God so loved who?

I was reading one of my class texts this morning (Radical by David Platt) and it made me rethink one of our most fundamental scriptures. Many of us have a tendency to define Christianity as "God loves me." Emphasis on the me. (I know I've been guilty of this.) We attend church and we receive the message that day, but do we share it with anyone else? We pray, but are we praying for ourselves or others? We go to church on Sunday, but do we think about serving God and his people the rest of the week? These are all questions posed by a chapter in my text book.

At first the accusation offended me. Of course I'm not selfish with God's love! I have taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. I have gone on annual mission trips to teach others about Jesus. Surely I am not guilty of keeping God's love centered on myself. However, as I let go my inner struggle, I realized some of the truths of this chapter. I serve on a mission trip once a year. What do I do the rest of the year? I work, go to school, serve my church. That's about it. I teach Sunday school in my church, but do I teach others that are not in the church?

I had to confess that to some extent I do keep Christ to myself. I do not often evangelize in my every day life. I am being selfish. But John 3:16 does not say that God so love you, it says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 NKJV emphasis mine)

Are we living up to that scripture by sharing his love with the rest of the world or are we keeping it to ourselves? I can see that in my life it is time for a change.

Absenteeism

My apologies for being gone from this blog for so long. In essence, I had ended this blog several years ago as I was not able to keep up with it. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), Google would not enable me to delete it. So today I am going to try to revive it, though slightly differently. Rather than an organized and planned Bible study, this blog is now focused on spreading understanding of the Bible as I find new things to share. I hope you will enjoy the new format.

Trust and Obedience

Numbers 20: 2-12

2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! 4 Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

 6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 The LORD said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

 9 So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Today's lesson is about obedience. Read the above verses carefully before you proceed. Let's start with a little perspective. If you read through the entire journey Moses took with the Israelites you will see that the people are prone to giving up. I can't say much about that, since I've never had such a large goal take 40 years of my life. However, it does seem that they will turn anywhere but to God when they are feeling sick and tired. Does that describe you? I know it describes me at various times in my life. It's easy to turn to God when things are going well. But when your community is in a drought, your spouse is out of work, and the food supply is short, where do you turn? Many times we turn to worldly answers first. God has become almost a last resort when we are not getting what we want. God should be the first place we look-not the last. 

Review our scripture again. In verses 2-5 we see the people yelling at Moses and complaining that life is hard. They quickly forget how bad it was in Egypt and think only that they had plenty of water then. This just sounds like, "Thanks for saving us from slavery, but what were you thinking?!?" Or, in the words of Princess Leia, "This is SOME RESCUE!" Moses must be getting frustrated by now if not downright angry. He's a better man than I and I know I'd have had a screaming match by this point if it were me. Unlike the people, Moses and Aaron turned directly to God first. We should all strive to do this every time we have a praise or concern. God gave them directions to help the people and restore their faith. He tells Moses to draw water from the rock and Moses did.

The first time I read this passage I was very confused by verse 12. What disobedience is he punishing here? He told Moses to draw water from the rock, right? Then I read it again under my pastor's guidance. God told Moses to speak to the rock. Maybe what he expected was more along the lines of Moses holding up the rock and speaking, "Now Rock, give forth the waters from the Lord!" or something like that. Instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff. Most likely his anger drove him to strike the rock instead of the calmer direction of speaking to it. Anger is not the right emotion to show the people when God is helping them. Moses needed to drive their anger out and bring back their faith. 

At first glance this looks like a small infraction, right? I had to ask mysef, "Does God really get that specific about how we obey Him?" After a year under the tutelage of our pastor and the local body of Christ, my answer is Yes. Don't think I'm saying that I think God is petty. The more I think about this passage, the more I consider that God wants us to obey for the right reasons. If we obey Him in anger, then how will His intentions be achieved? Consider the kind of example you set for others when you do what needs to be done in anger. When we show our anger we appear to be unwilling participants in what we do. But if we want to embody Christ and show others what it is like to be a child of God, we need to obey in love. There will certainly be times when what God wants us to do is not what we want to do. But if we truly trust God, then we need to take the time to accept his direction and obey in love. 

Charitable Giving

Today we look at the following passages:
Matthew 19:21

 21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Matthew 10:8

 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

With the arrival of All Saints Day, many of us begin looking toward the holiday season. Christmas is on its way and with it all the commercialism and stress that tends to accompany it.

It was not until I dedicated my life to God that I came to realize what this season of giving is really about: a miracle. Why do we give gifts at Christmas? It's not just because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. The tradition is more than that. Gift giving at this time is about sharing our abundance with those who have less. It's about helping others to stock up for winter and be comfortable. It's about giving gifts in love. (Keep in mind, when Jesus was born there was no Wal-Mart around the corner to pick up preserved food every week.)

In light of that concept-giving in love-ask yourself: why do we give at this time? As a recipient of God's grace I want to share that all the time. For the last nine months that's about all I've been able to share due to our tight budget. Now, at this magical time of the year, I want to share more. I want to go out and share God's message through any means I can. But I don't want to stop after December. The people we give to for Christmas, whether they be homeless, abused, poor, or otherwise needy, still need that support after the holidays. Many of us forget then and move on with our comfortable lives.

Jesus told us to sell our possessions and give to the poor. What do you have that you don't need anymore? Imagine what you could do with the money from selling a few things. It might only amount to a meal or two for someone less fortunate, or maybe more. Jesus said, "freely you have received, freely give." How much clearer can it get? God gives us his grace freely. He answers our prayers because He wants to, not because we deserve it. We can't earn our way into heaven. But we CAN help someone else see that love that God shares with us.

So my challenge to you this year is to make a list of causes that are close to your heart. Research ways to give to those causes. It might be money, might be time, or might be gifts that you give them. Maybe you can volunteer at a soup kitchen. If you have no time, donate food to the food bank. If you have no money or time, take some things you don't need and sell them or give them to a shelter.

For example, I could donate some jewelry that is in perfect shape that I don't need to a women's shelter for gifts for Christmas. Or maybe some suits that don't fit me could go to Dress For Success. There are many ways to make this kind of commitment. But I encourage you to make it a year-long commitment. Don't just volunteer one day. Find a way to volunteer each month. Or join a sponsorship program where you give a monthly donation if time is your commodity.

If you're not sure how you can give or to whom-pray about it. God will help you find the charitable outlet that needs you.

Psalm 41:1-2 Consider the Poor

1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. I turned to this passage quite by accident today. I was aiming for Psalm 46, but mistyped and ended up here. As I read this passage repeatedly, I found myself thinking of the Occupy Wall Street movement. It is a fight for the poor and unemployed. It is a fight against oppression. It is a fight-in its most basic form- for consideration. Corporations, politicians, and the general 1% are in a position to consider the poor. In particular those corporations that requested or accepted bailout money from the government (read: taxpayers ), should be keeping their promises to use that money to help the poor. But we do not see that happening. Corporations want money. Politicians want jobs. The 1% want influence, if not control. Funny that's what the rest of us-the 99% and the 53%-also want. We want jobs, enough money to live, and influence in our own government. That last is supposed to be a constitutional right, though these days it seems more of a purchased privilege. If corporations are people*, then they should read this message in God's word: Blessed is he that considerate the poor. If they create these jobs that they promised to help the poor, God says he will preserve them in times of trouble (so don't worry about that bottom line or tax liability). God says He will keep them alive and blessed upon the earth. I suppose some might think their fifth car or fourth vacation house more important, but I don't. On the other hand, if corporations are not people… then CEOs could still benefit from some basic lessons in humanity. *I am not saying that I believe that corporations are people. I don't. But if "you" think they are, then fear for their souls. And their CEOs.

The Revival of Jerusalem

2 Chronicles 34

Last week we looked at the life of King Manasseh-the longest reigning and most evil king in Jerusalem. His wicked ways influenced his people and his son to turn away from God and do evil things. When he humbled himself before the Lord, however, that also influenced his family and people. His people turned to the Lord as Manasseh tore down the altars and cleared out the House of the Lord. This redemption, however, came too late to influence his son, Amon.

In our own society this happens regularly. Perhaps a parent is an alcoholic or abusive. The child learns that about the parent and that's what they take from it. The child then must choose to walk in those footsteps or those of another. Statistics show that a recovering alcoholic must be clean for five years before anyone truly beleives them. People watch the person's actions to see if they truly are what they say they are.

This same thing is true to the redeemed. It is true that no one can walk so long in the darkness that he cannot come to the Lord. However, the longer someone has been walking in darkness, the longer it takes for others to believe a change. Even years after we are saved, those who knew us before our humbling might not believe that change. We must show it every day and live it every day.

Josiah, Amon's son and Manasseh's grandson, began his reign when his father died. He was eight years old at this time. This means he only saw the last six years of Manasseh's life. The part of his life that centered on God is what Josiah saw. Starting in his first young years, Josiah continued his grandfather's work of removing the dark altars. Josiah ordered the priests of the Lord to finish cleaning out the House of the Lord. In the long and wicked reign of Manasseh, the Word of God had been lost. The scriptures had been lost. The book of the Law was lost. Is it any wonder that the people of Judah were also lost on the wrong path?

Josiah wanted the Word of God found so the people could truly know what God had said to His people. When the Word of God was found, he ordered it read to him. Then, immediately, Josiah gathered the entire kingdom to hear the Word of God. This is an example of a good, strong, old-fashioned Revival. Josiah knew that only the Word of God would tell the people of Judah who there were and who they needed to be.

The point I'm getting at is that we can have a positive or a negative impact on others. Those who see our sins will remember them and see us that way. Our children see what we do as what we believe. If they see us doing things we know are wrong, they might choose to follow those actions. If they see doing what we know is right, they might choose to follow those actions. We can be either a stepping stone or a stumbling block. Josiah followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, choosing not to follow his own father's evil ways. We can only hope that our influence will be a positive one in the same way.

The Life and Times of King Manasseh

2 Chronicles 33

Today I am looking at chapter 33 of the book of 2 Chronicles. This chapter was brought to my attention last week by our interim pastor. It depicts the reign of the longest reigning King in Jerusalem: Manasseh. I find interesting parallels for all of us in our daily lives in this story.

Manasseh's father, Hezekiah, had torn down the groves and high places used for pagan sacrifice and worship during his reign. In obedience to God, Hezekiah spent his reign bringing the children of Israel back to the worship of the Lord. However, when Manasseh began to reign at the age of 12, he turned a complete 180.

Manasseh started his reign by once again building up the groves and high places for pagan worship. He placed a carved idol in the House of the Lord. Most significantly, he led his people down a path of idolatry and evil. Manasseh set an example for his people by sacrificing his own children by fire to pagan gods. This is the smallest portion of what he did.

In answer to Manasseh's dark deeds, the Lord had him kidnapped and taken to Babylon by the King of Assyria. Only then was Manasseh able to see what he had done wrong and humble himself before the Lord. Only then was able to repent of his deeds and beg for a chance for forgiveness and redemption. When Manasseh was restored to his throne, he once again followed his father's example. He tore down the groves and high places, removed the idols from the House of the Lord and led his people in proper worship of God.

On the surface this might seem like a far-removed event from a long time ago. However, it has direct relations to our lives today. While Manasseh was redeemed and was able to turn things around, his surviving son, Amon, had already learned his father's evil ways. When Manasseh was laid to rest, Amon began to reign at the age of 22. He followed in his father's early footsteps, turning back to a way of idolatry. Where Manasseh reigned for 55 years and was given time to repent and redeem his reign, his son Amon was not so fortunate. His servants conspired and slew him, cutting his reign to a short two years before he was replaced by his eight year old son, Josiah.

What we can take from this is that our children see everything we do. Whether we are burning incense to a foreign God or simply watching television all the time-they see what we do and they learn it. Amon learned his father's evil ways better than his redemption. Amon acted on those evil ways and was slain because of it. What will Amon say when he faces the Lord on judgement day? My daddy made me do it? I don't think God will listen to that. But Manasseh will have to answer for it as well since he was the one who raised Amon.

As parents and even friends we are all responsible for the example we set for others. If we avoid people when they are hurting, we tell them we don't want to help. If we watch TV all day and night, we show our children that television is our main focus, not God or our children. What is your grove or idol that takes all your time? It might be television, shopping, books, food, or any number of things. What are you showing your friends and children is your main focus?

From the story of Manasseh we can learn that it's crucial that we show our loved ones what we truly hold dear. I want to show my children that they are precious not only in God's sight but in mine. I want them to know that they are more important than television or food. (Can you tell what my trouble stone is here? You got it, television!) So here are a list of the things I resolve to focus on and do to help my children and loved ones:

* Make sure I start each day with a prayer. Whether they see me pray or not, my children will benefit as will I when I begin my day in the presence of God.
* When I get home to the children, sit down with them during snack time. By spending solid time with them, they know that I love them. If I can show them my focus on them and God, they might better find their focus to finish homework quickly.
* Keep the TV off most of the time the children are awake. When they see me watching less television, they can follow my example and find better uses for their time. Like prayer and quality family time. Which am I like to remember tomorrow- a game of Sequence with the kids or the plot to yet another Law & Order?
* Pray with the kids when they go to bed.
* Call my friends when they are quiet or need help. This is a tough one for me as I get nervous about making phone calls. There's no reason for it at all-it's just how I am. It's not uncommon for me to consider that a friend might need a call when I haven't seen her in awhile. What is rare is that I actually make the call. Doing so shows my friends and loved ones that I am thinking of them. Jesus did not wait for the masses to come to him-he traveled to their cities so they could see him. I need to make the same effort.

So these are just a few of the things I have taken from 2 Chronicles 33, the life of Manasseh. I hope they help you as much as they have helped me.

Father God, forgive me this day for those things I have put ahead of you. Help me to keep my eyes on you and show my children what is truly important. Amen.