"'Accept these things from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and you shall give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.' So Moses took the carts and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service, and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. But he did not give any to the sons of Kohath because theirs was the service of the holy objects, which they carried on the shoulder." -Leviticus 7.5-9
Some of the people have offered carts and oxen to God for the work of the tabernacle. He has accepted the gift and given instructions for their use. They can be used for the transport of the body of the tent of meeting, but not for the moving of the holy objects that go inside.
Men, sometimes God will allow us to have aid in our service to Him. Other times we must do things on our own. Are you willing to obey Him no matter how difficult the task may be?
Let us perform the tasks as God instructs. Let us accept aid that is offered, and work without it when we must.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, September 12, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Aaronic Blessing
"The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace." -Numbers 6.24-26
This was the blessing that Aaron was to pronounce over the people. A blessing of God's presence and provision. A blessing of God's favor and grace. A blessing of God's peace and rest upon life. What else could someone want in life?
Men, this is a blessing for each of us. God desires to bless you and to keep you secure. God desires to be gracious to you. God desires to lift His face upon you and give you peace in all that you do. God wants to be present in your life. God wants to give you peace. If we are to receive it, if His face is to shine you, you must strive to live righteously before Him.
May you strive to live before God, and as you do: May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord life up His countenance on you, and give you peace. This blessing is for you, live so that you can claim it.
(Added around 11:30 PM)
I've come to see that many of these posts fall on significant days. Some would call it coincidence, but I've come to see that there really is no such thing. Thirteen years ago this nation was in shock. There was fear, panic, and uncertainty about the future. As I typed that I realized that not much has changed. For many the shock of that day has worn off. I still remember where I was, and will for the rest of my life.
President Bush gave words of hope to nation by quoting from Psalm 23. Today, I offer these words from Numbers 6. We face uncertain times full of danger. There are many doubts and questions about the intentions of those outside of our country, and from within. But in all of this, let us look to God. May He bless us and keep us. May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May He lift up His countenance on us and give us peace.
God is still in control, no matter what happens, and no matter what men sit on the world's thrones.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
This was the blessing that Aaron was to pronounce over the people. A blessing of God's presence and provision. A blessing of God's favor and grace. A blessing of God's peace and rest upon life. What else could someone want in life?
Men, this is a blessing for each of us. God desires to bless you and to keep you secure. God desires to be gracious to you. God desires to lift His face upon you and give you peace in all that you do. God wants to be present in your life. God wants to give you peace. If we are to receive it, if His face is to shine you, you must strive to live righteously before Him.
May you strive to live before God, and as you do: May the Lord bless you, and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord life up His countenance on you, and give you peace. This blessing is for you, live so that you can claim it.
(Added around 11:30 PM)
I've come to see that many of these posts fall on significant days. Some would call it coincidence, but I've come to see that there really is no such thing. Thirteen years ago this nation was in shock. There was fear, panic, and uncertainty about the future. As I typed that I realized that not much has changed. For many the shock of that day has worn off. I still remember where I was, and will for the rest of my life.
President Bush gave words of hope to nation by quoting from Psalm 23. Today, I offer these words from Numbers 6. We face uncertain times full of danger. There are many doubts and questions about the intentions of those outside of our country, and from within. But in all of this, let us look to God. May He bless us and keep us. May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us. May He lift up His countenance on us and give us peace.
God is still in control, no matter what happens, and no matter what men sit on the world's thrones.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Cost of Holiness
"Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the Lord, he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes. All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from the seeds even to the skin. All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He shall be holy until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord; he shall let the locks of hair on his head grow long. All the days of his separation to the Lord he shall not go near to a dead person. He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord.'" -Numbers 6.2-8
God lays out one of the vows that His people could make, the Nazirite vow. With this a person would dedicate themselves to God, and live a very strict and disciplined life for the time frame of the vow. The Bible only records three examples of this vow being made, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. These three men were to be set apart, and with the vow came a filling of the Spirit of God. Samson had great strength to fight for the people. Samuel was a prophet who communicated God's will to the people. John was the one who came before the Messiah to prepare the world for His coming. Each of them had a job to do. Each of them had the Spirit upon him. Each of them was a Nazarite.
If we look at the specifics of this vow it's one that I doubt many of us would take. There is no consumption of alcohol, or other strong drink (that might include coffee). You can't have grapes in any form. I just had a cotton candy grape yesterday, and based on that alone I wouldn't sign up for this. You can't ever cut your hair. After a couple months mine begins to get unruly (it's naturally curly) and I hate dealing with it. If someone you care about dies, you can't go to the funeral. This vow is made so that a person may be separated to God and be holy.
Men, there is a cost to holiness. It isn't something that we can achieve haphazardly or casually. It isn't something we are just going to stumble upon accidently. If we would be holy, we must intentionally pursue it. We must commit ourselves to God, separating ourselves from other distractions, maybe addictions, and focus on God.
I read a book years ago called The One Year Daily Grind. The premise of the book is based around the fact that some people can't function in the morning until they get their coffee, what if we viewed our time with God the same way? What if you gave up your "strong drink" whatever that thing you think you have to have is, and instead picked up the Bible and allowed yourself to be fueled by God?
What if instead of indulging in the pleasures of "grapes" you engaged in worship, and allowed the Spirit of God to fill you and enrich you? What if your greatest delight was found in praising God?
What if instead of "cutting our hair" we ignored our outward appearance, and instead worked to develop our character and integrity? What if we were more concerned about the appearance of our hearts before God than what the mirror says?
What if instead of pouring into relationships that only end in death, we invested our time in the eternal relationship with God? What if our first priority was to grow more intimate with God?
I'm not saying that any of these things are bad. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I know many people who love it. It is a good part of creation, and therefore a gift from God for us. The little, non-sinful, pleasures of life are other good things from God. They are gifts from a loving father to His precious children. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. We are made in the image of God, and taking care of ourselves and looking presentable is a way that we honor Him. Certainly there is nothing wrong with human relationships. God created man and said that it was not good for him to be alone. We were made for fellowship with each other, and that is not to be abandoned.
The question is, what is more important? Do any, or all, of these things have more value to you than God? Does one of these things rule your life, or does God? If we would be holy, the answer must be God.
The Nazarite vow was made for a time, and during that time all of these other things were set aside so that God would be the only focus. Sometimes that time frame was the life of the individual. Are you willing to set aside any of the above things for a time to focus on God? The examples I gave might have no meaning for you, what would? It doesn't have to be forever, maybe a day, or a week, but are you willing to set something aside to draw closer to God?
There is a cost to holiness, and it involves sacrificing something to be able to pursue God more fully. Are we willing to pay that cost?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God lays out one of the vows that His people could make, the Nazirite vow. With this a person would dedicate themselves to God, and live a very strict and disciplined life for the time frame of the vow. The Bible only records three examples of this vow being made, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. These three men were to be set apart, and with the vow came a filling of the Spirit of God. Samson had great strength to fight for the people. Samuel was a prophet who communicated God's will to the people. John was the one who came before the Messiah to prepare the world for His coming. Each of them had a job to do. Each of them had the Spirit upon him. Each of them was a Nazarite.
If we look at the specifics of this vow it's one that I doubt many of us would take. There is no consumption of alcohol, or other strong drink (that might include coffee). You can't have grapes in any form. I just had a cotton candy grape yesterday, and based on that alone I wouldn't sign up for this. You can't ever cut your hair. After a couple months mine begins to get unruly (it's naturally curly) and I hate dealing with it. If someone you care about dies, you can't go to the funeral. This vow is made so that a person may be separated to God and be holy.
Men, there is a cost to holiness. It isn't something that we can achieve haphazardly or casually. It isn't something we are just going to stumble upon accidently. If we would be holy, we must intentionally pursue it. We must commit ourselves to God, separating ourselves from other distractions, maybe addictions, and focus on God.
I read a book years ago called The One Year Daily Grind. The premise of the book is based around the fact that some people can't function in the morning until they get their coffee, what if we viewed our time with God the same way? What if you gave up your "strong drink" whatever that thing you think you have to have is, and instead picked up the Bible and allowed yourself to be fueled by God?
What if instead of indulging in the pleasures of "grapes" you engaged in worship, and allowed the Spirit of God to fill you and enrich you? What if your greatest delight was found in praising God?
What if instead of "cutting our hair" we ignored our outward appearance, and instead worked to develop our character and integrity? What if we were more concerned about the appearance of our hearts before God than what the mirror says?
What if instead of pouring into relationships that only end in death, we invested our time in the eternal relationship with God? What if our first priority was to grow more intimate with God?
I'm not saying that any of these things are bad. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I know many people who love it. It is a good part of creation, and therefore a gift from God for us. The little, non-sinful, pleasures of life are other good things from God. They are gifts from a loving father to His precious children. There is nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. We are made in the image of God, and taking care of ourselves and looking presentable is a way that we honor Him. Certainly there is nothing wrong with human relationships. God created man and said that it was not good for him to be alone. We were made for fellowship with each other, and that is not to be abandoned.
The question is, what is more important? Do any, or all, of these things have more value to you than God? Does one of these things rule your life, or does God? If we would be holy, the answer must be God.
The Nazarite vow was made for a time, and during that time all of these other things were set aside so that God would be the only focus. Sometimes that time frame was the life of the individual. Are you willing to set aside any of the above things for a time to focus on God? The examples I gave might have no meaning for you, what would? It doesn't have to be forever, maybe a day, or a week, but are you willing to set something aside to draw closer to God?
There is a cost to holiness, and it involves sacrificing something to be able to pursue God more fully. Are we willing to pay that cost?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Confession
"Speak to the sons of Israel, 'When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the Lord, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess his sins which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it one-fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged.'" -Numbers 5.6-7
God knows that His people will sin. It's going to happen no matter what instructions God gives them, and so He makes a way for forgiveness. He says that the person who commits sin is guilty, and that they shall confess their sin before Him. Restitution needs to be made, and then they shall be forgiven.
Men, we sin before God, but do we confess it? We are imperfect and do things that displease a holy God. Do we own it and admit it? Do we confess and make restitution?
Let us always own our sins before God, and may we confess them to Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God knows that His people will sin. It's going to happen no matter what instructions God gives them, and so He makes a way for forgiveness. He says that the person who commits sin is guilty, and that they shall confess their sin before Him. Restitution needs to be made, and then they shall be forgiven.
Men, we sin before God, but do we confess it? We are imperfect and do things that displease a holy God. Do we own it and admit it? Do we confess and make restitution?
Let us always own our sins before God, and may we confess them to Him.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, September 8, 2014
Respect for the Holy
"'When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.'...Then the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 'Do not let the tribe of the families of the Kohathites be cut off from among the Levites. But do this to them that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy objects: Aaron and his sons shall go in and assign each of them to his work and to his load; but they shall not go in to see the holy objects even for a moment, or they will die.'" -Numbers 4.15, 17-20
God instructs the Levites how they are to disassemble and transport the tabernacle. Before anything else happens, Aaron and his sons are to go in and cover the sacred items inside and prepare them to be moved. The priests are to cover them and insert the carrying poles so that the Levites can move them without touching them. Even though they have been entrusted with the task of moving the tabernacle, they cannot do it with a complacent or casual attitude. They must respect the holy.
Men, is this something that can be said of you? Do you respect the holy? The Bible is the number one best seller of all time. You find them in hotel rooms, and probably every one who goes to church has at least three. Right now I see mine and my wife's, and I'm thinking of at least a half dozen other ones we have. It's a common item, but it's sacred. It is the written words of God. Do I treat it as such?
Prayer is a conversation with God. It is the ability to converse with the creator of the universe, do we approach it as such? Or is it something we do casually without thinking? I haven't been to a family reunion in at least two years, but the last time I was there they had some twelve year old girl I'm some how related to say the prayer before the meal. She recited some "God is great let us thank Him for our food" thing. I was slightly offended. Prayer is a holy thing, not a casual recitation that is said without thinking.
Church is a sacred thing. It is God's creation for His people to do life together, and yet we treat it so casually. We go if we feel like it. We show up late, talk during the music, and sip coffee. How much actual worship takes place? How many people intentionally go to learn, be discipled, grow in Christ, and seek to serve? How many have it simply as a Sunday routine?
Let us approach the holy with reverent respect. May we never have a casual attitude about the things of God, but always come humbly and with the utmost respect.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God instructs the Levites how they are to disassemble and transport the tabernacle. Before anything else happens, Aaron and his sons are to go in and cover the sacred items inside and prepare them to be moved. The priests are to cover them and insert the carrying poles so that the Levites can move them without touching them. Even though they have been entrusted with the task of moving the tabernacle, they cannot do it with a complacent or casual attitude. They must respect the holy.
Men, is this something that can be said of you? Do you respect the holy? The Bible is the number one best seller of all time. You find them in hotel rooms, and probably every one who goes to church has at least three. Right now I see mine and my wife's, and I'm thinking of at least a half dozen other ones we have. It's a common item, but it's sacred. It is the written words of God. Do I treat it as such?
Prayer is a conversation with God. It is the ability to converse with the creator of the universe, do we approach it as such? Or is it something we do casually without thinking? I haven't been to a family reunion in at least two years, but the last time I was there they had some twelve year old girl I'm some how related to say the prayer before the meal. She recited some "God is great let us thank Him for our food" thing. I was slightly offended. Prayer is a holy thing, not a casual recitation that is said without thinking.
Church is a sacred thing. It is God's creation for His people to do life together, and yet we treat it so casually. We go if we feel like it. We show up late, talk during the music, and sip coffee. How much actual worship takes place? How many people intentionally go to learn, be discipled, grow in Christ, and seek to serve? How many have it simply as a Sunday routine?
Let us approach the holy with reverent respect. May we never have a casual attitude about the things of God, but always come humbly and with the utmost respect.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Able to Do the Work of God
"All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the command of the Lord by their families, every male from a month old and upward, were 22,000." -Numbers 3.39
The Levites weren't counted among the warriors, but there were entrusted with the care of the tabernacle. They were set apart for the service of God. With this we see a distinction, the other tribes took a census of the warriors. The men were numbered based on who was able to go to war, and weren't counted until they were twenty years old. But with the Levites, the males are numbered beginning at a month old.
There comes a time when a man is able to go to war, until that point he isn't ready for combat. But all are able to do the work of God. The role of our service changes as we grow and mature, but it begins early in life, or it should. There is no age requirement to be able to do Kingdom work, simply a breathing requirement.
Men, you are able to do the work of God. Your children are able to do the work of God. The young people of this world are able to do the work of God? The first question to ask is are you? Are you involved in ministry of some kind? It doesn't have to be professional, it doesn't even have to be through a church, but are you involved in building the Kingdom of God in some way? Second, are you encouraging, and helping, your children and other young people do the same?
Are you teaching them, by example, to serve? Are you encouraging them to find their passions and a unique place for them to pour their gifts into? Are you allowing them to serve with you?
Today at church there was a child dedication service. Several new babies were dedicated to God, as were their parents. There was the prayer that these children would come to know and love God very early, and for the parents to teach and encourage them to pray, study, and serve.
From the very beginning children were to be counted for the service of God. Let us realize that they are able to do His work, and teach and encourage them to do it.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
The Levites weren't counted among the warriors, but there were entrusted with the care of the tabernacle. They were set apart for the service of God. With this we see a distinction, the other tribes took a census of the warriors. The men were numbered based on who was able to go to war, and weren't counted until they were twenty years old. But with the Levites, the males are numbered beginning at a month old.
There comes a time when a man is able to go to war, until that point he isn't ready for combat. But all are able to do the work of God. The role of our service changes as we grow and mature, but it begins early in life, or it should. There is no age requirement to be able to do Kingdom work, simply a breathing requirement.
Men, you are able to do the work of God. Your children are able to do the work of God. The young people of this world are able to do the work of God? The first question to ask is are you? Are you involved in ministry of some kind? It doesn't have to be professional, it doesn't even have to be through a church, but are you involved in building the Kingdom of God in some way? Second, are you encouraging, and helping, your children and other young people do the same?
Are you teaching them, by example, to serve? Are you encouraging them to find their passions and a unique place for them to pour their gifts into? Are you allowing them to serve with you?
Today at church there was a child dedication service. Several new babies were dedicated to God, as were their parents. There was the prayer that these children would come to know and love God very early, and for the parents to teach and encourage them to pray, study, and serve.
From the very beginning children were to be counted for the service of God. Let us realize that they are able to do His work, and teach and encourage them to do it.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Strategy
"The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households; they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance." -Numbers 2.2
Israel has counted its warriors, but the Levites were not among the count. They were set apart to care foe the tabernacle. It was their responsibility to set it up, take it down, and transport it when they moved camp. When they camped, the Levites would be set up around the tabernacle, creating a barrier between it and the rest of the tribes of Israel. The rest of the tribes were divided around the four sides of the tabernacle, and they would set out in a particular order.
God gave instructions for how the camp was to be set up and how the people would break camp and head out. The first group to leave was the group with the largest army. It makes sense to send your largest individual force first. They can protect the rest of the people from any on coming attack. And they weren't alone, the second group the set out was the third largest.
Following them was the Levites, with the tabernacle. They would depart right in the middle, with two groups in front and two behind. The group with no warriors in it needs to be the most protected. Following them you have your smallest force. Maybe they are able to move the fastest in the event of an attack on the Levites. Finally, the last group to leave was the second largest force of the people of Israel. You don't want your smallest or weakest group at the back, it would be easy to pick them off, and then work your way up to the front. You close with a strong force, one that can defend the people from behind.
God is not random, or sporadic. He is a God of order and intentionality. Everything He does is done for a specific purpose. He always has a strategy, and it is the best course of action.
Men, when we go into something let it not be random and poorly planned. Let us never go in unprepared. I understand that things come up unexpectedly, but that doesn't mean we have to be caught off guard. We can be ready for the unexpected.
Whenever I go hiking, even if it's just for a couple hours in a well traveled place, I always take enough equipment to get me through the night. You never know what is going to happen in nature, so I'm always prepared. My wife and I have some savings, an emergency fund, in the event that something big comes up that we weren't anticipating. We recently got life insurance, so that if something happens to us, our family is provided for.
We need to face life with a strategy. I'm not saying that we plan out every day for the rest of our lives, that doesn't allow faith to function. But God doesn't want us to simply sit around and wait for life to happen. We need to be active, we need to be prepared. We can say God, "Here is what I feel you are doing/leading me to, so based on this here are the things I am going to do to prepare for that. But if somewhere along the way You lead in another direction that is fine." It is strategy mixed with faith, that allows God to freely move our lives wherever He intends for them to go.
Right now my wife and I feel like God has given us some direction through 2019, and we are trying to make the most of this time, getting ready so that when 2020 comes and God shows us what is next we're ready for it. We have a strategy, that is very fluid and able to be changed, but solid enough that we are sticking with it until God says something else.
Let us never face life ignorantly, and may we never be caught unprepared. Let us always have a strategy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Israel has counted its warriors, but the Levites were not among the count. They were set apart to care foe the tabernacle. It was their responsibility to set it up, take it down, and transport it when they moved camp. When they camped, the Levites would be set up around the tabernacle, creating a barrier between it and the rest of the tribes of Israel. The rest of the tribes were divided around the four sides of the tabernacle, and they would set out in a particular order.
God gave instructions for how the camp was to be set up and how the people would break camp and head out. The first group to leave was the group with the largest army. It makes sense to send your largest individual force first. They can protect the rest of the people from any on coming attack. And they weren't alone, the second group the set out was the third largest.
Following them was the Levites, with the tabernacle. They would depart right in the middle, with two groups in front and two behind. The group with no warriors in it needs to be the most protected. Following them you have your smallest force. Maybe they are able to move the fastest in the event of an attack on the Levites. Finally, the last group to leave was the second largest force of the people of Israel. You don't want your smallest or weakest group at the back, it would be easy to pick them off, and then work your way up to the front. You close with a strong force, one that can defend the people from behind.
God is not random, or sporadic. He is a God of order and intentionality. Everything He does is done for a specific purpose. He always has a strategy, and it is the best course of action.
Men, when we go into something let it not be random and poorly planned. Let us never go in unprepared. I understand that things come up unexpectedly, but that doesn't mean we have to be caught off guard. We can be ready for the unexpected.
Whenever I go hiking, even if it's just for a couple hours in a well traveled place, I always take enough equipment to get me through the night. You never know what is going to happen in nature, so I'm always prepared. My wife and I have some savings, an emergency fund, in the event that something big comes up that we weren't anticipating. We recently got life insurance, so that if something happens to us, our family is provided for.
We need to face life with a strategy. I'm not saying that we plan out every day for the rest of our lives, that doesn't allow faith to function. But God doesn't want us to simply sit around and wait for life to happen. We need to be active, we need to be prepared. We can say God, "Here is what I feel you are doing/leading me to, so based on this here are the things I am going to do to prepare for that. But if somewhere along the way You lead in another direction that is fine." It is strategy mixed with faith, that allows God to freely move our lives wherever He intends for them to go.
Right now my wife and I feel like God has given us some direction through 2019, and we are trying to make the most of this time, getting ready so that when 2020 comes and God shows us what is next we're ready for it. We have a strategy, that is very fluid and able to be changed, but solid enough that we are sticking with it until God says something else.
Let us never face life ignorantly, and may we never be caught unprepared. Let us always have a strategy.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Friday, September 5, 2014
Able to Go to War
"Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies." -Numbers 1.2-3
God instructs Moses to take a census of Israel, according to whoever is able to go to war. The men are to be counted to number their military strength. It is the role of men to go to war. It is the role of men to fight to protect their families. It is the role of men to stand up for truth, justice, and righteousness. Men were made to be able to go to war.
Men, we are made in the image of God. We bear the masculine side of His heart, the part that is strong, powerful, and dangerous. We were not made in a world at war, but were are made to face it now that we are in one. It is our responsibility to face evil and darkness when it arises, because we are able to.
The question becomes, are we willing to stand up and be counted among those able to go to war? Are we willing to take our place on the front lines to stand up for what is right? Yes, there is danger and risk involved. It may cost us our lives, but that is why it takes a man. Are you willing to play the man?
We are able to go to war, let us be willing to go if called upon.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God instructs Moses to take a census of Israel, according to whoever is able to go to war. The men are to be counted to number their military strength. It is the role of men to go to war. It is the role of men to fight to protect their families. It is the role of men to stand up for truth, justice, and righteousness. Men were made to be able to go to war.
Men, we are made in the image of God. We bear the masculine side of His heart, the part that is strong, powerful, and dangerous. We were not made in a world at war, but were are made to face it now that we are in one. It is our responsibility to face evil and darkness when it arises, because we are able to.
The question becomes, are we willing to stand up and be counted among those able to go to war? Are we willing to take our place on the front lines to stand up for what is right? Yes, there is danger and risk involved. It may cost us our lives, but that is why it takes a man. Are you willing to play the man?
We are able to go to war, let us be willing to go if called upon.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Given to God
"Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed." -Leviticus 27.30-33
I opened my Bible today to see a blank space at the bottom of the right hand page, and I began to rejoice. We're at the end of Leviticus. I'm relieved, and I imagine the people were as well. All of these instructions have taken at Sinai, and I'm sure they were anxious to get moving.
The final instructions that God gives His people here is on tithing. What was given to God's was to be God's, an offering holy to the Lord. What was offered was not to be taken back, it was Gods.
Men, have you set something apart for God, but later taken it back? Have you committed your life to a call into ministry, but later decided not to follow it for a job with more financial security? Have you committed to pray and read the Bible everyday, but decided not to follow through in favor of sleep? Have you committed to be more intentional about sharing Christ with others, but not followed through because of fear or discomfort?
I've experienced all of these things. Right now I'm working a job with unbelieveable compensation, not just in pay, but in bonuses, benefits, and other perks. It's tempting to just deal with it for the next thirty years and enjoy the financial security that it offers. But God has placed a call on my life, and so I'm currently pursuing two master's degrees, trying to prepare myself to be able to get back into full time ministry.
I've wanted to get up early and focus my time on prayer, study, and worship. But life is busy and sleep is a valuable commodity. In college, and to an extent when I was working in ministry, it was easier. In college I really wasn't that busy (in hindsight), and in ministry I was able to set aside office time for it. But now, with work, school, and family, it's hard. That's part of the reason I'm doing this daily blog.
I'm trying to be more intentional about sharing Christ. I'm trying to build relationships with people at work, and looking for opportunities in the conversation to bring up spiritual matters. But it isn't always easy. I've found that sometimes people just shut down, or that the transition isn't always natural. And there are times, for one reason or another, I stay quiet.
Giving to God involves so much more than money. And when we commit something to God, we need to leave it in His hands. Let us never take back what we give to God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
I opened my Bible today to see a blank space at the bottom of the right hand page, and I began to rejoice. We're at the end of Leviticus. I'm relieved, and I imagine the people were as well. All of these instructions have taken at Sinai, and I'm sure they were anxious to get moving.
The final instructions that God gives His people here is on tithing. What was given to God's was to be God's, an offering holy to the Lord. What was offered was not to be taken back, it was Gods.
Men, have you set something apart for God, but later taken it back? Have you committed your life to a call into ministry, but later decided not to follow it for a job with more financial security? Have you committed to pray and read the Bible everyday, but decided not to follow through in favor of sleep? Have you committed to be more intentional about sharing Christ with others, but not followed through because of fear or discomfort?
I've experienced all of these things. Right now I'm working a job with unbelieveable compensation, not just in pay, but in bonuses, benefits, and other perks. It's tempting to just deal with it for the next thirty years and enjoy the financial security that it offers. But God has placed a call on my life, and so I'm currently pursuing two master's degrees, trying to prepare myself to be able to get back into full time ministry.
I've wanted to get up early and focus my time on prayer, study, and worship. But life is busy and sleep is a valuable commodity. In college, and to an extent when I was working in ministry, it was easier. In college I really wasn't that busy (in hindsight), and in ministry I was able to set aside office time for it. But now, with work, school, and family, it's hard. That's part of the reason I'm doing this daily blog.
I'm trying to be more intentional about sharing Christ. I'm trying to build relationships with people at work, and looking for opportunities in the conversation to bring up spiritual matters. But it isn't always easy. I've found that sometimes people just shut down, or that the transition isn't always natural. And there are times, for one reason or another, I stay quiet.
Giving to God involves so much more than money. And when we commit something to God, we need to leave it in His hands. Let us never take back what we give to God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Confession
"If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me— I also was acting with hostility against them, to bring them into the land of their enemies—or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land. For the land will be abandoned by them, and will make up for its sabbaths while it is made desolate without them. They, meanwhile, will be making amends for their iniquity, because they rejected My ordinances and their soul abhorred My statutes. Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I so abhor them as to destroy them, breaking My covenant with them; for I am the Lord their God. But I will remember for them the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the Lord." -Leviticus 26.40-45
God will punish disobedience. He must because He is holy and righteous, and His people must live according to His standards. But God, though He is a god of justice, is also full of mercy. He must punish sin and disobedience, but if there is genuine confession, God will extend forgiveness. There are still consequences for sin, but ultimately there is forgiveness and restoration.
Men, as long as you are breathing, it is not too late. No matter what you have done, there is forgiveness available. Your life may be falling apart because of the choices you've made. Your decision and actions may have cost you your home, family, and job, but God is able to forgive you, and to restore you. Are you willing to confess your sin and turn to Him?
It is important to note that confession does not mean all your problems will go away. Again, our choices have consequences and we must face them. But when we confess, we face them with God and they are now used to mold us into the image of Christ. And as we face the consequences, God is working for restoration in our lives. But it all begins with the confession.
Obedience brings blessings from God. Disobedience brings punishment and separation from God. Confession brings restoration to God. Let us live in obedience, and quickly confess when we disobey.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God will punish disobedience. He must because He is holy and righteous, and His people must live according to His standards. But God, though He is a god of justice, is also full of mercy. He must punish sin and disobedience, but if there is genuine confession, God will extend forgiveness. There are still consequences for sin, but ultimately there is forgiveness and restoration.
Men, as long as you are breathing, it is not too late. No matter what you have done, there is forgiveness available. Your life may be falling apart because of the choices you've made. Your decision and actions may have cost you your home, family, and job, but God is able to forgive you, and to restore you. Are you willing to confess your sin and turn to Him?
It is important to note that confession does not mean all your problems will go away. Again, our choices have consequences and we must face them. But when we confess, we face them with God and they are now used to mold us into the image of Christ. And as we face the consequences, God is working for restoration in our lives. But it all begins with the confession.
Obedience brings blessings from God. Disobedience brings punishment and separation from God. Confession brings restoration to God. Let us live in obedience, and quickly confess when we disobey.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Penalties for Disobedience
"But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments, if, instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances so as not to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, I, in turn, will do this to you: I will appoint over you a sudden terror, consumption and fever that will waste away the eyes and cause the soul to pine away; also, you will sow your seed uselessly, for your enemies will eat it up. I will set My face against you so that you will be struck down before your enemies; and those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one is pursuing you. If also after these things you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will also break down your pride of power; I will also make your sky like iron and your earth like bronze. Your strength will be spent uselessly, for your land will not yield its produce and the trees of the land will not yield their fruit." -Leviticus 26.14-20
If obedience to God brings about blessings, it can be assumed that disobeying Him will and rejecting His standards of righteousness will bring about punishment. Here, immediately following the verse that talk about blessings, God warns Israel what will take place if they choose to reject Him. If they break the covenant God will appoint terror, consumption and fever. Their efforts to grow food will be futile, and their enemies will consume whatever grows. God will set His face against them, and they will not have victory. Instead of freed men, they will be subject to those who hate them. God tells them that they will be punished seven times more for their sins and that He will break their pride.
Men, what does your life look like? Is it full of the blessings of God, or with the penalties of disobedience. To clarify, living for God does not mean that your life will be problem free, I'm working on a paper towards my Master's about pain and suffering in the Christian life, and how it ultimately serves to make us more holy. Turning to God does not mean that we will have no problems. It means that God will be with us, provide for us, and protect us no matter where we go. There will still be hardships and trials, but when we live in obedience God is always with us.
If we choose to live for ourselves, ignoring what God has said, we invite destruction. It may not come right away, infact those who live for themselves may seem the most prosperous and successful in this life. But is there any joy? Is there any meaning in what they do? If God isn't there, then what is the point?
We have two choices, obediently follow God, living righteously according to His standards; or we can disobey and do whatever seems right and best to us. One path brings the presence of God through all things, good and bad. The other goes it alone. What is your choice?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
If obedience to God brings about blessings, it can be assumed that disobeying Him will and rejecting His standards of righteousness will bring about punishment. Here, immediately following the verse that talk about blessings, God warns Israel what will take place if they choose to reject Him. If they break the covenant God will appoint terror, consumption and fever. Their efforts to grow food will be futile, and their enemies will consume whatever grows. God will set His face against them, and they will not have victory. Instead of freed men, they will be subject to those who hate them. God tells them that they will be punished seven times more for their sins and that He will break their pride.
Men, what does your life look like? Is it full of the blessings of God, or with the penalties of disobedience. To clarify, living for God does not mean that your life will be problem free, I'm working on a paper towards my Master's about pain and suffering in the Christian life, and how it ultimately serves to make us more holy. Turning to God does not mean that we will have no problems. It means that God will be with us, provide for us, and protect us no matter where we go. There will still be hardships and trials, but when we live in obedience God is always with us.
If we choose to live for ourselves, ignoring what God has said, we invite destruction. It may not come right away, infact those who live for themselves may seem the most prosperous and successful in this life. But is there any joy? Is there any meaning in what they do? If God isn't there, then what is the point?
We have two choices, obediently follow God, living righteously according to His standards; or we can disobey and do whatever seems right and best to us. One path brings the presence of God through all things, good and bad. The other goes it alone. What is your choice?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Monday, September 1, 2014
Blessings of Obedience
"If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you. You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect." -Leviticus 26.3-13
God tells His people that if they will follow Him, be fully devoted to Him, and live righteously as He has instructed them, then He will bless them. As I read this I thought back to Genesis 28, when Jacob is giving God all of the requirements God needs to meet for Jacob to follow Him (see Ultimatums from March 3,2014). Jacob said that if God would do this, this, this, and this, then Jacob would serve Him faithfully. But who is Jacob to give such ultimatums to God? Who is any man to God how it's going to be? But here we see God talking. Here we see God telling man what must happen, and what God will do if they obediently follow Him.
God promises to send rain so that the crops will grow, and He promises that the crops will come abundantly and last so that they don't have to worry about what they will eat. He promises peace, so that the people can live without paranoia, always looking over their shoulders and sleeping with one eye open. He promises that war shall not come to their land, and that harmful animals will be removed as well, so that their families and flocks may live in safety. God promises victory, few will overcome many, and the enemies will flee before them.
God promises to make them a great nation, and to fulfill His covenant with them. They will multiply and enjoy the promises made to Abraham. God promises His presence and acceptance of them. He will be their God. He delivered them from slavery so that they might enjoy fellowship together. God greatly desires for this, but in order for the people to receive it, they must desire it equally greatly. God has done so much more them, offered them so much, that they must respond in trust and righteous living to receive the blessings.
Men, God makes the same promises to us. He promises provision, protection, and peace. He offers us victory and security. He desires to dwell among us and fellowship with us. But in order to receive the blessings from God, we must pursue the God of the blessings.
This isn't a list of "do this in order to get that" rather it is the result that comes from intimate fellowship with God. When we come to new life in Him, when we delight in Him and fellowship with Him, these things are the natural result of that. And when we live apart from God, these things cannot be found. They are the result of a righteous life. The are the blessings of obedience.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
God tells His people that if they will follow Him, be fully devoted to Him, and live righteously as He has instructed them, then He will bless them. As I read this I thought back to Genesis 28, when Jacob is giving God all of the requirements God needs to meet for Jacob to follow Him (see Ultimatums from March 3,2014). Jacob said that if God would do this, this, this, and this, then Jacob would serve Him faithfully. But who is Jacob to give such ultimatums to God? Who is any man to God how it's going to be? But here we see God talking. Here we see God telling man what must happen, and what God will do if they obediently follow Him.
God promises to send rain so that the crops will grow, and He promises that the crops will come abundantly and last so that they don't have to worry about what they will eat. He promises peace, so that the people can live without paranoia, always looking over their shoulders and sleeping with one eye open. He promises that war shall not come to their land, and that harmful animals will be removed as well, so that their families and flocks may live in safety. God promises victory, few will overcome many, and the enemies will flee before them.
God promises to make them a great nation, and to fulfill His covenant with them. They will multiply and enjoy the promises made to Abraham. God promises His presence and acceptance of them. He will be their God. He delivered them from slavery so that they might enjoy fellowship together. God greatly desires for this, but in order for the people to receive it, they must desire it equally greatly. God has done so much more them, offered them so much, that they must respond in trust and righteous living to receive the blessings.
Men, God makes the same promises to us. He promises provision, protection, and peace. He offers us victory and security. He desires to dwell among us and fellowship with us. But in order to receive the blessings from God, we must pursue the God of the blessings.
This isn't a list of "do this in order to get that" rather it is the result that comes from intimate fellowship with God. When we come to new life in Him, when we delight in Him and fellowship with Him, these things are the natural result of that. And when we live apart from God, these things cannot be found. They are the result of a righteous life. The are the blessings of obedience.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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