you take what isn't yours or what you haven't earned? Do you rob your family or your time and attention? Are you bringing chaos into the lives of those around you?
Let us work hard, and honestly. Let us bring order and make civilization possible. Do not steal.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, June 16, 2014
Adultery
"You shall not commit adultery." -Exodus 20.14
Commandment seven deals with marriage, and guarding this relationship. It's a big deal. As humans we are made in the image of God, each one of us displaying God to the rest of creation. In marriage you have a man and a woman coming together and becoming one. You have a man, made in the image of God, bearing the masculine half of His heart, the side that is strong and dangerous, being joined to a woman, made in the image of God, bearing the feminine half of His heart, the side that is beautiful and captivating, and becoming one.
It is as one that a couple is able to fully display God to the rest of creation. And it is in the covenant of marriage that the two physically become one. When the two halves of God's heart come together as one, there is the ability to create life. It is a sacred gift, and a powerful one. It is an intimate bond that God has given to men and women to enjoy, but also to witness about Him. God does not want that broken by adultery.
Adultery takes the relationship, the heart of God, and breaks it. It wants the pleasure without the commitment. It's looking for intimacy without having to deal with the hard stuff. It's a sin, and God commands against it.
Men, is adultery part of your life? Some of us have watched it dramatically alter our lives when someone else engages in it, this is the story of my life. My grandfather had an affair, and it did a lot of damage to my family, that is continuing to grow worse. Some are engaged in it now, hoping that no one will ever find out. Let me tell you, your sin will be discovered, and it will destroy your family. Don't go down this road, the price you will pay is not worth the momentary pleasure. But some of us are doing everything we possibly can to avoid ever falling into it. We have seen the damage it can do. We have a desire to be faithful men of God, and we strive daily to be obedient to Him. Where do you find yourself?
Let us flee from adultery, and to set a godly example of a marriage relationship. Let us live in intimacy with our wives that displays God most clearly to creation, strong and beautiful, dangerous and captivating.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Commandment seven deals with marriage, and guarding this relationship. It's a big deal. As humans we are made in the image of God, each one of us displaying God to the rest of creation. In marriage you have a man and a woman coming together and becoming one. You have a man, made in the image of God, bearing the masculine half of His heart, the side that is strong and dangerous, being joined to a woman, made in the image of God, bearing the feminine half of His heart, the side that is beautiful and captivating, and becoming one.
It is as one that a couple is able to fully display God to the rest of creation. And it is in the covenant of marriage that the two physically become one. When the two halves of God's heart come together as one, there is the ability to create life. It is a sacred gift, and a powerful one. It is an intimate bond that God has given to men and women to enjoy, but also to witness about Him. God does not want that broken by adultery.
Adultery takes the relationship, the heart of God, and breaks it. It wants the pleasure without the commitment. It's looking for intimacy without having to deal with the hard stuff. It's a sin, and God commands against it.
Men, is adultery part of your life? Some of us have watched it dramatically alter our lives when someone else engages in it, this is the story of my life. My grandfather had an affair, and it did a lot of damage to my family, that is continuing to grow worse. Some are engaged in it now, hoping that no one will ever find out. Let me tell you, your sin will be discovered, and it will destroy your family. Don't go down this road, the price you will pay is not worth the momentary pleasure. But some of us are doing everything we possibly can to avoid ever falling into it. We have seen the damage it can do. We have a desire to be faithful men of God, and we strive daily to be obedient to Him. Where do you find yourself?
Let us flee from adultery, and to set a godly example of a marriage relationship. Let us live in intimacy with our wives that displays God most clearly to creation, strong and beautiful, dangerous and captivating.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Don't Murder
"You shall not murder." Exodus 20.13
After honoring parents God's next commandment is not to murder. God doesn't say not to kill, but not to murder. There is a difference. Murder is something that is premeditated, and done with malice. It is an act done for the simple purpose of ending someone's life over some difference or disagreement. Murder is killing, but killing isn't always murder.
Israel just went through a battle, and in that battle, in order to win, they had to kill the enemy. God does not like when humans end the life of another human, but He knows that the world is fallen and sinful. He knows wars will happen. In the not too distant future God will even order Israel to completely destroy the other nations in the Promised Land. God says you shall not murder.
Men, life is a sacred and precious thing. God wants us to guard it, protect it, and preserve it. He does not want us to plan on ending the life of another human. He does not want us, driven by anger and hatred, to take revenge and carry out judgment on other people. But again, His commandment is not to murder.
If someone breaks into my house at night I will be firing my 12 gauge at them, aiming to kill. I have a family to protect, and I will do what I have to in order to keep them safe. That is not murder, that is survival, and defending my family. But I will not sit and plot revenge on the someone who has wronged me, and then go carry it out, that is murder.
Let us guard life, let us deal with those who have wronged us calmly and rationally. Let us not act in anger or hatred to take the life of another; we'll see when we get to Jesus' teachings how these two coincide. We shall not murder.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
After honoring parents God's next commandment is not to murder. God doesn't say not to kill, but not to murder. There is a difference. Murder is something that is premeditated, and done with malice. It is an act done for the simple purpose of ending someone's life over some difference or disagreement. Murder is killing, but killing isn't always murder.
Israel just went through a battle, and in that battle, in order to win, they had to kill the enemy. God does not like when humans end the life of another human, but He knows that the world is fallen and sinful. He knows wars will happen. In the not too distant future God will even order Israel to completely destroy the other nations in the Promised Land. God says you shall not murder.
Men, life is a sacred and precious thing. God wants us to guard it, protect it, and preserve it. He does not want us to plan on ending the life of another human. He does not want us, driven by anger and hatred, to take revenge and carry out judgment on other people. But again, His commandment is not to murder.
If someone breaks into my house at night I will be firing my 12 gauge at them, aiming to kill. I have a family to protect, and I will do what I have to in order to keep them safe. That is not murder, that is survival, and defending my family. But I will not sit and plot revenge on the someone who has wronged me, and then go carry it out, that is murder.
Let us guard life, let us deal with those who have wronged us calmly and rationally. Let us not act in anger or hatred to take the life of another; we'll see when we get to Jesus' teachings how these two coincide. We shall not murder.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Honor Parents
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you." -Exodus 20.12
The first four commandments deal with man's relationship with God, but here with commandment five there is a transition to man's relationship with one another. The first commandment in this section deals with the first human relationship every person has, honor your father and mother. When we do there is the promise of long life in the land that God gives the people.
It is important to note that it says honor, not obey. There comes a time when we no longer have to obey our parents. At 27, and living on my own, my parents can no longer tell me what to do. They can give advice and offer suggestions, but since I'm an adult who is on my own, I am not required by God to obey them. But I am called to honor them. So what does that mean?
Honoring is living in a way that does not bring shame to your parents. It is living as a law abiding citizen who contributes to the good of society. We can honor our parents always, even if they are no longer here, and it is something that God has commanded us to do.
Men, are you honoring your father and mother? Are you living in a way that does not cause them grief and shame? Even if your parents weren't good parents, you can still honor them, and are still called to honor them. Your dad may not have been around, physically or mentally, but you can still live in a way that would make him proud, even if he couldn't care less. Your mother may have torn you down with her words, or lack of them, but you can still live in a way that doesn't shame her, even if she never acknowledges it. Honoring is not contingent upon them, but you.
And it is important to ask another question, are you living in a way that deserves to be honored by your children? Are you setting an example as a man, husband, and father? Are you teaching your children how to live a life that honors you as their father, and your wife as their mother? Are you living a life that they want to honor?
We are commanded to honor our parents for as long as we live. And we need to live in a way that teaches our children to honor us so that their lives may be prolonged in the land that God gives them. Honor your parents, and live in a way the deserves to be honored.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The first four commandments deal with man's relationship with God, but here with commandment five there is a transition to man's relationship with one another. The first commandment in this section deals with the first human relationship every person has, honor your father and mother. When we do there is the promise of long life in the land that God gives the people.
It is important to note that it says honor, not obey. There comes a time when we no longer have to obey our parents. At 27, and living on my own, my parents can no longer tell me what to do. They can give advice and offer suggestions, but since I'm an adult who is on my own, I am not required by God to obey them. But I am called to honor them. So what does that mean?
Honoring is living in a way that does not bring shame to your parents. It is living as a law abiding citizen who contributes to the good of society. We can honor our parents always, even if they are no longer here, and it is something that God has commanded us to do.
Men, are you honoring your father and mother? Are you living in a way that does not cause them grief and shame? Even if your parents weren't good parents, you can still honor them, and are still called to honor them. Your dad may not have been around, physically or mentally, but you can still live in a way that would make him proud, even if he couldn't care less. Your mother may have torn you down with her words, or lack of them, but you can still live in a way that doesn't shame her, even if she never acknowledges it. Honoring is not contingent upon them, but you.
And it is important to ask another question, are you living in a way that deserves to be honored by your children? Are you setting an example as a man, husband, and father? Are you teaching your children how to live a life that honors you as their father, and your wife as their mother? Are you living a life that they want to honor?
We are commanded to honor our parents for as long as we live. And we need to live in a way that teaches our children to honor us so that their lives may be prolonged in the land that God gives them. Honor your parents, and live in a way the deserves to be honored.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, June 13, 2014
Sabbath Commanded
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy." -Exodus 20.8-11
Commandment four is God telling them something they have already heard. Back when the manna was being given God told them to gather enough on day six for two days. He told them to prepare whatever needed to be done the night before because the seventh day was to be a sabbath day of rest. Here, as it is commanded, not suggested, that the seventh day is to be a day of rest. And here there is some explanation.
God created everything in six days and on the seventh He rested. If God rests after creating the universe, man should rest too. There are six days to get done what we need. There are six days to do our job in, and six days to work around the house and do yard work. But on the seventh day, we need to rest.
Men, do you have a sabbath? It doesn't have to be Sunday, back when I was in professional ministry I had to work on Sundays, and so I took Friday as my sabbath. I would spend the day resting, maybe take a long walk with my dog. I'd get alone and just try to enjoy nature, something that refreshes me.
The sabbath doesn't mean we sit around and do nothing, that often ends up leaving us more drained. Instead we need to rest, we need to do something that is refreshing. It needs to include a time of worship, set aside to fully focus on God more than every other day. And on it, we need to let others rest as well, they also need a sabbath. We need to make sure our families have time to rest, and to worship together.
The Sabbath is not a suggestion, but a commandment from God. We are to remember it, to fiercely guard it, and keep it holy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Commandment four is God telling them something they have already heard. Back when the manna was being given God told them to gather enough on day six for two days. He told them to prepare whatever needed to be done the night before because the seventh day was to be a sabbath day of rest. Here, as it is commanded, not suggested, that the seventh day is to be a day of rest. And here there is some explanation.
God created everything in six days and on the seventh He rested. If God rests after creating the universe, man should rest too. There are six days to get done what we need. There are six days to do our job in, and six days to work around the house and do yard work. But on the seventh day, we need to rest.
Men, do you have a sabbath? It doesn't have to be Sunday, back when I was in professional ministry I had to work on Sundays, and so I took Friday as my sabbath. I would spend the day resting, maybe take a long walk with my dog. I'd get alone and just try to enjoy nature, something that refreshes me.
The sabbath doesn't mean we sit around and do nothing, that often ends up leaving us more drained. Instead we need to rest, we need to do something that is refreshing. It needs to include a time of worship, set aside to fully focus on God more than every other day. And on it, we need to let others rest as well, they also need a sabbath. We need to make sure our families have time to rest, and to worship together.
The Sabbath is not a suggestion, but a commandment from God. We are to remember it, to fiercely guard it, and keep it holy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, June 12, 2014
In Vain
"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." -Exodus 20.7
The first two commandments are very personal, almost internal, but here with commandment three there is something new. The first two deal with the people and their personal relationship with God, but this one involves how they speak of Him. Pastor Mark Driscoll, in a sermon on this verse, stressed how God allows us to use His name under certain conditions.
God's name is holy, and above all others. His name demands honor and respect. We are not to speak of it vainly, "without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless". Are any of these true of God? The people are not to reduce Him, or even His name, to these things. Driscoll said, "What we speak about God is how we worship God."
Men, how do you use the name of God? Over the past few centuries God's name has been used to condone murder, the crusaders went into battle declaring "God wills it!" It has been used to condemn, how many messages have been turn or burn, and God's name is all over it. How many times has God's name been associated with hatred and anger? One group is famous for their phrase, "God hates fags!" God's name has even been reduced to an every day expression of shock, anger, or sadness, "Oh my God." Do any of these have significance, value or importance? All of them are worthless expressions of God most high.
Let us never misuse the name of God. May we never treat it as a trivial thing that is ours to do what we will with. May God's name always be spoken as you wish your name would be. With highest respect, deep honor, and genuine love. Let us never dishonor God by speaking His name casually. May we always treat it with the holy reverence it alone is worthy of.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The first two commandments are very personal, almost internal, but here with commandment three there is something new. The first two deal with the people and their personal relationship with God, but this one involves how they speak of Him. Pastor Mark Driscoll, in a sermon on this verse, stressed how God allows us to use His name under certain conditions.
God's name is holy, and above all others. His name demands honor and respect. We are not to speak of it vainly, "without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless". Are any of these true of God? The people are not to reduce Him, or even His name, to these things. Driscoll said, "What we speak about God is how we worship God."
Men, how do you use the name of God? Over the past few centuries God's name has been used to condone murder, the crusaders went into battle declaring "God wills it!" It has been used to condemn, how many messages have been turn or burn, and God's name is all over it. How many times has God's name been associated with hatred and anger? One group is famous for their phrase, "God hates fags!" God's name has even been reduced to an every day expression of shock, anger, or sadness, "Oh my God." Do any of these have significance, value or importance? All of them are worthless expressions of God most high.
Let us never misuse the name of God. May we never treat it as a trivial thing that is ours to do what we will with. May God's name always be spoken as you wish your name would be. With highest respect, deep honor, and genuine love. Let us never dishonor God by speaking His name casually. May we always treat it with the holy reverence it alone is worthy of.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
No Idols
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." -Exodus 20.4-6
After commanding the people to have no gods before Him, the Lord gives His second commandment, don't make any idols. Israel had just gotten out of Egypt, a civilization full of idol worship. God is teaching His people that He is alive, not an inanimate object. He is the creator, not created, and there can be no representation of Him. If we worship God it demands faith, faith is what is unseen. An idol gives something to touch and watch, but it is worthless and powerless. God is real, God is spirit, and there can be no idol of Him.
Men, do you have idols? They can take many shapes, it doesn't have to be a stone statue of an animal. It's something you live for, something you look to for strength, guidance, or security. Money can be an idol. Material possessions can be as well. A person can be an idol. Anything we are striving to live up to, or compare ourselves to, that is not God, is leading us away from Him.
An idol is a distraction, a false foundation, and God knows how dangerous and destructive this will be for His people. He tells them from the beginning, "Don't do it. Don't be like Egypt whom I destroyed." God want's us to trust in Him, follow Him, worship Him, and strive to live like Him. Idols take us away from all of that, so God tells us, do not make any idols.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
After commanding the people to have no gods before Him, the Lord gives His second commandment, don't make any idols. Israel had just gotten out of Egypt, a civilization full of idol worship. God is teaching His people that He is alive, not an inanimate object. He is the creator, not created, and there can be no representation of Him. If we worship God it demands faith, faith is what is unseen. An idol gives something to touch and watch, but it is worthless and powerless. God is real, God is spirit, and there can be no idol of Him.
Men, do you have idols? They can take many shapes, it doesn't have to be a stone statue of an animal. It's something you live for, something you look to for strength, guidance, or security. Money can be an idol. Material possessions can be as well. A person can be an idol. Anything we are striving to live up to, or compare ourselves to, that is not God, is leading us away from Him.
An idol is a distraction, a false foundation, and God knows how dangerous and destructive this will be for His people. He tells them from the beginning, "Don't do it. Don't be like Egypt whom I destroyed." God want's us to trust in Him, follow Him, worship Him, and strive to live like Him. Idols take us away from all of that, so God tells us, do not make any idols.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
No Other Gods
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me." -Exodus 20.2-3
God has come down onto the mountain and has called Moses up to meet with Him. And it is here on the mountain that God gives Moses His law. Here Moses receives the Ten Commandments, the standard of righteousness at this point. Commandment number one declares that the Lord has brought His people out of Egypt, delivering them from slavery, and they are to have no other gods before Him.
Men, who is your God? What land of enslavement has God brought you out of? Freedom is only found in God, and the freedom allows us to serve Him. We are human, and we will serve something. We either serve God, or we serve what is not God. God is either our god, or self/sin is our god. If you aren't serving God, then you haven't been delivered from slavery.
If you have been set free then gratefully serve God. Have no other gods before Him. He has delivered you and earned your love and worship. Remember all that God has done for you, and have nothing else before Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God has come down onto the mountain and has called Moses up to meet with Him. And it is here on the mountain that God gives Moses His law. Here Moses receives the Ten Commandments, the standard of righteousness at this point. Commandment number one declares that the Lord has brought His people out of Egypt, delivering them from slavery, and they are to have no other gods before Him.
Men, who is your God? What land of enslavement has God brought you out of? Freedom is only found in God, and the freedom allows us to serve Him. We are human, and we will serve something. We either serve God, or we serve what is not God. God is either our god, or self/sin is our god. If you aren't serving God, then you haven't been delivered from slavery.
If you have been set free then gratefully serve God. Have no other gods before Him. He has delivered you and earned your love and worship. Remember all that God has done for you, and have nothing else before Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, June 9, 2014
Meet God
"And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain." -Exodus 19.17
The beginning of chapter 19 says that it has been three months since they left Egypt. Somehow that seems like such a short time with all that has transpired. But finally here they are, at the mountain God told Moses the people would worship Him on. Moses has been given instructions on how the people are to prepare themselves, and conduct themselves, and the time has come to meet the God who has delivered them and brought them to this place.
Men, part of our purpose is to bring others to meet God. We need to be leading people to Him. Some it might take as little as a few months, others it could take years. But no matter how long of a journey it is, let us always live before others as men of God. May we always be moving towards the mountain and preparing people to meet God.
No doubt there were some who left Egypt that didn't make it to the mountain. Some had to have died in the battle with Amalek, but Moses was doing everything he could to lead them to the mountain. And the mountain wasn't Moses' objective. Yes, he was leading them there under God's direction, but he didn't have an agenda that caused him to shut people out when they didn't want to head that way.
In the same way, we can't have an agenda with people which makes them notches on a spiritual belt. We are to love people, regardless if they want to come to the mountain. We are to live God's standards and laws before them, showing them who God is, regardless of whether they choose to begin to follow Him or not. People don't want to be a project, and they don't want to be treated like one. Let us do everything we can to care about them, and love them, in the hopes that they see God in us and want to meet Him personally. And if not, then let's continue to love them so that they continue to see God in us.
Moses did all he could to teach the people about who God is, and how to live as He demanded. He brought them as far as the mountain, but in the end it was their decision to meet God. He did all he could to help them, let us do the same. Let us help them, not force them. Let us lead others to meet God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The beginning of chapter 19 says that it has been three months since they left Egypt. Somehow that seems like such a short time with all that has transpired. But finally here they are, at the mountain God told Moses the people would worship Him on. Moses has been given instructions on how the people are to prepare themselves, and conduct themselves, and the time has come to meet the God who has delivered them and brought them to this place.
Men, part of our purpose is to bring others to meet God. We need to be leading people to Him. Some it might take as little as a few months, others it could take years. But no matter how long of a journey it is, let us always live before others as men of God. May we always be moving towards the mountain and preparing people to meet God.
No doubt there were some who left Egypt that didn't make it to the mountain. Some had to have died in the battle with Amalek, but Moses was doing everything he could to lead them to the mountain. And the mountain wasn't Moses' objective. Yes, he was leading them there under God's direction, but he didn't have an agenda that caused him to shut people out when they didn't want to head that way.
In the same way, we can't have an agenda with people which makes them notches on a spiritual belt. We are to love people, regardless if they want to come to the mountain. We are to live God's standards and laws before them, showing them who God is, regardless of whether they choose to begin to follow Him or not. People don't want to be a project, and they don't want to be treated like one. Let us do everything we can to care about them, and love them, in the hopes that they see God in us and want to meet Him personally. And if not, then let's continue to love them so that they continue to see God in us.
Moses did all he could to teach the people about who God is, and how to live as He demanded. He brought them as far as the mountain, but in the end it was their decision to meet God. He did all he could to help them, let us do the same. Let us help them, not force them. Let us lead others to meet God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Delegate
"Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace." -Exodus 18.19-23
Jethro advises Moses to let others help him. Moses is spending all of his time judging the people's disputes and trying to fit teaching them about God into that. But teaching people about God is his primary purpose. He is there to help them learn who God is and show them what His statutes are, so that they can live according to them, but if the people consume all of his time with their minor problems, he has little time and energy left to do what he is passionate about and gifted with. Jethro counsels him to delegate.
Men, we have to learn how to delegate. There are things that we are good at, things we care about, but if we let ourselves get wrapped up with all of the other things there is less time and energy to do those things. We must learn to delegate. I've mentioned the wise "old" Sage I meet with each month, years ago, when he was still in the role of King, I had the chance to intern under him, and during that summer he told me there are two kinds of leaders, farmers and ranchers. Farmers do everything for each cow in their herd, and therefore they are limited in the number of cows they can take care of, ranchers are different. Ranchers have ranch hands how work with the cattle. Each ranch hand is responsible for the care of a certain number of cows, and the rancher simple makes sure they have what they need to care for them, he works with the people who take care of the cattle, and his growth potential is limitless. Ranchers delegate.
When we delegate we free ourselves to focus on what we are called to do. Moses was called to teach the people God's statutes and laws, and teach them how to live before Him. In order to be able to do this he has to select other men who can judge the people and settle their disputes. Moses is still there to handle the big stuff, but he is free of the minor issues so that he can spend the majority of his time on what he's passionate about, and called to do. And by doing this, Moses doesn't get burned out and the people don't become stagnant because their leader is tied up with minor issues.
Let us learn to delegate so that we can free ourselves to focus most of our time on what we are most passionate about.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Jethro advises Moses to let others help him. Moses is spending all of his time judging the people's disputes and trying to fit teaching them about God into that. But teaching people about God is his primary purpose. He is there to help them learn who God is and show them what His statutes are, so that they can live according to them, but if the people consume all of his time with their minor problems, he has little time and energy left to do what he is passionate about and gifted with. Jethro counsels him to delegate.
Men, we have to learn how to delegate. There are things that we are good at, things we care about, but if we let ourselves get wrapped up with all of the other things there is less time and energy to do those things. We must learn to delegate. I've mentioned the wise "old" Sage I meet with each month, years ago, when he was still in the role of King, I had the chance to intern under him, and during that summer he told me there are two kinds of leaders, farmers and ranchers. Farmers do everything for each cow in their herd, and therefore they are limited in the number of cows they can take care of, ranchers are different. Ranchers have ranch hands how work with the cattle. Each ranch hand is responsible for the care of a certain number of cows, and the rancher simple makes sure they have what they need to care for them, he works with the people who take care of the cattle, and his growth potential is limitless. Ranchers delegate.
When we delegate we free ourselves to focus on what we are called to do. Moses was called to teach the people God's statutes and laws, and teach them how to live before Him. In order to be able to do this he has to select other men who can judge the people and settle their disputes. Moses is still there to handle the big stuff, but he is free of the minor issues so that he can spend the majority of his time on what he's passionate about, and called to do. And by doing this, Moses doesn't get burned out and the people don't become stagnant because their leader is tied up with minor issues.
Let us learn to delegate so that we can free ourselves to focus most of our time on what we are most passionate about.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Counsel
"It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, 'What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?' Moses said to his father-in-law, 'Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.' Moses’ father-in-law said to him, 'The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you.'" -Exodus 18.13-19a
Jethro has come to visit Moses in the wilderness, and he rejoices over everything God has done. He celebrates with them and stays the night. In the morning he observes the structure of the camp. He notices that Moses deals with every issue the people have. He begins early in the morning, and until late in the evening he listens to the disputes of the people. It's a difficult job, but Moses is the leader, and he sees it as his responsibility.
Jethro sees this and knows it's not a good situation. He asks Moses why he does it alone, and Moses tells him it is because they come to him and he judges and teaches them what God requires. In other words, who else would do it? Who else can do it? But Jethro, being older and more experienced, tells him, "This is not good, you're going to wear yourself out. You can't do this alone." And then he offers his counsel, but the important thing is that he leaves the final decision up to Moses. He gives his opinion, but doesn't force it upon Moses. He simply sees a situation and believes he knows a better way to do it.
Men, it is very easy to become narrow minded. We do something a certain way long enough, and eventually we believe it is the only way. It is sometimes good, healthy even, to get an outside opinion, a second set of eyes to look at it unbiased. The question becomes are we willing to listen to counsel? Are we willing to let ourselves be scrutinized and evaluated? It might mean we have to change, and it acknowledges that we don't know everything. Are we big enough men to do that?
Likewise we see some important rules for giving counsel. First, Jethro begins by asking why this thing is done the way that it is. He makes an inquiry to see if this has been well thought out and has a solid reasoning behind it. Second, once he sees that it doesn't he points out the flaw by showing that he has his son-in-law's best interest at heart and wants the best for him. Third, Jethro ultimately leaves the decision up to Moses. Before he even tells him what he's thinking he says "I will give you my counsel, and God be with you." I'll give you my idea, and you do with it what you will.
When we give advice we need to keep this in mind. We need to gather information first, that way we actually know what we're talking about. Then we need to show that we care and that we're not just trying to boost our ego and promote our ideas at any expense. Finally, we need to let the person make their own decisions. This is how you give proper counsel. Is this the way you do it?
At some point in each of our lives we'll need counsel, are we humble enough to receive it? At some point experience will permit us to offer counsel, are we humble enough to offer it biblically?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Jethro has come to visit Moses in the wilderness, and he rejoices over everything God has done. He celebrates with them and stays the night. In the morning he observes the structure of the camp. He notices that Moses deals with every issue the people have. He begins early in the morning, and until late in the evening he listens to the disputes of the people. It's a difficult job, but Moses is the leader, and he sees it as his responsibility.
Jethro sees this and knows it's not a good situation. He asks Moses why he does it alone, and Moses tells him it is because they come to him and he judges and teaches them what God requires. In other words, who else would do it? Who else can do it? But Jethro, being older and more experienced, tells him, "This is not good, you're going to wear yourself out. You can't do this alone." And then he offers his counsel, but the important thing is that he leaves the final decision up to Moses. He gives his opinion, but doesn't force it upon Moses. He simply sees a situation and believes he knows a better way to do it.
Men, it is very easy to become narrow minded. We do something a certain way long enough, and eventually we believe it is the only way. It is sometimes good, healthy even, to get an outside opinion, a second set of eyes to look at it unbiased. The question becomes are we willing to listen to counsel? Are we willing to let ourselves be scrutinized and evaluated? It might mean we have to change, and it acknowledges that we don't know everything. Are we big enough men to do that?
Likewise we see some important rules for giving counsel. First, Jethro begins by asking why this thing is done the way that it is. He makes an inquiry to see if this has been well thought out and has a solid reasoning behind it. Second, once he sees that it doesn't he points out the flaw by showing that he has his son-in-law's best interest at heart and wants the best for him. Third, Jethro ultimately leaves the decision up to Moses. Before he even tells him what he's thinking he says "I will give you my counsel, and God be with you." I'll give you my idea, and you do with it what you will.
When we give advice we need to keep this in mind. We need to gather information first, that way we actually know what we're talking about. Then we need to show that we care and that we're not just trying to boost our ego and promote our ideas at any expense. Finally, we need to let the person make their own decisions. This is how you give proper counsel. Is this the way you do it?
At some point in each of our lives we'll need counsel, are we humble enough to receive it? At some point experience will permit us to offer counsel, are we humble enough to offer it biblically?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, June 6, 2014
Never Too Old, Never Insignificant
"So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." -Exodus 17.11-13
Moses, while too old for hand to hand combat on the battlefield, is still a warrior and still plays a crucial role in the battle. He is up on a hill overlooking the fight, and as he holds up his hands Israel wins, but when they grow tired and heavy, they fall and Amalek wins. The only chance Israel has is for Moses' arms to stay up, but physically he can't do that. Fortunately, Moses isn't alone. Aaron and Hur are with him, they bring a stone for him to sit on, and then the two of them hold up Moses' arms. Since his arms stay up, Joshua defeats Amalek and the battle is won.
Without Moses, the battle would have been lost, and without Aaron and Hur, Moses would have been lost. There is no role in the battle that is insignificant, and every man is always a warrior. Moses, Aaron, and Hur fought the battle in a way that they were able to, but they still fought. They weren't too old, and their role was essential.
Men, you are never to old to fight. As we've seen, the way that we fight must change over time, but we are made in the image of a warrior God, and we are warriors until the end. We are never too old to engage in battle with evil.
The roles that we play may not seem too important. Age eventually catches up with us, and we can't do the things we used to be able to any more. I think back to the workouts I used to do in high school and college, and part of me can't believe it, and I'm only 27. But just because our time on the front lines comes to an end, it doesn't mean we sink into obscurity.
Maybe we take on the role of mentor and encourager. We find younger men, young warriors, and hold our hands high for them as the fight. Maybe we find a behind the scenes way of supporting others, and we hold up the hands of someone else. And maybe we're still young enough to take the fight right to the enemy, let's make sure our swords are sharp and our shields are ready so that we can be chosen for the task. Each role is significant and essential for victory.
You are never too old. You are never insignificant.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Moses, while too old for hand to hand combat on the battlefield, is still a warrior and still plays a crucial role in the battle. He is up on a hill overlooking the fight, and as he holds up his hands Israel wins, but when they grow tired and heavy, they fall and Amalek wins. The only chance Israel has is for Moses' arms to stay up, but physically he can't do that. Fortunately, Moses isn't alone. Aaron and Hur are with him, they bring a stone for him to sit on, and then the two of them hold up Moses' arms. Since his arms stay up, Joshua defeats Amalek and the battle is won.
Without Moses, the battle would have been lost, and without Aaron and Hur, Moses would have been lost. There is no role in the battle that is insignificant, and every man is always a warrior. Moses, Aaron, and Hur fought the battle in a way that they were able to, but they still fought. They weren't too old, and their role was essential.
Men, you are never to old to fight. As we've seen, the way that we fight must change over time, but we are made in the image of a warrior God, and we are warriors until the end. We are never too old to engage in battle with evil.
The roles that we play may not seem too important. Age eventually catches up with us, and we can't do the things we used to be able to any more. I think back to the workouts I used to do in high school and college, and part of me can't believe it, and I'm only 27. But just because our time on the front lines comes to an end, it doesn't mean we sink into obscurity.
Maybe we take on the role of mentor and encourager. We find younger men, young warriors, and hold our hands high for them as the fight. Maybe we find a behind the scenes way of supporting others, and we hold up the hands of someone else. And maybe we're still young enough to take the fight right to the enemy, let's make sure our swords are sharp and our shields are ready so that we can be chosen for the task. Each role is significant and essential for victory.
You are never too old. You are never insignificant.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Not Alone
"Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill." -Exodus 17.10
Joshua leads the men to front lines, Moses heads up the hill with his brother and Hur. They each have a part to play in the battle that is about to take place, and neither of them attempts to do it alone. Neither one can succeed without the help of those with him. Joshua, skilled and knowledgeable as he is on the battlefield, cannot defeat an army alone. And as we'll see, Moses is unable to do his part on his own. We need eachother.
Men, we aren't supposed to do this all on our own. Yes, there are times when we go out on solo missions. There are times when we have to face enemies alone, but we aren't supposed to fight this war by ourselves. The Navy SEALs go out in teams, the Spartans fought together in the phalanx. Both sets of warriors are made up of individuals who are forces to be reckoned with, but no individual is as strong as the group working as a single unit.
We don't have to do this by ourselves. We weren't created to do this alone. Let us band together, working as a unit, to fight the battles of this war. This is not a never ending solo mission. We are not alone.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Joshua leads the men to front lines, Moses heads up the hill with his brother and Hur. They each have a part to play in the battle that is about to take place, and neither of them attempts to do it alone. Neither one can succeed without the help of those with him. Joshua, skilled and knowledgeable as he is on the battlefield, cannot defeat an army alone. And as we'll see, Moses is unable to do his part on his own. We need eachother.
Men, we aren't supposed to do this all on our own. Yes, there are times when we go out on solo missions. There are times when we have to face enemies alone, but we aren't supposed to fight this war by ourselves. The Navy SEALs go out in teams, the Spartans fought together in the phalanx. Both sets of warriors are made up of individuals who are forces to be reckoned with, but no individual is as strong as the group working as a single unit.
We don't have to do this by ourselves. We weren't created to do this alone. Let us band together, working as a unit, to fight the battles of this war. This is not a never ending solo mission. We are not alone.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Choose Men
"Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.'" -Exodus 17.8-9
God has led His people through the wilderness. He has provided food and water for them, but now they face a different challenge. Amalek has come to do battle with Israel. At the beginning of the journey God intentionally led them away from war, taking them around the land of the Philistines, but this time it won't be avoided. And it's time that the people got some experience in battle. They are going to have to fight for the Promised Land, and so God is providing hands on training on the journey there.
Moses has Joshua lead the army, and he instructs him to choose men to go out and fight. He doesn't say take every man, but to choose men. He knows that men were made for battle, and that it isn't the place for women or children. But he also knows that not every man is ready for, or capable of, battle. And so he instructs Joshua to choose some able bodied men to go out and fight for the people.
Moses at this point is an old man in his early eighties, and the battle field is no longer his place. But he will not sit in his tent waiting for news from the front lines. He will be up on the hill with the staff of God in his hand. He leaves the actual fighting to younger men, but he will be very much involved.
Men, this is part of our role, a big part. Are you willing to be chosen for battle? Some of us are in the prime fighting years of our lives. We are strong and capable, are you willing to offer your strength? Some have seen the last of their fighting days, but that doesn't mean you are useless. You can station yourself on the hill overlooking the battlefield.
Some are too young, and it is not yet time for them to be exposed to war. They are part of why we fight, to protect them from the horrors of battle and to make the world safe for them. But we must realize that the time will come for them to join us, or even for us to turn the the fight over to them. Let us prepare them, train them, so that when the time comes they will be men ready to be chosen.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God has led His people through the wilderness. He has provided food and water for them, but now they face a different challenge. Amalek has come to do battle with Israel. At the beginning of the journey God intentionally led them away from war, taking them around the land of the Philistines, but this time it won't be avoided. And it's time that the people got some experience in battle. They are going to have to fight for the Promised Land, and so God is providing hands on training on the journey there.
Moses has Joshua lead the army, and he instructs him to choose men to go out and fight. He doesn't say take every man, but to choose men. He knows that men were made for battle, and that it isn't the place for women or children. But he also knows that not every man is ready for, or capable of, battle. And so he instructs Joshua to choose some able bodied men to go out and fight for the people.
Moses at this point is an old man in his early eighties, and the battle field is no longer his place. But he will not sit in his tent waiting for news from the front lines. He will be up on the hill with the staff of God in his hand. He leaves the actual fighting to younger men, but he will be very much involved.
Men, this is part of our role, a big part. Are you willing to be chosen for battle? Some of us are in the prime fighting years of our lives. We are strong and capable, are you willing to offer your strength? Some have seen the last of their fighting days, but that doesn't mean you are useless. You can station yourself on the hill overlooking the battlefield.
Some are too young, and it is not yet time for them to be exposed to war. They are part of why we fight, to protect them from the horrors of battle and to make the world safe for them. But we must realize that the time will come for them to join us, or even for us to turn the the fight over to them. Let us prepare them, train them, so that when the time comes they will be men ready to be chosen.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Sabbath
"Now on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. When all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, then he said to them, 'This is what the Lord meant: Tomorrow is a sabbath observance, a holy sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over put aside to be kept until morning.' So they put it aside until morning, as Moses had ordered, and it did not become foul nor was there any worm in it. Moses said, 'Eat it today, for today is a sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, there will be none.'" -Exodus 16.22-26
Israel is given another trust exercise. On the sixth day gather enough manna for two days, because the seventh day is a sabbath, a day of rest. They go out to gather and trust that God will preserve it and not have worms and the foul smell that happens every other day. There is trust that it will come again on the first day of the next week. And we see the beginning of an important lesson, man needs to rest.
For four hundred and thirty years they had been worked every day of the week, slaves don't get a day off. But now God is teaching them that each week needs a day to be set aside for rest and refreshment. There is a lot that can be said on this subject, but one of the first lessons with preaching/teaching is "Don't put everything you know into a single sermon/lesson." The same is true of blogging. There will be much more of this to come. Here we find God teaching His people about how He intended life to be lived, with a day of rest.
Men, it is crucial that we take a day and rest. It is crucial to our sanity and survival that we have one day set aside where we don't focus on the things we have to do every other day of the week. We need one day to set aside our job, and the chores we need to take care of, and focus on rejuvenating our bodies, minds, and souls. What does a sabbath look like? More on that when we get to Jesus and the New Testament.
I know what it's like to be busy. I know what it's like to want to squeeze as much work as you can into the one free day you have, because it's the only time you have to get it done, but this is something we need to avoid. We need to learn to rest and relax. We need to learn how to let things go, and just unwind for a while. We weren't made to run seven days a week, God created the sabbath so we don't have to.
We have an amazing gift in the sabbath day, don't forget to observe it.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Israel is given another trust exercise. On the sixth day gather enough manna for two days, because the seventh day is a sabbath, a day of rest. They go out to gather and trust that God will preserve it and not have worms and the foul smell that happens every other day. There is trust that it will come again on the first day of the next week. And we see the beginning of an important lesson, man needs to rest.
For four hundred and thirty years they had been worked every day of the week, slaves don't get a day off. But now God is teaching them that each week needs a day to be set aside for rest and refreshment. There is a lot that can be said on this subject, but one of the first lessons with preaching/teaching is "Don't put everything you know into a single sermon/lesson." The same is true of blogging. There will be much more of this to come. Here we find God teaching His people about how He intended life to be lived, with a day of rest.
Men, it is crucial that we take a day and rest. It is crucial to our sanity and survival that we have one day set aside where we don't focus on the things we have to do every other day of the week. We need one day to set aside our job, and the chores we need to take care of, and focus on rejuvenating our bodies, minds, and souls. What does a sabbath look like? More on that when we get to Jesus and the New Testament.
I know what it's like to be busy. I know what it's like to want to squeeze as much work as you can into the one free day you have, because it's the only time you have to get it done, but this is something we need to avoid. We need to learn to rest and relax. We need to learn how to let things go, and just unwind for a while. We weren't made to run seven days a week, God created the sabbath so we don't have to.
We have an amazing gift in the sabbath day, don't forget to observe it.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, June 2, 2014
Daily Needs
"Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.'... When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, 'What is it?' For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, 'It is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.' ... Moses said to them, 'Let no man leave any of it until morning.' But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. They gathered it morning by morning, every man as much as he should eat; but when the sun grew hot, it would melt." -Exodus 16.4-5, 14-15,19-21
Israel's complaints about empty bellies have reached God, and now He is about to fill them. But with this provision comes a test of faith. Do they really trust God to continually provide for them? Do they trust Him to come through over and over again?
One morning they wake up and the ground is covered with something they have never seen before. Bread has come from heaven, just as God promised. And with this provision comes instructions, only take what you need for today, except on Friday, then take enough for two days so that you can rest on the Sabbath. Here they face a choice, trust or attempt to control. If they choose to trust, then they rely upon God fully. They depend on Him to bring food each morning as He promised He would. This faith is what God is trying to cultivate in them, but in order to choose faith there has to be an option opposite faith, and some choose to try and control.
For one reason or another, some don't trust God. Maybe it isn't that they don't trust Him, but they just want to cover their bases in case He happens to be busy and forget one morning. So instead of gather what they need, some hoard and stock pile, making sure they have enough to take care of themselves. But their plan backfires, as our attempts at control most often do. Instead of waking up to manna, they find worms and a foul stench.
Men, we like control, we've said all this before. We don't like when we can't control things and have to rely on others to get the job done right. It's nerve racking to have to depend on someone else for something that you need in order to survive. But that is the just the faith that a Man of God is called to have. I think of Jesus is Matthew 6.11, "Give us this day our daily bread." As He teaches His disciples to pray He tells them to seek from God only what they need for today. He is teaching them to live in dependence upon God.
Now to clarify, faith is not an excuse for irresponsibility. I'm not saying that you shouldn't save for retirement, or your kid's college. But don't hoard everything that you get trying to build a safety net that allows you to have a false sense of security in your own resources and abilities. Let us learn to trust in God for our daily needs, because when we try to hoard we end up with worms and a foul stench.
God will provide the things that we need. Let us trust Him for our daily bread.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Israel's complaints about empty bellies have reached God, and now He is about to fill them. But with this provision comes a test of faith. Do they really trust God to continually provide for them? Do they trust Him to come through over and over again?
One morning they wake up and the ground is covered with something they have never seen before. Bread has come from heaven, just as God promised. And with this provision comes instructions, only take what you need for today, except on Friday, then take enough for two days so that you can rest on the Sabbath. Here they face a choice, trust or attempt to control. If they choose to trust, then they rely upon God fully. They depend on Him to bring food each morning as He promised He would. This faith is what God is trying to cultivate in them, but in order to choose faith there has to be an option opposite faith, and some choose to try and control.
For one reason or another, some don't trust God. Maybe it isn't that they don't trust Him, but they just want to cover their bases in case He happens to be busy and forget one morning. So instead of gather what they need, some hoard and stock pile, making sure they have enough to take care of themselves. But their plan backfires, as our attempts at control most often do. Instead of waking up to manna, they find worms and a foul stench.
Men, we like control, we've said all this before. We don't like when we can't control things and have to rely on others to get the job done right. It's nerve racking to have to depend on someone else for something that you need in order to survive. But that is the just the faith that a Man of God is called to have. I think of Jesus is Matthew 6.11, "Give us this day our daily bread." As He teaches His disciples to pray He tells them to seek from God only what they need for today. He is teaching them to live in dependence upon God.
Now to clarify, faith is not an excuse for irresponsibility. I'm not saying that you shouldn't save for retirement, or your kid's college. But don't hoard everything that you get trying to build a safety net that allows you to have a false sense of security in your own resources and abilities. Let us learn to trust in God for our daily needs, because when we try to hoard we end up with worms and a foul stench.
God will provide the things that we need. Let us trust Him for our daily bread.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Complain
"The sons of Israel said to them, 'Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.'" -Exodus 16.3
People love to complain, it's a simple fact. No matter what has happened, no matter how good something is, people will always find something to complain about. Israel was oppressed for over four centuries. They finally are set free and God delivers them with the wealth of Egypt in their possession. Once they get into the wilderness they are pursued by Pharaoh, and again, God delivers them by parting the Red Sea. For a moment the people praise Him, and it seems as if they have finally learned to trust Him.
At the end of Exodus 15 Israel has reached Marah, there is water but it is bitter and undrinkable. God responds to Moses' cry and shows him a tree that makes the water sweet once it has been thrown into it. After this God leads them to Elim where there are twelves springs and seventy date palms. They have food, water and a place to rest. But this isn't the Promised Land, and they set out from Elim towards the wilderness.
Just over two months into freedom the people start talking about how good it was in Egypt. Hunger has started to set in, and they recall the bounty of food that they had as slaves. Never mind that they were slaves, they had full bellies. And now they have been set free to starve. It reminds me of Esau back in Genesis 25, he sells his birth right for a bowl of lentil stew and bread because he was "about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to" him? He sold something big for immediate satisfaction. Israel looks at the little they had, and now sees the momentary discomfort, and they would rather be full slaves than hungry freed men. God had just brought ten plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea, don't they think that maybe He could provide some food? But rather than turn to Him, it's easier to complain.
Men, do you fall into the complainer category? As soon as things start to get a little hard, or uncomfortable, do you begin to think about the "good old days"? Never mind the fact that you used to be in some kind of slavery, at least you got to enjoy something small. Never mind that God delivered you, there's no way He can satisfy the longing. We know how bad the situation was, but we would rather go back to it than face the situations with God now.
For some reason there is this mindset that turning to God takes away all your troubles. That isn't the case, but because of the expectation we complain as soon as God doesn't seem to come through. Never mind everything He has done to get us to this point, something like hunger tears our faith in Him, and when He doesn't bring instant satisfaction we let everyone know about it.
I've complained a lot over the years. When things haven't worked out, or taken longer than I thought, I've let God know how upset and unhappy I am. And yet who am I to complain to God about what He's failing to do? He saved me from sin, which He didn't have to do. He gave me new life in Christ, which He didn't have to do. He's allowed me to be part of His epic story, which He didn't have to do. And somehow I have the nerve to complain about something that I feel I'm owed?
I don't want to complain, I want to trust. God has taken care of me time and time again. He has never failed to come through, so what right do I have to complain?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
People love to complain, it's a simple fact. No matter what has happened, no matter how good something is, people will always find something to complain about. Israel was oppressed for over four centuries. They finally are set free and God delivers them with the wealth of Egypt in their possession. Once they get into the wilderness they are pursued by Pharaoh, and again, God delivers them by parting the Red Sea. For a moment the people praise Him, and it seems as if they have finally learned to trust Him.
At the end of Exodus 15 Israel has reached Marah, there is water but it is bitter and undrinkable. God responds to Moses' cry and shows him a tree that makes the water sweet once it has been thrown into it. After this God leads them to Elim where there are twelves springs and seventy date palms. They have food, water and a place to rest. But this isn't the Promised Land, and they set out from Elim towards the wilderness.
Just over two months into freedom the people start talking about how good it was in Egypt. Hunger has started to set in, and they recall the bounty of food that they had as slaves. Never mind that they were slaves, they had full bellies. And now they have been set free to starve. It reminds me of Esau back in Genesis 25, he sells his birth right for a bowl of lentil stew and bread because he was "about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to" him? He sold something big for immediate satisfaction. Israel looks at the little they had, and now sees the momentary discomfort, and they would rather be full slaves than hungry freed men. God had just brought ten plagues on Egypt and parted the Red Sea, don't they think that maybe He could provide some food? But rather than turn to Him, it's easier to complain.
Men, do you fall into the complainer category? As soon as things start to get a little hard, or uncomfortable, do you begin to think about the "good old days"? Never mind the fact that you used to be in some kind of slavery, at least you got to enjoy something small. Never mind that God delivered you, there's no way He can satisfy the longing. We know how bad the situation was, but we would rather go back to it than face the situations with God now.
For some reason there is this mindset that turning to God takes away all your troubles. That isn't the case, but because of the expectation we complain as soon as God doesn't seem to come through. Never mind everything He has done to get us to this point, something like hunger tears our faith in Him, and when He doesn't bring instant satisfaction we let everyone know about it.
I've complained a lot over the years. When things haven't worked out, or taken longer than I thought, I've let God know how upset and unhappy I am. And yet who am I to complain to God about what He's failing to do? He saved me from sin, which He didn't have to do. He gave me new life in Christ, which He didn't have to do. He's allowed me to be part of His epic story, which He didn't have to do. And somehow I have the nerve to complain about something that I feel I'm owed?
I don't want to complain, I want to trust. God has taken care of me time and time again. He has never failed to come through, so what right do I have to complain?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)