"You are also to count off seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years, so that you have the time of the seven sabbaths of years, namely, forty-nine years. You shall then sound a ram’s horn abroad on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall sound a horn all through your land. You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. You shall have the fiftieth year as a jubilee; you shall not sow, nor reap its aftergrowth, nor gather in from its untrimmed vines. For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat its crops out of the field." -Leviticus 25.8-12
After a total of seven sabbath years, year fifty was to be the year of Jubilee. This was a time of freedom and restoration. In this year debt was forgiven, property was returned, and slaves were set free. It was a time of new beginnings, a fresh start. It kept the rich from oppressing the poor, and it gave the poor a chance to get back on their feet. Sadly, it never happened.
There is no indication that Israel ever practiced the Jubilee. They didn't follow the sabbath years, so why would they have followed the year of Jubilee? God gave His people the amazing opportunity to be able to start again, and they never took advantage of it.
Are
Men, what gift has God given you that you are refusing? Maybe it's salvation. God has offered it to you time and again, but you refuse to accept His free gift of grace. Maybe it's an opportunity. God has opened a door for you, it demands faith and trust, and it involves risk, but it's what you've always wanted. Maybe it is simply His presence and peace. He simply wants to fellowship with you and calm your heart and mind.
What blessing is God offering that you are refusing? The question to ask is why? Maybe you're refusing salvation because of what you think you'll be giving up. But are the momentary, sinful, pleasures worth an eternity of separation from God? Maybe you're refusing to step out in faith because you're afraid of the risk, or overwhelmed by it. But is the risk something you want to look back and regret not taking? Are you willing to wonder "What if" for the rest of your life? Maybe you just feel too busy, or unworthy for God's presence. Just know that you can't survive without it, and that He longs to fellowship with you.
The year of Jubilee was an unclaimed blessing for Israel, and it's too late for them. But we have a choice. We still have time. What are you going to do with the time that you have? Will we claim the blessings, embracing everything that they entail? Or will we choose to go our own way, play it safe, and rely on ourselves? The choice is ours.
May we choose to claim the blessings that God has poured out to us. Let us celebrate the Jubilee.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Sabbath Year
"Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the Lord. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop, but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard. Your harvest’s aftergrowth you shall not reap, and your grapes of untrimmed vines you shall not gather; the land shall have a sabbatical year. All of you shall have the sabbath products of the land for food; yourself, and your male and female slaves, and your hired man and your foreign resident, those who live as aliens with you. Even your cattle and the animals that are in your land shall have all its crops to eat.'" -Leviticus 25.2-7
God had commanded His people to take one day out of seven to rest. It was a time set aside for worship and renewal of their bodies, souls, and minds. On that day they were to do no work, simply to rest, worship, and fellowship with each other and God. While on the journey to the Promised Land it required faith because God didn't send any food on the sabbath, so they had to gather twice as much the day before.
Now He is telling them that the land is also to be given time to rest and renew itself. Every seventh year they aren't to plant any crops or prune their vineyards. They aren't to gather anything that is produced. Instead God had promised that during the sixth year the land would produce so much food that it would last for three years. They would eat it during the sabbath year, when they were planting the eighth year, and until they the harvest from the ninth year (Leviticus 25.20-22). The sabbath year was a test of faith, and a chance for the people to remember God's provision and blessing. It would give them yet another reason to rejoice and worship God for all that He had done.
Men, has God called you to take a sabbath year? I'm hoping at some point in the next decade (hopefully less) to find a decent piece of ground to live out my days on. I've made layout plans for all kinds of produce: fruit trees, grape vines, berry bushes, nut trees, and several garden beds. There is even a maple grove so that I can make syrup. Every time I'm at the grocery store to buy apples I look hopefully to the day when I won't ever have to pay for an apple again. I'm hoping to be able to grow most of what my family would eat. What if God asked me to do a sabbath year?
For you it might not be with gardening. Maybe God is asking you to take some time off of your job to pursue ministry. Maybe a mission trip, or your education. What do you do? Do you have the faith that He'll provide for you and your family financially? When God spoke to the people about the sabbath year He promised that in the sixth year they would have food for three years. They only needed food for two. They need food during the seventh year since they weren't plowing, planting or harvesting, and they needed food for the eighth year since they didn't collect anything the seventh year. But God goes above and beyond all that we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3.20-21), and so just because of who He is He gives food for a third year, just to bless His people and show His love and provision for them.
We have no reason to doubt God. The Bible is full of His promises, and the fulfillment of those promises. Israel never practiced the sabbath year. They never trusted that God would provide for them. For 490 years they lived in self reliance, and they ended up as captives, exiled in Babylon for their lack of faith.
If we choose to ignore God, to not live in faith and trust of His promises, we too will be exiled. It might not be literally like Israel, but we may find ourselves exiled for the peace and joy, certainly from the full blessings of God, because we refuse to trust Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God had commanded His people to take one day out of seven to rest. It was a time set aside for worship and renewal of their bodies, souls, and minds. On that day they were to do no work, simply to rest, worship, and fellowship with each other and God. While on the journey to the Promised Land it required faith because God didn't send any food on the sabbath, so they had to gather twice as much the day before.
Now He is telling them that the land is also to be given time to rest and renew itself. Every seventh year they aren't to plant any crops or prune their vineyards. They aren't to gather anything that is produced. Instead God had promised that during the sixth year the land would produce so much food that it would last for three years. They would eat it during the sabbath year, when they were planting the eighth year, and until they the harvest from the ninth year (Leviticus 25.20-22). The sabbath year was a test of faith, and a chance for the people to remember God's provision and blessing. It would give them yet another reason to rejoice and worship God for all that He had done.
Men, has God called you to take a sabbath year? I'm hoping at some point in the next decade (hopefully less) to find a decent piece of ground to live out my days on. I've made layout plans for all kinds of produce: fruit trees, grape vines, berry bushes, nut trees, and several garden beds. There is even a maple grove so that I can make syrup. Every time I'm at the grocery store to buy apples I look hopefully to the day when I won't ever have to pay for an apple again. I'm hoping to be able to grow most of what my family would eat. What if God asked me to do a sabbath year?
For you it might not be with gardening. Maybe God is asking you to take some time off of your job to pursue ministry. Maybe a mission trip, or your education. What do you do? Do you have the faith that He'll provide for you and your family financially? When God spoke to the people about the sabbath year He promised that in the sixth year they would have food for three years. They only needed food for two. They need food during the seventh year since they weren't plowing, planting or harvesting, and they needed food for the eighth year since they didn't collect anything the seventh year. But God goes above and beyond all that we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3.20-21), and so just because of who He is He gives food for a third year, just to bless His people and show His love and provision for them.
We have no reason to doubt God. The Bible is full of His promises, and the fulfillment of those promises. Israel never practiced the sabbath year. They never trusted that God would provide for them. For 490 years they lived in self reliance, and they ended up as captives, exiled in Babylon for their lack of faith.
If we choose to ignore God, to not live in faith and trust of His promises, we too will be exiled. It might not be literally like Israel, but we may find ourselves exiled for the peace and joy, certainly from the full blessings of God, because we refuse to trust Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, August 29, 2014
Justice and Society
"If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death. The one who takes the life of an animal shall make it good, life for life. If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him. Thus the one who kills an animal shall make it good, but the one who kills a man shall be put to death. There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 24.17-22
The Bible does speak to capital punishment. God says that if a man takes someone's live, he shall be put to death. Murder cannot be overlooked, and it cannot be treated with leniency. God lays out justice for His people so that society can function.
People will wonder how Christian's can be in favor of the death penalty if we're supposed to be all about forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The best answer I've heard came from Mike Huckabee during one of the Republican primaries. He was asked how he could be pro-life and in favor of the death penalty. He shared some of the experience he had had with signing the capital punishment order as governor, and ended by saying the difference between the death penalty and abortion is that abortion takes a life that hasn't had the chance to choose what to do.
In Deuteronomy 17 we see the requirements for carrying out the death penalty. There had to be at least two eyewitnesses, and the witnesses would cast the first stones to carry out the sentence. Those who took like intentionally were punished by having their life taken. Life has to be protected for society to function.
Men, do we believe in and support justice? Do we defend life and work to protect society itself? Do we value life? Are we willing to stand up for justice to protect the lives and rights of the innocent?
Let us stand up for justice and protect society. It is part of our responsibility as men.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The Bible does speak to capital punishment. God says that if a man takes someone's live, he shall be put to death. Murder cannot be overlooked, and it cannot be treated with leniency. God lays out justice for His people so that society can function.
People will wonder how Christian's can be in favor of the death penalty if we're supposed to be all about forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The best answer I've heard came from Mike Huckabee during one of the Republican primaries. He was asked how he could be pro-life and in favor of the death penalty. He shared some of the experience he had had with signing the capital punishment order as governor, and ended by saying the difference between the death penalty and abortion is that abortion takes a life that hasn't had the chance to choose what to do.
In Deuteronomy 17 we see the requirements for carrying out the death penalty. There had to be at least two eyewitnesses, and the witnesses would cast the first stones to carry out the sentence. Those who took like intentionally were punished by having their life taken. Life has to be protected for society to function.
Men, do we believe in and support justice? Do we defend life and work to protect society itself? Do we value life? Are we willing to stand up for justice to protect the lives and rights of the innocent?
Let us stand up for justice and protect society. It is part of our responsibility as men.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, August 28, 2014
No Work, Worship
"Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these:'" -Leviticus 23.2
God has set aside times for His people the proclaim as holy gatherings. They are times when the people were to be fully focused on worshiping God. They were times, sometimes a day, sometimes multiple days, that were to be set aside to fully focus on God.
Men, we need times like this in our lives. There have to be times in our life when we set everything aside and fully focus on God. We need to cease from the daily tasks and pour everything into God. We need to take time and remove all the distractions and allow ourselves to be fully immersed in God.
If we would be men of God, we have to take time to simply worship God and nothing else. Let take the time, daily, to set aside all of our responsibilities and obligations and focus fully on God. Let us take the time each week to gather with the body to worship our Father. Let us make time throughout the year to escape and be alone with God, sometimes alone, sometimes with a group of brothers.
Let us set work aside, and simply worship.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God has set aside times for His people the proclaim as holy gatherings. They are times when the people were to be fully focused on worshiping God. They were times, sometimes a day, sometimes multiple days, that were to be set aside to fully focus on God.
Men, we need times like this in our lives. There have to be times in our life when we set everything aside and fully focus on God. We need to cease from the daily tasks and pour everything into God. We need to take time and remove all the distractions and allow ourselves to be fully immersed in God.
If we would be men of God, we have to take time to simply worship God and nothing else. Let take the time, daily, to set aside all of our responsibilities and obligations and focus fully on God. Let us take the time each week to gather with the body to worship our Father. Let us make time throughout the year to escape and be alone with God, sometimes alone, sometimes with a group of brothers.
Let us set work aside, and simply worship.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Freed by God
"You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am the Lord." -Leviticus 22.32-33
God reminds His people that His name is holy and not to be profaned. He is to be set apart as the God of Israel, their only God. He has set them apart and brought them out of Egypt to be their God. God delivered them from bondage in order to be their personal God. He set them free so that they could fulfill the covenant and be a blessing to the world.
Over and over we see God reminding His people that He is the one who brought them out of Egypt to be their God. Over and over Israel complains about the hardships of the wilderness and talk about wanting to go back to Egypt, and yet God is patient with them, still wanting to fulfill the covenant.
We have been set free by God, so that He can sanctify us to fulfill His will. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5.1). Freedom came at a very high price, and we must remember that. And we have been freed by God.
Men, what has God set you free from? What "Egypt" has He brought you out of? Is He your God? Have you lived in His freedom or have you turned back and submitted to the yoke of slavery?
God has set us free, let us live in that freedom, and never forget that He is the one who delivered us. It was nothing that we have done. God has freed us so that we can enjoy relationship with Him. Let us be set free so that He may be our God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God reminds His people that His name is holy and not to be profaned. He is to be set apart as the God of Israel, their only God. He has set them apart and brought them out of Egypt to be their God. God delivered them from bondage in order to be their personal God. He set them free so that they could fulfill the covenant and be a blessing to the world.
Over and over we see God reminding His people that He is the one who brought them out of Egypt to be their God. Over and over Israel complains about the hardships of the wilderness and talk about wanting to go back to Egypt, and yet God is patient with them, still wanting to fulfill the covenant.
We have been set free by God, so that He can sanctify us to fulfill His will. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5.1). Freedom came at a very high price, and we must remember that. And we have been freed by God.
Men, what has God set you free from? What "Egypt" has He brought you out of? Is He your God? Have you lived in His freedom or have you turned back and submitted to the yoke of slavery?
God has set us free, let us live in that freedom, and never forget that He is the one who delivered us. It was nothing that we have done. God has freed us so that we can enjoy relationship with Him. Let us be set free so that He may be our God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Offer Your Best
"Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you. When a man offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord to fulfill a special vow or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it. Those that are blind or fractured or maimed or having a running sore or eczema or scabs, you shall not offer to the Lord, nor make of them an offering by fire on the altar to the Lord." -Leviticus 22.20-22
God talks again about sacrifice, and tells the people that whatever they offer must be perfect. If there is any defect in it at all it is not to be offered because it will not be accepted. No matter what the offering is for, sin, guilt, or peace, it is to be perfect, or it will not be accepted.
God deserves the best, simply because of who He is. He deserves the best of our time. He deserves the best of our talents. He deserves the best of our resources. When we do something for God we need to do our very best. We need to use all our heart, soul, mind, and strength with anything we do for God.
Men, are you giving your best to God, or whatever you have left? If your tithe the first check you write before all the bills, or the last out of whatever is left? Do you squeeze prayer and Bible reading in after you've watched your nightly television programs, or are you turning the TV off so that you can give God your full attention? When you volunteer for some ministry do you do it joyfully and eagerly, or with reluctance and then give it a half hearted effort while you're there? Which of these actions do you think God accepts? The others it would be better if we didn't even do them. God only wants the offering that is properly offered and worthy of Him.
Nothing we can give to God is perfect. We are after all fallen human beings, who, inspite of redemption, still live in a fallen world. But what we offer to God can be our best. There were provisions in the sacrificial law that allowed pigeons to be offered instead of a bull, that way the poor weren't disqualified from worship. You may not be able to give $100 a month to God, maybe your best is $10, or even $5, but if you give it joyfully, and if it is your best, then God loves and accepts your offering.
What are you offering to God, your best of the left overs? Do you want Him to accept it or reject you? Let us always strive to give God our very best.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God talks again about sacrifice, and tells the people that whatever they offer must be perfect. If there is any defect in it at all it is not to be offered because it will not be accepted. No matter what the offering is for, sin, guilt, or peace, it is to be perfect, or it will not be accepted.
God deserves the best, simply because of who He is. He deserves the best of our time. He deserves the best of our talents. He deserves the best of our resources. When we do something for God we need to do our very best. We need to use all our heart, soul, mind, and strength with anything we do for God.
Men, are you giving your best to God, or whatever you have left? If your tithe the first check you write before all the bills, or the last out of whatever is left? Do you squeeze prayer and Bible reading in after you've watched your nightly television programs, or are you turning the TV off so that you can give God your full attention? When you volunteer for some ministry do you do it joyfully and eagerly, or with reluctance and then give it a half hearted effort while you're there? Which of these actions do you think God accepts? The others it would be better if we didn't even do them. God only wants the offering that is properly offered and worthy of Him.
Nothing we can give to God is perfect. We are after all fallen human beings, who, inspite of redemption, still live in a fallen world. But what we offer to God can be our best. There were provisions in the sacrificial law that allowed pigeons to be offered instead of a bull, that way the poor weren't disqualified from worship. You may not be able to give $100 a month to God, maybe your best is $10, or even $5, but if you give it joyfully, and if it is your best, then God loves and accepts your offering.
What are you offering to God, your best of the left overs? Do you want Him to accept it or reject you? Let us always strive to give God our very best.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, August 25, 2014
Higher Calling
"They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to the Lord, the food of their God; so they shall be holy." -Leviticus 21.6
Leviticus 21 is a set of regulations that the priests are to live by. The reason for the strict guidelines is because they represent the people before God. They are the ones to offer the sacrifices and they shall be holy so as not to profane the name of God.
In the New Testament we are told that teachers, those who lead the people by sharing what God has taught, will be judged more strictly. "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3.1). Those who seek to lead people towards God, to teach them about God, are held to a higher standard because they are dealing with the eternal souls of people.
As men, we are already set apart for a higher calling. It is our role to instruct our families about God. It is our duty to raise our children to love and fear God. It is our responsibility to teach others what God is really like. We are to be holy to God and not profane His name by leading others astray.
Men, are you living the higher calling that you have been given? Are you taking your role seriously? We are not responsible for the choices that others make, not even our children, but we are responsible for the guidance, discipline, and love we give them. We are responsible to teach them what is righteous and true so that they may be drawn to God when they make their own decision about how to live.
Let us take our calling seriously. We, as men, have been entrusted with great responsibility. Let us be men of God so that we may fulfill our high calling.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Leviticus 21 is a set of regulations that the priests are to live by. The reason for the strict guidelines is because they represent the people before God. They are the ones to offer the sacrifices and they shall be holy so as not to profane the name of God.
In the New Testament we are told that teachers, those who lead the people by sharing what God has taught, will be judged more strictly. "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3.1). Those who seek to lead people towards God, to teach them about God, are held to a higher standard because they are dealing with the eternal souls of people.
As men, we are already set apart for a higher calling. It is our role to instruct our families about God. It is our duty to raise our children to love and fear God. It is our responsibility to teach others what God is really like. We are to be holy to God and not profane His name by leading others astray.
Men, are you living the higher calling that you have been given? Are you taking your role seriously? We are not responsible for the choices that others make, not even our children, but we are responsible for the guidance, discipline, and love we give them. We are responsible to teach them what is righteous and true so that they may be drawn to God when they make their own decision about how to live.
Let us take our calling seriously. We, as men, have been entrusted with great responsibility. Let us be men of God so that we may fulfill our high calling.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Set Apart
"You are therefore to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them, so that the land to which I am bringing you to live will not spew you out. Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them... Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine." -Leviticus 20.22-23, 26
Much of Leviticus 20 is repeated from Leviticus 19, but here in these verses we see that God specifically has set Israel apart as His people. God selected them centuries earlier when Abraham decided to step out in faith and follow God to an unknown land that He promised to give to his descendants. Now as that promise is about to be fulfilled God is instructing His chosen people on how to live, reminding them that they are His.
Men, if we would be men of God, men chosen by God, we must stand apart from other men. The practices that the world engages in that are not of God are practices we need to avoid. The compromises the world makes for popularity, selfish satisfaction and desire, or personal advancement, are things we are to resist and instead be lights of truth.
Men of God are different, because men of God are set apart as God's own. We are called, and sanctified, for God's will and purpose. Let us live like we are set apart.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Much of Leviticus 20 is repeated from Leviticus 19, but here in these verses we see that God specifically has set Israel apart as His people. God selected them centuries earlier when Abraham decided to step out in faith and follow God to an unknown land that He promised to give to his descendants. Now as that promise is about to be fulfilled God is instructing His chosen people on how to live, reminding them that they are His.
Men, if we would be men of God, men chosen by God, we must stand apart from other men. The practices that the world engages in that are not of God are practices we need to avoid. The compromises the world makes for popularity, selfish satisfaction and desire, or personal advancement, are things we are to resist and instead be lights of truth.
Men of God are different, because men of God are set apart as God's own. We are called, and sanctified, for God's will and purpose. Let us live like we are set apart.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Sanctified
"You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you." -Leviticus 20.7-8
Again God tells His people that they are to be holy because He is holy. They are reminded to keep His statutes and practice them. And they are told that God sanctifies them. I grew up in a denomination that emphasized entire sanctification, and over the years I heard a lot of wrong teaching on what sanctification is.
I've heard it described as a sinless perfection, where a person who has been sanctified completely looses the ability to sin. I've heard it described in a way that teaches that a sanctified person can sin, but no longer struggles with it; they make mistakes, but it isn't sin. I've come to understand it as the Holy Spirit working within us to transform us more into the image of Christ. Sanctification is God working in us to make us more like Jesus, and more holy as a result. We never lose the ability to sin, but the more God works in us, the more our desire is to please Him, and we strive to live righteously.
Sanctification is crucial for every Christ follower, it isn't optional. I believe the process begins the moment we enter into new life, and continues until we die. Sanctification is God setting us aside for His own purpose. Our lives need to be spent fulfilling that purpose. Everything that happens is preparation for this task, even the bad things God can redeem and use.
Men, are you being sanctified? Are you allowing God to work in you daily to mold you more into the what He created you to be? This video just came to my mind, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCkBL2DfVg, that is the point of sanctification.
God has a purpose for you, and He is working to make you fit for it. Are you letting Him? Are you being sanctified?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Again God tells His people that they are to be holy because He is holy. They are reminded to keep His statutes and practice them. And they are told that God sanctifies them. I grew up in a denomination that emphasized entire sanctification, and over the years I heard a lot of wrong teaching on what sanctification is.
I've heard it described as a sinless perfection, where a person who has been sanctified completely looses the ability to sin. I've heard it described in a way that teaches that a sanctified person can sin, but no longer struggles with it; they make mistakes, but it isn't sin. I've come to understand it as the Holy Spirit working within us to transform us more into the image of Christ. Sanctification is God working in us to make us more like Jesus, and more holy as a result. We never lose the ability to sin, but the more God works in us, the more our desire is to please Him, and we strive to live righteously.
Sanctification is crucial for every Christ follower, it isn't optional. I believe the process begins the moment we enter into new life, and continues until we die. Sanctification is God setting us aside for His own purpose. Our lives need to be spent fulfilling that purpose. Everything that happens is preparation for this task, even the bad things God can redeem and use.
Men, are you being sanctified? Are you allowing God to work in you daily to mold you more into the what He created you to be? This video just came to my mind, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCkBL2DfVg, that is the point of sanctification.
God has a purpose for you, and He is working to make you fit for it. Are you letting Him? Are you being sanctified?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, August 22, 2014
His Standards
"You shall thus observe all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them; I am the Lord." -Leviticus 19.37
The rest of Leviticus 19 is made up of sundry (various kinds) of laws, and there is a lot there. There are several things that were listed in the Ten Commandments, as well as others that are to set His people apart from the other nations. Many of them are obsolete to us, my garden is full of a variety of vegetables, and I don't think I own a piece of clothing that is made of only one material.
Today I think this goes back to the idea of inward vs. outward circumcision. Very few people I who I know own cattle, and I don't know anyone who owns two different types of cattle, so there is no risk of interbreeding the two (vs. 19). Today I think it's about the heart issues.
Men, are we living by the standards of righteousness? Are we treating people with dignity? Are we approaching God humbly and reverently? Are we living the way Jesus lived? Do we observe God's statutes of holiness and do what is righteous in His sight?
What does your heart look like? What is your heart pursuing?
Leviticus is God teaching His people how to worship Him, and live according to His standards. Let us learn what God requires, and strive diligently to live by them. Let us live according to His standards.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The rest of Leviticus 19 is made up of sundry (various kinds) of laws, and there is a lot there. There are several things that were listed in the Ten Commandments, as well as others that are to set His people apart from the other nations. Many of them are obsolete to us, my garden is full of a variety of vegetables, and I don't think I own a piece of clothing that is made of only one material.
Today I think this goes back to the idea of inward vs. outward circumcision. Very few people I who I know own cattle, and I don't know anyone who owns two different types of cattle, so there is no risk of interbreeding the two (vs. 19). Today I think it's about the heart issues.
Men, are we living by the standards of righteousness? Are we treating people with dignity? Are we approaching God humbly and reverently? Are we living the way Jesus lived? Do we observe God's statutes of holiness and do what is righteous in His sight?
What does your heart look like? What is your heart pursuing?
Leviticus is God teaching His people how to worship Him, and live according to His standards. Let us learn what God requires, and strive diligently to live by them. Let us live according to His standards.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Provide for the Poor
"Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God." -Leviticus 19.9-10
These last two posts have hit on social issues, and this one seems to be heading along the same lines. With this I want to point out that I am merely following the Biblical text and sharing what God is revealing to me. It is my desire to communicate His will and character in order to help make holy people. And so with that being said, Leviticus 19.9-10.
God is teaching His people not simply what to do in the moment, while they journey in the wilderness, He is also preparing them for how to live in the land. In Egypt they were slaves, they had nothing. But now they are free and in Canaan they will have land of their own. They will work the land, planting crops, and when the time comes they will harvest them. But when they go to harvest their crops they are not to collect all of them. The aren't to reap the entire field, but to leave the very corners there. When the bulk of the crop has been brought in, they aren't to go back over the field and pick up all of the good stuff that was missed the first time.
When they come to the vineyard they aren't to pick up all the fruit that has fallen off of the vine. They aren't to take every usable cluster of grapes. Instead they are to leave this behind in the field intentionally for those who are needy, or strangers in the land. This is sort of God's welfare system.
I have no problem with helping the needy. I remember a couple years ago around Christmas seeing a story on the news about a single mom in Chicago that was working a couple jobs and still struggling to provide healthy meals for her kids and buy a few Christmas gifts. I have no problem helping people like her, people who are trying but simply can't do it on their own. These are the people that welfare is for. What I do have a problem with is people who do nothing but collect welfare, while I work my tail off so they don't have to.
God's system does not approve of this. In the new Testament we will see that it says if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat (2 Thessalonians 3.10). This system set out in Leviticus 19 required work from the needy. Those with the land weren't to collect the crops, bundle it up, and deliver it. They were to leave it in the fields so they needy could go and collect it. God didn't create us to be lazy, and He doesn't permit it among His people.
Men, are you working? Maybe you aren't making enough and you need help, and that is ok. There is no shame in that. I've been in that situation before. My wife and I were going through some rough times financially due to unemployment and underemployment. We were trying our hardest, but still struggling. I got to the point where I had no where to go and I ended up asking a couple church people we had met in our time of ministry for help (I hated having to do it) but they came through for us, and gave us more than we needed. Another time we faced the issue of losing a vehicle we were still paying on. This time one of the pastors at church told us about the help that might be available for us, and again, godly church people came through and helped us. If you are working and trying, there is no shame in asking for, and accepting, help. Sadly, we as men don't like to do that.
Maybe you aren't in the position of need. Maybe you fall into the category of the land owner. What are you doing to help the poor and the needy? I realize what the world is like. When I was at the church people would call and ask for money all the time. One time I had the same guy call twice, a couple of months apart, and give me the exact same story, almost word for word, about needing help. We can't help everyone, at least I can't, so how do we tell those who really need it from those with good sob story who are simply looking to make some easy money? I think we look to God for guidance and simply do what He leads us to.
Are you willing to leave some of what you've worked so hard for "out in the field" so that the needy, who are willing to work, can survive? Are you willing to provide for the poor?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
These last two posts have hit on social issues, and this one seems to be heading along the same lines. With this I want to point out that I am merely following the Biblical text and sharing what God is revealing to me. It is my desire to communicate His will and character in order to help make holy people. And so with that being said, Leviticus 19.9-10.
God is teaching His people not simply what to do in the moment, while they journey in the wilderness, He is also preparing them for how to live in the land. In Egypt they were slaves, they had nothing. But now they are free and in Canaan they will have land of their own. They will work the land, planting crops, and when the time comes they will harvest them. But when they go to harvest their crops they are not to collect all of them. The aren't to reap the entire field, but to leave the very corners there. When the bulk of the crop has been brought in, they aren't to go back over the field and pick up all of the good stuff that was missed the first time.
When they come to the vineyard they aren't to pick up all the fruit that has fallen off of the vine. They aren't to take every usable cluster of grapes. Instead they are to leave this behind in the field intentionally for those who are needy, or strangers in the land. This is sort of God's welfare system.
I have no problem with helping the needy. I remember a couple years ago around Christmas seeing a story on the news about a single mom in Chicago that was working a couple jobs and still struggling to provide healthy meals for her kids and buy a few Christmas gifts. I have no problem helping people like her, people who are trying but simply can't do it on their own. These are the people that welfare is for. What I do have a problem with is people who do nothing but collect welfare, while I work my tail off so they don't have to.
God's system does not approve of this. In the new Testament we will see that it says if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat (2 Thessalonians 3.10). This system set out in Leviticus 19 required work from the needy. Those with the land weren't to collect the crops, bundle it up, and deliver it. They were to leave it in the fields so they needy could go and collect it. God didn't create us to be lazy, and He doesn't permit it among His people.
Men, are you working? Maybe you aren't making enough and you need help, and that is ok. There is no shame in that. I've been in that situation before. My wife and I were going through some rough times financially due to unemployment and underemployment. We were trying our hardest, but still struggling. I got to the point where I had no where to go and I ended up asking a couple church people we had met in our time of ministry for help (I hated having to do it) but they came through for us, and gave us more than we needed. Another time we faced the issue of losing a vehicle we were still paying on. This time one of the pastors at church told us about the help that might be available for us, and again, godly church people came through and helped us. If you are working and trying, there is no shame in asking for, and accepting, help. Sadly, we as men don't like to do that.
Maybe you aren't in the position of need. Maybe you fall into the category of the land owner. What are you doing to help the poor and the needy? I realize what the world is like. When I was at the church people would call and ask for money all the time. One time I had the same guy call twice, a couple of months apart, and give me the exact same story, almost word for word, about needing help. We can't help everyone, at least I can't, so how do we tell those who really need it from those with good sob story who are simply looking to make some easy money? I think we look to God for guidance and simply do what He leads us to.
Are you willing to leave some of what you've worked so hard for "out in the field" so that the needy, who are willing to work, can survive? Are you willing to provide for the poor?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Protect Life
"You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the Lord." -Leviticus 18.21
God is leading the people to the Promised Land, and in the middle of setting His standards for sex He gives an instruction about sacrifice. The Canaanites would engage in infant sacrifice. I can't get into the specifics of it, it's too difficult to think about. Just know that it was a horrible, barbaric practice, and God commanded His people to have nothing to do with it.
Already with Abraham, back in Genesis, we saw that human sacrifice was not something that God's Kingdom accepted, and here God says that it will profane His name. He has already instructed them about proper sacrifice and worship, and humans are to offer them, not be them.
As I've thought about this over the past 24 hours, I keep thinking about abortion, that would be the closest thing to infant sacrifice today. It's a barbaric practice that takes an innocent life, unable to defend itself. There is also a huge toll on the mother both physically and mentally, as I imagine there was back in the Canaanite times.
Men, we need to stand and defend the defenseless. I realize that this is another sensitive subject, but I think we handle it the same way we handle the sex issue, with love and kindness, but we can't sit by and do nothing. If you are the father of a child being considered for abortion, stand up and do something about it. Take your responsibility as a father and protect your child, no one else will.
Maybe you're not in that situation, but you can still do some things. One, pour into your children, and their friends. Teach them what God says about sex and life. Teach them to value these gifts that God has given. Let's work to raise up a holy generation that lives differently.
Two, you can adopt. I don't know exactly how this process works under these circumstances, but what if you and your spouse were to offer to adopt an unwanted child? You're saving a life, and putting faith in action. You're showing the love of God and living like Christ.
Let us stand up and defend the defenseless. Let us protect life, all life.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God is leading the people to the Promised Land, and in the middle of setting His standards for sex He gives an instruction about sacrifice. The Canaanites would engage in infant sacrifice. I can't get into the specifics of it, it's too difficult to think about. Just know that it was a horrible, barbaric practice, and God commanded His people to have nothing to do with it.
Already with Abraham, back in Genesis, we saw that human sacrifice was not something that God's Kingdom accepted, and here God says that it will profane His name. He has already instructed them about proper sacrifice and worship, and humans are to offer them, not be them.
As I've thought about this over the past 24 hours, I keep thinking about abortion, that would be the closest thing to infant sacrifice today. It's a barbaric practice that takes an innocent life, unable to defend itself. There is also a huge toll on the mother both physically and mentally, as I imagine there was back in the Canaanite times.
Men, we need to stand and defend the defenseless. I realize that this is another sensitive subject, but I think we handle it the same way we handle the sex issue, with love and kindness, but we can't sit by and do nothing. If you are the father of a child being considered for abortion, stand up and do something about it. Take your responsibility as a father and protect your child, no one else will.
Maybe you're not in that situation, but you can still do some things. One, pour into your children, and their friends. Teach them what God says about sex and life. Teach them to value these gifts that God has given. Let's work to raise up a holy generation that lives differently.
Two, you can adopt. I don't know exactly how this process works under these circumstances, but what if you and your spouse were to offer to adopt an unwanted child? You're saving a life, and putting faith in action. You're showing the love of God and living like Christ.
Let us stand up and defend the defenseless. Let us protect life, all life.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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